This stable belt is in the battalion colours of The Royal Australian Regiment. A stable belt is a striped colored belt worn at times by the armed forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. The stripes identify and vary by regiment and corps.The term "stable belt" originates from when UK cavalrymen would place the surcingle around the waist when cleaning the stables and tending to their horsesThe Australian Army adopted the stable belt in the late 1970s. They were removed from service in 1995 but were reintroduced in 2017.Red and dark green striped woven belt with gold coloured buckle with crestBuckle - The Royal Australian Regimentrar, stable belt, royal australian regiment

Limited edition poster displaying images of Australian Victoria Cross recipientsThe Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the Australia Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service, and to civilians under military command. Being the highest award in the Australian Honours Order of Wearing, the Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other postnominals and Australian orders and decorations. Timber frame containing images of Victoria Cross Medal recipients AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA CROSS AWARDS Limited Edition Seriesvictoria cross, vc

Poster displaying images of decorations and medals awarded to members of the australian armed forces Gold coloured crazed plastic frame containing poster of 95 images of medals with ribbons and accompanying text.Decorations and Medals awarded to members of the Australian Armed Forcesmedals, awards, military, australia, armed forces

A chronicle of G.W.C.C. members who joined the Armed Forces for the 1914-1918 War (WW1) noting those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.This honour board signifies the high esteem in which the community held for those soldiers who joined the armed forces during WW1. The large list of names from this relatively small cycling club indicates the huge sacrifice all communities made during this time of war. It is a statement of patriotism, service and sacrifice.Large 3 piece hardwood dark stained timber Honour Board. Names of GWCC members who served in WW1 depicted in gold lettering. Those killed noted. Artwork includes national animal symbols of Emu and a Kangaroo and a Floral Emblem of Wattle Sprigs."Honor Roll/1914-1918 Geelong West Cycling Club/A Thomson/B Thomson/Kld GThomson/JA Smith/Joe Smith/K McCauley/F Cornish/P Lunnon/JW Grundell/H Foote/J McCann/H Toyne/Kld B Hargraves/Kld EA Simmons/Kld G Ross/J Clarke/L W Hansford/N Bowler/Kld J Love/B Lorimore/Kld J Black/C Smith/J Hobbs/Kld E Culliver/Kld G Brequet/Kld P Grundell/J Thomson/P Moir/T Pescud/H H Pescud/M Reynolds/M Foote/C Belperroud/E Cornish/F Fanning/H Mansell/F Hotchin/A Ives/C Grayland/Kld E Bartlett/Kld J Howlett/S Knight/W Shields"geelong cycling club; geelong west cycling club; g.w.c.c; ww1; honor roll; 1914-1918; a thomson; b thomson; g thomson; j a smith; joe smith; k mccauley; f cornish; p lunnon; jw grundell; h foote; j mccann; h toyne; b hargraves; e a simmons; g ross; j clarke; l w hansford; n bowler; j love; b lorimore; j black; c smith; j hobbs; e culliver; g brequet; p grundell; j thomson; p moir; t pescud; h h pescud; m reynolds; m foote; c belperroud; e cornish; f fanning; h mansell;; f hotchin; a ives; c grayland; e bartlett; j howlett; s knight; w shields;

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Postcard depicting image of armed soldiers marching in streetNew Zealand Contingent passing the law courts Londonalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, flag, soldier, march, marching

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the Australia Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service, and to civilians under military command. Being the highest award in the Australian Honours Order of Wearing, the Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other postnominals and Australian orders and decorations.Black metal frame containing image of Victoria Cross Medal with two columns of names either side.Australian Victoria Cross Recipients Certificate of Authenticityhowse, bisdee, wylly, bell, rogers, keysor, maygar, jacka, symons, burton, shout, dunstan, hamilton, tubb, throssell, jackson, dartnell, leak, blackburn, cooke, castleton, o'meara, murray, mcnamara, cherry, jensen, newland, kenny, whittle, pope, howell, moon, greive, carroll, inwood, birks, dwyer, bugden, mcgee, peeler, jeffries, mcdougall, storkey, sadlier, ruthven, davey, axford, dalziel, brown, borella, gaby, beatham, statton, joynt, mccarthy, gordon, cartwright, currey, lowerson, mactier, towner, buckley, woods, wark, ryan, maxwell, ingram, sullivan, pearse, edmondson, cutler, edwards, anderson, kingsbury, french, gurney, kibby, gratwick, middleton, newton, kelliher, derrick, rattey, chowne, mackey, kenna, simpson, starcevich, partridge, wheatley, badcoe, payne

In 2005 the children of Grades 4,5 and 6 of Milawa Primary School researched and compiled personal stories, photographs and service records to honour those listed on the Milawa State School WW1 Honour Board. Inside rear cover contains a colour patch index to the following:- Andrew Robert BARRIE 3757/ Ralph Augustus CECIL 1677/ John COLEMAN 4089/ Arthur John Victor CULPH 896/ Edward Heathcote CULPH 2629(1447)/ Henry John CULPH 3108/ Thomas Wilson CULPH 34A/ Edward Frederick DOIG 3991/ Ernest Hugh DOIG 2937/ John Harold FOWLER 4488/ William Joseph FOWLER 3233/ Howard Fraser GRANT 7077/ Joseph Henry HOWELL 7247/ Frederick John HUMPHREY 2472/ Stanley Gordon HUMPHREY 3553/ Roy Curtis KENNEDY 5401/ Charles James KETTLE 29741/ Michael McGRORY 5390/ Ernest Phillip McPHEE 50339/ Stanley Charles McPHEE 3741/ Thomas MURDOCH Lieut/ William Lawrence PURDON 3223/ Ludin James ROBERTSON 980/ William Francis ROBERTSON 981/ Harold Ernest THOMAS 966/ George Ernest Vincent WOODBERRY 2173.White and red book with blue wording and photograph of school children at a cenotaphBook is dedicated to all the service men and women in the Australian Armed Forces who continually strive to protect the Australian way of life.ww1, honour board, milawa state school

Silver plated slouch hat shield most likely donated to the winners of a golfing tournament by Commercial Club Albury held on 30/12/1939.Digger's Day is usually a sporting event held to commemorate to armed services in conjunction with raising funds for veteransSilver metal shaped slouch hat with rising sun badge above banner and shape of Australia all mounted on timber shieldDiggers Day Commercial Club Albury the 30-12-1939. shield, diggers day, albury commercial club

This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served with the 2/24th Battalion which was raised Wangaratta. Walter Edward PARKER VX34529 Lancelot HALL VX32047 DOB 25/10/1904 Mildura Greville Egerton DENNYS Capt. NX4731 DOB 4/3/1917 DOD 4/10/1969 Enlisted 27/10/1939 George Charles GREEN VX21968This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served in the 2/24th Battalion which was raised in Wangaratta. Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the flag to both Italy and Australia, the Wangaratta RSL received a grant to have the flag professionally restored and framed in 2017.Large Italian flag with green, white and red vertical panels of equal size defaced with the Savoyan coat of arms, a red shield with white cross bordered with blue. Three two-piece hoist ties on the green side. Panels are sewn together from separate pieces of fabric. The shield appears to have been printed directly onto the white panel. The edges are hemmed.There are several handwritten inscriptions on the coat of arms in red and blue/black ink detailing the name and service numbers of different soldiers. (Not all of the writing is legible). Legible texts reads: "VX32047 / L HALL / ALAMEINE / 9.7.42" "VX21968 / G Green" "VX?45?? / W PARKER / ALAMEIN" - "NX4731 Greville Denys"italian flag, italy, el alamein, battle of el alamein, 2/24th battalion, wangaratta, ww2

The young male is dressed in full army attire. He might have been a home service conscript who served in Australia sometime between 1911 through to the 1920s.A black and white photograph mounted on card, of a male in army uniform.world war 1, soldiers, armed forces, clothing and dress, uniforms, unidentified, george evans collection, conscription

Sargent Medical Corps. 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing StationA b/w postcard portrait of soldier H. Martin.Typewritten on front: Private H. Martin Printed on front: TALMA MELBOURNE Handwritten on back: PRIVATE H.J. MARTIN, 2ND AUST CASUALTY CLEARING STATION A.M.C. (ON ACTIVE SERVICE) 2/11/15world war 1, martin, h. j. (private), soldiers, armed forces, uniforms, clothing and dress, postcards, george evans collection

Wounded Soldiers Reception opposite the Ruperstwood gates 10 October 1915A sepia photograph of a community activity - a reception to welcome wounded soldiers.Handwritten on back: Wounded Soldiers Reception / Sunbury (at Rupertswood Gates) / Oct 10th 1915soldiers, uniforms, clothing and dress, armed forces, community activities, community services, george evans collection

Wounded Soldiers Reception opposite the Ruperstwood gates 10 October 1915A sepia photograph of a community activity - a reception to welcome wounded soldiers.Handwritten on back: Wounded Soldiers Reception / Sunbury (at Rupertswood Gates) / Oct 10th 1915soldiers, uniforms, clothing and dress, armed forces, community activities, community services, george evans collection

Wounded Soldiers Reception opposite the Ruperstwood gates 10 October 1915A sepia photograph of a community activity - a reception to welcome wounded soldiers.Handwritten on back: Wounded Soldiers Reception / Sunbury (at Rupertswood Gates) / Oct 10th 1915soldiers, uniforms, clothing and dress, armed forces, community activities, community services, george evans collection

A sepia photograph of the Sportsmens Thousand Band visit to Sunbury for the Grand Combined Memorial Service on 8 August 1917. It shows a group of 17 men in uniform with their instruments, and a civilian on the right, in front of a blustone building.Handprinted on front: Sportmans Thousand Band visit to Sunbury / for the Grand Combined / Memorial Service Aug 8th 1917.sportsmens thousand band a. i. f., armed forces, bands, military bands, uniforms, 1910s, george evans collection

Corporal Hugh Terence O'Reilly VX108560 was born in Temora, NSW on 25 September 1916. He later lived in Hampshire Road, Sunshine, Victoria, and enlisted at Sunshine with the Australian Army on 29 July 1942. He served in New Guinea, and at the time of discharge on 8 November 1945 was posted with the 22 Australian Infantry Battalion. Additional service number recorded is V37790. In civilian life Hugh Terence O'Reilly was employed in the manufacture of fibrous plaster boards.The significance is that the Shire of Braybrook, and perhaps other councils, recognised their citizens who served in the Australian Armed Forces during World War 2, by presenting them with Certificates in appreciation of their military service.Yellowish background. Grey scale diagrammatic image of warships, tank, and aeroplanes at the top. Vertical posts with swords and wreaths along the sides. At the bottom a diagrammatic image containing in colour the Union Jack and the Australian flag, the Shire of Braybrook Coat of Arms, the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces insignia, and a red coloured circular seal.Presented to Hugh T. O'Reilly. The President, Councillors and Ratepayers of the Shire of Braybrook desire you to accept this Certificate in appreciation of your services with the Australian Armed Forces, and extend to you the grateful thanks of this Municipality for your noble effort for King and Country. Given under the Seal of President, Councillors and Ratepayers of the Shire of Braybrook, this second day of August, 1946. J. R. Parsons - President, 'illegible' - Shire Secretary

The Orungal was originally built in Glasgow in 1923 for the Khedival Mail Steamship & Graving Dock Company of Egypt and named the S.S. Fezara. Due to the effects on steamship companies of the Great Depression including the steep costs of building new ships and increases in running costs and port charges, no new passenger ships had been ordered in Australia since before World War One. To meet demand for passenger berths, the Fezara (5826 tons) along with its sister ship the Famaka (5856 tons, renamed Ormiston), were chartered by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company Ltd (A.U.S.N.Co.) in 1927. Both the A.U.S.N.Co and the Khedival Mail Steamship Co. were part of the P&O Group. The Orungal operated in this role as an interstate passenger and mail steamer between 1927 and 1940, being used mainly on the Melbourne to Queensland and Western Australian runs, with 240 single class berths. Following the outbreak of World War Two six of the nine large passenger liners servicing mainland Australian passenger and mail trades were requisitioned by the Government to ferry equipment, troops and supplies. Some of them were converted to armed merchant cruisers and used for patrol work and escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Orungal had originally been requisitioned by the government along with the Zealandia on 25 June 1940, to transport troops to Darwin, but was returned to commercial service because "of her unsuitability", perhaps too slow for the demands of the work. Despite being rejected for patrol and convoy duties the Orungal still had a vital role as one of only three passenger liners left to service the mainland Australian trade. Following its requisitioning by the Government shortly after war broke out, it had been fitted out with defensive armament. On its final voyage arriving at Port Phillip Heads from Sydney, Captain Gilling was attempting to enter the Heads ahead of a worsening south-westerly storm and, with a minefield known to have been laid in the area, had been warned by the Navy not to deviate from the swept channel. The captain and crew held fears that in the stormy seas a mine may have been carried away. In the worsening weather a blur of lights at Barwon Heads was mistaken for Port Lonsdale, and the Orungal steamed ashore onto Formby Reef, just east of the entrance of the Barwon River - instead of passing safely through the middle of the Rip. At the Marine Board Inquiry Capt. Gilling - who had been master of the Orungal since 1926 - stated that after becoming uneasy about his position and changing course to starboard one point: " At 10.21 pm I ordered the engine room to stand by and gave instructions for the patent log to be hauled in and for the sounding-gear to be got ready. Approximately two minutes later, in a flash of lightning, I saw land off the port beam. I immediately recognised it as Barwon Heads, and ordered the helm to be put hard to starboard, but the vessel struck before she had time to answer the helm" Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove residents were startled to hear the shrill blast of the ship's whistle, followed by the bright flares and explosions of signal rockets. The Queenscliff lifeboat crew, who had responded to the tragic collision between the Goorangai and another passenger liner the Duntroon in Port Phillip Bay less than 24 hours earlier, were later praised for their efforts in safely taking off all the passengers and crew. Most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the wreck, and were woken up by the commotion, the ship shaking "from stem to stern" and stewards ordering them to lifeboat stations in driving rain. It was a dramatic time with the ship siren wailing and distress rockets being fired. It was reported that "When it was found the ship was safe, the passengers all went to the music room. There they sang and danced for several hours. The ship's orchestra played merrily, and amateur performers among the passengers clowned, danced and sang to keep the laughter going. In the early hours of the morning passengers went to their cabins, most of them to sleep soundly while the keel grated on the rocks". At dawn the Queenscliff lifeboat arrived at the scene having been launched at 2.30am, and cautiously approached the ship which was being "battered by mountainous seas". By 5am oil from a burst oil line was helping to calm seas around the Orungal sufficiently enough for the lifeboat to approach, and all the passengers and crew were taken off in several trips by the lifeboat. A Court of Inquiry later found that the wreck was caused by an abnormal set of current to the north-west and cleared the officers and crew of neglect of duty. The sight of a huge liner almost on the beach saw an unprecedented amount of traffic as people drove an estimated 10,000 cars, using some 60,000 gallons of fuel in a time of strict petrol rationing, to see the spectacle. Salvage operations began in an attempt to refloat the vessel, scheduled for the high tide on 15 December 1940. However, during these operations, at 2.30 am on 13 December 1940, a major fire broke out, believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion in the boiler room. The ship was soon ablaze, with smoke pouring from its hatches and ventilators, and at mid-morning the magazine exploded fiercely. Of the 60 men working aboard the vessel two were severely burned and had to be taken to Geelong Hospital. The gathered spectators witnessed the eerie sight of the ship's hull glowing red when night fell. The well-known building demolition contractor Whelan the Wrecker bought the salvage rights, and methodically proceeded to dismantle the ship and its fittings. The drama was not yet over for the wreckers when - without warning - the burnt-out hulk was 'attacked' by RAAF for strafing practice. Salvage rights were transferred to another private owner in 1963. By 1945 the combined effects of the exposed location, fire and salvage had seen what was left of the wreck disappear beneath the waves. The site today is marked by two of the four Scotch type boilers sitting upright and exposed at low tide, just north-east of the small boats channel at the entrance to Barwon Heads. Large sections of steel hull plating and framing, and impressively large pieces of ships structure and machinery including masts, booms, deck winches, propeller shaft, flywheel, and a thrust block lie scattered about and make the site an interesting shallow dive. It is interesting to compare the site of the Orungal with the intact remains of similar large passenger ships scuttled in deep water in the Ships' Graveyard, such as the Milora and Malaita. The site is subject to waves and surge, and is best dived on flat calm days The teacup originated from the SS Orungal and was likely used heavily in the ship's life as a passenger, mail and cargo carrier around Australia. The teacup is significant for its connections to SS Orungal and of this ships connected story of being sunk in extraordinary circumstances in the local region. A.U.S.N. Co. Ltd. Teacup salvaged from SS Orungal ss orungal, fezara, world war two, barwon heads, ocean grove

Memorabilia of war service perhaps cast from a shell casing (?) in the shape of A.I.F. slouch hatExample of commemorative craft work pertaining to Australian Armed Forces.Cast decorative slouch hat, Recast(?) from shell casting.Nilhandmade brass casting

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england