Index, ill, p.423.non-fictionA biography of Edgar Wallace. Quote from the plaque put up to the memory of Edgar Wallace at Ludgate Circus, over the spot where he sold newspapers as a boy : 'Edgar Wallace Reporter born London 1875 died Hollywood 1932. Founder member of the Company of Newspaper Makers. He knew wealth and poverty yet had walked with kings and kept his bearing. Of his talents he gave lavishly to authorship - but to Fleet Street he gave his heart.' edgar wallace 1875-1932, journalists - great britain - biography

Index, maps, p.395.non-fictionBased on the research of modern historians as well as a wealth of primary source material, Churchill's popular and readable A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was respected by scholars as well as the public in its day - a testament both to its integrity as a work of historical scholarship and its accessibility to laypeople. Churchill used primary sources to masterful effect, quoting directly from a range of documents, from Caesar's invasions of Britain to the beginning of the First World War, to provide valuable insights into those figures who played a leading role in British history. In the last of his epic four-volume account, Churchill begins at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and ends with the Boer War of 1902.great britain - history, winston churchill 1884-1965

Index, maps, p.325.non-fictionBased on the research of modern historians as well as a wealth of primary source material, Churchill's popular and readable A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was respected by scholars as well as the public in its day - a testament both to its integrity as a work of historical scholarship and its accessibility to laypeople. Churchill used primary sources to masterful effect, quoting directly from a range of documents, from Caesar's invasions of Britain to the beginning of the First World War, to provide valuable insights into those figures who played a leading role in British history. In the last of his epic four-volume account, Churchill begins at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and ends with the Boer War of 1902.great britain - history, winston churchill 1884-1965

Index, maps, p.312.non-fictionBased on the research of modern historians as well as a wealth of primary source material, Churchill's popular and readable A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was respected by scholars as well as the public in its day - a testament both to its integrity as a work of historical scholarship and its accessibility to laypeople. Churchill used primary sources to masterful effect, quoting directly from a range of documents, from Caesar's invasions of Britain to the beginning of the First World War, to provide valuable insights into those figures who played a leading role in British history. In the last of his epic four-volume account, Churchill begins at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and ends with the Boer War of 1902.great britain - history, winston churchill 1884-1965

Index, maps, p.304.non-fictionBased on the research of modern historians as well as a wealth of primary source material, Churchill's popular and readable A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was respected by scholars as well as the public in its day - a testament both to its integrity as a work of historical scholarship and its accessibility to laypeople. Churchill used primary sources to masterful effect, quoting directly from a range of documents, from Caesar's invasions of Britain to the beginning of the First World War, to provide valuable insights into those figures who played a leading role in British history. In the last of his epic four-volume account, Churchill begins at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and ends with the Boer War of 1902.great britain - history, winston churchill 1884-1965

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Maroon coloured cloth bound card cover, with grey paper label on front. Spine binding is maroon leather. Pages inside front and back covers are blue. Pages numbered to 186 and are all handwritten in black pen with days written in margins.Diary 1909 handwritten on label on front cover. A Bostock Oct 1909 inside front cover.augustus bostock, warrnambool, bostock brothers, bostock diary

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Brown cloth over card cover with maroon leather spine. Grey paper label pasted on front cover.188 pages all handwritten in black ink.Augustus Bostock Vaucluse 1913 handwritten inside front cover.Diary 1913 handwritten on label on front cover.augustus bostock, bostock brothers, warrnambool, vaucluse warrnambool, marramook hawkesdale

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Cardboard cover, water- waved patterned in black and grey with orange cloth binding. Pages are all handwritten with dates in margin. Augustus Bostock Diary for 1904.diary of augustus bostock 1904-1907, warrnambool

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. The last entry in the diary is for Wednesday June 2nd 1920 and states, “I have been a bit out of sorts, very short in the breath. Dr Connell called returning from Orford. Gus came down and brought our mail. W fair some rain” Augustus died seven weeks later, August 20th 1920.Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Bright blue cloth over card cover with maroon leather binding on spine. Red label attached to front cover Pages are all handwritten.188 pages. Vaucluse W’Bool A Bostock 1918 handwritten on front page. Diary for 1918 handwritten on front label which has minute book printed on it.warrnambool, augustus bostock, bostock diary

Linoleum was introduced in the late nineteenth century and the examples at Hymettus include this original early twentieth century hall runner. While other examples in the house date to the 1940s his example from much earlier is a rare survivor of its type and vintage. It was a popular product of its time reproducing the look of encaustic tiles as were found in wealthier homes.linoleum, nineteenth century, wealth, hymettus, encaustic tiles.

So Much to Lose is a well-crafted, exceptionally researched, and most welcome contribution. Rust provides a wealth of otherwise unavailable material on a largely unexplored and misunderstood chapter of America's Southeast Asia history.united states - foreign relations - laos, united states - foreign relations - 1961-1963

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Blue, tan, yellow and white patterned cover with maroon binding. Fawn pages inside front and back covers. Pages are all handwritten. Sticker inside front cover: J Hider Opposite the Post Office Warrnambool.1/9. A Bostock Coomite Diary for 1877 warrnambool, augustus bostock, gussy bostock, marramook hawkesdale, bostock brothers

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1918 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Brown, blue, yellow and white wavy pattern cover with black binding. Edges of pages have a multi coloured pattern. Entries are handwritten in black ink.G. Bostock, Coomite Jan 1st 1871 warrnambool, augustus bostock, marramook hawkesdale, bostock brothers, pioneers warrnambool

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Maroon, blue, white and yellow patterned cardboard cover with black binding on spine. Pages written in black pen apart from entries for August and September which are written in blue ink. Coomete 16th June 1873. C/N 2/- inside front cover.bostock, augustus bostock, vaucluse warrnambool, warrnambool

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Physical Description: Dark grey stippled cloth hard cover with tan leather corners and spine. Brown and gold coloured paper inside front and back covers. Pages written in black pen.Title page has A Bostock Grasmere. Diary from June 10th 1862.warrnambool, bostock, augustus bostock, bostock diary, augustus bostock 1862

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Brown stippled cloth cover with brown corners and spine in leather. Purple and green patterned paper inside front and back covers. Pages are handwritten in black ink. Sticker inside front cover: J Hider Opposite the Post Office Warrnambool. M/R 6/- Augustus Bostock Coomite Diary 1881 warrnambool, augustus bostock, gussy bostock, vaucluse warrnambool, bostock brothers

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Grey cloth cover over card with maroon leather binding. Blue pages inside front and back covers. Pages are all handwritten with dates in margin. Edges of pages orange blue and yellow. Label on front cover has Minute Book printed on cream label. Marramook Diary 1896 hand written in pen. 286 pages.Marramook Sept 15th 1896 Augustus Bostock. diary of augustus bostock 1896-1904, warrnambool

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Blue cloth, water wave cover with maroon binding.Maroon, blue and white patterned pages inside front and back covers. Pages are all handwritten. Coomete 1890.diary of augustus bostock 1890, warrnambool

This private late-nineteenth-century four-wheeled carriage has been built to transport a family or group of passengers with a coachman in the front seat. It can be pulled by one horse, or by two horses if the T-pole is attached. The button fittings along each side of the carriage indicate that a folding roof or hood was once attached. The frame across the front of the carriagewas likely to have been a ‘dashboard’ with a leather or wood covering to prevent water, mud and other particles from splashing onto the passengers. The rear step between the two side-facing bench seats is adjustable to allow for ladies’ long skirts. These rear seats appear to be removable, in which case the carriage could be converted to a wagon to transport goods and equipment. The carriage could have been illuminated by oil or carbide lamps placed into the lamp holders on the sides. The carriage was kept under cover for many years in an open-front sandstone building that also included living quarters and an area that may have been stable. It was at ‘Murweh’ a Warrnambool property at 203 Liebig Street. The home is now Heritage and National Trust Listed and described as a ‘gentleman’s residence’. It was built by James Wotton Shevill in the 1860s. Shevill was a councillor from 1875 to 1878, serving in 1878 as Mayor of the Borough of Warrnambool. Jeremiah Wade lived at Murweh there from 1879-1880. By 1915 F.B. Whitehead and his family were living there, and by 1930 the address was used by Mr T.J. Rome and his family. Thomas James Rome was still using that address in September 1973 after his 100th birthday. It is believed that one of the property’s owners had been an Obstetrician in Warrnambool. The current owner re-told the story that children used to hide in the back section of the carriage and smoke, hidden from the sight of onlookers. He had heard the story from a previous owner.The well-appointed horse-drawn four-wheeled carriage is likely to have first belonged to a local councillor and past Mayor of the town of Warrnambool, J.W. Shervill, whose 1860s city property was the carriage location for many years. The carriage is a rare local example of a town-based lifestyle befitting a prosperous personality of the late 19th century. It adds to the story of Warrnambool's development as a town influenced by the port, wealth gained from shipping and the home place of prominent local people such as the Councillor and later Mayor. The side-facing rear seating is unusual for a passenger carriage. It has the feature of removable rear bench seats, allowing for the dual purpose of a carriage or wagon.Carriage; the Victorian-era horse-drawn four-wheeled open carriage has a coachman’s bench seat across the front and two side-facing bench seats in the rear. There are steps at the front on each side and a centre adjustable step and the back. It has a hinged shaft, two lamp holders and a separate T-pole. The bench seats have padded backrests upholstered in green leather and each has padded armrests at the ends. A rectangular metal frame, likely to have been a dashboard, is mounted across the front of the carriage. It has two inner vertical bars. The carriage's body is painted dark green with crimson highlights on some of the panelling. Decorative oval panels with hand-painted motifs are mounted along the sides. The side panels of the carriage have metal fastener buttons attached. The iron-rimmed wheels have sixteen wooden spokes and copper cuffs on the outside of the hubs, and the rear wheels are higher than the front wheels. Wooden brake blocks are mounted onto the back wheels and are active by a metal lever at the front right side of the carriage. The undercarriage is fitted with leaf springs on each side, mounted from front to back axles. Included are: (1) The separate T-pole that allows two horses to be harnessed to the carriage (2) Leather horse winkers with metal hardware and oval brass plate on the side of each winkerMotif painted on an oval panel [a musical lyre within a blue floral wreath flanked by scrolls] flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, murweh, buggy, cart, carriage, wagon, horse-drawn vehicle, victorian buggy, four-wheeled carriage, coachman’s seat, bench seat, side-facing benches, upholstered seats, victorian decals, heritage vehicle decoration, antique hand painting, hand painted decals, motifs, iron-rimmed wheels, wooden brake blocks, leaf springs, t-pole shaft, rear step, equine carriage, 19th century vehicle, victorian transport, transport, gentleman’s vehicle, james wotton shevill, councillor, mayor, jeremiah wade, f.b. whitehead, thomas james rome, warrnambool obstruction, warrnambool genealogy, warrnambool pioneers, victorian carriage, one horse carriage, two horse carriage, horse drawn carriage

Woodblock printing in Tibet began to flourish from the 10th century onwards, driven by the high demand for Buddhist scriptures and images. Monasteries saw woodblock printing as a means to preserve and propagate authentic Buddhist teachings. The durability of woodblocks made them ideal for creating lasting impressions of sacred texts, enabling mass production and wide dissemination. Jambhala is a Bodhisattva of material and spiritual wealth often invoked by practitioners seeking to eliminate poverty and remove obstacles and misfortunes.Woodblock print of Jambhala on yellow cloth, created using an old wooden handcrafted printing board from Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet. woodblock printing, buddhist art

Drawing on a wealth of new evidence from all sides, Triumph Forsaken overturns most of the historical orthodoxy on the Vietnam War.vietnamese conflict , 1961-1975., vietnam - history - 1945-1975., south vietnamese president ngo dinh diem, president diem, president lyndon johnson, us troops

This Miner’s Right was issued post the rush of the 1850s-60s but is testament to the ongoing interest in gold although the great rush had dwindled. Local papers continued to report on findings and hopes of success, including syndicates and explorations across the south-west district of Victoria and Otways. The Warrnambool correspondent of the “Hamilton Spectator”, 31/1/1878, p4 attest to the price of a good season of potatoes comparing “favourably with the unsteady returns of any precarious gold-bearing quartz reefs in the colony.” A James Collins (1842-1918) is listed in the Pioneers’ Register, Warrnambool, Township and Shire 1839-1900, Volume One, A.I.G.S Warrnambool Branch, 2004, p137. As are numerous other Collins pioneer families of the district. This item is significant in that it illustrates that people associated with the region were interested in taking their chances in prospecting for gold similar to many others. A lure that is still present for some today. Although the southwest region found it's source of wealth in other industries from whaling and fishing, wool and other agricultural pursuits. This is a top to bottom upright image of a Miner’s Right. It is a buff coloured document printed in black ink. It was issued in “BALLARAT” and rubber stamped twice in red ink. The issue to “James Collins”, is dated “23rd August 1889” to “22nd August 1890”. The signature of the authority could be Bennet. All handwriting is script style in black ink. Looking from the front the lefthand side has a serrated edge. The back is printed in black ink and there are no “particulars of registration”. The Miner’s Right is from “Series J, Book No. 3, ticket “No. 15”. A “Colony of Victoria” coat of arms is displayed at the top of the document. An insignia runs along the lefthand side of the license featuring coat of arms with a kangaroo and emu, then a miner’s pick and shovel, two crossed Union Jack flags sit behind a monogram “VR” with a hanging set of scales supported by a sword. "By Authority Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer.""Series J. Book No. 3 Five Shillings. No. 15. Colony of Victoria. Miner's Right"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, james collins, australian goldfields, miner's rights, the history of ballarat, gold rush

Regional costumes conveyed information about the wearer, e.g., particular part of the country or province; religion; wealth.Doll dressed in the traditional costume of a man from Zeeland.The costume jacket has the brand name "Dovina" Rotterdam-Holland on the back.

Index, p.388.non-fictionThe ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942 marked the climax of the greatese crisis in Anglo-Australian relations - Britain's inexcusable betrayal of Australia in time of war. Until World War II, Australia had always rushed to the Imperial colours, confident that just as Australian blood was shed for the Mother Country, so too would British Blood be in the defence of Australia. But in 1939 Australia lay wide open to attack, her defences practically non-existent, and she was reluctant to commit her meagre forces overseas. Her objections were overcome, however, by an unequivocal British promise to protect her from a Japanese attack, so she sent troops and ships to the northern hemisphere, leaving Singapore naval base as the cornerstone of her own defence policy. Britain's promise to defend Australia was made with little concern for the possibility of its ever being implemented and, certainly, in 1939 a direct threat to Australia looked unlikely. During 1940 and 1941, however, the threat from Japan increased, while Britain's ability to counter it weakened. Yet the British government resisted calls to strengthen the Far Eastern Defence, continually reassuring Australia that the Japanese threat would not materialize and that, even if it did, Britain could still contain it. Then the inconceivable happened: in December 1941 the Japanese decimated the US fleet at Pearl Harbour and in early 1942 took Singapore, leaving Australia suddenly in immediate peril. But the oft-repeated promise to defend the Dominion came to nought. And, at the most crucial time in Australia's history, Churchill tried to prevent substantial American forces from being sent to the pacific, and even attempted to delay the repatriation of Australian troops needed for defence. Thus Britain deliberately left Australia at the mercy of Japan, using her to divert and delay the Japanese thrust westwards towards India and the Middle East...[inside front and back cover]. This compelling and controversial book reveals how in 1942 Churchill, in an attempt to delay an attack on India, left Australia at the mercy of the Japanese by trying to prevent American forces being sent to the Pacific. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including many previously unavailable to historians, David Day exposes a saga of empty promises and asks serious questions about the past and future relationship between Britain and Australia. Collapse summary worls war 1939-1945 - diplomatic history, australia - foreign relations - britain