Historical information

John Sherlock Willaton was born 1.8.1897 in Sebastopol near Ballarat. In 1916 aged 18 years 8 months he enlisted in the 1st AIF and embarked overseas with the blessing of his employer even though he had not completed his apprenticeship. He was wounded in action with a bullet wound to the right foot.

His family moved from Ballarat to Sunshine in 1917 and when he was discharged in 1918 he joined the Sunshine Harvester Works as a Fitter and Turner. He was promoted to Sub Foreman of the Bolt Shop toolroom where one of his main responsibilities was training apprentices and he remained in that position until his retirement on the 4.8.1961.

Significance

Contains original signatures of 112 workmates at Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd of John S. Willaton. It is an original document and the only copy in existence.

Physical description

Farewell signatures of 112 workmates on the retirement on 4-8-1961 of JOHN S. WILLATON from Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd, after working more than 43 years. The document contains 3 pages of signatures bound in a fawn coloured cardboard folder. The 3 pages are bound to the folder with a black ribbon tape and the folder has a green coloured tape on the back edge.

Inscriptions & markings

112 signatures of John S. Willaton's workmates.