Book

snape collection

A handmade scaled replica of a World War Two Supermarine Spitfire aircraft for Tropical Operations, for defence of Australia and operations in the South Pacific flown by Australian Airmen.Signed by highly decorated World War Two Pilots Handmade wooden Spitfire Fighter Plane World War Two. Dark Blue paint, handmade metal propeller, 20mm cannon, exhaust manifold and undercarriage and perspex canopy. Mounted on buff coloured acrylic baseboard. Autographed by known & unknown World War Two Fighter Pilots and ACE Fighter Pilots.model, aircraft, spitfire, raaf, world war two,

Small resin statuette of fighter pilot WW2, Darwin 1942model, ww2

non-fictionBreathtaking Stories of Adventure in the Airspitfire, red baron, battle of britain, fighter pilot, airship

David Robson has had a lifelong association with aircraft. He started flying at the age of 16 and served for 21 years in the RAAF as a fighter pilot, test pilot and forward air controller (including a tour in Vietnam in the 0-2A). His hobby is painting, and he naturally turns to his own experiences and visual images to convey the wonders and beauty of flight, the camaraderie of the Services and ugliness of war.Original watercolour of USAF Cessna 0-2A supporting A/An Army Bell Helicopter in 1969 in Phuoc Tuy Province. Call sings Jade and Possum respectively. The scene portrayed in the watercolour is of a USAF Cessna 0-2A aircraft supporting an Australian Army Bell 47 helicopter in 1969. the team operated in Phuoc Tuy Province in support of the 1st australian Task Force. the 0-2A was a Forward Air Control aircraft flown by both USAF and RAAF pilips in this role. Jade 07 was the callsign reserved for a RAAF fighter pilot. As well as directing airstrikes in the Jad FAC gave top cover and navigational assistance to the Possum helicopter and , in return, the Possum provided very accurate BDA (Bomb Damage Assesment) following the airstrike.Signed by Artist David Robson 2001. cessna 0-2a, painting, phuoc tuy, david robson

Account of a World War 1 British fighter pilot.208 p. pbk.

Story of Douglas Bader, fighter pilot and POW during World War 2382 p. illus. pbk.

Printed on border under map: These escape maps were carried in the zip pockets of life jackets by fighter pilots in WW2. This map was presented to A.S.R on the 12/7/79 by Councillor Ian McKenzie, Mayor of Eaglehawk who served as a fighter pilot in 78 Sqn. in Sth. W. Pacific are during 1943-44.Map of eastern section of New Guinea. Black print on white background with mountain ridges in tan. Inset 'A' is New Britain. Inset 'B' is New Ireland. Inset 'C' is Manus Island. Map is mounted with cream border, brown wooden frame with glass front and fawn wooden backing.maps, ww2

Map of central section of New Guinea. Black print on white background with mountain ridges in tan. Map is mounted with green border. Brown wooden frame, glass front, white cardboard backing with wire hanging strap on back. Map prepared under the direction of RAAF Headquarters.Printed in black top centre: “NEW GUINEA CENTRAL” Printed on border under map: “These escape maps were carried in the zip pocket of life jackets by fighter pilots in WW2. This map was presented to A.S.R. on 12.7.79 by Councillor Ian McKenzie, Mayor of Eaglehawk, who served as a fighter pilot in 78th SDN in the SW Pacific area during 1943-44.”map, new guinea, central, raaf

These mirrors were carried by fighter pilots to signal to rescue crews if they were downed, particularly behind enemy lines.This mirror was carried by Max Carland part of his kit while flying missions from MorataiRectangular mirror with instructions on reverse side. Front is mirror, back is black with 50mm round mirror with sighting cross in centreEmergency signaling mirror (ESM/1) Sec.No. 4063 General Electric Company

Map of Western section of New Guinea. Black print on white background with mountain ridges in tan. Mounted with green border & brown wooden frame, glass front & white cardboard backing with wire hanging strap on back. Inset LHS bottom: A: Aroe Island B: KIA Island C: Taniimba IslandPrinted in black at top centre: “NEW GUINEA WESTERN’ Printed on border under map: “These escape maps were carried in the zip pockets of life jackets by fighter pilots in WW2. This map was presented to A.S.R. on the 12/7/79 by Councillor Ian McKenzie, Mayor of Eaglehawk, who served as a fighter pilot in 78th SQN in S.W. Pacific area during 1943-44.”map, new guinea, western, raaf

Keith William "Bluey" TRUSCOTT 400213 Awarded DFC & Bar - Born 17/5/1916 Prahran Victoria WW2 RAAF Squadron Leader and Ace fighter pilot who served in Europe, South West Pacific and Milne Bay. Played for Melbourne Football Club. Died at sea and buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth Western Australia. Three coloured photographs depicting head stones in cemetery400213 Squadron Leader K.W. Truscott DFC & Bar Royal Australian Air Force 28th March 1943 Aged 26 In Loving Memory of our Darling Son His duty nobly done. truscott, raaf, ww2, dfc

Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), also known as the "Red Baron", was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. The evidence indicates that he was shot down by ground fire from Australian troops. This picture was taken after Manfred von Richtofen had been killed B & W photo from a glass plate of German Ace Richthofen in death.photographs, german, red baron

These pieces of canvas are from a German plane brought down by an allied fighter. The pilot was shot through the head. It was given to Mary Gilbert by Alex P. Cameron to be donated to the museum.This item is a reminder of the personal stories of WW1.Two small pieces of canvas from a German plane brought down by another fighter. It is part of a black cross on the plane. There is hand-written information written on the back of both pieces.souvenir ww1

Author George Odgers Endorsed by the Australian Defence Forces .1) Diggers from 1860 to 5 June 1944 The royal blue & dark yellow hard cover book with dust jacket. On the front cover is a picture of a painting in the centre of horses, guns & soldiers on a battlefield with stars of the Southern Cross around the picture 272pp. .2) Diggers from 6 June 1944 to 1994 The royal blue & dark yellow hard cover book with dust jacket. On the front cover is a picture of a painting of a group of soldiers during a battle. 2 tanks & palm trees in background. Stars of the Southern Cross around the picture 272pp. Page numbering in Volume 2 continues on from last page number in Volume 1. .3) Blue cardboard sleeve Open sided royal blue & dark yellow box slip cover for 2422.1 & 2422.2. Portrait orientation LHS has photo of 4 fighter pilots walking away from an aeroplane. Stars of Southern Cross around photo. RHS has picture of a painting of a group of soldiers during a battle. 2 tanks & palm trees in background. Stars of the Southern Cross around the picture. Bottom section of the box is missing.books-military-history, containers, military history

Photo of Bluey Truscott. Squadron Leader Keith William (Bluey) Truscott was regarded as one of Australia’s most well known WW2 fighter pilot aces. He was born on the 17/5/1916 and died over Exmouth, Western Australia on 28/3/1943 in an Aircraft accident whilst on duty. He initially trained under the Commonwealth Empire Training Scheme In Canada at the beginning of WW2, and later on was posted to Number 452 Squadron England where he flew Spitfires over Europe. He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross in 1941 for his Air action and bravery. In 1942 he was further awarded the DFC Bar for further outstanding Air action and bravery. He returned to Australia and commanded number 76 Squadron who undertook duties in Papua New Guinea, specifically Milne Bay. When with 76 Squadron they largely flew Kittyhawks. There is a club named after SQN LDR Truscott, called the Truscott Club, at Airforce Base Darwin. There is also a decommissioned WW2 Airfield in the Kimberley’s called after him ( Truscott Air Base). Truscott has more recently been called Mungalu-Truscott Air Base as it is now owned by the traditional people of the Wunambal Gaambera. The Airfield is now used for commercial and private flying and is heritage listed under the National Trust of Australia (W.A.) due to its historical significance relating to WW2 and the remaining artefacts that are still in place presently. Bluey Truscott was also a well known Australian Rules Football player prior to WW2 having played for Melbourne. Photograph of Keith William (Bluey) Truscott in uniform.ww2, bluey truscott, flying cross

Set of Books commonly called 'As You Were' from WW1 and WW2. Green cloth. .1) Australia in Palestine (WWI) Book, hard cover, cardboard in centre of cover is silhouette of a Light Horseman & horse. Print is black ink, 153 pages. Illustrated with photos, drawings & maps. .2) These Eagles. Story of the RAAF at War. Book, green hard buckram cover, 200 pages. Front cover has black print with outline drawing of an eagle. Illustrated with photos, drawings. .3) RAAF Log - The RAAF at War. Book, green buckram hard cover. Front has profile of a pilot, black print, 200 pages, illustrated with photos, maps. paintings & drawings. .4) RAAF SAAG - The RAAF at War. Front cover has drawing of 2 Fighter Pilots in black ink, black print. 200 pages, illustrated with photos, drawings & paintings. Book, green buckram hard cover. Front cover has drawing of 2 Fighter pilots, black print, 200 pages, photos, drawings & paintings. .5) Victory Roll - The RAAF at War. Book, green buckram, black print, 200 pages, photos, drawings & charts. .6) HMAS Green buckram hard cloth cover, cloth cover with black text. 200 pages, black & white print, black text on white paper. .7) HMAS Mk II. Book, green buckram hard cover, black & white text on white paper. 200 pages, illustrated colour prints. .8) HMAS Mk III Book , green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper. 200 pages, illustrated colour prints. .9) HMAS Mk IV Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper. Illustrated colour prints. .10) Active Service with Australia in the Middle East. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 129 pages. .11) Soldering on the Australian Army at Home & Overseas. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 200 pages. Rising Sun badge at bottom right hand corner. Illustrated with black & white photos, paintings, maps & drawings. .12) Khaki & Green with the Australian Army at Home & Overseas. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 204 pages. Front cover has a layout of words khaki & green, 2nd tone in light yellow. Illustrated with black & white photos, paintings, & drawings. .13) Jungle Warfare with the Australian Army in the South West Pacific. Book, brown buckram hard cover, light brown ink. Image at bottom of Australian soldier in jungle, 208 pages. Illustrated with photos, paintings, maps & drawings. .14) Stand Easy. After the Defeat of Japan, 1945. Book, light green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 208 pages. Image of soldier, both arms outstretched, smiling. Illustrated with photos, maps, paintings, & drawings. .15 On Guard with the Volunteer Defence Corps. Book, green & black buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 172 pages. Illustrated with colour prints, & black & white photos. .16) As You Were. A Cavalcade of Events with The Australian Services from 1788 to 1946. Book, green buckram hard cover, tan & black text on white paper, 202 pages. Illustrated with black & white photos & colour prints. .17) As You Were. A Cavalcade of Events with The Australian Services from 1788 to 1947. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 202 pages. Illustrated with black & white photos & colour prints. .18) As You Were. A Cavalcade of Events with The Australian Services from 1788 to 1948. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 202 pages. Illustrated with black & white photos & colour prints. .19) As You Were. A Cavalcade of Events with The Australian Services from 1788 to 1949. Book, green buckram hard cover, green text on white paper, red & green diagram, 194 pages. Illustrated with black & white photos & colour prints. .20) Signals. Story of the Australian Corps of Signals. Book, green buckram hard cover, black text on white paper, 196 pages. In the corner of the front cover is the badge with motif of the Australian Corps of Signals. Illustrated with photos & drawings..1) 4214 TPR J E Neilson Year 1919 F E Addlem 1962 .books-military, museums, history

The pilot is more than likely Flt Lieut. Jim Nixon with his Spad aircraft during WW1. James Harold Claude Nixon was born 12/12/1890 and before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force was an auctioneer at Delegate. After training at Aldershot for the Royal Flying Corps he was granted an Aviators Certificate (No. 4607) by the Royal Aero Club. ( more reading in "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Peter Nixon)The Nixon family was a prominent family in the history of Orbost and its surrounds.A black / white photograph of a man in uniform standing next to a small fighter plane (a biplane). There are two copies and a letter from Peter Nixon with this photograph.handwritten on back - "Since writing that letter of grief, found now that I am going out to fly the Spad Scout which photo you see here. I am going across tomorrow morning so will not be long to know what ariel (sic) warfare is like now. I am in the best of health & happy as a lark. This is all I have to say with lots of love from your son Jim"nixon-james-pilot-ww1

Item in the collection of Gilbert John Mitchell (Jack) Pre WW2 Jack had service for a brief time in the 38th BN Bendigo No 447203. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31.1.1942 No 410686 age 20 years. Embarked for England on 6.1.1943 for further Training. Posted to 166 Sqd RAF Wellington Bombers then posted Operational to No 466 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Heavy Bombers. On 18.7.1944 he and his crew in MZ313 were on a mission to attack Railway Sidings at Vaires. This was new Aircraft on 11.6.1944. They were hit by Anti Aircraft shells exploding in the fuselage. The Bomb Aimer Flt/Lt Finley advised the crew to leave by parachute as it was possible the craft could disintegrate. The Pilot Officer R.J. Evans decided to try and get the aircraft back to England, once there they abandoned the craft which was seen to disintegrate in mid air. Both were awarded the DFC. Jack was taken POW and sent to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth on the Baltic Sea for Allied Airmen. The Crew were; Roger John Evans No 410202, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. Peter Hamiliton Finley No 412294, enlisted 22.6.1941 age 22 years. L.C. Abbott, British/Allied. G.J. Mitchell, POW. Keith Mossman Tranent POW, No 426402, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. J.P.T. Finn RAF (Paddy) T.W. Wild British/Allied. On 30.4.1945 The Germans vacated the Camp Jack was in and 2 days later the Russians released them and he was placed in a British Hospital weighing 6 stone. He arrived home in Sept 1945. He stayed in the RAAF No 033130 and served in No 35 Sqd flying VIPs. He was in the Berlin Airlift 1948 - 1949, he also went on exchange with the RAF and flew in No's 24 & 511 Sqd's one a transport the other VIP transport. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Flt/Lt on 6.7.1956 in No 11 Sqd. "Maunder and Sheean". In the article Jacks says that Lofty Maunder always had a joke etc when near the target to settle everyone down. The crew of Halifax LV875 were shot down by a Night Fighter near the target "Terngier" north of Paris 0n 11.4.1944. There was 157 Halifax's on the raid with 10 being lost. The Crew were; John Henry Maunder No 412562, Navigator, enlisted 19.7.1941 age 19 years 10 months. Brian Leo Sheean, No 409855, Wireless Operator, enlisted 1.10.1941 age 18 years. Research shows there were at least 3 more of the Crew KIA. Cecil John Bond No 420433, Pilot, enlisted 8.11.1941 age 19 years 11 months. John Neville Keys No 426112, Bomb Aimer, enlisted 23.5.1942 age 19 years 6 months. Clifford Young Warren No 427047, Rear Gunner, enlisted 26.4.1942 age 19 years 3 months. J.A. White, Flight Engineer, British/Allied. D.K. Messenger, Mid Upper Gunner, British/Allied. Newspaper article Herald Sun 19.4.2002, copy. Article re Jack Mitchell. The article has 6 photo insets 3 of Jack, 2 show Airmen beside an aircraft. The one with 2 Aircrew is "Lofty" Maunder and Jack. The article is mostly about "Maunder and Brian Sheean" mates of Jack. The inset photo of a women in uniform is believed to be "Maunders" English wife who he had married previously. Maunder and Sheean were KIA. "FLY THE FLAG FOR A MATE"newspaper, article, 466 sqd

Item is part of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625This is a large black and white photo. In the background are mountains. On right side of the photo, are some factories with tall chimneys. The middle ground is flat. It shows housing alongside roads. The foreground shows 10 major double storey buildings and three rows of single storey buildings The foreground, left bottom of the picture shows darkened devastated area. A solo tall chimney is on the right side.On rear - “81 fighter..... Occupation Forces. RAAF Camp (Barracks) Bofu, Japan 1946. This was previously a camp for Kamakazi pilots”ww2, bcof, japan

Full page newspaper clipping featuring the March 1965 Victorian bushfires. Items include: Photograph - TWO-WOMAN BUCKET BRIGADE, Mrs Henry Marsden (left) and Mrs Moureen Ellis, whose fire-fighting efforts yesterday were highly praised today by their Eltham neighbours, carry out mopping-up operations Photograph - DOGS MADE HOMELESS by the fire in North Eltham yesterday are being cared for at First-Constable Doug. Mummery's kennels at Eltham and here is kennel maid Helen Oliver, 17, with some of them today. The two basset hounds are owned by Mr Bill Guy who lost about 100 daschund and basset hound puppies and dogs in the fire. Photograph - He died at Eltham [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 Other news stories of the day:  Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue, doug mummery, helen oliver, mrs henry marsden, mrs moureen ellis

John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 He died at Eltham (Herald, 4 March 1965, p3) [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. * * * Frank Martin was a volunteer with the Eltham rural fire brigade at the time of the 1965 bushfires which burnt Eltham North and Research. Frank was asked to assist with the removal of three bodies from the back gully (now Orchard Avenue). They were badly burnt and one was found stuck under a fence as though trying to escape. Volunteers John Coleman Jnr, William Elwers and George Crowe were killed trying to protect Eltham from bushfire – they were local heroes. At the time, John Coleman Jnr was survived by his wife Margaret and two young children – John 11 and Vicky 2. Margaret Coleman lived in the family home until 1992 when she sold it and moved to Tasmania to be close to her son. She died in 1997 aged 65 years. 75 yr old Ken Gaston grew up on Edendale farm, which was originally a poultry farm but is now owned and run by the Shire of Nillumbik as an educational farm for schools and visitors. He was Captain of the Eltham rural fire brigade in 1965 when John Coleman Jnr was burnt to death in the Eltham North bushfires serving as an unofficial volunteer. He was able to draw where the original Wattletree Road was and at the time was verified with the location of some remaining bitumen and a post from the original bridge over the Diamond Creek located near the junction of the Diamond Creek and another small creek which is further down from Research or Christmas Creek as locals refer to it. The original Main Road ran behind Colemans before the railway line was built beyond Eltham in 1912. (Information recorded by Harry Gilham, President EDHS c.2011) * * * Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue