Roger de Stoop came to Australia during the Second World War when the de Stoop spinning & weaving factory in Belgium was closed during the German occupation. He had previously met Dick Best, an Australian who wanted to establish a textile factory in Australia and in 1950 they built a factory at Blackburn North importing the weaving looms and many of their skilled workers from Belgium. Housing for the workers was built near the factory.Black and white photograph of Belgian family groups in front of one of the houses erected for the de Stoop workers. Roger de Stoop is in the centre of the photograph in a dark suit and tie.de stoop, roger. de stoop aust pty ltd. de stoop and best textile factory. weaving mills. belgians in australia

The supper cloth was brought to Australia and presented to the Shields family. Mary Ann Stebbing (nee Shields) then handed it on to her daughter Nancy Jean, who married Alfred Marshall in 1937. On Nancy's death, the cloth came into the possession of her daughter, Nolene Menz (nee Marshall).This large cloth with its noteworthy hand stitching is an example of the range of textile memorabilia generated during World War 1. It links a local Buffalo River family to the 1914-18 conflict.Framed embroidered white linen cloth depicting a tribute to ANZAC soldiers by the women of Belgium, dated 1915. The tribute takes the form of an ANZAC soldier and words in the English language.Accompanying the ANZAC soldier presenting arms are the centred words: "ANZAC 1915" "OUR HERO, WE'RE PROUD OF HIM". Around the border of the cloth it reads: "WE ARE PROUD OF AUSTRALIAN BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO NOBLY DID RESPOND TO THE FIGHT FOR KING AND COUNTRY. HONOUR ON US ALL AND TO AVENGE BRAVE BELGIANS WRONGS. GOD PROTECT THEM."belgian supper cloth world war 1

Britain was bound by treaty to assist Belgium in times of war and in August 1914 came to Belgium's aid when that country was invaded by Germany. Great sympathy for the Belgians was engendered as news came of their plight and suffering under attack and in Australia this sympathy was reflected by the issuing of badges such as this to aid the war effort and to alleviate the suffering of the Belgians .These badges are of interest as a reminder of the interest of Australia of the war in 1999914-18 as it affected Belgiium..1 circular concave metal badge featuring the Belgian flag and text on a pale green background. There is a pin clip on the reverse. .2 As above .3 As above .4 As above .5 As above.1 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .2 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .3 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .4 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .5 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR

Belgium National Flag with Black, Yellow and Red stripes and white trimming down the side with 'BELGIUM' written down the side in black ink.BELGIUMflag, national, belgium, red, yellow, black

Round metal Belgian WWII helmet with chin strap. Inside head harness/fitting of leather with shoestring adjustments and 4 rubber buffers between harness and metal helmet, Inside of helmet reinforced with cross metal strapping. Name Jolley painted in white on outside front. Black Yellow Red Patch on outside right hand side.

Many casings were decorated by troops and used as ashtrays & containers.It examples the quality of material [brass]used for shell casing at that time.Brass Shell Base with Lid Belgium 1916-1919BELGIUM ...1916_1919

Gift of Mrs Coates, 1934

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Round metal button with green background. The Belgian flag is shown in the centre with words printed in white above and below it. It is likely that this button was sold to raise funds to support the Australian army who went to Belgium’s aid in the First World War.For Belgium For Honorfirst world war (1914-18), patriotic buttons, badges

Postcard dated Belgium Oct. 1917 with '1917' and 'souvenir de Belgique' embroidered on front.'Belgium October 20th, '17'/Dear Lil, A small but gaudy souvenir from Alan.'documents, postcards

Mesen (Messines in French, historically used in English) is a city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises of one main settlement, the town of Mesen proper. (Wikipedia) Two large battles were fought at Messines during World War One. Black and white postcard of a windmill at Messines, Belgium. chatham-holmes family collection, windmill, messines, moulin, world war, world war 1, world war one, belgium

Photographic details of Ypes sector, Belgium 27/9/1917. Hellfire corner.Photographic details of Ypes sector, Belgium 27/9/1917 Area known as Hellfire Corner.Belgium: Flanders, West-Vlaanderen, Ypres, Menin Road, Hellfire Corner, on the Menin Road in the Ypres sector of Belgium 27/9/1917. It was continually under observation and notorious for its danger The area was piled with wreckage of all kinds of transport. "A very sticky spot."An A4 sheet of paper with a black and white photograph of Hellfire Corner attached in the center. and a small note describing the scene.belgium, ypres sector, 1917, hellfire corner

Will Longstaff painted the original oil on canvas in Greater London -United Kingdom in 1927. The Menin Gate commemorates soldiers with no marked graves killed on the Western Front during the 1st World War. It is a dedication to the 350,000 men of the British Empire Forces who died on battle grounds around Ypres in Belgium. It contains the names of 55,000 men with no known grave.Significant memorial to brave men..Wooden framed print of the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium'Inscribed brass plaque "MENIN GATE AT MIDNIGHT" by Will Longstaff.

"Costumes of Europe in Wool- Belgium" - Dept of Education, International Wool Secretariat, part of the "Costumes of Europe in Wool" Series."Costumes of Europe in Wool- Belgium" - Dept of Education, International Wool Secretariat, part of the "Costumes of Europe in Wool" Series.Prepared by the Department of Education, International Wool Secretariat, Dorland House, 18-20 Regent St Londonwool marketing, international wool secretariat, dept of education

Mark 2 Belgian Clone of the British Brodie helmet. After the end of the Second World War Belgium began manufacturing their own version of the British Mk.II Helmet, which came to be known as the Belgian Mk.II Clone. This helmet was used by all services of the Belgian Military; Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as in Civil Defence. Mk.II Clones were produced from 1949 to 1952 and were very similar to the British Mk.II in almost every respect. However on closer inspection the differences are obvious, most noteably with the liner. Belgian Mk.IIs have a brown leather liner with five tongues and a brown drawstring. The cross shaped crown pad has black sorbo foam covered by leather. The underside of the leather has the Belgium Crest printed, while British helmets used oilcloth. Also unlike on British made Mk.IIs, the rims and lugs are made of mild (i.e. magnetic) steel. A Belgium Flag decal was worn on the left hand side of the shell, on all Military issue helmets. Stencilled on the liner is "COMET ABL 50", with the ABL (Armee Belge/Belgische Leger).

Sepia Post Card: Norman Gillies, the father of three sons (Alan, Norman and Leslie) who started Gillies Pies, Bendigo rear note: Donald Gillies farmer Narrewillock Post card manufacturing notes: Eden Studios, J. Yeoman Proprietor, Melbourne Made in BelgiumEden Studios, J. Yeoman Proprietor, Melbourne Made in Belgium

Postcards collected after WW1 by R.H. Baron whilst serving with 5th Divisional Headquarters (57 Batt) in Belgium. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" No. 3596, and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Six black and white postcard scenes of Mons, Belgium. Each has perforations down LHS.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcards, ww1, mons belgium

Alwyn Terrence Till died on 21st August 1944 in Germany and is buried at the Hotton War Cemetery in Hotton, Belgium.Black and white photograph of war graves in Belgium showing a field of white crosses with Alwyn Till's grave at the front with recent flowers at the base.on photo - Alwyn Till Grave Hotton 1948till, alwyn, war graves

No more than 350,000 Belgian Victory Medals were issued. The designed was Paul Dubois , a noted Belgian sculptor.Circular bronze Medal with multi-coloured ribbon. Obverse has Victory with spread wings, standing on a Globe. Reverse has Belgian Coat of Arms in a central laurel wreath. Surrounding it are the shields of nine Allied countries.Around the medal's edge is the bilingual text " LA GRANDE GUERRE POUR LA CIVILISATION DE GROOTE OORLOG TOT DE BESHAVING ''. ( "The Great War For Civilization " in French and in Flemish.

Holmes Family WW1 memorabilia. Reningelst is a rural village in the Belgian province of West-Flanders, and a "deelgemeente" of the municipality Poperinge. A double railway was constructed during the First World War. Reningelst was a stopover for many soldiers on their way to or from the front. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reningelst, accessed 11/07/2014)Black and White postcard showing the interior of a church in Reninghelst, Belgium, during World War Onepoperinghe, poperinge, flanders, chatham-holmes family collection, ww1, postcard

A photo of the Menin Gate war memorial in Ypres. It appears to be a professional photograph purchased as a souvenir. See also 01025 Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendale as it is by the same manufacturer and is dated 1930. The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown (source Wikipedia). The source of these photos is not known but they were stored together in the archives. The source of these photos is not known but they were stored together in the archives. The founders of Legacy were returned servicemen from the first world war and may have returned to France in the 1930s. Manufactured by L. Duhameeuw, Ypres.The professional photos from France imply that Legatees were making pilgrimages to the battlefields of France in the 1930s in memory of their comrades.Black and white photo of Menin gate in Ypres, Belgium.Indistinct round stamp on the back.world war one, souvenir, memorial, ypres

Cards collected by R. H. Baron whilst on leave in Belgium c. March 1919. See Catalogue No. 7888.1P and 7888.2P. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" No. 3596 and Coper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.1. to 21. Black and white postcard scenes of Bruxelles, Belgium. Perforations along left hand side of cards.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcards, ww1, bruxelles, belgium

Postcards collected after WW1 whilst R.H> Baron was stationed at 5th Divisional Headquarters (57 Batt) in Belgium, 1919. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" (3596) and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Eight black and white postcard scenes of Couillet near Charleroi, Belgium. Perforated edge on LHS of each card.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcard, ww1, couillet, belgium

1914 Star for the Greatr War 1914-1918 The 1914 Star was authorised in April 1917 to be awarded to those who served in France or Belgium on the strength of a unit, or who served in either of those two countries between 5 August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914. A recipient of the 1914 Star could not also be awarded the 1914–15 Star. WW1 Medal - The 1914 Star Issued to Pte. Albert Arthur Robin. The Great War 1914-1918. Australian Infantry Force. 1914 Star The 1914 Star was authorised in April 1917 to be awarded to those who served in France or Belgium. Design The four pointed star is bright bronze, ensigned with a crown. The obverse has crossed gladius, overlaid with an oak wreath that is ensigned with the cypher of King George V. Interlaced in the crossed blades of the gladius is an ‘S’ shaped scroll bearing the words ‘AUG’, ‘1914’, and ‘NOV’. Ribbon The ribbon has the red white and blue colours of the Empire, in shaded and watered stripes. Clasp A bronze clasp inscribed ‘5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914’ was issued to those who actually served under the fire of the enemy in France and Belgium between those dates.The four pointed star is bright bronze, ensigned with a crown. The obverse has crossed gladius, overlaid with an oak wreath that is ensigned with the cypher of King George V. Interlaced in the crossed blades of the gladius is an ‘S’ shaped scroll bearing the words ‘AUG’, ‘1914’, and ‘NOV’. Ribbon The ribbon has the red white and blue colours of the Empire, in shaded and watered stripes. Clasp A bronze clasp inscribed ‘5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914’ was issued to those who actually served under the fire of the enemy in France and Belgium between those dates.the ww1 star, ww1 1914-1918, pte. albert arthur robin., ww1 pte a. robin 22 battalion aif

Trench art desk set consisting of a wooden base with two inkwells, a pen rest and an ornate carrying handle. The two inkwells have been made from fuse fittings removed from 18 pounder artillery projectiles. The fittings have been modified to enable the tip to hinge open revealing an ink well. The bottom of the wells has been sealed by inserting coins, one well has a British halfpenny coin and the other has a French five centimes coin. The item is of World War 1 origin and has a small shield attached with the inscription "FRANCE 1916-7 BELGIUM"There is a shield with the inscription "FRANCE 1916-7 BELGIUM".

Postcards collected after WW1 by R.H. Baron whilst serving with 5th Divisional Headquarters (57 Batt) in Belgium. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" (No.3596) and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Seven black and white postcard scenes of Louvain, Belgium. Each has perforations down left side. Buildings depicted in each scene exhibit bomb damage.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcards, ww1, louvain

Postcards sent whilst billeted in Walcourt, whilst attached to 5th Divisional Headquarters (57 Batt) Australian Imperial Forces Abroad. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" (No. 3596 and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Five black and white postcard scenes of Walcourt, Belgium. Each has an anecdote on the back.1. & 2. Handwritten in blue ink on back: 'Letter from R.H. Baron to his mother dated Belgium 15/3/19. 3. Handwritten in blue ink on back: 'Letter from R.H. Baron to his mother - no date. 4. & 5. Handwritten in blue ink on back: "3596 Pte R.H. Baron, 5 Divisional Headquarters (57 Batt) Australian Imperial Forces Abroad.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcard, letters, ww1, walcourt belgium

Cards collected by R. H. Baron whilst on leave in Belgium c. march 1919. see Catalogue No's 7888.1P and 7888.2P. Part of the "Robert H Baron" No. 3596 and Cooper Collections See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service..1- 16 Coloured postcard scenes of Antwerp, Belgium. Perforations on left hand side. 17. 20. Black and White postcard scenes featuring Antwerp harbour.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcards, ww1, antwerp belgium