Showing 1273 items
matching melbourne air service
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Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book, Richard Broome, Remembering Melbourne 1850-1960, 2016
... melbourne air service...) swallow & ariell ltd sandridge lagoon melbourne air service joshua ..."Remembering Melbourne 1850-1960". Large red covered book with black and white dust cover featuring panoramic view of Princes Bridge looking North. Photographs and text covering Melbourne CBD and 20 suburbs including Port Melbourne.Royal Historical Society Victoria (RHSV) bookplate signed by Don Garden and Richard Broome.built environment, business and traders, centenary bridge, piers and wharves - railway pier, sport, industry, religion - anglican (holy trinity), swallow & ariell ltd, sandridge lagoon, melbourne air service, joshua brothers distillery, robert harper & co ltd, faram brothers hardware, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, courthouse, police station, north port oval, missions to seamen, commonwealth engine works -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - HAT, SLOUCH, Fayerfield, 1967
Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No.397661, Collection. See Catalogue No.5942P for details of his service.Khaki fur felt slouch hat. Metal fastener on left hand side to clip up brim. Two metal air holes on each side of crown. Light khaki folded pugaree. Leatherette sweat band on onside with manufacturer's details stamped on in white. Brim edged with khaki polyester ribbon.Stamped in white on sweat band: 'MADE BY "FAYERFIELD", MELBOURNE, 6 3/4, 1967'.uniform, headwear, slouch hat, kevin john herdman -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Fox, Leslie Ernest Shillinglaw, c.1943
Leslie Ernest Shillinglaw was born at Dalmore, Victoria in 1925, the son of Samuel Ernest Shillinglaw and Anna Lucy (Barlow). He was Phillip and Sarah Shillinglaw's grandson. Following his service in the RAAF during World War Two, Leslie married Alva Elizabeth Thomas in 1949. He died in 2007. World War Two Service Veteran Details Name SHILLINGLAW, LESLIE ERNEST Service Royal Australian Air Force Service Number 144902 Date of Birth 03 Aug 1925 Place of Birth DALMORE, VIC Date of Enlistment 30 Sep 1943 Locality on Enlistment HEALESVILLE, VIC Place of Enlistment MELBOURNE, VIC Next of Kin SHILLINGLAW, ERNEST Date of Discharge 01 Apr 1946 Rank Leading Aircraftman Posting at Discharge 36 SQUADRON Prisoner of War No Honours None for displaymarg ball collection, 1943, leslie ernest shillinglaw, second word war, r.a.a.f. -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Work on paper (item) - Magazine, New Idea, October 18, 1961, October 18, 1961
Florence Ada Zull, known as Ada was an illustrator for the 'New Idea for Women" magazine. In 1961 she lived in Brunswick. From 1963 she and her husband Robert built a Alistair Knox designed house at Lot 8. Metery Road, Eltham "... Mum .. worked too during the week.. from the bungalow in Brunswick. The New Idea, a woman's magazine would send her the galley for the week's short story and she would illustrate an appropriate picture." - Sue Bennett (nee Zull), Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter, No 250 February 2020. In this issue Ada Zull has a full page illustration for part one of a story by Georgette Heyer. (page 12 and 13). Ada's son and daughter Susan model jumpers that were knitting competition prize winners at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria's Royal Show including Mrs L.M. Fullerton. (page 15) This was the "Special Baby Issue". It includes articles on women in the Armed forces and marriage, Mrs Mary Jane Virtue a pilot, Egg dish recipes and a number of pages relating to baby care. Patterns for making a baby-sac, bonnet, jackets and babycot, advertising, letters, beauty column, patterns and other features. women's royal army corp, women's royal australian navy service, women's auxiliary australian air force, wrans, wrac, wraaf, marriage, mary jane virtue, ada zull, georgette heyer, royal agricultural society of victoria, royal melbourne show, l.m. fullerton, egg dishes, handcrafts, baby-care, magazine, women, 1961, susan zull, susan bennett -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Program, Program of Events, Sixth Eltham Community Festival, October 24, 1980 incorporating the Panton Hill Festival, October 18-19, 1980
Event program, 81 events, Sat-Sun 18-19 Oct, Wed 22 Oct, Fri 24 Oct-Sun 2 Nov, Tue 4 Nov and Sat 8 Nov and local advertisers Alan Marshall (Pioneers and Painters), Aquapilca, Artist Showcase, Bimbadeen Galley Pty Ltd, Bimbi World, Blondies Fashion Boutique, Briar Hill Timber & Trading, Cheepa Toys, Country Art Store, Debonaire Air Conditioning Pty Ltd, Diamond Valley Drapes, Diamond Valley News, Diamond Valley Photographic Services Pty Ltd, Diamond Valley Windscreens, Don Brown, Eccacentre, Economy Timber & Hardware, Edens Hobbycraft & Art Supplies, Eltham Gallery, Eltham Hardware & Plumbing Supplies Pty Ltd, Eltham Jeanery, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, Eltham Produce Store, Grant Taylor, Grimshaw Motor Cycles, Just Looking Furniture, Kenton Footwear, Lamers Construction Pty Ltd, Leisure Centre, Lovittools, Lower Plenty Sports Centre, Montflora, Montmorency Gospel Chapel, Montmorency Pets, Montsalvat, Para Furnishings, Paul's Sports Store, Pegasus Interiors, Pioneers and Painters, Program, R & S Slocum Floorcovering Pty Ltd, R. & S. Trading, R.F. & D.M. Kidd, Sa Boutique, Skybeam Antennas, Studio Papilio, Style Interiors, The Living Water Bookshop, Todaro Coiffure, Valley Tiffany Lighting, W. Hutchison, Were Street Theatre, Zettlock16 pages, stapled, coloured1980, alan marshall, eltham festival, mal harrop, pioneers and painters -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque H.M.A.S Brisbane, H.M.A.S Brisbane
HMAS Brisbane (1915), a Town class light cruiser launched in 1915 and decommissioned in 1935 HMAS Brisbane (naval base), a naval base operated in Brisbane between 1940 and 1942 HMAS Brisbane (D 41), a Perth class guided missile destroyer launched in 1966 and decommissioned in 2001 HMAS Brisbane (DDGH 41), a Hobart class air warfare destroyer predicted to enter service in 2017Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of H.M.A.S Brisbane H.M.A.S Brisbane -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque Special Air Services Australia, Special Air Services Australia
... melbourne Special Air Services Australia Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm ...Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of Special Air Services Australia Special Air Services Australia -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque Special Air Services, Special Air Services
... melbourne Special Air Services Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm ...Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of Special Air Services Special Air Services -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque H.M.A.S. Hobart
HMAS Hobart (D63), a Leander class light cruiser acquired from the Royal Navy in 1938, and operating until 1962. HMAS Hobart (D 39), a Perth class guided missile destroyer commissioned in 1965 and decommissioned in 2000. HMAS Hobart (DDGH 39), lead ship of the Hobart class air warfare destroyers, scheduled to enter service in March 2016Wooden plaque with insignia of H.M.A.S. Hobarth.m.a.s. hobart -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
R.A.A.F. Long Service Medal
Awarded to Alan Bowers (A236814) who was a R.A.A.F. dental mechanic who serverd during WWII including service in Darwin, and then continued in the R.A.A.F. for some years after the end of WWII The Royal Australian Air Force (and all Commonwealth Air Forces) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Awarded to NCOs and ORs of the RAAF (RAF, RCAF etc) for 15 years service. A cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). Officers are eligible for the award provided they have served a minimum 12 years in the ranks. The riband is dark blue and maroon with white edges. This medal ceased to be awarded in Australia in 1975 when it was replaced by the National Medal (and sbsequently the DFSM and DLSM) in the Australian system of honours and awards. http://www.heritagemedals.com.au/medals-1/service-long-service/air-force-long-service-and-good-conduct-medal.html History of the RAAF Dental Branch It took six years following the formation of the RAAF in 1921 for the first Dental Clinic to be established at Point Cook, Victoria. On 10th June 1927 Flying Officer James Carl Rosenbrock commenced work as an RAAF Dental Officer for the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. As personnel numbers were still relatively small, Rosenbrock was also responsible for the dental care of all Victorian RAAF units, which involved treating members at 1AD Laverton, as well as Air Force Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. As Army Dental Officers were currently caring for RAAF personnel at Richmond, NSW, the Senior Dental Officer of the 3rd Military District in Victoria (SDO 3MD) requested through the military board that a similar arrangement be established, where that the newly appointed RAAF Dentist provide part time dental services to the Army units stationed at Queenscliff. This was seen as an effective reciprocal arrangement, with both units having a Dental Officer in attendance for, in total, around 3-4 weeks a year. Rosenbrock continued to serve as the sole RAAF Dental Officer until the middle of 1933, when the Air Board asked for his service to be terminated following ‘behaviour unbecoming of a RAAF officer'. He had borrowed several sums of money, of around 40 Pounds or so, from junior ranks on base (as well as from the Regimental Sergeant Major) and had failed to pay the money back. He was replaced by a fellow Victorian, FLGOFF Norman Henry Andrews, on the 18th Sep 1933, who went on to become our first Director of Dental Services, and was instrumental in establishing the organisations and conditions of the Branch that are still present today. Through a fair amount of persistence and hard work on the part of Norman Andrews, the RAAF Dental Branch began to expand from 1937, with the introduction of 2 additional positions, at RAAF station Richmond, and at the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. This gave the RAAF 3 uniformed Dental Officers, which was expanded to 5 in the months leading up to WW2. 4 of these Dental Officers were based in Victoria and 1 at Richmond, with the other two RAAF units being cared for by the Army (as in the case of Pearce in WA) or by civilians (as in Darwin). With the sudden increase in RAAF personnel required at the outbreak of WW2, the number of RAAF Dental Officers increased dramatically, from 5 in 1939, 28 in 1940, 64 in 1941, 147 in 1942, 193 in 1943, 219 in 1944, and peaking at 227 in 1945. RAAF Dental Officers were required to work in a variety of locations, both in and out of Australia. Between 1940 and 1942 a massive construction programme occurred, with new dental clinics being established around Australia. Priority was given to aircrew training units in order to get these personnel dentally fit for operational deployment, but Dental Officers could equally find themselves posted to recruit depots, fixed stations, medical clearance stations, mobile dental sections, and RAAF and civilian hospitals. RAAF Dental Officers were posted to the large dental centres at Ascot Vale (Vic) and Bradfield Park (NSW) when first appointed, where they received military and clinical training, before being deployed to their needed location. Mobile Dental Units When Japan entered the war in 1941, the rapid deployment of troops to northern operational areas with less than ideal dental fitness was extremely high. As a result, the RAAF deployed a range of mobile dental units, either alone or with medical sections, to support the increasing number of isolated deployed personnel within Australia and overseas. There were three types of mobile unit used: a. Mobile Dental Unit – relied on using either a semi-trailer to get around or by building a surgery directly on to the truck chassis, and installing hydraulic chairs, units, x-rays, and laboratory equipment. They were able to move around between small units, such as RAAF radar stations, where they could plug into the local power supply and work immediately. b. Transportable Dental Units – used for stops of longer duration, where field equipment was carried in panniers from one unit to another by road or rail and housed in whatever accommodation was available at the destination. They were often carried within Australia on Tiger Moths and Dakota aircraft. c. Itinerant Dental Units – in some areas, the dental equipment was installed at the RAAF unit and the Dental Officer and their staff would travel from unit to unit, using the equipment available at each location. RAAF Dental BadgeAs the war developed in Europe, it soon became obvious that the RAF Dental support was not capable of supporting the increasing numbers of RAAF aircrew that were being sent for service with the RAF, with only enough Dental Officers available to provide one to every 2000 men ( instead of the preferred 1 to 600). As a result, the RAAF provided a mobile dental unit, fitted out in a caravan and pulled by a Ford V8 Coupe, to travel around England in support of RAAF personnel at various squadrons. Some degree of tact was needed to ensure that the RAF did not take this as a comment on the treatment they were providing, but it proved successful in maintaining a satisfactory state of dental fitness in RAAF personnel, and a second mobile unit was soon dispatched. They were also set up with a laboratory on board as well as the surgery, which was a major difference between the RAF and RAAF, as the RAF did not provide dentures for their troops (the RAAF would, providing they had served for 6 years). In 1943 the RAF was no longer able to provide Dental support to Australian troops in the Middle East, which resulted in the need for a transportable dental unit to be deployed from Australia. It functioned in a similar manner to the RAF, by moving from one squadron to another. It served in the Middle East and Africa, from Cairo across North Africa, to Italy, and eventually back to England to treat returned prisoners of war. GPCAPT Norman Andrews The growth and development of the RAAF Dental Branch owes a debt to one man in particular, GPCAPT Norman Andrews. As the second RAAF Dental Officer to enlist on 18 Sep 1933, Andrews became the principal architect of the structure and organisation of the RAAF Dental Branch leading up to and during WW2. Until early 1940, the RAAF Dental Branch was administered by the Director of Medical Services (Air), which placed it under the control of the Army Medical staff. The Army would provide their Inspector of Dental Services for advice whenever needed. In April 1940, the RAAF Medical service separated from the Army, resulting in the control of the RAAF Dental Branch shifting back to the RAAF. Andrews became the first Director of Dental Services, when the position was created in 1943 as recognition of the higher profile the Dental Branch was now playing in the RAAF Medical service. Until this time, Andrews's title had been as the Dental Staff Officer to the RAAF Medical Service. Andrews was responsible for the establishment of the war-time structure of the Dental service, establishing new dental centres at all major bases, creating mobile and transportable dental units, ensuring the continual growth of the Branch, maintaining professional development of staff through the establishment of a professional journal, and by organising renowned lecturers to speak at RAAF bases. He also believed in visiting as many dental units as possible to see for himself what conditions were like and to talk first-hand to staff in remote units. His itinerary during the war years, both in and out of Australia, shows a large number of trips in a variety of modes of transport in order to reach remote areas where units were serving. He was promoted to GPCAPT in July 1944, as the numbers of Dental Officers soon peaked at 227 towards the end of the war (1 GPCAPT, 9 WGCDRs, 60 SQNLDRs, and 157 FLTLTs). After the war, with the reduction in RAAF personnel required in uniform, the Dental Branch also reduced its numbers significantly. By 1947 there were only 18 Dental Officers serving (many part-time), with 1 GPCAPT, 1 WGCDR, 10 SQNLDRs, and 6 FLTLTs, and only 13 by 1950. With the decrease in Branch personnel numbers, the ‘powers to be' saw fit to reduce the Director of Dental Service rank to WGCDR, and as a result Norman Andrews found that in order to continue serving in the RAAF he would have to wear a reduced rank. This appears to have been a contributing factor in his decision to discharge at the relatively early age of 43 and accept an administrative job as Director of the Victorian Government's School Dental Service. Norman Andrews holds the proud honour of being the founder of the RAAF Dental Branch, which during the war was instrumental in educating servicemen of the importance of dental health and maintaining the dental fitness of troops in a variety of areas. Dental Orderlies (Assistants) The dental orderly mustering was first introduced in 1937. Until that time, medical orderlies were assigned to assist the Dental officer with their duties. As early as 1931 it had been noted by both RAAF and Army Dental Officers working in Victoria and Richmond that a lot of the troubles they were having would be solved by appointing a permanent Dental Orderly. Often they would find that the medical orderly they were assigned was a different one each day, and as a result the administration and work in general was very inefficient. By 1937, with the increase in Dental Officers to 3, it was realised that a Dental Orderly mustering needed to be created. Dental Mechanics/Technicians Before WW2, dental laboratory work was provided by civilian laboratories, as most RAAF units were stationed around metropolitan areas. At this time, service personnel were still required to pay for their own dentures, unless they had served for six years or had their dentures damaged during performance of their duties. In July 1940, mainly in response to the development of more remote RAAF dental units and the increasing demand for dental prostheses, the Dental Mechanic mustering was established. Unfortunately there was a very limited pool of civilian dental mechanics to recruit from, and as a result the RAAF set up a training school at Laverton (which was later moved to Ascot Vale) in June 1941 which conducted an intensive 6 month course in Dental mechanics. Dental mechanics were quickly in demand. In all fixed and mobile dental units at least 1 Mechanic was supplied for each Dental Officer, and indeed the RAAF supplied Dental Mechanics throughout all its deployments, something the RAF were unwilling, or unable, to do. Two grades of dental mechanic existed: the Senior Mechanic (with the rank of NCO), who was competent in all phases of laboratory work; and the Junior Mechanic, who could only handle routine work and not more advanced denture work. The progression to Senior required a further trade test in techniques including setting up, clasp-forming, casting and backing teeth. During the course of the War, two special courses were held for Mechanics. The first, directed at senior mechanics so that they could instruct others, was in 1942 when Acrylic Resin was first introduced as a denture base material, as an alternative to the current option of vulcanite. Later, towards the end of the War, a ‘refresher' course was provided for those that had served for the greatest period of time in order to allow them retraining in techniques that they had not practised during their service and which were common in civilian life. This included cast base dentures, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, and retainers. Towards the end of the War, a course was held with WAAAF trainees to train them as Mechanics. However, as the War was soon to end they never had the opportunity to progress within the mustering to become Senior Mechanics. The RAAF Dental Branch has survived 75 years of turbulence, with reviews of its viability occurring regularly every few years from as early as 1937. The Branch continues to provide excellent service to the ADF community and, despite reduced manpower, will continue to play an important role in Air Force Health operations. http://www.defence.gov.au/health/about/docs/RAAFDental.pdf40cm cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). A23814 BOWERS.A. A. F.r.a.a.f long service medal, r.a.a.f good conduct, r.a.a.f. dental service medal -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, L.A.C. Leonard John Hudson 156990 7ACS R.A.A.F
Leonard John Hudson was born in Prahran and moved to Castlemaine in his early years At the beginning of the war was refused entry to the services due to his "reserved occupation" as a motor mechanic working on farm machinery At night he worked as a machinist for Thompson's Foundry machining breech blocks for 25 pound field guns. (image) Eventually he was granted enlistment into the R.A.A.F. into 7 Airfield Construction Squadron as a Leading Aircraftsman 156990 and was sent to Milne Bay with the unit to build the air strip.As one of few diesel mechanics he was often required to assist the US troops with their maintenance problems at various sites in or near New Guinea. Rare surviving images of 7 ACS newsletter Hand coloured photograph of L. J. Hudson in RAAF tropical uniform 1944 Copies of the "Spruiker" Magazine illustrations from August 1945 published at Milne Bay by 7ACS (7th Airfield Construction Squadron) Photograph of 25lb. Field Gun at Thompsons Foundry Pages from Photo Album showing L. J. Hudson in uniform at Castlemaine (one with his wife R. J. Hudson ) and at Milne Bay7 acs, 7 a.c.s., milne bay, thompsons foundry, field gun, l. hudson, len hudson, castlemaine, 25 pound field gun, hudson, spruiker, 7th airfield construction squadron -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Wooden Propeller
De Havilland made DH 5220 original fitment. The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Tiger_MothWooden propeller for Tiger Moth Aircraft with brass bound leading edgesTiger Moth No.43propeller, tiger moth, dh 5220, dh 82 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Letter - AIR LETTER 1947, C.1947
The letter to Mr A Ferris was from Mr and Mrs R Ferris of Bristol U.K thanking him for the food parcel. They were not related to each other. Australians sent food parcels to the UK after WW2. This one contained meat, milk, honey, cheese and jelly powder. It was organised through the “Bristol Society of Melbourne”. The letter is in the collections relating to Alfred G Ferris 2156 AIF, refer cat No 4183.3P for his service details.Envelope, “Air Letter”, light blue colour, all type in black, hand written on the front, dated 1947.Hand written, “Mr A Ferris Pte bag, Pyramid Hill Victoria Australia”air letters, food parcels, post ww2 -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Booklet, Government Printer, An Outline of Repatriation
Printed for Australian Infantry personnel during World War 2 to help with repatriation on return to AustraliaUsed by World War 2 service personnel to assist with repatriation on return from active service to Australia.A booklet coloured khaki with a cover made from light cardboard and 64 pages made from paper.On the front Cover from top to bottom: Commonwealth of Australia; Repatriation Commission; AN OUTLINE OF REPATRIATION; (Republished September, 1943, to conform to the amended Acts and Regulation, Revised January, 1941); (Issued by the Repatriation Commission for the information and guidance of members of the Fighting Services of the war which commenced on 3rd September, 1939); Melbourne; By Authority: H.E. Daw, Government Printer, Melbourne T.1034/12.43-C.454/45 See images for content on front and rear covers.commonwealth of australia, repatriation commission, world war 2, ww2, repatriation, aif, australian infantry forces, melbourne, government printer, navy, army, air force -
Bendigo Military Museum
Document - DOCUMENT, PROMOTION, Area Finance Office, Dept of Air, 1-2-1946
Letter written in reply to F.G. Davey's claim in respect of his promotion to Acting Flight Lieutenant. The Area Finance Officer requested details related to his claim. Part of Frederick Gardner Davey DFC No. 410533 RAAF Collection. See Cat. No. 3536P for his service record.Typed letter on Commonwealth of Australia letterhead. Letter is contained in the brown paper envelope with postmark stamped in red. In place of a postage stamp is a red stamped mark..1) Address typed in black ink - "Mr F.G. Davey 86 Olinda St., Bendigo, Vic." Post marked in red ink - "Melbourne 1 Feb 46 Vic". .2) Date stamped in blue - "1-FEB 1946". Handwritten signature in black ink. rank, flight lieutenant, raaf -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - DOCUMENT, Royal Australian Air Force, c. 12 October 1945
Letter written to F. G. Davey and signed by Air Commodore Hewitt thanking him for his service. Part of Frederick Gardner Davey DFC No. 410533 RAAF. See Cat. No. 3536P for his service record. Proforma letter of termination of service on Royal Australian Air Force letterhead. Letter is contained in a small brown envelope marked with recipients address. A red 2 1/2 d. stamp is attached to top right hand corner. .1) Address typed in black ink - "Flying Officer F.G. Davey 86 Olinda Street, Bendigo, Vic." Post marked "Melbourne 5.15pm 12 Oct 1945 Victoria". .2) Handwritten in blue ink "Davey". Signed in blue ink "? Hewitt".letters, termination of service, raaf -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper - Twenty page issue December 1941 No. 93, Societe Orientale de Publicite, The A.I.F. News Special Christmas Issue 1941, December 1941
The A.I.F.= The Australian Imperial Force and this newspaper was supplied free to the troops of the Australian Army Canteens Service. This issue is dated Saturday 22nd December 1941. It includes advertisments for businesses in Cairo and Alexandria; Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Page 2 includes a poem titled "This Holy Night" by Pte C.M. Walker; two sonnets by Rupert Brooke; a poem, "Waiting Dreams" by Pilot Officer J.A. Henderson RAAF and a poem by Lieut. David McNicoll AIF Abroad Air Mail - Palestine. Page 3 includes a message from General Sir Thomas Blamey, an article on the part women would increasingly play as a consequence of the emergency war policy; an advertisment for tobacco specially packed for overseas forces. Page 4 includes an article on Australian coastal cities being ready for raids. Page 5 includes an article about the Commonwealth of the Philippines and their defense which until 1946 lay with America. General D Macarthur was the Commander In Chief in the Philippines. Germany's "secret Weapon" legend. Page 6 includes "Dancing Dan's Christmas"; "Bluey and Curley" comic strip. Page 7 includes article "Rommel's Armoured Might Lies Strewn Over Libyan Sands" Page 8 includes an article: "All In Fun" - a revue - has begun a tour of Australian camps in Palestine and Syria. Page 9 includes articles "War Will Revolutionise Air Services In Australia"; a list - Greek Awards To AIF Officers and a cartoon by George Aria titled 'Jonah '. Pages 10&11 "Christmas 1941" - messages from prominent people: Mr Winston Churchill; The Govenor General (Lord Gorrie); The Prime Minister (Mr Curtin); Mininster for the Army (Mr Forde). Also photos of army operations and traditional family Christmas time. Page 12 &13 Articles regarding sport under the heading 'Australian Sporting Digest'. Page 14 A story - "The Gift of the Magi" - an O Henry Christmas Story. Also a greeting from Myer's of Melbourne and Adelaide to all Myer Men in the AIF Page 15 An article where General Blamey reassures Australia about its capability of defence. Page 16 A description of a battle by Australian sloop "Parramatta" with HMAS "Auckland" against enemy planes whilst they were escorting a merchant ship with a cargo of petrol during the Battle of Tobruk Page 17 & 18 Pages under the title 'ACK-I-FOOFS' (Articles submitted by soldiers: The real Rat of Tobruk - a rat trained by L/Cpl Jack Kneeshaw which he named "Goebbels"; poems and cartoons. Page 19 "Women of War" - photos of women at work filling in for men who have gone to war. Page 20 Xmas Greetings 1942-1942 - a 1942 Calendar signed by 14 members of the AIF, some with messages and including their Army Number. Twenty pages of news supplied free to the troops by the Australian Army Canteens Service.The last page is a calendar for 1942 with personal inscriptions and greetings of servicemen. Some inscriptions have I.D. Numbers ( VX35435 W. Johnston; QX20753 of Carmody ; VX40449 ; VX39637 N. Powell; VX32054 Blue Ernistson?; N?X23234 W.Cummins; VXthe a.i.f. news christmas edition 1941, australian imperial force, world war 2, australian army canteens service, general blamey, world war 2 - pacific war, world war 2 - phillipine islands, general d macarthur, emergency plans ww2 australia, secret weapons ww2, western desert ww2, australian imperial force - western desert ww2, civil aviation post ww2, air services australia, lord gowrie, governor general lord gowrie, prime minister john curtain, minister for the army - mr forde, cartoons 1941, women-in ww2, xmas greetings calendar 1941-1942, cairo 1941, palestine 1941, western desert 1941, advertisements 1941, middle east 1941 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Cap, RAAF Peaked
A standard issue Royal Australian Air Force dark blue peaked cap with woven black hat band and patent leather black chin strap secured by gilded buttons with RAAF insignia. The sweatband is made of brown leather and the inside of the cap is lined with blue silk like material with a clear plastic protective cover. The plastic protector is stamped with manufacturers details including size, etc. The serviceman has written his name and service number on the inside of the leather sweatband. The manufacturers label stamp has the following: "EMERCO, MELBOURNE 361218, MADE IN AUSTRALIA, MADE EXPRESSLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPPLY, 1968-69, A^F, SIZE 6.7/8 L3/805, ALL SIZES L3/813" The serviceman has written his name on the inside of the leather sweatband, F/SGT COOK, service number A22582.raaf, air force, australian, late 1960s, -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Old Bus
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith is a famous Australian, well known in civil aviation history for his courageous endeavours in flight. He broken many flight records for long distance and time travelled and he was also a war hero in World War 1. He has been referred to as being “known to millions of Australians as “Smithy” … he was one of Australia’s true twentieth-century legends”. In honour of his place amongst the world’s famous pioneers his image is featured on Australia’s $20 note, Sydney airport is named after him, there is a memorial to Kingsford Smith, Taylor and Ulm at the Anderson Park, also in Sydney and his plane “Southern Cross” is on view at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith wrote ‘The Old Bus’ (1932) and he and Ulm were co-authors of ‘Story of 'Southern Cross' Trans-Pacific Flight’ (1928). His also wrote a book about his own life ‘My Flying Life’ which was published after his death in 1937. and the story of his life was filmed in Australia in 1946. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES EDWARD KINGSFORD SMITH (1897 – 1935) … Kingsford Smith was born 9th February 1897 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His parents were William Charles Smith and Catherine Mary, nee Kingsford. His mother’s maiden name of “Kingsford” was added to the family name when they spent time in Canada from around 1903 to 1907, after which they returned to Sydney, Australia. In 1915 Kingsford Smith enlisted in Australian Imperial Force. He served in 4th Signal Troop, 2nd Division Signal Company at Gallipoli Peninsular as a ‘sapper’ or combat engineer and later in Egypt and in France as a dispatch rider. In 1916 Kingsford Smith was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a sergeant. He was discharged after training in England and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed fling officer and soon joined the 23rd Squadron in France. He brought down four machines in his first month there and also did invaluable work attacking enemy targets. He was wounded and shot down and later awarded the Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918 and served as a Flying Instructor with the R.F.C. Kingsford Smith was not allowed to participate in the 1919 England to Australia air race because of assumed lack of navigational experience. He and his pilot friend Cyril Maddocks formed a business and flew joy-flights in both England and America. In America he did some stunt flying with a Flying Circus. Kingsford Smith returned to Australia in 1921 and found employment as a pilot. He soon realised the value of air transport in such a vast country. He formed a partnership with pilot Keith Anderson in 1924 and they purchased two Bristol Tourer biplanes. Their business broadened to include Charles Ulm and became the Interstate Flying services in Sydney. Together they performed important ‘demonstration’ flights including a flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours using very limited navigational equipment. Kingsford Smith immediately started to search for support to do a trans-Pacific flight. This support came from the New South Wales government, Sidney Myer and G. Allan Hancock, an American oil magnate. On 31st May 1928 Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and two American crewmen, Harry Lyan and Jim Warner, took off from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane via Hawaii and Suva. This historic flight took 83 hours and 38 minutes. Their Fokker plane had three engines and was named the “Southern Cross”. This amazing achievement resulted in huge financial subscriptions. Kingsford Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross and appointed as honorary squadron leader, Royal Australian Air Force. Kingsford Smith flew his Southern Cross plane from Point Cook in Victoria to Perth nonstop. Then in September – October 1928, with Charles Ulm and an Australian crew, he piloted the Southern Cross from Sidney to Christchurch New Zealand. This flight showed that was possible for regular passenger and mail services across the Tasman Sea. Kingsford Smith flew his plane to England to an order for four aircraft, planning to use them for an inter-capital air service in Australia. Sadly on 1st April 1929 he was forced to land, having lost radio contact with the ground and having run into bad weather over north – west Australia. Keith Anderson and Robert Hitchcock both perished before the search party reached them. Once official enquiries were completed the flight to England continued in June and was completed in record time of 12 days and 18 hours. In January 1930 Kingsford Smith piloted the “Southern Cloud”, one of the new Avro Ten planes, on the first flight of his airline, the Australian National Airways, from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Southern Cross” was overhauled in Holland by the Fokker Aircraft Co. and in June 1930 Kingsford Smith achieved an east-west crossing of the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland in 31.5 hours. Kingsford Smith returned to England and took delivery of an Avro Avian biplane that he named the “Southern Cross Junior” and flew solo from England to Darwin, Australia. This record breaking flight took less than 10 days. He beat four other planes that had left England before him and he was 5.5 days faster than Hinkler. Sadly Kingsford Smith’s “Southern Cloud” was lost during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne in 1931 with no surviving crew or passengers; in 1958 the wreckage was discovered in the Snowy Mountains. Later that year Kingsford Smith flew his “Southern Cloud” from Australia to Timor, collecting mail from a damaged Imperial Airways plane in Timor. Other flights followed. Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for his services in Aviation. He returned to selling joy flights then established the Kingsford Smith Air Service, a flying training school in Sydney. In 1933 Kingsford Smith flew the amazing record flight in “Miss Southern Cross” – a Percival Gull - from London to Wyndham in Western Australia in just over ten days. The Australian Commonwealth then gave Kingsford Smith a large grant and he was also appointed as aviation consultant to Vacuum Oil Co. Another flying record was made when Kingsford Smith and Sir P.G. Taylor flow “Lady Southern Cross” from Brisbane to San Francisco in order to sell her there; the west-east-trans-Pacific flight made aviation history. They returned to Australia to make an attempt at the trans-Tasman flight but their attempt failed due to engine failure; they managed to get back to Sydney safely, minus most of their cargo. Kingsford Smith had his unsold “Lady Southern Cross” shipped back to England, from where he and J. T. Pethybridge in the “Lady Southern Cross” attempted another record breaking flight from England The Old Bus Author: Charles Kingsford Smith Publisher: Distibuted by Herald Feature Service Date; 1932Label on spine cover with typed text RA 629.1309 KIN flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the old bus, charles kingsford smith -
Seaworks Maritime Museum
Air tank & respirator, U.S. Divers
Yellow air tank with black respirator and backstrapU.S DIVERS/ AQUA-LUNG/A AND BASS STRAIT MEDICAL CENTRE OPERATION WITH AMBULANCE SERVICE/ AQUA-LUNG U.S. DIVERS/ MODEL NO. 119/ U.S. DIVERS CO. SANTA ANNA CAL/ ON OFF/780/3AA250 USD 60 ICC3AA2 CO/U.S. DIVERS/ MHT PORPOISE AUSTRALIA/PORPOISE -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Associated Photo Services, Reverend C.J Brown and his wife embarking at Liverpool for their Australian and Far East Tour, 1952
This photograph was probably sent to be used for advertising purposes to the mission. Here is the program of the tour published in the Age on Saturday 22 November 1952, page 16: "Australia's 15 stations of the world-famous Missions to Seamen are being visited by the general superintendent of the parent body in London, Rev. C. J. Brown, and. Mrs. Brown, who will arrive from Adelaide today. This is the first visit of the world head of the organisation to this country. Mr; Brown will attend the triennial Australasian chaplains' conference at the Central Club, Flinders-street Extension, next month. A full programme will include visits to the three clubs at Central. Port Melbourne and Williamstown, and to Geelong and Balla-rat, a tour of the Bay, an inspection of the work of a sister organisation, the British Sailors' Society, Geelong, and then on , to Geelong Grammar School. Mr. and Mrs. Brown will be the guests of the Governor and Lady Brooks at lunch at Government House tomorrow, and of the Lord Mayor at a reception on Tuesday. On Friday afternoon Archbishop and Mrs. Booth will hold a reception at Bishopscourt to enable the visitors to meet heads of the churches. Mr. Brown will preach at St. Paul's Cathedral tomorrow morning, and at St. Peter's Mariners' Church at 7 p.m. On December 7 he will preach, at Ballarat Cathedral, afterwards meeting workers of the Missions to. Seamen. He will address a Rotarians' luncheon on Wednesday. On Thursday evening he will meet the Company of Master Mariners. At a reception by the chairman of the Harbor Trust (Mr. A. D. Mackenzie) on December 8, Mr. Brown will meet the heads of Melbourne shipping firms."This was the first visit of the world head of the organisation to Australia since the beginning of the Missions to Seamen in this country.Black and white photograph depicting Reverend C.J Brown and his wife embarking at Liverpool for their Australian and Far East Tour.Written at the back in black ink: Missions to Seamen/Australasian and Far East Tour of General Superintendant (Rev. C.J. Brown, M.A. and Mrs Brown/Arriving in Melbourne by air from Adelaide on Saturday next (22/11). This will be the first visit of the world chief of the Missions to Seamen in the nearby 100 years history of the Society in Melbourne/The photograph shows the visitors embarking at Liverpool when setting out on their tour. In pencil: Padre+wife/2 vol./Pg 5 One black ink stamp from Associated Photo Services , 12A, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool 3 / one purple ink stamp emptyreverend c.j. brown, liverpool -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Forage Cap, RAAF WW2
Cap owned by Warrant Officer William Alexander SUMMERS, RAAF., (10814) born at Surrey Hills Vic., 26 APR 1918, enlisted 02 JUL 1940, discharged 24 MAY 1946. Last Posting: Air Force Headquarters This Item directly linked to a World War serviceman. Typical uniform item. Dark blue forage cap with two 13mm diameter plastic RAAF buttons on front. Black Cotton liner with off-white label attached. Missing cap badge (eagle and crown) evidenced by mounting plate indentations in liner. Label black stamped with 'LEWIS', 'F arrow S', and ' 7', and handwritten service number '10814' black/blue inkheadgear -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Cap, Peaked, United States Air Force
The Civil Air Patrol is the official USAF auxiliary. Formed during WW 2, it is currently tasked with search and rescue, communications, civil defense and aerospace education (via the CAP Cadet program) The Civil Air Patrol, while formed in WW2, became the auxiliary of the USAF when the air force was formed as a separate service in 1947. The uniform is based on the USAF uniform with distinguishing CAP insignia and badges. It is unusual to find CAP items in collections.Blue-grey wool serge USAF peaked hat with black patent leather peak (with light grey underside). Black leather chin strap secured by two 16 mm diameter metal buttons embossed with the USAF insignia. Dark blue hat band. Mid grey head band and light tan lining. Maunufacturer's label stapled and sewn to head band. Metal tab support for front of crown and metal strip reinforcement to edge of crown. Civil Air Patrol pressed copper alloy cap badge incompletely attached to hat. Manufacturer's Label - "100% ALL WOOL. EXCLUSIVE OF ORNAMENTATION. MFG WPL. No. 9379. 7 1/8. headgear -
Greensborough Historical Society
Booklet, TAA Air Atlas, 1972_
Souvenir publication, detailing airline routes, services and aircraft. TAA air atlas: your flight souvenir, compliments of Trans-Australia Airlines.16 p., printed in colour, maps, photographs and text.airlines, trans-australia airlines -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Woodburn residence, mudbrick adobe (1949), Eltham Heritage Tour, 24 May 1992, 24/05/1992
ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "In some respects Eltham is a 'back-water' and it has its own distinctive flavour. On the outskirts the homes date from the 1960's, 70's and 80s with a sprinkling of 'earth homes', mud-brick or pise, rammed dirt. Crossing Main Road into Beddoe Street and Thompson Crescent a very pleasant drive past pines and old fence lines, front lawns unfenced, the occasional ·old farm building, we eventually looked down on a huge circular roof of a 1992 adobe home. Other distinctive places included the Pauline Toner Butterfly Reserve, Gordon Ford's splendid garden at Fulling in Pitt Street, cypress hedges and old houses in Bridge Street and in every direction Eltham's special feature - a totally treed horizon. We were now in the part of the Shire closest to Melbourne - Montmorency - not on the way to anywhere, with no through road going across it, developed in the 1950's and 1960's with conventional gardens, now converted to native plants. The rail looped between Greensborough and Eltham and a shopping street (Were Street) served the area, growing up the hill from the station. It was a typical outer Melbourne suburb with lawns and roses with patches of originality. The shopping precinct still has 1950 characteristics - walls which sloped back, projecting roofs, the original shop fronts are nearly all tiled below the old windows. There's an air of past times about the School, the Dairy, the Butcher's (now a milk bar) and the Castlemaine stone face of the Commonwealth Bank. The final stop for the tour was at the mud-brick Woodburn residence, adobe of 1949 with additions. After War Service, Bill Woodburn had commenced an Architecture course at Melbourne University and after second year in the Christmas vacation, with his wife, Betti, built the two bedroom house - with amazing saving of costs. In the three and a half months they made over 3000 bricks (external walls 18" x 12" x 4", internal walls 12" x 9" x 4"), sifted top soil for mortar and laid them, on concrete foundations and slab floor, made all the structural window frames, door frames and roof members to carry 'super six' asbestos sheets, laboured for the electrician and plumber, did all the glazing and, still without electricity, moved in in March 1949. Rooms have been added, at first with glass walls, later using concrete blocks, to accommodate three daughters and a son. The house not only grew from the earth, but also with the family."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, woodburn house -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, Atlantic Star, abt 1945
The Atlantic Star was awarded to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. It was designed primarily for convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as for crews of fast merchant ships that sailed alone. Eligibility Awarded for six months service afloat, in the Navy, the Merchant Navy and by Army and Air Force personnel serving on HM Ships, in the Atlantic and Home Waters. Awarded to aircrew who have taken part in operations against the enemy at sea within the qualifying areas for Naval personnel, subject to two months service in an operational unit after earning the 1939-1945 Star. Qualifying dates are 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945. The Medal The Atlantic Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Atlantic Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse. The Ribbon The Atlantic Star ribbon has three vertical stripes of blue, white and sea green, shaded and watered. The colours represent the colours of the Atlantic Ocean. Clasps Two clasps were issued for the Atlantic Star: Air Crew Europe France and Germany Regulations only allow one clasp to be worn with the Star. When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.Medal, Atlantic Star, miniature, with clasps- Air Crew Europe & France and Germanymedal, atlantic star -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, Defence Medal, abt 1945
The Defence Medal was instituted to provide recognition for specified periods of service in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened. Eligibility The Defence Medal is awarded for six months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air attack or closely threatened, in Australia and overseas, or for 12 months service in non-prescribed non-operational areas. Within Australia the area is the Northern Territory , north of 14 degrees 30 minutes south, and the Torres Strait Islands between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Overseas service includes the Middle East, east of the Suez Canal (less the period of the Syrian Campaign) or Malaya prior to the Japanese invasion on 8 December 1941. The Medal The Defence Medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL'. The Ribbon The Defence Medal ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre. The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.Full size and miniature medals with ribbonsnildefence medal -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, 1939-45 Star
The 1939-45 Star may be awarded for those who undertook operational service during World War II. Eligibility The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for: a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim. The Medal The 1939-45 Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The 1939-45 Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse. The Ribbon The 1939-45 Star ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue stripe the Air Forces. Clasps The ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain. When the ribbon is worn alone a gilt rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp. The ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew. When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp. Full size and miniature medals with ribbons. Miniature has clasp : Battle of Britainnilmedal 1939-45 star -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, General Service Medal (British)
General Service Medal (1918) Ribbon: 32 mm, purple with a central green stripe. Awarded by United Kingdom Type Campaign medal Eligibility British army and Royal Air Force. Awarded for Campaign service. Campaign Minor campaigns 1918–62. Description Silver disk, 36 mm diameter. Clasps 17 Statistics Established 19 January 1923 Related Naval General Service Medal (1915), General Service Medal (1962) General Service Medal 1918 Clasp - Palestine 1945–48 Part of the resolution of the 1936-9 revolt was the imposition of an immigration quota for Jews wishing to enter Palestine. This was opposed by the Jewish settlers in Palestine and in 1944, a guerrilla war was launched against the British forces there, principally by the Irgun and Lehi. While service in this conflict prior to 1945 is counted as World War Two service, service between 27 September 1945 (the date a "state of emergency" was declared) and 30 June 1948 (when the last British troops departed) is acknowledged by this clasp to the GSM.Full size medal with ribbon. Clasp Palestine 1945-482628702 LCPL H CHEATLE GREN GDSgeneral service medal palestine -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Basil G Watson, 1967
This is a booklet produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the aeroplane flights of Basil Watson in 1917 (the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail). In the 1967 Mount Gambier/Melbourne air mail flight re-enactment the aircraft was from Aviation Services (Hardingham) Limited, a Piper Cherokee, and on board was Douglas Watson, Basil Watson’s nephew. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own plane which had a 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. He flew the first aeroplane to Warrnambool in January 1917, bringing with him the first air mail to the town. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics over the Warrnambool Racecourse. He died two months later, crashing into the sea near Point Cook. This booklet is of great interest as it gives details of the life of Basil Watson, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first man to fly into the town in 1917 and the first person to bring air mail to Warrnambool, including a letter from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. This is a booklet of 16 pages produced to commemorate the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail Flight. It has a grey cover with black printing and an image of an early model aeroplane on the front cover. The text includes illustrations, maps and black and white photographs. The first page has two signatures. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.‘Donated by Mrs Giles W’bool’ ‘J.C.Hardingham, Pilot’ ‘D.Watson’ basil watson, history of aviation in victoria, history of warrnambool