Medic's Battle Damaged M1 Helmet
c. 1944-1945
(A83) A four-panel medic's M1 helmet. It is a late war variant and has sustained battle damage, however the provenance of the helmet is unknown. Four-panel medics helmets, emblazoned with the characteristic red cross on a white background denoted medics on the battlefield, however did not always save them from the crossfire.
Letters Home from First Lieutenant Augustus Gray, USAAF c. 1942-1945
(A74) Letters home from First Lieutenant Augustus Gray, who served as a navigator on board a (B29?) in the US Army Air Forces during World War Two. After the war he remained in the Air Force Reserve and was called up again in 1950 with the outbreak of the Korean War. He flew 50 missions from Pusan between October, 1951 and March, 1952. After Korea, he became a math teacher in East Greenbush, New York. The letters reveal aspects into his everyday life during his training and later while he was stationed in the Pacific.
Mk II Emergency Flying Ration, RAAF
c. 1943
(A81) An empty Mk II Flying Ration tin, as used by the Royal Australian Air Force during WWII. It contained barley sugar, chewing gum, malted milk tablets and energy tablets. In case of an emergency, this would be used by downed airmen to survive in adverse conditions.
German Postcard
1938
(A89) A German postcard sent from Bielefeld, Germany in March, 1938 over a year before the start of the Second World War. The postcard features a picture of South-West Africa and information from the ‘Women’s Association of the German Colonial Society’. This organisation was responsible for promoting migration to the German colonies, particularly in Africa. (Pending Translation)
Uniform and Biography of Warrant Officer Herbert Graham, RCAF
c. 1943
(A91) The tunic and biography of Warrant Officer Herbert Graham, who served as an aerial gunner with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Europe. He was involved in various missions, which included the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck in the North Sea. During his 42nd mission his Lancaster bomber was shot down and Graham was forced to evade capture in France. After spending time on the run with the French Resistance, which included some very close encounters with the Germans, he finally made it to Switzerland and ultimately back to England. The full story is available here
US 7th Army and European Command Technician 4th Grade's Eisenhower Jacket with Decorations
1944
(A76) An Eisenhower (Ike) Jacket belonging to an unnamed technician 4th grade. The jacket is dated June, 1944 and the shoulder sleeve insignia indicates that this man served in Europe with European Command attached to the 7th Army. The stripes on the lower right of the sleeve indicate this particular individual served for one year before being discharged, as highlighted by the 'Ruptured Duck' patch on the left of the jacket. The ribbons show that the serviceman served in Europe and was part of the occupation force that remained after the conclusion of the war in 1945.
