Black and white copy of original photograph of two boys each wearing long pants and a thick Jacket, hats in hand and boy on right has his hand resting on the other boys' shoulder."George Knight 7/9/1905 and William (Bill) 2/5/1903."george knight, william (bill) knight

George Knight was born in London in 1831. He qualified as an architect and practised as a civil engineer before coming to Australia with a younger brother in 1854. He was appointed Government Engineer shortly after arriving in Victoria, and supervised the construction of a railway line to Williamstown and the Sunbury section of the main railway line to Bendigo. Subsequently, he established a vineyard at Sunbury but soon sold it and moved to Bendigo, where he held the position of City Surveyor until retiring in 1886. During that period, he established nurseries, vineyards and orchards on four different sites in and around Bendigo, trading as the Knight Brothers. The Rosenberg nursery at Back Creek was established on former gold diggings - only after turning over the whole site to unearth the fertile soil and bury the clay and gravel that the miners had brought to the surface. One of the noteworthy plants at the nursery was a rose 'bush' measuring 19 metres long, 13 metres wide and 4 metres high. Another was the 'Grand Centennial' grape vine, bred from a Waltham cross, that yielded grapes measuring 35 mm long and 28 mm in diameter. It won a silver medal for the 'newest and finest grape variety raised in the colony' at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition in 1895.Four page photocopied document, includes letter from Australian Orchid Foundation (16/10/2003) addressed to the Bendigo Historical Society re George William Knight, seeking a copy of a portrait of Knight; one page article on Knight and his role as a pioneer of orchid growing in Australia (by Gerald McCraith, AM) and a two page article titled 'George W. Knight, one of Victoria's earliest orchid growers, by Greg Campbell, Gerald McCraith AM and Brian Milligan.george william knight, bendigo, nursery, rosenberg nursery, back creek, grapes, roses, orchids

Black and white copy of original portrait showing a young man with his hair slicked back and parted down the middle. He is wearing a white, collared shirt and dark jacket.george knight

A daughter of Henry Francis and his wife Mary (née Hepbuirn or Hepburn), Harriet married George Knight of Spring Vale (now Pittong) in 1900. Harriet is shown in this photograph with her two sons - William, born 1903, and George, born 1905. Harriet and George Knight also had a daughter, Victoria May, born 1901, who died in 1904. Harriet's husband George died in 1907. After she was widowed Harriet continued to run their farming enterprise. As part of this she ran a butchery, providing meat to people living in the Pittong district. Alice Knight (Harriet's granddaughter) commented in 2018 that the photo shows Harriet having quite muscular arms, which she thought was a result of hard physical labour on the farm.Black and white portrait of a woman wearing a dark dress with high collar, sitting in a chair with a small boy on either side, both boys wearing large white lace collars. Harriet Knight (Mrs. George Knight) with sons George and William.harriet knight (née francis), george knight, william (bill) knight

George William Knight and Family by (Carole Winter 9 nee Knight), green soft cover contains 108 pages of information on the Knight family history with black and white & some coloured photographs.Carole Wintergenealogy, family, knight

Eight page Photocopy of George William Knight [1832-1923] of Bendigo brief biography once probably delivered as address to BHS. Horticulturist once owning nurseries at Epsom, Back Creek, and Williamson Street as well as Florist business in Hargreaves Street Bendigo. Genealogical data sheet showing family history. Five Photocopied photos of nurseries and giant rose bush named 'Cloth of Gold'. Catalogued by Rob Upson 2/3/ 2010 and donated by Carole Winter descendant.bendigo, history, autobiography

For his achievements in the Battle of Omdurman and Sudan in 1898, Kitchener was made Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, becoming an Earl - qualifying peer of mid-rank. Kitchener was a senior British Army officer and colonial administrator who won notoriety for his campaigns, most especially his scorched earth policy against the Boers and his establishment of concentration camps during the Second Boer War. Awards he received include: Knight of the Order of the Garter; Knight of the Order of St Patrick; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath; Member of the Order of Merit; Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George; Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. Individual imagae take from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.battle of omdurman, sudan, kitchener, earl, scorched earth policy, boers, concentration camps, colonial administrator, knight of the order of st patrick, knight of the order of the garter, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, member of the order of merit, knight grand commander of the order of the star of india, knight grand commander of the order of the indian empire

Black and white copy of original portrait of a very young girl wearing a frilly dress and bonnet, black shoes and sitting on a cushion."Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Harriet and George Knight of Pittong."elizabeth knight

Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner was a British statesman and colonial administrator. He played an influential role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy from mid 1890s to early 1920s. In 1897he became High Commissioner for South Africa and Governor of Cape Colony. He pushed the Transvaal Republic to war, oversaw the war and organised the reconstruction after the war. Milner left South Africa in 1905 after being involved in many of the changes that took place while he was there. Honours Awarded: Companion of the Order of the Bath (1894); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1895); Knight GrandCross of the Order of St Michael and St George (1897); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1901); Knight of the Order of the Garter (1921). Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsalfred milner, 1st viscount milner, statesman, colonial administrator, high commissioner, governor of cape colony, transvaal, south africa, companion of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight of the order of the garter

His military career led him to become appointed as assistant military secretary to the General Officer Commanding Cape Colony in 1895. He went to Southern Rhodesia in 1896 to disarm the local police force following the Jameson Raid and then later to command the Matabele Relief Force during the Second Matabele War. In 1899 he returned to Southern Rhodesia as Lieutenant-Colonel where he led the Siege of Mafeking during the Second Boer War. Plumer returned to the United kingdom in 1904 and received an audience with King Edward VI. Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief in South Africa stated "invariable displayed military qualifications of a very high order.Few officers have rendered better service." Plumer received many honours - British and foreign. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1918; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (1916); Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (1917); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (1924); Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order Of St John (1925); Legion of Honour (France-!917); Croix de Guerre (Belgium-1918); Croix de Guerre with Palm ( France-1919); Distinguished Service Medal (United States-1919); Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising Sun (1921) Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.cape colony, southern rhodesia, jameson raid, matabele rrelief force, second matabele war, siege of mafeking, second boer war, lord kitchener, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand crossof the royal victorian order, knight grand cross of the order of the british empire, knight of grace of the venerable order of st john, legion of honour, croix de guerra, croix de guerra with palm, distinguished service medal, grand cordon, order of the rising sun

Black and white photograph showing an old truck loaded with hay. Two men, one holding a baby, the other with a dog at his feet, are standing next to the truck.george knight, aussie chasey, farming, 1941

Black and white photograph showing a man with a team of four horses. A dog standing with the horses.george knight, horse team, farming, 1941, pittong

Miniature Medals, six (6) all original court mounted. 1. Order of the Bath Knight Cross. 2. Order of the Bath KCB (Military) Neck Badge. 3. Order of St Michael and Saint George Knights Grand Cross. 4. Order of the Indian Empire Knights Grand Commander. 5. The Knights Batchelor's Badge.passchendaele barracks trust, pbt171to176, bob english collection, miniature medals

Captain Mackenzie Luckie was born in 1821. From 1853 he commanded eight ships. He died on board the Michael Angelo off the coast of New Zealand in February 1875. After the ship arrived in Nelson, The Argus (Melbourne) reported on 12 February 1875 that Captain Luckie was found dead in his cabin, from heart disease. His appointed Attorney Mr George William Knight selected land in Sunbury in 1860 and then arrived in Bendigo on 2 April 1870. For more information about George William Knight see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227853797?searchTerm=george%20william%20knightCaptain McKenzie Luckie  a. Document appointing George William Knight of Sunbury or elsewhere in the Colony of Victoria as a lawful attorney to act for Mackenzie Luckie of 15 Tredegar Square, Bow in the County of Middlesex (now London), Master Mariner. Dated 18 February 1862. Witnessed by William Charles White. Five page document - two blue flimsy sheets, one light card sheet and two grey flimsy sheets. b. Transcript from The Age (Melbourne) 27 November 1937. The letter from H. Daniel, Monte Video, South America, is responding to an earlier letter from the grand daughter of Captain Mackenzie Luckie. It includes a record of the career of Captain Luckie from 1853. captain mackenzie luckie, master mariner

The Methodist Order of Knights was the official youth organisation of the Methodist Church of Australasia. It originated in Hurstville, NSW, on the 4th October 1914 by the then Mr and later Rev Alex Bray. Alex Bray was a Sunday School teacher and spoke to his class of the Knights of the Round Table. In 1917 the Order of Knights was officially recognised by the Sunday School Dept of the NSW Methodist Conference. Courts spread thoroughout Australia. In 1927 the High Court of NSW called for designs for a badge and in 1929 the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia recognised the Order as an approved Organisation. In 1938 the Senior Section was organised into Degrees of Sincerity, Service and Sacrifice; the Junior Section into Pages' Degree with advancement to Esquire. In 1954 the Junior Section was reorganised into two groups: Pages 8 to 11 years and Esquires 12 to 15 years. The Knight's Motto: "Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow Christ the King, else wherefore born?" Courts of the Order: General Conference Department of the Christian Education - General Court - Provincial High Court - District Court - Local Court - Senior Court - Intermediate Court - Junior Court . Regalia: All members of the Intermediate and Senior Courts wore regalia consisting of a cloth shield superimposed by a cross of light and dark blue ribbons, and supported by a cloth collar. Esquire and Degree of Sincerity regalia: White collar and white shield. Degree of Service regalia: Green collar and shield. Degree of Sacrifice: Scarlet collar and shield. District Court regalia: Blue collar and gold shield. High Court regalia: Gold collar and purple sheild. General Court regalia: Purple collar and shield. Officers of the local courts wore their symbols as part of their regalia. Methodist Church of Australasia Order of Knights Charter certificate. The card has the MOK symbol and a decorated border. "Court Hamlyn Heights Esquires No. 348" "George B. Jones" "Inaugurated 1959" "Bruce Collins"methodist order of knights, order of knights, court hamlyn heights esquires 348, bruce collins governor, george b jones knight grand commander, hamlyn heights geelong

This program is most likely about 1950 - 51 before George Lansell is Knighted. Program, paper one page with ornate edging around, all print in blue. At the Top "Returned Soldiers Sailors Airmen's Imperial League of Australia Bendigo Sub - Branch", followed by "Anzac" - "In Memoriam" - "Day". The program covers, Hymns, Opening Address by the Mayor of Bendigo, Guest Speakers Address, Recessional, Last Post, Reveille, National Anthem."Commemoration Ceremony Upper Reserve April 25th" "Presided over by the President Bendigo Sub Branch Col G.V. Lansell V.D - M.L.C"brsl, smirsl, program

Photograph: black and white portrait, buff mat, brown wooden frame, glass front. Man is seated, with elbow on book, hand on side of head, has white hair, dressed in black dinner type suit with stand up collar. Written in black ink on bottom of frame : George W. Knight, C.E.J.F.W. Vincent Kelly, Mitchell St., Bendigoperson, individual, george w. knights, george w. knights, w. vincent kelly.

Sepia ( or very faded black and white ) photograph: photo shows Robert Keith Munro shaking hands with Basil Watson. Men are standing near steps at front of house. Brick pillar on LH side. Photo was donated by Dorothy Wigney, (nee Stilwell) a niece of Robert Munro. Robert Munro and Basil Watson are cousins, sharing the same maternal grandfather, George William Knight. R.K. Munro put together the Basil Watson collection and donated it to the Bendigo Historical Society.aviation, civilian, basil watson

Postcard size photograph of three Australian Army servicemen taken during World War 1. There is a note on the rear of the postcard "George Laidlaw left William Knight centre and A Kettlewell Original 15 Battalion Queensland 1914 to 1918 War". The rear of this postcard has the photographers name, "P MATHEWSON & SONS PETRIE BIGHT BRISBANE" and the handwritten note "George Laidlaw left William Knight centre and A Kettlewell Original 15 Battalion Queensland 1914 to 1918 War".ww1, world war 1, 15th battalion, 15th btn, queensland, australia, australian, army

Promotion to MAJOR of ROBERT MOORHEAD Esq of the Victorian Volunteer Force. Dated March 1876Legal Document - cream coloured paper with black print and seal."I Sir George Ferguson Bowen Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael & Saint George Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Colony of Victoria and It's Dependencies, and Vice Admiral of the same. Do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you ROBERT MOORHEAD Esq to be MAJOR in the Victorian Volunteer Force............passchendaele barracks trust, legal document, promotion to major, photocopy, 1875 document

After completing his education, Sir Frederick Carrington joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1864. In 1875 he went to South Africa and formed and commanded the Mounted Infantry in the Griqualand West expedition and the Frontier Light Horse in the Ninth Frontier War in 1877. In 1878-1879 he commanded the Transvaal Volunteer Force against Sekhukhune and the Cape Mounted Riflemen in the Basuto Gun War of 1881. In 1885 he was in command of the 2nd Mounted Infantry when he accompanied Sir Charles Warren expedition to Bechuanaland. The Infantry soon became known as "Carrington's Horse". He became military adviser to the High Commissioner in the First Matabele War and commanded the British Force in the Matabele Rebellion in 1896. During 1899-1900 he was back in Ireland but returned to South Africa in 1900 following the outbreak of the Second Boer War and was appointed on the staff of the South Africa Field Force with the rank of lieutenant-general. he was in command of the Rhodesian Field Force during the war. He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1887 and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1897.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.sir frederick carrington, south africa, transvaal volunteer force, mounted infantry, frontier light horse, griqualand west, ninth frontier war, cape mounted riflemen, basuto gun war, carrington's horse, high commissioner, second boer war, lieutenant-general, knight commander of the order of the bath, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, rhodesian field force

Monash Bridge spans the Diamond Creek at Hurstbridge. It was built in 1917 for the Shires of Heidelberg, Eltham and Whittlesea. It is considered Nillumbik Shire's finest engineered bridge and was construced by the engineering company of Sir John Monash. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p117 Monash Bridge is considered the Shire’s finest engineered bridge and was constructed by the engineering company of that great Australian, Sir John Monash.1 The bridge spans Diamond Creek on the Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Road, linking Hurstbridge with Yarrambat and Arthurs Creek. Monash Bridge, also called Hurst’s Bridge, was built in 1917, by the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company Pty Ltd, for the Shires of Heidelberg, Eltham and Whittlesea. Although Monash was probably in action overseas during World War One when the bridge was designed and constructed, he evolved the basic design in the 1900s and it was a standard design for the firm. However J A Laing, a designer at the firm, was probably the designer, as his initials are on bridge drawings held by the Eltham District Historical Society.2 The bridge is an excellent early Australian example of an open spandrel reinforced concrete arch bridge and has a single span of 29 metres. It is unusual in Victoria, but similar to many reinforced concrete arch bridges in Europe and America, built from the late 19th century. In Victoria, Monash pioneered the use of reinforced concrete – then a revolutionary construction material. His company, Monash & Anderson, had the exclusive licence for the Monier patent for the system of reinforced concrete construction for Victoria and New South Wales. A well-known example of the Monier arch bridge is the Morell Bridge in South Yarra. The sweeping arch of the Monash Bridge combines grace and utility and blends with the surrounding rural landscape. Its design and construction have allowed it to carry increasing volumes of heavy traffic, but in modern times the one lane is considered by some to prevent easy passage through Hurstbridge. However others consider this an asset to deter too much more traffic, which would diminish Hurstbridge’s charming rural character.3 This is the third bridge across the Diamond Creek at this site. The original bridge was a log bridge upstream, constructed in the 1850s by early settler, Henry Hurst, after whom Hurstbridge was named. The bridge spanned the creek, where it divided his family’s property. In the 1880s a timber bridge replaced it, known as Hurst’s Bridge. However a more permanent bridge was considered necessary when the new railway arrived in 1912, bringing with it expectations of growth in the town and the surrounding fruit-growing district. Monash Bridge’s official opening on November 3, 1917 was a gala occasion, which took place before about 1000 spectators. Two who attended the opening had a particularly sound knowledge of the locality. One was Fred Hurst, Henry’s brother, who used to ford the creek at or near the bridge’s site more than 50 years before. The other was John McDonald of Arthurs Creek, who had built the old wooden bridge over the creek about 40 years earlier.4 Although John Monash was a fine engineer, his fame came from his brilliant war career, rather than from his engineering or his many other achievements. Monash was Corps Commander of the Australian Forces. His brilliance was recognised with his awards: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and Knight Commander of the Bath. Monash was also decorated by the French, Belgian, and American Governments.5 After the war, Monash worked in many prominent civilian positions, the most notable as head of the Victorian State Electricity Commission. He was a leading and loved public figure, involved in many public and private organisations. He was president of the Australian Zionist Federation and involved in the Boy Scouts. Monash University is named after him. By the 1920s Monash was probably regarded as the greatest living Australian.6 Despite most of his life working as an administrator and leader, rather than a fighting soldier, he became integral to the ANZAC legend. Monash died in 1931.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, hurstbridge, monash bridge

This compressor was part of the E.G. Ward Collection. It is connected to the diving suit and boots, also in our collection. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years, from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe's at 145 High Street, Holborn, London, but in 1828, new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods, including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water-pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on, and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12 bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy, and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis, and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family, and a new company, Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924, Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished, and in time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunnelling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company's products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman's fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest or change the company's business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed, and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on firefighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The diving compressor, along with associated equipment in the Flagstaff Hill collection, represents a highly significant snapshot of marine history. These items are particularly important in understanding the evolution of diving equipment, with a special focus on their use in salvage operations before and throughout the Second World War. Manufactured by a company renowned for its inventions, development, and innovation in marine engineering, the equipment demonstrates the progression of technology in deep-sea diving. Early helmets and related items produced by this company remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, highlighting their historical and technological value. The presence of these items within the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum allows for a unique insight into the working conditions and methods employed by divers. It also illustrates the considerable dangers they faced while performing such essential and hazardous work, underscoring the critical role played by these professionals in maritime history.A single cylinder divers' pump by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd, London, eccentric hand cranked in brass, brass-mounted mahogany case with instructions to the underside of the lid, brass-covered pressure gauge and air outlet, brass maker's plaque to the front, water inlet and outlet to the rear, green-painted lifting rings. Machinery has some blue-painted areas on the metal. This compressor is part of the E.G. Ward Collection.Plate on the back 'WATER SUPPLY" "WATER OVERFLOW" "WATER DRAIN-IN" Pressure gauge dial "BOURDON'S PRESSURE GAUGE" STEBE GORMAN & CO. LONDON", "LBS PRESSURE" "FEET OF SALT WATER" Plate on the front " PATENT, Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Submarine Engineers" below emblem (Lion, Crown, Horse)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime-museum, diving compressor, london, siebe gorman & co ltd, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, maritime village, manine history, maritime history, marine engineers, marine diving, deep-sea diving, e g ward, vintage diving compressor, e. g. ward, e.g. ward, edward ward, ted ward

This diving suit with helmet, boots and weight is part of the E. G.Ward collection, along with the diving compressor and a photograph of a diver in this equipment. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12-bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunnelling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A.Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire-fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The diving suit, helmet, boots, and weights, along with associated equipment in the Flagstaff Hill collection, represent a highly significant snapshot of marine history. These items are particularly important in understanding the evolution of diving equipment, with a special focus on their use in salvage operations before and throughout the Second World War. Manufactured by a company renowned for its inventions, development, and innovation in marine engineering, the equipment demonstrates the progression of technology in deep-sea diving. Early helmets and related items produced by this company remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, highlighting their historical and technological value. The presence of these items within the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum allows for a unique insight into the working conditions and methods employed by divers. It also illustrates the considerable dangers they faced while performing such essential and hazardous work, underscoring the critical role played by these professionals in maritime history.Diving suit including helmet, boots and a weight. Diving suit is made of canvas with knitted cuffs. The helmet is metal. The boots have a thick sole and thick leather upper that is held on with leather straps and buckles. The toe of the boot is heavy metal. The weight is worn next to the trunk of the diver and it has an inscription to mark the front. It is worn with straps and buckles holding it in place. Royal Navy Admiralty Pattern 6 bolt No 3 light Siebe Gorman light diving helmet circa 1960, used by the Royal Navy before and after World War 2. This equipment is part of the E. G. Ward Collection."Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Marine Engineers London. Patent" with "E G Ward" on front and back plate. On weight "FRONT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, diving suit, siebe gorman and co ltd., siebe gorman and co ltd marine engineers london, marine engineers, diving helmet, diving boots, diving weight, marine diving, maritimemuseum, maritime village, maritime history, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, siebe gorman and co ltd., siebe gorman and co ltd, london, deep-sea diving, e. g. ward, e g ward, e.g. ward, edward ward, ted ward