VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS ARMBAND     #1

Khaki cotton armband worn by members of the VDC. The 'RSL' monogram indicates this is an early version when the VDC was administered by them. In May 1941 control was passed to Army Headquarters. The coloured band at the top indicated different ranks; Commander - Red, Battalion Leader - Yellow, Company Leader - Green, Platoon Leader - White, Section Leader - Purple, Administration Staff and Liaison Officers - light blue.

VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS SHOULDER PATCH     #2

The colour patch of the VDC, featuring a red circle within a ochre square, with "VDC" embroidered centrally.

DUMMY MACHINE GUN USED BY VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS     #3

In the absence of suitable equipment for training purposes, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) took it upon themselves to fashion their own examples of mortars, machine guns, rifles and grenades. Their efforts range from the crude and dangerous to the relatively sophisticated. This dummy machine gun was manufactured from local materials. The handle and breech of the gun are carved from wood to which has been nailed a folded tin barrel which has been soldered. A round tin ammunition tray, bolted to the top of the gun, can be rotated by means of a ratchet which also activates a crude sound generating device. The sight has been soldered to the front of the barrel while a simple dipod, made from mild tubular steel is attached with a butterfly nut. The gun is painted khaki green.

DUMMY MACHINE GUN USED BY VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS     #4

DUMMY MORTAR AS USED BY VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS     #5

In the absence of suitable equipment for training purposes, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) took it upon themselves to fashion their own examples of mortars, machine guns, rifles and grenades. Their efforts range from the crude and dangerous to the relatively sophisticated. Home made cast mortar bomb which is essentially a round topped cylinder that has been painted black, with what appears to be a sump plug screwed into the nose, serving as a striker. Unsurprisingly, a number of accidents were recorded among VDC member using homemade weapons during the war.

DUMMY RIFLE AS USED BY VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS PRACTICE RIFLE     #6

In the absence of suitable equipment for training purposes, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) took it upon themselves to fashion their own examples of mortars, machine guns, rifles and grenades. Their efforts range from the crude and dangerous to the relatively sophisticated. Australian practice rifle made with bush timber and has an iron butt. It is complete with bayonet and scabbard, capable of being unfixed and was made from part of a reaping machine. A number of rifles of this type and similar were used for training in rifle exercises, fixing and unfixing bayonets and bayonet practice.

GAS PRODUCER      #7

Black, steel, charcoal burning, gas producing, power unit manufactured by Electrolux in Melbourne as a petrol substitute for cars up to 30 horsepower. The main components of the unit are a large cylindrical charcoal burner with a hinging lid, a generator, and a filtering and cooling system. At the rear of the unit there is a black steel mounting bracket fitted for attachment to a motor vehicle. This particular unit is a heavy duty up-draft type, advertised by Electolux as the "C" or "Senior" model, which, unlike the smaller "Junior B" model, additionally employs a water system which enriches the gas produced by the unit, while reducing charcoal consumption. Larger models designed for truck use, were also made by Electrolux and a number of other local manufacturers.

MOTOR SPIRIT EMERGENCY RATION TICKETS     #8

Motor Spirit Emergency Ration Tickets were issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. There were 5 tickets, each a different colour, and each for a different amount of petrol; 1 gallon, 2 gallons, 10 gallons and 100 gallons. The tickets are 'For Essential Civilian Purposes only valid for 14 days from the date of issue as shown hereon.'

WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES     #9

These saving certificates were sold during the Second World War by the commonwealth Government to raise money for the war effort. The certificate could be redeemed on the date of expiry for the purchase amount plus interest.

SLOUCH HAT WORN VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS     #10

Australian Army slouch hat with badge as worn by members of the Volunteer Defence Corps.

TUNIC AS WORN BY VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS    #11

Wool twill forest green tunic issued to the Volunteer Defence Corps during the early stages of the Second World War, with brass rising sun badges on each collar, Lieutenant pips and brass "AMF" buttons, all of which are painted dark grey. The tunic featured pleated breast and hip patch pockets with three point flaps. The waistbelt is fitted with a brass belt holder on each side. These were made by the Ashford Clothing Company. Sewn to each upper arm is the colour patch of the VDC, featuring a red circle within a ochre square, with "VDC" embroidered centrally.

"WILD WOODBINE" CIGARETTES ISSUED TO SERVICE PERSONAL   #12

Pack of ten "Wild Woodbine" cigarettes were issued to service personal