This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Middle East and Far East This book describes the work of the Australian Medical Service in the Middle East and in Malaya Author: Allan S Walker Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1953Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, australia in the war of 1939-1945 middle east and far east, australia in the war of 1939-1945, allan s walker, australian war memorial

Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - Middle East and Far East

Official history no dust cover

The complete record of the Medical conditions setting up camp hospitals, medical transport, medical records,Photographs, Maps,IllustrationsAustralian War Memorialtobruk, crete, general health in the desert, surgical conditions in the desert, syria, nurses, tropical medicine, malaria, medical conditions, burma thai railway, labour forces, prison camps

Hard covered book of 701 pages with photos, diagrams and mapsbook, medical services, ww2, book, medical services, ww2

Medium red buckram covers with dark maroon plastic covered dust jackets. .2) Dust jacket is lighter shade of puce. Titles on front & spines. Illustrated with photos & maps. .1) Vol I Clinical Problems of War, 726 pages .2) Vol II Middle East and Far East, 701 pages .3) Vol III The Island Campaigns, 426 pages .4) Vol IV Medical Services of the RAN and RAAF, 574 pages.3) Fly leaf stamped in ink, oval shape: Returned Services League Memorial Hall Bendigobooks - history, military, medical

Index, ill, maps, p.701non-fictionDescribes the role of the Australian military medical services during the war of 1939-1945world war 1939-1945 - medical services, world war 1939-1945 medical corps

The "lost convoy" is a variation of the song "bless 'em all". The original song was written by Fred Godfrey and became a well-known war song of the Second World War when it was published in 1940. There is no mention of the author of this variation of lyrics but the date is recorded as 'March-May 1942'. This rendition relates to the Australian experience of troops being sent to war, serving overseas, hoping to make it home to Australia by Christmas, and the opinion that of all the countries they've seen Australia is by far the best.The lyrics make particular mention of Australian Army Nurses and the part they played in the war experience.Two pages of white paper with black typing. There are two phrases on the first page that have been whited out and typed over. 'd' [Handwritten over a spelling error in line 12] '(continued) H.89' [Handwritten in blue ink at the bottom of the first page] 'H.89' [Handwritten in blue ink at the bottom of the second page]world war 1939-1945, ww2, wwii, australian imperial force, australian nurses, middle east, australian troops, war songs

Red Book

Index, ill, maps, p.674.non-fictionA history of the Australian army medical corps in the middle and far east during world war two.world war 1939-1945 - australia, australian army - medical corps

Ill, p.129.non-fictionThis is an illustrated notebook on the life of Australians in the Middle East theatre of war. Almost all of the contents are the works of men on active service. Reports are included on most of the actions in which Australian forces have so far taken part. It has been possible to include in these reports much detail which hitherto been available to the public. Similarly among the photographs, there are some which have already been published and many which now emerge from military and other official coerces for the first time. They have been selected primarily for their value as graphic records of fact. It is hoped that the result, in text and photography, may be a more intimate if still fragmentary understanding of the campaigns. The balance and perspective of true history canon yet be bought to bear on events. world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - middle east, world war 1939-1945 - australia