Showing 14 items matching "women's royal australian navy service"
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Eltham District Historical Society IncWork on paper (item) - Magazine, New Idea, October 18, 1961, October 18, 1961
... ...women's royal australian navy service...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 48 pages New Idea, October 18, 1961 Work on paper Magazine ...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 -
Frankston RSL Sub BranchHat, WRANS, 1944
... Standard hat issued by the Royal Australian Navy to members of the Women's Royal Australian Navy Service during World War ll. ...Standard hat issued by the Royal Australian Navy to members of the Women's Royal Australian Navy Service during World War ll. ...Standard hat issued by the Royal Australian Navy to members of the Women's Royal Australian Navy Service during World War ll. This is a black, felt hat with a faded black tally band with "H.M.A.S. CERBERUS" embroidered in gold lettering. The interior of the hat has a grey sweatband. embroidered with the name : "H.M.A.S. Cerberus" and a sewn, labelled tag on the inside of the hat reading "N18, 1944, Size 21-1/2, MADE IN AUSTRALIA". -
Stawell Historical Society IncPhotograph, Clare Best ne Kinsella and photos of farm
... In 1941 Clare left the farm to join the Womens Royal Australian Navy. Her WRAN service number was WR/38 and in the 4 years of service had advanced to Leading Telegraphist. ...In 1941 Clare left the farm to join the Womens Royal Australian Navy. Her WRAN service number was WR/38 and in the 4 years of service had advanced to Leading Telegraphist. ...7250 Clare Kinsella born 1907 c1940 -1 Clare Kinsella in navy Signals uniform c1943 -2 Clare Kinsella in navy Signals uniform c1943 -3 William Jennings Kinsella with stationery engine at farm Maya Park Lubeck -4 Clare Kinsella with dog Pencil at Magdala farm Lubeck -5 Clare Kinsella with dog Pencil at Station Creek Magdala Farm Lubeck -6 Clare Kinsella with dog Pencil at Magdala Farm Lubeck -7 Clare with child at Magdala Farm -8 Clare with pet cocky “Cocky” -9 Horse at farm -10 William Jennings Kinsella at 93 with ham radio Clare Best nee Kinsella Clare was born December 26, 1907 at “Eyrecourt” on the corner of Scallan and Ligar Streets in Stawell. Clare was the second child of William Jennings Kinsella and Sarah Kinsella nee Peardon. In 1910 the family moved to live at ‘Mayo Park” Lubeck. In 1920’s Mayo Park was sold and a new house was built on a farm nearby called “Magdala” after the mine in which Mr Kinsella’s family had been involved. Clare attended Lubeck State Public School with her older brother Tom, younger sister Carmel and youngest brother Bill. In 1941 Clare left the farm to join the Womens Royal Australian Navy. Her WRAN service number was WR/38 and in the 4 years of service had advanced to Leading Telegraphist. Initially stationed at HMAS Harman in Canberra then Townsville Naval Radio Station Queensland and finally discharged at HMAS Lonsdale, Port Melbourne.. Clare married Keith Charles Best in 1946 also a Leading Telegraphist of HMAS Harman. After they were married Keith was drafted up to Darwin while Clare worked at a Roman Catholic Mission on Melville Island where she had many adventures establishing a farm at the Mission. Keith was discharged in 1952 and they both worked establishing a Pineapple Farm/ General Store at Noonamah just out of Darwin. Later they moved to a remote farm on the Daily River but after 10 years and 7 years of constant floods they retired to Harvey Bay Queensland. Clare led an active life and died in 1999, her ashes are in the Jennings/Kinsella Vault in the Stawell Cemetery. B/W Photos -
Lara RSL Sub BranchBook, As You Were 1946, 1946
... Lara RSL Sub Branch McClelland Ave Lara A cavalcade of events with the Australian Services from 1788-1846 A collection of short stories and experiences of service. Personal recounts by service men and women. royal australian navy royal australian air force royal australian army. ...A cavalcade of events with the Australian Services from 1788-1846 A collection of short stories and experiences of service.Personal recounts by service men and women.As You Were 1946 A cavalcade of events with the Australian Services from 1788-1946 Inside front and back pages are green and black illustrations with the words ' Ye who come after them forget not their sacrifice, claim as your heritage a portion of their spirit and in peace or in war take up their sword of service, so shall the living and the dead be for all time be bound in one fellowship. Green hardcover with yellow text 'as you were!' Below is a rectangle with 3 servicemen and 1946.To the memory of fallen comrades. ' They gave their lives. For that public gift they received a praise which never aged and a tomb most glorious - not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or deed'royal australian navy, royal australian air force, royal australian army. -
Lara RSL Sub BranchBook, As You Were 1947, 1947
... service men and women and the views expressed are those of the writers. Contributions that are a mosaic of service men and women. A compilation of person war experiences and yarns. royal australian navy royal australian air force royal australian army yarns short stories wwi wwii To the memory of fallen comrades. " They gave their l Ives. ...Continued from 'As you were 1946' this book presents the views of service men and women and the views expressed are those of the writers. Contributions that are a mosaic of service men and women.A compilation of person war experiences and yarns.Compilation of person recounts, stories and articles. Photos, illustrations and letters Green covered entitled 'As you were', with a relief of tri-servicemen with the date '1947' lower on the cover. Inside cover front and back is illustrated with the insignia of each Australian services in addition to relief of the tri services. There are two copies held by the Lara RSL Sub BranchTo the memory of fallen comrades. " They gave their l Ives. For that public gift they received a praise which never ages and a tomb most glorious - not so. Much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or deed...'royal australian navy, royal australian air force, royal australian army, yarns, short stories, wwi, wwii -
Lara RSL Sub BranchBook, As You Were 1948, 1948
... Australian services and home from 1788 - 1948. A selection of personal account of service of servicemen and women. A selection of personal account of service of servicemen and women Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Army yarns To the memory of Fallen Comrades. ' They gave their lives. ...As you were with the Australian services and home from 1788 - 1948. A selection of personal account of service of servicemen and women.A selection of personal account of service of servicemen and womenAs You Were 1948 Green hardcover front and back. Grey Text ' As you were' at top of front cover and '1948' on the lower section of the front cover. There is a grey rectangle with the initials in capital letters AWM. The spine also has grey text 'As you were' 1948 Inside front and back covers have illustrated Servicemen and women with the background of blue sky and stars.To the memory of Fallen Comrades. ' They gave their lives. For that public gift they received praise that never ages and a tomb most glorious- not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or deed'royal australian navy, royal australian air force, royal australian army, yarns -
Shepparton RSL Sub BranchUniform, Cape, C. 1950s
... service is not consistent with the style of the article (which has buttons which suggest this cape was issued post 1952 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II). It is possible, though not confirmed, that this cape was worn by Norma Kilfoyle in a later role after the Second World War. cape second world war world war two world war ii navy royal australian navy ran women telegraph communications Handwritten inscription reads “KILFOYLE”. ...This cape may have belonged to RAN Telegraphist Norma Ashton Kilfoyle, however the date of her service is not consistent with the style of the article (which has buttons which suggest this cape was issued post 1952 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II). It is possible, though not confirmed, that this cape was worn by Norma Kilfoyle in a later role after the Second World War.Black thigh-length nurses cape with red satin lining. Fastened along centre with four gold buttons and one press stud at chin (second button from the top is missing). Two slits at waist height on both left and right allow arms through from the interior to the front. Embroidered manufacturer’s label on interior at base of neck, below which there is an ink inscription. Sewn in fabric swatch on interior right.Handwritten inscription reads “KILFOYLE”. Manufacturer’s label reads “[Australian coat of arms]/A Quality Garment/BY/Australian Government Clothing Factory”. Interior sewn in label reads “33643/Kilfoyle/Cloak F Bara/[indiscernible characters]”. Buttons read “[Queen Elizabeth crown over the Navy anchor]/AUSTRALIA” and on interior “STOKES/MELB”cape, second world war, world war two, world war ii, navy, royal australian navy, ran, women, telegraph, communications -
Monbulk RSL Sub BranchBook, Naval Historical Society of Australia, W.R.A.N.S. : the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service, 1975
... Monbulk RSL Sub Branch 48 Main Road Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Women's Royal Australian Naval Service Australia - Royal Australian Navy - History History of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service Ill, p.99. ...History of the Women's Royal Australian Naval ServiceIll, p.99.non-fictionHistory of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Servicewomen's royal australian naval service, australia - royal australian navy - history -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)WW1 Medal for Women relatives of serving soldiers, c1914 - 1918
... Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who had enlisted for general naval sea service for at least a period of the war, and who performed service outside Australian waters. A bar was suspended below the badge to indicate additional relatives involved in the war effort. The Female Relatives Badge was promulgated under Military Order 280 of 1917 and superseded by Military Order 1818 of 1918. (Australian War Memorial ) So many Moorabbin Shire young men volunteered to serve in 1st AIF during WW1 . This caused great hardship for farming families especially due to the heavy manual labour that the Women ...Female Relative Badges were issued to the nearest female relative (usually wives or mothers) of those who engaged in active service overseas during the First and Second World Wars. Two Female Relative Badges were issued during the First World War. One was issued to the nearest female relative of soldiers, airmen, nurses, and masseuses who left Australia for active service abroad; the other to the nearest female relative of members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who had enlisted for general naval sea service for at least a period of the war, and who performed service outside Australian waters. A bar was suspended below the badge to indicate additional relatives involved in the war effort. The Female Relatives Badge was promulgated under Military Order 280 of 1917 and superseded by Military Order 1818 of 1918. (Australian War Memorial )So many Moorabbin Shire young men volunteered to serve in 1st AIF during WW1 . This caused great hardship for farming families especially due to the heavy manual labour that the Women had to undertake to maintain food production for Australia and overseas . This medal may be associated with Alonzo Sheldrake Box who served at Gallipoli and France Circular Silver medal with Crown , Blue engraving and pin clasp on back . A silver bar is attached Around edge ; Issued by Dept. of Defence to Women of Australia Centre cut out : A I F On Bar : For Duty Done On Back : Stokes & Sons 57691world war 1914-18, moorabbin shire, early settlers, pioneers, box alonzo, box william, australian military medals, anzac, gallipoli, sheldrake martha, box elizabeth, box mary louisa, closter mary, war memorials, a -
Returned Nurses RSL Sub-branchNewspaper - Newspaper clipping, The Age, Women remembered - with pride: Band played 'Australia will be there' ; Grandmother in march ; Special cheers for nurses, 26 April 1951
... Order of the British Empire ANS AANS Australian General Hospital Australian Imperial Forces Royal Air Force Strathaird Ramilles Navy 2/4 Australian General Hospital Tobruk Haifa Kantara Greece Crete Islands 2/9th Moresby Centaur Japanese Singapore Malaya Rabaul La Haat Sumatra Reg Knight Sidney Knight Irak Persia St Kilda Edith Cavell Swadeston Norwich England London Imperial Ex-service Women's Association 'WWII' [blue ink, top right] A newspaper clipping of three stories. ...First story - Colonel Annie Sage recounts memories that come up on Anzac Day. 'Dressing' their ship while in mid-ocean, listening to 'Australia Will Be There'; the agony and suspense waiting to learn if allies and friends had escaped terrible situations; having patients in beds and under beds in rain, mud and heat; learning awful news; reuniting with POW sisters and hearing their stories. Second story - Mrs GM Knight marched on Anzac Day in the light grey dress of the Auxiliary Nursing Service(ANSI), India. Born in England, she has lived in Australia for 30 years. Her husband, an officer in the RAF, died before WW2. Her two sons joined the army. Mrs Knight went to India and joined the ANSI and served for six years. Third story - Nearly 200 ex-servicewomen took part in the Anzac march. Led by Matron-in-Chief Sage, the grey nurse's uniforms was the signal for cheers and clapping. Mrs E Wildy and Miss Lillian Foster, both Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) during the war also attended.A newspaper clipping of three stories. The first story consists of three columns of text and includes a small black and white portrait photo of a woman in nurse's uniform. The second story is a single column of text beneath a small black and white portrait photo of a woman in nurse's uniform. The third story is two columns of text underneath the title.'WWII' [blue ink, top right]order of the british empire, ans, aans, australian general hospital, australian imperial forces, royal air force, strathaird, ramilles, navy, 2/4 australian general hospital, tobruk, haifa, kantara, greece, crete, islands, 2/9th, moresby, centaur, japanese, singapore, malaya, rabaul, la haat, sumatra, reg knight, sidney knight, irak, persia, st kilda, edith cavell, swadeston, norwich, england, london, imperial ex-service women's association -
City of Melbourne LibrariesPhotograph (item), Bull, Hugh Jones, 1897-1993, Unloading timber at Victoria Dock, 1933
... service under the Australia Oriental Line. Her gross register tonnage measured 4,324 tons, reflecting her design for inter-island and coastal trade routes, accommodating both passengers and freight. She operated routes connecting Australian ports with East Asian destinations. As World War II approached, Taiping continued predominantly working the trade routes between China and Australia, until December 1941, when she evacuated women and children from Hong Kong to Manila just before Japanese forces overran the region. She then safely reached Australia despite enemy air raids. Taiping was then requisitioned by the Royal Navy...service under the Australia Oriental Line. Her gross register tonnage measured 4,324 tons, reflecting her design for inter-island and coastal trade routes, accommodating both passengers and freight. She operated routes connecting Australian ports with East Asian destinations. As World War II approached, Taiping continued predominantly working the trade routes between China and Australia, until December 1941, when she evacuated women and children from Hong Kong to Manila just before Japanese forces overran the region. She then safely reached Australia despite enemy air raids. Taiping was then requisitioned by the Royal Navy ...Photographer notations on slide: "Unloading Timber at Wharves 1933 Age B5" Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- ), Tuesday 15 August 1933 MAHOGANY FROM MANILA. (1933, August 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 16, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204377024 Published title: MAHOGANY FROM MANILA Published Caption: Age Tue 15 Aug 1933 Caption: Unloading Mahogany Logs brought from Manila, Philippine Islands, by the steamer Taiping, which berthed yesterday at Victoria Dock. The vessel discharged twenty logs, each weighing three tons, the first shipment of this type of timber landed in Melbourne. Research by Project Volunteer, Louise McKenzie: This photograph in many ways epitomises Melbourne in the 1930s. It is a time of enormous growth, development and change. But before delving into that, the photo itself is very powerful. The huge mahogany logs being unloaded appear to be so heavy that the ship itself seems to list to port as they are craned over the side. They are being levered into a cart to which two large and sturdy Clydesdale horses are hitched. In contrast to the traditional horses, the wharf is crisscrossed with modern railway tracks. Unloading is both mechanical and manual, and the scene is one of intense interest to a young boy bystander. The ship appears to be squat and solid, but the whole image also gives a feeling of movement and intensity. The mahogany being delivered to Melbourne would be intended for high quality furniture. In the 1930s Australia actually had a growing timber industry, but much of the eucalyptus wood was being utilised for mass produced furniture, and much of this furniture would then have had a veneer applied to it. The fact that it was economic to import this timber from the “Philippine Islands” – not a traditional trading market for Australia – reflects a Victorian economy that was strong enough to support a growing demand for good quality furniture Mahogany was described as a classic, strong hardwood, often used for dark opulent furniture. In the 1930s the importation of timber from Manila (Philippines) to Australia was a notable trade, particularly in Philippine Lauan (often referred to as Philippine Mahogany), which was used as a cheaper alternative to other hardwoods. 1930s furniture, dominated by the art deco style, used a mix of luxurious exotic woods like mahogany, macassar and ebony for high-end pieces, often veneered over less expensive woods such as walnut, birch and poplar, and with plywood, chrome and lacquer also popular for more practical, streamlined designs during the Depression era. By the mid 1930s timber mills were being relocated away from the immediate dock area, but the fact that these logs were being transported by horse-drawn cart implies that the load would not have had to be taken too far for milling. 1885 the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners had decided that land in or near the city was far too valuable to be used as timber yards. Furthermore, large stacks of timber posed a fire risk. The Trust asked the Victorian Government to reserve a site on the east side of the Yarra River opposite Yarraville and Spotswood. Here, in 1889, the Trust began building six jetties and a wharf specifically for the landing of timber. Clydesdale horses were initially brought to Victoria from Tasmania in the 1830s, and with the 1850s gold rush they were imported direct from Scotland. Melbourne was from its earliest years an important centre of horse-breeding from both imported and colonial-bred stock, providing the well-built draught horse for pulling heavily loaded wagons, the harness horse for delivery work and drawing coaches, and the saddle-horse used for riding. Stud breeding facilities were advertised from the early 1840s. By the 1870s the horse export trade was thriving, and the Port of Melbourne was the country's busiest exporter of horses to Indian, Asian and New Zealand markets. Kirk's Melbourne Horse and Carriage Bazaar in Bourke Street first advertised for business in 1840, and by the 1850s Bourke Street West was famed for its horse bazaars and saleyards. The Victorian Clydesdale Horse Society reports that Clydesdale working horses were a vital part of Melbourne's infrastructure and agricultural industry in the 1930s, when they reached the peak of their popularity despite the increasing competition from mechanization. Their main roles and usage at this time were: • City Delivery: Clydesdales were a common sight for metropolitan deliveries, particularly for breweries (such as Carlton & United Breweries), milk runs, and bread deliveries. • Industrial Work: They were heavily used for hauling cargo at the docks, in construction, and at specialized sites like the Truganina Explosives Reserve, where they pulled wagons. • Agriculture: In surrounding rural areas, they were the primary power source for ploughing and agricultural machinery. • Specialization: By the 1930s, the Clydesdale was smaller and more compact than the Shire or Percheron breeds, making them ideal for navigation in urban environments. After the 1930s their numbers decreased due to the onset of WWI and mechanisation. Wartime petrol rationing led to a brief revival for the working horse, as suburban tradesmen, now used to motor delivery, took their old jinkers out of mothballs. By 1947, however, only 1.5% of city traffic was horse-drawn. In 1952 the large horse cartage company A. Kellet Pty Ltd sold its 250 horses and converted its Richmond stables to storage. In the 1950s at Station and Princes piers, wharf labourers refused to work with the six draught horses still being used to haul trolleys and which were soon superseded by the fork lift, semi-trailer and mobile crane. Where carefully trained horses had once shunted trains in city goods yards, a few hundred a week were now being killed at the abattoirs for pet and human consumption. The last MCC dray horse was withdrawn from service in 1958, but some of the few remaining working animals are used by the mounted police for crowd control at demonstrations and football games. The death knell had also sounded for the associated trades of farrier, saddler and blacksmith. Our photo, therefore, showing the wharf with both the haulage Clydesdales and the rail lines, is a strong visual summary of the social and economic changes experienced in Victoria in the 1930s and on towards the 1950s. Our photo is located at Victoria Dock (also known as Victoria Harbour) which is still an active component of Melbourne’s port system. In 1892 the West Melbourne Dock (later Victoria Dock) was opened, downstream and immediately west of the Spencer Street railway shunting yards. It contained a swing basin for ships, replacing the one which had been provided on the south side of the river, later to be the Duke and Orr dry dock, west of the Charles Grimes Bridge. Further west was the South Wharf along the river bank. The history of Victoria Dock is extremely well described by Ashley Smith in his 2 March 2022 article in Docklands News, and its accompanying aerial photo of the Dock taken in 1934. He writes: "In the early 1930s Victoria Dock was one of the biggest sites for trade and export in Melbourne. A constant queue of ships sailed in, unloaded their cargo, recharged and reloaded, then left for the next port. Around the time this photo was taken (found in a 1934 photo book), the trapezium-shaped basin had been through some changes since its construction in the 1890s. The 497-metre-long Central Pier, finished in 1919, now featured six sheds to house the ever-increasing volume of cargo. The entrance had also been widened in the 1920s to allow better access. Some of the berths featured three-ton jib electric cranes to help with loading cargo and a rail network connected to the State Railway service. By the time construction was completed, the dock was 39 hectares and hailed as the second-largest dock in the world (behind Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness). To further save costs, excavations were dug to a more reasonable seven metres below low water, instead of British engineer Sir John Coode’s recommended 8.3 metres. Even then, the costs were still around £900,000. It was envisaged, with the extra wharfage, that around thirty 90-metre ships could berth inside. On March 22, 1892, Victoria Dock was opened by Victoria’s Governor, the Earl of Hopetoun (later Australia’s first Governor-General) who opened the sluice to let the Yarra in. It took six days to fill the basin with The Leader newspaper estimating that it would take another six months to completely fill (March 26, 1892). In the end, it took nearly a year before the first ship was allowed to enter on February 20, 1893, when the steamer Hubbuck sailed in to unload 1200 tonnes of cargo in 15 hours. The Argus (February 23, 1893) reported that the ship’s captain, J. R. Brodie, called the Yarra “better than the Thames”, and compared Victoria Dock favourably to the Albert Dock (Liverpool)." This would be a good time to move our focus on to the Taiping, which is the transporter of these giant mahogany logs. The Taiping was a steel-hulled, single-screw passenger-cargo Chinese steamer, which today has the dubious legacy of being involved in a collision headlined as “The Chinese Titanic”. It was constructed by the Hong Kong and Shampoa Dock Company at its facility in Hong Kong, with completion in 1926 for service under the Australia Oriental Line. Her gross register tonnage measured 4,324 tons, reflecting her design for inter-island and coastal trade routes, accommodating both passengers and freight. She operated routes connecting Australian ports with East Asian destinations. As World War II approached, Taiping continued predominantly working the trade routes between China and Australia, until December 1941, when she evacuated women and children from Hong Kong to Manila just before Japanese forces overran the region. She then safely reached Australia despite enemy air raids. Taiping was then requisitioned by the Royal Navy and repurposed as a victualling stores issuing ship for the Eastern Fleet, supporting logistical needs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Returned to the Australian Oriental Line in 1947, she underwent refitting and by mid-1948 was chartered to the Shanghai Shipping Company, and modified for greater passenger accommodation – approximately 500 passengers. In 1948/49 the Chinese Civil War took place. The Taiping departed Shanghai on 26 January 1949 as one of the final vessels evacuating civilians from to Keelung Harbour in Taiwan. Reports indicate that the Taiping carried double the rated capacity of passengers i.e. 1000. The ship carried families, military personnel, civilians, carrying personal belongings, gold and valuables in hope of resettlement in Nationalist Taiwan. It also held heavy cargo in the form of silver and gold bullion loaded by the Central Bank of China. Because of the risk of patrols, and to conserve fuel, the Captain took the ship away from the usual open-sea passage, and instead navigated along the coast. He also extinguished navigation lights to avoid detection. Shortly after midnight on 27 January 1949 the Taiping collided with the smaller cargo steamer Chien Yuan in the East China Sea near the Zhoushan Archipelago. The Chien Yuan was also operating in darkness. The subsequent collision was catastrophic. The Chien Yuan sank with in 5 minutes, with the loss of 72 of its 74 crew. The Taiping sustained severe structural compromise from the broadside strike and initially remained afloat, then made a swift descent into the freezing water, with no attempt at an organised evacuation. No formal recovery process was instigated, however a distress signal went out. 32 survivors were picked up by the Australian destroyer HMAS Warramunga (on patrol nearby), a passing US vessel found 2 more, and local Zhoushan fishermen retrieved others. In the end, only 37 people survived. The event is remembered as a poignant moment in the mass migration to Taiwan, with families tragically separated. A memorial to the disaster exists at the Keelung Harbour naval base on Taiwan. With its total of over 1,500 deaths, it constituted one of the worst peacetime maritime losses. It is sometimes referred to as the “Oriental Titanic” because of the similarly large loss of life and speed of demise with the RMS Titanic in 1912. A fictional depiction of this event appears in the John Woo movies “The Crossing (Part 1) (2014), and The Crossing II (2015), known in Chinese as “Taiping Wheel”. The narrative weaves a story around pre-disaster romances and wartime turmoil among passengers, culminating in the ship’s rapid sinking. “The production, a high-budget Sino-Taiwanese-Hong Kong co-effort, portrays the event as a microcosm of the 1940s Sino-Japanese and civil war legacies, though critics noted the melodramatic style prioritizing spectacle over historical precision.” In conclusion, it is nice to return to our photo, and observe the people involved in this moment. The dockworkers are, so typical of the 1930s, dressed in what looks to us like formal clothing – dark suits or coats, white shirts, and black hats. I am particularly drawn to the young boy, bare-headed, arms crossed, and so intent on the unloading process. He too is wearing a white shirt, black trousers and jacket, and black shoes. This is 1933 Melbourne – but the haircut he is sporting is now very “hipster” and modern in 2026 Melbourne. References: MAHOGANY FROM MANILA. (1933, August 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204377024 Wikipedia, Taiping steamer, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_(steamer) Wikipedia, Victoria Dock, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Dock_(Melbourne) Docklands News, Ashley Smith, 2 Mar 2022, https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/victoria-dock/ Living Histories: Heritage Council of Victoria, Jill Barnard, 2008, Jetties and Piers, https://livinghistories.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jetties-ONL-intro_Part-1.pdf eMelbourne, Wharves and Docks, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01612b.htm Australian Academy of Technological Sciences – Harvesting Wood, https://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/225.html Old Treasury Building, On the Water – The Docks, https://tinyurl.com/3wkbk66m Old Treasury Building, On The Road, https://tinyurl.com/dw44yr3t Port of Melbourne, Victorian Places, https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/port-of-melbourne Docklands Heritage Study - Environmental History, https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/2024-05/docklands-heritage-review-thematic-environmental-history-1991.pdf eMelbourne, Horses, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00723b.htm Victorian Clydesdale Horse Society, https://www.clydesdalesvic.org.au/history The Crossing, https://letterboxd.com/film/the-crossing-i/Photographer notations on slide: "Unloading Timber at Wharves 1933 Age B5"ships, shipping, timber industry, shipwrecks, horses, docks, wharves, 1930-1939, wars, docklands -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)Booklet, Walker, Carlie, Audacity: Stories of heroic Australians in wartime - Century of Service
... Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Air Force Nurses Vietnam Audacity neabs extraordinary boldness or courage. This book tells the stories of just some of the Australian, men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today. Audacity: Stories of heroic Australians in wartime - Century of Service ...Audacity neabs extraordinary boldness or courage. This book tells the stories of just some of the Australian, men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.Audacity neabs extraordinary boldness or courage. This book tells the stories of just some of the Australian, men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.australian soldiers, australian army, royal australian navy, royal australian air force, nurses, vietnam -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)Booklet, Walker, Carlie, Audacity: Stories of heroic Australians in wartime - Century of Service (Copy 2)
... Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Air Force Nurses Vietnam Audacity means extroardinary boldness of courage. This book tells the stories of just some of he Australian men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today. Audacity: Stories of heroic Australians in wartime - Century of Service ...Audacity means extroardinary boldness of courage. This book tells the stories of just some of he Australian men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.Audacity means extroardinary boldness of courage. This book tells the stories of just some of he Australian men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.australian army, royal australian navy, royal australian air force, nurses, vietnam -
Brighton Historical SocietyUniform, WRANS uniform, 1942-1944
... Afterwards, she secured a job with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, where she worked until her marriage to Hugh Caffrey in 1947. 1940s marion elaine bullock marion elaine caffrey second world war military uniform wrans women's royal australian naval service Maker's label in collar of blazer reads "N491 / 1942 / SIZE [indistinct] / MADE IN AUSTRALIA" The label features a pen inscription, "BULLOCK". Size label in back of skirt: "2". Label inside the hat: "N18 / 1944 Size 20½ / MADE IN AUSTRALIA" Second World War WRANS uniform consisting of a dark navy ...This uniform belonged to Marion Elaine Caffrey, nee Bullock (1920-1993). Marion was born and lived in Begonia Road, Gardenvale and attended Star of the Sea College with her younger twin sisters, Hilary and Margaret Bullock. Their family had been living in the district since 1892 when their grandfather, James Stewart, settled first at Brighton Beach before building a new home in Gardenia Road, Gardenvale in 1910. On leaving school, Marion took a job with the T&G Insurance Company in Collins Street. However, as the threat of invasion by Japan loomed closer following the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the fall of Singapore, in 1943 she volunteered to join Australia's war effort as part of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). She initially trained as a coder at HMAS Cerberus, followed by a posting to HMAS Magnetic in Townsville. By the time Marion arrived in Townsville in 1944 it was very much a garrison town, inhabited largely by Australian and American servicemen. Whereas in Melbourne the war in the Pacific may have felt somewhat distant, in Townsville it was very immediate. Though the town was never subjected to the heavy bombardments of Darwin, a series of small air strikes in July 1942 had made the fear of air raids quite real. The naval base HMAS Magnetic was responsible for communications, Port Examination Services and servicing of Allied warships. Marion worked as a coder, encoding outgoing transmissions and decoding incoming ones either manually or using a Typex cipher machine. In 1945, she completed additional training to attain the rank of Leading Coder. Her keenness for the work is evident in a note on her service record: although no WRANS women were ever sent to active warzones, Marion volunteered for overseas service. Marion later recalled her time with the WRANS as one of the happiest and most personally fulfilling times of her life. Like many Australian women, she embraced the opportunity to serve her country and take on roles traditionally reserved for men. She completed her three years' service at HMAS Harman in Canberra where she was de-mobbed in 1946. Afterwards, she secured a job with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, where she worked until her marriage to Hugh Caffrey in 1947.Second World War WRANS uniform consisting of a dark navy blue serge blazer (.1), skirt (.2) and hat (.3). The blazer features six buttons. The left arm features a black patch embroidered with a red anchor wrapped in a length of rope (a fouled anchor) with a single red chevron beneath, denoting the rank of Leading Wran (equivalent to Leading Seaman). The right arm features a black patch embroidered with red crossed flags over the letter 'C'. The pencil skirt is lined and fastens at the side with a button and snap fastenings. The navy felt hat features a round brim and a black ribbon band machine embroidered in gold with the words "H.M.A.S. HARMAN".Maker's label in collar of blazer reads "N491 / 1942 / SIZE [indistinct] / MADE IN AUSTRALIA" The label features a pen inscription, "BULLOCK". Size label in back of skirt: "2". Label inside the hat: "N18 / 1944 Size 20½ / MADE IN AUSTRALIA"1940s, marion elaine bullock, marion elaine caffrey, second world war, military uniform, wrans, women's royal australian naval service
