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After enduring ferocious fighting and horrific conditions as a prisoner of war during World War II, Alfred Spooner could be forgiven for wanting to forget the horrors he saw.
But the Australian soldier was a meticulous collector and brought home a treasure trove of memorabilia from his time as one of the famous Rats of Tobruk in Libya and prisoner of the Nazis in Europe.
After more than six decades of being carefully stored away, Spooner's rare collection of medals, letters, army kit and photographs has been put on display at Australia's High Commission in London.
Spooner died 25 years ago, but his 85-year-old widow, Joan, was determined his collection be preserved and find a good home.
"My husband would be so pleased," she said. "I think it will be a symbol for the Australians that pass by and come and see it. It will represent all the Australian forces and remind people of what those men endured."
On display at Australia House are Spooner's khaki slouch hat, brown leather army belt and a wooden crib board he carved with a penknife while a prisoner of war in Austria.
There are also his five war medals, his dog tags, a tie he made out of an army-issue shirt and photographs of him with fellow Aussie soldiers from the 2nd/13th Battalion AIF.
- AAP
