The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS Local newspaper reports about the ‘discovery’ of Box Cottage’ 1977 3 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 16 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2010.. Notice for the meeting on Anzac Day, Sunday 25th , 3 photocopied photographs taken by 2nd Lieutenant Vic Smith aboard the troopship “Port Sydney” coming home from WW1 in 1919. An article ‘Re-visiting some ‘Box Cottage’ Facts recounts the discovery of the ‘Cottage’ in a shed on the property purchased by Mr Laurie Lewis from the Reitman family in 1977. Thankfully Mr Lewis appreciated such a find and donated it to the City of Moorabbin, and together it was dismantled and re-constructed in Joyce Park, Ormond in 1988 – 100 yards from the original site. Excerpts from 3 articles in ‘The Moorabbin Standard’ and ‘Chadstone Progress’ Newspapers 1977 describing the newly discovered early settler cottage on the Lewis Timber Pty Ltd property in Jasper Road, Ormond. A photocopied photograph of the ‘Box Cottage’ June 1977 when used as a storage facility. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, lewis laurie, lewis grace, lewis timber pty. ltd., melbourne, moorabbin, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, smith vic, ss port sydney, world war one 1914 – 1918, soldiers, aif, reitman j., box john, box william, dendy henry, bullock drays, moorabbin roads board 1862, dendy’s special survey 1841, mclean n, box henry, joyce park ormond, city of moorabbin

Taken some time between 1914-18, the photograph depicts an aerial view of Villers-Bretonneux in France, a region which was part of the Western Front during World War I. The image mostly shows rural landscape. The Western Front was the main theatre of war during World War I. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The German advance was halted with the Battle of the Marne. Following the Race to the Sea, both the French-British and German armies dug in along a meandering line of fortified trenches, stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier with France. The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 30 March - 5 April 1918. It took place during Operation Michael, part of the German Spring Offensive on the Western Front. The offensive began against the British Fifth Army and the Third Army on the Somme, and pushed back the British and French reinforcements on the north side of the Somme. The capture of Villers-Bretonneux, close to Amiens, a strategically important road and rail-junction, would have brought the Germans within artillery-range. In late March, troops from the Australian Imperial Force were brought south from Belgium as reinforcements to help shore up the line. In early April, the Germans launched an attack to capture Villers-Bretonneux. After a determined defence by British and Australian troops, the attackers were close to success until a counter-attack by the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade and British troops late in the afternoon of 4 April restored the situation and halted the German advance on Amiens. The Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 24 - 27 April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive to the east of Amiens. It is notable for being the first occasion on which tanks fought against each other. A counter-attack by two Australian brigades and a British brigade during the night of 24 April partly surrounded Villers-Bretonneux, and on 25 April, the town was recaptured. On 26 April, the role of the Moroccan division of the French army was crucial in pushing back German units. Australian, British and French troops nearly restored the original front line by 27 April.The record is historically significant due to its connection to World War I. This conflict is integral to Australian culture as it was the single greatest loss of life and the greatest repatriation of casualties in the country's history. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when the Australian government established the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in August 1914. Immediately, men were recruited to serve the British Empire in the Middle East and on the Western Front. Additionally, the record's significance is enhanced by its depiction of Villers-Bretonneux. The battles that occurred in this town during World War I are especially historically significant to Australia as this is where the Australian Imperial Force had one their greatest World War I victories. An Australian flag still flies over Villers-Bretonneux in the present. Furthermore, a plaque outside the Villers-Bretonneux Town Hall recounts the battles fought to save the town in 1918. Kangaroos feature over the entrance to the Town Hall, and the main street is named Rue de Melbourne. More officially, recognition of the significance of the battle in Villers-Bretonneux is found at the Australian National Memorial, which was built just outside the town. It commemorates all Australians who fought in France and Belgium and includes the names of 10,772 who died in France and have no known grave. Each year, a small ceremony is held at the memorial to mark the sacrifice made by the soldiers. Lastly, the record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing public and scholarly interest in war, history, and especially the ANZAC legend, which is commemorated annually on 25 April, known as ANZAC Day.Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Obverse: yAE.2.35. / 125 / 62d.2834.35.36.VA.5. / 12.G.18-11 / F.-(?)" /military album, wwi, world war i, villers-bretonneux, australian imperial force, aif, france, war, army, conflict, germany, 1918, battle

Part of the Cooper Collection. Ribbons belonged to "HERBERT CHARLES NOTT" No. 228. Enlisted 19/8/1914 in B.Coy 6th Bn age 30 yrs, 6 mths. Embarked for Egypt and Gallipoli on 5/4/1915. Sent to hospital 2/7/1915 with dysentry. Embarked for France 25/3/1916. Hospitalized with bronchitis on 30/3/1917. Rejoined unit 30/9/1917 before returning to hospital with bronchitis on 13/11/1917. RTA 31/1/1918 and discharged from AIF 25/3/1918.1, World War One Medal ribbon bar featuring three ribbons. Three loops with clips on back. 2. & 3. World War One medal ribbon bar featuring three ribbons. Three metal loops on back. 4. World War One, medal ribbon bar featuring three ribbons. Metal pin and fastener on back.cooper collection, herbert charles nott, medal ribbon

The War Medal, 1914-1918 Medal and the Victory Medal, Mothers Badge (for being the mother of a deceased soldier) with a plaque from King George honouring the Service of L/Cpl Chester George Mather on the other. L/Cpl Mather enlisted on 8th of June 1915 and embarked for France on HMAT Anchises on the 26th Augest 1915. He was killed at Polygon Wood, Zillebrook near Ypres in Belgium on 4th October 1917 aged 25.Double sided wooden and glass display caseOn one side are the Sons Medals (War Medal, 1914-1918 Medal and the Victory Medal), Mothers Badge (for being the mother of a deceased soldier) with a plaque from King Geaorge honouring the Service of "L/Cpl Chester George Mather of the 22nd Battalion AIF" on the otherworld war one, medal, military, ypres, badge, plaque, polygon wood

This volume deals with those months in which the first World War turned against the German Army on the western front, and shows in detail how, in the crucial Amiens sector that change was brought about. The completion of the story of the final offensive in 1918.An account of the conclusion of the first world war with Germany being defeated and surrendering.Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 - Volume VI - The AIF in France 1918. Hardcover cardboard. Maps, diagrams, illustrations, chronologygerman surrender, battle of aisne 1918, monash succeeds, battle of hamel, amiens, armistice, peace treaty signed, battle of montbrehain

Benjamin Francis Esposito No 368 enlisted on 23.1.1915 in the 21st Bn age 25 years, embarked for Eygpt 10.5.1915 then to Gallipoli, embarked for France 19.3.1916, awarded the “MM” at Moquet Farm 26.8.1916, WIA 11.2. 1917 GSW to Face & L/Hand, promoted to 2nd Lt 1.1.1919, Lt 1.4.1919, discharged from the AIF 6.10.1919. Francis Stacey Esposito No 535 enlisted on 14.7.1915 age 22 years in B Coy 29th Bn, embarked for Eygpt 10.11.1915, embark for France 16.6.1916, WIA 26.11.1916 GSW to Neck, rejoin unit 18.3.1917, transfer to the 32nd Bn 12.10.1918, discharged from the AIF 25.7.1919. Mervyn Harold No 781 enlisted on 18.8.1914 age 20 years in C Coy 7th Bn, embark for Eygpt 19.10.1914, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.1915, admitted to Hospital Ship 2.7.1915 with Influenza, later classified as Enteric serious, Died of Disease 8.8.1915.Portrait photos, head & shoulders, of 3 soldiers in uniform, 2 with peaked caps. Oval photos mounted on cream backing with 3 battalion patches in the centre. On LHS is a drawing of a soldier with rifle surrounded by green leaf edging. Photos have brown wooden frames with gold inner edge, glass front & wooden ply backing.Across the top in white: 1914 THE WORLD WAR 1918 In centre in red: THREE MEN WENT FORTH FROM THIS HOME In centre in black: Ben Esposito, 1915 Frank Esposito, 1915 Mervyn Esposito, 1915 To fight for the preservation of .... Australia's nationhoodmemorabilia, framed, brothers

John Stanley HOWLETT, refer Cat No 41 for his service history. James Rueben HOWLETT No 3043 enlisted in the AIF in the 5th Field Coy Engineers as a driver on 19.8.1915 age 22 years 10 months. Embarked for Eygpt 24.11.1915, hospital 31.1.1916 with Gastro Enteritis, embark for France 17.3.1916, hospital 26.4.1916 with PUO, rejoin unit 30.4.1916, hospital 21.1.1917 with Gastritis, reclassified as Nephritis severe 4.2.1917, Died of Disease (DOD) England 2.6.1917 classed as Nephritis Uraemia. Buried Harefield Parish Churchyard Anzac section 5.6.1917.Frame. Tan wooden, glass front, white cardboard backing. Certificate: Coloured, painted with photo of each brother featured - PRIVATE S HOWLETT 1916 PRIVATE P R HOWLETT 1915On front: TWO MEN WENT FORTH FROM THIS HOME PRIVATE S HOWLETT 1916 PRIVATE P R HOWLETT 1915 To fight for Australia in the 1914 - 1918 World War On rear in black texta: Mrs R Cheynedocuments - certificates, frame accessories

Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in the Cottage 1865 - 1913. He was the 9th child of John Box 1841 - 1913 and Martha Sheldrake Box who lived in Oakleigh, Alonzo enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/41915. After the evacuation to Egypt he served in France and Flanders and returned to Melbourne February 1918. Alonzo was a pavier / pitcher who was employed to lay the bluestone drains for the roads and sewerage channels in Moorabbin Shire - a skilled and well paid occupation. Alonzo Box was the 9th child of John Box ,who emigrated to Australia in 1854 with his parents, George and Mary Box , and siblings who included William Box. Alonzo enlisted in the 1st AIF and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1915. After the evacuation to Egypt he served in France and Flanders before returning to Melbourne in February 1918. He married Mary Closter in June 1918. His elder sister Rebecca, who was a missionary in China, sent a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk to Mary for her Wedding Dress. This unique dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum and is recorded on the Australian Dress Register 2015.A large photograph in a wooden frame of Alonzo Box 1881-1958 in 1st AIF Army Uniform c 1915box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, closter mary, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, ormond, mckinnon, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, paviers, roads, sewers, world war 1914-1918, anzac, gallipoli, uniforms australian army, box john, sheldrake martha