The postcard shows a photograph of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old Warrnambool fisherman from South Warrnambool whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight National hero, quoted as “one of the most heroic rescues in Victoria’s shipwreck history”. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905 and the photograph was taken on the next day. In the photograph, William Ferrier is seated in the centre, with four of the five survivors beside him: (from left to right) Leonard Robertson, R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. The photograph was taken by Foyle Photography Studio in Warrnambool, originally owned by James Charles Foyle. He previously had a photographic studio in Melbourne 1882 1887, then opened “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St, Warrnambool. James Foyle died on 13th July 1905 and his son and daughter, Charles and Lilian Foyle continued on with the business until 1945. This photograph was most likely taken by either Charles or Lilian Foyle. The story of William Ferrier’s brave act follows on below … 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 was 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 northwesterly 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 seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the 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 11 pm 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 11 pm 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 2 am 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 had 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. As well as this postcard, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. 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. This postcard 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 photograph of William Ferrier and four of the five survivors demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The postcard is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it portrays 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 postcard connects to the congratulatory letter which was sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia and demonstrates the importance they attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The postcard is also an example of the photography of Foyle Photographers who were in the town of Warrnambool from the late 1800’s. Charles and Lillian Foyle took over the business when their father James died in 1905. Lillian Foyle is significant as the first woman photographer in Warrnambool. It is not known whether Charles of Lillian took this photograph. This postcard 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. Sepia photograph of William (Bill) Ferrier (seated in the middle), heroic rescuer of two crew members of the La Bella, wrecked at Warrnambool. The photograph is a postcard and shows five men dressed formally in suits and hats. Printed below the photograph are the name and place of the photographer, a royal crest and the details of two patrons of the photographer. Also below the photograph are some handwritten words in black pen. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message in the same writing as the front.Printed on the front of the card is “Foyle, WARRNAMBOOL” “PATRONS: / HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL & YORK. / HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRAS_ EY, R.O.B.” Handwritten on the front of the card is “Bill Ferrier / rescuer / Oh my hero _ _ _ “ Handwritten on the back of the card is a message. “La Bella” Wrecked off W.Bool Breakwater Nov. 1906 (_ _ _ _ show night) Payne Noake Rosenholme Robertson and Capt Mylius (saved) (moonlight bright) Watson (_ _ _ _ boy) Richwoud [possibly Richmond] drowned” and signed “Desdewoua [possibly Desdemona] Slogos”la bella, foyle, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

Possibly produced as one of a series of photographic post cards of various areas of the Mission especially of the Chapel in the pre-war WW2 period of the 20th century. There are several such cards in the MTSV Collection. The Chapel, opened in 1917, was a special fundraising project of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild and was originally dedicated as a Memorial Chapel in remembrance of those who served in the Merchant Navy of WWI. The Chapel is still used for marriages, baptisms,funerals and memorial services, and is often referred to as St Peter's, the Mariners' Chapel. Photographic postcards were produced soon after the new 1917 Mission to Seamen building was first opened. Available to supporters and visiting seafarers alike, effectively promoting the Mission and the role it played in ensuring both spiritual and pastoral care available to seamen and shipping to and from Australia. Black and white gloss print postcard featuring an interior view of St Peter's Chapel at the MTSV 717 Flinders St showing the baptismal font and front door.Pencil inscription " Ret to B. Kent" (see also gift comments below) ; Printed : "POST CARD / A Real Photograph Produced in Australia"mtsv, missions to seamen institute, baptism, merchant navy, st peter chapel, mission to seafarers, baptistry, baptismal font, seamen's mission, flinders street

Black and white photographic image of a harbour with two long piers running into it and a shorter jetty with a building on it and circular jetty protruding from it. In the foreground are trees, a dirt road to the foreground right and a railway track visible between the trees.Front: THE ROSE SERIES P. 1113/ COPYRIGHT (typed, lower left) PANORAMA OF THE HARBOUR, PORTLAND (typed, lower centre) Back: (no incriptions)

Black and white photographic image of a harbour with two long piers running into it and a shorter jetty with a building on it and circular jetty protruding from it. In the foreground are trees, a dirt road with an RACV sign bridging it to the foreground right and a railway track visible between the trees.Front: THE ROSE SERIES P. 10771/ COPYRIGHT (typed, lower left) THE HARBOUR, PORTLAND (typed, lower centre)

Displayed at History House.Black and white photo. Images shows bare Battery Point, buildings under cliff, pier with building at end , another building (Baths?) and uprights in ocean.Front: View of Portland Harbour Back: State Library of South Australia, Photographic Section. Reproduction prohibited except with the permission of the copywirte holders. Order No. A/6493

Barkly Street is the main road into the business district of Ararat and has developed significantly since this image was taken. The postcard helps define the township in its early stages of colonialisation and reflects on the style of early architecture. The image is a photographic representation of wide streets, assorted businesses and buildings with a bicyclist and horse-drawn carriage in the background. The vantage point seems to be the balcony of Leopolds hotel. This early 1900s streetscape assists in the understanding of our township's development over the decades, both socially and architecturally.Small, landscape orientation rigid postcard, colourised, featuring Barkly Street in Ararat, circa 1900s. Notable features are the Turf Hotel sign and the lettering 'Yankee Doodle' on a building wall.Front: "Barkly Street Ararat". barkly street, ararat, 1900s, buildings, streetscape, architecture, postcard, colourised, turf hotel, leopolds hotel

An envelope with 12 black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria. An envelope with 12 black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria. The photographs were used for a series of photographs and postcards published by the Rose Stereograph Company in Armadale, Victoria.12 Real Photographs/ For Your Snapshot Album PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA/ BY The Rose/ Stereograph Company PRINTERS & PHOTOGRAPHIC/ PUBLISHERS/ Armadale, Victoriakeppel falls (image 1), cumberland falls (image 2), track to cora lynn falls (image 3), nichol's lookout (image 4), cameron cascades (image 5), stevenson falls (image 6), taggerty river (image 7), main street (image 8), taggerty river (image 9), talbot drive (image 10), cora lynn falls (image 11), taggerty river (image 12), rose series postcard, rose stereograph company, souvenir

An envelope with 12 black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria. The photographs were used for a series of photographs and postcards published by the Rose Stereograph Company in Armadale, Victoria.An envelope with photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria.12 Real Photographs/ For Your Snapshot Album PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA/ BY The Rose/ Stereograph Company PRINTERS & PHOTOGRAPHIC/ PUBLISHERS/ Armadale, Victoria PRICE/ 1/6keppel falls (image 1), cumberland falls (image 2), track to cora lynn falls (image 3), nichol's lookout (image 4), cameron cascades (image 5), stevenson falls (image 6), taggerty river (image 7), main street (image 8), glover walk (image 9), from murray pass (image 10), cora lynn falls (image 11), taggerty river (image 12), rose series postcard, rose stereograph company, souvenir

A series of nine black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria that was published by the Barton Bros, Marysville and printed by Valentines Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville.A series of nine black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria that was published by the Barton Bros, Marysville, and printed by Valentines Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville. Thomas Barton was one of the earliest settlers in Marysville and with 16 children and numerous descendants, the name of Barton is synonymous with Marysville. Thomas John Barton, along with his business partner, Ewen Hugh Cameron, opened a butcher/abattoirs in Marysville in 1864. This was the first shop in Marysville. They supplied meat and other items to the miners along the Woods Point road. Thomas Barton was an active community member and was a key organiser in setting up the school in Marysville in 1870. After Thomas' death in 1911, his sons Fred and Frank took over the family business and renamed it Barton Bros. Name & Address of/ sender allowed on/ cover STAMPS-/ 1d. Common-wealth/ 1 1/2d. British Empire If any Correspond'e/ letter rates postage From Published by BARTON BROS., Marysvillemarysville, victoria, barton bros, acheron way (image 1), keppel's falls (image 2), cumberland falls (image 3), stevenson falls (image 4), taggerty river (image 5), mount margaret (image 6), mount gordan (image 7), nicholl's lookout (image 8), the old ford (image 9), valentine publishing co, souvenir, postcard, thomas barton, ewen hugh cameron, francis adam barton, frederick barton

A series of nine black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria that was published by the Barton Bros, Marysville and printed by Valentines Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville.A series of black and white photographs of scenic attractions taken in and around Marysville in Victoria that was published by the Barton Bros, Marysville and printed by Valentines Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville. Thomas Barton was one of the earliest settlers in Marysville and with 16 children and numerous descendants, the name of Barton is synonymous with Marysville. Thomas John Barton, along with his business partner, Ewen Hugh Cameron, opened a butcher/abattoirs in Marysville in 1864. This was the first shop in Marysville. They supplied meat and other items to the miners along the Woods Point road. Thomas Barton was an active community member and was a key organiser in setting up the school in Marysville in 1870. After Thomas' death in 1911, his sons Fred and Frank took over the family business and renamed it Barton Bros. To From Published by BARTON BROS., Marysvillemarysville, victoria, barton bros, acheron way (image 1), keppel's falls (image 2), cumberland falls (image 3), stevenson falls (image 4), taggerty river (image 5), mount margaret (image 6), mount gordan (image 7), nicholl's lookout (image 8), the old ford (image 9), postcard, valentine publishing co, souvenir, thomas barton, francis adam barton, frederick barton, ewen hugh cameron

Levy Sons & Co. 1895-1919 Paris, France and London, England In 1864 the Parisian photographic studio of Ferrier pere*, fils & Soulier was bought out and became M. Leon & J. Levy. This partnership lasted until 1872 when Leon left and it was renamed J. Levy & Co., which became an important producer of stereo-views and lantern slides. By 1895 his sons had joined the company and it was renamed once again to Levy Sons & Co. (or Levy et ses Fils). His son Lucien became a well known photographer who began publishing international view-cards from his own work depicting scenes mostly from within the French empire, though quite a number are from England and there are some from Australia and Russia as well. There are few French towns that are not captured by his cards. His name does not appear on the cards but - L.L. follows the title as a photo credit. Many of their cards are not attributed. These cards were printed as colotypes in black & white, sepia, and over speckled color lithography. In 1920 the studio united with Neurdein Freres to become Levy & Neurdein reunis. Their negatives are now owned by the Roger-Viollet Photographic Agency. *Claude Marie Ferrier (1811-1889) was also an important early photographer. He was the 'Pere' in Ferrier Pere, Fils & Soulier - best remembered for their stunning series of glass views. Sorting this collection is a challenge. The postcard rears display a variety of forms - a) garland emblem with LL inside, b) with an addition emblem within (FPS?). Or c) - no emblem which may mean production by another company - however LL. remains on the front as a credit to the photographer. http://www.metropostcard.com/picslogos/pcl-levylucien.jpg.jpg http://www.unpi.com/clem/unpostcards/LON1919PC2Naback.jpg Example Colour Card circa 1920 No. 78 Paris - L'Escalier de l'Opera - LL. http://www.postcardcollector.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/1306/levy-fils-cie-paris-specifically-lucien-levy-llAbbeyville was a town in the Somme, so that this is a possible reason that the name has been erased on the postcard. http://www.france-voyage.com/travel-photos/abbeville-11435.htmSmall brown covered book of 12 postcards with views of Abbeyville in the Somme. Issue between each each individual postcard. The cover has an oval on front and the name "Abbeyville" in its centre has been erased. The name of the town has also been erased (censored) throughout the booklet. There is a garland in maroon around the maroon oval on the front cover. Print in dark grey on bottom left and right hand side corners.Print "Modele ... Depose" in dark grey on bottom left and "12 Vues Detachables" on right hand side corners. Names of places printed inside but the name of the town has been erased throughout. "Carte Postale" with logo underneath at centre and "Correspondence" LHS and "Adresse" RHS on top of verso of each postcard in booklet. "Levy Fils & Co, Paris sideways along centre line of postcard on verso.abbeyville, levy fils, postcard, vues, panorama, place de l'amiral-courbet, monument, rue alfred-cendre, alfred-cendre street, statue, saint vulfran church, saint gilles church, museum, prarona statue, avenue de la gars, avenue of the station, chevalier de la barre, river somme, somme, talence bridge, correspondence, carte postale, censor, censored

The Roman Baths complex is a site of historical interest in the English city of Bath. The house is a well-preserved Roman site for public bathing. The Roman Baths themselves are below the modern street level. There are four main features: the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and the Museum, holding finds from Roman Bath. The buildings above street level date from the 19th century. Three sepia postcards with a photographic impressions of the Roman Baths, Abbey, and Grand Pump Room, Bath. All postcards unwritten..3) Bath. Roman Baths and Abbey. Within the distance of a few yards are the Roman Baths, built about A. D. 55 ; the Abbey, erected in 1499 : the King's Bath of 17th and 18th century construction, and the modern Bathing establishment containing the latest scientific appliances for the administration of the radio-active waters for the cure and relief of many complaints.bath, roman baths, roman, archeaology

Holmes Family Ascot WW1 memorabilia This card was most probably sent from Harry Holmes to a family member in Ascot, Victoria during his overseas service during World War One. http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/History-in-Focus/The-Battle-of-Messines-1917Black and white postcard with a photographic impression of Messines - Rue de la Pierre.Unwritten postcard.chatham-holmes family collection, world war one, ascot, messines, holmes, chatham-holmes family collection, world war one, ascot, messines, holmes, postcard

Ascot Denominational School in Ascot opened in 1859 for the Presbyterian Free Church with 26 students, which quickly grew to 96. In 1866 the local Board of Managers offered the school to the Board of Education if it would pay the 200 pound building debt, but the offer was rejected. In 1873 Ascot Primary School (No. 16) opened. A new site was purchased in 1981 forcing the closure of School 16. Ascot State School (No. 2507) opened in February 1883..1) Twenty three children stand in from on a brick building with corrugated iron roof. They are students of Ascot Primary School. .2) Twelve males students of Ascot Primary School stand in front of a timber post and rail fence. They are the same boys as depicted in the .1) Ascot Primary School photo. Members of the Chatham family were educated at Ascot Primary School and are thought to be in these photographs. In the late 1950s and 60s the children of Phillip and Elizabeth Chatham nee Holmes also attended Ascot State School along with the children of Bill and Margaret Holmes.Verso in blue ballpoint pen "Chatham Ascot"chatham family collection, ascot, ascot primary school, ascot state school, post and rail, elizabeth holmes, bill holmes

Ray Blight from Ballarat, Victoria was an Australian soldier during World War One. John Raymond (Ray) Blight enlisted on 19 July 1915. He was an electrical engineer, having studied at the Ballarat School of Mines. On 23 June 1916 Ray Blight disembarked at Marseilles. On 3 February 1917 he was hospitalised with scabies. Ray Blight's next of kin was his mother, Mary Jane Blight of 116 Lyons Street South, Ballarat. This photograph was with a number of other World War One photos relating to the Holmes family of Ascot, Victoria.Black and white photographic portrait of Ray Blight a soldier of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Verso "Sincerely Yours Ray Blight France 1918."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, blight, ray blight, france

A number of men in uniform. They are members of the 18th A.S.C Australian Imperial Forces.Verso 'Agroup of the 18th A.S.C. taken after the gifts of the V.R.C. had been distributed.;

Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. S. Gordon Spittle married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Handwritten lower front 'Do we look down hearted?' Handwritten verso 'Egypt, March 23rd 1916. Dear Mrs Troup. Your very fine and interesting letter dated Feb 15th came to hand to-day and needless to add was delighted to receive it, and can promise you that I'll answer it at my earliest opportunity. We are now having a better time since we came to this part, as we are able to enjoy a little of city life, although we have a good deal more work to do, & which is mostly carting goods to & from the ships & railway stations etc, all of which is interesting & quite a change from our life on the Desert. Hope this card finds you in good health. I will now have to say au revoir for the present with kindest regards to Mr Troup, self and family. From your very sincere friends, A. Gordon Spittle."Two uniformed Australian soldiers pose for a photograph during World War One.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, spittle, gordon spittle

Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Image of eight Australian soldiers during World War One. They stand in front of damaged palm trees alongside their horses. Each of the soldiers are from Ascot, Victoria. They are Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'Verso 'A group of the Ascot boy. Taken with our own horses. from left to right:- Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ascot, harry holmes, gordon spittle, les walters, archie may, frank thomas. mase, reif, spittle, walters, may, thomas, fawcett

An image of a number of Australian Soldiers During World War One posing in front of tents in Egypt.Verso: "Our Camp at [censored with blue pencil - probably Sereapeum]. In the background can be seen the plantation which grows for miles along the [Suez] Canal, and for miles back you see masts of the shows in the Canal."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez

Probably in Egypt, c1916Eleven Australian Soldiers during World War One. The soldiers belong to Harry Holmes' (of Ascot, Victoria) battalion.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, world war

Image of the French brothers posing from a photograph while dressed in the AIF uniform during World War One.Verso in pencil: "On the left is Sergeant French and on the right is Driver Frenchchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france. french

Photograph of the Ascot boys who served with Harry Holmes at the front during World War One. Harry Holmes in the front. Ray Blight in centrechatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ray blight, harry holmes

Seven Australian Soldiers sit around a table during World War One. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one