Showing 48 items
matching palestine 1941
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Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, c1941
... of the 7th Division Band Contest in Palestine February 1941 ... Contest Palestine 1941... of the 7th Division Band Contest in Palestine February 1941 The 2 ...Image depicts soldiers of the 2/24 Battalion Band - Winners of the 7th Division Band Contest in Palestine February 1941 The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Reproduced black and white photograph of band of soldiers with musical instruments Handwritten on rear - 2/24 Bn Band Winners of 7 Div Band Contest Palestine 19412/24th battalion, wangaratta, palestine, 1941, 7th division band contest -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Award - AIF 7th Division Band Championship Palestine 1941
... AIF 7th Division Band Championship Palestine 1941...AIF 7th Division Band Championship Palestine 2nd March 1941...AIF 7th Division Band Championship Palestine 2nd March 1941 ...7 PLATES AND ONE MISSING AIF 7th Division Band Championship Palestine 2nd March 1941 Won by 2/24 Battalion Bandmaster L/SGT L.G.SKANE DRUM MAJOR L/SGT P.C Russell side drums pte w.h. wilson pte r.k. johnson tenor drum pte. e.w.j. Forrest Bass Drum Pte N.M. Hogan Cymbals Pte E.Brear Buglars Pte GH Rickard PTE M.A. Johnson Suprano Coronet Pte G FERGUSON SOLO Coronets CPL D.W.Duncan PTE H.T PARSONS PTE DH FRAZER REPIANO CORONET PTE RD BLACKBURN FLUGEL HORN PTE. H.J. GAYLORD 2ND CORONETS PTE R.R. MATHER PTE J.W.COOK 3RD CORONET PTE L.J.MCDONALD SOLO HORN PTE D.M.GRAY HORNS PTE W.H.B SINCOCK PTE B HOLM BARITONES PTE M.R. CRICK PTE A.L. WARWICK EUPHONIMS PTE. E.A.SINCOCK PTE H.R CLOGAN TROMBONES PTE H.J SINCOCK PTE G.W. BARRETT BASS TROMBONE PTE E.G. MOFFAT -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Souvenir Cushion Cover Palestine 1941
... Souvenir Cushion Cover Palestine 1941... Palestine 1941 ...This cushion cover was owned by Arthur Lock, a soldier in the 2/23rd Battalion. After initial training in Albury, N.S.W. and Bonegilla, Victoria, they left for overseas service. Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. From Egypt they were deployed to Tobruk. The battalion helped defend Tobruk for eight months, manning a series of concrete pillboxes located in a semicircle around the town, called the Red Line. In October the majority of the 9th Division, except the 2/13th Infantry Battalion, was evacuated by sea. The 2/23rd left on 18 October and sailed to Alexandria. The division was transferred to Palestine and then Syria for rest and garrison duties.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A cushion cover embroidered with the insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 1941. Top 'Souvenir of Palestine" Centre Insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, Bottom "1941"world war 11, rats of tobruk, palestine -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir - Framed embroidered cloth
... Souvenir Of Palestine 1941 Australia Commonwealth Military... with a date or message. palestine 1941 souvenir embroidered cloth ...A related souvenir from the Second Word War is the colourful 'Souvenir of Palestine'. Like the First World War Egyptian embroideries, they used cotton sateen in a range of bright colours (although sometimes velveteen was used instead) and bear the words 'Souvenir of Palestine', a year date, and sometimes a personal message, as well as images of specific mosques or landmarks, camels, goats and date palms. The Palestinian souvenirs were often seen displayed for sale outside houses in country villages These types of souvenirs were very popular with Australian troops; they were easy to send home and were colourful. The vendors would have a number of designs for sale already machine embroidered, from which the soldier could select and then personalise with a date or message. Brown timber frame containing dark green square silk cloth edged with gold fringe, embroidered with two flap poles either side of rising sun crest/badge above two red heartsSouvenir Of Palestine 1941 Australia Commonwealth Military Forcespalestine, 1941, souvenir, embroidered cloth -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CARD, MOTHERS DAY, 1941, 1941
... Palestine 1941...“Palestine Mother’s Day 1941”... No 5790 for his service details Palestine 1941 Mother’s Day Card ...Item/s in collection re B.J. Ruler VX40780 refer Cat No 5790 for his service details Small rectangle cream card with Rising Sun Emblem in blue ink, YMCA emblem in red ink. Message in blue ink.“Palestine Mother’s Day 1941”palestine 1941, mother’s day card, ww2 -
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
... Palestine 1941... Palestine 1941 Western Desert 1941 Advertisements 1941 Middle East ...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 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Box of childrens books. Camp 3
... internee Camp 3. WW2 children's books brought from Palestine 1941.... Palestine 1941. Box of childrens books. Camp 3 ...Box of children's books. Camp 3. Ex Palestine German internee Camp 3. WW2 children's books brought from Palestine 1941. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Souvenir - CUSHION COVERS and HANDKERCHIEF, C.1941
... ) “Beyroujth”. .3) “Souvenir of Palestine 1941”, “Davids Tower...) “Souvenir of Palestine 1941”, “Davids Tower”, “Australian ...Items souvenired by Albert Corrie VX47191, refer Cat No 4847 for service details..1) Cushion cover silk with pink tassels, colour depiction of a women, donkey and child of to the market. .2) handkerchief cotton blue with crochet boarder, flowers and word embroidered. .3) Cushion cover silk yellow tassle edges, green background with depictions of a vehicle, tower, rising sun badge embroidered on..1) “Souvenir of Palestine”, “To the Market”. .2) “Beyroujth”. .3) “Souvenir of Palestine 1941”, “Davids Tower”, “Australian Commonwealth Military Forces”.cushions, handkerchiefs, souvenirs -
Bendigo Military Museum
Album - ALBUM, PHOTOGRAPH, H E James, 1941 - 1942
... Middle centre: PALESTINE 1941-1942... AIF MEF Middle centre: PALESTINE 1941-1942 Photo album ...The album belonged to Henry Edward JAMES No VX38489. Enlisted 31.7.1940. On discharge from the AIF he was a Pte in HQ Vic L of C Area. Photo album that belonged to H E JAMES. Salmon coloured buckram hardcover, hand painted & printed in white with decoration. Contains 201 black & white photos of Palestine, Gaza, Tel Aviv & surrounding area, including people & places of interest, camels, etc. Bound using a partly missing red leather strap fastened with buckle made possibly of shell.On cover top left: VX38489 H E James 2/3 MMGBn AIF MEF Middle centre: PALESTINE 1941-1942books - albums, photographs, military history, photography, souvenirs -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Children's Book, Grimms M'A'rchen (Grimms Fairy Tales)
... Brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941... Tatura the-murray Brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 drescher ...Brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941Orange coloured hard cover story book. A Girl standing beside a bed with a wolf lying the bed. Blue text. Brown cloth spine. Back blue cardboard.drescher p, camp 3, tatura, ww2, books, children, grimms fairytales -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Army book and 2 x postcards, Unknown
... McConachy Simmons. 2# 2 x postcards sent from Palestine in 1941. ... Palestine in June 1942. Hand written message says with lots of love ...WWII Historical significance. 1# Army Record of Service Book for VX48739 Lieut. Thomas McConachy Simmons. 2# 2 x postcards sent from Palestine in 1941. 1# Contains Details of enlistment date, Q Store records and record of immunisation for VX48739 Lieut Simmons T. M. 2# 2 x Postcards sent from Palestine in June 1942. Hand written message says with lots of love from Tom. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Barracks housing Camp 3
... Barracks housing German families from Palestine between... between 1941-1946. Palestine internees Internment camp housing ...Barracks housing German families from Palestine between 1941-1946.Black and white photograph on foam. Photograph depicts a view of several huts and their gardens.palestine internees, internment camp housing, camp 3 internment -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Camp 3 Templer Homes
... families from Palestine in 1941.... of the Templer families from Palestine in 1941. Palestine families ...The huts, in camp 3, were home to some of the Templer families from Palestine in 1941.Black and white photograph depicting 3 huts across the middle of the picture, some smaller trees behind the huts and a large tree at the right hand side top of picture. palestine families, templer families, templers, camp 3 templers, camp 3 internees, m haering -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book
... from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941..... Brought with him from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941. Peter Drescher ...Possession of former internee at camp 3. Brought with him from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941.Hard card covered story book with colour illustrations throughout. Has grey cloth spine. Cover features illustrations of 3 children holding hands/forming a circle. Title etc. in handwriting/German Gothic script.Peter Drescher, Tatura, 1942peter drescher, jaffa, palestine, internee books, german story books -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, German Families From Palestine
... German Families from Palestine Interned 1941-1947 in Camp 3... Germans from Palestine German Families from Palestine Interned ...Material donated from various persons. Sketches by Alfons Koenig and others.Black plastic folder with plastic sleeves containing sketches and other material from Camp 3German Families from Palestine Interned 1941-1947 in Camp 3, compounds B and Calfons koenig, camp 3, german internees, germans from palestine -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Childrens, Grimms, M'A"RCHEN, 1940's
... Children's book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941... Tatura the-murray Children's book brought from Jaffa, Palestine ...Children's book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher family, internees in Camp 3.Hard cover story book with coloured illustrations of girl drawing back curtain disclosing wolf in bed. Grey cloth spine.drescher, grimms, internees camp 3, children's books -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Book - Childrens, E. O. Plauen, Vater Und Sohn (Father and Son), 1940's
... Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher... Tatura the-murray Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 ...Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher family, internees at Camp 3, Tatura.Soft yellow coloured card covered book with black and white comic like illustrations. Cover shows man lying down with fee in air, small boy looking down at him. Title in handwriting- German gothic script.Peter Dreschercamp 3, drescher, children's books, peter drescher, vater und sohn, father and son -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Book - Childrens, Vater Und Sohn (Father and Son), 1940's
... Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher... Tatura the-murray Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 ...Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher family, internees at Camp 3, Tatura.Soft red coloured card covered book with black and white comic like illustrations. Cover shows man sitting on a swing with a young boy holding a Winnie the pooh toy. Title in German Gothic script.Peter Dreschercamp 3, children's books, peter drescher, german internees in camp 3 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Childrens, E. O. Plauen, Vater Und Sohn (Father and Son), 1940's
... Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher... Tatura the-murray Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 ...Book brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941 by the Drescher family, internees at Camp 3, Tatura.Soft yellow coloured card covered book with black and white comic like illustrations. Cover shows man lying down with fee in air, small boy looking down at him. Title in handwriting- German gothic script.Peter Dreschercamp 3, drescher, children's books -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS, ISRAEL
... Batt. Posted to Palestine December 1941. Refer Cat no 127.56... Batt. Posted to Palestine December 1941. Refer Cat no 127.56 ...Photographs from Colin G. ODLUM VX 45898 from HQ COY 2/23 Batt. Posted to Palestine December 1941. Refer Cat no 127.56 for service details Box 7 Two original black and white photographs with white borders of Australian Soldiers Club Jerusalem and Haifa Port demo a height. Both photos. on the back “From VX 45898, ODLUM C. G., HQ COY, 2/23 BATT, AIF, Abroad, 20/12/41 .2) Written on the front “ AUSTRALIAN CLUB JERUSALEM “ palestine, ww2, soldiers club, haifa -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Domestic object - Sewing Machine, Jones Sewing Machine
... Palestine in 1941 to Australia where they were interned at Tatura... from Palestine in 1941 to Australia where they were interned ...This Jones sewing machine was one of the few sewing machines that accompanied the Germans who were deported from Palestine in 1941 to Australia where they were interned at Tatura. The machine was owned by Nelly Wied (nee Glenk). See notes in Item receipt form.Lid is plywood constructed with domed top. Brown handle on top and a clip each end to fasten to machine base. Machine is on a wooden base with clips on each end to fasten to lid. Right hand side of machine has a rectangular hole with wooden lid and brown wooden knob. To keep accessories in. Machine is made from metal, painted black and has fancy gold patterns on front right, "Jones" in gold and gold design around the metal base. It has a silver turning wheelJONESjones sewing machine, palestine germans, german templers, palestine internees, templer internees, nelly wied, nelly glenk, helmut glenk, tatura internment camps -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, internment by Erhard (Geoff) Gohl
... transported from Palestine in 1941 & interned in Camp 3. One boy died...) were transported from Palestine in 1941 & interned in Camp 3 ...The Gohl family (parents, a girl & three boys) were transported from Palestine in 1941 & interned in Camp 3. One boy died in the camp & is buried in the German War Cemetery. The Gohls were the first family to be released as the father obtained employment with a former internee named Sims, who had an export business in Sydney. Erhard Gohl wrote this account of internment, it was donated by his younger brother Fred.Black display folder containing photocopy of an account of internment by Erhard (Geoff) Gohl.tatura, internee camps, camp 3, documents, biography -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Tobruk and El Alamein ARMY Author Barton Maughan, First Published 1966
Australia in the War 1939 - 1945 From March 1941 - December 1942 Historical record part of a seriesAustralia in the War of 1939-1945 - Tobruk and El Alamein Maps, illustrations, photographsAustralian War Memorialtobruk, el alamein, army, wwii, palestine, lebanon, german invasion of greece and yugoslavia, bismark, malaya, pearl harbour, darwin, crete, churchill, faddon, curtin -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, 1) Post WW11. .2) 1940-45
John MURPHY VX15580 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 26.2.1940 age 28 years 5 months. Posted to 2/7th Bn on 6.4.1940 and embarked for the Middle East on 15.4.1940, embarked for Greece 9.4.1941 and returned from there in June 1941. Embarked for Australia on 8.3.1942 and disembarked Ceylon 7.4.1942 and did not re embark until 12.7.1942 and arrived in Australia 4.8.1942. Transfers to 2nd Aust Tank W/Shops AEME on 3.10.1942 and then 2/4th Aust Base W/Shops, discharged from the Army on 3.10.1945. In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed and it was rebuilt from a small core in Palestine in Garrison duties and then in Ceylon before returning to Australia..1)Medal set, brass plate mounted , group of (5) re .J. Murphy 1.1939 -45 star 2. Africa star 3. Defence medal 4. War medal 1939 -45 5. Australian service medal .2) Ribbon , single "Africa Star" with pins uniform attachment"VX15580 J Murphy"numismatics- medals - military, metalcraft -
Bendigo Military Museum
Document - DOCUMENTS WW2, Australian Army, 1939 - 1943
Items relate to Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 2039 for service history also 2034P.3 manilla folders each containing assorted miscellaneous documents from WWII. Most are from the 'Syrian Campaign' in 1941. They range from general through confidential to most secret and was in the effects of Lt. Col B.R. CHADD. .1) “Secret 1940” .2) “1941” .3) “1942-1943” Operational orders. Embark and dis-embark orders. Signal notes. Ciphers - Sit Reps Palestine/Syriadocuments-military, signals -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir - Framed World War 2 Embroidered Banner, WW2 Embroidered Souvenir, Estimated date 1941
... VX 5001. Souvenir of Palestine, The Mosque of Omar 1941 ...Framed embroidered banner – a souvenir of World War Two. A multi-coloured map of Australia, a bird carrying a letter, an Australian military badge, camels and a mosque are depicted on a dark blue background. At the bottom there is a photo, a 1939 associate badge, a dog tag and a brass plaque. 'In Honour of Corp Benjamin Ackroyd VX 5001. Souvenir of Palestine, The Mosque of Omar 1941.'world war two, embroidery, 1941, souvenir, palestine, mosque, omar -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Craft - Framed Embroided Centrepiece, WW2 Embroidered Silk Centrepiece Souvenir, Estimated date 1941
World War Two souvenir.This framed World War Two souvenir is an embroidered silk centrepiece. On a pink background, fringed in yellow, appear two red hearts in the top left and right corners. Inside the hearts, in yellow, are the words - 'To My' - 'Sister'. Underneath, the words 'Souvenir of Palestine' are embroidered in a yellow arc, a rising sun in orange, a red, green and blue crown, and - 'Australian' - 'Commonwealth' - 'Military Forces' - in yellow and blue. At the botton there are two trees either side of two domed buildings, all in red, green and blue. 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces'. '1941'. 'To my Sister'. 'Souvenir of Palestine'.embroidery, middle east, australia, military, commonwealth, 1941, souvenir, second world war, palestine -
Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
memento embroidered, 1940
Hand embroaded on silk memento by Bill Handcock to his mother from Pelestine 1940. Main feature is the Rising Sun Bagde.silk hand embroaded memento Mrs P G Handcock from Bill Palistine 1941 Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun Badge in centre Crown is centered on top of Garlands with flowers embossed in corners Blue fringed on all edges"Palestine" Lower L/H Side, "1940" Lower R/H side, "Mrs P G Handcock /From Bill" centre bottom, "Australian Commonwealth /Military Forces, on Rising-Sun-Badge centre world war two, embroidery, memento, rising sun badge, palestine, 1940, handcock -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Jerusalem, abt 1941
Hard covered book containing 30 coloured photographs of scenes in PalestineTo Elizabeth from Dad 13 August 1941 Palistine (sic) -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 Vol 7
This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 Vol 7 Author: C.E.W. Bean Publisher: Angus & Robertson Ltd Date: 1941 Further Information: In Sinai and Palestine 1914 - 1918The label on the spine cover with typed text H 940.40994 OFF Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, official history of australia in the war of 1914-1918 vol 7, c.e.w. bean