Showing 152 items
matching australian heros
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Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Heroes Denied. The Malayan Harrier Conspiracy, 1990
176 pages. Some black and white photos. 2 tone green. Soft covers, title in red. Subtitle in black - background of map Australia and islands to the north drawn in white.On fly leaf hand written "MIKE BUNDY" books, military history -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Badge, Remembrance Day 1918, 1918
Produced for sale for Remembrance Day 1918A plastic covered paper badge. It is a a shield shape and has a map of Australia in gold surmounted by a red crown. Under the map is a blue ribbon with the word Australia in white. There is a laurel either side of the map in green with a yellow scroll under with 'Heroes, Gallipoli" under with April 25th 1915. On back: Proceeds in aid of State War Council for Soldiers, Widows and orphans and R.S.S.I.L.A.badge, remembrance day -
Orbost & District Historical Society
first day cover, Connell, Lee, June 1987
The Man from Snowy River" is a poem by Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson. It was first published in The Bulletin, an Australian news magazine, on 26th April 1890. The poem tells the story of a horseback pursuit to recapture the colt of a prizewinning racehorse that escaped from its paddock and is living wild with the brumbies (wild horses) of the mountain ranges. Eventually the brumbies descend a seemingly impassably steep slope, at which point the assembled riders give up the pursuit, except the young hero, who spurs his pony down the "terrible descent" to catch the mob.Two characters mentioned in the early part of the poem are featured in previous Paterson poems; "Clancy of the Overflow" and Harrison from "Old Pardon, Son of Reprieve".The town of Orbost is situated on the Snowy River and the town has always been "the heart of Snowy River country".A first day cover for "The Man From Snowy River" stamps. There is a picture of a saddle in the top left-hand corner. There is a strip 5 stamps on the envelope and it has been stamped at Orbost Post Office. This strip has 5 scenes based on the Banjo Patterson legendary poem by the same name. The stamps include: At The Station, Mountain Bend, The Terrible Descent, At Their Heels and Brought Them Back.first-day-cover man-from-snowy-river stamps philately -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Lenette Ramsay Silver, The Heros of RIMAU
On September 11, 1944, the British submarine "Porpoise" slipped quietly from Fremantle Harbour, bound for Indonesia. It was carrying the 23 Australian and British members of Operation Rimau who, under the leadership of the remarkable Lieutenant-Colonel Ivan Lyon of the Gordon Highlanders, intended to repeat the successful Jaywick raid of 1943 by blowing up 60 ships in Japanese-occupied Singapore Harbour, 19 days later, the preliminary part of the operation successfully completed, the submarine commander bade farewell to the raiders at Pedjantan Island, promising to return to pick them up in 38 days' time. A handful of Chinese and Malays and the conquering Japanese were the only people ever to see the 23 men again. According to the scant official post-war record, the mission was an utter failure. All of the party were captured of killed - ten of them beheaded in Singapore only five weeks before the Japanese surrender in, it was claimed, a ceremonial execution. The fate of eleven of the others remains officially unknown. After a 31 year search, Major Tom Hall, with the assistance of writer Lynette Silver, has overturned the official version and uncovered the truth. Aided by thousands of Japanese and Allied documents and by the first-hand accounts of several Indonesians and Malays, sole witnesses to the events of 1944, they have established the fate of every member of the party and unravelled the story of "The Heroes of Rimau" - a story that has for 45 years been all but lost, distorted by hearsay and fantasy, by military cover-ups and conspiracy, by official bungling, ineptitude and apathy. This book not only chronicles a feat of extraordinary daring in the face of overwhelming odds - a gripping tale of inspired courage, self-sacrifice and eventual tragedy - it also exposes the appalling sequence of events which has, until now, resulted in the shameful suppression of the truth about one of the most amazing stories to emerge from World War II.Self-government publication comprising 314 pages with some black-and-white photographs.non-fictionOn September 11, 1944, the British submarine "Porpoise" slipped quietly from Fremantle Harbour, bound for Indonesia. It was carrying the 23 Australian and British members of Operation Rimau who, under the leadership of the remarkable Lieutenant-Colonel Ivan Lyon of the Gordon Highlanders, intended to repeat the successful Jaywick raid of 1943 by blowing up 60 ships in Japanese-occupied Singapore Harbour, 19 days later, the preliminary part of the operation successfully completed, the submarine commander bade farewell to the raiders at Pedjantan Island, promising to return to pick them up in 38 days' time. A handful of Chinese and Malays and the conquering Japanese were the only people ever to see the 23 men again. According to the scant official post-war record, the mission was an utter failure. All of the party were captured of killed - ten of them beheaded in Singapore only five weeks before the Japanese surrender in, it was claimed, a ceremonial execution. The fate of eleven of the others remains officially unknown. After a 31 year search, Major Tom Hall, with the assistance of writer Lynette Silver, has overturned the official version and uncovered the truth. Aided by thousands of Japanese and Allied documents and by the first-hand accounts of several Indonesians and Malays, sole witnesses to the events of 1944, they have established the fate of every member of the party and unravelled the story of "The Heroes of Rimau" - a story that has for 45 years been all but lost, distorted by hearsay and fantasy, by military cover-ups and conspiracy, by official bungling, ineptitude and apathy. This book not only chronicles a feat of extraordinary daring in the face of overwhelming odds - a gripping tale of inspired courage, self-sacrifice and eventual tragedy - it also exposes the appalling sequence of events which has, until now, resulted in the shameful suppression of the truth about one of the most amazing stories to emerge from World War II. -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
New Zealand's Secret Hero's: Don Stott and Z Special Unit
The incredible tale of ‘Z’ Special Unit – a group of mainly New Zealand and Australian commandos and saboteurs who parachuted into enemy-occupied territory to fight the war, sometimes single-handedly.The story begins in Greece, with the extraordinary sabotage feats of Don Stott and his friend Bob Morton. Stott’s success in blowing up the strategically crucial Asopos Viaduct was one of the greatest such exploits of World War II and changed the course of the war in Greece”.Soft cover 168 pagesww2, australian special operations, australian special forces, australian commandos, new zealand commandos -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, The Heroes- the true story of the Krait. Australian WW 2 Raids on Singapore
Softcover and slightly different format from photographsigned by Moss Berryman, Arthur Jones, Ron Morris and Horrie Young- all crew members on MV KRAIT during Operation JAYWICK in 1943 -
Doncaster RSL Sub Branch
The All Australian Memorial, Shovelton and Storey, The All Australian Memorial;
The All - Australia Memorial (Victoria Edition)A Historical Record of National Effort during World War One. Australia's Roll of Honour 1914 - 1916 History, Heroes and HelpersDetails of the Campaigns at Gallipoli and the Western front, also at sea and the effort at home. Includes many photographs. The Regimental Register of the Australian Imperial Force 1914 - 1915Large book with reddish brown leather outer cover with gold lettering and motifDedicated to Francis J Williams, son of George and Emma Williams of Canterbury; Husband of Ada Williams of Box Hill. Pvt Williams killed in action October 4th 1917. Foreword by Senator G.F.Pearce,Minister of State for Defence -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Photo Album, 1920s
This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Documents, Deacon & Jay, Envelope, Letter, Military Pass and Postcard to Vida Holmes from Bill ( WT Harper ) 7358, pre 17 May 1917
Vida Evelyn Holmes born 1903, Byaduk, second daughter of Joseph and Agnes Holmes, Byaduk. Worked as a nurse and died in Warrnambool hospital in 1928. 7358 Pte William Thomas Harper, born 1896, Byaduk, 8th Battalion-24th Reinforcements, embarked in Melbourne on HMAT A 70 Ballarat, and killed 3rd May 1918, aged 22 years, buried in Outtersteene Communnal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France, Grave HMAT A70 Ballarat, a transport ship sunk by a submarine in the English Channel1809.1-1R envelope 14.5 x 9.00cm, opened along upper side 1809.2-4R letter 22.5 x 15.00cm, 3 pages of buff writing paper, handwritten blue on both sides 1809.5-.5R military pass 19,00 x 10.00cm, commercial pull out sheet, slight pertains on left hand side 1809.6-.9R postcards 14.00 x 9.00cm, sepia photographs/views, green ink, red 1d penny stamp and handwriting. 1809.1-1R envelope: light sepia, ink postage stamp and black ink address and sender details, reverse has lead pencil calculations 1809.2-4R letter: buff writing paper, blue ink handwriting on both sides 1809.5-.5R military pass: printed, blue stamped and handwritten information, red signature Wm T Harper; reverse - black printed instruction and chart 1809.6-.9R postcards: Souvenir of Salisbury/Views Only, partial postmark.Miss Vida Holmes/Byaduk/Hamilton/Victoria/Australia Reverse inside note signed 'Yours Sincerely/Cousin Bill/ One of the "Ballarat' heroes/...s the King calls you/ Wednesday May 9th 1917Love to all the children/and Mother and Fathervida holmes, bill harper, hmat a70 ballarat, ww 1, byaduk, letter, postcard, military pass, 7358 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Model Boat, Harry McKenna, La Bella, Mid 20th century
This is a model of the ship La Bella which was built in Norway in 1893. From 1902 the La Bella worked the timber trade between New Zealand and Australia under the command of Captain George Mylius. In 1905 the ship hit a submerged reef about 100 metres from the Warrnambool Breakwater and was grounded and wrecked. Seven men drowned in the wreck and five, including the captain, were saved. A local fisherman, William Ferrier, was hailed as a hero when he went in the stormy seas in a small dinghy with one oar to rescue two of the men. In 1982 the remains of the wreck were re-discovered and the ship now has maritime heritage protection. Harry McKenna, a Warrnambool resident, was a well-known maker of ship modelsThis model is of considerable interest because: 1. It is a representation of the local Warrnambool ship, the ‘La Bella’ (wrecked in Warrnambool Bay 1905) 2. It is an example of the art of making ship models in bottles 3. It was made by Mr Harry McKenna, a well-known Warrnambool 20th century resident. This is glass bottle with a white stopper. The bottle contains a model of a ship with three wooden masts and white sails and a wooden hull. The bottle is resting on a wooden structure with two side pieces with curved tops, a top section for carrying the item and a wooden base. ‘Model of La Bella’ ‘La Bella’ wreck of the ‘la bella’, harry mckenna,, model ship builder -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Barlow, Alex et al, Indigenous heroes and leaders, 2003
..presents the stories of Australian Indigenous people who have worked to bring about respect, justice and fair treatment for their people.32 p. : ill.(col.)., ports.(col.). : 28 cm...presents the stories of Australian Indigenous people who have worked to bring about respect, justice and fair treatment for their people. aboriginal australians -- juvenile literature. | aboriginal australians -- biography -- juvenile literature. -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Barlow, Alex et al, Heroes of the Aboriginal struggle, 1987
30 p. : ill. (some col.), ports., col. maps ; 20 x 26 cm.aboriginal australians -- civil rights -- juvenile literature. -
National Wool Museum
Uniform - 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Uniform Socks, Wendy Powitt, c. 1992
... Rich Blend." "HOLEPROOF HEROES" "Help put Australia back... Rich Blend." "HOLEPROOF HEROES" "Help put Australia back ...Uniforms for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games were designed by Wendy Powitt in conjunction with the AWC. Doug Pleasance, donor of these items, worked for the AWC and closely with Wendy Powitt, obtaining these uniform examples. About the Olympic Uniforms Doug wrote- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by T D Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to spot the Aussie and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.8142.1 - Olive green long wool/nylon blend socks without packaging. 8142.2 - Olive green long wool/nylon blend socks in packaging.8142.2 - On packaging- "Shoe size Kingsize11-14." "Wool Rich Blend." "HOLEPROOF HEROES" "Help put Australia back on its feet." On reverse of packaging- "If every Australian bought just two pairs of Holeproof Heroes we could help save our wool industry and put this country back on its feet." "Made in Australia." "CARE INSTRUCTIONS. warm machine wash. Wash and dry inside out. Wash dark colours separately. Do not bleach. Warm tumble dry. Dry without delay. 60% Wool 40% Nylon." Separate sticker label- "HOLEPROOF HEROES. Summer Winter Wool."1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, uniform -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal tales of Australia, 1998
Populated by mythical beings, these stories of heros, birds, rivers, lakes and shores have been passed down over generations and today offer a window of understanding into the powerful Aboriginal connection to the land.word listscreation stories, dreamtime -
St Kilda Historical Society
Photograph
James Mallett Bennett AFM and Bar MSM was born in St Kilda in 1894 and died in Weybridge, near London England, on 13 April 1922, in an aeroplane accident. Killed in the same accident was renowned aviator Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC & Two Bars. They were test-flying a Vikers Viking Amphibian aircraft which spun into the ground from 1000 feet (305 m), killing them both. Bennett was a long-serving crew member for Ross, as a mechanic, and had accompanied him on the first aeroplane flight from Egypt to India in December 1918, and from England to Australia in November-December 1919. He and Ross were mourned as national heroes and their bodies were brought back to Australia. Bennett was buried in St Kilda cemetery on 19 June 1922 after a lying-in-state at Queen's Hall, Parliament House. An obelisk in his honour was unveiled at St Kilda on 26 April 1927. The photograph was taken during a St Kilda Historical Society tour of St Kilda cemetery on 26 November 1978. Colour Polaroid photographBus trip 26/11/78 Bennetts Grave SKHS 00760. The inscription on the headstones reads: Erected by his parents in loving memory of Lieut James Mallett Bennett AFM and Bar MSM late Australian Flying Corp AIF. Born St Kilda 1894, passed to a higher life, 13th April 1922, at Weybridge England, result of an aeroplane accident, accompanied Late Capt Sir Ross Smith KBE on first aeroplane flight Egypt to India Dec 1918. Also first aeroplane flight England to Australia Nov-Dec 1919.st kilda, st kilda cemetery, lt james mallett bennett, aviators, graves -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Letter, Hector Crawford to Robert Lapthorne, 04.03.1964
This letter is about overseas representation for The Flying Dogtor. It describes the program as follows: The Flying Dogtor looks after bush animals in the similar manner as The Flying Doctor looks after humans. The Flying Dogtor is the hero and Carson Carpetbag is the villain.The Flying Dogtor series was broadcast on Australian Television Network (later becoming the Seven Network) between February and April 1964.Typewritten, one page -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Document - Script, Robin Boyd, The Flying Dogtor. Episode 34 The Bushranger, 1963
The bush children, exploring an old mansion, were chased by 'spooks' into a cellar. Beside the cellar, they found the room where Danny O'Canny, the famous bushranger, used to hide from the police 100 years ago. Meanwhile, the Dogtor was looking for the children and called at the front door of the mansion. When the door opened, an extraordinary show of ghostly apparitions greeted our hero, The Flying Dogtor.The Flying Dogtor" series was broadcast on Australian Television Network (later becoming the Seven Network) between February and April 1964 (see item D254 for schedule).Typewritten, carbon copy, foolscap, 2 pagesthe flying dogtor, robin boyd, crawford productions, manuscript -
Tramways/East Melbourne RSL Sub Branch - RSL Victoria Listing id: 27511
Book, Mark Weate et al, BILL NEWTON V.C.( The Short Life of a RAAF Hero), 1999
isbn:1-876439-78-5 -
Tramways/East Melbourne RSL Sub Branch - RSL Victoria Listing id: 27511
Book, Peter Thompson et al, SHANGHAI FURY (Australian Heroes of Revolutionary China)
... FURY (Australian Heroes of Revolutionary China) 951.04 ...951.04, historical, isbn: 978 1 86471 1837 -
Tramways/East Melbourne RSL Sub Branch - RSL Victoria Listing id: 27511
Book, Sandra Lee et al, SAVING PRIVATE SARBI(The true story of Australia's canine war hero), 2011
... PRIVATE SARBI(The true story of Australia's canine war hero) ISBN ...isbn: 978 1 74331 553 8 -
Clayton RSL Sub Branch
Button, French Red Cross
The use of these buttons as a means of raising revenue through patriotic sentiment occurred soon after Australia pledged allegiance to Empire. Buttons reflected ‘public sentiment, courage, patriotism, generosity and several [un- named] virtues’ such as the martyred mother of a ‘fallen’ hero. Attention was paid to attractiveness of design, encoded symbolism and high quality of production. Expressing ‘loyalty’, they were tokens to be kept for perpetuity. Female labour was used to operate the die that compressed the tin backing, photographic print and celluloid cover together. The pin was applied by hand. Women, of all ages, entered into the spirit of voluntary sales. Often they were sold at the entry and exit points of major pedestrian thoroughfares. The women of Kew set up a kiosk in front of the Post Office and the Railway Station to solicit their round, oval and square shaped wares. Pride in salesmanship was affected by publishing the name of the woman and her fiscal achievement in the major newspapers of the dayWorld War I-era pressed tin fundraising button. The button features the French flag and a red cross over a starburst, against a gold background. Encircling the image is a white ring with the text ‘French Red Cross’ in blueFrench Red Cross -
Clayton RSL Sub Branch
Button, I will help until the war is won
The use of these buttons as a means of raising revenue through patriotic sentiment occurred soon after Australia pledged allegiance to Empire. Buttons reflected ‘public sentiment, courage, patriotism, generosity and several [un- named] virtues’ such as the martyred mother of a ‘fallen’ hero. Attention was paid to attractiveness of design, encoded symbolism and high quality of production. Expressing ‘loyalty’, they were tokens to be kept for perpetuity. Female labour was used to operate the die that compressed the tin backing, photographic print and celluloid cover together. The pin was applied by hand. Women, of all ages, entered into the spirit of voluntary sales. Often they were sold at the entry and exit points of major pedestrian thoroughfares. . Pride in salesmanship was affected by publishing the name of the woman and her fiscal achievement in the major newspapers of the day.Small circular pressed tinplate button featuring a white map of Australia on a dark blue ground with the stars of the Southern Cross surrounding, all within a gold border. The phrase ‘I Will Help Until the War is Won’ is printed in red across the mapI will Help until the war is won -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Magazine - paperback/magazine/series, Peter Londey, Wartime No. 12, 2000
Official Magazine if the Australian War MemorialMagazineOfficial Magazine if the Australian War Memorialbattle of broken bridge, forgotten field of heroes, island warriors -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Book, Heroes and Gentlemen
Thomas Caradoc Rose Price CB was born in Tasmania 21 October 1842. Following a distinguished military career in India, in 1885 he was tasked with raising Victoria's military forces. The mounted arm was the Victorian Mounted Rifles. Contingents of the VMR served in the South African War 1899-1902. Colonel Tom Price commanded the 2nd Victorian contingent, 1900. Following Federation, the companies of the VMR were reorganised into Australian Light Horse regiments. Colonel Tom Price died in Melbourne 3 July 1911 aged 68 and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. It was said of Price that “He made the regiment”, but he insisted “The Regiment made him and made his, a household name.” Hard bound book entitled "Heroes and Gentlemen: Colonel Tom Price and the Victorian Mounted Rifles" by Winty Calder.boer war, victoria, mounted rifles, light horse, price, calder -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Book, Glimpses of Colonel Tom
This is a supplement to Winty Calder's earlier work 'Heroes and Gentlemen'. Thomas Caradoc Rose Price CB, often known as Colonel Tom Price, was an Australian soldier, and acting commandant of the Commonwealth Military Forces in Victoria in 1902. Joining the British Indian Army in his early years, he served 20 years in India before returning to Australia. In 1885, he raised the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and was instrumental in establishing the concept of light horse units within the Australian Army. In 1900, he led a Victorian contingent during the Second Boer War, and was the only Australian officer during that war to command a force of British regulars. He remained in the Australian military after the war, serving in Queensland until 1904 when he was medically discharged. He retired to Victoria again and died in 1911 at the age of 68.Soft cover book with adhesive binding on spine, A4 size, 56 pages being a collection of addresses and letters of Colonel Tom Price, compiled by Winty Calder, published by Jimaringle Publications 1985. Gift letter on reverso of front cover.Presented to the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Royal Australian Armoured Corps as a memorial to Colonel Tom Price and the original Victorian Mounted Rifles and as a tribute to the men who carry on a fine tradition. Winty Calder 4 October 1985.price, calder, vmr, victorian mounted rifles -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Let's Salute our Inspiring Heroes, 7/10/2014 12:00:00 AM
Illustration of recipients of Pride of Australia Medal 2014.Illustration of recipients of Pride of Australia Medal 2014. Les Smith, at 86 is Environment Victoria's longest serving volunteer.Illustration of recipients of Pride of Australia Medal 2014. smith, les -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Pamphlet, Heroes of Holeproof, 2010
Booklet and DVD produced by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia.Booklet and DVD produced by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia on the closure of the Holeproof factory Nunawading. The booklet mainly consists of recollection of the workers. See NP3674 for DVD.Booklet and DVD produced by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia. trade unions, holeproof -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Local Sporting Heroes
Achievements of Bob Pratt senior and Bob Pratt junior.Achievements of Bob Pratt senior and Bob Pratt junior.Achievements of Bob Pratt senior and Bob Pratt junior.pratt, bob snr., pratt, bob jnr., australian rules football, lawn bowls -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Life Jacket, General Naval Supply G.N.S.), 1940
This life jacket was issued by the Australian Government's General Naval Store in N.S.W.. It was inspected in 1940. Life Jackets - Life jackets were part of the equipment carried by the Life Saving Rescue Crew of South Western Victoria, including Warrnambool, from around 1858 until the 1950s. The purpose of a life jacket is to keep the wearer afloat until he or she is rescued from the water. Life jackets were first invented in 1854 by Captain Ward of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Britain. The early life jackets were filled with cork, which is very buoyant. However, many times he cork caused the jacket to rise up quickly with a force that caused unconsciousness, sometimes turning the person face down in the water , causing them to drown. After the tragic loss of the ship RMS Titanic in 1912 and the lost lives of those onboard, a woman named Orpheus Newman designed the Salvus life jacket (Salvus means safe), which was filled with kapok instead of cork. Kapok comes from seed pods of the Ceiba Pentandra tree and is waterproof as well as buoyant. These Salvus jackets were used by the Royal Navy until new synthetic materials became available around the time of World War II.This life jacket is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Life jacket, canvas covered, with two padded compartments filled with kapok. Designed to slip over the head. it has shoulder straps and straps for tying under the arms. An inscription and symbol is stamped on one shoulder strap. The life jacket was supplied by the General Naval Store, Defence Department, N.S.W., and inspected in in 1940.Inscription "G.N.S. [crown symbol] N.S.W / 12 JUN 1940 / INSPECTED".flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, g.n.s., general naval store, 1940s life jacket, captain ward, royal national lifeboat instution, cork, kapok, life jacket, orpheus newman, salvus jacket, life saving, rescue, rescue crew, l.s.r.c., life saving equipment, marine technology, lifeboat, shipwreck victim, vintage -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Rail holder, About 1893, when the ship was made
This brass rail holder fixture would have been used to hold the end of a rail in place. There is no information as to where the fitting or rail would have been placed on the ship; sailing ships had many brass fittings. It was recovered from the wreck of the La Bella, which lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October, 1905, the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. . Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This item is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Brass rail holder from the wreck "La Bella". This rail holder would have been used as a fitting for the end of a rail. It is made up of two parts and looks a little like a goblet in shape. The top is a hollow spherical shape with a circular hole cut out on one side, into which the end of a round rail would fit. There are two gouge marks close to each other on one side of the hole, about one centimetre apart, at 1 and 2 o’clock position. The sphere has a hollow pipe-like stem with a screw thread turned into the outside of the lower section and the bottom of the stem has been flared out after having the base fitted. The base is round and has a mound in the centre. The edge has four evenly spaced fixture holes around its edge. The metal shows signs of pitting and has mild encrustation. The fitting of the base is loose, allowing it to swivel in a complete circle. The top of the sphere is rough and has a dent in it. Underneath the base there is verdigris; some has flaked off and reveals a bright golden colour underneath. rail holder, brass rail holder, la bella, lady bay, norway, 1893, new zealand, captain mylius, william ferrier, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village