William Dunlop Collection

Fold-out Christmas card containing a poem and a note addressed to Will from Agg. B. Hill End. (Aggie Black and the Black family are mentioned in Private William Dunlop's diary, and he regularly noted receiving letters from her). The front page depicts an Australian soldier stepping across an Australian map onto a map of Gallipoli.

Child's letter addressed to Will, from Bobbie. Bobbie was Private William Dunlop's younger brother. He writes: "How are you? I got the (illegible) alright thank you. They are very pretty. Have been away from school two days this week with sore throat and cold. It is very dry and we want some rain. Melva Sanderson gave me a dart gun and have a big Australian flag. Love from Bobbie".

Silk embroidered postcard which depicts an English and a French flag with crossed flagpoles. A four leaf clover sits below them and sprigs of leaves decorate the edges. This embroidery opens up like an envelope and contains a smaller paper note reading "Best wishes for a happy future". The postcard was sent to Bob Dunlop at Hazeldene, Chinchilla, from his brother William Dunlop. 

Silk embroidered postcard depicting four flags of British allies - from left to right, the Russian flag, the Italian flag, the French flag, and the Belgian flag. In the centre of the image is a shield with the British Union Jack. Above this shield is a royal crown. To the left of the flags are the words "Good luck". The postcard is sent to Bob Dunlop at Hazeldene, Chinchilla, from his brother William Dunlop. 

Silk embroidered postcard depicting three different French flowers, including a red poppy. To the right of the flowers are the words "Flowers from France". Postcard is from William Dunlop to 'Mater', possibly his step-mother Amy.

Small card with the message 'Best Wishes for a Happy Future' printed on the front. These cards were often inserted into a silk embroidered letter card of the type sent home by soldiers serving on the Western Front. This card was presumably attached to one of the cards Private William Dunlop sent home.

Postcard of Hanging Rock, Victoria from Rene Benson, Bentleigh, Victoria sent to William Dunlop. Dunlop had received a "billie" packed by Rene Benson at Christmas 1915 when he was at Lemnos, this card is in reply to his thank you letter. 

Humourous postcard depicting a drawing of a Scottish man in a kilt kissing a woman in a long tartan skirt. Caption reads "A nip of real scotch". The card is from G.J. McBean of Lanarkshire, Scotland to William Dunlop. The author is possibly Grace McBean who is mentioned in his diaries as a regular correspondent. The 'Aunt Bella' mentioned in the card may be his aunt Isabella Dunlop (1861-1943) who also lived in Scotland.

Photographic postcard of a Queenslander homestead. Two men stand next to a horse and cart, a child sits in the cart, and three women stand on the verandah of the homestead. Possibly the Dunlop family prior to William's enlistment.

Photographic postcard of a family gathered around a citrus tree. Possibly the Dunlop family prior to William's enlistment.

Studio portrait of William Dunlop, taken on 8 June 1915 (information supplied with photograph).

Group photograph of five Australian soldiers; William Dunlop is standing top left of the group. 

William Dunlop in military uniform, sitting on a post (4 copies).

Five Australian soldiers; William Dunlop is identified as the man in the cap, standing to left of group. (Small copy of the photograph at item 12.)

Portrait of unknown soldier produced in a leaf-shaped effect.

Four Sikh soldiers, Gallipoli

Photocopy of a photograph of William's sister Nina Dunlop. The original was inscribed 'To dear Willie, from Nina with love', and was carried by William throughout his war experience. The original photograph was retained by Nina's family (information supplied by donor).

"Blue Funnel Roller", a weekly newspaper produced onboard S.S. Aeneas, No. 1 edition.

"Blue Funnel Roller", a weekly newspaper produced onboard the troopship S.S. Aeneas, No. 2 edition.

Band program for an event on the S.S. Aeneas, for the 25th Battalion 7th Infantry Brigade.

Menu and band program for an event on the troopship S.S. Aeneas, HMA Transport A60.

Program for the 25th Concert and Presentation of Sports Prizes event on board S.S. Aeneas.

Drinks menu written in Greek and Arabic. 

Newspaper clipping relating the details of William Dunlop's death.

Inventory check slip from the Kit Store in London.

Deceased Soldiers Kit tag, with William Dunlop's details.

Blank card depicting flags of Allied nations. 

Inventory listing the effects belonging to William Dunlop being returned to family.

Notice addressed to Robert Dunlop of Chinchilla, requesting acknowledgement of the safe return of his son William Dunlop's effects.

Diary in black leather cover; an elastised band is attached to the centre front of diary.  The handwritten entries from January to December 1915 begin with William Dunlop's time in Brisbane whilst training, the voyage to the Middle East, training in camp, sightseeing in Egypt, and the fighting at Gallipoli. Dunlop was evacuated from the Dardenelles on 18 December 1915 to Lemnos as the allied troops were withdrawn.

Black diary with handwritten notes describing William Dunlop's time in Egypt, including descriptions of guided tours of Cairo, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. 

A diary entry on two-sided YMCA letterhead was folded inside the diary listed at (item 31). It describes leaving camp at Abbassia and heading to the Dardenelles.

Diary with an olive green cover containing William Dunlop's handwritten entries from 1 January - 15 June 1916. William records the sea voyage from Lemnos to Egypt after serving on Gallipoli, the camp at Tel-el-Kebir and then into France. He was killed in action on 23 June 1916. 

YMCA issued 'Active Service' Testament 1915, with a message to the troops from Lord Roberts printed on the inside cover. 

Cameron's Havelock Superior Mixture Smoking Tobacco tin, with a hinged lid. The tin would have originally contained smoking tobacco for rolling into cigarettes. William Dunlop or his family used the tin to house his collection of military badges, buttons and souvenirs.

2 cartridge casings. The headstamp of the smaller casing reads MF 60 L2A2. The larger casing is damaged and rusted, and its headstamp is illegible. These casings were presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and in France.

4 standard issue brass Rising Sun badges. Each has the words 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces' in the scrolls located at the bottom of the badge. The large badge was to be worn on a collar but the fitting lugs have broken off. The three smaller Rising Sun badges each have slide fittings for a hat. The Rising Sun badge identified servicemen and servicewomen as belonging to the Australian Army. These badges were presumably worn by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

This collection of 8 badges would have been worn together on shoulder straps to depict '25 INF Australia', to identify Private William Dunlop as belonging to the 25th Infantry Battalion of the Australian Army. All ranks wore an 'Australia' title at the base of their shoulder straps. The badges are made from oxidised brass and each has complete fitting lugs.

This is a collection of 6 shoulder title badges from various units of the British Army, presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and in France. Each is made of brass, and all except the QER badge are complete with fixings. Included in the collection are badges from:

• 10th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment
• Royal West Kent Territorial Yeomanry
• Welsh Regiment
• Lincolnshire Regiment
• Royal Field Artillery
• Queens Edinburgh Rifles, Royal Scots (battalion details and fixings are missing).

This badge signifies the New Zealand Army Service Corps, who supported fighting troops with ammunition, food, water, mail and transport services. The badge depicts a laurel wreath, symbolising Victory, and the ribbon and motto of the Order of the Garter.  The initials ASC on the badge signify the Army Service Corps, and the Crown symbolises loyalty to the monarch.  The motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' is the motto of the Order of the Garter. It is Anglo-Norman French and means ‘Evil unto him who thinks evil of it'. This badge was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Hat badge commemorating the service of The Essex Regiment in Egypt. The badge shows the Castle and Key of Gibraltar, within a wreath of oak, surmounted by a sphinx resting upon a frosted tablet bearing the honour 'Egypt'. Made from white metal and gilding metal. This badge was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Sweetheart brooch depicting a cannon and the French flag. The ribbon underneath may have read 'Hazebrouk',  a town William visited in late March and early April 1916, just weeks before his death.  This badge is an example of commercially produced 'sweetheart' jewellery. Often worn by female relatives, or a girlfriend or wife, these brooches were a symbol of pride, support and affection for a loved one serving in the armed forces. This badge was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time in France.

Domed oxidised metal button showing a raised emblem of Australia surmounted by the King's Crown. Encircling Australia is 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES'. The back of the button has two holes opposing each other and a shank centrally located. Surrounding this is a stamped makers name ‘STOKES & SONS MELBOURNE’.  This button presumably belonged to Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Uniform button with the words 'Australian Commonwealth' written around a crest commemorating Edward VII. Backmark indicates it was made by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne. This button was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Two New Zealand Army tunic buttons of different sizes.  In the centre of both buttons are four stars representing the Southern Cross constellation. Surrounding this is a raised circular border with the text 'NEW ZEALAND FORCES' in raised lettering. On the reverse are the maker's details, 'J.R. GAUNT & SON LTD. LONDON'. These buttons were presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Tunic button from The Scottish Horse Regiment.  Depicts an oval inscribed 'Scottish Horse 1900' with St Andrews Cross laid over. Above the oval is a Scottish crown, and below is a scroll with the Boer War battle honours: 'South Africa 1900, 1901, 1902'. Backmark reads: 'McClymont Dewar Glasgow'.  This button was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Brass general service button showing the British coat of arms. This button was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Tunic button from the King's Royal Rifle Corps uniform featuring a crown and a bugle. Made from black horn. This button was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Tunic button from the King's Royal Rifle Corps uniform featuring a crown and a bugle. Made from black horn. This button was presumably collected by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Small metal tin box containing one improvised metal identity disc (reads: AIF 25 Bat, 625, W. Dunlop, Pres), a suspected tooth veneer, and a small horn spoon of undetermined use. The box has the words 'W Dunlop ANZA' scratched into the metal lid.

Private William Dunlop's diary records many dentist visits before he disembarked, including being fitted with a dental  bridge. He also made multiple visits to the Army dentist while on active service in France.

Folding knife, made of metal and horn, possibly French. Not complete. This knife was presumably collected and used by Private William Dunlop during his time at Gallipoli and France.

Two items which may have held the personal items of Private William Dunlop, or may have been added to this collection by his family at a later stage:

• A small bag made from a heavy calico material. Stained.
• A leather pouch with press stud.

Black silk ribbon:  machine embroidered in gold with wattle sprigs, a 'Rising Sun' badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. Badge is suspended from a white metal bar bearing laurel leaves. A white metal bar at the bottom of the ribbon bears a single star to indicate one death. The serial number '3434' is impressed on the reverse of the pin clasp.
 

The Mothers and Widows Badge was issued to the wives or mothers of those Australian service personnel of the AIF or ANMEF who were killed in action or died from causes directly attributable to their service. A single star attached to the lower bar represented the life lost, and further stars were issued for any additional son killed. 

This medalet was issued by the Department of Defence and distributed to all school children in the Commonwealth of Australia. This badge may have been presented to Private William Dunlop's younger brother Robert.

The Peace of 1919 medalet is circular with a plain edge and integral suspension loop. The medalet features a central panel surrounded by laurel leaves, surmounted by the King's Crown with the word 'VICTORY' over the rays of the rising sun. A sailor and a soldier stand at ease on either side of the panel on which is cast 'THE TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE'. Below the leaves is a very small panel with the words 'THE PEACE OF 1919'. The reverse features a symbolic female figure of Peace, holding a sword and standing on a plinth marked 'PEACE 1919'. Below which is 'AUSTRALIA'. Behind her fly two doves, and at her left and right feet are two figures freed from their shackles.

Next of Kin Memorial Plaque encased in a cardboard box. The box also contains a printed card which says ' William Dunlop (Aged 23 years). Killed in Action, 23rd June 1916, buried in Cemetery La Plus Douvre Ferme, S of Wulverghem, 1 3/4 miles W.S.W of Messines in France.'

Next of Kin Memorial Plaques were first distributed in Australia in 1922 for presentation to the families of those who died on active service in World War I within Great Britain and its dominions. The round bronze Memorial Plaque is 120mm in diameter. It shows Britannia and a lion on the front and bears the inscription: "He died for freedom and honour". The full name of the dead soldier is engraved on the right hand side of the plaque. No rank, unit or decorations are shown, recognising the equality of the sacrifice made by all casualties.  

The shape and appearance of the plaque earned it nicknames such as the "Dead Man's Penny", the "Death Penny", and the "Widow's Penny".