Echoes of Valor
Memories of War: A Testament to Human Resilience
Explore a poignant collection of WW1 and WW2 artifacts that embody the enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom. These items serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace.
The Black Cross
French award, for services in Western Aftica, WW1 or WW2
Will Dyson 'ANZAC' 1927
Rare 1927 lithograph, + signed by John Monash + Soldiers who won the Victoria Cross in WW1
The Royal RAAF Maps, 1945
This complete set of navigation maps for Australia & PNG were issued to Prince Henry, Govenor General of Australia, 1945
French 'Legion of Honour'
The highest decoration in France, awarded to any notable who provides a service to France, prominently in WWI + WWII.
The Significance of War Artifacts
War artifacts hold a profound significance, serving as tangible links to the past and poignant reminders of the human cost of conflict. They offer invaluable insights into the experiences of those who lived through these tumultuous times, providing a deeper understanding of history and its impact on the present day. In today’s world, as the struggle for freedom and peace continues, these relics remind us of the sacrifices made and the resilience of the human spirit.
Australian Military Medals
C.E.W. Bean's great Official History of the War.
C.E.W. Bean’s “The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18” is a seminal work comprising a multi-volume account of Australia’s military involvement in World War I. Published between 1921 and 1942, this series provides a comprehensive and detailed chronicle of Australian forces’ experiences, strategies, battles, and contributions during the conflict.
Bean, who served as Australia’s official war correspondent, wrote with a deep commitment to accurately representing the experiences of Australian soldiers. His work is significant to the ANZAC tradition because it not only documents the historical events but also contributes to the shaping of Australia’s national identity and military heritage. Through his vivid and often poignant descriptions, Bean helped forge the ANZAC legend, emphasizing themes of bravery, camaraderie, and sacrifice. The series is considered a foundational text in understanding Australia’s role in World War I and has played a crucial role in commemorating and mythologizing the ANZAC spirit.
From the Inside....
Prisoner-of-War boxes
These interesting boxes are the products of prisoners of war in concentration camps. The left example was quite technical, with a mechanism that made the mirror rise when the drawer was opened. It’s from Knockaloe, located on the Isle of Man in WWI. The 24,000 ‘Alien’ detainees – Germans and their families – kept busy making pieces such as this box, and the skill requited shows some were craftsment before being locked up.
An interesting piece of trivia: The Scottish architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh used the talented internees to make items that he had designed, and Archibald Knox, Art Nouveau designer and, a native of the Isle of Man, was a guard at the camp.
The other box has a very fine example of geometric veneer work, and inside has a carved French inscription, “A Ma Filleule Harderwyk 1914 15 16” – this translates as “To my goddaughter, Harderwyk”.
This mis-spelling of Harderwijk in The Netherlands suggests a French speaker’s spelling. The camp was a military barracks, and was used for the military interns: The Netherlands was neutral, but as a signature of the Peace treaty of The Hague of 1907, they were obliged to disarm and intern every military man. Tens of thousands of French and Belgian troops headed into The Netherlands, and were interned in camps like Harderwijk.
The postcard that comes with the box is an amazing record of its Harderwijk origin: the back has an inscription translating as “The making of pretty work boxes”. If you look closely, there’s a box very like this example in the hands of the very French looking man with the magnificent moustache to the right.
Close-up of the box-making
