Historical information

These batteries came from an Emerald farm originally owned by Charles Thomas Alexander and Alice May Alexander from the early 1920s. Because of the PMG (Postmaster General inscription), these batteries may have been for a house telephone - this would have been greatly valued in a remote area. The Advertiser 10/07/1946, accessed via Trove, notes that the manufacturer, General Dry Batteries (Australasia) Ltd. had just been formed in Melbourne and would 'deal in dry-cell batteries for torches, radios and so on...Mechanical methods developed by the American concern will be used to manufacture and fill the batteries. Raw materials will be of Australian origin.' .

Physical description

Rusted metal box containing two large dry cell batteries used on a local farm.
Note that this has been placed in the back room for storage.

Inscriptions & markings

On inside lid of box: Serial No B1166
Batteries each have the following: Made in Australia General Dry Batteries
A/Australia Pty Ltd Melbourne
Also at Cleveland, USA Toronto, Can
A white label encircles each battery with the following inscription: Commonwealth of Australia P.M.G.
Date Mfd ('Nov 1954' is inscribed on one battery)
Tested
Replaced
Installed
Serial Ref. No. 2/0