Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Round metal button with green background. The Belgian flag is shown in the centre with words printed in white above and below it. It is likely that this button was sold to raise funds to support the Australian army who went to Belgium’s aid in the First World War.For Belgium For Honorfirst world war (1914-18), patriotic buttons, badges

The Traralgon War Memorial was originally erected in memory of the fallen soldiers of World War One. The Gippsland Times of 01 March 1923."On Sunday a memorial that has been erected in memory of the fallen soldiers of the district was unveiled. The ceremony was performed by Mr G. H.Wise, and addresses were delivered by Mr W West, M.LA. the president of the shire and local clergymen. The memorial, which cost £700, and contains 54 names of young men who made the supreme sacrifice is a lifesized figure of an Australian soldier and is made white Italian marble. It now commemorates Australian servicemen and women who have served in all wars and conflicts. It was re-dedicated on 11 November 1999.Colour photograph of the Traralgon War Memorial with surrounding townscape. The war memorial features a life sizes sculpture of an Australian world war soldier wearing a slouch hat. Loy Yang Power stations are evident in the background. Traralgon Post office on right foreground. traralgon, world war one, anzac day, loy yang, traralgon post office, anzac centenary

This AC generator operated for the State Electricity Commission in the Ballarat North Power Station prior to World War Two. James Oddie of Ballarat has an association with Thomas Parker of Elswell-Parker. In early 1887 Oddie arrived in England seeking information on electrical knowledge and its developments. At this time Henry Sutton was teaching Electricity and Magnetism at the Ballarat School of Mines. Oddie stayed in the United Kingdom for around three years and during that time became a close friend of Thomas Parker and his family. The two first met at the first official running of the Blackpool tram, and Oddie was invited to visit Parker at Wolverhampton. Over the years Thomas Parker kept newspaper cuttings (mainly Australian) relating to James Oddie and his work. The following article is a description of the Wolverhampton works by James Oddie, and was collected by Thomas Parker. After the dinner at Blackpool, Mr. Parker visited me, and cordially invited me to see his extensive works at Wolverhampton, an invitation I was not slow to avail myself of. This was the keynote of the best friendship I made in England. I went shortly afterwards and stayed several days, visiting the works daily, as Mr. Parker gave me the run of the whole works. There I ordered the installation of a 60 light dynamo, with a 28 cell storage battery and paraphernalia, now doing duty at the Observatory. I subsequently visited the works frequently, sometimes for a week at a time, and I regard it as the brightest spot in my English constellation. Mr. Parker started his works in 1880, with one man beside himself. He never had a single day’s instruction in electricity in his life; now he daily instructs between 300 and 400 employees, who worship him as a father. He is said to be now the most practical electrical engineer and mechanist in Europe. During one of my visits I took with me an artist, who is painting for me a portrait, 6 feet by 5 feet, of Mr. Parker, surrounded by dynamos, secondary batteries, measuring instruments etc. Electric tram cars are going to be a big thing in England. Parker’s Company Limited, is now, with three other companies, in the hands of the Electric Construction Company, with Mr. Parker as manager of the lot. The whole of the works will be taken to Wolverhampton. Before I left, a tender for £50,000 was accepted for the construction of new works.AC Generator painted read and black on a stand. This AC generator operated for the State Electricity Commission in the Ballarat North Power Station prior to World War Twogenerator, ac generator, elwell-parker ltd, state electricity commission, sec, ballarat north power station, james oddie, wolverhampton

Most probabaly purchased by Harry Holmes.World War One "Daily Mail" postcard showing a wounded soldier being carried off the battlefield on a stretcher.world war one, harry holmes, troops, prisoner of war, german, stretcher, wounded

World War 2 Fairbairn Sykes Commando knife, double edged 16.5 cm blade with leather scabbardknife, commando

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

An image of Australian soldiers and horses swimming in an Egyptian Canal during World War One. A number of the soldiers are naked.Verso: 'Swimming horses in the Canal. This snap is a good one to show you the Canal. X indicates S.G.S. [S. Gordon Spittle].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez canal, harry holmes, gordon spittle

A scrapbook with clippings relating the the Ballarat School of Mines, including Alumni who fought during World War One. ballarat school of mines, scrapbook, world war one, alumni, c.c. brittain, h. brittain, c.a. brittain, antarctica, fred. g. middleton, cape evans, aurora, dick richards, r.w. richards, forward ballarat, home-coming week, ballarat technical art schoo, technical training, c. garrard, d.l.thomas, john h. smyth, w. e. moon, robert malachi serjeant (jnr)

'Monier Arch Bridges of Bendigo'. The Early Engineering Work of Sir John Monash, Prior to World War One.bendigo, history, city history

An Australian World War One Soldier poses for a studio portrait. It is Frank Boyce who was awarded the Military Medal. boyce, frank boyce, world war, world war one, aif, mmm, military medal

Black and white image of a number of mobile kitchens with chimneys. They were used by the Turks during World War One.Verso: A Turkish photo of their kitchen somewhere behind the lines. Palestine 1918.world war one, turks, turkish, kitchen, palestine, egypt, mmm

A photo of a WW1 soldier sent to Una from Doc. on 22.04.1916A black and white photograph of a soldier in World War I sent to Una from Doc on 22 April 1916.on back written in ink: top LH side: Una / with best wished / from Doc / 22-4-1916world war 1, soldiers, armed forces, uniforms, clothing and dress, george evans collection

Collection of World War 2 Badges (4) Includes Liberty Loan Badge and Red Cross Members Badgestawell, ww2

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF PTE. GEORGE WILTON PARKINSON WEARING ARMY UNIFORM OF WORLD WAR 1- NO BADGES OR CAP.PTE. GEORGE WILTON PARKINSON 11TH BATTALION KEEP THISlocal history, photography, photographs, military

Greg McGregor, resident of Strathdon, reminisces about hid World War 2 experiences in the Battle of Milne Bay.mcgregor, greg, world war 1939 - 1945, strathdon community

Black and white photograph of two Australian World War One soldiers. John Joseph Gervasoni of Yandoit is on the right, yandoit creek, john joseph gervasoni, world war one

The Honour board is housed at the Dayelsford Returned Soldiers' LeagueColour photograph of a World War One Honour Board listing those who served from Shepherd's Flat. The timber honor board has the words "State School Shepherd's Flat Roll of Honor in copper repousse.dayelsford returned soldiers' league, shepherd's flat, sheherd's flate state school, honour roll, roll of honor, p. thompson, g. thompson, o. thompson, g. guasconi, j, rodini, a. millar, f, muller, h. henderson, l. henderson, p. tinetti, h. mckay, b. dougall, l. muschialli, h. gilsenan, repousse

The former Robert's Grocery Shop (formerly Kings Grocery Store), was converted to the Central Springs Hotel, c1985.Elizabeth (Bess) Gervasoni in the yard at King's Grocery Shop where she lived during World War Two. john hogan gervasoni, robert's grocery shop, robert's grocery store, central springs hotel

Black and white printed image of Sturt Street Ballarat when peace was declared after World War One. peace day, world war one, ballarat

Black and white images of Australian soldiers in a Dug-Out under the Western Front during World War One. australian mining corps, tunnellers, world war one

Photograph of the Smeaton State School World War One Honour Board on display in the Smeaton Primary School in 2013.world war one, smeaton state school, smeaton state school honour board, smeaton, nurse anderson, nurse redman, w. anderson, j.l. archibald, e.o. archibald, j.e.b. archibald, w. bridgeford, l. brooks, v. brooks, g. buchanan, a. barnes, t. barnes, t. bourke, w. boadle, j. boadle, b. branagan, w.s. bell, w.t. bell, j. bourke, d. curran, c. curran, s. curtis, l.e. coulson, r.e. carling, j. dean, c. daniels, f. daniels, l. davies, w. davis, e. davis, r. forrester, t. flanagan, p. fullarton, a. goodlet, a. goddard, a. hurn, e. harris, j. haris, g.c. hurley, w. jeffrey, a. kilfoyle, r. kirkpatrick, h. kuring, w.e. mitchell, f.t. mitchell, c. mehlert, n. mckenzie, h. mcleod, d. mcalpine, j. mcalpine, j. mcmahon, j.g. o'halloran, p. o'dea, p. pollard, w.h. richards, w. risk, r. risk, l.r. sheehan, m. stewart, f.x. slattery, g. spring, g.e. waggingham, a. boyes, r. dilena, t. dilena

Brass plaque memorial for members of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat who served during World War Two.ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists association, world war two, world war 2, memorial, plaque