George Weeks collection

Trooper George Weeks astride his unsaddled horse in the Middle East during the First World War. On the reverse: from Bert Kirkwood. Herbert Vincent Kirkwood # 1437 served with the 2nd Light Horse Regimentalong with George Weeks.

Group photo of members of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment in camp.

2nd Light Horse Regiment, horse lines and camp, in the Middle East

Two Light horse men pictured at the entrance to their tent.

Copy of studio portrait of George Weeks seated with his brother with their mother Annie, taken in Brisbane by Mathewson & Co.

Studio portrait photograph of George Weeks in military uniform, mounted on card.

Photographic postcard showing Trooper George Weeks' wooden grave marker at his original burial place in the western corner of 'Gum Grove'; the township of Beersheba can be seen in the background.

Photographic postcard showing the cemetery where Trooper George Weeks was originally interred, known as Gum Grove, located in the township of Beersheba.

Photographic postcard showing Trooper George Weeks' wooden grave marker with wreath. This is one of three originally supplied by the Imperial War Graves Commission, which was established to care for and commemorate the grave sites of fallen Commonwealth troops. Trooper Weeks was originally buried at Gum Grove, Beersheba, but was later reinterred at the Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel, located 75 kilometres south west of Jerusalem.

The photographs are enclosed in a commemorative folder with details of the soldiers service, and location of his burial place.

Letter to Mrs Annie Weeks, from Lieutenant Colonel George Bourne, of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, offering his sympathy at the loss of her son George, the previous October.

Letter written to Thomas Henry Weeks, from Major Gilbert Birkbeck, of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, in response to his enquiry regarding the death of his brother George. He writes that George's comrades sincerely mourn the loss of a fearless soldier, and cheerful, willing worker. He also writes that for his gallant conduct during the Battle of Rafa, George was mentioned in Regimental Orders, after carrying out wounded under heavy fire, during that operation.

Pro-forma letter to Mrs Annie Weeks confirming her son George Weeks' death, on 31 October 1917.

Letter from Major James Malcolm Lean, Officer in Charge Base Records, to Mrs Annie Weeks, confirming the date and place of death of her son George, and place of burial as being in West Corner, Gum Grove, Beersheba on 2 November 1917, Chaplain John Boardman officiated.

Receipt issued in the name of Annie Weeks for the cost of the inscription to be applied to her son's gravestone.

The inscription which is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reads: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

Memorial 'thankyou' card associated with the death of George Weeks, includes two duplicates and one envelope which is inscribed "Grannie".

Certificate of Baptism issued for George Rickart Weeks, son of William Henry and Annie Pope, confirming his birth at Vulture Street, East Brisbane on 15 July 1894.

Certificate of Death issued in the name of George Rickart Weeks, recording his death, age 23 at Beersheba, Palestine, on 31 October 1917.

This memorial scroll was presented by the King to the next of kin of those soldiers who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War. It bears the Royal Coat of Arms and a message paying tribute to the soldiers who gave up "their own lives that others might live in freedom".

This scroll would have originaly been contained within a small cardboard cylinder.

This round bronze Memorial Plaque, shows Britannia and a lion on the front and bears the inscription: "He died for freedom and honour". The full name of Trooper George Weeks is engraved on the right hand side of the plaque without rank, unit or decoration, befitting the equality of the sacrifice made by all casualties. The shape and appearance of the plaque has earned its nickname of the "Dead Man's Penny".

Included is the original letter from King George, Buckingham Palace (which accompanyed the Memorial Plaque) which states: "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War".

This First World War Mothers and Widows Badge was issued to Annie Weeks, as the mother of a member of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) who was killed in action. The black ribbon is machine-embroidered in gold with wattle sprigs, a Rising Sun badge, and the words "For Australia". The badge is suspended from a white metal bar which bear laurel leaves, and has a star added to the bottom bar, indicating the death of one soldier.

Two Australian Imperial Force (AIF) identification discs, one of leather, the other of stamped metal belonging to Trooper George Weeks, as returned to his mother Annie Weeks, with his effects after his death at Beersheba in 1917.

British War Medal with orange and blue original ribbon, issued in the name of Thomas Henry Weeks who served with the RANBT Reinforcements, Swan Island. Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I.

Thomas Henry Weeks enlisted for service abroad with the RANBT in 1916, having already received naval training in Queensland for some 8 years prior. The RANBT which was formed in 1915 and was manned by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, served at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli Peninsula during August-December 1915 and in the Sinai during 1916-17. The Brigade was disbanded in March 1917, and Thomas Weeks was discharged.

Victory Medal with original rainbow ribbon, issued in the name of George Rickart Weeks, who served with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 1915-1917 and was received by his mother Annie Weeks in 1923.

The Victory Medal was awarded to all those who served in the armed forces during the First World War. The medal has a rainbow coloured ribbon and shows the figure of victory with her left arm extended and her right arm holding a palm branch.

Original 1914-1915 medal ribbon. The ribbon has the red white and blue colours of the Empire, in shaded and watered stripes and would have been attached to a four pointed star medallion in bright bronze, ensigned with a crown.

This would have originally been attached to the medal awarded posthumously to George Weeks, and issued to his mother Annie. The medal is now attached to a mounted medal board, listed separately.

Mounted medal board with the ribbon colours of: 1914-1915 Star; British War Medal; and Victory Medal; attached is the 1914-15 Star service medal awarded to George Rickart Weeks.

Service Medal ribbon bar with three medal ribbons relating to the Military Medal, War Medal, & Victory Medal. These bars are designed for wearing on uniform tunic or shirt.

Three Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) domed oxidised metal uniform buttons showing a raised emblem of Australia surmounted by the King's Crown. Encircling Australia is 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES'.

Each button is stamped on the reverse with the manufacturer, all three were manufactured by separate companies: Empire Die & Tool Works Syd; Rainsford’s Sydney; K & S Luke Pty Ltd Melbourne

Two British Army officers brass rank badges, featuring the Kings Crown with remnants of red felt attached. These badges were most likely souvenired by Trooper George Weeks while serving in the Middle East during the First World War.

A Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RS&SILA) badge, issued between 1919 and 1921 and most likely relating to Henry Thomas Weeks who served with the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train Reinforcements, during the First World War.

Government of the Straits Settlements, promissory 10 Cent note, no. 52420 entitling the bearer to redeem its value in Singapore. After the First World War, metal for the production of coins was scarce and expensive, these notes were issued in liew of hard currency.

Turkish 5 piastres note, series 18 number 118346, associated with the service of George Weeks in the Middle East during the First World War