Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Engineers from 17 Construction Squadron, build a bridge across on of the many creeks and streams which had been previously destroyed by NVA/VietCong forces and some as long ago as the war with the French. These bridges were built with solid steel foundations.photograph, 17 const sqn, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, engineers, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Diggers of 161 (Indep) Recce Flight prepare to distribute clean clothes, supplied by the 1st Australian Civil Arrairs Unit, to the villagers at Xuyen Moc, following the clearing of the area of NVA/VietCong by the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.photograph, 161 recon flt, xuyen moc, 5 rar, nva/vc, 1st australian civil affairs unit, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, nva/vietcong, 5th battalion, royal australian regiment, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of A Digger from 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit stationed at 1st ATF Base in Phuoc Tuy Province assisted by a villager cuts timber for house construction during the building of the Ap Sui Nge Refugee Village. The village was designed by the officers and men of the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit and built as a major project involving Task Force Unitsphotograph, 1st australian civil affairs unit, 1st atf base, phuoc tuy province, ap sui nge village, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of The Australian Ambassador to South Vietnam, Mr Ralph Harry inspects survey equipment at the Phuoc Tuy Province Capital, Baria, with an Australian advisor prior to a Handing Over Ceramony Of Equipment, to the Provincial Chief Lt Col Nguyen Ba Truoc.photograph, mr ralph harry (australian ambassador to south vietnam), phuoc tuy province, baria, lt col nguyen ba truoc, gibbons collection catalogue, survey equipment, handing over ceramony of equipment, provincial chief lt col nguyen ba truoc, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Tonkin Gulf, North Vietnam 25th May 1967 Lt Stanley L Masterton briefs Australian War Correspondent, Denis Gibbons, during his visit to the Australian Guided Missile Destroyer HMAS Hobart. the briefing is taking place on the flag deck, where a large set of signal flags are visible in a ready use locker behind them. the ship, was at that time engaging, with ship to shore gunfire, a major "choke point" (an area where the North Vietnamese were preparing war supplies to be shipped to their units in South Vietnam) at the township of "Vinh". Hobart was expecting, at any moment, counted battery fire from North Vietnamese coastal batteries after radar stations on Hainan Island, Near Haiphong Harbour and at Vinh had locked onto Horart's position with very accurate triangular positioning. Lt Masterton was informing Gibbons of the incoming enemy fire and was worried he (Gibbons) was not wearing a helment, gibbons, most respectfully advised Lt Masterton that he could not operate his cameras with a helmet on. Hobart immediately turned and saled, very rapidly, out to sea as the counter battery fire commencedAustralian War memorial negative: Navy 13503hmas hobart, lt stanley l masterton, denis gibbons, vinh, hainan island, haiphong harbour, gibbons collection catalogue, tonkin gulf, australian war correspondent, australian guided missile destroyer, photograhp, enemy fire

The Life Membership relates to William John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 for details of his work and fund raising for the Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8030 for details re his Committee involvement with Bendigo Sub Branch and his WW1 service history. The Unit Social Clubs listed in an RSL Bendigo Annual report 1946 appear to be 6th, 38th, 57th Bn Associations, Railways Sub Section, Catholic War Veterans Association, POW Association (new member 1947).Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, backing for the certificate is maroon colour, certificate has ornate blue edging, RSL logo at the top followed by the details of the certificate, all print in black, signed and dated.Main points; “Inter Units Social Club - Life Members Certificate - Presented to Mr W.J. Turner for services rendered to the above club” “R C. Kuryke President” “H Skinner Secretary” Dated 28.3.1960”brsl, smirsl, certificate.

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of an Australian Engineers crawls around a road block constructed by VietCong across the National Highway North West of the Province capital Baria. Once the charges and mines were isolated, the Engineer cleared the obstruction and reopened the roadphotograph, nva/vc, engineers, baria, gibbons collection catalogue, viet cong, national highway, province, land mines, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of an armoured Engineer D8 bulldozer 'Miss Fit' involved in land and mine clearing operations up to the foothills of the Long Hai Mountains. The Engineer on the front of the D8 was directed. The driver, who could not see, because of the thicknss of the jungle.photograph, d8 bulldozer, long hai hills, engineers, gibbons collection catalogue, engineer, mine clearing, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Engineers from 17 Construction Squadron use a bulldozer and road grader to prepare the road surface for sealing. A truck carries away rock to be crushed, in a mobile crusher operated by the Unit, to be used for foundation fill, on the road.photograph, engineers, 17 const sqn, gibbons collection catalogue, d8 bulldozer, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Cpl Normie Rowe peers pensively from the turret of his APC.By this time of his active service Normie had risen through the ranks from a Trooper Driver to L/Cpl 30 Calibre machine gun operator to command of his own APC within his troop.photograph, apc, cpl normie rowe, gibbons collection catalogue, troop driver, normie rowe, trooper normie rowe, armoured personnel carrier, machine gun, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A coloured photograph of Cpl Normie Rowe digs out his APC. Normie had ordered his driver to proceed down the hill. The driver warned Normie that they would bog if they went that way. Normie said he would dig the damn thing out himself if we bog. The driver proceeded and Normie dug out the APCphotograph, cpl normie rowe, apc, gibbons collection catalogue, trooper normie rowe, normie rowe, armoured personnel carrier, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograph of Cpl Normie Rowe strips, cleans and services the twin 30 calibre machine gun on his APC. Whenever one arrived at Normie's APC you were almost always assured of a reasonably cold can of tarax orange drink. APC crews knew how to look after themselves.photograph, cpl normie rowe, apc, 3rd cavalry regiment, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, machine gun, trooper normie rowe, tarax orange drink, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Cpl Normie Rowe, promoted to crew commander of an APC, cleans and services the twin 30 calibre machine gun on his APC, while his driver catches up on the latest comic strip to arrive in the mail from home. Note the distinctive initials on his helmet.photograph, cpl normie rowe, apc, 3rd cavalry regiment, gibbons collection catalogue, trooper normie rowe, armoured personnel carrier, machine gun, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Engineers working in the saw mill at 1st Australian Task Force, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam stack large beams for bridge construction, cut to the respective plan size for delivery to the construction site within Phuoc Tuy Province.photograph, engineers, 1 atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph an Engineer from 17 Construction Squadron operates a mobile crusher used to prepare rock material, of all sizes, for all types of foundation work used in construction projects throughout Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnamphotograph, engineers, 17 const sqn, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, mobile crusher, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Armoured Personnel Carriers in open country in Phuoc Tuy Province. The crew Commander on the right of the photograph is Corporal Normie Rowe, one of Australias :teeny boppers" rock and roll stars. Normie was a two year National Serviceman.photograph, apc, phuoc tuy province, cpl normie rowe, normie rowe, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, national service, entertainer, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A coloured photograph of L/Cpl Normie Rowe, one of Australia's top rock stars serving with the Cavalry in Vietnam. Normie is manning a 30 claibre machine gun. His suggestion to upgrade the firepower of Australian APC's in the warzone. For this he was promoted from trooper to L/Cpl.photograph, normie rowe, l/cpl normie rowe, apc, trooper normie rowe, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, entertainer, cavalry regiment

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a command Armoured Personnel Carrier of A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Australian task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, stands guard as the American 11th Armoured Cavalry moves through the Province,photograph, apc, a sqn, 3rd cavalry regiment, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, 1st australian task force, 11th armoured cavalry regiment, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of an Engineering Officer supervising diggers from 17 Construction Squadron based at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, as they lay large drainage pipes along the roadway into Hoa Long village.photograph, engineers, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, hoa long, gibbons collection catalogue, 1st australian task force, hoa long village, diggers, engineering officer, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A coloured Photograph of a specially constructed 'up armoured' Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) being used to explode anti personnel mines buried in the 'Barrier' minefield from the village of Dat Do to the sea, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Each driver only spent and hour in the APC.photograph, apc, 3rd cavalry regiment, dat do, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, mine "anit-personnell m18a1, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A coloured photograph taken in July 1969, An Australian Armoured Personnel (APC) Carrier of B Squadron appears to be swallowed up by the vegetation as it is parked during a lull in operations. A couple of the crew enjoy the shade of an umbrellaphotograph, apc, 3rd cavalry regiment, gibbons collection catalogue, armoured personnel carrier, b squadron, denis gibbons, diggers

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Trooper Normie Rowe meets the trooper he is to replace upon his arrival at 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Normie was about to commence his year of active service with the cavalry.photograph, trooper normie rowe, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph Diggers from 11 Platoon D Company 6 RAR on Operation Portsea, South East of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, as the Dustoff helicopter leaves with Pte Ken Mathieson, for casevac to hospital. Acting Officer Commanding Sgt Bob Buick runs back to his menphotograph, 11 platoon, 6 rar, operation portsea, dustoff, pte ken mathieson, sgt bob buick, gibbons collection catalogue, d company, nui dat, diggers, denis gibbons, 1st australian task force

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner turns his head and shields his ear as he fires the gun at Fire support Base "Betty". The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, artillery, 104 battery, raa, nva/vc, fire base betty, long binh, bien hoa province, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, gunner, nva/vietcong sappers, tet offensive, 1969, us supply depot, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner, prepares to fire the gun at Fire Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensivephotograph, 104 battery, artillery, fire base betty, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons, gunner

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of digger from 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment watch as the courtiers of "King Neptune" during the "crossing of the line" ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney, taking the 9RAR for service in Vietnam, arrest a digger for being "over dressed".photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, courtiers of king neptune, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery Gunners, make adjustmanetsto ready the gun for firing at Fire Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the giant US Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, artillery, 104 battery, fire base betty, raa, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, gunners, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Pilots at the controls of a Huey 'Slick' aircraft of RAAF's 9 Sqn. The pilots of 9 Squandron flew the Huey helicopter in many forms, such as 'Slick troop transport, Medivac, and Gunship operaitions in Vietnamphotograph, huey helicopter, raaf, 9 sqn, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian air force, 9 squadron, us army slick helicopter, troop transport, medivac, gunship operations, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Engineers and Diggers from the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit make repairs and refurbish the dispensary and hospital at Hoa Long. Diggers were assisted by a great many of the village people in a much needed upgrade and upgraded medical facility.photograph, australian civil affairs unit, hoa long hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, engineers, diggers, denis gibbons

This tea spoon is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD, a Loch Line ship of 1,693 tons which sailed from Gravesend, London, on 2 March 1878 with 17 passengers and a crew of 36 under Captain George Gibbs. “The intention was to discharge cargo in Melbourne, before returning to London via the Horn with wool and wheat”. Instead, on 1 June 1878, after 90 days at sea, she struck the sandstone cliffs of Mutton Bird Island on the south west coast of Victoria, and sank with the loss of 52 lives and all her cargo. The manifest of the LOCH ARD listed an array of manufactured goods and bulk metals being exported to the Colony of Victoria, with a declared value of £53,700. (202 bills of lading show an actual invoice value of £68, 456, with insurance underwriting to £30,000 of all cargo). Included in the manifest is the item of “Tin hardware & cutlery £7,530”. This teaspoon is one of 482 similar items of electro-plated cutlery from the LOCH ARD site, comprising spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape or design and metallic composition. 49 of these pieces display a legible makers’ mark — the initials “W” and “P” placed within a raised diamond outline, which is in turn contained within a sunken crown shape — identifying the manufacturer as William Page & Co of Birmingham. An electroplater’s makers’ marks, unlike sterling silver hallmarks, are not consistent identifiers of quality or date and place of manufacture. A similar line of five impressions was usually made to impress the consumer with an implication of industry standards, but what each one actually signified was not regulated and so they varied according to the whim of the individual foundry. In this case, the maker’s marks are often obscured by sedimentary accretion or removed by corrosion after a century of submersion in the ocean. However sufficient detail has survived to indicate that these samples of electro-plated cutlery probably originated from the same consignment in the LOCH ARD’s cargo. The following descriptions of maker’s marks are drawn from 255 tea spoons, 125 dessert spoons, and 99 table forks. These marks are clearly visible in 66 instances, while the same sequence of general outlines, or depression shapes, is discernible in another 166 examples. 1. A recessed Crown containing a raised Diamond outline and the initials “W” and “P” (the recognised trademark of William Page & Co) 2. An impressed Ellipse containing a raised, pivoted, Triangle in its lower part and bearing a Resurrection Cross on its upper section (a possible dissenting church symbol reflecting religious affiliation); OR a rounded Square impression containing a raised, ‘lazy’, letter “B” (possibly mimicking sterling silver hallmark signifying city of manufacture i.e. Birmingham) 3. An impressed rounded Square filled with a raised Maltese Cross (the base metal composite of nickel silver was also known as ‘German silver’ after its Berlin inventors in 1823) 4. A recessed Circle containing a Crab or Scarab Beetle image; OR a recessed Circle containing a rotated ‘fleur de lys’ or ‘fasces’ design 5. A depressed Diamond shape enclosing a large raised letter “R” and a small raised letter “D” (mimicking the U.K. Patent Office stamp which abbreviated the term ‘registered’ to “RD”, but also included date and class of patent) Suggested trade names for William Page & Co’s particular blend of brass plating are ‘roman silver’ or ‘silverite’. This copper alloy polishes to a lustrous gold when new, discolouring to a murky grey with greenish hue when neglected. HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But 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 4am the fog lifted. A man 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. 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 LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. 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 broke over the ship and the top deck was 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 had raced onto 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 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 state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom 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, this time 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 LOCH ARD 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 all of 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 was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance – Victorian Heritage Register S 417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Unrestored tea spoon from the wreck of the LOCH ARD. The spoon design has a flattened fiddle-back handle, with a thin stem or shank, flared collar, and elongated bowl. The spoons metallic composition is a thin layer of brass alloy which has partially corroded back to a nickel-silver base metal. 60% of plate remains. Plain heraldic shield on rear of spoon bowl. Three of five makers marks on back of handle are legible: (1) Trade Mark (2) Lazy 'B' (3) Maltese Cross.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, electroplated cutlery, loch ard shipwreck, nickel silver, william page & co, birmingham, brass plating, makers marks