Showing 6912 items
matching british
-
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - ACC LOCK COLLECTION : SUPPLY TANK NEAR VILLERS BRETONNEUX, POSTCARD, BRITISH MADE, 1914-1918
Postcard, WW1, B&W image of a British supply tank near Villers Bretonneux. The word 'SUPPLY' written on side of tank. Several rolls of barbed wire heaped up in left foreground. Copy A39postcard, postcard, ww1, france, tank, villers bretonneux, barbed wire. -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
WW1 Ribbon Bar Medal trio, 1915-1920
WW1 ribbon bar belonging to Adde Cooper Soldier from Chiltern, service number 5002. WW1 Ribbon bar (trio) belonged to Adde Cooper, a,soldier from chiltern in the WW1 Campaign.WW1 Ribbon Bar belonging to Adde Cooper. Consists of : 1914-1920 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Metal bar at the back with two studs for attachment to uniform above pocket (left side). chiltern, chiltern shire honor roll, ww1 -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Postcard
Also a colour photograph of Honour Board at Lake Entrance State School bearing TJ Tommy Moores's name 04894.1Black and white postcard of grave of WW 1 soldier Tommy Moore 1579 22nd Btn 2nd AFA who died 5 November 1916 in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery Montauban Picardie Franceworld war 1914-1918 aif -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Ribbon, Australia Day, July 1915, 1915
The ribbon is a souvenir of the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. This was not the celebration of nationhood as we know it today, but a national fundraising effort during World War I. Across Australia, this day was set aside for fundraising to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI. In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and the collection of donations. There was also a stall outside the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys and souvenirs. Mrs Surman, then Stella Todd, was one of this group of girls, along with her sister Millie Todd. (See photograph, Registration no. 055.) Presumably the souvenir ribbon was purchased by one of the Todd family on this day.Small white-blue silk ribbon. Printed - black writing - flags - Australia and Britain. Map of Australia. This ribbon was part of a collection of historical items belonging to Mrs. Stella Surman (formerly Stella Todd), of Linton."Australia-Day-1915" "Remember Australia's Heroes"australia day 1915, world war 1914-1918, souvenirs -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Religious Book, Oxford University Press, The Holy Bible, 1859
Young Henry Pitts sailed from Liverpool, England, in about October 1860, on a ship called the 'British Trident'. About three months later, on January 7th 1861, he arrived in Sydney, Australia. While he travelled from one side of the world to the other, Henry attended lessons on the ship with his onboard teacher, Joseph Benton. On the day before the ship arrived at Sydney, Henry was given a Holy Bible by his teacher. The small black book had a hardcover and many printed pages of very thin paper. Henry must have felt special when he read his teacher’s beautifully written message that said the gift was a ‘mark of respect’ towards Henry. Maybe Mr Benton taught Henry to write with a pen and ink because Henry wrote his name several times inside the front of the book and again below his teacher’s message. Henry may have even learned to read from a Bible, which many passengers included in their luggage. The immigrants on board the British Trident were mostly new arrivals to Australia. Like Henry, they planned to make Australia their new home. Many also hoped to find work in this new country. Some passengers had family and friends waiting for them, people who deposited money towards their trip. Henry’s relative, Charles Pitts, had helped him pay for the ship’s passage, and William Oberthan paid money towards Joseph Benton’s fare. He may have planned for Joseph to work as a teacher in Australia. The Single Females were allowed to leave the ship the day after it docked at Sydney, but the Families and Single Men, including Henry and Joseph, had to stay onboard until Thursday. This Holy Bible is significant for its age, as it was published in 1859. The inscriptions within this small Bible are significant as they show that during a ship's voyage passengers had the opportunity to teach and to learn. They also show a relationship of encouragement had been built between the teacher and pupil. The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated out of the original tongues: and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's Special Command. approved to be read in churches. Publisher and printed at the Oxford University Press, Sold by E. Gardner and Son, at the Oxford Bible Warehouse, Paternoster Row, London; and by J. and C. Mozley, Derby. Date: 1859 (in Roman Numerals) Handwritten black ink inscriptions are inside the front and back covers. The book once belonged to Henry Pitts and was presented to him by Joseph Benton in 1861.Front left side: " H Pitts H Pitts / - - - - - - of this Book / C - - - - - - - - -K " Front right side: "Given / to / Henry Pitts / As / A Mark of Respect / From / His Teacher on Board / the / British Trident / January 6th 1861 / Joseph Benton" "Henry" Back left: (indecipherable character)warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, holy bible, henry pitts, joseph benton, immigrant ship, 1861, single male, single female, charles pitts, william oberthan, british trident, hyde partk -
Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre
manuel telephone exchange
A manual telephone exchange, manufactured by British Ericson, History Originally in use at Cohuna. When Cohuna was converted to automatic dialing this exchange was relocated to Harcourt, to become the third and last in a bank of three exchanges. At this time Harcourt exchange was expanded to 260 lines. It was connected to the district central exchange at Castlemaine. Operated by mains power with battery back-up. Harcourt exchange was operated by Betty McLean, Miss Mitchell, Josie Hogarth, Mr. & Mrs. Heighway, Bill & Valerie Milford, Irene Bolitho and others. Decommissioned approx. 1970. Incoming calls prompted the fall of a shutter. The operator made the connection by plugging the line into the number requested. While responding to calls the operator needed her hands free to jot down the billing particulars or to write out each telegram. Nearby stood pigeonholes with various items of stationary. Many telegrams were received each day, particularly advising fruit growers on interstate markets. Most telegrams were phoned through by the operator. This exchange was restored in 2004 - 2005 by Trevor Grant.. Many people relate to this exchange. It is a survivor of the pre-electronic era when ‘telephonist’ was a common occupation. A vital element in the communications between households and between district orchardists and their suppliers and clients.A manual telephone exchange, manufactured by British Ericson complete with operator hands-free headset/earphones and speaker mouthpiece. Wooden case with one hundred shutters and sockets. Accommodates twelve lines with extension leads with associated switches. Operated by mains power with battery back-up. Decommissioned approx. 1970. Incoming calls prompted the fall of a shutter. The operator made the connection by plugging the line into the number requested. This exchange was restored in 2004 - 2005 by Trevor Grant. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS, BRITISH, 1931- 1934
Listed on photograph storage folder - handwritten in blue ink "MRS M MURPHY/ RE GOULDING" Photographs - three original black and white photographs on photo paper. 1. British troops on Parade with building and trees in background. On cardboard mount - grey colour. Photograph title above in white ink. Maker's stamp bottom right and on back with production number. 2. British - group portrait, HQ troops with Trophy and five silver cups, on cardboard mount - beige with grey printed frame. Production number on back. 3. Building - possibly a temple in Calcutta. On cardboard mount - off white colour.1. Photograph title - handwritten in white ink - "1st Bn. 60th RIFLES CALCUTTA/ 1931-34/ CELER-ET-AUDAX" Makers stamp - blue ink (front) "Edna Lorenz/ CALCUTTA" . (back) "EDNA LORENZ/ 20 PARK STREET/ CALCUTTA/ No". Production number (grey lead) "54392A". 2. On back - production number - grey lead pencil "6365.7".photographs, calcutta, 1st bn 60th rifles -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MINING WARDEN COLLECTION: BENDIGO HISTORICAL MINING RECORDS
Historical records originally from the Mining Warden's Office, Mines Department, Bendigo. Information collated from 1870's to 1980's. A summary document lists the BEN# from 3407 to 3532 and describes the mine name; the BEN#, the line of reef located on, the start and end year. Individual mine data is enclosed in a manilla folder within the box. Reef lines listed are: Nell Gwynne British and Foreign Napoleon Sample entry: Combes, 3445.01, British and Foreign reef line, 1888 to 1889.bendigo, mining, mining warden records -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, British War medal, post 1918 (estimated) Replica Victory medal post 2000
... British War medal, post 1918 (estimated) Replica Victory ...James Henry Wicks, Regt No 4626 enlisted in 14th Reinforcements to the 7th Battalian AIF on 12.7.15 age 40 years 8 months. Embarked for Eygpt 28.1.16, transfered to 57th Batt 2.4.16, embarked for France 17.6.16, transfer to 15 MG Coy 27.7.16, discharged from the AIF on 22.8.19. Refer 2060.2 re his brother Francis Charles Wicks KIA.Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re J.H Wicks. 1. 1914-15 Star. 2. War medal 1914-19, replica not engraved."4626 Pte J.H Wicks 7 BN A.I.F"medals, military -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Grinder / Pounding Stone, Dhudhuroa language Aboriginal tribe, pre British/European colonisation
... pre British/European colonisation ...This stone Grinder or pounder was used as part of an indigenous grinding food preparation method, by the original inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and its region. In conjunction with its grinding stone was used not only to grind seeds and but also to dig up eatable roots and leaves and served with the regions Bogong moth. This method of food preparation has survived in its basic form for centuries and is still used by master chiefs in modern eateries. This item has been registered with Aboriginal Affairs in Wangaratta, Victoria. Dhudhuroa elder Alan Murray has examined this tool, in Feb 2015, and said it was also used for sharpening axe heads as well as pounding food items. This item has a very significant historical and social aspect to it. Firstly it demonstrates the division of labour within a indigenous tribe. It was an era when the female had a definitive role within the family and the broader social indigenous tribal group of, gathering and preparing non animal(hunted) food. Hunted food was the domain of the initiated males of the tribe.Secondly it demonstrates the ability to fashion implements from raw materials(rock) into effective tools for the purpose of preparing a meal for human consumption. This was in an era where inter family and intra family participation in an indigenous tribal social protective environment was at a very high level. The Kiewa Valley/Mount Bogong region was an area where annual "get together" indigenous tribes for feasting, bartering and settling of disputes highlighting the importance of a regional gathering. Grooved stone, carved to a cylindrical shape with a relative pointed end tip one side (grinding or pounding end) and a rough other end (holding end} Made from Rhyolite stoneThere is a worn grove in the top side due to this tool being used for axe sharpening. indigenous, aboriginal, stone grinding, meal preparation, natural environment, pounding stone -
Bendigo Military Museum
Magazine - HISTORY OF EIGHTH ARMY, His Majesty's Stationery Office, The Eighth Army, 1944
History of the Eighth Army from Sept 41 - Jan 43. Covered it's glory years of defeating the Axis Forces in North Africa.Well worn Magazine, Titled "The 8th Army". Picture of British Soldier on front smiling and picture of 3 soldiers on back in an armoured vehicle in a desert scene. Contents covered the actions of The 8th Army in the battles of North Africa.Titled "The Eighth Army" Inside written "J. Reeves, 19 Alphinall St. B/Head, Cheshire"8th army, north africa, ww2, magazine -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - ARABIC TRANSLATION BOOK, Mohamed.M.Matar, Printing Office, 1915
The contents are written in chapters that a soldier might find usefulPocket book, The British Soldiers Colloquial Arabic guide, 36 pages held by one large staple, cover light brown printed in black, rear cover has a red ensign emblem with a white swan over.On front cover in black pen, “See pages 14 & 35”translation, english - arabic -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - SHIRE CERTIFICATE, FRAMED, 1.4.1946
The President, Councillors & Ratepayers of The Shire of Marong desire you to accept this Certificate in appreciation of your services for our country & Empire and extend to you the grateful thanks of this Municipality. Desmond Basil Pocock No VX66853 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 3.12.1941 age 21 years. At discharge on 30.1.1945 he was a Pte in 6th Aust Hospial laundry. Printed Certificate in colours of yellow, red, pale green on white background with Rising Sun emblem, British & Australian flags & red seal of Shire of Marong. Glass & gold coloured frame. Waxed paper on back of frame.Presented to "DESMOND B POCOCK"certificates, shire, marong, -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - HELMET - RAAF, c. WW2
Helmet issued to John Charles Dean No 144278 RAAF. He enlisted on 26.8.43 aged 18 years and was a LAC in 78 Sqd RAAF. He was discharged from the RAAF on 13.3.46.British designed steel helmet painted a khaki colour. The chin strap is made of light khaki coloured cotton webbing and is secured with an adjustable brass buckle. The liner is black coloured and coated canvas with rubber padding on the crown.On the underside of the rim in black handwriting: 'LAC Dean JC/144278/RAAF'uniforms - raaf, helmet, headwear -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDALS VARIOUS, 1939 - 45, 1950 - 53
.1) Canadian. Voluntary Service medal with bar. British War Medal. 1939 - 1945. .2) Greek. 1950 - 1953 Service Medal Korea .3) Greek. 1950 - 1953 U.N. Medal Korea with bar "KOREA"numismatics - medals, military - army, canada, britain, greece -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Equipment - Gun Sight
WW II British Gun Sight 'Telescopic Bearing' Brass barrel with tops lens for sighting (missing lens cap on barrel) Originally on a circular metal base plate, most of which has been cut off(T)EL BEARING No 10 MK I (imprinted on underside of base plate; other inscriptions on base plate of original article missing from this item) ("T" missing as a result of base plate cutaway) -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: THE CHAIRMAN'S GUIDE & SECRETARY'S COMPANION
Book; cover missing, edges taped. 'The Chairman's Guide & Secretary's Companion' by Henry Frith. E. W. Cole Melbourne Vic. Printed in Great Britain. J. Stanistreet Jr. Charing Cross Bendigo handwritten on flyleaf.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETorganisation, industry, mines & mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - GERTRUDE PERRY COLLECTION: CARDS FROM JAPAN, 1946
Document. 2 cards sent to Gertrude Perry from Doreen Moore serving in Japan for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. R.A.A.F. One hand painted Japanese rural scene. One postcard of Tokyo. Plus envelopes.organization, military, air force, gertrude perry collection, cards from japan, moore doreen, british commonwealth occupation force r.a.a.f. -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Former New Great Britain Hotel, Stokes Street, Port Melbourne, 1996
the former hotel is now a private homeFrom a group of three panoramic colour photos taken c1996: former New Great Britain Hotel at 199 Stokes Street, workmen preparing surface prior to painting it off-white. Portion of 201 Stokes at right.built environment - domestic, hotels, new great britain hotel, built environment - commercial, stokes street -
Geelong Naval and Maritime Museum
Medal - Medals, Various
5 medals commemorating the service of Charles "Tug" Wilson. Charles "Tug" Wilson was born 20th December 1894 in Stonehouse, Devon. He served in the Royal Navy from 1914 to 1919 on the HMS Vivid, HMS Europa, HMAS Platypus, HMS Apollo and HMAS Powerful. He continued to serve in the navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant commander before his retirement sometime after the Second World War.5 medals of Charles Wilson Medals left to right OBE, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australian Service Medal 14 x 9 cmwwi, charles "tug" wilson -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Frank Fisher & Army Group, C. late 1940s
Frank Fisher was Real Estate Agent in Blackburn.Black and white photo of Frank Fisher, Army Warrant Officer left standing among Army Officers. In centre of group is Commanding Officer, Lt. Gen. Sir Horace Robertson of British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan).fisher, frank, bruce -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
British Hotchkiss-Nordenfelt 37mm projectile, Believe circa 1914
British Hotchkiss/Nordenfelt 37mm Armour piecing high explosive with base fuse projectile.(APHE) This is links for more information-: http://oldbritishguns.com/the-37mm-hotchkiss-revolving-cannon- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armor-piercing_shell#First_World_War_eraN89 N We believe these were the inspection numbers. -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Award - Medals & Badges
Early RSL Badge and Military Medals Awarded. British War Medal. Victory Medal 1914 - 1919. !939 - 45 Star. Pacific Star. 1939 - 1945 War Medal. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945. 1919 on Crown 98109 on back. Later Badge with 85 Crown. Liberty & Justice Medallion. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: SMALL BIBLE, NEW TESTAMENT, 1900s
LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: SMALL BIBLE, NEW TESTAMENT The new testament. Printed: Oxford: Printed at the University Press for the British and Foreign Bible society. In pencil: Jessie Anderson, Bright Street Eaglehawk Writing in ink: Agnes ???bendigo, history -
Tennis Australia
Book, Post 1953
Book: 'Lawn Tennis', from the series 'British Sports - Past & Present', 241 pages. Hardcover with duskjacket. Clear plastic dustjacket cover. Edition uncertain (first published 1953). Materials: Paper, Ink, Cardboard, Plastictennis -
Melbourne Athenaeum Archives
Theatre program, Cass & Sons, The Interrupted Honeymoon / Doctor Syn (films) shown at the Athenaeum Theatre in 1937, 1937
The two films screened were produced by the British company Gaumont-British Dominions. Frank Talbot, who leased the Athenaeum Theatre, made an agreement in 1932 with the British company to show British movies exclusively at the Athenaeum Theatre, the first agreement of this kind to be made in the world. Paper program for two films shown at the Athenaeum Theatre commencing Friday 3rd December 1937athenaeum theatre, program, programme, the interrupted honeymoon, doctor syn, frank talbot pty ltd, british dominions films ltd, cecil parkes' strad trio, australian movietone news reel, gaumont british news reel, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, the interrupted honeymoon, doctor syn, frank talbot pty ltd, british dominions films ltd, cecil parkes' strad trio, australian movietone news reel, gaumont british news reel -
Federation University Historical Collection
Programme, National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain - The Welsh Regional Qualifying Finals, 1968, 17/2/1968
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.A printed programme of the Welsh Regional Qualifying Finals for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The front cover is blue, grey and white, whilst the rest is printed in black and white. On the page containing 'Third Section', there is a brief biography of Frank Wright's musical achievements as he is the adjudicator for this section. Inside the front cover is note from Vaughan Morris confirming a meeting at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.Written in blue pen on a With Compliments slip - See you Brangwyn Hall at 12:15pm Saturday 17th Feb: Bring the Test Pieces with you!frank wright, national brass band championships of great britain, brass bands, adjudicator, vaughan morris, ballarat soldiers’ memorial band, percy code -
Federation University Historical Collection
Correspondence, E. Vaughan Morris, National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain to Frank Wright, 1967, mid 1967
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.1).Typed letter on National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain letterhead, acknowledging the receipt of a letter and newspaper clippings from Frank Wright regarding band concerts at Royal Albert Hall. 2). Newspaper clipping from the Sun Telegraph on 2/7/1967 about 'Park Music' 3). Newspaper clipping from the Sunday Times on 14/5/1967 entitled 'The Lew Grade of the GLC'1). Typed Letter and signature 2). Written in pen on the front - Sun Telegraph 2.7.67 3). Written in pen on the front - Sunday Times 14 May 67frank wright, e vaughan morris, conductor, london parks, royal albert hall -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Craft - Ship Model, Sovereign of the Seas, Made between 1930-1955
This meticulously hand crafted ship model is one of the most intricate and challenging projects for a ship modeller to create. Jim Williams took up the challenge, choosing to make all of the components by hand, following a plan of the ship rather than purchasing a pre-made kit. He even made his own tools specifically for working with this model. The “Sovereign of the Seas” 1637-1697 - The magnificent ship “Sovereign of the Seas” was ordered by Charles I of England, who desired a giant Great Ship to be built. It was built by Peter Pett under the guidance of his father Phineas, the King's master shipwright, and launched with 102-guns at Woolwich Dockyard on 13th October 1637, as the Navy’s second three-decker first-rate ship. It was the most extravagantly decorated warship in the Royal Navy, bought with the help of a special 'Ship Money' tax imposed by the King. Soon afterwards the ship was remodelled and cut down to a safer and faster ship. Over the ship’s lifetime it was renamed “Commonwealth”, then in 1650 it became simply “Sovereign” then again after a rebuild in 1660 it was named “Royal Sovereign”. By 1642 the ship’s armament had been reduced to 90 guns. In 1651 Sovereign was made more manoeuvrable by reducing the upper works. It served throughout the wars of the Commonwealth and became the flagship of General Robert Blake. It was involved in all of the great English naval conflicts fought against the United Provinces and France and was referred to as 'The Golden Devil' by the Dutch. By 1660 the armament was changed attain to 100 guns. After the English Restoration, it was rebuilt as a first-rate ship of the line, with flatter gun decks and 100 guns, and most of the carvings were removed. During the First Anglo-Dutch War, in a secret session on 21 October 1652, the States-General of the Netherlands announced reward money for the crews of fire ships that succeeded in destroying enemy vessels; the Sovereign was singled out with an extra prize of 3000 guilders to sink or ruin it. Although repeatedly occupied by the Dutch, the Sovereign was retaken every time by the British and remained in service for nearly sixty years as the best ship in the English fleet. The Sovereign was in regular service during the three Anglo-Dutch Wars, surviving the Raid on the Medway in 1667. After a second rebuild in 1685 the Sovereign was relaunched as a first-rate ship of 100 guns, before taking part in the outset of the War of the Grand Alliance against Louis XIV of France, venturing into the Irish Sea, and later participating in the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690 and the Battle of La Hougue. At this time she was more than fifty years old. It was the first ship in history to fly ‘royals’ above the topgallant sails and a top gallant sail on the jigger-mast. The Sovereign eventually became leaky and defective with age and was laid up at Chatham when, on 27th January 1697, the famous ship caught fire, burning to the waterline. Jim Williams, the model’s maker - Jim (James Bernard) Williams was born in 1888 at The Forth in Scotland. He lived in Tasmania for some time and enlisted to fight in France in WW1. After the war he moved to Warrnambool, Victoria, where he worked at the Cramond & Dickson clothing store until the Great Depression in the 1930’s. He was later employed at Fletcher Jones Menswear, where he worked for 27 years until just before his death in 1959. Jim was a passionate ship model builder. He worked on his model ships between 1930 and 1955, including The Endeavour and The Sovereign of the Seas, which was one of the most intricate historic ship models to build. He had a table set up in a bay window and worked on them on and off using a jeweller's eye glass on the finer pieces. Jim’s long-time employer, Fletcher Jones, knew of Jim’s hobby and skill as a ship model builder and requested Jim to describe the model, Sovereign of the Seas, with the view of putting it on display. When the model was finished there was a full article and photo in The Standard newspaper. Jim described his work on the ship mode “Sovereign of the Seas” in correspondence to his then employer, Fletcher Jones. The document gives us an insight into his skill, patience, and regard for replicating the details of the original ship. Some of the details are: "In making the model the time taken to make certain items might be of interest. For instance "The Great Lantern" on the stern, four weeks, a similar time for the figurehead of St George & the Dragon. "The lower shrouds three to each side about six weeks & the rigging as whole several months. There are nearly 300 blocks and pulleys ranging from nearly 1 / 16 inch in diameter. Dead eyes were bored with 3 to 5 holes. To do this needles of different sizes, set in handles & ground to wedge ends were used. Glass cut and ground to shape were used windows. All gun-port covers (74) hinged. "All guns and anchors made of wood. Nothing for the model was purchased ready-made; everything hand made." Jim’s family donated the ship model along with many associated tools, accessories and papers. The model represents the Sovereign of the Seas. The Royal Navy ship of the line launched in 1637 has a significant British maritime heritage. These days the Sovereign of the Seas still remains one of the most intricate historic ship models to build, representing to the model enthusiast a true challenge to the art of model shipbuilding. The model of Sovereign of the Seas in Flagstaff Hill's collection is an exemplary example of a ship model built and hand crafted from a plan with the making of every item on the model, not a model kit with prefabricated parts. It was made by a local Warrnambool man Jim Williams as a leisure activity in the mid 20th century. The hobby and craft of ship model making has resulted in visual representations of the changes in maritime technology and advances in world-wide navigation. Ship model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas, a 17th century British warship. The handmade model is in wooden framed, airtight glass case. All components were hand crafted. Many of the tools used were made by the model maker, Jim Williams. An inscribed plaque is within the case. Inscribed on plaque "SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS / 102 GUNS - 1634"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, model ship, vessel sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, the forth tasmania, freda williams, heather williams, phyllis bowditch, fletcher jones staff 1936, 17th century sailing ship, cramond and dickson, sovereign of the seas, royal sovereign, sovereign, charles 1 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper - NEWSPAPER 1944, Guinea Gold, 26th February 1944
Newspaper with general information of the Second World War including stories of various campaigns and political articles. There is a racing guide for the Flemington races.Yellowing newspaper, four pages, small photo on front page"Special New Britain Edition" "Guinea Gold" "Vol.2. No. 100 In The Field, Saturday, Febuary 26, 1944" "NOT FOR SALE"newspaper, headlines, photo