These shell cases were donated along with other items from the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The symbol of the broad arrow on the base of the shell case signifies that it was owned by the Australian Army. The dates of the shell cases - 1940 and 1941 - link the shell cases with World War II. Both cases' headstamps have "N", which could indicate that they were made for use by the Navy. Shell Case 1298.01: The headstamp code on the label "MEC" means that it was made by the Explosives Factory Maribyrnong - Cordite Annexe, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, which made cordite propellant for cartridges and shells. Shell Case 1298.02: The headstamp "MF" indicates it was made by the Small Arms Manufacturing Factory in Footscray, Melbourne, and the stamped year was 1941. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History): - The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. Its symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today, there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000, the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres, such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943, a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. These shell cases are significant for their relationship with the Australian Army in general and in particular with the defence of Australia during World War II. The may have also been made for the Navy. Their significance is increased by their association with the Williamstown Missions To Seamen, which donated them to Flagstaff Hill in 1979, an organisation that has supported seafarers for many years.Shell case: two brass 4" rimmed shell cases with headstamps (inscriptions) on the base plate around the firing pin three holes evenly spaced around the centre of the base. A label is attached to one shell. The shell cases are part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. Shell Case 1298.01 - Printed stamp “P.2BT” “M.E.C.111” “I.E. 10/43”. Stamped into base “N”, “1940” “W [within lozenge]”, “S” symbol [Australian Government Arrow] “360“ . Around firing pin “MF I 422” “ME” “II” “4 I N” “5-“ ”MF [within rectangle]” “f” “B – [within circle]”, Shell Case 1298.02 - headstamp “N 1941 MF / F symbol [square box] LOT 679”, [in oval] 101 / 4 / S /U2) M GUNS 7 “, symbol [Australian Government Arrow], Stencil [in red circle] “B J”, symbol [Diamond with line top to bottom] Stamped in red ink “R5G 11 1 2B7”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, munitions, shell case, ammunition 1940, ammunition 1941, firearms, cannon, australian government, borad arrow, australian army, wwii, world war 2, australian defence, australian ordinance, small arms manufacturing factory, explosives factory maribyrnong, cordite, world war ii, ww2, 1940, 1941, defence, n headstamp, footscray

WW1 bayonet manufactured in Australia.WW1 example of Australian Manufacturing The bayonet was designed at the Lithgow Small Arms factory in Australia starting around 1913, just prior to WWI. The Lithgow 1907 Bayonet would become Australia’s staple weapon along with it’s counter part, the Enfield No1 Mark III rifle. The wood on the hilts is often referred to as furniture and then starting around 1916 Queensland Maple was used. Queensland Maple would continue to be used until about 1941.Scabbard on the reverse marking stating MANGROVITE 44 and /i\ B. Wooden Hilt has marking of 6 pointed star and an A imprinted into it. (Both sides.) Pommel is stampted wi a serial number of A 76966. Hilt of the bayonet one side is stamped Lithcow 3 '21 over a crest of a six pointed star and a shield which encapules 1907 /1. The pommel also contains a button locking release from the rifle slide mount.1907, bayonet

WW1 example of Australian ManufacturingWW1 example of Australian manufacturingThe bayonet was designed at the Lithgow Small Arms factory in Australia starting around 1913, just prior to WWI. The Lithgow 1907 Bayonet would become Australia’s staple weapon along with it’s counter part, the Enfield No1 Mark III rifle. The wood on the hilts is often referred to as furniture and then starting around 1916 Queensland Mapleread moreScabbard on the reverse marking stating MANGROVITE 43. Wooden Hilt has no visible markings. Hilt of the bayonet one side is stamped Lithcow 3 '21 over a crest of a six pointed star and a shield which encapules 1907 /1. The pommel also contains a button locking release from the rifle slide mount.wooden handle, leather scabbard

Demonstrates uniform cap manufacture. Appears to be unworn.SEC Motorman/Drivers/Conductors cap - green cloth exterior, grey cotton interior lining, brown leather internal hat band, black cotton hat band on exterior with a plastic band at the front half of the cap terminating in two small SEC metal buttons on either side, black plastic peak. Sewn on the inside is a label "Commonwealth Government Clothing Factories Melbourne" and stamped "6 1/2". On the right hand side of the inside of the brown band, stamped in gold is the Australian Coat of Arms and the words "A quality product / made in Australia / by the Dept. of Supply". Appears never to have been used.tramways, trams, ballarat, uniforms, cap

The .303 inch catridge was the standard British and Commonwealth cartridge from 1889 until the 1950s when it was replaced by the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. Cartridge .303, comprising brass casing and projectile .303 inch calibre.Manufacturer's markings. Year of manufacture 1941. Manufacturer MH -Military Small Arms Factory No. 3, Hendon, Australia; Lot no: 11Aammunition, cartridge, .303, bullet