Showing 190 items
matching generals - biography
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Arrow, Monty and Rommel : parallel lives, 2012
... Generals - Germany - Biography...-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals - Germany - Biography Generals - Great ...Two men came to personify generalship in the Second World War: Bernard Montgomery for the British and Erwin Rommel for the Germans. In the span of a few years, they fought a series of extraordinary duels across several theaters of war. Ever since, historians have assessed their leadership, personalities, and skill. Born four years apart, the two men followed a remarkably similar trajectory. Military historian Peter Caddick-Adams explores their lives, beginning with their provincial upbringing and the brutal trench fighting of World War I--where both nearly died. Obsessed with fitness and training, the future field marshals emerged with glowing records. They taught in staff colleges, wrote infantry textbooks, and fought each other as divisional commanders in 1940 before taking charge of their respective armies as the war raged on. This first comparative biography of these two soldiers explores how each was "made" by their war leaders, Churchill and Hitler, and how their strategies permeate down to today's armies.Index, ill, maps, p.614.non-fictionTwo men came to personify generalship in the Second World War: Bernard Montgomery for the British and Erwin Rommel for the Germans. In the span of a few years, they fought a series of extraordinary duels across several theaters of war. Ever since, historians have assessed their leadership, personalities, and skill. Born four years apart, the two men followed a remarkably similar trajectory. Military historian Peter Caddick-Adams explores their lives, beginning with their provincial upbringing and the brutal trench fighting of World War I--where both nearly died. Obsessed with fitness and training, the future field marshals emerged with glowing records. They taught in staff colleges, wrote infantry textbooks, and fought each other as divisional commanders in 1940 before taking charge of their respective armies as the war raged on. This first comparative biography of these two soldiers explores how each was "made" by their war leaders, Churchill and Hitler, and how their strategies permeate down to today's armies.generals - germany - biography, generals - great britain - biography -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Random House, Monash: The outsider who won a war, 2004
... australia - generals - biography... australia - generals - biography A biography of Australia's greatest ...A biography of Australia's greatest military commander, Sir John Monash, who chnaged the way wars were fought and won.index, notes, ill, maps, p.586.non-fictionA biography of Australia's greatest military commander, Sir John Monash, who chnaged the way wars were fought and won.world war 1914-1918 - australia - campaigns, australia - generals - biography -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, McMillan, Great commanders and their battles, 1987
... Generals - Biography...-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals - Biography Battles - History This book ...This book presents a visual analysis of twenty famous victories won by a broad cross-section of history's most outstanding commanders, from Alexander the Great's triumph against the Persians in 331 B.C. to Israeli general Moshe Dayan's Sinai campaign of 1956.Index, bibliography, ill, p.200.non-fictionThis book presents a visual analysis of twenty famous victories won by a broad cross-section of history's most outstanding commanders, from Alexander the Great's triumph against the Persians in 331 B.C. to Israeli general Moshe Dayan's Sinai campaign of 1956.generals - biography, battles - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Scribe, Pompey Elliot, 2008
... generals - australia - biography...-and-the-dandenong-ranges generals - australia - biography world war 1914 ...Pompey Elliott was a remarkable Australian. During the Great War he was a charismatic, controversial, and outstandingly successful military leader. An accomplished tactician and the bravest of the brave, he was renowned for never sending anyone anywhere he was not prepared to go himself. As a result, no Australian general was more revered by those he led or more famous outside his own command. An officer on his staff even concluded that no greater soldier or gentleman ever lived.ill, notes, index, p.666non-fictionPompey Elliott was a remarkable Australian. During the Great War he was a charismatic, controversial, and outstandingly successful military leader. An accomplished tactician and the bravest of the brave, he was renowned for never sending anyone anywhere he was not prepared to go himself. As a result, no Australian general was more revered by those he led or more famous outside his own command. An officer on his staff even concluded that no greater soldier or gentleman ever lived.generals - australia - biography, world war 1914-1918 - history -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Warren, James A, GIAP: the General who defeated America in Vietnam (Copy 1), 2013
... Generals -- Vietnam -- Biography... Newhaven phillip-island-and-the-bass-coast Generals -- Vietnam ...Over the thirty years of his career as commander in chief (of Communist forces in Vietnam). Giap not only frustrated the designs of two nations far stronger that his own both militarily and technologically, but also continually built up the strength and capabilities of his own military forces, seamlessly integrating them into a resilient political infrastructure that he himself had no small hand in creating.Over the thirty years of his career as commander in chief (of Communist forces in Vietnam). Giap not only frustrated the designs of two nations far stronger that his own both militarily and technologically, but also continually built up the strength and capabilities of his own military forces, seamlessly integrating them into a resilient political infrastructure that he himself had no small hand in creating.generals -- vietnam -- biography, vietnam (democratic republic). qua^n do ^i -- biography -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Warren, James A, GIAP: The General Who Defeated America in Vietnam (Copy 2), 2013
... Generals -- Vietnam -- Biography... Newhaven phillip-island-and-the-bass-coast Generals -- Vietnam ...Over the thrity years of his career as commander in chief (of Cummunist forces in Vietnam). Giap not only frustrated the designs of two nations far stronger that his own both militarily and technologically, but also continually built up the strength and capabilities of his own military forces, seamlessly integrating them into a resilient political infrastructure that he himself had no small hand in creating.Over the thrity years of his career as commander in chief (of Cummunist forces in Vietnam). Giap not only frustrated the designs of two nations far stronger that his own both militarily and technologically, but also continually built up the strength and capabilities of his own military forces, seamlessly integrating them into a resilient political infrastructure that he himself had no small hand in creating. generals -- vietnam -- biography, vietnam (democratic republic). qua^n do ^i -- biography -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Cosgrove, Peter, My Story, 2006
... Generals - Australia - Biography...-. Generals - Australia - Biography Soldiers - Australia - Biography ...this book is my personal story, from boyhood to battlefield and beyond, written in my own words, reflecting on my life.this book is my personal story, from boyhood to battlefield and beyond, written in my own words, reflecting on my life.cosgrove, peter, 1947-., generals - australia - biography, soldiers - australia - biography -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Robert Likeman, From law to war: The life of Brigadier - General Lachlan Wilson of the Light Horse
... biography - generals - australia...-and-the-dandenong-ranges biography - generals - australia south african war ...Brigadier Lachlan Wilson was one of Queensland's leading legal figures between the wars, he also was a long serving citizen soldier who served both in the Boer war and the campaigns in Palestine in World War I. This biography examines his achievements in both of those fieldsill (maps) (b/w), index, bibliography, p.302non-fictionBrigadier Lachlan Wilson was one of Queensland's leading legal figures between the wars, he also was a long serving citizen soldier who served both in the Boer war and the campaigns in Palestine in World War I. This biography examines his achievements in both of those fieldsbiography - generals - australia, south african war 1899-1902, world war i 1914 1918, campaigns - gallipoli, campaigns - palestine -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Pen & Sword Military, Hamilton and Gallipoli : British command in an age of military transformation, 2015
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Generals - Great Britain - Biography This is a study of Sir Ian ...This is a study of Sir Ian Hamilton VCs command of the Gallipoli campaign. Appointed by Kitchener after the failure of the initial Allied naval offensive in the Dardanelles, Hamilton was to lead the ambitious amphibious landings that were intended to open the way to Constantinople. In the event, however, opportunities immediately after the landings were squandered and, in the face of unexpectedly effective Turkish resistance, soon stalled in attritional trench warfare like that on the Western Front. Hamilton has often been criticized for this failure and in many ways seen to typify the stereotype of a British general clinging to outdated Victorian thinking. Yet this fresh reappraisal, drawing on original archival research, shows that Hamilton did display some progressive ideas and a realization that warfare was rapidly changing. Like all generals of this period he faced the challenge of unprecedented technological and tactical revolution as well as the political and media battle.Index, bib, ill, map, p.230.non-fictionThis is a study of Sir Ian Hamilton VCs command of the Gallipoli campaign. Appointed by Kitchener after the failure of the initial Allied naval offensive in the Dardanelles, Hamilton was to lead the ambitious amphibious landings that were intended to open the way to Constantinople. In the event, however, opportunities immediately after the landings were squandered and, in the face of unexpectedly effective Turkish resistance, soon stalled in attritional trench warfare like that on the Western Front. Hamilton has often been criticized for this failure and in many ways seen to typify the stereotype of a British general clinging to outdated Victorian thinking. Yet this fresh reappraisal, drawing on original archival research, shows that Hamilton did display some progressive ideas and a realization that warfare was rapidly changing. Like all generals of this period he faced the challenge of unprecedented technological and tactical revolution as well as the political and media battle.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - gallipoli, generals - great britain - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Macmillan, Life of Lord Kitchener, 1920
... Generals - Great - Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...Biography of Lord KitchenerIll, maps, 3.v, non-fictionBiography of Lord Kitchenergenerals - great - britain - biography, world war - 1914-1918 - history -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George. Routledge, Chinese Gordon : a succinct record of his life, 1884
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... - History Generals - Great Britain - Biography An account ...An account of the time of General Gordon in Chinap.252.An account of the time of General Gordon in Chinachina - history, generals - great britain - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George G Harrap and Co, The story of Lord Kitchener, 1916
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...The life and times of Lord KitchenerIll, p.288.non-fictionThe life and times of Lord Kitchenergenerals - great britain - biography, great britain - history - military -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Thomas Nelson and Sons, With Kitchener to Khartum, ????
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... - History Generals - Great Britain - Biography A biography of Lord ...A biography of Lord KitchenerIll, maps, p.384.non-fictionA biography of Lord Kitchenersudan - history, generals - great britain - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Macmillan and Co, Forty-one years in India : from subaltern to Commander-in-chief, 1900
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...The life and times of Lord Roberts of KandaharIndex, ill, maps, p.543.non-fictionThe life and times of Lord Roberts of Kandahargenerals - great britain - biography, india - british occupation -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Jarrolds, Twenty-five years with Earl Haig, 1929
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... 1914-1918 - Campaigns - France Generals - Great Britain ...Reminisces of the personal servant of Earl HaigIll, p.288.non-fictionReminisces of the personal servant of Earl Haigworld war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france, generals - great britain - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Hodder and Stoughton, Lord Wavell (1883-1941) : a military biography, 1948
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...A biography of Lord WavellIndex, ill, maps, p.488.non-fictionA biography of Lord Wavellgenerals - great britain - biography, world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Ward, Lock & Co, Khaki and gown : an autobiography, 1941
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...Autobiography of British Field Marshal Lord Birdwood, who saw action in India, the Second Boer War, and World War I.Index, ill, maps, p.456.non-fictionAutobiography of British Field Marshal Lord Birdwood, who saw action in India, the Second Boer War, and World War I.generals - great britain - biography, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, John Murray, Wingate of the Sudan : the life and times of General Sir Reginald Wingate, maker of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, 1955
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Generals ...The life and times of General Sir Reginald WingateIndex, ill, maps, p.274.non-fictionThe life and times of General Sir Reginald Wingategenerals - great britain - biography, sudan - history -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Oxford University Press, B.P. : the story of his life, 1943
... Generals - Great Britain - Biography... Scouts - History Generals - Great Britain - Biography The life ...The life and times of Lord Baden-Powell of GilwellIll, p.122.non-fictionThe life and times of Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwellboy scouts - history, generals - great britain - biography -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Sorley, Lewis, Westmoreland: The General Who Lost Vietnam, 2011
... Generals - United States - Biography...Generals - United States - Biography General Westmoreland ...A terrific book, and brisk...and a must read for anyone who tries to understand the Vietnam War.A terrific book, and brisk...and a must read for anyone who tries to understand the Vietnam War.generals - united states - biography, general westmoreland, u.s. foreign policy -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Phoebe Vincent, My Darling Mick: The Life of Granville Ryrie 1865-1937, 1997
... strip in centre of cover. Biography of General Sir Granville... in centre of cover. Biography of General Sir Granville Ryrie. My ...254 page illustrated softcover book. Cardboard covers with B&W and colour photos. Title in black is in two tone brown strip in centre of cover. Biography of General Sir Granville Ryrie.Handwritten in blue on front end paper "Donated by Raymond Schilling" Red RSL stamp on front end paperbooks, biography -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Award - Merit Badges
... a selection of biographies and "general" [Methodist Church... and reading one book from a selection of biographies and "general ...First Class Test is set for MOK Esquires aged 14 and 15 years old. Testing for the Educational Merit badge included Kims Test; outlining the principals of local government; writing an account of the history of the Order and reading one book from a selection of biographies and "general" [Methodist Church of Australasia Methodist Order of Knights Commanders' Handbook, 1957, pg 28)Four round embroidered 1st Class Educational Methodist Order of Knights merit badge. The badges are dark purple with gold embroidery of an oil lamp.methodist order of knights -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - St John's Presbyterian Church, Elsternwick
Service Related material Order of Service for the unveiling of the Roll of Honour at (Foolscrap) St John's Presbyterian Church of Elsternwick on 03/03/1918. Order of Service with readings by Rev. E. Thomas. Date unknown. Order of Service for the Federation of the Church Organ Dedication at St John's Presbyterian Church, Elsternwick on 18/02/1962. The Uniting Church in Australia St John's Uniting Church Elsternwick 25/10/1987. Order of Service 100 years. 4 copies. Order of Service for the Induction of Mark Andrew Lawrence as a Ministry of the Word in the Uniting Parish of Elsternwick, - Caulfield South 15/01/1989. St John's Uniting Church Elsternwick Program for Service March 2004 Induction Service of the Rev. ApWee Ting Wednesday 04/06/2008 at 7.30 includes biography of Rev. Apwee Ting.rev. apwee ting, organ, rev. eric f. thomas, victoria street, australia’s battle hymn, mark andrew lawrence, emma street, chaplain – general dr . j. l. rentoul, rev. alistair orton, honour boards, rev. r. brooks, elsternwick, rev. j. hislop, mr. e. j. farrell f.i.g.c.m (london), st john's presbyterian church, world war 1914-1918 -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Letter - Caulfield, John
This file contains twelve photocopied letters dated from 11/08/1969, through to 14/12/1983. The letters are correspondence from MRs. V. Willmott to Mrs. Joan Wills in a response/request looking for lost relatives of John Caulfield. Joan Wills informs Mrs. V. Willmott that no relatives could be found. 1/S. N. Penrose wrote on 11/08/1959, on behalf of V. Willmott regarding her uncle. 2/Correspondence dated 12/09/83 from V. Willmott asking for information about her uncle, John Caulfield. 3/Typed correspondence date 14/09/1983 to Mrs. Willmott from Mrs. Joan Wills, mentioning that she was enclosing a biographical outline of John Phillip, Caulfield with her correspondence. 4/Typed letter to Mr. Caulfield from Joan Wills, regarding his sisters request to their descendants in Caulfield, dated 14/09/1983. 5/Typed letter to Joan Wills from W. W. Caulfield, dated 28/09/1983, informing her that he has no information regarding their ancestors in Caulfield. 6/Correspondence from Mrs. V. Willmott to Joan Wills, dated 03/10/1983, confirming that she is the niece of John Caulfield. 7/Correspondence from Mrs. V. Willmott, dated 10/10/1983 where she confirms details, she was sent from the biographical outline about her uncle. 8/Typed letter dated 19/10/1983 to Mrs. V. Willmott from Joan Wills, informing her of her brothers contacting them, but still have no positive information about her family. 9/Typed letter to Mrs. V. Willmott from Joan Wills, dated 19/10/1983, still unable to make any connections for her. 10/Typed letter dated 12/11/1983 to Mrs. V. Willmott from Joan Wills, just giving her a general suggestion of where she may get some ideas from her health + wellbeing. 11/Handwritten letter dated 26/11/1983 to Mrs. Wills from V. Willmott, talking about the biography she was writing, and still entreating her, if she could contact the ‘Age’ with an article about trying to find her ‘Caulfield’ family. 12/Typed letter from the Geneological Society of Victoria to Felicity Campbell, regarding all the mail from Mrs. V. Willmott, to assess them and their information, dated 14/12/1983, by Mrs. Joan Wills, research officer. 13/Two aerogram letters dated, 16/03/77 and 14/01/11 sent by V. Willmott to Peter R. Murray and Associates in requiring a request/response looking for lost relatives of John Caulfield. 14/One carbon copied letter to Mrs. Willmott from Peter R. Murray, about her enquiry about her Australian relatives pre-1978.willmott v., wills joan, caulfield historical society, geneological society of victoria, south caulfield, campbell f., penrose s. n., wells j. mrs., caulfield william, caulfield eva, murray mr., wells mr., riley david, bells agnes, caulfield brian, elsternwick, cambden town, mcdonald ian -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Malcolm Saunders et al, A Soldier to the Last, 2002
... background. 34 pages with black and white photos. Biography of Major... and white photos. Biography of Major-General George James Rankin ...Softcover, cardboard, pale green print and photo on white background. 34 pages with black and white photos. Biography of Major-General George James Rankin on the Australian Light Horse 1887-1957.Handwritten in black on title page "With the compliments of the Bendigo Historical Society, Jim Evans, President." RSL stamp on front end paper.books, military -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, The War to End War and General Monash, 1977
Soft cover book. Illustrated with black and white photos Front cover is white background with dark writing. There is a full length portrait of Gen Monash in full ceremonial gear.Inside cover has MAX O'HALLORAN. There are several arrows and notations throughout book pointing out facts and author in a group photo.books, military history, biography -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, General Peter Cosgrove, My Story, 2006
Soft cover khaki colour. Photograph of head and shoulders of General Peter Cosgrove on front cover. Pages 468 Author- PETER COSGROVE"Donated by S & L BUCHE" written on the title pagebooks, military history, biography -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Uniform, Service Dress WW1, c 1914
... Kuneitra. - Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography Service ...Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. - Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyService dress of General Sir Murray Bourchier, complete with jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, boots (high rise),Sam Browne belt, peaked cap, medal ribbons, badges of rank, medal ribbons -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Uniform, Mess Kit, c 1914
... Kuneitra. Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography Mess kit ...Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyMess kit of General Sir Murray Bourchier complete with peaked cap, jacket, cummerbund, shirt, tie, waistcoat, trousers, shoes, AMF lapel badges & badges of rank -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Dictionary of Australian Biography Vol 2
WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Dictionary of Australian Biography Vol 2 Author: Percival Serle Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1949Label on spine cover with typed text 920 SER Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, dictionary of australian biography vol 2, percival serle