OBJECT IN WEEK FOUR IN THE COLLECTION

This pair of brown leather officer's dress boots with strap-on spurs and leather instep patch and under sole chain come complete with matching left and right wooden stretchers and spreader wedges.They were owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.

Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as a Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse and after only 18 months was promoted to the command of the regiment. He went on to take command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th, 13th and 20th Light Horse Regiments. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.