This field First Aid kit is a mixture of items, some prepared for use in wartime, including World War One and some for use in peace time emergencies. The calico bag, produced by the Red Cross in Kalgoorlie, W.A., has been used by the State Emergency Service and at a later date by a scout group. The name, ‘S. Dempster’ is on the striped calico bag. Samuel Dempster was born in Ireland and was living at Panmure when he enlisted. He was attached to the 6 Ambulance training. He served from 1942-46 This is a calico shoulder bag with the shoulder strap adjustable with the use of metal clips. The bag is frayed and rusted and contains 14 items:-eight flat bandages, five safety pins, six small rolled gauze bandages, three navy blue packages of white absorbent gauze, one rolled package bandage,, rubber hose (broken), two small and one large field dressings, two shell dressings, Armed Forces shell dressing (Commonwealth of Australia), dark blue absorbent lint (yellow label), absorbent cotton wool (navy blue wrapper with red label), striped canvas bag, bottle of aqueous solution Acriflavine, two rolled bandages. ‘S.Dempster VX74418’ ‘Red Cross Society Kalgoorlie West Australia’ s. dempster, world war 2, samuel dempster, first aid kit wwii, warrnambool

English currency before decimalisation in the 1970's consisted of pounds, shillings and pence with twelve pennies to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound.Coins ranged from farthings which were one quarter of a penny through to pennies, threepence, sixpence, shillings ,half crowns and crowns. Most coins had a variety of common names such as a " bob" for a shilling a "quid for a pound and a tanner for a sixpence. This coin is the equivalent of five shillings and is known as a crown. The text around the obverse, "Victoria Dei Gratia 1844". On the reverse the text of Reg Fid Def"Britanniar translates as Queen of Britain and defender of the faith. This coin is one of the smaller denominations.A common currency coin which has social and historical significance.Round copper coin with flat edge. The The obverse has an image of the young Victoria with text around the edge.The reverse has an image of Brittania in a chariot.Dotted edge around the inside rim of both sides.BRITTANNIAR REG FID DEFon the reverse and Victoria Dei gratia on the obverse.english penny, 1854 penny

This coin was minted in the time of Queen Victoria whose young image appears on the coin. It is a bronze coin mainly composed of copper with traces of tin and zinc. From 1825 English coins were minted in countries of the Empire where they were used as currency. In 1862 pennies would have been one of the more common denominations in circulation.A common item which relates to the 19th century with historical and social significance.Round copper coloured coin with head of young woman on the obverse and the image of Brittania on the reverse. There is text around the edge of both the obverse and reverse.The rim is flat.On the obverse is 1853 with Victoria Dei Gratia. Reverse has Brittannia REG FID. DEFwarrnambool, english penny, 1853 penny

This coin was minted in the time of Queen Victoria whose young image appears on the coin. It is a bronze coin mainly composed of copper with traces of tin and zinc. From 1825 English coins were minted in countries of the Empire where they were used as currency. In 1862 pennies would have been one of the more common denominations in circulation.A common item which is well worn and as such has historical and social significance.Round copper coin with image of woman on the obverse with letters EG. F D. The reverse side is extremely worn with only the date 1862 legible.There is a small section of dotted edge also below the date.1862warrnambool, english penny

This book belonged to Pearl McCullagh whose address is given as Oak Grove (the name of the property) inYangery with the name of Illowa S. School under the address. Because of the content of the book it is presumed that the ‘S’ stands for Sabbath or Sunday and the Sunday School may have been a Presbyterian one. Yangery is situated between Woodford and Koroit and Illowa, nearby, is about 8 kilometres from Koroit and about 9 kilometres from Warrnambool. Pearl McCullagh was the daughter of Samuel James and Charlotte Jane McCullagh. She was born in 1906 and married Ernest Keen. This book is of interest because it belonged to an early 20th century resident, Pearl McCullagh who lived at Oak Grove in Yangery. This is a soft cover book of 104 pages. The cover is brown with black lettering on the front cover. The cover is crumpled and worn away in places and the pages are dog-eared. The inscription is handwritten in pencil. ‘Pearl McCullagh, Oak Grove Yangery, Illowa S. School’.pearl mccullagh, history of illowa, history of yangery, oak grove yangery

This book, an Irish spelling book with a strong religious tone, is in a very tattered state but has the name ‘Freckleton’ on it and it may have come with the first Freckleton immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool district at Port Fairy, Cooramook, Mailors Flat, Woolsthorpe, Woodford and Wangoom. The provenance of this book is unclear but it is kept because of its early printing (1844) and because of its association with the Freckleton families. This is a soft cover book of 240 pages. The cloth cover is brown with no visible markings on the front cover or spine. The pages are bound together with string and the material on the spine is almost worn away. Some of the pages are torn and very dirty and all are dog-eared. There is a grey and white illustration on the first page. The inscriptions on the first and second pages, barely legible, are handwritten in pencil and in black ink. ‘W. Freckleton, landed (?) 1857….1875….1888’ ‘…May landeth….’ freckleton families,, western district, history of warrnambool

This book, an Irish spelling book with a strong religious tone, is in a very tattered state but has the name ‘Freckleton’ on it and it may have come with the first Freckleton immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool district at Port Fairy, Cooramook, Mailors Flat, Woolsthorpe, Woodford and Wangoom. The provenance of this book is unclear but it is kept because of its early printing (1844) and because of its association with the Freckleton families. This is a soft cover book of 240 pages. The cloth cover is brown with no visible markings on the front cover or spine. The pages are bound together with string and the material on the spine is almost worn away. Some of the pages are torn and very dirty and all are dog-eared. There is a grey and white illustration on the first page. The inscriptions on the first and second pages, barely legible, are handwritten in pencil and in black ink. ‘W. Freckleton, landed (?) 1857….1875….1888’ ‘…May landeth….’ freckleton families, western district, history of warrnambool

This wooden tray has been purchased from the Warrnambool Fancy Goods shop of M. Giblett. She had taken over this shop early in the 20th century from Mrs Martha Wright who was well-known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for her shop in Liebig Street (95 Liebig Street today) and for her needlework classes in the town. Many of her pupils won prizes at the local Agricultural Shows. This tray is of some interest as an object bought at the Wright/Giblett Fancy Goods Store in Warrnambool early in the 20th century. This is a rectangular-shaped wooden tray with four raised pieces of wood attached to form edges. The tray has been painted yellow. There is a label on the base of the tray indicating the shop from where it was purchased. The tray has some chipped paint, some dirt marks and some small cracks in the wood. ‘Millinery, Art Needlework, Baby Wear and Wool Specialists, Wrights (M.I.Giblett) Warrnambool’ martha wright, warrnambool, m. giblett, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, art needlework in warrnambool

This medal has been issued to commemorate the Coronation of King George VI of England in 1937. It was issued by a department store in Warrnambool, that of Cramond and Dickson. This business was established by John Glass Cramond and James Dickson in Timor Street, Warrnambool in 1855. It moved to Liebig Street at the corner of Timor Street and sold mens and ladies wear. It had its own tailors and milliners and the building was a landmark one in Warrnambool for over 100 years. It closed in 1973. In 1937 the business of Cramond and Dickson was 82 years old. This medal is of great interest as it shows the level of fervor for British Royalty and all things British that was prevalent in Warrnambool in the 1930s. The Cramond and Dickson business was one of the most important ones in Warrnambool’s history as it operated for over 100 years. This is a silver-coloured medal commemorating the Coronation of King George VI of England. One side has the heads of King George and Queen Elizabeth surrounded by wording and the other side has the name of the Warrnambool store issuing the medal. The medal is tarnished. A piece of green string is attached to the hook at the top of the medal. ‘King George VI Queen Elizabeth Coronation 1937’ ‘Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool 1855-1937’ ‘P.J.King’ cramond and dickson, king george vi coronation, history of warrnambool

This letter has been written from France in 1917 by Private Edwin Johnson Carter to his friend Mrs Maggie Craig. It gives details of events in his life at the time – in the trenches in World War One. Private Edwin Johnson was a farmer from Nullawarre who enlisted in 1916 and served in France. He was drowned when the mail boat R.M.S. Leinster was torpedoed by a German submarine in the Irish Sea in October 1918. Private Johnson was returning from a visit to Ireland while on leave. This is an original letter from World War One It was written by a soldier from Nullawarre and has a particular poignancy as he writes: “My work brings me in contact with all that hurts in war. I am somewhat calm to it now but if I am spared to return I fear it shall be my nightmare.” He did not return but we have this letter to remind us of the horrors men such as Private Carter endured. This is an envelope containing a letter of two pages sent by a soldier on active service in France in World War One. Both the envelope and the letter are buff-coloured. The envelope has an image of an Australian Military Forces Y.M.C.A. logo, a Post Office stamp and a Censor stamp. The address is handwritten in pencil. The letter has an image of a Y.M.C.A. logo in red and black and the handwritten material is in pencil. Envelope: ‘On Active Service’ ‘Mrs Craig, Craiglea Trafalgar Victoria Australia’ Letter: ‘In the Field, France Dec 27 1917’world war one, private edwin carter, warrnambool history

This is a poster advertising an art exhibition by the Warrnambool artist, Robert Ulmann. The exhibition was held in the Naringal Hall in November/December 1982. Robert Ulmann (1927-1999) was born in Zurich, Switzerland where he studied sculpture and painting. After living in Canada for some time he came to Australia in 1969. From 1970 to 1972 he was employed by the Northern Territory Administration as a manual arts instructor to the aboriginal people of Docker River west of Uluru. He exhibited extensively in city and regional galleries and won numerous awards for his artistic works. His love of wildlife extended to his interest in the Southern Right Whale and he was greatly responsible for publicizing the annual appearance of the whales at Logans Beach in Warrnambool and protecting their environment. His studio in Warrnambool is still visited by many tourists. This poster is of interest as it concerns an art exhibition of the work of Robert Ulmann, a well-known Warrnambool artist of the 20th century. This is a sheet of white paper with black edging. It is an advertisement for a Robert Ulmann Art Exhibition. The page has a sketch of three birds with Robert Ulmann’s signature underneath. robert ulmann, history of warrnambool

This letter was written during World War One from France in 1916 by Private George McDowall to a friend Mrs Maggie Craig. Private George Francis Ernest McDowall was a farmer from Nirranda who enlisted in August 1915. He landed in Egypt in1916 and was transferred to the 8th Battalion. He was killed in action at Pozieres on 25 July 1916 and was buried in France. This letter is an original one and is an important relic from World War One – from a soldier from the Warrnambool area who did not return. The letter is headed ‘From my little dug-out in the trench in France’ and he wrote: ‘It is a great life this if one can only get through it’. He did not survive the war and was killed only two and a half months after this letter was written. This is a letter written from France in 1916 during World War One. It is handwritten in pencil on buff-coloured paper. The paper has been folded and it is a little torn at the top. The page has some staining from age and handling. world war one, private george mcdowall, warrnambool history, world war 1 soldier's letter

This is a programme for a concert put on by the Warrnambool High School students in 1927. The concert included choral items, folk dancing, a gymnasium display and two one-act plays. Warrnambool High School was established in 1907 and merged with Warrnambool North Technical School in the 1990s to form Warrnambool College. One of the performers in this concert was the Head Teacher of Warrnambool High School, Colonel George Langley. This programme is of interest as an example of the entertainment offered in Warrnambool in the 1920s by a local group. This is a one-page pink sheet of paper with black printing. The page has a black decorative border and the pink colouring has faded. The inscriptions are handwritten in blue ink. ‘1927’ ‘N. J. Absalom’ warrnambool high school, history of warrnambool

This is a program for two plays staged by The Arcadians in 1934. This drama group was originally known as the Warrnambool High School Ex-Students’ Dramatic Society and was founded in 1925 by Colonel Langley, the Head Master of Warrnambool High School and his wife, Edmee. The Arcadians drama group was still operating in 1947 and proceeds from the productions went to the Warrnambool High School, funding many school projects including a tennis court, a Senior English prize and Watson Hall. By 1934 a special project was the funding of the ‘Langley Library’. Notable among The Arcadians performers were Colonel George Langley (in the early years of the group), Horace Jones, an English teacher at the school, Syb Carpenter, Bill Earle, Mary and Ron Mack and Nancy Humm. This programme is of particular interest as an example of the plays staged by the well-known Warrnambool drama group, The Arcadians.This is a programme made of two sheets of green paper folded in two to make eight pages. The printing is in black. The sheets were originally stapled but the metal staples have been removed. The inscription is handwritten in blue ink. ‘N. J. Absalom’ the arcadians, warrnambool high school, colonel and mrs langley

This cup, saucer and plate are part of a tea set. It was given by Eva Carmichael, a survivor of the ship Loch Ard which was wrecked near Port Campbell in 1878, to Jane Shields, the young woman who supported her while she was recovering from her ordeal at Glenample homestead at Princetown. The two women remained friends after Eva Carmichael returned to her home in Britain and was married. Jane Shields also married and it was when her daughter visited Eva in England that she was given the tea set to take back home to her mother. Jane died in 1932 and Eva died in 1934 and the tea set was inherited by Jane’s daughters. In 1975 Jane’s daughter, Mrs Ann Fuller, donated a cup, saucer and plate to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The handle of the cup was mended. These items (cup, saucer and plate) are of high significance as they are closely connected to the wreck of the Loch Ard, and one of the two survivors, Eva Carmichael. Memorabilia connected to Eva Carmichael are precious and rare. These china items (cup, saucer and plate) are coloured royal blue and gold. .1 The cup has a gilt rim on the cup edge and base. There is a small crack on the side of the cup and the handle has been broken and mended. .2 The saucer is glazed on both sides with a small fault in the middle. It has a gilt band on the inner rim. .3 The plate is glazed on both sides with some evidence of scratching on the plate surface. It has a gilt edge. wreck of the loch ard, jane osborne (nee shields), eva carmichael, shipwreck coast history, bone china cup saucer and plate

This book is a text book for senior students used at St. Joseph’s School, Warrnambool in 1891. A Catholic School was first established in Warrnambool in Kelp Street in the 1850s and later this school became Common School Number 680 situated in Kepler Street. This school was known as St. Joseph’s School after 1876 and was re-located to Lava Street in 1935. Today St. Joseph’s Primary School is located in Botanic Road, Warrnambool. The Kepler Street school building that would have been the one Minnie Beatie attended is still existing No confirmed information has been found on Minnie Beatie but there was a Mary Beatie who was born in Warrnambool in 1875 to Michael and Margaret Beatie and this may be Minnie who owned the text book. This book is of interest as an example of a science text book used in Warrnambool in the late 19th century. It is associated specifically with St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Warrnambool and with Minnie Beatie. This is a hard cover book of 144 pages. It has a red cover with red lettering on a black background on the front cover and black lettering on the spine. Inside the front and back covers is information on other books published by Blackie and Son. There are two pages of colour illustrations and many black and white illustrations. The cover is a little stained. The inscriptions are handwritten in blue ink. ‘Minnie Beattie St Josephs School Warrnambool 1891’ st. joseph’s catholic school, warrnambool, minnie beattie, animal physiology

This book contains passages from literature for use in the teaching of Pitman’s shorthand. Isaac Pitman (1813-1897) was an English educator who invented in 1837 the shorthand system named after him. Pitman’s shorthand was the most widely used shorthand system in the 19th century and early to mid 20th century. Pupils studying commercial subjects learned Pitman’s shorthand until it was replaced in the second half of the 20th century in Victorian State schools by Dacomb’s shorthand system. No information has been found on D. Vickers.This book is of interest as an example of the type of shorthand tcxt books used early in the 20th century. It is useful for display.This is a soft cover book of 63 pages. It has a green cover with blue binding and black printing on the front cover with a printed signature of Isaac Pitman enclosed by an ornamental border. The back page has printed information about other Isaac Pitman books. The front cover has a circular black and green label pasted on. The pages are slightly detached from the binding. The inscription is handwritten in black ink and pencil.‘D.McK. Vickers’ pitman’s shorthand, history of education

This is a Latin text book for pupils studying for the Matriculation examinations in 1899 and 1900. It was used by Lizzie Stanley at the convent school in Warrnambool This school was established in 1872 and was at first known as the Convent of Mercy, Wyton and, after 1888, St. Ann’s Convent School. In 1991 it merged with the Warrrnambool Christian Brothers’ College to become Emmanuel College. Lizzie Stanley is believed to be Elizabeth Stanley, born in 1883 with her parents John Shaw and Marie Stanley. Her father, a writer, mathematician and chess player, was well-known in Warrnambool as the founder and Head Master of Warrnambool Grammar School (1879-1900). This text book has at some stage been in the collection of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and Subscription Library were established in Warrnambool in 1854 and a Free Library was operating in the Mechanics’ Institute building from the 1870s on. The Mechanics’ Institute building was demolished in 1975 and the library collection was housed in the new library opened in 1976. In 2006 the old Mechanics’ Institute library was re-housed at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, Warrnambool and it is not known exactly when this text book was removed from the collection. This book is of considerable interest as it has connections to Warrnambool student, Lizzie Stanley, the Warrnambool Convent school and the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library.This is a hard cover book of 162 pages. It has a blue cover with black lettering. There are two library labels pasted in, one at the front and one at the back and a library sticker on the spine. The inscription is handwritten in black ink and there are also some notes written at the back in pencil. The cover is stained and the spine is much faded. ‘Lizzie Stanley Convent Warrnambool’ The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library’ ‘Warrnambool Public Library’ lizzie stanley, warrnambool mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool public library

This book was a prize given to Arthur Rogers in 1928. Arthur George (Bill) Rogers was the grandson of Joseph Rogers, a Warrnambool plumber and the son of Arthur and Agnes Rogers of Warrnambool. He worked in the advertising department of the Warrnambool Standard newspaper for nearly 50 years and died in 1995. It is presumed that the school that awarded the prize was South Warrnambool State School No. 1902. This school was established in 1877 with the first Head Teacher, Mrs Eliza Clarke. It was closed in 1994. The donor of the prize was South Warrnambool Football Club. This club was established in 1902 and has competed in the Hampden Football League since 1933. It is a successful club with many of its players going on to play in A.F.L./V.F.L teams. This book is of interest because of its 1920s connection to the South Warrnambool State School, the South Warrnambool Football Club and a local South Warrnambool resident, Bill RogersThis is a hard cover book of 196 pages. The cover is multi-coloured with an image of scouts on top of a hill with their encampment beneath. The lettering is white. The dust cover has the same illustration and is rubbed at the edges and partly torn away at the top left edge. It also shows some silverfish damage. It has a protective plastic cover. The book has one full page colour illustrations and many black and white illustrations and sketches. The book has 20 stories or articles. The inscription is handwritten in black ink.‘Grade IV First Prize Awarded to Arthur Rogers by the South Warrnambool Football Club December 1928 A.S.James Head Teacher’ south warrnambool state school, south warrnambool football club, bill rogers, south warrnambool

This is a book by Jean McDonald (nee Henderson) telling of her childhood experiences. Born in 1924 Jean McDonald was one of seven children who grew up at Rivery Park, a dairy farm in Grassmere in the 1930s and 40s. She went to school in Cooramook and Warrnambool. This book is of interest as it describes the life of Jean McDonald in Grassmere. It is an important social history of the life and times of a local woman. This is a soft cover book of 189 pages. The front cover has a coloured photograph of three children near a stream and the back cover has an extract from the book and some comments on it. The book contains ten chapters and many black and white photographs. ‘M. Jansen’ jean mcdonald, grassmere, cooramook, rural life in the western district

This is the revised edition of the book, For King & Country by Ron Blair and James Affleck. It contains information on the World War One enlistments from Warrnambool and district. Both Ron Blair and James Affleck are researchers and writers of Australian military history, especially in relation to enlistment and service records of those who took part in World Wars One and Two.This book is an important one as it gives details of World War One enlistments and service records of those local people who served in this war. It is a valuable research tool for writers, researchers and descendants of those who served in the war. This is a soft cover book of 270 pages. The cover is blue with yellow lettering.The front cover has a colour photograph of the Warrnambool War Memorial and the back cover has a colour photograph of the Honour Board at Christ Church, Warrnambool. The book has Acknowledgements and Introductions, an Index, a Foreword, four Chapters and five Appendices, Honour Rolls, Poetry and Tables. There are many colour and black and white photographs and illustrations. world war one, western district military history, warrnambool war memorial, james affleck, ron blair

This booklet of poems has been compiled by Thomas Terrington. Born in 1897 Tom Terrington worked at dairying, fencing, carpentering and woodcutting before taking over the Framlingham store when he was in his forties. He was a scholarly person with a wide knowledge of English literature. He was a well-known local poet and a member of the Australian Poetry Lovers’ Society. He wrote extensively on local history and his unpublished ‘History of Framlingham’ is in the State Library. Framlingham is a small settlement 25 kilometres north east of Warrnambool. This booklet is of interest as it contains some of the poems written by Tom Terrington, an important resident of Framlingham in the 20th century. This is a soft cover book of 24 pages. The cover is green with black decorative borders and black binding. The pages have black printing on green paper. The last few pages are missing. The cover is faded and a little torn. There are ornamental scrolls and patterns in black throughout the pages. tom terrington, history of framlingham

This box is a decorative item made to be used in the household. It could have held cigars or jewellery items. This box has been an attractive item but it has no known local provenance. It will be useful for display. This is a rectangular-shaped wooden box which has been reinforced with metal inserts. It has metal hinges and a locking mechanism with a keyhole lined with metal. There is no key. The box is completely covered, except for the base, with inlaid material consisting of small black pieces and triangular-shaped white pieces, possibly bone. The inlaid material forms a decorative pattern around the box. Portions of the decoration are missing and some other parts broken away. history of warrnambool, household items, cigar box

This is an earthenware mug made by Ken Sadler in 1997. In 1972 he established the Potters’s Wheel, a pottery business in Liebig Street, Warrnambool and conducted this business for many years. It is presumed that mugs such as this one would be made to order with the requested name added to the side of the mug. This mug is of interest as a memento of the work and business of the Warrnambool potter, Ken Sadler. This is a ceramic mug with a brown and orange glaze. On one side it has the name ‘Graham’ in white and brown glazing. The name of the maker is on the base. ‘Graham’ ‘Sadler 97 Warrnambool’ ken sadler, potter, history of warrnambool

Bushfield is situated on the outskirts of Warrnambool . The local Bushfield recreation reserve has been home to a number of local football and cricket clubs which play in various leagues in the Warrnambool district. Litle could be The Bushfield Cricket club has possibly been combined with another local team It is home to the Woodford Cricket Club which is the closest club to Bushfield and which uses the Bushfield oval as its home ground. It is a member of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association. We have little information on Stan Sharkey who was obviously associated with the club in the late 1970's.Cricket is an important part of sporting life in Australia and especially in country regions where clubs often form part of the social network of the towns and districts. They rely heavily on the contributions of volunteers such as Stan Sharkey to operate. Many have recorded their histories through the years but nothing could be found on the Bushfield club.Oblong stainless steel tray with rounded corners . It has ornate handles screwed into either end , a raised lip around all sides and a circular brushed pattern on the flat surface of the tray. There is an inscription in the centre of the tray.Engraved in centre of tray," Stan Sharkey. In appreciation of servicesfor season 1978-79. From President & Players Bushfield Cricket Club."Marked stainless steel on back.warrnambool, bushfield, bushfield cricket club

This is a high-quality item and would have been used in a household in affluent circumstances. The firm of James Dixon and Sons of Sheffield, England, was established in 1806 and ceased to operate in 1992. Candles were widely used for household lighting until the advent and availability of electric lighting from the 1920s onwards. This item has no known local provenance but is retained because it is fine example of a household item of the past.This is an electro-plated silver candlestick holder. The base is roughly circular (more hexagonal) with an embossed edge and a handle attached by welding. The candlestick holder is vase-shaped with a circular open top for inserting the candle. The circular top also has an embossed edge. Attached to the handle by a clip is a cone-shaped snuffer. The candle holder and snuffer have been used. On the bottom of the base are the name and symbol of the maker and five hallmarks. ‘Jas Dixon & Sons Sheffield’ ‘866 P W/B’ household lighting, history of warrnambool, silver candlestick, candlestick with snuffer

This is a standard British Army Pigeon Service Message Book which was issued to Australian Army units during World War One. This Pigeon Service Message Book has no known local provenance but it is a very interesting memento of World War One.This is a British Army Pigeon Service Message Book which consists of a number of sheets of paper stapled into a cardboard cover protected with black leatherette. The writing on the front cover is stencilled in white. The ends of the cover are held together by a black elastic strap. The strap has now lost its elasticity. Inside the front cover is a printed sheet indicating the use of the book and the care of the pigeons. There are two leatherette tubes attached to the back cover which would have held writing implements. The book material consists of a top sheet printed with space for the message details, and sheets of carbon paper for two copies of the message. There is a piece of cardboard backing the carbon paper. None of the message pages has been used. The staples have rusted and the sides of the paper material are stained. The cover is a little crumpled and dirty. ‘Army Book 418’ ‘Pigeon Service Message Book’ world war one, british army pigeon service message book

These little tins were available for soldiers to buy before embarking to the first world war. As the candles and matches are contained within the tin , it would have been a ideal way to keep both dry. The lid of the tin could also have been useful as a windshield. The tin was donated in memory of Les Lawlor. James Leslie Lawlor was born in Mepunga and lived in Warrnambool and enlisted in October 1916. He was discharged as medically unfit as he had broken his wrist three years previously and the break had failed to heal well. The tin was donated in his memory by his sister Vera Maguire This item with its link to World War 1 soldiers has historical significance to Australians in general but is also a link to a local family. It is a complete object still with the candles and matches. Small rectangular tin box with image of three soldiers and tents in the background. Brown and yellow check pattern on sides and bottom. Small round hole in bottom with metal rim inside the tin , in which a candle would be placed. There are two small candles and a rectangular section in which a box of matches in sitting. Hinged lid.On lid," Camp pocket Candlestick. A soldier's friend. On base " Patented 19/7-15 No 16856." On tape on the bottom of tin, " Would like this to go to the historical society in memory of Les Lawlor, Vera Maguire.warrnambool, james leslie lawlor, vera maguire, camp pocket candlestick, world war 1

This child’s wash board, a play item, is possibly home-made. Wash boards for rubbing and washing clothes were common household clothes- washing items in Australia until the mid 20th century, along with wood coppers, washing troughs, copper sticks and simple wringers. By the 1950s and 60s washing machines were becoming more prevalent and the wash board was no longer a common item in households. This item is retained as an interesting example of a twentieth Century child's toy.This is a rectangular-shaped unpainted wooden wash board with clear rippled glass inserted in the centre and held in by four metal screws. The top of the board has a piece of the wood missing. household items, children’s toys

A darning mushroom such as this was a common household item in Australia up to the 1950s. Socks were mostly made of wool and when holes appeared, (particularly in the heel) they had to be darned, usually in a criss-cross pattern. The darning mushroom gave the darner a good smooth and stable surface. Many of these darning tools were homemade. The darner could also have been used to mend torn sleeves or other items of clothing. Some people may still use a darning mushroom today but in general socks are not darned but disposed of when holes appear. This darning mushroom has no known local provenance but it is a good example of a household item of times past. This is a light-coloured wooden darning tool. The mushroom-shaped top is attached to a handle which is elongated at the bottom end and has a slight ridge near the base and a small hole at the end. There are some pit marks on the top surface. darning mushroom, social history, history of warrnambool