The Argus, Troops wave farewell from the Empress of Canada, Melbourne, c 1940, H98.101/1974

The Argus photographs trace the journeys of many Victorian men and women who enlisted, served, lived and died as soldiers and nurses in WWII. They also depict the wide range of experiences of those on Victoria's home front, from being a member of the Women's Land Army to digging an air-raid shelter in the backyard. When the end of the war was declared, huge crowds of Victorians gathered in Melbourne to celebrate.