Each certificate was numbered, in this case H044010, and was redeemable at any Savings Bank in Australia for the face value of £5 after its seven-year term.

In lieu of cash, the public could also pay using a completed book of the five shilling Tank War Savings Stamps.

It is surprising how many families still have War Savings certificates stashed away in their homes because they were never claimed for one reason or another.

The government's idea was to hold the certificate until it matured, thus allowing the public to give valuable financial help towards Australia's war effort.

The certificates were backed by the government and were actually a form of Treasury Bond. It allowed the small saver to back the war effort during the Great War and Second World War.

The World War Two certificates were introduced soon after the outbreak of the war. The Note Printing Branch of the Commonwealth Bank made preparatory designs for the certificates by September 1939 and printing began in February 1940 to go on sale in May that year.

The earlier issues were larger in size than the WWI issues and more brightly coloured.

By the end of 1940, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 certificates were being sold.

The certificates could be cashed at any time within the seven-year period for varying amounts shown on the face of each certificate, with compound interest of 3.25 per cent being paid.

The purchase price was less than the face value so that, say, a 1 was actually purchased at 16 shillings. No person was allowed to purchase or own certificates with a greater face value of 250, though this policy could not really be policed.

All certificates were numbered with two letters of the alphabet and a quantity of numbers, usually six.

They were signed by Mr R.G. Macfarlane, one of the signatories who signed our Australian banknotes in 1942.

Two sizes were produced: a large size 208mm x 165mm and a smaller size 190mm x 130mm, the latter being much scarcer.

As early as June 1940, problems were experienced in obtaining sufficient supplies of bond printing paper to meet requirements, so certificates were printed on banknote paper.

After printing, the certificates were packed into boxes of 1000 and marked with batch numbers. Mr A. Doyle, the Note and Printing Branch's senior cashier, signed each box before it was dispatched to post offices and special War Savings offices.

War equipment, such as Bren Gun Carriers, were often used to promote the War Savings certificates and came to Bathurst and Orange.

The sales of certificates exceeded all expectations, mainly as they were exempt from state and federal taxes. Bank branches and registries were often crowded with loan subscribers and banking hours had to be extended to manage the demand. Significant strain was placed on the bank's staff and resources, which were themselves constrained by the wartime circumstances.

The government encouraged the formation of War Savings groups in workplaces, places of worship, clubs and neighbourhoods. These groups were designed to enhance members' capacity to buy war certificates by pooling their resources.

The income generated by the savings certificates was used to finance the war's costs and equipment, which could cost sixpence for only three .303 bullets, £4 for an 18lb cartridge, £150 for a Bren gun and £250 for a Vickers machine gun.

An anti-aircraft gun cost £8000, plus £300 for associated equipment. A field ambulance outfit cost £17,000 - it included 13 lorries, water cart, eight ambulances, five motorcycles and general and medical equipment.