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City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Wedding Dress, Mary Box (nee Closter), circa 1918
Alonzo Box, of Oakleigh ,a nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in 'Box Cottage' 1865 - 1914, married Mary Closter (Kloster), of Oakleigh, on June 12th 1918. Alozo's elder sister, Rebecca, sent a bolt of Chinese hand-embroidered silk from which this wedding dress was made. Rebecca Viloudakia, nee Box, was a missionary in China, and married to a Greek Silk Merchant. Alonzo Box, the 9th child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box , enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1918. He was evacuated to Egypt and then sent to the battlefields of France and Flanders before returning home to Melbourne in February 1918. Rebecca Box, the eldest child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box, was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890. During the Boxer Uprising 1900-1901 her Mission outpost was attacked but she escaped and was taken to Shanghai. She later married one of the rescue party Nicholas Viloudakia a Greek silk merchant .Australian Dress Register ID 573 12/5/2015 Following Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841 pioneer settlers bought allotments of land in the area of Moorabbin Parish. Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who bought the cottage on the 30acre allotment from an unknown pioneer settler in 1868 and resided there until Elizabeth's death in 1914. Alonzo Box served in the Army World War 1 1914- 1918 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca Box -Viloudakia was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was rescued during the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901 and taken to Shanghai by her future husband.A cream two piece wedding dress made from a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk for the marriage of Mary Closter and Alonzo Box on June 12th, 1918. The bolt of Chinese silk was sent by Alonzo’s older sister, Mrs Rebecca Viloudakia, a missionary in China, who was married to a Greek silk merchant. The machine sewn dress was made by a dressmaker in Dandenong, Victoria. The jacket is blouson, with a front opening and is gathered at the waist by a band enclosing a drawstring. The collar is a sailor style that forms a slight / high V-shape front neckline. Four vertical roses are separated by three bands of lacework. The back of the jacket is plain silk. The right front of the jacket has a panel of embroidered roses, band of lacework and a facing fold that encloses 4 fastening presses. There are crocheted bobbles on the front representing buttons. The left jacket front also has the panel of embroidered roses, lacework and matching fold for the 4 fastening studs. The full length inset sleeves are gathered to a cuff that fastens with silk covered buttons. The sleeves have floral embroidery down the outside centre line. The left sleeve has an extra detachable cuff with embroidery on the flounce that matches the bottom panel of the skirt. It is held in position around the wrist by 4 white metal press studs. The skirt sits above the ankle. It consists of 5 panels slightly gathered at the back waistline with a left side placket 21cm with hooks and eyes and press studs. The waistband is lined with petersham and has 6 whalebone inserts. The front of the skirt has small pleats to fit the 3 decorated panels to the waistline. The front has 3 bands of lacework around the lower part. 3 panels form the centre front each embroidered with a different floral pattern. The back of the skirt is plain with 3 bands of lacework rising from the hem, which is sewn with spoke work stitch. The long waist sash/belt is plain silk with embroidered ends and 3 silk balls with crocheted caps suspended on 3 crocheted silk chains. It has a rose knot with 2 metal press stud fasteners. There are a variety of floral designs embroidered on the material including ‘corner motifs’ on the 2nd inner front panel of skirt. brighton, moorabbin, silk, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, kloster mary, closter mary, oakleigh, dandenong, chinese silk merchant, boxer rebellion 1900-1901, box rebecca, methodist china inland mission, viloudakia nichols, anzac landings, world war 1, gallipoli -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Document , photocopy of Steerage Passenger Ticket 1912, 1912
'Australind' steam ship built 1904 by C. Connell & Co. Ltd., Glasgow .1928 sold to France renamed Colbert, 1933 sold renamed Scandinavia, 1934 scrapped at Savona.In the 1880s Trinder, Anderson & Co. joined Charles Bethell and started operating a twice monthly service from Great Britain to Fremantle and Albany. In 1886 Trinder, Anderson & Bethell started a steamer service called the West Australian Steam Navigation Co. at London. Their first steamer was given the name AUSTRALIND. In 1904 Bethell, Gwyn & Trinder, Anderson formed the Australind Steam Shipping Co.The new company was involved in the transport of emigrants. In 1912 the company owned five ships. During World War I the company lost four of its six ships. In World War II the company lost two ships. In the 1970s the company withdrew from the liner services and started hiring ships to other companies. The last cargo ship was disposed off in 1981 / 1982.The ‘Australind’ steam ship brought migrants from England to Australia 1904 - 1926 A photocopy of a Steerage Passenger’s Contract Ticket for Louisa Larner and her children Herbert aged 5 and May aged 2 aboard the British Steam-ship ‘Australind ‘ departing Tilbury England March 20th for Fremantle, Australia. a) front of ticket b) enlargement of a section of the ticket a) No 132 Berth No, 47 & half 48 / Australind Steam Shipping Company Limited / TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA / central flying flag with a black swan on a white cross -/ JOINT MANAGERS/ TRINDER ANDERSON & CO., l BETHELL, GWWYN & CO., BALTIC HOUSE LEADENHALL STREET EC. 22 BILLITER STREET, EC. STEERAGE PASSENGER’S CONTRACT TICKET / ( NOT TRANSFERRABLE ) / The British Steam-ship “Australind” of 5,563 Tons Register, to take in Passengers / at the Port of London ( TILBURY) for FREMANTLE, on the twentieth day of March 1912 Signed W I Moore dated 30Jan1912 paid £18 Larner Louisa age 32 adult1 / do Herbert age 5 adult ½ / do May age 2 adult ½ written on ticket b) photocopy enlargement of a section of the ticket showing names and signatures london, tilbury, fremantle, steamship, ss australind, steerage, passengers, immigration, provisions, rations, trinder anderson company, larner louisa, larner herbert, larner may, bethel gwyn company -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Photograph, Exhibit at 1916 Easter Carnival, Exhibit at 1916 Easter Carnival, 1916 Easter Monday
The photograph was taken on Easter Monday 1916 at the Easter Carnival. It is showing one of the exhibits at the Australian Natives Association's Fruit and Vegetable Exhibit, at the Mentone Recreation Ground. The Easter Carnival was a fund-raising event to assist and repatriate wounded WW1 soldiers returning home. The photographer is unknown.Black and white photograph. The photograph is showing two men, a horse and a carriage. One of the men is holding on to the horses' harness and the other man in standing on a platform on the carriage holding the horses' reign. The horse is harnessed to the carriage containing various fruits and vegetables elaborately displayed. Much of the fruit and vegetables are seen in boxes along the carriage and others are hanging along the edge of the carriage. Some of the fruit and vegetable clearly able to be seen are pumpkin, parsnip, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, grapes, various types of apples, oranges and lemons. There are also flowers meticulously arranged around the frame of the carriage and wheels. Front; A.N.A Exhibit / Easter Carnival - 1916 Back; Donated by / W.A.Follett / Heatherton ( written in ink ) Easter Monday CCarnival / at Mentone Recreation Ground / 1916 A.N.A ( written in pencil)easter carnival, 1916, photograph, australian natives association, fund-raising, world war i, ww1, mr w.a follett - heatherton, fruit, vegetable, mentone, mentone recreation ground -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
WW1 Medal for Women relatives of serving soldiers, c1914 - 1918
Female Relative Badges were issued to the nearest female relative (usually wives or mothers) of those who engaged in active service overseas during the First and Second World Wars. Two Female Relative Badges were issued during the First World War. One was issued to the nearest female relative of soldiers, airmen, nurses, and masseuses who left Australia for active service abroad; the other to the nearest female relative of members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who had enlisted for general naval sea service for at least a period of the war, and who performed service outside Australian waters. A bar was suspended below the badge to indicate additional relatives involved in the war effort. The Female Relatives Badge was promulgated under Military Order 280 of 1917 and superseded by Military Order 1818 of 1918. (Australian War Memorial )So many Moorabbin Shire young men volunteered to serve in 1st AIF during WW1 . This caused great hardship for farming families especially due to the heavy manual labour that the Women had to undertake to maintain food production for Australia and overseas . This medal may be associated with Alonzo Sheldrake Box who served at Gallipoli and France Circular Silver medal with Crown , Blue engraving and pin clasp on back . A silver bar is attached Around edge ; Issued by Dept. of Defence to Women of Australia Centre cut out : A I F On Bar : For Duty Done On Back : Stokes & Sons 57691world war 1914-18, moorabbin shire, early settlers, pioneers, box alonzo, box william, australian military medals, anzac, gallipoli, sheldrake martha, box elizabeth, box mary louisa, closter mary, war memorials, a -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - Jubilee of the Wesleyan Methodist Church Medal, 1886
In 1886 the Wesleyan Methodist Church celebrated the fiftieth jubilee of the establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist Association in Britain. The Association was one of several off-shoots of the Methodist Church, which had been established by John Wesley from the 1730s. Methodism stressed evangelism and a closer association with God. The focus on fiftieth anniversaries by the church originated in Leviticus 25:10: ‘And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you...’. In 1902 the various off-shoots of Methodism in Australia united to form the Methodist Church of Australasia. In 1977 the church became part of the Uniting Church. The Wesleyan Methodist Church which exists in Australia today is actually a branch of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America, introduced to Australia during World War II. In 2003 it had almost 100 churches in Australia.Many of the early pioneers in the City of Moorabbin were Methodists.Silver Medal Side one: legend within trefoil; JUBILEE / OF THE / WESLEYAN / METHODIST / CHURCH / IN / VICTORIA / 1886 small floral decorations at each point of trefoil. Side two: Bust of John Wesleycity of moorabbin, wesleyan methodist church, religion, jubilee -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter - City of Moorabbin Historical Society No. 4 Vol. 2 July 1962, 1962
This is Newsletter No 4 Vol 2. produced in July 1962 by Mr T. A. Sheehy President CMHS for members and visitors The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash.This is Newsletter No 4 Vol 2. produced in July 1962 by Mr T. A. Sheehy President CMHS for members and visitors CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961Foolscap L34cm x W 21cm paper folded into 4 pagesCITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL / SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria ). President T.A.Sheehy …… Secretary Mrs L. Harvey……. NEWSLETTER No 4 Vol. 2 JULY 1962city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, cheltenham & district co-operative society limited, ashley r, moorabbin city council, standard newspapers ltd., bent thomas, aboriginals, shipston -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Clothing - Leather Leggings, 1899 to 1920
The subject leather leggings are associated with mounted troops known as the Australian Light Horse that served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902. After the war, Britain wanted to use fewer mounted troops and restructured its force around a style of combat that needed more infantry. But the defence of Australia still relied upon mounted military units as these were more mobile than infantry and could travel faster over long distances. Light Horse brigades in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) mostly contained recruits who served in the Light Horse regiments of the Citizen Forces. Many young men from rural areas of Australia volunteered for the Light Horse regiments. They had to pass a riding test to join, this test was easier for men from the bush because horses were still the main method of transport on farms and in country towns. The army did not officially accept First Australians into the AIF until May 1917 when enlistment standards were relaxed to include 'half-castes' with a parent of European origin. Indigenous soldiers served as valuable members of the Light Horse and many possessed excellent horse handling skills and specialist tracking knowledge.The subject items are part of the uniform for the Light Horse Units that served in the Australian army from 1899 until 1918. These leggings were worn by soldiers on horseback and are significant as they represent a noteworthy time in Australia's early military history. It was a time when many young men gave their lives during the South African and First World Wars in the defence of the then British Empire as part of the Imperial Forces that were gathered from many British-controlled Colonial countries.A pair of two Leather Leggings used by Mounted Australian soldiers during the first world war. The leggings are dark tan in colour with stitching to attach buckles and fastener straps. The strap buckles are made of brass and the leather legging straps are of same leather as leggings. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, leggings, leather leggings, protective leggings, protective clothing, australian mounted light horse units, military equipment -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - BOOK - AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND VICTORIAN DIVISION GUIDE TO KNITTING
Two knitting books titled Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division Guide to Knitting for Active Service, august 1941. Book has patterns for socks, pullovers, gloves, scarfs and a cap. Printed on the back is 'Renwick Pride'. One book has the name: Mrs Lyons, Arnold St., Bendigo written on the back and a stamp and postmark.military, world war 2, australian comforts fund, book, australian comforts fund victorian division guide to knitting, renwick pride, mrs lyons, arnold street. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: WELCOME TO BENDIGO
White card with white red and blue flags and blue print. On the card are the words, ' Welcome to Bendigo. The Bendigo Branch of the R.S. & S.I. L.A. welcome you back to your Native City, congratulating you on your safe return.' Major Adams, V.D. Two copies. C. 1945.clubs and associations, history, service clubs, lydia chancellor, collection, world war ii, civic reception, returned sailors & soldiers imperial league australia -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - STAMP BULLETIN ANZAC CENTENARY
Brochure from Australia Post showcasing stamps relating to the Anzac Centenary 1914 - 1918. gold artwork, two soldiers in uniform standing in front of trench. Issue No 333/March-April 2015event, war, post office stamp booklet, anzac, world war 1 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - OLIVE PELL COLLECTION: NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, 1947 on photo
Newspaper clippings and a photograph. Death notices for THOMPSON, Edward (Ted) Colton, died 15/12/1988, formerly of Bendigo, husband of Queenie and a photo of Ted, dated 1947. Newspaper clippings of 'Chemistry Teacher dies', Mr Richard Gaston Walker, died 14/01/?? A chemistry instructor, 50 years of teaching, he was known world wide, during WW1, he was given an important post in England handling chemistry projects in the war effort. On his return to Australia, he became attached to the Bendigo Technical College,(known as the School of Mines) for more than 40 years. On file there is a Richard Gaston Walker died 1965, aged 72, Death Reg.No.1953). Newspaper photo of Richard's son, David G.Walker, Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List. Also newspaper cutting of Two student members of the Faraday Club gave a lecture at the School of Mines.person, group, olive pell collection. edward(ted) colton thompson. richard gaston walker. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - WES HARRY COLLECTION: RATION STAMPS, 1940's
... TOPIC rationing Rationing World War Two Commonwealth ...(a) Clothing ration card No. V.A. 504811, June 1944 issued to Marion Jones, 135 Myrtle street Bendigo. (b) Two sections of clothing ration stamps for 1945 - 6, clothing ration stamps for 1947, Meat Ration stamps for 1948.Commonwealth of Australiatopic, rationing, rationing , world war two -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: RAID ON CARRIER HILL
Post card print of an oil painting called, ' Raid on Carrier Hill, Tobruk. By Ivor Helle. Produced by the Australian War Memorial.postcard, world war two, raid on carrier hill, tobruk, world war two -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: AUSTRALIAN ATTACK AT BUNA
... POSTCARD world war two Australian attack at Buna War in the Pacific ...Post card print of an oil painting called ' Australian attack at Buna, December 1942 ' by G. Mainwaring. Produced by the Australian War Memorial.postcard, world war two, australian attack at buna, war in the pacific, world war two. g. mainwaring -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: DEPARTURE OF H.M.A. SHIPS
... POSTCARD world war two HMA ships Australia Canberra First Convoy ...Post Card print of a painting called ' Departure of HMA ships 'Australia' and 'Canberra' from the first convoy Indian Ocean 20th January 1940 ' by Frank Norton. Produced by the Australian War Memorial.postcard, world war two, hma ships, australia, canberra, first convoy, indian ocean, frank norton, second world war. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: MILNE BAY
Post Card print of a painting called ' RAAF Kittyhawks at Milne Bay ' by William Dargie 1942. Produced by the Australian War Memorial.postcard, photograph, world war two, raaf kittyhawks at milne bay, william dargie, war in the pacific, second world war -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: JAPANESE LANDING AT RABAUL
Post Card print of a painting entitled ' The Japanese landing at Vulcan beach, Rabaul, 23rd January, 1942, by G. R. Mainwaring. Produced by the Australian War Memorial.postcard, photograph, world war two, japanese landing, vulcan beach, rabaul, war in the pacific, world war two -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: TOBRUK HARBOUR
Photograph of a Diorama at the Australian War memorial, depicting the siege at Tobruk Harbour, 1941. This famous siege led to the first German defeat on land and successfully thwarted Rommel at his attempt at Egyptian conquest. Photographed by Uwe Steinward.postcard, photograph, world war two, siege of tobruk, world war two, uwe steinward -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - WES HARRY COLLECTION: ACTION IN THE VALE OF TEMPE
Print of a painting called ' Action in the Vale of Tempe, Greece, 1941 ' by W. A. Dargie, from the original oil painting in the Australian War Memorial , Canberra.postcard, world war two, action in the vale of tempe, greece, world war two, w. a. dargie -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - ABBOTT COLLECTION: BEST BARBED WIRE, late 1940's
Newspaper clipping headed 'Best barbed wire in war was invented in Australia' It tells of the invention and manufacture of '' Barblok '' barbed wire invented by H.A. Abbottnewspaper, bendigo, h.a.. abbott, world war two, h.a. abbott, barbed wire, barblok -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Container - GRAHAM HOOKEY COLLECTION: BRASS 'COMFORTS' TIN
Brass gift box, presented to serving military personnel in World War 1. Attributed as being the brainchild of Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. On top of tin the head of the Princess is surrounded by a laurel wreath. Embossed on top 'Imperium Britannicum', on bottom 'Christmas 1914' This tin was found in a secretaire given to Graham Hookey, inside the tin is gold woven epaulette, nibs for a dip pen and a small lock 'Miller' embossed on front. Also enclosed are two medals - one metal 'volunteered for active service' printed around outside of medal, other two appear to be off a uniform, another 'corps of engineers' gold badge. Rising sun medal with 'Australian Commonwealth Military Force' embossed.australia, military, brass comfort tin -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Decorated handcart on city street, 1914 - 1920
One of 44 black and white photos recording the work and contribution by Swallow & Ariell's "Busy Bee" for the First World War in Europe .05 - Decorated handcart outside Australian First & Mortgage Bank and also Thomas Cook & Son. Two men in army uniform and man and woman in fancy dress holding collection tins.built environment - industrial, business and traders, war - world war i, social activities, busy bee, swallow & ariell ltd, red cross -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Document - Ration ticket, Motor Spirit Ration Ticket Series B, Australian Government, 1940s
Two red printed petrol ration tickets, still attached to each other. "Motor Spirit Ration Ticket Series B" for one gallon.war - world war ii, percy allan may, transport - motor vehicles, wartime rationing -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
eagle from soldiers berret
worn by soldiers within the first Polish armoured division in Europeremaining elements of soldiers uniforms worn during world War twometal alloyworld war ii, first polish armoured division, eagle, beret -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
Carpathian Brigade badge
military memorabilia from world War two. This brigade was initially stationed in the middle east, in particular in Syria Lebanon and eventually moved to North Africa where it took part in the battle of the Tobruk and subsequently in Italy where it took part in the battle of monte casinoone of the few remaining elements of this Brigades (in Australia.metal badge with green cypress tree being the symbol of the carpathian brigadecarpathian brigade, world war ii, military memorabilia -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
soldiers identity card
identity cardsissued to members of the Polish military forces in the West.unique documents of the Polish military fighting under the command of the British Allied forces belonging to a significant individual in the Polish communitysoldiers identity card from world War two belonging to Stanislaw Blumnerves in the vehicle'smilitary identity card, blum -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
cross of valour identity card
Polish Cross of valour awarded in June 1941 to Sgt Jan Artymiuk of the 300 Polish squadron based in Swinderby Lincolnshiredocuments linked to a significant activist within the Polish community in Victoria who was highly awarded during world War twoidentity card made from card whites paperpprintpolish air force, polish cross of valour, -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
Sydney Polonia welcoming Polish sailors
Polish wartime ship arrived in Sydney - welcomed by fledgling community and local supporters of Polanddocumentation of Polish presence and activities for the war cause during WWIIsydney, polonia, navy, photo, world war two -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
Polish CHRISTMAS pageant in Sydney
demonstration of Polish community activityIn Sydney during their fledgeling stage immediately after world War twophotograph of the Kondratowicz family in the Sydney area. One of the very few available photographs of the beginnings of the Polish community in Sydney. Photographic document showing interaction with local clergy.photographsydney, polonia, post world war two, christmas pageant -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Craig Deayton, The battle of Messines : 1917, 2017
On 7 June 1917, the British Second Army launched its attack on Messines Ridge, detonating 19 giant mines beneath the German front-line positions. By the end of the day, one of the strongest positions on the Western Front had fallen, a place of such importance that the Germans had pledged to hold it at any cost. It was the greatest British victory in three years of war. The first two years of the First World War had represented an almost unending catalogue of disaster for the Australians. Messines was not only their first real victory, it was also the first test in senior command for Major General John Monash who commanded the newly formed 3rd Division and would later be hailed as Australia's greatest soldier. Messines was a baptism of fire for the 3rd Division which came into the line alongside the battle-scarred 4th Australian Division, badly mauled at Bullecourt just six weeks earlier in one of the worst defeats of the war. The fighting at Messines would descend into unimaginable savagery, a lethal and sometimes hand-to-hand affair of bayonets, clubs, bombs and incessant machine-gun fire, described by one Australian as '72 hours of Hell'. After their string of bloody defeats over 1915 and 1916, Messines would be the ultimate test for the Australians. Collapse summaryIndex, bibliography, ill (col), p.172.non-fictionOn 7 June 1917, the British Second Army launched its attack on Messines Ridge, detonating 19 giant mines beneath the German front-line positions. By the end of the day, one of the strongest positions on the Western Front had fallen, a place of such importance that the Germans had pledged to hold it at any cost. It was the greatest British victory in three years of war. The first two years of the First World War had represented an almost unending catalogue of disaster for the Australians. Messines was not only their first real victory, it was also the first test in senior command for Major General John Monash who commanded the newly formed 3rd Division and would later be hailed as Australia's greatest soldier. Messines was a baptism of fire for the 3rd Division which came into the line alongside the battle-scarred 4th Australian Division, badly mauled at Bullecourt just six weeks earlier in one of the worst defeats of the war. The fighting at Messines would descend into unimaginable savagery, a lethal and sometimes hand-to-hand affair of bayonets, clubs, bombs and incessant machine-gun fire, described by one Australian as '72 hours of Hell'. After their string of bloody defeats over 1915 and 1916, Messines would be the ultimate test for the Australians. Collapse summary world war 1914-1918- campaigns - western front, battles of messines - australian participation - 1917