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Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia - Wooden plate or platter, Souvenir Wooden Platter, 1941
Owned by William Albert HARRISON (Service Number VX41478; above Link ["WW2 Record"] Sent home to his mother from Liban on 25-10-41 Soldier's name known. Items donated (date unknown) by brother-in-law who was living in Montmorency and was a committee member of MERSL when item donated.Oval shaped slice of wood from the cedar tree in Lebanon. (Liban) Stained with light brown varnish. Original bark from tree all around trhe edge of plateStamp in French possibly where it was made, Artiols bois des cedres. Becharry Liban. Salim Kabalan. Hand written message;- Edna with all the best to you Bill. Dated 25-10-41 -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Medal - Medallion, ANZAC, Victorian Department of Education 1918
See link above. Widely distributed by sale to school children and general public in 1918.Circular medal with an eyelet (4 mm OD) to carry a loop for a ribbon (loop and ribbon not present). Obverse ... Bust of uniformed soldier (facing left) wearing slouch hat Reverse ... Scroll, on olive branch, with stamped inscription (see below) The reverse image of a bust of an Australian soldier was adapted from a drawing by H.Harvey, an assistant in the Victorian Education Department.Obverse ... around circumference: HONOR TO THE A.I.F. Reverse ... On scroll ... GALLIPOLI FRANCE PALESTINE At top ... EVD Around bottom circumference ... ANZAC DAY 1918 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph, French sailors at zoo - Madame Lion & Miss Godfrey, 1917
... soldiers from the French Navy, a wounded digger and a young man.... to sell Oberwyl and moved to Adelaide. They returned to France ...Marie Lion migrated with her sister, Berthe Mouchette and her husband in 1885. Berthe established an art school in the city. After the death of her husband the sisters purchased a school, Oberwyl, in St Kilda in 1885. The school was later one of the LHLG schools. Berthe was the founder of the Alliance Française of Melbourne in 1890. With the Great Depression, the sisters had to sell Oberwyl and moved to Adelaide. They returned to France during WWI to nurse wounded soldiers. And returned to Adelaide in 1916 after Marie contracted an infection. She was the South Australia representative of the "Société d’assistance maternelle et infantile". After the end of the war a number of French villages were ‘adopted’ by cities in Australia. Dernancourt, a small village in the Somme was adopted by Adelaide, and Mme Mouchette and Mme Lion worked to raise funds to help in the rebuilding of the almost completely destroyed town.The picture shows the link with the French community. Ethel and her sister Frederica Godfrey could speak French and were well acquainted with the members of this community: Charlotte Crivelli for example. Frederica was secretary of the Alliance Française of Melbourne in the early 1900, in 1917 she also became Honorary Secretary of the French Red Cross, funded by Charlotte Crivelli.Portait of two ladies standing in the middle with 3 soldiers from the French Navy, a wounded digger and a young man.French sailors at zoo / Madame Leon (Lion is the correct spelling) & Miss Godfreylion, marie (1855–1922), mouchette, berthe (1846–1928) nee lion, alliance française of melbourne, société d’assistance maternelle et infantile, france, french, zoo, french red cross, crivelli, charlotte (1863–1956), anzac, french navy, oberwyl, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, frederica godfrey -
Lorne Historical Society
Photograph, Great Ocean Road
"The Somme" named by WW1 Diggers was just around the corner from Big Hill. It was named because of the resemblance to "the Somme's muddy battle fields in France. The Great Ocean Road was constructed by WWI returned soldiers. Their use of language reflects this history"The Somme" named by WW1 Diggers. Just around the corner from Big Hill, named thus because of the resemblance to "The Somme" in France (because of the amount of mud on the site)great ocean road.; "the somme"; big hill -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Mounted photograph, Black and white, Thelma-Duryed, George Henry Martin, 1915
Born: Edmonton, England, 10 January 1888 Home Town: Magill, Campbelltown, South Australia Occupation: Seaman Service Number: 176 Enlisted: 27 March 1915, Melbourne, Victoria Last Rank: Gunner Last Unit: 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train Died: Killed in action, France, 7 August 1916, aged 28 years Cemetery: Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers la Boisselle, Picardie, France Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Magill Honour Board, Magill War Memorial 27 Mar 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, Melbourne, Victoria 4 Jun 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, SN 176, 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '24' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Macquarie embarkation_ship_number: A39 public_note: '' 4 Jun 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, SN 176, 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, HMAT Port Macquarie, Melbourne 7 Aug 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, SN 176, Battle for Pozières The portrait has been used in this article : "THE LATE GUNNER G. H. MARTIN. Mrs. G. H. Martin, of Jackson-street, Magill, has been advised that her husband, Gunner G. H. Martin, was killed in action in France on August 7. He sailed from Melbourne for Egypt in June, 1915, and had been at the front in France since April last. He also served ten months in the Naval Bridging Train before joining the artillery. He was born in Edmonton, England, and lived in Magill for about five years. He was in his 28th year." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 30 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)As his occupation was seaman, we can assume George Henry Martin visited the Mission. The Senior Chaplain, Alfred Hurney Goldsmith, RANR, was appointed chaplain of the Naval Bridging Train in 1914. (Jottings 31, Midwinter 1914). We can only imagine the two men knew each other and that the portrait was donated by George himself or by his family to the Mission.Portrait of ANZAC soldier in 1915naval bridging train, france, ww1, thelma-duryed, adelaide, george henry martin 1888-1916 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Letter, Letters from overseas 1916-1919 (Letters to Jessie), 1916-1919
Jack & Keith Thomson, soldiers serving in the 59th battalion in World War 1 in Egypt and France, wrote letters to their sister Jessie. These are copies, held by Sandra Adams, their great niece.Photocopies of 10 handwritten letters world war 1, jack thomson, keith thomson -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, James William Poulter [as soldier], 1916_
Studio portrait of 5078 Private (Pte) James William Poulter, 22nd Battalion. A driver from Greensborough, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Poulter embarked with the 13th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ayrshire on 3 July 1916. After being twice wounded in action, he was killed in action on 4 October 1918, aged 19 and was buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy, FranceGreensborough pioneer familyDigital copy of black and white studio photograph.james william poulter -
Geelong RSL Sub Branch
ANZAC Day 1918 Commemoratived Medal, 1918
These Medallions were made in 1918 to commemorate ANZAC Day. They were issued by the Education Department of Victoria to school children. The medal was also sold on behalf of the Australian Branch of the British Red Cross Society. The medal was made in bronze, silvered bronze, silver and gold.This medal is an original.Round silver medallion. ?Silver Bronze. Red, white and blue ribbon.On the front of the medallion an engraved picture of a soldier, the words Honor to the AIF. One the back of the medallion ANZAC Dat 1918, Gallipoli, France, Palestine.anzac day 1918 commemorative medal, victorian education department -
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
Postcard, c.1917, world war one
Commonplace postcard sent by Frank O Brien World War One veteran and former patient of the repat, to his father from France during World Ward One. This item is not of great significance. Its value to the hospital collection is that it is memorabilia of Frank O'Brien a former patient and benefactor of the repat. Other Frank O'Brien items in the hospital collection White cardboard decoratively embossed mountboard surround and cardboard backing. Centre contains an embroidered muslin with the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun Emblem surrounded by the Australian and British flags with leaf decoration. This inscription is on the reverse of the postcard. "To Dad/From your loving soldier son/Frank/With love to all at home/18/11/17" Markings on reverse of postcard: located centrally on the reverse P.R FABRICATION FRANCAISE and on right lower side of postcard Modele deposepostcard, embroidery, rising sun emblem, australian commonwealth military forces, australian flag, british flag, embossed, french, world war one, decorative -
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
Album - Photograph WWI, c.1913-1916
Red cloth hard cover photo album with Art Nouveau design on cover and green paper pages, containing black and white photographs from the World War One era of soldiers abroad and family. Some formal studio photography. Subject matter includes: Middle East, France, Egypt, Horses, Zoo visit, well digging, horse in a hammock, hotels and souvenir cards, North Africa, camels, camps, tents, donkeys, ships, portraits, sports teams, Ypres in Belgium, Folkestone UK, Camp at Burrumbeet 1913 and another dated photograph reads 30th May 1916. Photographs are stuck down onto pages. Cover reads: SCRAP ALBUMwwi, world war one, soldiers, aif, anzac, portraits, photo albums, grand continental cairo, jb ballardie, william harrigan, ypres, cairo, 54th bn, t.s.s. borda, la rue au beurre, leas bandstand & parade folkestone -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Helmet, Steel British, Circa 1939-1945
Background unknownThis helmet although manufactured in WW2, is an almost identical style to the WW1 helmet worn by soldiers of the 4th Light Horse in France and Belgium.helmet steel british, helmet steel british -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Gas Mask
Appears to be type used by German Troops later in the warType of gas mask carried by enemy soldiers who would have been fighting against soldiers of the 4th Light Horse Regiment in France in 1918Face mask made of leather, with light khaki fabric head straps. plastic eye windows. Metal part has internal thread to accept filter canister. Canister is roughly cylindrical with and external thread to allow fixing to the mask.Metal part of face mask pressed into the sheet metal: D2 Canister pressed into the sheet metal: G.J.B. 1918 Canister green ink stamped: A.G.P.A. 14.APR.1918 M2 11.C.H. Canister red ink stamped: 3 blurred letters or digits.gas mask german -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Memorabilia/Souvenir WW1 - Pte. Percy Sutton
During WW1 soldiers communicated with family in Australia. When they were not required 'in-the-field' they occupied themselves with souvenirs and art work. This includes his ration book and tickets, and artwork consisting of 2 leaves, a fan and Xmas Card all attached to a white piece of paper. This collection may have been attached to the paper by family in Australia or by Percy before his return.Pte. Percy Sutton No. 3942 served in France in WW1. He joined the army on 3rd August 1915, aged 19 years and 5 months and was in the 8th Battalion. He was a railway employee, son of Margaret Sutton of William St, Wodonga. He was 5 feet 7and a half inches tall and a Methodist. He was discharged on 13th April 1919. He was born on 27th January 1897, the son of George and Margaret (nee McIntyre) Sutton. He returned to Wodonga. He died on 29th May 1971 at Mt Beauty in the Kiewa Valley. Attached to white paper a collection of souvenirs from WW1. It includes a Ration book and tickets, 2 gum leaves with French coloured ribbons, a fan inscribed with 'Forget me Not' and a 'Christmas Greetings' Card.On the Ration book - "Sutton, P. Pte. No. 3942". End of Leave or Duty: "7-1-19". Signed: "G.E.Tait" Stamped: "No. 1 Command Sutton Veny"pte. percy sutton, ww1 soldier -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal
The 1914–1918 Commemorative War Medal (French: Médaille Commémorative de la Guerre 1914–1918, Dutch: Oorlogsherinnerinsmedaille 1914–1918) was a Belgian commemorative war medal established by royal decree on 21 July 1919 and awarded to all members of the Belgian Armed Forces who served during the First World War that were eligible for the inter-allied victory medal.The Belgian 1914–1918 Commemorative War Medal was struck from bronze, it was 47 mm high by 31 mm wide, triangular shaped and with rounded sides. On its obverse, the relief left profile of a helmeted soldier within a 29 mm in diameter circular recess, the helmet adorned with laurels. Between the circular recess and the bottom left corner of the medal, the relief date "1914", in the lower right corner, the relief date "1918". In the upper point of the triangle, above the circular recess, the relief images of a lion rampant with an oak branch to its left and a laurel branch to its right. On the reverse, near the top, the relief image of a crown surrounded by the same branches as the lion on the obverse, below the crown, the relief semi circular inscription in French on two rows over the large relief dates "1914 – 1918", "MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE / DE LA CAMPAGNE", the inscription repeated in Dutch below the dates "HERDENKINGSMEDAILLE / VAN DEN VELDTOCHT" (COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE 1914 – 1918 CAMPAIGN).medal, belgium, ww1 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Memorial Tower, Kangaroo Ground c.1934, 1934c
Sepia photograph of Joyce McMahon and 'Tiny' Carroll at the War Memorial Tower, Kangaroo Ground c.1934. The guns were installed in 1934 and removed in 1942. Taken in the early 1930s, the photograph ... shows the Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembance with Joyce McMahon, daughter-in-law of Mr. P. J.McMahon, the then Shire of Eltham Secretary, her horse and a very tall person patting the horse. He is ex-serviceman W. "Tiny" Caroll who was the council's caretaker of the surrounding War Memorial Park. He lived in the stone cottage which still stands in the park. "Tiny" is seen as the fictional character "Tiny Bourke" who, in author Alan Marshall's book "This is the Grass", "was a giant of a man, well over six feet high, with huge hands that completely encircled the cup of tea". The bronze casting, which shows the 79 names of those who paid the "supremen sacrifice" in World War 1 (1914-1918), was erecfed above the entrance to the Tower in September, 1930. The Monterey cypress trees which now form the windbreak around the park's fenceline, were just knee high in this photograph. They were planted in August 1926, with all the plantings paid for, and done, by the public as the Tower was being erected. The two field guns have been identified as of German origin, Krupp 77 mm calibre captured on October 4, 1918 at Geneve, France. They were removed in 1943/44 as a wartime requirement of the Australian Govenment. A public notice dated October 16, 1926 by Cr. H Rutter, Chairman of the Eltham Soldiers War Memorial League stated: "On the summit of that central and conspicuous landmark, Garden Hill, there is being erected a massive memorial tower which will, for all time, remind every passerby of the part played by the men of the Shire of Eltham in the Great War. The work has been undertaken by the people of the Shire a a tribute of love and admiration for those who were known and dear to use in the days of their youth and early manhood, who went out from amongst us, never to return, and whose self-sacrifice has made us, each and all, thier ever-lasting debtors" Harry Gilham, Eltham District Historical Society Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembrance, A Journey in Time: a column about Nillumbik's history, Nillumbik Mail, 9th August, 2000 Since that research the following has been sourced from Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, April 8, 1921, p. 3 Retrieved April 25, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57639687 Eltham Shire Council From Town Clerk, Melbourne, stating that a light machine-gun captured by the 22nd battalion, A.I.F. at La Motte Farm, near Beaurvoir, on Oct. 3rd, 1918, during the operations which won the Beauvoir line and completed the smashing of the great Hindenburg defence-system, has been alloted to the Shire of Eltham. - On the motion of Crs Hubbard and Smedley, it was decided to have the gun placed in the Memorial Park. Sepia Photographgarden hill, gun, joyce mcmahon, kangaroo ground, memorial tower, shire of eltham war memorial tower, tiny carroll, war memorials, war trophy, william carroll -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Photo Album, 1920s
This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Fragments from France B Bairnsfather, Circa 1916
Captain Bruce Bairnsfather was a British humourist and cartoonist. This booklet, Fragments from France contains a collection of his cartoons. The Fragments from France was extremely popular and sold hundreds of thousands of copies. The drawings display a wry humour of the terrible situation of the first world war. This item has strong historical artistic and social significance.Dark green soft card cover with black text. Illustration in black and white tones and white text is pasted on front cover. It shows two soldiers in dugout with explosions bursting around them.Advertisements inside front and back covers. 48 pages with monochrome illustrations with captions underneath each .Capt Bruce Bairnsfather. "To dear father from jean " written in black pen on first page. Two stamps Warrnambool and District Historical Society. Mussell & MacDonald newsagents & stationers Henty.warrnambool, fragments from france, captain bruce bairnsfather -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Fragments from France No 3, 1916
This book contains World War One cartoons drawn by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather. It is one of a series of books by Bairnsfather showing that humour can be found even on the battlefields of France. The cartoons were originally published weekly in ‘The Bystander’ magazine. World War One was an horrific conflict that took so many lives and affected adversely so many others. This book is of antiquarian interest as a book dealing with World War One, a conflict that affected Warrnambool in the same way as it affected every other place in Australia. This is a soft cover book of 42 pages. It has a green cover with a cartoon sketch in sepia tones on the front cover and an advertisement on the back page. The printing on the covers is in black. The book has advertisements on the inside covers, a Foreword and pages of cartoon sketches of soldiers in World War One. The pages have been stapled but the staples have been removed.world war one, captain bruce bairnsfather, warrnambool history -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Charles Belcher)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined: 28/10/1914; Resigned: 3/07/1915 WW1 service: Enlisted: 5 July 1915; Highest rank: Gunner; Regiment: V5A Australian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery; Fate: Died of illness, France, 18 January 1917; Medals: British War and Victory medalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; belcher, charles 6041 -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Work on paper - Propaganda postcard, ANZACS IN FRANCE, WW1
Series of official pics promoting life in WW1 (see Notes)Careful examination reveals different attitudes and uniforms (eg a soldier in what is definitely not an Australian Hat!)fair, with mottling discolorationOn Reverse: A pleasing incident in King George's visit to the Front. A party of Anzacs line up to cheer his majesty as he passes. Also Serie XIX No 147anzacs and king george -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Plaque - Certificate, WWI, In Memoriam, BEA Henderson
Private Bertie Ernest Alfred Henderson served in the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Division of the AIF. He died of wounds In France on 29/5/1918 or 1/6/1918. His burial place is Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme. The framed 'In Memoriam' has been in the custody of family members until presented to W&DHS in 2013 by Mrs Beris Porter. Pte BEA Henderson, 1866, 3 Pioneer Battalion(2 Reinforcement Group) was a farmer and single. His father was Mr HH Henderson of Naringal. He enlisted on 27/5/1916 then sailed on the Themistocles on 28/7/1916 and transferred to the 5 Pioneer Battalion. His name is recorded on the War Memorial, Artillery Crescent, Warrnambool as having made the supreme sacrifice.Mass produced Memorial page with a sepia original half portrait photograph of a soldier surrounded with two mounts,narrow white and dark/grey brown, and a thin gold gilt surround next to an inward angled plain, wooden frame with clear glass. Hand white painted name, rank, number, battalion, division with decorative flourishes. A. tarnished plaque is on the mid lower frame Front- White hand painted dedication: 1866/PRIVATE B.E.A. HENDERSON/5th Pioneer Batt 5Division/A.I.F. The mass produced decorative mount has battle place names and a bird's eye view of battlefields in France. In sepia 'Glory' stand atop a rock and cross with a laurel wreath in her right hand and a scroll with ANZACS falling from her left hand. A verse is written Anzacs, you've graved your name upon Immortal Scroll/Naught can compare with what the World a claims/Zenith of a fighting patriotic soul./A host of heroes, you have but echoed back with Clarion tongue/the Spartan Sires from who you fitly sprung Coo-ee! Comrades, 'Kia-Ora' you didn't ant couch will ever be./Sacred to all Eternity. An oval cut-out holds a half portrait of the soldier in uniform. Plaque on lower wooden frame FRANCE/29.5.18 Reverse- in pencil handwriting: ? o/c/... ... A. Henderson/of ...T/Yar..galin memoriam, wwi, 5th pioneer battalion, 5th division, aif, private bea henderson, warrnambool, anzac -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Bert's Diary Bertie Ernest Albert Henderson, Circa 1916
Bertie Ernest Albert Henderson was born at Naringal in 1891 and was 24 at the time of enlistment. He fought in France and died from injuries in France on June 1, 1918. The entries relate to matters which relate to military procedures and duties, places visited in France and England, time spent at the front and on leave.For Australia, as for many nations, the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.* Australian War Memorial Website Bertie Henderson was but one of these casualties and this diary gives an insight into the life of the average soldier. He records events from the mundane to conditions common to the war experience. Front page has photograph and typed enlistment details, followed by copy of enlistment paper and numerous pages of typed diary entries dated from July 1916. Other entries give day only with no year. Back cover has basic family tree.warrnambool, naringal, ernest albert henderson, 5th pioneer batallion, world war 1, amiens, crouy-sur somme -
Orbost & District Historical Society
Photograph - black and white photograph, Albert Maddern
The seated man has been identified as Albert Maddern, France 11/3/1919, 3rd Division Signal Company, World War I. This is a studio photograph of Albert Maddern (Orbost) and another soldier. The name of A W W Maddern is inscribed on the W W I Orbost Roll of Honour of those who served from this district in W W I. A photograph of an Orbost man who served in W W I.A b/w photograph H-21.8cm W-15.2cm of two men in military uniforms, one man seated, the other man standing. world war i, albert maddern -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Leisure object - Toy Soldier, circa 1878
The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped flat toy soldiers early in the century. Mignot of France released three-dimensional solid figures and later around 1893 W. Britain, a toy company became known for its die-cast lead toy soldiers. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the Loch Ard foundered on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. It is, therefore, possible the two figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. Loch Ard History: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The toy soldier represents a 19th-century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections of objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history, allowing us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted, cream-coloured toy soldier, recovered from the Loch Ard. The figure wears a Napoleonic Wars-era uniform, a plumed helmet, a short jacket with tails, bib-front trousers with button closure, straps crossed at the front and back, and epaulettes. The figure is in marching posture with one foot extended forward, and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It is unable to stand on its own. There are reddish-brown and orange-brown stains on the head and body. The body has seams along both sides that are uneven at the lower leg. There is a hole in the back and the inside is hollow. The material has a rough texture.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch ard, toy soldier, napoleonic uniforms, military toy, moulded soldier -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Souvenir - Wood sample, Mr John Flett, c1885
This small piece of wood was cut from a rib of the wreck of the Enterprise in c1885 by Mr John Flett (1869 – 1944), whilst it was lying on the beach in Lady Bay, Warrnambool. Mr Flett was about 16 years old at the time and used the wood (with other pieces from the wreck) to make a picture frame. A newspaper report published in the Gippsland Gazette on Tuesday 16th July 1912 titled "An Interesting Relic" describes a picture frame being displayed in Mr. Flett's shop in Warragul which was of interest as it had been made from wood taken from the wreck of the Enterprise when it was lying on the beach at Lady Bay, Warrnambool. This was still in his possession in the 1930’s when Mr. Flett presented the small sample of wood to Mr. Henri Worland of the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery - along with a signed letter of ownership. A transcription of the letter is as follows - “Kalos” 12 Yendon Road Glen Huntly S.E.9 Dear Mr Warland, I am enclosing herewith a small piece of timber which, about 50 years ago, I cut from a rib of the old wreck which at that time was well known as the old “Enterprise”. I am prepared to sign a sworn statement that this is a piece of that wreck and has never been out of my possession since I cut it from the wreck. Since returning to the city I visited the museum and inspected the walking stick and small model of a boat, presented I think, by Mr Richie. I notice the different grain of the timber and would suggest that they are not Blue Gum, and the piece I am enclosing is definitely of that Tasmanian timber. Of course there may have been other imported timbers used and only the frame of the vessel made of the Blue Gum; I am not suggesting an error on the part of Mr Richie, who evidently knew the old wreck [in an?] earlier date than I did. The piece I am enclosing was incorporated in an old picture frame which I made 50 years ago, and although not used for many years has always been in my possession. With kind regards Yours faithfully J Flett (signature) P.S. I have other small pieces in a small photo frame which I may let you see some day, but not just now. Mr R. Christian will recognise the other frame when he sees it, as we were working together when it was made. J.F. There were several branches of Fletts living in Warrnambool in the mid to late 1800’s. They were all related and had emigrated from Stromness in the Orkney islands – arriving mostly in the 1850’s on different ships. John Flett’s mother was Jessie Isbister who arrived in Australia in 1852 with her family on board the Ticonderoga. Over 168 passengers died on the voyage including two of Jessie’s sisters and one of her brothers. Mrs Jessie Flett's obituary (titled "An Old Colonist") which appeared in the West Gippsland Gazette on Tuesday 8th September 1914 describes her early connections to Warnambool and the Ticonderoga. John Flett moved from Warrnambool to Birchip, Warragul and later went to Melbourne where he worked for the YMCA. During WW1, he worked at the Caulfield Military Hospital and volunteered for active service with the YMCA in France -caring for the welfare of the soldiers. After the war, he continued to work with the YMCA in a secretarial capacity. THE ENTERPRISE 1847-1850 The wooden, two-masted schooner Enterprise was built in New Zealand in 1847 and registered in Melbourne, Australia. The Enterprise carried a cargo of agricultural produce and other commodities for trade between the ports of the Colony. On September 14, 1850, the Enterprise was at anchor in Lady Bay under its Master, James Gardiner Caughtt, loaded with a cargo of wheat and potatoes. A strong south-easterly wind caused the vessel to drag on its only anchor and the rudder was lost. The gale force wind blew it sideways and it became grounded. A local aboriginal, Buckawall, braved the rough sea to take a line from the shore to the Enterprise. All five members of the crew were able to make it safely to land. The Enterprise was totally wrecked. The Enterprise wreck was in an area called Tramway Jetty in Lady Bay. Since then the area became the location of the Lady Bay Hotel and now, in 2019, it is in the grounds of the Deep Blue Apartments. In fact, with the constantly changing coastline through built-up sand, the wreck site is now apparently under the No 2 Caravan Park in Pertobe Road, perhaps 150 metres from the high tide. Its location was found by Ian McKiggan (leader of the various searches in the 1980s for the legendary Mahogany Ship). DIFFERENTIATING the New Zealand Schooner “Enterprise” from John Fawkner’s “Enterprize“ Dr. Murray Johns, Melbourne, says in his article The Mahogany Ship Story “… In fact, as I documented in 1985, the Warrnambool wreck was of an entirely different ship, also called Enterprize [with the spelling ‘Enterprise’], but built in New Zealand in 1847. Fawkner’s ship had already been sold to a Captain Sullivan in 1845 and was wrecked on the Richmond Pier in northern New South Wales early in 1847. “ - (further details are in NOTES: and FHMV documents) Mr Flett had assumed the timber was Tasmanian Gum as he thought it had come from the Enterprise which had been owned by Mr Fawkner and built in Tasmania but we now know the ship was built in New Zealand and the timber was most probably New Zealand Rimu.This piece of wood is significant for its association with the wreck of the schooner Enterprise, now on the Victorian Heritage List VHR S238, being a New Zealand built but Australian owned coastal trader. The wreck is also significant, by connection with the Enterprise, for its association with indigenous hero Buckawall who saved the lives of the five crew on board. The original owner of the wood (Mr John Flett) is significant as a member of one of Warrnambool’s pioneering families, which has contributed to the growth of the community in several ways over the years, living and working in the area.Small square piece of brown wood with a handwritten inscription on the back. The front is polished with a prominent grain and a shallow indentation along two sides. The back has the words "FLETT" and "ENTERPRISE" written in ink with a line separating them. The back is rough and has two indentations - possibly from a nail or tack. The wood sample is accompanied by a letter. Handwritten letter (two pages) of authenticity by Mr. John Flett to Mr. Worland (Manager of the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery). Transcribed below"FLETT" and "ENTERPRISE"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, carpentry, enterprise, lady bay warrnambool, schooner enterprise, wreck of the enterprise 1850, buckawall, shipwreck relic, john flett, warrnambool museum and art gallery, flett relic, letter, flett letter, ticonderoga, henri worland -
Blacksmith's Cottage and Forge
WW1 Table Cloth, WW1
This signature table cloth was anonymously donated to the Bacchus Marsh Blacksmith Cottage and Forge group in 2013. On the cloth are the hand embroidered names of men who served in WW1 as well as the names of family members, place names and dates of significance. In one corner of the cloth is the outline of a tennis ball, in which 6 names are listed. Research has shown that these names probably belonged to the Rose Park Methodist Tennis Club in Adelaide. Many of the other names listed seem to relate to servicemen and their families who came from South Australia. Also on this cloth are 3 beautifully embroidered butterflies, the profile of a man, a crest containing the letters B and H and the following place names and dates :- Sydney 21.10.12, Melbourne Jan 13, Goolwa, Genolan Caves NSW, Katoomba, Luna Park St Kilda and Granite Island. The name of the steamship SS Warilda also appears on this cloth. this ship belonged to the Adelaide Steamship Company. It was used to transport soldiers to WW1 and was then converted into a hospital ship, ferrying the wounded from France to England. It was hit and sank on the 3rd of August 1918.World War 1 signature table cloth. A square, white, linen table cloth with hand embroidered signatures of people and names of places, dates and objects relating to WW1.The embroidery is all done in white thread.There are also 3 embroidered butterflies, a crest and a man's profile. -
Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum
Silk Handkerchief, Souvenirs of France 1914 - 1918, 1914 (estimated); During the First World War
During the 1914-1918 war these souvenirs were sent by a soldier to his sweetheart, his fiance. The handkerchief is made of pure silk. Sadly the soldier was killed on the battlefield and did not return home. His fiance remained true to his love for the rest of her life, laughing away proposals of any other admirers. Her name was Ada. She is 97 years now and is living in Tasmania, was a good friend Beannie Cummins (dec) of Alexandra. Information forwarded in 1994.Part of our World War One collection of local significance.White Silk Handkerchief with cotton lace edging os 1.5 cm wide. Monogram on corner in the shape of a horseshoe. Embroidered in red silk with the words "SOUVENIR DE FRANCE". In the middle of the horseshoe there is an embroidered bunch of flowers in the colours of France, red, white and blue. There is a gold border around the horseshoe.SOUVENIR DE FRANCE horseshoe, tri-colour, red, white and blue flowers, lace edging lace, embroidery, france, 1914 1918, souvenir, flowers, de, silk, handkerchief, tri colours, horseshoe, monogram -
Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum
Silk Handkerchief, Souvenirs of France 1914 - 1918, 1914 (estimated)
During the 1914-1918 war these souvenirs were sent by a soldier to his sweetheart, his fiancee. The handkerchiefs are made of pure silk. Sadly the soldier was killed on the battlefield and did not return home. His fiancee remained true to his love for the rest ofher life, laughing away the proposals of any other admirers. Her name was Ada. She is 97 years of age and now lives in Tasmania and was once a friend of Beannie Cummins (dec) of Alexandra.White silk handkerchief with a 1.5 cm drawn thread hem. In one corner is embroidered Souvenir de France in brown colour. The rest of the embroidery include two flagpoles, one with France's flag, one with a British flag. There is a red rose of France at the bottom of the flagpole scattered green leaves throughtout the embroidery. The embroidery takes up a quarter of the whole hankerchief."Souvenir de France" embroidered cornerof, embroidery, french, france, british, red, 1914 1918, souvenir, white, de, silk, leaves, handkerchief, flagpoles, flag, rose, green, drawn thread, hemming -
Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum
Handkerchief Purse, Souvenirs of France 1914 - 1918, 1919 (estimated)
During the 1914-1918 war these souvenirs were sent by a soldier to his sweetheart, his fiancee. The pocket handkerchief holder was made of pure silk. Sadly the soldier was killed on the battlefield. His fiancee remained true to his love for the rest of her life laughing away other proposals of many admirers. Her name was Ada. She is 97 year old and now living in Tasmania and was once a close friend of Beannie Cummins (dec) of Alexandra. This information was given in 1994.Part of our World War One collection.This Handkerchief purse was once used by ladies to store their beautiful handkerchiefs. It is made of white silk (now faded.)Padded with cotton padding front and back. It has an embroidered cord around the outside with bows of cord on four corners and in the middle and top, and across the top of the opening of the purse. It has an embroidered panel 13cm x 8 cm with bows of ribbon on the two bottom corners, lace and cord around the panel. Panel embroidered with British and French flag in their country's colours in the shapes of 1919. SOUVENIR DE FRANCE embroidered in panel in green faded silk. 1919 SOUVENIR DE FRANCElace, embroidery, french, france, british, 1914 1918, souvenir, purse, and, de, silk, handkerchief, flags, panel, bows, ribbons -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard, The Watter-mill, Meaulte, Somme
This card was most probably purchased by Harry Holmes while on service with the Australian Imperial Forces during World Way One.Black and white postcard showing a three story brick building. It is the Watter-mill, Le Moulin, Somme. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham - holmes family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, france, somme, wtter-mill, meaulte, le moulin, amiens, aif