Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Pre 1914, Officer's Professional Library, COLLETT, 11 Australian Infantry Battalion,1908

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Overview

Pamphlets, instructional manuals and military publications inscribed "Collett" and used by Herbert Brayley Collett as he advanced in his military career to regimental command from 1894 to 1908.

Historical information

.From an early age Collett demonstrated his enthusiasm for military service, joining the Metropolitan Rifle Volunteers as a private in 1894. By the time of the inauguration of the Commonwealth in January 1901 he had reached the rank of captain and was in command of a Western Australian contingent at the Federation ceremonies in Centennial Park in Sydney. He served a term as adjutant to the 1st Battalion in the Western Australian Infantry Brigade and between 1903 and 1906 he was militia adjutant to the 11th Australian Infantry Regiment. In 1907 he attended a course for senior military officers at the University of Sydney, and in 1908 assumed command of the regiment with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-437

Inscriptions and markings

For many part time officers in the Volunteers or Militia, distance learning was the norm. From its foundation, the Victoria Public Library later the WA State Library had in its public collection a variety of military publications and manuals to provide learning resources for part-time soldiers. From 1903 the United Services Institution of Western Australia similarly maintained a library of resources to support continuing professional development. Time, finances, limited vacancies and distance prevented many aspiring officers from attending formal courses. Future leaders like JJ Talbot Hobbs and HB Collett were exceptions.

Contextual Information

These publications are displayed in the Pre 1914 gallery of the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia. They were transferred to the stewardship of the Army Museum by the Western Australian State Library in 1910. The medals awarded to Colonel Collett are on display in the 1914 area of the World War 1 Gallery.

Links to additional resources

Studio Portrait and Biography

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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