This standard design life jacket was made by sailmakers Harry West Pty Ltd at Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales from 1930s to 1950s. Harry West - Harry was a chandler, sailmaker and rigger. He made and sold all kinds of canvas and rope goods including sails, awnings and covers. In 1925 he was advertising life buoys but by 1933 he was advertising life jackets. He and his wife Margery had six children. His business was still operating in 1954, when an article on the craft of sailmaking appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. His sailmaker's loft was located, traditionally, close to Sydney's harbour. Life Jackets - Life jackets were part of the equipment carried by the Life Saving Rescue Crew of South Western Victoria, including Warrnambool, from around 1858 until the 1950s. The purpose of a life jacket is to keep the wearer afloat until he or she is rescued from the water. Life jackets were first invented in 1854 by Captain Ward of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Britain. The early life jackets were filled with cork, which is very buoyant. However, many times he cork caused the jacket to rise up quickly with a force that caused unconsciousness, sometimes turning the person face down in the water , causing them to drown. After the tragic loss of the ship RMS Titanic in 1912 and the lost lives of those onboard, a woman named Orpheus Newman designed the Salvus life jacket (Salvus means safe), which was filled with kapok instead of cork. Kapok comes from seed pods of the Ceiba Pentandra tree and is waterproof as well as buoyant. These Salvus jackets were used by the Royal Navy until new synthetic materials became available around the time of World War II.This life jacket is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Life jacket, canvas covered, with two kapok padded compartments joined by shoulder straps and waist ties. Designed to slip over the head and tie at the waist. Inscriptions on pouches, some stencilled, some hand written, and inspection text on shoulder strap. Made by Harry West Pty Ltd., Sailmakers, Balmain, Sydney.Stencilled on pockets: “- - - NDARD / LIFE JACKET” [STANDARD LIFE JACKET], “HARRY WEST PTY LTD / SAILMAKERS / BALMAIN, SYDNEY” Stamped on shoulder strap: "XM3271RC" Hand painted on pocket: “DAVIES”flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, captain ward, royal national lifeboat instution, kapok, life jacket, orpheus newman, salvus jacket, life saving, rescue, rescue crew, l.s.r.c., life saving equipment, marine technology, lifeboat, shipwreck victim, vintage, harry west, balmain, sydney, davies, standard life jacket, survivor, shipwreck, sailmakers, harry west pty ltd

Intact pale fabric lifejacket made by Smith & Co makers in melbourne.Side 1: ADULT OR CHILD/ GUS? SMITH & CO MAKERS MELNOURNE. Side 2: BOARD OF TRADE. STANDARD/ LIFE JACKET. Inside of Side 2: F.S. On shoulder: ???? INSEPCTED.lifejacket

Hardcover, cloth bound, burgundy book with a white dust jacket. The dust jacket shows an image of six people ducking from the force of the wind coming from the helicopter that is landing behind them, there is blue cloudy sky above. Across the sky is printed the title. The book is housed in a burgundy clth covered slipcase.non-fictionThis inside story of an Australian Field Hospital during the Vietnam War is told through a compilation of operational facts interspersed with the personal experiences of those who served and the patients who passed through the hospital doors, into their care.Call Sign VAMPIRE provides a window into the frenetic world of a military hospital in a war zone through evocative, sometimes confronting imagery. In this environment time was of the essence and life often hung in the balance.The wounded, "... they were scared, frightened, shocked and they weren't coping. Generally, when the chopper landed, they weren't coping. No. They were in shock, incoherent and it was no good asking them what had happened, or where they'd been, because twenty minutes before they were in contact with the enemy ..." Ron NolanAt the 1st Australian Field Hospital the battle for life and limb was often challenging and intense. Medical services provided by the hospital were of such a high standard that the survival rate, for soldiers arriving at the hospital alive, was 99%.This success rate still stands today as a truly remarkable achievement!The hospital comprised triage, operating theatres, pathology, pharmacy, X-ray, physiotherapy, psychiatry, outpatients, RAP, a six-bed intensive care ward and 50 bed medical and 50 bed surgical ward. It was also supported by a Q-store, an orderly room, messes and accommodation. Units attached to the hospital were the 33rd Dental Unit, 1st Field Medical and Dental Stores, 1st Field Hygiene Company, Chaplains and Australian Red Cross representatives.Our book is a celebration of the dedication, temerity and care of a unique group of Australians, thrown together to get on with the job of treating the injured and wounded. A consequence of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.Our hope is that the readers of Call Sign VAMPIRE gain an insight into what it meant to go to a war that polarised public opinion, and impacted the physical and mental well being of so many young soldiers and personnel dealing with the consequential casualties and despair. We also hope that you come to understand why as young Australians we are so proud to have been part of a unit that as Roger Nation remembers, "... welded together to form a team of world class standard" and why our camaraderie has continued to this day. - from Trove record. 1st australian field hospital, vietnam war