The Excelsior Woollen and Worsted Mills were controlled by Godfrey Hirst & Co. Pty. Ltd. The Excelsior name originated from the union in the one enterprise of two of the earliest mills established in Victoria, the Old Victorian Mill, and the Old Barwon Mill. Godfrey Hirst combined his expertise with the capital of Charles Shannon to purchase the Barwon Mill in 1890 and the Victorian Mill in 1899. They commenced production of high-quality flannels in readiness for an anticipated lifting of tariff barriers in 1901, the year of federation. These were the first flannels to be produced in Australia rather than imported from England. In April 1912 the No.2 Excelsior Mill burnt down during the installation of electricity and was rebuilt. The No.1 Excelsior Mill was closed in 1930, with most hands moving to the No.2 Mill. In 1966 the firm changed ownership and became a subsidiary of the McKendrick family and commenced manufacturing of tufted carpets. Godfrey Hirst has since emerged as Australia’s leading manufacturer of tufted carpets. It has also expanded into hard flooring, including timber, laminate, and other surfaces. In 2018, the Godfrey Hirst business was acquired by Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring company. Brown blanket featuring a design of four lines of cream, and a single line of orange, spanning the blanket vertically and horizontally, to form a plaid pattern. At the vertical ends, the blanket ends in a fringe.Label. Stitched. "The Atlantic Rug / Excelsior/ Guaranteed Product / Australian Manufacture"godfrey hirst & co. pty. ltd., excelsior mill, the atlantic rug

This set of two posters were displayed in the sale rooms for wool, skin, hides, and tallow at the Wool Exchange in Melbourne, on the corner of King and Little Collins Street. The posters were found in the storeroom under the white sale room in the late 1970s, when the Melbourne Woolbrokers Association moved around the corner to 530 Little Collins Street. The first poster is dated 21st of September 1914. It predates the second poster which replaced it on the 4th of December 1914. The posters detail that the Auctioneer will accept any bid from German or Austrian buyers on the condition that the buyer is not acting on behalf of any country which is at war with Great Britain. The Auctioneer also reserves the right to cancel any purchases found to be in violation of this condition. Presumably, the posters were in use until 1916, when Australia's 7th Prime Minister, Billy Hughes, negotiated the sale of Australia's entire wool clip to the British Government for the remainder of The Great War. The British government agreed to buy Australia’s entire wool production in 1916 at 55% above market price. In the end, £160,000,000 British pounds was paid by the UK Government to Australia for the nation’s entire wool clip between 1916‑1920. This would be equivalent to £7,619,760,000 in 2022 money when accounting for inflation, or $13,239,000,000 AUD.Two posters on yellowed card. The first poster is printed in black text with a title of “NOTICE”. The second poster is printed in red text with the same title, “NOTICE”. Both posters have 4 body paragraphs of text, detailing restraints put on potential wool buyers because of war with Germany in the Great War. Both Posters are finished with a date in the bottom left corner.the great war, world war one, melbourne wool exchange, melbourne wool brokers association, wool sales, 1910s

Maker unknown. This blanket was part of the standard army issue kit and belonged to Lois Denshams father, who served at Gallipoli during the first world war. Before donating the blanket to the Running stitch collection, it was kept by Lois' Aunty Nita. Lois remembers that it was kept in her fathers original kit bag and kept at her aunts place because of sad memories about the war which her mother found difficult. The humble army blanket had many uses during war times. Issued with two blankets, it was all a soldier had as a bed to keep warm or without a tent, all they had to provide shelter from the sun, rain or wind. (They were supplemented with a woollen army 'great coat', but soldiers still had to huddle together as keeping warm and dry was a desperate game.) The Lighthorsemen used them under their standard leather saddles for extra padding and in the hospitals they were sometimes the only bedding for the wounded. This blanket belonged to Lois Denshams' father who served in the Australian Army in the First World War, landing at Gallipoli. Since the war, army blankets have come to be regarded as the basic type of blanket -no frills. This blanket was used in the Densham family since that time for camping trips.Grey woollen army blanket with stripes near either ends.world war i, running stitch group, running stitch collection

World War 2 Army uniform of Capt. Noel Edmund Charles West. Donated by Mitcham RSL after it closed in 2013. After the war Capt West served in Japan with the 27th War Graves Unit.Pair of service green wool putees with cotton tapes. Labels on one end. V414 1942 size Made in AustraliaV414 1942 Size Made in Australiacostume, male uniform, military

A pair of earphones from the Army, World War 2Two black bakelite earphones connected to metal hinges and two cloth band head rests. Brown material wire at receiver fitting end; there is no connection fitting.Type TH 37A|OTE-49028 (on metal)|Telephonics Corporation New York NY OTE 490 800HZcommunication, radio, arms, ordnance

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Yellow cotton handwoven place mat with fringing on two ends.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, weaving

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Blue and cream cotton hand woven place mat. Cream fringing on two ends.domestic items, food & drink consumption, handcrafts, weaving

from the Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Pair of wooden dumbells with lead weights attached at each end.A.Tillrecreations, sports

From the Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream hand woven with self embroidery at each end and fringe.domestic items, food & drink consumption, handcrafts, weaving

Part of World War 2 army uniform worn by Captain Noel WestWord War 2|Australian War Graves UnitArmy Khaki officers peaked cap. Rising sun badge on front with narrow leather strap around front of cap. Small button on back end of strap which has a map of Australia engraved in the centre. Leather binding around inside of capLondon Stores Ltd. opp GPO Melb.costume, male uniform, military

Belt issued to Japanese Naval Officers up until the end of WW2Black leather belt with a two piece brass buckle. The centre of the buckle has an embossed anchor and lotus flower and the two parts of the buckle appear to have been gilded. It comes with a black leather sword hanger which has brass clips at each end. One end is missing the brass securing rivet whilst the rivet at the other end has a hook attached to it. Attached to this hook is a brass S shaped snake with a brass ring around the body. The inside of the belt has four eyelets and a hook on each end to allow for adjustment. It's missing one sword hanger, a belt loop on the LH side and two loops on the inside that the hangers attach to.world war 2, japanese navy

These quilts were made from 10 inch squares and sewn together. Each square had the name of the donor embroidered on it, the quilts were made by Red Cross members. The Shire Emblem was also added. One of these quilts was found after the 1939/45 war in Egypt and sent to the Museum in Rutherglen Scotland. The Council of Rutherglen Scotland was later amalgamated into South Lanarkshire, and the holdings of the Rutherglen Museum sent to the South Lanarkshire Museum. Martha Valentine communicated with the South Lanarkshire Museum, to enquire if they still held this item. Sharon Paton, of the South Lanarkshire museum replied with the comments: "Yes I can confirm the quilt (RG.1992.7) is part of the Rutherglen collections transferred to us by Glasgow City Council in 1995/6 during council re-organisation. We are very pleased you have given some more information on the history of the quilt since many of the items transferred to us at that time, did not arrive with a lot of historical information. I attach photographs of the quilt taken yesterday. Due to space restrictions in that store, I couldn’t unroll it fully, but hopefully before the end of this year we can do that when we are working in our storage sites. It was very easy to locate. It was last displayed around 2003/4 for our Treasures of South Lanarkshire exhibition at Low Parks Museum." We were pleased to see that it had a good home. Colour photograph of a handmade quilt. Photograph was printed from a digital image sent from the South Lanarkshire Museum in Scotlandquilts, handcrafts, red cross, world war ii, quilt

These quilts were made from 10 inch squares and sewn together. Each square had the name of the donor embroidered on it, the quilts were made by Red Cross members. The Shire Emblem was also added. One of these quilts was found after the 1939/45 war in Egypt and sent to the Museum in Rutherglen Scotland. The Council of Rutherglen Scotland was later amalgamated into South Lanarkshire, and the holdings of the Rutherglen Museum sent to the South Lanarkshire Museum. Martha Valentine communicated with the South Lanarkshire Museum, to enquire if they still held this item. Sharon Paton, of the South Lanarkshire museum replied with the comments: "Yes I can confirm the quilt (RG.1992.7) is part of the Rutherglen collections transferred to us by Glasgow City Council in 1995/6 during council re-organisation. We are very pleased you have given some more information on the history of the quilt since many of the items transferred to us at that time, did not arrive with a lot of historical information. I attach photographs of the quilt taken yesterday. Due to space restrictions in that store, I couldn’t unroll it fully, but hopefully before the end of this year we can do that when we are working in our storage sites. It was very easy to locate. It was last displayed around 2003/4 for our Treasures of South Lanarkshire exhibition at Low Parks Museum." We were pleased to see that it had a good home. Colour photograph of a handmade quilt. Photograph was printed from a digital image sent from the South Lanarkshire Museum in Scotlandquilts, handcrafts, red cross, world war ii, quilt

These quilts were made from 10 inch squares and sewn together. Each square had the name of the donor embroidered on it, the quilts were made by Red Cross members. The Shire Emblem was also added. One of these quilts was found after the 1939/45 war in Egypt and sent to the Museum in Rutherglen Scotland. The Council of Rutherglen Scotland was later amalgamated into South Lanarkshire, and the holdings of the Rutherglen Museum sent to the South Lanarkshire Museum. Martha Valentine communicated with the South Lanarkshire Museum, to enquire if they still held this item. Sharon Paton, of the South Lanarkshire museum replied with the comments: "Yes I can confirm the quilt (RG.1992.7) is part of the Rutherglen collections transferred to us by Glasgow City Council in 1995/6 during council re-organisation. We are very pleased you have given some more information on the history of the quilt since many of the items transferred to us at that time, did not arrive with a lot of historical information. I attach photographs of the quilt taken yesterday. Due to space restrictions in that store, I couldn’t unroll it fully, but hopefully before the end of this year we can do that when we are working in our storage sites. It was very easy to locate. It was last displayed around 2003/4 for our Treasures of South Lanarkshire exhibition at Low Parks Museum." We were pleased to see that it had a good home. Colour photograph of a handmade quilt. Photograph was printed from a digital image sent from the South Lanarkshire Museum in Scotlandquilts, handcrafts, red cross, world war ii, quilt

Found at the rubbish tip. Postcard written by Percy Fullerton during WWI to his future wife Fern Aitken.Black and white photograph on postcard, showing church with tall steeple.At bottom of photo: "S 2469 Parish Church, Grantham" On back of postcard: "22/10/17 | Darling Fern, Doing A.1. and hope to be out of Hospital by the end of the week. I had the pleasure of looking down on this church last week, think I told you in my last that I had been up flying. Trusting this finds my bonnie little girl well as it leaves yours lovingly. Percy xxxx"percy fullerton, fern aitken, world war 1, world war i, ww1, wwi

Digital Photographs of the Daylesford Brass Band leading hometown boy, Samuel Johnson, into Hepburn Springs during his world record breaking unicycle ride around Australia raising money for his cancer charity "Love Your Sister". The leg of the ride ended at the Hepburn Springs Savoia Hotel, where Samuel Johnson worked as a barman. victoria, hepburn springs, samuel johnson, savoia hotel, daylesford brass band, motorcycle, unicycle, crowd, welcoming party, charity, fundraiser, love your sister

Japanese sword and scabbard. Sword hilt has what appears to be an ivory inlay then is wrapped in cotton? twine. It also has brass decorations on each end of the hilt and a brass guard. The scabbard is made of metal with a brass tip, brass decoration on the mouth and brass carrying ring.japanese, world war two, world war 2, ww2, ww11

Part of horse harness used during World War 1 Leather and metal harness piece consisting of a leather piece with metal chain on one end and metal bracket on the other. ww1, first world war, ww one, world war 1, world war one, horse harness ww1, quick release harness ww1

Hardcover book with illustration of a wounded soldier holding a rifle. Union Jack in backgroundnon-fictionworld war 1, ww1, anzac, gallipoli, world war one

Anti aircraft ammunition used in WW2WW2 20mm Mark 2 cartridge with projectile end cut off20 MM MK 2 1943world war 2, ww2, world war 11, world war two, ammunition, anti aircraft, ww11

During World War One Tim Tovell of the No. 4 Squadron RAAF befriended a French orphan known as Henri or Digger. The child became an unofficial mascot, was given a custom made AIF uniform, and at the end of the war was smuggled back to Australia. As an adult Henri was killed in a car accident and is buried at Fawkner Cemetery, Victoria. Members of the No 4 Squadron subscribed for a memorial stone.Five black and white image. Top Left, Digger and his adopted father Tim Tovell, and the oats bagged he was smuggled in. Top right: Defence training at Hurdcott. Centre: Henri as an unofficial member of the AIF. Bottom left: Henri as a member of the RAAF. Bottom right: The last resting place of Henri/Digger at Fawkner Cemetery. The statue depicts Henri as he was when he first came to the 4th squadron. henri, digger, aif, raaf, tim tovell, no 4 squadron, fawkner cemetery, world war one, flight, aeroplane, hurdcott

The Brittania Mall was part of a $5 million development of the Mitcham Shopping centre, begun in 1986. It affected both Edward Street and Brittania Street, part of which had to be re-routed. The guide hall in Brittania Street was removed to Halliday Park Mitcham. The development included extension of the New World Supermarket(now Coles) and a two level carpark.Coloured photograph of the Britannia Mall, Mitcham taken from the north end. Traffic in the distance is on Whitehorse Road - 2012shops, britannia mall, mitcham

Generations of the Talbot family have called Malahide Castle home. They played significant roles in Irish political and social life. Set in 260 acres the castle is only 10 minutes from Dublin airport. https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/ The estate began in 1185, when Richard Talbot, a knight who accompanied Henry II to Ireland in 1174, was granted the "lands and harbour of Malahide." The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century and it was home to the Talbot family for 791 years, from 1185 until 1976, the only exception being the period from 1649–60, when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland; Corbet was hanged following the demise of Cromwell, and the castle was restored to the Talbots. The building was notably enlarged in the reign of Edward IV, and the towers added in 1765. The estate survived such losses as the Battle of the Boyne, when fourteen members of the owner's family sat down to breakfast in the Great Hall, and all were dead by evening, and the Penal Laws, even though the family remained Roman Catholic until 1774. In 1918 during the First World War a mooring-out base for airships was established in the grounds of the castle, used by airships from RNAS Anglesey in Wales which conducted anti-submarine operations in the Irish Sea. There were plans to base airships here from 1919, but these were abandoned at the end of the war.[1] In the 1920s the private papers of James Boswell were discovered in the castle, and sold to American collector Ralph H. Isham by Boswell's great-great-grandson Lord Talbot de Malahide. Malahide Castle and Demesne was eventually inherited by the 7th Baron Talbot and on his death in 1973, passed to his sister, Rose. In 1975, Rose sold the castle to the Irish State, partly to fund inheritance taxes. Many of the contents, notably furnishings, had been sold in advance, leading to considerable public controversy, but private and governmental parties were able to retrieve some. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malahide_CastleDigital photographsgravestones, malahide castle, ireland, cemetery, malahid castle; talbot; ireland; richard talbot; dublin

Generations of the Talbot family have called Malahide Castle home. They played significant roles in Irish political and social life. Set in 260 acres the castle is only 10 minutes from Dublin airport. https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/ The estate began in 1185, when Richard Talbot, a knight who accompanied Henry II to Ireland in 1174, was granted the "lands and harbour of Malahide." The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century and it was home to the Talbot family for 791 years, from 1185 until 1976, the only exception being the period from 1649–60, when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland; Corbet was hanged following the demise of Cromwell, and the castle was restored to the Talbots. The building was notably enlarged in the reign of Edward IV, and the towers added in 1765. The estate survived such losses as the Battle of the Boyne, when fourteen members of the owner's family sat down to breakfast in the Great Hall, and all were dead by evening, and the Penal Laws, even though the family remained Roman Catholic until 1774. In 1918 during the First World War a mooring-out base for airships was established in the grounds of the castle, used by airships from RNAS Anglesey in Wales which conducted anti-submarine operations in the Irish Sea. There were plans to base airships here from 1919, but these were abandoned at the end of the war.[1] In the 1920s the private papers of James Boswell were discovered in the castle, and sold to American collector Ralph H. Isham by Boswell's great-great-grandson Lord Talbot de Malahide. Malahide Castle and Demesne was eventually inherited by the 7th Baron Talbot and on his death in 1973, passed to his sister, Rose. In 1975, Rose sold the castle to the Irish State, partly to fund inheritance taxes. Many of the contents, notably furnishings, had been sold in advance, leading to considerable public controversy, but private and governmental parties were able to retrieve some. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malahide_Castle, TalbColour photograph of Malahide Castle, Ireland.malahide castle, ireland, talbot, richard talbot

non-fictionA photo and description of a cascade of fabric poppies made for Anzac Dayworld war 1914 - 1918, anzac day