Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day. 3.30 a.m., Friday, December 9. The manager of the Commercial Bank branch at Greensborough, Mr Harry Wallace and his wife are asleep in their bedroom of the little house behind the branch. Harry is awakened by a noise and sees an intruder in a corner of the bedroom. He calls out but the intruder who has switched off the power in anticipation flees through a side door and scarpers down Main Street. Harry summons the police but a search by First Constable Thomas of the Greensborough Police assisted by a wireless patrol car is unsuccessful. A report is filed noting the theft of a .25 calibre pistol from the wardrobe. Thursday, December 15th. It is 1pm and the Commercial Bank has just opened. The branch is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. The morning started off a little cool with some scattered showers but it has fined up and the temperature is now around 61 degrees (16 C). A new grey Singer sports car with soft-top pulls up on the opposite side of the road and a young man, neatly dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a grey hat and carrying a brief case exits the vehicle. He looks around then crosses the road and walks up the steps and through the door into the bank. There are three people inside; Mr. Jack Burgoyne whose grocery store is situated just 50 yards up the road, Mr. Lindsay A. Spears, the Eltham Agency Receiving Officer and by chance, Mr Harry Wallace, manager of the Greensborough branch. Jack Burgoyne takes note of the young stranger; thinking to himself he appears nervous. The man approaches the counter and introduces himself as John Henderson of Greensborough and explains that he wishes to open a new account. He places his hat and £3 on the counter. Mr Spears attends to the paperwork. He asks the young man to sign two forms, which he does but then he withdraws from the counter and starts walking towards the door. Suddenly he spins around pulling an automatic pistol from his right-hand pocket. He exclaims forcefully; “The game’s on! I’ll take the lot!” Spears appears to comply by pretending to open a drawer. The man shouts loudly, “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Spears instead reaches for a pistol in his pocket and challenges the man, “Here it is. Come and get it!” At the same time, Harry Wallace pulls a pistol from his pocket as well. The bandit fires a shot but misses, the bullet striking the counter. Both Spears and Wallace open fire and Jack Burgoyne ducks for cover. As the bandit turns and runs for the door leaving his £3 behind, he fires another shot, which strikes the ceiling. Spears fires back, and thinks he may have hit him in the foot. The bandit flees the bank and heads for the grey Singer car, registration NO-106, parked opposite. Wallace and Spears pursue him to the door and open fire again, striking the car three times around the driver’s door. Spears lets off eight shots and Wallace, seven before his gun jams. The getaway car initially heads slowly down Main Road towards Bridge Street. About 100 yards down the road, Dave Adams, a PMG employee, who has heard the shots, throws a steel manhole step at the driver. It hits the roof of the car nine inches above the driver’s head and tears the hood. Another witness claims to have seen the door blow open and the driver raise his hand. The car gathers speed and swings left into Bridge Street racing along at about 60 miles an hour careering recklessly past council employee, Mr. Percy Williams, who is driving a dray along Smarts Road [believed to be Bridge Street]. At the end of the road the Singer fails to get round the sharp turn and crashes into an embankment skidding to a stop outside the home of Mr John Clifford. One side of the car is wrecked. Mr Clifford, an aircraft engineer hears the fast travelling car bump heavily into the road bank at about 1.25 p.m. Hearing the whine of an engine he goes outside to find the grey Singer parked at the side of the road. Jack George also lives at the corner and hears the car crash. “The bandit opened the car door, ran 50 yards, and suddenly turned back,” exclaims Jack. “He took something from the car. It might have been a gun.” In his haste, the bandit drops his grey felt hat, size 6 7/8, on the road and dashes up Sherbourne Road for about 200 yards then disappears into the scrub carrying a brief case and a bundle in which a sailor’s cap can be seen. About 3 p.m., Mr H.D. Pettie of Mountain View Road, Montmorency is looking through his field glasses and notices a young man walking through thick scrub on private property some distance from his house. The man is wearing a sailor’s cap and disappears along the railway track toward Montmorency. As the day progresses, ten police cars, one motor cycle, and about 40 police led by Det. Sgt. McMennemin of Malvern CIB are searching for him. They believe he is hiding in thick scrub along the bank of the creek about half-a-mile outside Eltham township. Wireless patrol cars, four mobile traffic cars and the CIB area cars from Malvern and Kew are taking part. Police check the thief’s car and discover it was stolen from Helen Baxter, of Doncaster Road, North Balwyn from outside Victoria Barracks. Harry Wallace informs the police that he believes he recognised the bandit as the man who took his pistol from his bedroom the previous Friday morning. As night falls, armed police are posted at strategic points in the Eltham-Greensborough district. Police in cars are watching the roads. Others are searching the bush and checking passengers on trains. Little do they realise the young man has already slipped out of the net. SEQUEL YOUTH OF 19 CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK AT ELTHAM Weekly Times, Wednesday 15 February 1950, page 6 Detectives who raided a house in Bell St., Coburg, Melbourne, charged a 19-year-old youth, of South Yarra, with attempted armed robbery at the Commercial Bank’s Eltham (Vic.) receiving depot on Dec. 15. Police say they recovered a loaded automatic pistol, diamond and signet rings worth more than £200, a complete set of house-breaking instruments, a sailor’s uniform, and chloroform gauze in the raid. The youth was charged that while armed with an offensive weapon, he attempted to rob Lindsay George Spears of a sum of money. He was further charged on six counts of breaking, entering and stealing. Police allege that the person who tried to hold up Mr Spears in the Commercial Bank receiving depot at Eltham on December 15. escaped in a stolen car, after Mr Spears and Mr Henry Wallace, manager of the bank’s Greensborough branch, had fired at him. After the car crashed, he escaped into thick scrub and is alleged to have changed into a sailor’s uniform. On December 9 an automatic pistol was stolen from Mr Wallace’s bedroom at the Greensborough bank. The chloroform pad recovered is alleged to have been stolen from the Dental Supply Company, Plenty Road, Preston. The rings are alleged to have been taken in a £513 burglary from the shop of James Paton. Sydney Road, Coburg. Det. Sgt. H. McMennemin conducted the investigations with Senior Dets. R. Newton and M Downie, Detectives l. Dent, R. Rayner, P. Pedersen and M. Handley and First Constable A. Thomas. The youth will appear at Eltham Court on February 22. Manager’s Gun Used in Holdup at Bank The Age, Thursday 23 February 1950, page 4 It was stated in Eltham court yesterday that a youth who robbed a bank manager of his pistol, later used it in an attempt to hold-up the bank. Kay Arthur Morgan, 19, draftsman, of Castle-street, South Yarra, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering, and stealing a pistol and attempted robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty. The manager of Eltham branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd., Henry Clifton Cabot Wallace, said he disturbed someone in the bedroom, in which he and his wife were sleeping, at 3 a.m. on December. 9, 1949. Later he found that his automatic- pistol was missing. On December 15 a youth, who said his name was John Henderson, entered the bank and opened a new account. As the youth was leaving the bank he turned round with a pistol in his hand and said: — “I want the lot.” Spear indicated a drawer under the counter; and said.— “Here it is. Come and get it.” The youth said:— “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Witness said Spear then drew his pistol from his hip pocket. The youth fired at them, and Spear returned the fire. “I pulled my pistol and fired, too” said witness. The youth fired again, ran out to a car and drove off. Witness and Spear fired several shots at the car. The youth was the accused Morgan, sitting in court, witness said. Evidence was given that one bullet was found in the celling and the other in the bank. Morgan was allowed £100 bail on each charge. Morgan ended up serving three years for the failed armed robbery and became a notorious criminal. He had twin sons, Peter and Doug and even though only ten years old, Morgan would get his sons to act as lookouts whilst he committed burglaries. The lads became building contractors but when the industry suffered a downturn in 1977 and they were short on cash, they returned to the family business. Over the following 23 months they undertook 24 raids on country and outer-suburban TABs and banks. Whilst robbing one country bank for the third time, just like their father, it all went wrong ending up with a police officer shot. They were nick-named the “After-dark” bandits and are considered to be Australia’s last bushrangers. They were convicted and served 17 years in prison.5 x A4 photocopied pagesbank hold-up, cba bank, det sgt mcmennemin, eltham, h.d. pettie, harry wallace, jack burgoyne, kay arthur morgan, lindsay a. spears, main road

See Cats 5556.2 & 2481.2.This is a single sheet of paper with black ink printing. Docket NR. E7245. Titled "Discharged Servicemen's Clothing Priority Form" It has four segments on top and bottom labelled = Priority docket -one suit. Priority docket - one hat. Priority docket- two shirts, four collars. Priority docket - one pair boots or shoes.Rubber stamp hat = Ltd. Date Jan 1945 - cash office.ww2, demob clothes

Made from selection of butterfly wings and cellophane from cigarette packets during WW2 on islands near Australia.Wooden frame, green felt lining, glass top contains; 1. Belt, shades of brown, cream hat shaped shell ends. 2. Belt, orange and cream, brown ends.souvenir, belts, framed item

The name of the soldier is unknown at this time. The photographers details are partly missing, the letters “Bartl” are legible. This is most likely “Bartlett Bros” Bendigo photographers.Sepia tone oval shape photo of a soldier with slouch hat on, photo set on a brownish colour card, bordering at edge of the card is a darker brown. There is a faint embossing across the top, part of the photographers details are visible on the front bottom.On the rear in faint dark blue, “To Allie”.photographs, ww1

See cat 4799 for dataPostcard with black and white photo. It shows 3 seated british soldiers with peaked hats. In fron of them is a box being used as a table. Stencilled on that box is the name - Jacob & Cos. Biscuits. Dublin. On the ground in front of that box are three bully beef tins with some rock hard army biscuits on top. There are some tents in the background.The letter on the rear is addressed as "Dear Susie...............14 lines of text .........Ending with Fond love Joe.ww1, biscuits, bully beef

Part of the Reverend Chaplain Major Thomas Bruce Williams No 556101 Collection.Five Army Christian Chaplain's Hat/beret badges. Each features a silver coloured Maltese cross surrounded by a gold coloured wreath and topped with a gold coloured queen's crown. In the centre of the Maltese cross is a purple coloured quatrefoil on a gold coloured background. This is encircled with a purple coloured ring with the motto ' IN THIS SIGN CONQUER' inscribed in gold coloured lettering. On the back of each badge are two metal pins to which are attached press clips for fastening to a hat or beret.Stamped in the each: 'STOKES'army chaplain, christian army chaplain, major thomas b. williams, hat badge

In WW1 the Australian Light Horse served from the Suez Canal right around through Palestine - Syria.1. Memorial Card. Black cardboard with gold printing. It is a religious article with images and prayers. In the top centre is an oval shaped hole with a B & W portrait of an Aust soldier. Slouch hat with side up. 2. Set of 31 B & W photos depicting scenes of light horse activity. Beaches - Middle East buildings - locals - repairing train lines - daily life - campsites - ships off shore etc.Thomas McGinty, Beloved son of Catherine Power. "Who gave his life for the Empire. At Gallipoli, Turkey, August 13 - 1915. Aged 33 years.ww1, middle east, light horse

Refer to Cat 4967.2Brown Puggaree for a slouch hat. It has the six folds on top edge. On one side is a purple felt badge. That badge is rectangular shaped with a triangle above it.ww2, uniform, hats

See Cat 4575PBlack hat band for RSL Bowls hat. Titled "Bendigo & District Servicemens". It has 3 badges attached. 1. Red & Green enamel shield shaped - titled Bendigo & District Servicemen's Bowls Club. 2. A Blue & Gold rectangular badge showing a number '8', a figure bowling with letters RVBA on bottom. 3. Rectangular Blue & Silver badge with a bowling ball on top. The name 'Doug Dean' is in the main body of badge.bowls, bendigo

.1) A class of seven students and one lecturer, c1980 .2) A female in a hard hat, kneeling at a cutting face, with a geological hammer, c1980 .3) A male at a geological microscope, c1973 .4) 3 males in a geology laboratory, with microscopt and VDU, c1978 .5) Five males in a field locationwith electric resistance apparatus, c1974 .6) A male in grey overall at a lapping machine, c1978 geology, geolological microscope, resistance apparatus, rudi lennards, noone, stafford mcknight, julia gleeson, phillip edward petrie, kenneth heighway, alumni, mount helen campus, student activity

Army officer's peaked cap worn on formal occasions, dark blue with red band around hat. The peak top side is finished in high gloss black leather and the hat has a similar high gloss black hat band. Worn by an officer in the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). This hat is referred to as a 'blues' hat.Navy blue cap with red and black trimming. The hat itself is a flat cap made out of navy blue felt. around this is a red felted band, itself encircled with a black patent band and peak. The black band is held on by two smaller badges, which are brass in colour and have an image of the Australian map (above which is the crown) and around the edges says Australian Military Forces. At the front of the cap is a badge which says: Royal Australian Engineers. On badge: Royal Australian Engineers. Moni Soit Qui Mal Y Pense Inside cap: L. Silberston and Sons Ltd London hat, engineer, army, australian army, rae, royal australian engineer, officer

Officers cap , flat on top with a peak at the front and a brown belt half way around it and a sweat band inside the cap.Khaki in colour.Label inside cap saying Christies Pty.Ltd. 248 Pitt St. Sydney.hat

Royal Australian Air Force officer’s cap.Navy cotton drill peaked cap with black crossgrain band around exterior. Two black eyelets sit above band on either side. Black patent leather chin strap attached by two gold buttons on brim, slightly misshapen. Embroidered patch carrying a red velvet and metal crown (Queen Elizabeth II era) with blue, green and red embroidered knots mimicing jewels, sits above a gold eagle above now tarnished gold leaves. Interior sweatband in patent leather with plastic layer on top interior, underneath which is a manufacturer’s label with red ink. Strip of folded newspaper (H06.2) inserted inside interior sweatband.Label reads “M.TX/SIZE 6 7/8/A [broad arrow] F/MADE IN AUSTRALIA”. Black ink stamp on inside of sweatband reads “M. TX” inside a circle and “S19/[broad arrow]”raaf, royal australian air force, officer

This beret was made in 1943 and presumably was used by during service in WW2. InfantryDark blue wool beret-style hat with black leather edging and black cotton tie at back. Two eyelets on right side, brass painted on exterior in black. Cotton-lined interior with reinforced sewn diamond in centre and manufacturer’s label, transcribed below.Manufacturer’s label reads “N.316 A./F./1943/MADE IN/AUSTRALIA/SIZE 7-1/8” wth faint purple stamp over top, illegible.second world war, beret, world war two, world war ii, wwii, uniform

This hat was part of a RAAF uniform and likely dates to the Second World War due to the style of crown. Hats such as these are often misshapen at the crown due to the use of earmuff-style headphones worn by aircrew during the Second World. Navy peaked cap in cotton with beige topstitching along crown. Black cotton grosgrain ribbon band. Black leather chin strap buttoned to left and right with black metal button carrying image of crown atop eagle. Centre of hat carries embroidered patch with crown in gold-coloured metal and red fabric with red and green additions mimicking jewels. Crown sits above two metal shapes, an eagle with arms outstretched and laurel branches. Two eyelets on left and right side of the cap, bronze on interior and painted black on exterior. Interior of cap brim is green plastic or patent leather now cracked. Interior of hat cotton is dark cotton with quilted top.second world war, royal australian air force, raaf, r.a.a.f., flying, uniform, world war ii, world war two, world war 2

The soldier in the photo is Nr 1366, Dvr Donald GILLIES of the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. The grey horse, Bess, was blinded by shell fire. The bay horse was Lady. Photo was taken near Villers-Bretonneux. For photo of the four Gillies brothers, refer to Cat No 3531. For book refer to Cat No 3534.Photographic print in colour of a soldier smoking a pipe. He is in uniform - slouch hat, jacket, trousers, puttees & boots, alongside 2 horses. Print is mounted in wooden decorative frame with floral arrangements at top, bottom & both sides. Frame is rounded at top & at each corner with curved glass front. Wire hanging strap on back.Written in black texta on back: “Donated by J Gillies” Stamped on back: “Empire Art Company Ltd”photographs, framed

The collection revolve around Laurence Edward (Larry) O'Connor No.2508, enlisted 2.4.1917 in 21st Reinforcements, 13th Light Horse, embarked for England 21.11.1917. .1) On rear "Heap of Love 7 Kisses, In the best of health Larry". Another address on rear in "2515 TRP I.H. Westaway 18 Kinkorra road Hawthorn Vic" enlisted 3.8.1917 21st Reinforcements 13th L.H. Regt. embarked 21.11.1917 for England. .2), .3) & .4) All are "Larry O'Connor" on rear of .3) "8.11.17 To Mrs Ryan with best wishes from Linnie" .5) on front written in pencil "Uncle Larry" with arrow pointing to him. on rear "to Linnie with Love from Larry Dec 23.12.1918". across the top "??? Belgium " .7) On rear "To Linnie with best wishes Larry" "Taken in Glasgow June 28.6.1918" Larry is on the left of photo. .8) On the rear in pen "Your aff brother Larry" "Taken in Glasgow June 28.6.1918" Larry is on the left of photo. .9) One rear in pen - letter to "Dear Sister France Oct 23/1918" signed off "Your affectionate brother Larry". .10) Photo is Laurence (Larry) O'Connor..1) Postcard photo, black & white, two men on horseback, trees in the background. Brief letter on rear in pencil and ink. .2) Postcard photo, black & white, soldier sitting, wearing a cap, background clear. .3) Postcard photo, sepia tone, same as .2) but with brief note on rear in pen and pencil. .4) Postcard photo, black & white, portrait of a soldier in great coat and peak cap. .5) Postcard photo, black & white, three rows of soldiers, 24 in total in front of a building. .6) Postcard photo, black & white, 17 soldiers on horseback lined up in a row, trees in background. .7) Postcard photo, sepia tone, portrait of two soldiers in slouch hats. .8) Postcard photo, sepia tone, portrait of two soldiers without hats. .9) Postcard photo, colour, eagle at top, centre has oval frame with soldier centre, American, brown background, writing at bottom. .10) Photo, black & white, soldier standing with bandolier, peak hat, holding a crop.photographs, postcards, larry, 13th lh

“GARARD SA”. Possibly Sydney Albert GARARD No S111339, enlisted 7.3.1941 age 39 years, embarked 2.5.1945 New Britain, disembarked Australia 14.3.1946, discharged on 21.3.1946, rank Craftsman in 1st Aust Inf TRPS WKSH A.E.M.FPeak hat, Kahki with leather hat band and rising sun badge on front, leather head band on inside with plastic strip at top.In ink on head band, “GARARD SA”hats, peak, uniforms,

The items were issued to Reginald Charles Allardice No 418557 RAAF. Refer Cat No 3627.5 for his service details..1) & .2) Blackended RAAF badges, centre has “RAAF”, top has a crown with a wreath surrounding. One on the rear has two lugs for uniform attachment, the other has none.“RAAF”badges, military, uniforms, hats

Item relates to R T PHILLIPS VX113093 early in the CMF, refer Cat No 3239P for his service details.Small black & white portrait of an Australian Soldier wearing peaked cap, no rank evident. Rising Sun on his lapels & hat. The colour patch on his left shoulder is a square with a dividing line top right to bottom left. Dark on left, light on right. Photo is held in a simple tin frame painted gold.Small print at bottom: Photographic company name "Vincent Kelly - Bendigo"photograpy - photographs-frame accessories, military history-army

Coloured picture of red poppies with fields, trees & sky in background. A slouch hat with Rising Sun badge is with the poppies at the bottom centre. Poster is covered in clear plastic & has a brown border & is mounted on chipboard with black border. Short white hanging strap at back.Emblem at top centre: “THEIR SERVICE OUR HERITAGE” Printed at bottom centre: “On the 11th of November pause at 11..... to remember the fallen”poster, remembrance day

Badge issued to Paul Francis Reidy No 3793403 National Serviceman KIA Vietnam. Refer Cat No 2526.2 for his service history and details re his death.Hat badge, pressed brass, crown at top, wreath arrangement around outside, centre crossed rifles, scrolls at bottom with "Royal Australian Infantry Corps". Rear has two lugs with pin through. badges, infantry corps

Hat, yellow coloured with brim, cotton & polyester fabric with black / blue / white / green emblem printed on front. Emblem has black print, white dove over the top of a green island shape and has a blue round background. Handwritten black felt tip pen: “TJM” Printed label inside brim: “The Hat Belongs To ...... Phone No ...... 65% Polyester 35% Cotton” Size L Made in China Washing Instructions Gentle Hand Wash in Luke Warm Water Air Dry Lying Flat on a Toweluniforms - military - army, costume - male, headwear, passchendaele barracks trust, peace monitoring

This hat was sent home to Laanecoorie, from Malaya, in 1941 by Driver Cyril John Johnson VX36298, 1 Coy A.A.S.C whilst a POW. Cyril enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 17.6.1940 age 22 years 2 months. Posted to 8th Div Petrol Coy Seymour 25.7.1940, hospital 12.8.1940 with Mumps, rejoin unit 31.8.1940, embark for overseas 2.2.1941, disembark Singapore 19.2.1941. He is listed as missing on 16.2.1942 and later listed as POW in a Thai Camp no date. (He was on the Burma Railway) Last entry on his records states Presumed to be dead 12.9.1944 SWPA. (South West Pacific Area) He with hundreds of others were on the Japanese prison ship Rakuyo Maru to Japan when it was sunk by an American submarine. The hand written signatures on the hat include high ranking AIF Officers, major local Officials and dozens of 8th Division AIF soldiers. British pattern Pith Helmet, khaki coloured cotton cloth with brown leather strap over the top. Large quantity of hand written names on top. Inside rim has green felt lining. Dome section is plaited red silk with manufacturer's label at crest. Hat band is brown leather.On top written in pen & ink: Many army numbers & names of soldiers and some dignitaries.. On top written in ink: To Dad etc from Cyril.military equipment - army, costume - male headwear

Hat, khaki, felt with old style dent on top. Khaki felt pugaree with single stitching top & bottom. Emu plume attached to buttoned up side of hat. Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge on turned up side. Leather headband sewn inside hat. “N196 - Sydney Aust. - Size 6-3/4 - 1942 - Fur Felt Hat” pressed on head band.uniforms - army, slouch hat, passchendaele barracks trust

This photograph was given to the the donor by the family of E. Reeves. The Ballarat Junior Technical School Senior Cadet team won competitions at Stawell, Colac, Maryborough, St Arnaud, Mildura, South Street 'A' gradeA group of Ballarat Junior Technical School cadets pose for a photograph. They have '71' on the front of their slouch hat. ballarat junior technical school cadets, cadets, 71 regiment, e. reeve, south street competitions

The Ballarat School of Mines is a predecessor institution of Federation University Australia.Colour photographs of of Ballarat School of Mines staffmembers in the SMB Campus Amenities Building. Many wear hats for a Melbourne Cup Day event.ballarat schoo of mines, staffmembers, melbourne cup day, hats, ian robinson, helen wiseman, sharon howard, jola piskozub, francis ratcliffe, jenny leviston, jodie carlton, peter morley, neville french, paul lambeth

36 page magazine investors, g.w. barton, bank of australasia, royal bank of australia, castlemaine brewery, castle salt, city of newcastle gas and coke co, denton hat mills ltf, national bank of new zealand, potter's sulphide ore treatment ltd, royal exchange of sydney, north shore gas company, perpetual trustee co. ltd, launceston cas co, footscray gas and coke co. ltd, kauri timber co. new zealand

.1) Arthur John Gorsuch Hando No 116921 enlisted in the RAAF on 19.7.1942 age 18 years. At discharge on 12.4.1946 he held the rank of LAC in No 6 Transport Movement Office RAAF. .2) - .5) Photographs reflect service life in Darwin during World War II..1) Portrait of WWII Airmen - copy of original. .2) Group photograph of a football team - copy of original. .3) Group sitting on truck - copy of original. .4) x 2 Trucks - copy of original. .5) Group of 3 - copy of original..1) ARTHUR HANDO, Air Force 2nd World War. .2) A HANDO 4th from top, 5 RC Air Force footy team. .3) 2nd World War, Darwin, ARTHUR J HANDO. Pop 1st one sitting on car, no hat. .5) A HANDO.photography-photographs, military history- army - airforce, raaf