Australian military uniform elements for Dr Clive Herbert (Tom) Selby
Object numberM2006/051
TitleAustralian military uniform elements for Dr Clive Herbert (Tom) Selby
DescriptionA collection of elements of military uniforms from Dr Clive Herbert (Tom) Selby attached to an A4 page. Item A-E are small buttons with a central map of Australia and Australian Military forces around the outside. Items F-H are the same as above but larger. Item I is 1990 ANZAC day badge. Item J is the Imperial Services Club badge. Item K is a sleeve patch, identifying years of service. Item L colour patch for the 6th divisional medical unit of the A.I.F. Item M 'Australia' shoulder badge and items N-O are belt buckles off a safari tunic.
Clive Herbert (Tom) Selby was born in Elsternwick, Melbourne on 17 December 1908. After the family relocated to Sydney, he attended Gordon Public School, and Sydney Church of England Grammar School before going on to study Medicine at the University of Sydney.
Tom completed his training at Sydney Hospital in 1934 and went straight into an appointment as Ship's Surgeon on multiple ships, allowing him to travel to Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and New Britain. Wanting to travel to England, he took the position of Ship's Surgeon on the Parakoola and stayed in England for three years, working at various hospitals.
He returned to Australia in 1938 and enlisted immediately when war was declared. He became the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of 2/1 Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and served in Bardia, Tobruk, Greece and Crete.
After his return to Australia, he was posted to Milne Bay, PNG where he served as Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (DADMS) Combined Operational Service Command, a position that required him to establish good relations and coordinate with the United States forces. During the Wewak campaign, he was the Commanding Officer of the 2/7 Field Ambulance, establishing dressing stations as close as 1.5km from the frontline in order to treat the wounded.
Tom was mentioned in multiple despatches throughout his service, noting his exceptional and distinguished actions while in the field.
After the war, Tom practiced as a General Practitioner in Neutral Bay for 28 years and later served on the Repatriation Commission assessment and entitlement tribunals and as an examining doctor with the Defence Force Recruiting Centre. He and his wife Zara, had three children. He passed away in July 1996, aged 87, after having attended the annual memorial service for the Battle of Pozieres that morning.
Tom was a member of NAJEX and in 1983 was the RSL Anzac of the Year.
Clive Herbert (Tom) Selby was born in Elsternwick, Melbourne on 17 December 1908. After the family relocated to Sydney, he attended Gordon Public School, and Sydney Church of England Grammar School before going on to study Medicine at the University of Sydney.
Tom completed his training at Sydney Hospital in 1934 and went straight into an appointment as Ship's Surgeon on multiple ships, allowing him to travel to Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and New Britain. Wanting to travel to England, he took the position of Ship's Surgeon on the Parakoola and stayed in England for three years, working at various hospitals.
He returned to Australia in 1938 and enlisted immediately when war was declared. He became the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of 2/1 Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and served in Bardia, Tobruk, Greece and Crete.
After his return to Australia, he was posted to Milne Bay, PNG where he served as Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (DADMS) Combined Operational Service Command, a position that required him to establish good relations and coordinate with the United States forces. During the Wewak campaign, he was the Commanding Officer of the 2/7 Field Ambulance, establishing dressing stations as close as 1.5km from the frontline in order to treat the wounded.
Tom was mentioned in multiple despatches throughout his service, noting his exceptional and distinguished actions while in the field.
After the war, Tom practiced as a General Practitioner in Neutral Bay for 28 years and later served on the Repatriation Commission assessment and entitlement tribunals and as an examining doctor with the Defence Force Recruiting Centre. He and his wife Zara, had three children. He passed away in July 1996, aged 87, after having attended the annual memorial service for the Battle of Pozieres that morning.
Tom was a member of NAJEX and in 1983 was the RSL Anzac of the Year.
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1939 - 1990
Object namemilitary uniforms
Materialpaper, metal, fibres (fabrics)
Dimensions
- height: 295.00 mm
width: 210.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr C H Selby