The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Miniature kitchen stove, cooking utensils and implements. Made of metal and enamel. Orange and black. Eight pieces.miniature toys, toy kitchen equipment, functional toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. In the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, there were large numbers of games produced for children and adults. These included: arcade games, board games, playing cards and puzzles. A representative sample, many now rare survivors, can be found in the collection.Lotto. Box title "THE POPULAR GAME OF LOTTO". Inside the lid are a set of instructions for playing the game of "Lotto or House". The game was manufactured "solely at Chad Valley Works, Harborne, England. Beside the rules, in pencil is the name "P. Knight", presumably the owner of the game. chad valley works, lotto

The Henty family and their descendants were notable settlers in Australia, initially in Western Australia, then in Launceston and finally in Victoria. While most family members settled in Victoria from 1834, others remained in England and in Tasmania. The identity of the sitters in this mid 19th century pair of portraits is as yet unidentified. The locket was purchased by the Society as part of a small collection of Henty memorabilia and portraits from the owner of Moorabool Antiques, Geelong in 2021, which had in turn acquired the item from the estate of Dennis Alston of Alston's Antiques in Hamilton, Victoria.Members of the extended Henty family were notable British settlers of southeastern and southwestern Australia. The connection to Kew (Vic.) is that members of the Henty family owned important mansions in Kew in the 19th century. Stephen George Henty's family lived at 'Findon', and Francis Henty of 'Merino Downs' in the Western District lived in his final years at 'Field Place', Kew. Numerous members of the Henty family are buried in the Boroondara General Cemetery.Small hinged locket made of tortoiseshell inlaid with mother-of-pearl, silver and gold. The locket is designed to be worn as a pendant. The two hand-tinted encased oval portraits are of an elderly woman on the left and an elderly bearded man on the right. The inlaid locket is probably Indian given the style of the floral inlay on the front and reverse. The portraits do not appear to be daguerreotypes, ambrotypes or tintypes and require further technical investigation.henty family, australia - early settlers

The Henty family and their descendants were notable settlers in Australia, initially in Western Australia, then in Launceston and finally in Victoria. While most family members settled in Victoria from 1834, others remained in England and in Tasmania. The identity of the woman in this mid 19th studio portrait is as yet unidentified. The daguerreotype was purchased by the Society as part of a small collection of Henty memorabilia and portraits from the owner of Moorabool Antiques, Geelong in 2021, which had in turn acquired the item from the estate of Dennis Alston of Alston's Antiques in Hamilton, Victoria.Members of the extended Henty family were notable British settlers of southeastern and southwestern Australia. The connection to Kew (Vic.) is that members of the Henty family owned important mansions in Kew in the 19th century. Stephen George Henty's family lived at 'Findon', and Francis Henty of 'Merino Downs' in the Western District lived in his final years at 'Field Place', Kew. Numerous members of the Henty family are buried in the Boroondara General Cemetery.Three quarter length studio portrait of a female member of the Henty family, taken using the daguerreotype photographic process, and encased in a standard daguerreotype frame made of tooled leather, velvet and gilt metal. The woman is dressed in a silk dress, typical of the 1860s, with a lace collar and bonnet. She appears to be holding a locket in her right hand.henty family, australia - early settlers

60th Anniversary Special Edition from Normandy to BerlinBook introduces men and women from both sides - British, American and german soldiers and civilians - whose bravery and endurance made the final push through Europe, the defining drama of WW2.soft cover book with 144 pages

The final crossing of the Rhine and the advance into Germany changed the course of European history forever. Introduces men and women from bith sides - British, American and German soldiers and civilians - whose bravery and endurance made the final push through Europe the defining drama of WW2.Soft cover book with 144 pagessticker on inside page P Cooper (personal contact details included on sticker)

Medlow was built in 1889 for Col Cairncross and named 'Willcyrus' after his sons William and Cyril. The Cairncross family was responsible for the planting of many of the trees, some sourced from Canada by one of the Cairncross sons. The date is approximate. The Bull family lived at 'Medlow' at 42 Warrigal Road, Surrey Hills from 1911. Dr Richard Bull graduated MD, BS in 1904. He was a lecturer in bacteriology during WW1 and developed typhoid vaccines. He was President of the British Medical Association (BMA), forerunner to the AMA, in 1926. Dr Bull's wife Catherine (nee Perrier) was a lover and patron of music and the arts. Their daughter Norma was a well-known artist. Mrs Bull was a great lover of music and the arts and made 'Medlow' available for the advance of these causes. 'Medlow' was bequeathed to the National Trust of Victoria by his son, Ronald Richard Bull, but it has since been sold back into private ownership.Black and white photo of groups of people in a garden setting, seated at tables with folding chairs and umbrellas. A Union Jack flag is flying.medlow, doctors, garden parties, gardens, surrey hills, houses names, 1935, national trust of victoria, (dr) richard joseph bull, (mr) william cairncross, (col) william cairncross, (mr) cyril cairncross, (mrs) catherine bull, (miss) catherine perrier, (miss) norma bull, (mr) ronald richard bull

This item is part of a collection of four black and white glass lantern slides previously housed in this box. The slides and this box are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Brown paper box with printed black and red text on top, and handwritten text on top. Labels with printed text are also on the sides and bottom on the box.Top: [handwritten] NICHOLS / LAMB [printed] OPEN IN PHOTOGRAPHIC DARKROOM / Kodak / PLATES / TROPICALLY HARDENED / MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN BY KODAK LIMITED LONDON / TRADE MARK PROTECTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLDnew south wales graziers association, travel, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide, sheep, breeding

Photographs were most likely used for promotional purposes. The Q-VEE machine is a scouring machine. When fabric is removed from the loom it is often stiff, rough or uneven. Scouring removes the oils and dirt picked up from manufacture, leaving the fabric soft and fluffy. The photographed machine was made by J. Stone & Co, a British marine and railway engineering company based in Deptford in south east London.Four black and white, blue tinged photos of a Scouring Machine from different angles. Black writing on the rear, typed with a typewriter and stamped with the company stamp.8051.1 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 849 8051.2 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 856 8051.3 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 851 8051.4 - front on machine - FIY Chain Gear J.Stone & Co Ltd London rear - P.I.V. Dial Control Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 853textile machinery, wool manufacture, wool, scouring

Photographs most likely used for promotional purposes. The photographs are of a yarn spinning machine used to place yarn onto bobbins. The machine was made by Hearl Heaton and Sons Ltd, founded in 1809. The company played an important part in Britain’s Industrial Revolution, providing bobbins to the textile mills across the North of England.Four black and white photographs of a yarn spinning machine. The first two photos show the machine in the lower floor of the building and the last two are on the upper floor. The are connected by the two chains working the machine.8053.1 - Front right edge - Hearl Heaton & Sons Ltd Crown Steel Works, Liversedge. 8053.2 - Rear middle - No.1 Hearl Heaton & Sons Ltd Crown Steel Works, Liversedge. 8053.3 - Front top edge - Hearl Heaton & Sons Ltd Crown Steel Works, Liversedge. 8053.4 - No. 2 Hearl Heaton & Sons Ltd Crown Steel Works, Liversedge.textile machinery, wool manufacture, wool, spinning

Ill, p.287.non-fictionI was posted to 29 Squadron at North Weald in Essex and I was more than pleased to be a 'fighter boy', which for some unknown reason seemed and still seems to carry with it an aura of glamour - goodness knows why! "Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett was one of the most outstanding figures of the second World War and the creator and leader of the legendary Pathfinder Force of 8 Group. His made him the obvious choice as leader of the Pathfinders -the elite force designed to carry out pioneering target-marking and precision-bombing of Nazi-occupied Europe. Bennett played a prominent part in deploying a Mosquito intruder force to harass Germany by night and in developing FIDO, the invaluable fog dispersal system. world war 1939 - aerial operations - britain, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia

Ill, p.156.non-fictionChronological list of speeches made by Prince Phillipprince phillip - speeches, royal family - great britain

Rev Daniel Foley was the third Bishop of Ballarat 1916 - 1941. A cousin to Archbishop Mannix of Melbourne he accompanied Mannix on his 1920 journey across the U.S.A giving many public speeches. He was witness to the removal of Mannix from the SS Baltic by the British in the Irish Sea, an event that made world headlines. This large photographic portrait was taken by Thornton photographer Ballarat.Signed on image "Thornton" Photo Ballarat.

This portrait photograph of Dame Mary Herring is a visual record of her taken during the time she was offering advice to Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home (later Hospital)' as a member of their Committee from 1931. She was a Vice-president from 1943-1957 and acted as President in 1953. As a Medical practitioner she was involved with the formation of the MDNS After-Care Ante-Natal clinic in 1930 and the establishment of the Women's Welfare Clinic at the MDNS After-Care in 1934. Dame Mary Herring was born in Carlton on the 31st of March 1895. She graduated as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB. BS) at the University of Melbourne in March 1921. During her training she went out with the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), where she visited many in poor circumstances and through this decided she wanted to improve the lives of women and children. She married Edmund Herring on the 6th of April 1922 and he supported her to continue her Medical career. She established an Ante-Natal Clinic at the Prahran Health Centre in 1926 and assisted MDNS After-Care Home in the establishment of its Ante-Natal clinic in September 1930. In 1931, as Dr. Mary Herring she became a member of the Committee of the now named ‘Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home’ (later Hospital), and as Lady Herring became a Vice-president from 1943 until 1957 and acted as President in 1953. In 1934, along with Dr. George Simpson and Dr. Victor Wallace, she established the Women’s Welfare Clinic at the MDNS After-Care Hospital for patients of the Society; the first of its kind in Melbourne. After its opening in October 1934 she was the Hon Secretary of the Welfare Clinic, which operated from a room in the Ante-Natal Clinic of the After-Care. Dr. Herring pioneered family planning services. The clinic ran until 1940 when women could now obtain this advice from other establishments. In 1953, as Acting President, Lady Herring was involved with the discussions of the District Division of MDNS relocating to ‘Airlie’, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne and the separation of Melbourne District Nursing Society and After Care Hospital, with the District Division now a separate entity, known as Melbourne District Nursing Service with its Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. In 1966 with Royal patronage, this became the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Though asked to be President of the Hospital division of the MDNS Society, she declined due to her many activities. In 1940 Dr. Mary Herring was a founder of the A.I.F Women’s Association and served on the Women’s Welfare Subcommittee to assist the families of soldiers and now as Lady Herring, she became President from 1943-1946. She was a a founding member and first president of the Victorian Council of Social Service 1946, chairman of the Vera Scantlebury Brown Memorial Trust 1946-1979, Deputy-president of Victorian division of the Australian Red Cross 1944-1963, and of the Victoria League 1945-1972 and the Australian council of the Save the Children Fund from 1962-1967. Lady Herring was a tireless worker for many charities particularly charities for children. On the 10th of July 1953 she was made Commander of the Order of St. John in recognition of her charity work and on the 11th of June 1960 was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for “services to nursing in Victoria” In 1949 the Argus Newspaper (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22776603) described her as “one of the finest examples of Australian women in our State, with a record of selfless devotion to the service of others. Calm, kindly, clear-minded, and intensely logical”,..... “she has taken all this in her stride without once stopping out of her aura of cool, unruffled efficiency, an efficiency which is tempered by her warmth and understanding, her approachability, and her human sympathy.” Dame Mary Ranken Herring died in Camberwell on the 26th of October 1981. This black and white photograph is a portrait view of Dame Mary Herring. She has curled light coloured hair. Only a portion of her scooped neck dark coloured frock which falls in soft folds can be seen. There is a light colour brooch attached on the left hand side of her frock near the shoulder. She is wearing a string of pearls around her neck. A curtain can be seen in the background of the photograph.Stuart Tompkin Studiomelbourne district nursing society, ante-natal clinic, women's welfare clinic, rdns, royal district nursing service, dame mary herring

Jessie Isabel Henderson was President of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) form 1924 until 1947. She was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for her welfare work. Jessie Isabel Henderson was a leader in all the welfare organizations in which she was involved, including the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) where she was elected as a Committee member in 1912. She was regarded as being "clear-sighted, level-headed, being able to see the right perspective when troubles arose" and having an exceptional memory. She was a representative on the newly formed Charities Board in 1923 and was elected President of the MDNS in 1924 and continued in this role until 1947. During this time she was involved with the formation of the Society's first Auxiliary; the founding, and later extensions, of the After-Care Home, the Society now being called 'Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Home'. This involved many fund raising efforts for the purchase of property of the Nurses Home at No. 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood and the building of the After-Care Home at No. 45. During her time as President the After-Care opened an Ante-Natal Clinic and a Women's Welfare Clinic, as well as the Society creating a 'Committee of Almoners' who assisted discharged patients from the After-Care to receive assistance from other organizations if required. The name changed to 'Ward Visitors' when an 'Institute of Almoners' was formed with newly trained Almoners. During the depression 1929-1933 she led the Society in extending its Midwifery and District services, including supplying milk for expectant mothers. Through the depression her philanthropy extended to, with the help of another, in assisting young ladies out of work. She sought sewing machines and material from businesses and set up a factory where the ladies were employed producing salable products. In 1933 Mrs. Henderson suggested the name of the After-Care Home be changed to the 'After-Care Hospital'; she felt using the word 'hospital' would aid with receiving grants and money from the public through appeals - this came into effect in 1934. In 1936 Jessie Isabel Henderson was made Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E) for her welfare work. Mrs. Henderson was unable to carry out her Presidential duties in 1947 due to ill health, and she resigned in 1948. She died on the 11th of January 1951. The After-Care Hospital dedicated wards 4, 5 and 6 in the Jessie Henderson wing in her memory. She is listed on page 180 in ‘Women Shaping the Nation - Victorian Honour Roll of Women, Vol 1, 2001’ Centenary of Federation 1901 - 2001 Black and white photograph of the head and shoulder view of Mrs. G.G. (Jessie Isabel) Henderson who has her wavy dark hair drawn back and is wearing a short necklace and a longer single string of pearls, She is wearing a black frock which has a square neckline.mdns, after-care hospital, melbourne district nursing society, rdns, royal district nursing service, mrs g.g. (jessie isabel) henderson

The Type 62 is a re-badged British Pattern 1907 bayonet. Siam purchased 10,000 SMLE rifles and Pattern 1907 bayonets from Britain in 1919 to equip the "Wild Tiger Corps," royal bodyguard of Vajiravudh, King Rama VI (reigned 1910–1925). The tiger figural on the ricasso is representative of the Wild Tiger Corps. Year 2462 on the Buddhist Calendar corresponds to 1919. SMLE rifles and Pattern 1907 bayonets were taken from British stocks, refurbished by Birmingham Small Arms (BSA), and remarked with Siamese markings. The bayonets were shipped with standard steel-mounted leather scabbards. However, the leather rapidly deteriorated in the tropical climate, so the Siamese made a replacement steel scabbard body to which the original steel mounts were brazed. Sword bayonet for use with the .303 caliber Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield No. I Mk. III (SMLE) rifle.A tiger head on the left side with some symbolsww2, world war 2, bayonet

The Type 62 is a re-badged British Pattern 1907 bayonet. Siam purchased 10,000 SMLE rifles and Pattern 1907 bayonets from Britain in 1919 to equip the "Wild Tiger Corps," royal bodyguard of Vajiravudh, King Rama VI (reigned 1910–1925). The tiger figural on the ricasso is representative of the Wild Tiger Corps. Year 2462 on the Buddhist Calendar corresponds to 1919. SMLE rifles and Pattern 1907 bayonets were taken from British stocks, refurbished by Birmingham Small Arms (BSA), and remarked with Siamese markings. The bayonets were shipped with standard steel-mounted leather scabbards. However, the leather rapidly deteriorated in the tropical climate, so the Siamese made a replacement steel scabbard body to which the original steel mounts were brazed. Scabbard bayonet metallic slightly tapered rectangular with rounded edges; oval belt nob on blazed steel top of the bayonet and a blazed steel bottom; the body is steel with dents and a wear holes on one side.ww2, world war 2, bayonet

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war

Dobie & Son were most famous for their Four Square range of blends and were known for their quality tobacco since 1809. Dobie's was bought out by Godfrey Phillips and by 1956 the old factory, known as "Greenhill Works" on Clark Street in Paisley was shut down and closed. Much later, the 4 Square brand was made in Denmark up until around 2001. The Singapore free Press circa '47 tells us that 4 Square blends started in 1922, also mentioning Dobie's Roll, a thick plug tobacco of exceptional strength.Round, silver coloured tobacco tin, lid and container partially rusted. The tin contains a printed guarantee as well as the wrapping paper the tin sat on."Four Square Curlies" in black lettering on lid, as well as 4 deep pink squares and the words "Fine Cut" on a deep pink background. Around the edge of the lid are printed the words: "Fine Cut" and "Made in Great Britain", repeated twice and the pink 4 square logo 6 times. Also printed are the words: "To open - insert coin under lid and twist". "2 oz. Net" stamped on the base.tobacco tins, smoking equipment, tobacco containers

This ring belonged to Captain William Henry Bacchus who was one of the first British colonists to establish a farming property on Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung First Nations people lands 55 kilometers west of Melbourne. The land occupied by Bacchus in 1838 came to be known by the early colonists as Bacchus’s Marsh before later changing officially to Bacchus Marsh. The ring is believed to have been made to commemorate the death of Captain Bacchus’s father Wm (William) Bacchus in Somerset, England in 1788.This ring has significance because it is an object associated with a significant historical person in the history of the region of Bacchus Marsh. It is a rare, probably unique example of an 18th century mourning ring connected to the local community. It also has aesthetic value as an object and is in excellent condition.Gold ring with blue and black coloured inlay. Contains writing on the outsideWM Bacchus Esq OB: 10th JUNE 1788 Æ: 38 bacchus family, rings, william henry bacchus 1782-1849

Used by Australian Soldiers whilst on leave after WW1.Reversible map made of paper. One side has a map of Britain and Ireland printed in colour, the other has a map of the London underground as well as several advertisements. there are small tears along the fold lines.wark vc club, regiment property

The Mk 6 was issued to the British military in 1986.[3] They were known to be used in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.[4] From 1992, the Mk 6 was supplied to the UN alongside the M88, MICH and the M1 to allow for protection of peacekeeping forces. Many military forces used these helmets such as Argentina, Mexico, and most listed UN countries as stated. These were either covered with the respective country's camouflage helmet cover, or issued with a blue Mk 6 cover to indicate it as a peacekeeping helmet.[5] From June 2009, the helmet was replaced by the Mk 7 helmet.British Army combat helmet mk 6 made of ballistic nylon, painted olive green. It has a foam and leather liner and an olve green webbing harness to secure the helmet to the soldiers head. "Becca" is written in sharpie on the inside rear right of the helmet forward of the manufactures sizing and serial tag.

Since 1932 Nutbrown has been producing crafted kitchen products which were a staple in British homes. Nutbrown continues to be in production today.A vintage manual metal and plastic Chipper and French Fry Cutter with two blue turned wooden handles each side which are attached to folding crossed metal supports joined to a square frame. The frame has 36 small squares with sharp blades on the edges to cut the potatoes A yellow coloured plastic support with raised squares under the cutter holds the potato in place. This is screwed to the metal base. There are pieces of cardboard from the original packaging explaining the use.Underneath the yellow support is stamped: ' A Nutbrown Product Patented Made in England Registered design'.domestic objects, kitchen appliances, kitchen tools, vegetable cutters

"Members of the Melton Country Women’s Association branch, which had been established in 1938 just before the war, made camouflage nets and food packages, held fundraising events and sewed quilts to send to British children. All soldiers’ wives were made honorary members of the branch".Probably used during World War 2 effortwar, local special interest groups

Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring) Donor: Graham Noel During World War II when the Germans occupied the Channel Islands the local people went through very severe food rationing and were on the verge of starvation. Near the end of the war, the Swedish ship Vega was allowed by the Germans to deliver several shipments of food to the civilian population, easing the critical shortages of food on the islands. Further background detail can be found below. Graham Noel was born on the Islands and lived there during this harsh period. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Combined Division AMS Aggregate Series. First Winner: Under Capricorn, P. Bedlington 2005/06 Vega – Further historical background Early in the Second World War Jersey was declared “unarmed” and the German military took over, taking quite a few lives in the process, through strafing the main harbour and a few other places which they needlessly considered threatening. A considerable number of locals evacuated to England before the Germans arrived, but more than 60% of the population remained and endured 5 years of very strict and difficult conditions. Not only was the population unable to contact relatives in the UK or elsewhere, but very quickly they found themselves subject to harsh curfews, strictly rationed foodstuffs, no fuel for vehicles, radios confiscated, and homes and hotels commandeered by the military. The military demanded first pick of all foodstuffs and kept meticulous records of all livestock forcing farmers even to show newborn calves and piglets to them, then claiming the new arrivals for their dinner tables. However there are many stories of farmers outwitting their masters when twin calves or suchlike arrived! Lawbreakers were quickly dealt with, mostly with lengthy prison terms in Jersey, but the more serious crimes were punished by being sent to some horrible French prisons, or even some of the notorious German concentration camps. All local Jews were dispatched to concentration camps, and even English born families were similarly shipped through France and on to Germany. Sadly, a considerable number of those deported did not make it back safely to Jersey. In June 1944 the locals were delighted to hear that the Allies had invaded Normandy and very soon they could hear the battles as the Allies worked their way along the French coast. Little did they know they would still have to wait another 11 months for freedom, having to put up with a very demanding German occupation force which was still determined to obey Hitler’s order to “Defend the Channel Islands to the death”. Now that France was in Allied Hands the local military commanders were unable to supplement their food supplies from France and even harsher demands were made on the local population to ensure that all branches of their still very substantial military force were reasonably well fed. As well as the military, Jersey farmers had to provide food for the Allied POWs and the many “forced labourers”, mainly of Russian, Polish and Italian backgrounds who had been directed to the island to build all the concrete bunkers. This included an underground hospital, all this complying with Hitler’s orders to ensure that the Channel Islands would never again be part of Britain. Many requests by the Jersey authorities for Red Cross assistance were rejected, but finally in December 1944 they agreed and on 30th December the Red Cross vessel “Vega” (Swedish Registry) arrived and delivered parcels to the civilian population. These parcels contained a variety of foodstuffs supplied mainly by Canadian authorities, desperately needed medical supplies, flour, oils and soaps, as well as tobacco from New Zealand. Vega made a further 3 or 4 trips and most certainly eased the desperate situation being faced by the locals. In fact, it resulted in the locals having slightly better food supplies than the military and many local farmers tell stories of having to protect their stock from marauding soldiers. Understandably Churchill was reluctant to send in an invading force to retake the Channel Islands, but by May 1945 it was clear that the Third Reich was finished and on May 9th the German Military surrendered, without a fight, to a large British landing force. On a slightly lighter note … in January 1945 Jersey stonemasons were seen in the main town square repairing flagstones … the Germans had never noticed that the name “Vega” had been formed in those flagstones! As a side note Vega is the name of the brightest star in the universe. Furthermore, throughout the occupation, despite German law that demanded confiscation of all radio sets, punishable by long prison terms or deportation to Germany, there were still many sets being listened to. The locals had a well refined news system for the dissemination of news of what was happening in the outside world. vega, graham noel, ams, combined division, aggregate

The cuneiform envelope and accompanying letter were acquired by Aquila Dodgson in 1890. He acquired the items from the collection of a Mr Cutter with the assistance of Theodore Pinches, Keeper of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum, who went to view Mr Cutter's material at Aquila's request. The envelope was addressed by Nadin-ahi to his brothers Bil-bullit-su and Marduk-balat-su-ikbi and the letter inside concerned land contracts. This item is part of the Dodgson Collection, which was bequeathed to Queen's College in 1892 by the Rev. James Dodgson. The collection was created by Aquila Dodgson, brother of James. Aquila Dodgson was a friend of the English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, and it was through this friendship the Aquila was able to acquire ancient Egyptian artefacts. A detailed study of the collection was made by Christine Elias "Discovering Egypt: Egyptian Antiquities at the University of Melbourne", M.A. thesis 2010.Clay envelope with cuneiform inscription.cuneiform, envelope, james dodgson, aquila dodgson, flinders petrie, theodore pinches, mr cutter