Fifteen year old Albert Edward Gill was born in Poplar, Middlesex, in 1868. He volunteered in May 1883 as an Apprentice Ordinary Seaman with the Merchant Services under the London shipping company James P. Corry & Co., owner of the Star Line. The shipping company by this time had a fleet of both clipper and steam cargo ships that sailed as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Gill’s apprenticeship was a four year unpaid term, with only his food, drink, lodgings, washing and medical needs provided for him. The contract had many conditions but it was a wonderful opportunity for a young man. His father James Gill signed the papers as his guarantor. In December 1887 Gill completed his apprenticeship and qualified as an Able Seaman. He served for another seven years with James P. Corry & Co. and earned his Certificate of Competency as a Master in the Merchant Service in April 1894, having passed the Ordinary Examination. (The transcription of Gill's two certificates is provided further down this page.) JAMES P. CORRY & CO. - The Belfast Company was formed in 1826 by Robert Corry, and imported timber from Canada to Ireland. In 1859 the company expanded to import timber from Calcutta, and relocated its offices to London. In the 1880s the company had a fleet of 13 tall clipper ships and included ports in Australia and New Zealand in its destinations. It continued to expand trade even further and by 1908 the Star Line had seven cargo steamers trading with the East and Far East (the ships were named Star of Australia, Star of Japan, Star of England, Star of New Zealand, Star of Ireland, Star of Scotland and Star of Victoria). In 1912 the Star Line ships added an emigrant service to Australia. TRANSCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATES - = = = = = = = = = = = = “Ordinary Apprentice’s Indenture” Transcribed:- (Printed form with printed logo of the Marine Department, Commonwealth Council for Trade. Sanctioned by the Board of Trade, May 1855. ) Registered at the Port of London, Sixteenth of May, 1883, and signed for the Registrar General. Stamped in blue ink “REGISTERED IN LONDON, MAY 16 1883” “RECORD OF THE REGISTER GENERAL OF SEAMEN” “This Indenture, made the SIXTEENTH day of MAY 1883 between ALBERT EDWARD GILL aged FIFTEEN years, a native of POPLAR, in the county of MIDDLESEX of the first part JAMES P. CORRY & CO. OF 9 & 11 FENCHURCH AVENUE in the CITY of LONDON of the second part, and JAMES GILL, of POPLAR, in the county of MIDDLESEX, of the third part, WITNESSETH, That the said ALBERT EDWARD GILL hereby voluntarily binds himself Apprentice unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & CO., his Executers, Administrators and Assigns, for the term of FOUR years from the date hereof; And the said Apprentice hereby covenants that, during such time, the said Apprentice will faithfully serve his said Master, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, and obey his and their lawful commands, and keep his and their secrets, and will, when required, give to him and them true accounts of his or their goods and money which may be committed to the charge, or come into the hands, of the said Apprentice; and will, in case the said Apprentice enters Her Majesty’s Service during the said term, duly account for and pay, or cause to be paid, to his said Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, all such Wages, Prize Money and other Monies as may become payable to the said Apprentice for such service; and that the said Apprentice will not, during the said term, do any damage to his said Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, nor will he consent to such damage being done by others, but will, if possible, prevent the same, and give warning thereof; and will not embezzle or waste the Goods of his Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, nor give or lend the same to others without his or their licence; nor absent himself from his or their service without leave; nor frequent Taverns or Alehouses, unless upon his or their business, nor play at Unlawful Games : IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the said Master hereby covenants with the said Apprentice, that during the said term he the said Master, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, will and shall use all proper means to teach the said Apprentice or cause him to be taught the business of a Seaman, and provide the said Apprentice with sufficient Meat, Drink, Lodgings, Washing, Medicine, and Medical and Surgical Assistance, NO WAGES, the said Apprentice providing for himself all sea-bedding, wearing apparel, and necessaries (except such as are herein-before specially agreed to be provided by the said Master): AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED, that if, at any time during the said term, the said Master, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, provide any necessary apparel, or sea-bedding for the said Apprentice, he and they may deduct any sums properly expended thereon by him or them from the sums so agreed to be paid to the said Apprentice as aforesaid: And for the performance of the Agreements herein contained, each of them, the said A.E.GILL and JAMES P CORRY & Co., doth hereby bind himself, his Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & CO., his Executors and Administrators, unto the other of them, his Executors and Administrators, in the penal sum of THIRTY pounds; and for the performance of the covenants on the part of the said Apprentice herein contained, the said JAMES GILL as surety, doth hereby bind himself, his Heirs, Executors, and Administrators unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & Co., his Executors and Administrators, the penal sum of THIRTY pounds; Provided, that notwithstanding the penal stipulations herein contained any Justice or Justices of the Pease may exercise such jurisdiction in respect of the said Apprentice as he or they might have exercised if no such stipulations had been therein contained. In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of - - Weston, 9 & 11 Fenchurch Avenue Signed, James P. Corry (Master) Signed, Albert Edward Gill (Apprentice) James Gill (Surety) NOTE – This Indenture must be executed in duplicate, both copies must be taken to the Registrar General of Seamen; or if in the Outports to the Shipping Master; one copy will then be retained and recorded, and the other returned to the Master with the necessary endorsement. = = = = = = = = = = = = Reverse of the Indenture, Transcribed:- “This is to certify that the herein mentioned Alfred Edward Gill has served the full term of the Indenture in our employ during which time he has conducted himself satisfactorily. According to the Captain’s report he has been strictly sober during the last – years [? from his failure?] Signed: James P. Corry & Co., Owner, Star Line 9 Fenchurch Avenue St, 13 Dec. ‘87 = = = = = = = = = = = = Certificate of Competency, Transcribed:- (Board of Trade logo and printed text of the certificate, with hand written details filled in) By the Lords of the Committee of Privy, Council for Trade Certificate of Competency as MASTER to Albert Edward Gill Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of MASTER in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in performance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, grant you this Certificat6e of Competency. By Order of the Board of Trade, this 19th day of APRIL, 1894 Signed INGRAM B WALKER (one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Board of Trade) Countersigned -, Regulator General. Registered at the Office of the Regulator General of Shipping and Seamen. = = = = = = = = = = = = Reverse of Certificate of Competency, Transcribed:- No. of Certificate - 020886 Address of Owner - SUNNY LAWN, WALLWOOD ROAD, LEYTONSTONE Date and Place of Birth – 1868, POPLAR Signature – A E GILL. This Certificate is given upon an Ordinary Examination passed at LONDON on the 17th day of APRIL 1894 Every person who makes, or procures to be made, or assists in making any false Representation for the Purpose of obtain for himself or for any other Person a Certificate either of Competence or Service, or who forges, assists in forgery, or procures to be forged, or fraudulently alters, assists in fraudulently altering, or procures to be fraudulently altered, any such Certificate or any Official Copy of any such Certificate, or who frequently makes use of any such Certificate, or copy of any such Certificate, which is forged, altered, cancelled, suspended, or to which he is not justly entitled or who fraudulently lends his Certificate to, or allows the same to be used by any other person, shall for each offence be deemed guilty of a Misdemeanour, and my be summarily punished by imprisonment with or without hard labour for a period not exceeding Six Months or by a penalty not exceeding 100 pounds, and any Master or Mate who fails to deliver up a Certificate which has been cancelled or suspended is liable to a penalty not exceeding 50 pounds. N.B. – Any person other than the Owner thereof becoming possessed of the Certificate is required to transmit it forthwith to the Register General of Shipping and Seamen, Custom House, London, E.C. Issued at the Port of LONDON on the 20th day of APRIL 1894. Signed J I-, - Supt. = = = = = = = = = = = = These certificates are significant as a record of the process required to qualify as a ship’s Master, which was required by the vast number of merchant ships that crossed the world to Australia with cargo and passengers, all contributing to the early settlement and development of Australia as a Colony and a Nation. The certificates are also significant for their association with James P. Corry & Col. owner of the Star Line shipping company that provided trade and passengers to Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Set of two documents from the Board of Trade, printed on cloth and wax paper, each relating to achieving the standard of Master Seaman, and belonging to Albert Edward Gill. They are dated 1883 to 1894. The forms have been stamped, signed, dated, details completed and sealed with three red wax seals. The certificate number has been stamped onto the document is such as was as to deter forgery. The forms relate to Albert Edward Gill and James P. Corry & Co, Star Line Merchant Services and show his registered number as a Master Seaman. 245.1 – Front: Ordinary Apprentice’s Indenture, printed certificate, with spaces completed and signed by hand, and sealed with three red wax seals. Signed and dated 16 May 1883 Reverse: Handwritten statement, signed and dated 13 Dec 1887. 245.2 – Front: Certificate of Competency, Master in the Merchant Service, printed and completed by hand, registered at the Office of the Regulator General of Shipping and Seamen, dated 19 April 1894. Reverse: Certificate, Ordinary Examination Passed, printed and completed by hand, dated 17 April 1894Signatures and other handwritten details. Stamped with security lines, Registration Number "020886"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, albert edward gill, certificate of compentency, apprentice's indenture, education, employment, 1880's, ordinery examination, able seaman, master seaman, james p. corry & co., star line, timber merchant, emigrant ships

Letter paper printed in dark blue on cream paper. Printed letterhead, W. J. G. Bloomfield, Machinery & Hardware Merchant, City Family Buildings, 51 High Street, Bendigo. The left edge of the page lists the merchandise available and Local Agent for Ingersoll-Rand (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, w j g bloomfield, city family buildings, ingersoll-rand (aust.) pty ltd

Document. Six photostat copies of invoices from Matchett's Wine and Spirit Merchants and Family Grocers. 3 on each of 2 foolscap pages. Invoices to Mrs Parry of 107 Wills St. Four invoices in decimal currency at 11 Bath Lane and two in pounds,shillings and pence at Mitchell St.Matchett'sorganization, business, grocer, matchett's, invoices, mrs parry, wine and spirits merchants

Extremely accurate record of Charles Page's merchant navy career, travels and work performance.Legal document - Sturdy small hardcover booklet/log, containing a number of pages with blank spaces for ship's officers to record details regarding voyages, ships, rating and behaviour of mate. Many yellowed pages with top right corner of each page neatly removed by hand. Fold over flap on hard cover to prevent damage of inside pages. charles page, seaman

Scales and weights were used by merchants, grocers and households to weigh goods especially food.Used by resident of the Kiewa Valley eg. grocer, household, merchantMetal Scales with dish shaped oval tray and 7 six sided weights. It has two thin metal pieces hanging from the bottom. It is well worn.Weights have the amount 'g' embossed into surface. 1 kg, 500 g (x2), 200 g (x 2)scales and weights, household, grocer

T. Brown Furniture Warehouse Ironmonger and Timber Merchant Main Street c 1886stawell business

Wholesale and Retail Grocers, Produce and Firewood Merchants. Plate 269 Chuck Photo Series.george douglas and sons, windermere street, south street, building, shop

Wholesale and Retail Grocer. Wine & Spirit Merchant. Plate 307 Chuck Photo Series.d. robinson, sturt street, building, commerical, shop, persons

Family Grocer and Provision Merchant. Scrubbo Soap. Plate 318 Chuck Photo Series.w.m. gray, peel street, wills street, building, shop, persons

E. Salinger. Merchant. General Store. Great Western (shop) 1868 on Western Highwaystawell

A brown fabric hard cover book. Title is engraved with gilt letters on front cover and on spine. and gilt circular decoration on cover written on it 'Institution of Naval Architects. Founded-AD - 1860'. Volume XLIX, 334 p. and a number of folding plates. Illustrations in b/w. It includes a table of contents. Frontis picture of 'Sir Edward J. Reed, K.C.B., F.R.S. Honorary vice president who died in 1906'. This book Features, "Merchant Shipping and World Commerce in Relation to Sea-Power, Experiments on Mercantile Ship Models in Waves, Three Steps in Naval Construction, The Tendency of Warship Design as Affected by the War, Stability of Large Ships, Proportions and Block Coefficients of Merchant Steamers", ect. naval architecture, institution of naval architects, r w dana, s j p thearle, sir edward j reed

This pennant was donated to the Mission by June Muirhead (nee Richardson) who visited the Mission on two occasions: on the 13 November 2014 and then in 2016. She lived from age 3 to 8, with her parents, Cuthbert (Bert) Richardson and Jane (Jenny) Richardson, and her sister, Edna, in the Cottage at 717 Flinders Street. Her father, was the caretaker of the Flinders Street building between 1943-1949. . In 1943 her father was hired to work at the Mission as a caretaker. The family moved from Wonthaggi. When she lived in the Mission, she would sometimes sneak into the club to look at books and pictures. Some seafarers would give her badges, tokens. One of them gave her this felt pennant. In 1949, the family moved back to Wonthaggi and June started year 5 over there.A number of souvenir gifts and small boxes were apparently available through the Mission To Seamen in the 1940s. This acquisition adds to the small collection of items from the period which could be used to form the core of an informative exhibition. Similar flags were made in other countries depicting an animal (kiwi bird in New Zealand, springbox in South Africa) and other Australian towns.A triangular felted, dark blue pennant with printed cursive inscription and motifs including: the Mission to Seamen Flying Angel flag, an outline of Australia; a Koala wearing a captain's hat; an insignia emblem for the Merchant Navy. A looped cotton binding along left edge of the triangle to thread the flag on a stick or cord support. The printed inscription reads: Greetings from Australia.pennant, flags, koala, flying angel club, merchant navy, d. june muirhead, marketing, caretaker, cottage, bert richardson, june muirhead nee richardson, edna richardson, ww2

Buff coloured account rendered issued by The Northern Seed Supply Co., seed service station, to Mrs Guiney, Sternberg St, dated 1st July 1937, for 10/-. Letterhead on account has ornate lettering and scrolls. "Seed plant and tree merchants, art florists, importers.'' J.V. Schenck, Manager.bendigo, business, northern seed supply company

Wall calendar from 1940. Picture of a young woman skiing titled Snow Queen signed R.C. Kaufmann. With compliments from W. Jeffrey phone 220 (2 lines). The quality stores - General grocer, wine and spirit merchant. Hargreaves Street Bendigo. For your use peruse list of groceries.business, retail, w jeffrey

Yields information about the use of the appearance of tram 35 and Lydiard St North between Mair St and the railway station during the late 1950's.Black and white photograph of Ballarat tram 35, northbound in Lydiard St North with the J J Coller & Co building, Herbert E Smith Merchant in the background. Advert for Greys cigarettes in the view. The buildings on the corner of Mair St are in the view as well. Photo by Charles Craig possibly late 1950's. trams, tramways, lydiard st north, mair st, tram 35

Small blue softcover book, Hamilton's Celebrated Dictionary comprising an explanation of 3,500 Italian, French, German, English, and other musical terms, phrases and abbreviations. It has an Appendix at the back as well as lists of books for merchants and shoppers of musical items.173p. plus 11 pages of suggested musical items for sale.non-fictionA small musical dictionary of 3,500 Italian, French, German, English and other musical terms, phrases and abbreviations, also a copious list of musical characters such as are found in the works of various composers. It has an appendix consisting of a reprint of John Tinctor's First Musical Dictionary known. dictionary - musical terms, music

Documents the roles of various classes of RAN & Merchant Navy ships during World War IIBook, blue illustrated hard cover. Title in blue & purple letters. No dust cover. Illustrated end papers. Colour & black & white illustrations. 40 pages with cut edges.Opposite title page: Donated by Marg Andreabooks, military, navy

Montmorency Timber Co. was a timber merchant and suppliers of home heaters based in Were Street MontmorencyCopy of advertisement for the Montmorency Timber Co. from the Diamond Valley Mirror 14 September 1960montmorency timber co., were street montmorency

A portrait photograph of a pioneer of Ararat. Possibly a member of the McArthur family (timber merchants) or McDonald family.Black and white photograph of an elderly man with a white beard and hair. He is wearing a suit jacket with a vest underneath. The photo has been printed onto white cardboard.Johnson & Co Ballarat and Ararat

Inscribed on reverse 'Leaping Leena' for weekend use. Note sign for A.R. Warren Fuel MerchantSepia photographeltham, train, eltham railway station, eltham-hurstbridge railway line, red rattler, single carriage train, a.r warren

T.J. Wright (Retail Business) Ironmongers and Timber Merchants Main Street Stawell. c 1915stawell

Business - Mathers & Robbie Produce Merchants. Patrick Street Stawell c1880 in vicinity of Secondary College.stawell

Chelsea Clock Company History: The Chelsea Clock Company is an American clock manufacturing company that started before 1880 with Joseph Henry Eastman who founded the Harvard Clock Company and produced 800 clocks of marine, carriage, shelf and banjo types. He went on to change the company name to the Boston Clock Company in 1884. After several name changes in 1897, the Chelsea Clock Company was finally founded. Clocks produced by Chelsea Clock Company have been found in the White House, on US Naval Ships, and in homes and offices around the world. After the company first began life as the Harvard Clock Company, it was named the Boston Clock Company, the Eastman Clock Company before finally becoming the Chelsea Clock Company in July of 1897. The company had developed many patents and innervations over these years and between 1939 and 1946 during World War II they were awarded contracts by the U.S Maritime Commission and produced vast numbers of clocks for both merchant and naval ships. U.S Maritime Commission History: The United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, and replaced the United States Shipping Board which had existed since World War I. It was intended to formulate a merchant shipbuilding program to design and build five hundred modern merchant cargo ships to replace the World War I vintage vessels that comprised the bulk of the United States Merchant Marine, and to administer a subsidy system authorized by the Act to offset the cost differential between building in the U.S. and operating ships under the American flag. It also formed the United States Maritime Service for the training of seagoing ship's officers to man the new fleet. The purpose of the Maritime Commission was to formulate a merchant shipbuilding program to design and then have built over a ten-year period 900 modern fast merchant cargo ships which would replace the World War I-vintage vessels Those ships were intended to be then leased to U.S. shipping companies for their use in the foreign seagoing trades the aim was to offer better and more economical freight services. The ships were also intended to serve as a reserve naval auxiliary force in the event of armed conflict which was a duty the U.S. merchant fleet had often filled throughout the years since the Revolutionary War. From 1939 through the end of World War II, the Maritime Commission funded and administered the largest and most successful merchant shipbuilding effort in world history, producing ships for both navy and merchant marine. By the end of the war, U.S. shipyards working under Maritime Commission contracts had built a total of 5,777 ocean-going merchant and naval ships. In early 1942 both the training and licensing was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard for administration, then later to the Maritime Service final responsibility was conveyed to the newly created War Shipping Administration which was created to oversee the operation of merchant ships being built by the Emergency Program to meet the needs of the U.S. Armed Services. With the end of World War II, both the Emergency and Long Range shipbuilding programs were terminated as there were far too many merchant vessels now for the Nation's peacetime needs. In 1946, the Merchant Ship Sales Act was passed to sell off a large portion of the ships built during the war to commercial buyers, both domestic and foreign. The U.S Maritime Commission was officially disbanded on May 24th 1950. These clocks were to be found on all ships made in American for the war effort between 1939 and 1946. They are a significant reminder of the sacrifice by those who served in the merchant marine and the navy’s during the Second World War. The item is a part of our social history that reminds us of these dark times. The loses of family members, along with the trauma that many sailors had endured and had to live with for the rest of their lives once they were released from service and allowed to go home.American Clock is an 8-day marine clock made by the Chelsea clock Co for the “US Maritime Commission” . There is a second smaller dial for the seconds and 24-hour markings. Also a fast-slow adjuster to the top of the dial. The clock is an 8 day marine clock with US Maritime Commission inscribed on face in black lettering. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock, us maritime commission, chelsea clock company, horology, maratime clock

The item came from the collection of a merchant sailor who presumably visited the Portsmouth open day in 1953.The booklet reveals much about the traditions of the Royal Navy and the ships on display. It presents a picture from time. A 36-page magazine designed for the Royal Nay's open days on April 4, 5 and 6, 1953, at Portsmouth.Portsmouth Programme. Easter 1953.booklet, royal navy, ships, portsmouth, allan quinn

Business card for a local timber merchant, Rex Paine Timber and Hardware, at 8 Watsonia Road Watsonia.Business card, white card with brown text.rex paine timber and hardware, watsonia road watsonia

Charles worked in the Merchant service. After enforced retirement due to injury he was active in Civil Defence.The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945, to be awarded to citizens of the British Commonwealth for both non-operational military and certain types of civilian war service during the Second World War. It was Awarded for 3 years, 360, 180 or 90 days, depending on area and nature of serviceThe medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’. The ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre. The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs. The medal is housed in a small cardboard box. There is a loose leaf of paper with the medal which conveys salutations.Front of the box: (in black) stamp O.H.M.S. / circular stamp with English crown : OFFICIAL PAID Typewritten in blue ink: Mr. C. Page/50 High Street/Woolton/LIVERPOOL Back of the box: printed in black ink: If undelivered, return to/Defence Medal/Central Index/Home Office/Whitehall/S.W.Icharles page, medal, defence medal

Possession of POW in Camp13. Merchant sister ship to "Uhenfels" on which the South African Group were captured.Hat band from the PD Ubena of the Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linetatura, uniform, p d ubena, uhenfels, south african group