Sargent's, Mess Royal Air Force, Brize Norton Royal Air Force Brize Norton or RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, about 65 mi (105 km) west north-west of London, is the largest station of the Royal Air Force. It is close to the settlements of Brize Norton, Carterton and Witney.Sgt's Mess Royal Air Force Brize Norton, R.A.F. Station, Oxfordshire, U.K. - Rules of Sergeant's Mess

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. 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, 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. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The King's England - Oxfordshire County of Imperishable Fame Edited by Arthur Mee Publisher: The Caxton Publishing Co Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 914.2 MEE Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, the king's england - oxfordshire, the king's england, oxfordshire

British. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 4th Territorial Battalion.badge/buttons, ww1, army

Burford is a small town on the River Windrush in the Cotswold hills in west Oxfordshire, England, about 18 miles (29 km) west of Oxford, 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Cheltenham and only about 2 miles (3 km) from the Gloucestershire boundary. The toponym derives from the Old English words burh meaning fortified town or hilltown and ford, the crossing of a river. (Wikipedia)A streetscape photographic view of Burford, England showing buildings, cars and people. chatham family archive, burford

Nathanial Billing was born in Brightwell Oxfordshire England on 5th May 1821. He emigrated to Australia on the ship 'Ballarat' in 1853 on arrival in Victoria he entered Government service and worked in the Warrnambool and Belfast districts until 1857. He then left the Public Service and commenced private practice. In 1850 Nathaniel and Henrietta Heybourne were married on July 17 at Hillingdon Parish, Middlesex, England. In Belfast Victoria he designed St Johns Church of England, the Bank of Australasia, and worked on St Patricks Catholic church from plans by English architect Hansom. He died on January 29 1910 in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Architect of 3 significant public buildings in Belfast/Port FairyBlack and white portrait of gentleman with black full beard and striped cravatpioneer, settler, portrait, people, architect, st johns church of england,, st patricks catholic church, bank of australasia, nathanial billing

Half page illustration from Punch p. 37. Two panel illustration by G.D. Armour titled 'Points of View' and subtitled 'The River as it Appears to the Winners of an Easy Race' showing starboard view of a straight four rowing erect and without obvious distress. Below 'As it Appears to the Losers of a Hard Race' showing closeup starboard stern quarter view of a straight four collapsed over their oars, with the surrounding scenery drawn in a wavy haze. Part of the Tom Weil Collection. Thomas E Weil is a very knowledgeable and respected collector of rowing memorabilia from all over the world. His extensive collection includes material from many years of the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race, and Henley Royal Regatta. He also lectures and writes on rowing history and is a Trustee of the River and Rowing Museum. River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF Telephone: 01491 415600 General enquiries: [email protected] of an Ink and watercolor painting of two rowing crews. Two panel copy of an illustration by G.D. Armour titled 'Points of View' and subtitled 'The River as it Appears to the Winners of an Easy Race' showing starboard view of a straight four rowing erect and without obvious distress. Below 'As it Appears to the Losers of a Hard Race' showing closeup starboard stern quarter view of a straight four collapsed over their oars, with the surrounding scenery drawn in a wavy haze.Points of view G.D. Armourcity of warrnambool rowing club, warrnambool rowing club, hopkins river warrnambool, hopkins river warrnambool, g.d. armou, 'points of view'

Nina Steane was the daughter of Sydney Carroll. He was the son of John Whiteman and Alice Cornwall, born in Melbourne in 1877. After a short marriage his parents separated and he chose to live with his father. Alice resumed her maiden name and became successful in the Mining Industry in Ballarat. She owned the Midas Mine on the Dowling Forest Estate, Victoria. She was known as Madame Midas. Returning to London her business thrived and her company the 'British Australasian Mining Investment Company' was floated in London in July 1889. It is said she became a millionaire at 30. Sydney Carroll was born George Frederick Carl Whiteman (1877-1958). Sydney was heavily involved with the theatre and was manager of a number of London theatres. He founded the Open Air Theatre in 1933. A new complex was been built on the site in 1975. He was part-author of several plays, published a book on dramatic criticism as well as being a drama critic. Nina Steane (Carroll) was born in 1932 and studied Art at the Cheltenham School of Art. She then went to Oxford University where she studied Literature. After Oxford she married John M Steane and they had three children. They lived in Southport, Kettering where she exhibited her art until the mid 1970s. In 1976 John became Oxfordshire's County Archaeologist and so moved to live in the area. Here Nina showed her art as well as in London and other parts of the country as well as abroad Nina died in 1990, aged 57. .1 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Dear Sir" and signed "Nina Steane" (copy) .2 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Mrs Steane" and signed by "E J Barker" Principal of Ballarat School of Mines and later Director of Ballarat College of Advanced Education. (copy) .3 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Dear Mr Barker" and signed "Nina Steane" (copy) .4a Copy of hand written information on The Midas Mine .4b continuation of information.1 Signature of Nina Steane. Dated July 6th 1973 .2 Signature "EJB". Dated 20th July 1973 .3 Signature of Nina Steane. Dated July 26th 1973midas mine, nina steane, sydney carroll, alice cornwall, john whiteman, melbourne, madame midas, british australasian mining investment company, millionaire, london, drama, open air theatre, cheltenham school of art, oxford university, literature, john m steane, oxfordshire county, archaeologist, exhibition