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4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Domestic object - Silver Candelabra, 3 Stem
Set of 5 with catalogue no 0455, 0534, 0535, 0536. 3 stem, silver EPNS candelabra.Presented to 4/19 PWLH Sergeants Mess by Mrs G Swan Mrs Perkins Mrs M Tuskin Miss S D'Atri Mrs M Baker Mrs J Douglas Mrs M D'Atri Mrs M Bullock Mrs C Summers Mrs J Axten (sic) Mrs M Bell Mrs G Burke Mrs L Hibberd Mrs J Arnott Silver plated by Ianthe of Englandcandelabra, silverware, sergeants' mess -
Glen Eira City Council History and Heritage Collection
Medal - Medal, commemorative, 1935
The Medal, Presentation Box and Certificate from Buckingham Palace are a very important addition to Council’s History and Heritage collection because of their association with a past Mayor of the City of Caulfield Harry Carl Hortin Smith. Although a total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, only a handful of these medals survive in major Australian museum collections. The National Museum of Australia holds a similar medal which was awarded to Sir Robert Menzies. The Museum of Victoria also holds a similar medal but neither collection contains a presentation box or certificate from Buckingham Palace. The significance of the donation is greatly enhanced due to its good condition and the fact that it includes all items associated with the presentation the Medal. Most museum collections only include the jubilee medal. Together these unique historical objects tell a complete story of this important event which was cause for great celebration around the world.George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935. Round silver medal with attached loop and red ribbon with blue and white stripes on the edges. Awarded to Harry, Carl, Hortin Smith Mayor of the City of Caulfield. A total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.OBVERSE: Conjoined half-length busts of King George V and Queen Mary wearing crowns and robes of state; around, GEORGE . V . AND . QUEEN . MARY . MAY . VI . MCMXXXV. REVERSE: A crowned monogram GRI (Translation - George King and Emperor) with the dates of his reign at either side, MAY 6 1910 May 6 1935.commemorative medal, silver jubilee, king george v, 1935, queen mary, harry carl hortin smith, mayor, city of caulfield -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Cabinet - Vinyl Records
The cabinet appears to be homemade and purposely built for the storage of a collection of vinyl records. The records are stored vertically in a 'holder' with a rectangular wooden base with soft covered wire strips well spaced and each extended to fit up to 50 records. See KVHS 18 . The stands then fit into the cabinet with the base of the holder resting on wooden ledges glued on each side allowing the records to fit in all directions. There are two levels - one on the bottom and one halfway up. Holding approximately 100 records altogether. The cabinet's door is opened with a silver push button latch. Many men made their own furniture as they had the equipment and experience to do so. During the 1950s vinyl records were played to entertain families and to educate children in the areas of music and dance. Mt Beauty didn't have TV until much later than the cities and furniture wasn't always available at the local shops.Wooden cabinet with 4 legs and a door with a silver push button latch. Inside are small ledges on each side at the bottom and halfway up.vinyl records, music, wooden cabinet -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Award - Trophy, c.1880
Robert Keys,1818-87 b.Ireland, arrived Australia 1841 and joined parents on a farm in Brighton.Victoria. 1870 he commenced his own 15 acre 'fruit garden' in Keys Rd Moorabbin and in 1881-82 was awarded the 'Leader Cup', by the Leader Newspaper, as the Winner of the Brighton Horticultural Society 'Best Fruit Garden' competition. Robert Keys, early settler 1841, was a talented orchardist , Brighton Councillor 1860 and Moorabbin City Coucillor until his death 1887. Item donated by Keys Family c1985 The 1879 Schedule of Prizes booklet of the Brighton Historical Society ( MAV 00022),describes in detail this trophy, prize moneys and rules and regulations of the competition. The booklet, cat. no. 00022, is on display with this trophyThis item is significant because of its connection with the Keys Family who were early settlers in District of Brighton/ Moorabbin and were greatly involved in community activities. After the 1841 Dendy Special Survey allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens, fruit farms ( orchards), vineyards, poultry farms in the area now known as Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Oakleigh. They were very proud of their fine produce and hence enthusiastically entered these 'Annual Exhibitions' by the Brighton Horticultural Society.The Sterling Silver goblet shaped Trophy. Base has engraved beaded rim with chevron type motif. Embossed ring midway up stem and fern leaves engraved on bowl of goblet engraved on bowl of goblet " Brighton Horticultural Society/ 1881-82/ Leader Cup/ Awarded To/ Robert Keys/ For Best Fruit Garden/ Brighton District." Hallmarked 'GU', Birmingham, UK. George Unite circa 1880keys robert, trophy, 1881, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, horticultural, silver cup, silver, moorabbin, brighton horticultural society -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Domestic object - Spoon belonging to W.C.Busse
Wilfred Clarence Busse, born in Chiltern in 1898, His family moved to the region during the gold rush and continued to reside in the area, purchasing land adjacent the Murray River. Busse completed his secondary education at Wesley College in Melbourne then studied law at the University of Melbourne. Busse went on to become a barrister, often in the chambers of Sir Leo Finn Bernard Cussen (1859-1933) a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He worked most of his life in Chiltern as a Barrister and Solicitor and gained the unofficial title of historian of Chiltern, leaving behind several manuscript histories and a scrap book. Busse was an avid fictional writer and in 1930 he published two novels. Time spent on a Victorian station in his early twenties, as well as careful documentary research, informed the writing of his historical novels of bush life. "The Blue Beyond; A Romance of the Early Days in South Eastern Australia” and "The Golden Plague: A Romance of the Early Fifties." "The Golden Plague” won the T. E. Role gold medal for the best historical novel which went on to become a best seller. Busse often drew inspiration for his novels from his younger years living Chiltern. His passion for the region lead him to write “The History of Chiltern” which was published in a serial form in the Chiltern Federal Standard from 1922-1923. Wilfred Clarence Busse was a member of Chiltern Athenaeum (where this object is now held) up until his death in 1960, he is buried in the Barnawartha Cemetery. The floral motif on this particular spoon appears to be stylised in the decorative arts and craft style favoured in Europe between 1880-1920 and less representational than examples of Australiana flora captured in silversmithing from the 1850's onwards produced in Australia. It is likely that those producing silverware at the time would be drawing on the decorative arts movement while incorporating elements of the natural beauty in the flora of their newfound environment into the silverware they produced. This spoon seems more likely to have been produced in Europe and imported to the colony. The hallmarks on the handle DON and BP indicate it may have been produced from English electroplating silver which is a more cost effective product than solid silver, most likely produced by Cooper Brothers, Don Plate Works, established in Sheffield in 1866 who distributed silverware in Europe, America and the colonies well into the 1950's.Wilfred Clarence Busse was of social significance to Chiltern, he helped to document the cultural story of the area in his published works "The Golden Plague" and "The Beyond Blue" by recounting his own upbringing in a bush lifestyle. He was a respected Barrister and was the unofficial historian of the Chiltern Athenaeum for many years. This spoon represents a window into the domestic life of this person who was well loved in the area, and it continues its relationship to Busse as well as Chiltern by being held within the very collection he helped to maintain in his life. Domestic objects tell us the story about how people lived, objects of daily use hold particular meaning in that they can tell us the story of an individual, we feel closer to their life and habits, it humanises and connects us across time. Wilfred Busse ate food and he did it from a beautiful silver floral detailed spoon.A silver tablespoon with floral embossed head and hallmarks embossed on reverse handleDON/ BP/silverware, wilfred clarence busse, busse, chiltern, chiltern athenaeum, federal standard, t. e. role, "the blue beyond, a romance of the early days in south eastern australia”, "the golden plague: a romance of the early fifties.", "the golden plague”, wesley college, university of melbourne, sir leo finn bernard cussen, supreme court of victoria, gold rush, murray river, “the history of chiltern”, silversmithing, spoon, decorative arts, floral, flora, australiana, australian flora, arts and craft movement, australian silver, cussen -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Coulter Cup
As an incentive to improve school work and develop student leadership, from 1927 former Clarendon PLC student Nellie Sutherland (Coulter) donated a silver cup each year. The cup soon became a prestigious award. It was awarded to the girl holding the leading place in 'work, sport and above all moral character'. The cups were awarded annually until to 1951. Mrs Sutherland made these gifts partly to remember her school days under Mrs Kennedy and because the school in Mair Street was built on the site of her former home. But the main reason was in memory of her two brothers Jason and Les killed during World War 1. In 2001 the Junior School Parent Group funded the ongoing award for a Year 6 student. The award criteria in 2001 were 'general excellence in academic achievement, respect for and from others, a positive role model, involvement and initiative'. This Coulter Cup was awarded in 1946 to Barbara Walter.Small silver double-handed cup with ornate edge to cup lip and engraving on faceEngraved on face of cup: CPLC crest / THE COULTER CUP / 1946barbara walter, coulter cup -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Fordigraph Machine
Invented in 1923 by Wilhelm Ritzerfeld. A Spirit duplicator' refers to the alcohols that were a major component of the solvents used in the machine.Limited number of copies one could make from an original along with the low cost and corresponding low quality of copying. Used to make multiple copies of a document eg. in office at a school for eg. a newsletterUsed at Bogong Primary SchoolFormerly UKV 048 Solid black, heavy, steel machine on 4 legs with flat tray at the front and roller at the back. The roller has a cover on the sides and front. From the top you can see the silver roller which is operated by a handle on the right side. There is a small lever and 2 knobs on the same side.In gold on the back "Fordigraph" and "The Nipper Fordigraph" with a blue circle made by 3 arcs with arrows. 2 labels on one side, screwed on. The labels have a silver background and black print. "Off" and "On"fordigraph machine, copying -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Certificate - Draft certificate of reward - Admella Relief and Reward Fund, 1859
William Melrose volunteered as an oarsman in the Portland Lifeboat on the second and successfil attempt at rescue when he rowed manfully through the breakers. He was awarded a Silver Medal and [pound mark]12.10.0.Paper certificate mounted under glass and framed. Frame is carved wood, stained brown. Top corner is a carved scotch thistle, bottom corner has carved anchors. Centre of each side has a cavity for the medals. At the bottom centre is the Admella Relief and Reward Fund Draft certificate of reward to William Melrose Seaman 'Lady Bird' Melbourne Nov 12th 1859. Photograph of William Melrose in uniform with his two medals pinned to his jacket. A coat of arms is carved at the top centre with the motto "PER-MARE-PER-TERRAS".Front: Admella Relief and Reward Fund Draft certificate of reward to William Melrose Seaman 'Lady Bird' Melbourne Nov 12th 1859. Services rendered - volunteered as an oarsman in the Portland Lifeboat on the second and successfil attempt at rescue when he rowed manfully through the breakers. He was awarded a Silver Medal and [pound mark]12.10.0. Back: (no inscriptions)admella, shipwreck, portland lifeboat, rescue, reward -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Award - cigar case, c. 1901
On 30th August 1901 The Chronicle, an Adelaide newspaper, announced that J.W.Hosking was leaving Terowie to establish a business in Port Fairy. He had lived in Terowie for 25 years and had been chairman of the District Council, a member of the school board and a Justice of the Peace. He was also a keen supporter of the cricket and other sporting teams. On leaving Treowie he was presented with a Gladstone bag and an illuminated address signed by 47 residents. Hosking had a wife and daughter and it was reported that with his brother, he had bought the drapery and furnishing business of W.T.Hattam in Port Fairy. Trading as G.E.Hosking &Co., the brothers already had branches in N.S.W. South Australia and Western Australia. By 1905 J.W.Hosking was President of the Port Fairy Hospital and, although in July of that year he announced that he was resigning because of pressure of business, he was obviously persuaded to stay on. Indeed, he remained President until 1907. In September 1907, the brothers were bought out by D.E.MacLellan, late of MacLellan & Craig of Mount Gambier. So when the silver cigar/cigarette case was presented to Hosking, he was not only ceasing to be President of the Hospital but was almost certainly leaving the town. On February 1908 he resigned as a JP for the Western Bailiwick of the State of Victoria.Typical of the type of item given to express gratitude for voluntary work especially in positions such as Presidents and Secretaries.silver cigar case, chased hall marked, interior gold washto J W Hosking Esq/ from the Committee/Port Fairy Hospital/14/11/07civic mementoes, presentations, hospital, hosking, g.e.hosking&co, port fairy, president, jp, western bailiwick, state of victoria, demaclellan, wthattam -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Domestic object - Silver tea set, Martin, Hall & Co (Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall), 1876
Mayor Harkness is best known for abolishing liquor from the Town Hall and replacing the Mayor's Ball with a Monster Sunday School Picnic for children which took place in Ravenswood in 1883 and was attended by 15,000 people. Abraham Harkness arrived in Victoria in 1857 aged 28. He was initially successful in his search for gold and after a return trip to England in 1862 returned to Bendigo where he opened a general store and then a foundry manufacturing mining machinery. He stood for council from in 1880 and was elected a further eight times over the next twenty years. Cr Harkness served as Mayor in 1882, 1897 and 1898. His son Andrew became Mayor in 1908-09. Abraham Harkness married Jane Elizabeth Noble in Bendigo in1864 and together they had six sons and five daughters. Abraham died in 1912 and Jane in 1927. This elegant silver service was gifted to Mrs Harkness by her husband the Mayor in remembrance of the event and then gifted back to the City.Four piece Victorian tea and coffee silver service consisting of tall coffee pot, tea pot, two handled covered sugar basin and covered cream jug. Oval, chamfered shaped base tapering at top. Bodies are decorated with foliate decoration and central finial entwined with cartouche which holds either the Bendigo Coat of Arms, or the entwined initials J E H except the large coffee pot which has engraved dedication to Mayoress Harkness instead of the Coat of Arms. Insulated handles on pots. 0432.1 Coffee pot 0432.2 Teapot 0432.3 Sugar Pot 0432.4 Cream Jug Stamped back top left of each part and inside lids - Makers Mark: Martin, Hall & Co (Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall). Hallmarks; (Lion) sterling silver, (Panther head) London Assay Office, (Women's head in left profile) duty paid, (A)1876 on coffee pot, (G) 1882 on other three pieces.mayor harkness, mayoress harness -
The Cyril Kett Optometry Museum
Spectacles, Nupro, 1950 (estimated)
These night driving spectacles are in a shape of frame fashionable for ladies in the 1950's. The position of the lens silvering shows that these are designed for use in right hand drive cars. These were an expensive item in their day. Their excellent condition and original cardboard box suggest that they may be unsold new old stock.No other example of these Nupronite night driving spectacles is known in any Australian collection.Boxed Nupronite night driving spectacles. Yellow flat plano glass lenses with silver mirror finish in wearer's upper right field of each lens (to minimise glare of oncoming lights). Tortoise-shell look cat's eye frame. In original cardboard box.On box:'Nuprosal/ Nupronite/ "CAT'S EYES" NIGHT DRIVING SPECTACLES OUTSTANDING IN DESIGN AND QUALITY/ MANUFACTURED BY OPTICAL CRAFTSMEN/ MADE IN ENGLAND BY NUPRO LONDON/ MODEL:CAT'S EYES/ LENSES:SUPER/ COLOUR:AUTUMN LEAF'. Price added by hand '2 pound 17/6'spectacles, glare, night driving, eye protection -
Bendigo Military Museum
Souvenir - EMBROIDERY, FRAMED
Plastic frame, gold coloured surrounding embroidered flags, flowers, leaves & crown on pink material background.Embroidered in silver thread top centre: “ADVANCE AUSTRALIA”passchendaele barracks trust, embroidery, advance -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Container - THOMAS WEEKLEY COLLECTION: CUPID ORNAMENT
Metal Cupid figure standing on a circular base raised on four ornate filigree legs. Donated by Jennifer Armstrong 107 Therese Ave Mt Waverley 3149 reportedly left in the house of Louisa Amelia Poole (Weekley) when Thomas went to WA.New Amsterdam Silver Co Triple Plate 521ornaments, metal, statue -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Container - THOMAS WEEKLEY COLLECTION: METAL DISH
Metal sweets or fruit bowl standing on four filigree legs, with folding handle, ornate decoration around rim & engraved decoration on base. Donated by Jennifer Armstrong 107 Therese Ave Mt Waverley 3149 and had been in the possession of Louisa Amelia Poole (Weekley) Koroop for approximately 70 years.New Amsterdam Silver Co Quadruple plate 653domestic equipment, table setting, dish -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Lapel Badge
Round badge. White with black text and image."Highfield Rd. Methodist Church Silver Jubliee 1937"highfield road methodist church camberwell -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Motor Mower
Early model VICTA lawn mower."Victa" 2-stroke lawn mower with rope start. Coloured green with plastic and rubber wheels. Height adjustment on each wheel. Early model with circular base, snorkel air intake and two blades.Aluminium plate on front "VICTA" in silver on red background.machinery, domestic, lawn mowing -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
CD, Mutsumi Tsuda, Camp 1 Tour 2009. Australian - Japan National Archives, 2009
Tour of remains of Camp 1 site in November 2009 and pictures of Australia - Japan Nat. archives.Silver CD with silver and black textcamp 1 visit 2009, japanese internees -
Mont De Lancey
Sugar scuttle
Wedding present to Mr and Mrs W.J. Sebire in 1897.Silver sugar scuttle with silver spoon.sugar spoons, sugar bowls -
Vision Australia
Equipment - Object, Humanware, Victor Reader Stream, 2007-2012
With the advent of audio content available through i-phones and other small devices, the demand for a dedicated audio, easily portable player for the blind and vision impaired became louder and louder. Two organisations competed to deliver this and Canadian company Humanware developed the Victor Stream. A portable hand-held device that could deliver audio content from SD card and was small enough to fit into a pocket or handbag. It could read a variety of formats, such as DAISY, MP3 and txt files, and had a built in voice recorder via the inbuilt microphone or an external one. As part of the trial to introduce new deliver mechanisms for audio content, the Stream was in demand as books could be downloaded directly to it and were aimed at those who were comfortable using the technology with minimal support.Black and silver rectangle with silver buttonsaudio equipment, assistive devices -
Kyneton Fire Brigade
Memorabilia - Bowl
Fire Brigade Trophy - no inscriptionPart of Kyneton Fire Brigade trophy collectionBlue glass bowl on silver stand with silver surround and handles. Silver base with decorationkyneton fire brigade, country fire authority, fire brigade demonstrations -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Uniform - Beret
This style of beret with Rising Sun badge was worn by CMR armoured regiments until 1955 when the badge was replaced by silver regimental badges. The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Representative of headdress worn by Citizen Military Forces soldiers in nearly 1950s.Black felt beret with silver Rising Sun hat badge as worn by 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1950 - 1954.headwear, beret, badge, rising sun, armour -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Badge - Travel Pass - Parliamentary and Municipal Engineers, Stokes & Sons
1 - No. 45 - Gilt Finish - issued to Members of the State Parliament 2 - No. 71 - Silver finish - issued to Municipal Engineers See item 13, pages 93-95 of Sections and Fares Book of 1975 for a description of use.Demonstrates a travel pass issued to Members of Parliament or Municipal Engineers for free travel.Set of two badges - two triangles merged - with raised writing "M&M Tramways Board" with a brass ring through the top of one of the badges, to allow it to be attached to a key ring. On the rear has the imprint of "Stokes & Sons Melb" 1 - Gilt finish - No. 45 - fitted with a brass ring. 2 - Silver Finish - No. 71 tramways, trams, badges, tickets, travel pass, passes, mmtb, parliament -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Badge, Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College badge
School badge for Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College 1921 - 1973, donated to the school by Michael Dunn. Michael's mother and aunt (unidentified) both attended CPLC in the 1930s. The badge worn worn as a tie-pin or fixed to the entre of the tunic bodice. It is possible the gold badge was for senior students or prefects only and the silver badge for other students. Gold-plated badge in the shape of the school crest; blue scrolls below shield have silver lettering; shield features star, open book and motto; burning lamp on top of shield; pin fastening fixed across reverse of badgeclarendon-presbtyerian-ladies-college, badge -
Wangaratta High School
The British War Medal 1914-1918
Established on 26th July 1919 this war medal was colloquially known as 'Squeak'. The medal was awarded to officers of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. The front of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was usually impressed on the rim.Silver medallion with the front depicting the head of King George V and the back depicting a man on a horse on the top side. Has an orange, blue, black and white striped ribbon.Front: GEORIVS V BRITT. OMN REX ET IND. IMP. Back: 1914-1918 Rim: 3294 PTE C. F. WILLCOX. 8 BN. A.I.F. -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Accessory - Woman's Visiting Card Case, 19th century
Calling cards, also called visiting cards, visiting tickets, or compliments cards, originated in their paper and ink form in France in the 18th century and their popularity quickly spread across Europe and the United Kingdom. Victorian calling cards were large and could be extremely ornate, with the names usually printed instead of handwritten. Women's cards were squarish and fairly large, usually about 2.5 x 3 inches. Men's cards were smaller and more rectangular, meant to fit in a breast pocket, while women often carried their cards in specially made cases of silver, tortoiseshell, ivory, or mother-of-pearl. (Source: Claire Green: Calling Cards and Visiting Cards: A Brief History)Nineteenth century silver, leather and silk woman's visiting card case, donated by M. Swanston MacDowell. The case has a tooled brown leather cover attached to a silver frame. The interior of the card case, used for visiting cards, is lined with maroon silk with brown leather pockets. The pocket on the left is embroidered in silk with a spray of flowers.On one of the interior leather pockets "Kew Historical Society" has been crudely inscribed in biro. A card placed in the item includes the words "Visiting Cards. M. Swanston MacDowell".visiting card case, card cases -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Uniform - Uniform, ARVN, Dog Tag
2 silver dog tags on a silver chain.dog tags, south vietnam army, major tu -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Ceremonial object - Commemorative Trowel
EPNS silver commemorative trowel with silver handle.Essendon North Methodist Sunday School presented to Mr William Leach on his laying the foundation stone of the William Leach Kindergarten School 16th October 1915.william leach, essendon north methodist sunday school, william leach kindergarten school -
Mont De Lancey
Dress Ornament, 1920
Worn by Mrs Ethridge cousin to Mrs. Annette Lord.Silver Diamante dress ornament with a silver chain.dress clips -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Uniform - Jacket, A. Bowley & Co, Navy blue woollen material jacket, used by a girl member of Ringwood Primary School band before 1974 (possibly as early as 1930s), Pre 1974, possibly as early as 1930s
Used by a girl member of the Ringwood Primary School band before 1974, possibly as early as 1930s. The silvered buttons have Edward VII marks. The style of the front fastenings is called plastron.Navy blue woollen material jacket with red collar and pointed cuffs decorated with thin band of bone coloured braid. Collar closed by 2 sets of hooks and eyes, 11 metal buttons down front and 1 inside flat brown button, red epaulettes fixed by silver buttons, 2 small red false gussets on back. +Additional Keywords: McDougall, Lawrence -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Fork, c.1878
This fork is from the wreck of the Loch Ard that sailed from Gravesend London. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware & cutlery items. This fork is representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. Some of the pieces display their makers’ mark of William Page & Co Birmingham UK. Within the Flagstaff Hills cutlery collection donated from the Loch Ard, maker’s marks are often obscured by sedimentary accretion or verdigris after a century of submersion in the ocean. However sufficient detail has survived to indicate that the collection of samples of electroplated cutlery probably originated from the same cargo consignment from the Loch Ard and were made by William Page & Co. William Page was born in 1811 and died in 1885. He was active as a manufacturer of cutlery from 1829 with premises at 74 Belmont Rd, Dales End as a "close plater" (someone who works sheet metal), and he began electroplating in 1855. William Page & Co was also active from 1880 at Cranemore St, Cattle’s Grove also 55 Albion St, Birmingham, in 1936 the firm became Ltd. The firm used the trademarks "Asrista, Bolivian Silver, Silverite, Roman Silver, Roumanian Silver and Trevor Plate. In 1938 William Page was a supplier to the British Government, marking it's products with the broad arrow symbol and was also present at Sheffield. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch which lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. 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