Fob (or pocket) watches were developed in Europe in the 16th century and gained wide usage during the mid 18th century until World War 1 when the wristwatch was invented. These watches were designed to be carried in a small pocket and attached through the means of a 'fob' which could be a chain or made from a variety of materials such as leather. Their popularity peaked in the nineteenth century where they were an important part of middle and lower class society as well. The inclusion of the word RAILWAY on the face of the watch suggests a possible use by an employee of the railways. This item is of social significance as fob / pocket watches were valued as an essential object in all levels of society. For some occupations, such as the railroads, it was a necessary tool of the job. Steel Railway Lever open face pocket / fob watch dated 1920s-1930s. The white dial has large black arabic numerals and outer minute divisions around the edge. A circular insert and small hand to show the seconds is at the bottom of the watch face. The hour hand is a rounded leaf shape, and the minute hand a thin diamond shape. Both hands and the small rounded end of the second hand reflect a metallic blue sheen in the right lighting. The words RAILWAY LEVER, 15 JL and SWISS MADE are on the dial. The lever set on watches was a requirement for railroad watches. It required a two step process for the hands to be adjusted. 15 JL refers to the movement being a 15 jewel one.The front dial of the watch has the words 15 JL, RAILWAY LEVER, and SWISS MADE. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, fob watch, pocket watch, watch, horology, time keeper, swiss made, railway lever, 15 jl, 15 jewel

Letter from Alf Ferris to his family at Terrick Terrick, refer cat No 418.3.3P.1).2)Letter, rectangular shape, off white colour, ruled lines, hand written in purple pencil, dated. .3) Envelope, “YMCA”, light fawn colour, Army PO stamped, passed by censor stamp, initialled, hand written in purple pencil, dated..1) “France, 17th Sept 1918, Dear Mother and All”. .3) Dated “JL 15 18”letters, envelopes, ymca

James Leonard Foley’s family lived at ‘Warringal’, 3 Foley Street, Kew. Like many other soldiers from Kew, he was educated at the Kew State School. He enlisted at the age of 19 in March 1915. His previous occupation is recorded as 'Blacksmith'. James sent a postcard to his mother in 1915 saying that he was ‘quite well’. He was to be killed in action on the Western Front on 24 August 1916 and is buried in the Villers-Bretonneux cemetery. Poignant card from a Kew soldier in World War 1 who was later to die on the Western Front.Single page Field Service Postcard and Envelope from James Leonard Foley to Mrs Eliza Foley of 3 Foley Street in Kew. Private J.L. Foley (1600) served during World War one with the 24th Battalion. He died on the Western Front. His parents were Edward and Eliza Foley of 3 Foley Street, Kew.Mrs E Foley, 3 Foley Street, Kew, Vic [Signed] JL Foley 8/9/15first world war (1914-18), james foley, world war one, foley street, warringal, villers-bretonneux cemetery, e. foley, edward foley