Red CFA Captain's Fire Fighting Helmet

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From the Collection of Chiltern Athenaeum Trust 57 Conness Street Chiltern Victoria

Description: Red Fire Fighter's Helmet CFA (Country Fire Brigade). Color Red depicts the helmet is worn by the Station Captain. The chin strap is made of a khaki coloured cotton hessian material.
Size: 210mm x 270mm
Object Registration: 628
Keywords: red fire fighter's helmet, vintage 1940's red fire fighter's helmet, captain's red fire fighting helmet
Historical information: Vintage fire fighters helmet - Red in color and depicts station Captain.
When Made: CIrca 1940's
Significance: Associated with Country Fire Brigade, Red colour helmet is associated with the station Captain.
Inscriptions & Markings: Black painted inscription on the front of the helmet : CFA Captain.
Last updated: 5 Jun 2019 at 11:54AM

Photograph of WW1 Soldier : Barny Hammill

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Sepia coloured photograph of WW1 soldier Barny Hammill.

Historical information

Associated with WW1 soldier Barny Hammill.

Significance

The great war 1914-1919. Photograph associated with Barny Hammill Chiltern resident and WW1 soldier.

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Photograph of WW1 Grave Daours France - soldier Peter Garoni, Military Medal and Bar (known as Peter Moroney)

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Coloured photograph of the WW1 Grave of soldier Peter Garoni (enlisted as Peter Moroney), Military Medal and Bar. The grave is located at Daours, Corbie, France, Communal Cemetery.

Historical information

This reproduction photograph is of Peter Garoni (Moroney's) grave which is at Daours Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France. He was killed in action on 25/8/1918. Peter Garoni served as Peter Maroney, having enlisted on 19/9/14, and as he saw it, being a native born Italian, he was concerned he would not have been able to enlist and show his patriotism to Australia. Peter Garoni was also the recipient of the military medal and the military medal bar for acts of bravery on the battlefront. He was the son of John Garoni and Annie Garoni from Wangaratta Vic. He served in the Gallipoli campaign and also in France. His service number was 2143.

Significance

Associated with WW1 soldier Peter Garoni (served as Peter Moroney) service number 2143. Military Medal and Bar recipient.

Inscriptions & Markings

The grave has the Rising Sun emblem, the wording as as follows: P. Garoni served as 2143 Corporal P. Maroney, MM, 6 BN Australian Inf. 24th August 1918.

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Photographic Postcard - WW1 soldier Frederick (surname inknown)

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

A sepia coloured photographic postcode of a WW1 soldier by the name of Frederick (surname unknown). The writing on the reverse of the photograph is as follows: "To my old pall from a pall in Liverpool Camp" signed Frederick Mac......undecipherable.

Historical information

WW1 photograph and postcard from Frederick, surname unknown

Significance

Associated with WW1, soldier called Frederick, surname unknown.

Inscriptions & Markings

"To my old pall from a pall in Liverpool Camp" signed Frederick Mac(?)......undecipherable.

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Photograph and Postcard : WW1 Soldier Arthur Ronald Holloway

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Gray and white sepia photograph of WW1 soldier Arthur Holloway with a postcard on the reverse from Arthur Holloway, the left hand side of the postcard states - Yeoman's Crown Studios, 240 Bourke Street Melbourne Next to Hoyt's. The top of the card has large capitol letters stating Post Card with a centre line in the middle of the card.

Historical information

Photograph and postcard associated with WW1 soldier SGT. Arthur Ronald Holloway, a farm labourer from Rutherlgen Victoria. Arthur was the son of William Henry Holloway and Edith Urquart, both Rutherglen residents. Arthur resided in the Chiltern Valley prior to WW1. He joined on 23/7/1915 and served with 9 Battalion, 12/16th Rifle Company, and 6 Battalion. He was wounded in action with a gun shot wound in 1918 and then repatriated back to Australia. His service number was 3880. Arthur died in Ballarat in 1962.

Significance

Associated with WW1 soldier SGT Arthur Ronald Holloway Chiltern Valley resident.

Inscriptions & Markings

The left side of the postcard states - Yeoman's Crown Studios, 240 Bourke Street Melbourne Next to Hoyt's. The top of the card has large capitol letters stating Post Card with a centre line in the middle of the card. Writing on the card states: To my dear Vera just a few lines hoping it finds you all well we are going to sail on Tuesday I don't think you will like this photo but give it a smile for the givers sake I remain your sincere friend Arthur H.

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Photographs, Series of 7 : WW1 Soldier John Schwarer

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

A collection of 6 sepia, black and white photographs and 1 coloured photograph all relating to WW1 soldier John Schwarer. Photographs 1 and 2 are of Company Sergeant Major (CSM) John Schwarer, individual and group photo. Photograph 3 is of John Schwarer's fiance Annie Biophin and her sister Blanche. Photograph 4 is the back of a family postcard relating to John Schwarer serving in France WW1 Photographs 5 and 6 is John Schwarers grave site with photograph 6 showing Astor flowers arranged by his bereaved fiance Annie Biphion Photograph 7 is the official war grave site where John Schwarer lays at rest.

Historical information

All photographs are associated with Company Sergeant Major WW1 soldier, John William Schwarer, service number 970. John William Schwarer was the son of Mrs. Agnes Rasmussen from Rutherglen Victoria, the brother of Mrs. G. Swanwick from Daylesford, and the fiance to Miss Annie Biophin. John enlisted for WW1 at Rutherglen, his home town, on the 22 August 1914. He belonged to 7 Battalion, C Company and served in France. Whilst serving in France John received a number of wounds during 1915 and 1916. He died on the 21/9/1917 of wounds received earlier in August of same year.

Significance

These photographs are associated with Company Sergeant Major John Schwarer, 7Battalion, C Company, WW1. John was a Rutherglen and Chiltern resident. He was killed in action in September of 1916, leaving a fiancé Miss Annie Biophin.

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Photograph : CPL Arthur Sims MM, WW1 Soldier

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Black, Grey and Sepia coloured photograph of WW1 soldier CPL. Albert Victor Sims, Military Medal recipient.

Historical information

CPL. Arthur Victor Sims was an AIF WW1 soldier who was born in Springhurst. He was the son of Arthur (snr) and Elizabeth Sims from Highfield Farm Springhurst. Arthur was also the recipient of the Military Medal for bravery, whilst serving in France in 1919.

Significance

CPL Arthur Sims was born in Springhurst and was 29 years old at the time of his enlistment in 1915. He farmed his own property called "Highfields". CPL Sims was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in France on the 24/1/2019. At about this same time his brother Percy Sims who was in the Australian Flying Corps had already been reported as missing in action, later to be confirmed as killed in action. Percy was awarded the military medal for his bravery for continually patrolling the communications lines and repairing when needed, under heavy mortar and firepower.

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Photograph : LT. Percy James Sims WW1 Australian Flying Corps

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

A sepia and grey coloured photograph of LT. Percy James Sims, a WW1 soldier and Air Flying Corps members.

Historical information

LT. Percy James Sims was born in Springhurst Victoria and was the son of Albert and Elizabeth Sims. The family owned two farms at Springhurst. Percy attended Melbourne Grammar School and then Melbourne University. His trade was that of an Electrical Engineer prior to enlisting for WW1. He initially enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces in 1915 and served overseas. He then transferred to the Australian Flying Corps for pilot training. He trained at Number 2 School of Aeronautics in Oxford England. Having graduated as a pilot Percy then served overseas flying in France, Palestine and Cologne Germany. He was reported missing in action in October 1918. It was then confirmed in February of 1917 that he was killed in action whilst flying over Cologne. Percy Sims would have flown a number of crafts throughout his time in WW1, such as the Sopwith range, Martingsydes, Bristols and Avro's.

Significance

Percy Sims was one of Australia's first batch of WW1 pilots to qualify and fly in combat over Europe. During his time as a pilot he flew a variety of crafts, such as the Sopwith range, Bristols, Martingsydes, and Avro's. Pilots like Percy were considered to be the forerunners for what we now know of as the Royal Australian Air Force. Percy grew up on his parents farm at Springhurst Victoria and was killed in action over Cologne in 1918.

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Photograph : Harry Dyson WW1 soldier

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Sepia and Gray coloured photograph of WW1 soldier Harry Dyson.

Historical information

Photograph is Harry Dyson, a WW1 soldier with 37th and 39th Battalion WW1. Harry was a resident of Chiltern and worked as a farm hand prior to enlisting at Wangaratta for WW1.

Significance

Associated with Harry Dyson WW1 soldier and Chiltern Resident.

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Photograph : Patrick Devitt WW1 soldier

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Sepia and Gray postcard photograph of WW1 soldier Patrick Devitt. Reverse side of card states : "Post Card" and in the centre is a faint line with the left column stating "Correspondence" and the right column stating "address only".

Historical information

The post card is associated with WW1 soldier Patrick Devitt, a Chiltern and Barnawartha resident.

Significance

Associated with WW1 soldier Patrick Devitt, a Chiltern and Barnawartha resident during of this era.

Inscriptions & Markings

Reverse side of card states : "Post Card" and in the centre is a faint line with the left column stating "Correspondence" and the right column stating "address only".

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Photograph : Dan Devitt WW1 soldier

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Sepia and gray colored photograph of WW1 soldier Dan Devitt.

Historical information

A WW1 photographic studio card of soldier Dan Devitt, resident of Chiltern and Barnawartha.

Significance

This studio card is associated with Dan Devitt, WW1 soldier and resident of Barnawartha and Chiltern areas.

Inscriptions & Markings

The reverse of the photograph has the studio branding, being Mendelssohn Studios. Writing on the photographic card says "return to Joseph Baynes Barnawartha South".

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Photograph : WW1 Soldier John Christie

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Sepia and Gray colored photograph of a group of WW1 Australian soldiers. The photograph is a post card from France and features John Christie WW1 soldier who was with the Australian Divisional Salvage Company in France circa 1914-1918. John Christie is the soldier furtherest on the left side.

Historical information

Associated with a postal card from WW1 and relevant to Australian soldier John Christie, Australian Divisional Salvage Coy, France. This is typical of the various types of greeting postal cards sent to loved ones from the battlefields across Europe during WW1.

Significance

Associated with WW1 1914-1918 and relevant to John Christie soldier and resident of Chiltern.

Inscriptions & Markings

Back of the post card - "With best wishes from sincerely yours J.Christie Aus Divisional Salvage Coy France". J. Baynes Collection.

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WW2 era Brown Leather Carry Case with contents - RAAF Flight Lieutenant Francis Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Brown hard leather overnight carry case with contents. The contents are related to flying kit issues for FLTLT Francis (Frank) Robertson, pilot. The contents are : Blue RAAF Dress uniform jacket, Tropical Drab uniform jacket, pilot goggles and pilot helmet. Both jackets have the flying wings brevet sewed upon the left breast side above the pocket seam as per military protocol.

Historical information

The case and contents belonged to RAAF pilot, FLTLT Francis (Frank) Robertson. FLTLT Robertson was the pilot who crash landed his Wirraway Aircraft on the top of Chiltern resident Nurse Carter's house. He was on a training flight qualifying for his pilot wings and was forced to land due to bad weather conditions.

Significance

WW2 RAAF Pilot FLTLT Francis (Frank) Robertson. Crash landed his Wirraway aircraft onto the roof of Nurse Carter's Chiltern Residence.

Inscriptions & Markings

Blue dress jacket has the name "Roby" on the inside label.

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1940's Brown leather Carry Case with flying equipment and clothing issue : RAAF Pilot Francis Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

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WW2 Circa - Leather Overnight Case : RAAF Pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Leather hard mid brown coloured overnight carry case, brass keyholes, leather restraining straps on the inside of the lid. The internal material lining appears to be of strong cotton weave and is strped in colours of light tan, white and fawn. There is no identifying make or brand on the case. Unknown if it is military in issue.

Historical information

The case belonged to WW2 RAAF Pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson. The case was used to store his pilot equipment (goggles, flying hat) and set of uniforms.

Significance

1940's era leather overnight carry case. Belonged to RAAF pilot Frank Robertson.

Inscriptions & Markings

Nil

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RAAF Tropical Uniform WW2 : pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

WW2 Issue RAAF Drab Tropical Dress uniform. Used by members when posted to tropical areas or on tropical duties in the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea and the Pacific. The uniform is light tan in color and made of a lightweight cotton linen blend fabric. On the left breast pocket above the pocket seam are the pilot wings, determining the role the member undertook (called Mustering). There is also a Navy, Red and Light Blue ribbon bar depicting a WW2 service campaign (New Guinea). There are shoulder epaulets determining the member's rank, being Flight Lieutenant. The RAAF Pilot Wings have the RAAF insignia in the middle identifying the pilot as being a member of the Royal Australian Air Force. The buttons are made of strong Bakelite material and also have a smeall insignia upon them indicating RAAF. The belt has a brass/metal bracket for adjusting the size through two pins, with the keeper being on the internal side of the belt.

Historical information

This is the RAAF tropical uniform worn by members throughout WW2 and who served in tropical and pacific areas. This particular uniform belonged to RAAF pilot FLTLT Francis (Frank) Robertson. Frank Robertson was the trainee pilot, who at 18 years old, took off from Deniliquin on what started out as a moonlit night in May, 1943, in a tiny Wirraway aircraft. The RAAF Trainee Pilot was attached to the Kittyhawk squadron, and as part of his preparations for the South Pacific theatre, he had to fly solo south-east towards Tocumwal on the Murray River, and return within two hours. But Robertson detected other aircraft in the area forcing him off course. And then a cold front moved in, bringing with it a thick cloud cover. He was forced to emergency land with the Wirraway aircraft ending up clipping the roof of Nurse Carter's house in Chiltern. Nurse Carter was uninjured but suffered from shcok and Pilot Robertson bruised and cracked his ribs. FLTLT Robertson then went on to service overseas throughout WW2. He is the father of well known Humanitarian, Barrister, Media personality, academic and author, Geoffrey Robertson QC, AO.

Significance

This uniform is a WW2 RAAF tropical dress issue and was used throughout WW2 when members were posted into and served within tropical and pacific areas.

Inscriptions & Markings

Pilot Wings indicate RAAF with embroidered lettering below the crown and in the middle of the two pilot wings left and ride side. The buttons have RAAF etched upon them in small detail.

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WW2 RAAF Brevet, Pilot Wings : Pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) embroidered cloth pilot wings brevet as worn from 1921 to 1953. These wings were worn by Australian air force pilots throughout WW2 and beyond. There is a crown at the top of the cloth badge with two wings either side, with the middle having the words RAAF surrounded by a laurel wreath. Colors are navy background, white wings and RAAF wording with a light blue laurel wreath surrounding the words RAAF.

Historical information

WW2 Pilot Wings Brevet, Francis (Frank) Robertson RAAF Pilot.

Significance

Associated with RAAF pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson. The brevet wings significy he has qualified as a pilot within the RAAF.

Inscriptions & Markings

Colors are navy background, white wings and RAAF wording with a light blue laurel wreath surrounding the words RAAF.

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RAAF Navy Blue Dress Uniform WW2 : Pilot Francis Robertson

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

RAAF WW2 issue Navy Blue Button up Dress Uniform, with belt, brevet pilot wing and medal ribbon bar for WW2 service (Left Breast pocket). Uniform made by The Hartford Clothing Company batch of 1942. Sleeves of the uniform depict rank at the time, being Flight Lieutenant. There are two dress badges on each sleeve of the uniform which depict the RAAF emblem.

Historical information

WW2 RAAF Officer's Uniform once belonged to Francis (Frank) Robertson, pilot. Francis Robertson, pilot, crash landed his aircraft in Chiltern on the roof of Nurse Carter's house, whilst on a pilot trainee qualification flight. He was disorientated through bad weather and had been flying in and out of Deniliquin. Frank injured himself with bruised/broken ribs and nurse Carter was slightly shaken. Despite this set-back Frank then went on to become an accomplished WW2 pilot who visited Chiltern intermittently in the years after the war as he never forget the people of Chiltern rallying around the night of the accident and assisting him.

Significance

This uniform is the navy blue dress uniform once belonging to Francis (Frank) Robinson, RAAF WW2 Officer and Pilot. Frank Robinson is the father of well known humanitarian, author, barrister, academic, media personality and QC, Mr. Geoffrey Robertson. Frank Robertson is the pilot, who whilst on a training flight undertaking his solo flying qualification, crashed into the roof of Nurse Carter's House in Chiltern one foggy evening due to poor weather and visibility conditions.

Inscriptions & Markings

Clothing label "The Hartford Clothing Company", 1942 who were the suppliers of the military uniforms for the RAAF circa 1940's. The name "Roby" is on the label of the uniform identifying the owner as pilot Francis (Frank) Robertson.

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Yellow CFA Fire Fighter's Helmet with goggles

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

Yellow CFA fire fighter's helmet with black nylon chin strap. Goggles are clear perspex.

Historical information

Current yellow helmet issue CFA fire fighter helmet.

Significance

Associated with current day uniform issue for CFA fire fighters.

Inscriptions & Markings

Red and White CFA Logo and wording.

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White Fire FIghter's Helmet CFA : (Bill Hotson Group Officer)

Chiltern Athenaeum Trust, Chiltern

White with red band fire fighters helmet. There is a blue and white shield on the front with the Country Fire Brigade Victoria wording upon it. There are two red tape strips on the front also. A green name tag states the item once was assigned to Bill Hotson Group Officer.

Historical information

Once assigned to Bill Hotson, Chiltern Valley resident and member of the local Chiltern CFA. 1960's helmet issue.

Significance

Associated with the Chiltern CFA and member Mr. Bill Hotson, resident of Chiltern Valley.

Inscriptions & Markings

There is a blue and white shield on the front with the Country Fire Brigade Victoria wording upon it. There are two red tape strips on the front also. A green name tag states the item once was assigned to Bill Hotson Group Officer.

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Red CFA Captain's Fire Fighting Helmet

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