• These artist's impressions are from a set of collectable cards issued by the Golden Fleece Oil Company, which was a well known brand in Australia in the 1950s. The illustrations and the wording are, to the best of my ability to check, reasonably accurate. No alterations have been made by me. The wording appeared on the back of the card, the picture on the front.

Our women made history, when a detachment of nurses was organised and sent to South Africa to tend the wounded. Such a move was a victory in women's fight for equality and recognition of their rights. Illustrated is one of these brave nurses who carried on the traditions of Florence Nightingale

This Regiment began in 1870. Formerly the Tasmanian Volunteer Regiment, it changed in 1897 to the 1st Battalion Tasmanian Infantry Regiment. In 1911 it became the 93rd Infantry Battalion and in 1915 was the 40th Battalion AIF. The 2/40th distinguished itself in Timor in World War Two

The oldest existing Cavalry Regiment in Australia, the N.S.W. Lancers was formed in 1885, as the Sydney Light Horse. It was changed in 1894 to N.S.W. Lancer Regiment, and this was one of the first to serve in the Boer War. The Regiment also saw service in World War 1 and 2

A relatively new unit, the British Royal Army Service Corps was put on permanent basis in 1889. The Australian Army Service Corps served with distinction in the 1st and 2nd World Wars supplying stores and equipment to front-line forces. It plays a very important role in today's modern Army.

The soldier here is an Australian Infantryman. He served in France where such ANZAC battle honours as Fromelles, Ypres, Messines, Somme, Corbie, Villers-Bretonneux, Peronne, Mont St. Quentin and the Hindenburg Line were added to the Australian military laurels, which included Gallipoli and Lone Pine.

These women suffered the privations and hardships of the front line troops in World War 1. Their tenderness in caring for the wounded will never be forgotten. Australian Army Nurses served in every theatre of war during 1915-18, and won the admiration, praise and heartfelt thanks of all troops.

In November 1914, the A.F.C. sent two aircraft to New Guinea, so becoming the first Dominion Air Corps on active service. In April 1915, the half flight sailed for Bombay to fight the Turks in Mesopotamia. Other squadrons followed. Many of our famous aviation pioneers flew with the A.F.C.

The R.A.A.M.C., a non-combatant unit, served in the Boer War, and in the 1st and 2nd World wars. Its job was mainly to recover wounded from the battlefield, give first aid and transport them to Field Hospitals. The soldier illustrated is from the old militia battalion, the 17th Field Ambulance.

The R.A.N. was formed in the year 1911 with two destroyers, the H.M.A.S. "Parramatta" and "Yarra", and five similar ships. By 1918 it had 21 naval vessels in service and a brilliant record, including the sinking of the German cruiser "Emden". At the end of World War 2, the R.A.N. had 317 ships

28. AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S ARMY SERVICE - A.W.A.S.

By performing such tasks as clerks, signallers, drivers, cooks, orderlies, typists, telephonists, mechanics and A.A. crews, these women released soldiers for active service. The A.W.A.S. was disbanded in 1946, the newly formed Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, or W.R.A.A.C., carrying on its splendid tradition.

29. 2nd A.I.F., 1939-45

2nd A.I.F. soldiers served in such theatres of war as North Africa, Syria, Greece, Crete, Malaya, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, and added to their great record such battle honours as Bardia, Tobruk, Derna, El Alemein, Kokoda Trail, Milne Bay, Buna, Shaggy Ridge, Lae, Finschafen, Salamaua.

One of the many women's auxiliaries, the Voluntary Aid Detachment dates back to the days of World War 1, and the uniform featured was worn in World War 2. These women assisted the Australian Army Nursing Service, acting as nursing orderlies and assisting in a general way at military hospitals

In World War 2, the A.A.M.W.S. helped medical staffs in Field and Base Hospitals, with all tasks from nursing to scrubbing floors. Many of the A.A.M.W.S. saw service overseas, and since the war have served in Australian units in British Commonwealth forces in Asia. Illustrated is a Sergeant.

Formerly the Australian Flying Corps, it was changed to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921, and until 1939 was only a small force. By 1945, however, it was one of the world's largest air forces, its airmen winning 2,286 decorations and serving in every theatre of war. Illustrated is a pilot.

While serving in the Boer War and World Wars 1 and 2, many nurses sacrificed their lives in the course of their duty. They have truly earned very serviceman's deep respect and heartfelt thanks. This wonderful service is carried on today under the title of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.

In June 1941, only 22 women were in this service, but at the outbreak of war with Japan in December this number had risen to thousands. The service is still maintained by the R.A.N., and duties are carried out in the traditions of the Women's Royal Naval Service, which had its beginning in 1917.

This was the first women's service (apart from the nursing service) to come into being. In World War 2 these gallant women worked as clerks, orderlies, drivers, motor mechanics, signals, riggers, flight mechanics, instrument repairers and armourers, releasing airmen for more arduous tasks.

The Royal Australian Regiment was first formed from the 65th, 66th and 66th Infantry Battalions in 1945 for service with the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces in Japan. The Regiment's 3rd Battalion served in Korea, earning the distinguished Presidential Citation of the United States of America

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