Letter written by Pte J.P. Vercoe No. 2530, 5th Reinforcement, 60 Batt, 15th Infantry Brigade. AIF Abroad. Part of the Cooper Collection. J.P. Vercoe believed to be in the group photo.Black and white photographic postcard of a group of WW1 Australian soldiers in uniform. Back row standing, middle row seated in chairs and front row sitting on the ground. Handwritten letter on back.Handwritten in black ink on back: Letter from J,P, Vercoe to Ethel dated 19/1/1917.j.p. vercoe, cooper collection, photograph, ww1

Black and White postcard of steam ship, hand writing on front "HMS Swift". (SH 272 Ships S)hand writing on front "HMS Swift". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, hms swift, post card, postcard, steam ship

Framed Japanese flag. Black Japanese writing and a red disc on a white background.Japanese writing. Translates to 'Long Live our Victories".world war two, japan, battalion, 1942, new, guinea, flag, japanese, wewak, 2 4th

1992 Life Writing Correspondence Coursefictionfiction - hawthorn (vic)

Black And White postcard of the TSS Princess Marguerite, Vancouver B.C. Hand writing on card "754" (Sh 227 Ships M - R)Hand writing on card "754" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, tss princess marguerite, post card, postcard, vancouver b.c., steam ship

Headed 2 Commando Company (CMF) Room 31, "D" Block Albert Park Barracks MELBOURNE (Undated). Signed by Peter Seddon, OC 2 Commando Company Written in early June 1955, (Reference details in the letter), shortly after the Unit was raised. The letter was written to John Petty, who was one of the original members of the newly raised Company,, the first of 2 Commando Units (the other in Sydney) raised since the WW2 Cdo Units were disbanded. It portrays the beginnings of the new Commando era.Copy of single page letter, early "quarto" size. Headed 2 Commando Company (CMF) Room 31, "D" Block Albert Park Barracks MELBOURNE (Undated). Signed by Peter Seddon, OC 2 Commando Company Written in early June 1955, (Reference details in the letter).2 commando company, raising of, officer commanding, peter seddon, john petty

This notebook (author undetermined), records much information concerning maritime and naval activities and history. A notebook, black cover with red canvas spine, originally with blank pages. There is a white sticker on the outside cover with the writing 'Sailing Ships in larger writing, and ''Dictionary & Info' in smaller writing underneath. On the outside back cover is a small white sticker with the number 59 on it. The notebook contains writing in a small and very neat hand with the following headings: General Index Glossary - Sailing Ship Terms Flags - for Naval Vessels Glossary - Ship Terms Watches (aboard ship) Wind Scale -Beaufort Ship Model Societies Rigging Info Books Guns Modelling Info Modelling Tools Working Model Sailing Ships Sails Historical Info Rates in Naval Bases R.N. Naval Bases (UK etc.)There is a white sticker on the outside cover with the writing 'Sailing Ships in larger writing, and ''Dictionary & Info' in smaller writing underneath. On the outside back cover is a small white sticker with the number 59 on it.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, royal navy, naval terms, ship modelling, wind scales, notebook, sailing ships, dictionary

This unique postage stamp container, fashioned as a postal letter is from an era 1800 to early 1900, when items with no real bravado of wealth, were produced to satisfy the basic needs of their owners. A small yet "simple" postage stamp container made from silver would stand out but yet not that "vulgar". This was a period that flouting wealth was not done. This attitude changed when "old" wealth of property and titles moved to industrial and merchant "new" wealth merged.This item was introduced to the Kiewa Valley by a "genteel" woman who had come from "old" wealth in the "mother" country. In rural Australia such flashing of wealth or even "one up man ship" is frowned upon. The Kiewa Valley residents, in this time frame, would have reacted in a "true blue" manner. The significance of this item is that it highlights a time when the "Australian" heart was closely aligned to "mother Great Britain". These national bindings and self identity were only to last until World War II. The realisation of untying the national umbilical chord between Great Britain and Australia came when the United States of America provided its support and a closer bond developed. This container for postal stamps is fashioned as a letter. The lid(flap) is hinged to the main letter frame, allowing access to the contents (stamps). It is made of thin silver (sterling) with the silver markings on the inside of the flap. The folds on the opening flap side mirror the early dated letter envelope (glued on two sides, folded and glued on the third). The markings on the inside, clearly visible when the flap is open has the Assay Office Birmingham "anchor" stamped before the sterling silver "lion" mark. Stamped on inside flap "92" and "M" .Inside the letter facing the opener is the "Anchor" symbol and next to that the "Lion" symbolpostal stamp container, stamps, envelopes

Black cloth band with anchor on each end and Japanese writing in middle. Inscriptions in yellow. Ship anchor on each end. Japanese writing in middle.

This book was used by Orbost Cemetery Trust to record letters written especially to provide a running account of the trust's activities. Although the cemetery was officially gazetted in November, 1891, it seemed certain that burials had taken place before that time. The early trusts were diligent in their record keeping and visionary in their planning.The original Trust members approved by the Public Health Department included C. N. Henderson, E. Watt (Ernest), D. Munro (Donald), M. R. Coote (Massy) and James Cameron (recorded at the first meeting of the Trust dated 29th May 1891. The first mention of a Mr. C. Richardson wasn’t until 25th February 1916 whilst the cemetery was under the control of the Orbost Shire Council with select councillors on the committee. Orbost Cemetery is an important part of Orbost's history. Its records are essential in research of local history.A grey covered letter book used by the Orbost Cemetery Trust to record letters written between 1894 and 1907.On spine-Letter Bookorbost-cemetery letter-book

Letter from Martin Middlebrook to F.G. Davey requesting information about the 'Raid on Nuremburg' about which Middlebrook was writing a book. Part of the F.G. Davey Collection. See catalogue no. 3536P for his service record.Opened airmail letter in black type on blue paper over a handwritten signature. Reverse side has sender and recipient's addresses in black type. Front panel has recipient's address in black type. A printed postage stamp in blue, black and white is located in the top right hand corner of the front panel. In the top left hand corner is a blue rectangular panel with the words 'BY AIRMAIL AIR LETTER' in white type. On the reverse, the sender's address section is marked with blue lines and a warning in blue type advising that the letter should not include enclosures.Handwritten signature in blue ink: 'Martin Middlebrook'letter, f.g. davey, raid on nuremburg, martin middlebrook

This letter and photograph illustrates the broad social circle of Henry Gaucheron Hall Jnr and Olive Hall (nee Duncan), who was a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild. The photograph affords a view of a ship's deck, circa 1938. Irwin (family name unknown), is writing about his camera and sends one photograph as an example. He's also writing about the trip on the ship.This is a photograph of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals involved in the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the activities carried out by that organisation.Envelope with hand written address in ink, to H Hall Esq. Postmarked April 1938. Letter hand written in ink dated 30.04.1938 adorned with the Waldorf Historia crest (New York), signed by Irwin. The letter mentions Olive and has a photograph enclosed. Small photograph of ship's deck and two crew inscribed in same ink with "Roy's best Love".Waldorf Historia letterheadolive duncan, olive hall, new york, irwin, henry hall, grand central, cat, photography, lillie duncan

Letter dated 16/9/1944 from M C Langslow Secretary, Department of Air, Commonwealth of Australia to Mr H H Wilkinson advising of citation received from the Air Ministry in respect of award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to his son Pilot Officer J H WILKINSON and future announcement in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Citation attached signed by H R Winneke, Group Captain. From collection of photographs and cuttings dedicated to the memory of WILKINSON JOHN HUDSON : Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - WILKINSON HUDSON. Wilkinson was awarded the distinguished flying cross in March 1944 and tragically killed in action over Germany also in 1944. See also 237 and 240. Original letter in black type. Two page with embossed crest letterhead. Stamped envelope.Letter - Commonwealth of Australia - Department of Air Envelope addressed to - Mr HH Wilkinson, Mount Ophir, Rutherglen.pilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force

This letter was written by Aida Duncan, to her daughters Lillie and Olive Duncan following the death of a family member - possibly an Uncle. This letter is of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals involved in the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the activities carried out by that organisation.A letter hand written in black ink from Colaris Eglinton Street, Moonee Ponds addressed to "My Dearest Girls" and signed "Your loving Mother, A.D."The reverse of the letter has something barely legible written in pencil, believed to be a name. Below this inscription is also a sentence that reads "Lillie's Mother married to David Hood Duncan".lillie duncan, olive duncan, 20th century, letter, ada blanche duncan (nee thomson)

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

Letter accompanies the Official handbook of Rutherglen Scotland, 1970 edition, which would have been presented to a relative of the donor when John F. MacKay, a member of the Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen in Scotland, was visiting his son in Australia.Letter of introduction, written on letterhead paper of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen, with their coat of arms embossed on the top left corner.Letter is to introduce John F. MacKay, on the occasion of his visit to Australia, is dated 9th June, 1971, and is signed by James Hutchinson, Provost, and R.M. OSullivan, Town Clerk.rutherglen scotland, royal burgh of rutherglen, john mackay

The letter relates to the postage of a grave photo and folder of Pte Walter Williams No 1442 2nd Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for photo and medals..1) Letter, official, Australian Imperial Force, yellowish colour, all print in black and white. .2) Envelope, official “OHMS”, orange colour, typing in black with purple stamp..1) Letter to, “Mr O.W.Williams 323 Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo Vic” .2) in pencil on the front, “Photograph of where Walter Williams buried”letters, graves, envelopes

On rear; Sinai desert Asia Minor Feb 20th 1916. Dear Mother, your ever welcome letter to hand. Sorry to hear Dad is not well also yourself. Hope you are better err this. Things much the same as usual here. We are both well. I had a letter from Tom last week. We were inspected by the General after Church Parade this morning. Glad uncles crop turned out so well. I suppose Lot has gone to town by this. I wrote to her and sent her some things. You ought to have them by now. Roy has has had no letters from home for a long time. Don’t address them to Hospital. Use same address as myself. Too dusty here to write. Goodbye and love to all, from Bill. Collection re Mrs May Burns.Postcard photo, B & W with four pyramids at Cairo - camels and men in foreground. The rear has a black pencil written letter. On the front “Cairo - The four Pyramids” On rear above pencil letter is written in blue ink, “This boy lost his life in Service”.documents, postcards, views, pyramids, cairo, souvenirs

The letter relates to the postage and receivable of a Victory Medal 194 - 1919 for Pte Walter Williams No 1442 2nd Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for photo and medals..1) letter, yellow colour, official “Australian Imperial Force B.R.P.F.42”, all print in black, date stamp in blue, signature in purple, bottom section is a tear off return piece. .2) Envelope, blue colour “OHMS” with blue and orange stamp, stamped 3 more times, address in black pen, another entry in pencil..1) Letter addressed to, “Mr O.W.Williams, 323 Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo Vic”. .2) In black pencil, “Letter from the Army about Victory medal for Walter Williams dated Oct 1922”.letters, envelopes, medals

Typed letter on note paper with Education Department letterhead. Signed on behalf of the Secretary. Letter"R" at top of page a w steane, sloyd centre, ballarat east, woodwork, working men's college, melbourne

Rectangular petrol can with rounded edges. Small handle on top with opening and screw on lid. Bottom half of can is blue and top half is yellow with red writing.Printed on front of can is "Golden Fleece" in red writing. A picture of a ram is printed in red above the writing.containers, commercial, can, petrol, fuel, oil, golden fleece, rural, farming, machinery.

American Flag wrapped in triangular shape and contained within a red felt covered box with a certificate and covering letter Refer to certificate and covering lettera13