Through the recent death of an elderly relative, we now have a number of items, photographs and ephemeral souvenirs which we would like to donate to an Australian cultural institution.
She was a lifelong resident of Dubbo, NSW.
A selection of items which may find a place in a collection are:
1. Concertina with 21 buttons and decoratively detailed wooden fretwork ends. Made in Germany, "TRADE - HOUSE - MARK", Stahltone (signifying steel reeds). Appears to be in working condition, although I have only opened the concertina 2 cm, it did make a sound. Used by Miss Douglas's father. Certainly manufactured pre-1920. Possibly turn of 1900.
2.. 9 x Certificates from the N.S.W. Govt. Railway and Tramway Institute awarded for various training courses completed in 1919 and 1920. All printed in a highly decorative manner and with recipients name, course name and % mark filled in by hand. All contained in an official railways cardboard posting sleeve reserved for official railway communication. Certificates in very good condition, showing some tearing at edges consistent with age.
3. 1x large photograph of Mr. Wally Field, former Australian champion sprint car driver at the wheel of his stationary car attended by what appear to me to be officials and a mechanic.
1 x Photograph of Mr. Field at wheel of sprint car in motion marked in hand "Penrith" on reverse [ Penrith used to have a raceway].
1 x photograph of Mr. Wally Field in Australian army uniform standing beside a 1940s truck/van which has lettered upon the side
"Australian Military Forces Mobile Cinema Unit No. 1 presented by The motion Picture Industry of Australia" On reverse is handwritten "Taken just before we entered Beaudesert Q." [ Beaudesert was a major training venuefor the Australian Army during WWII] We believe that Mr. Field at one time had a significant relationship with the holder of the photographs.
4. 3 x small bibles.
4a. 1 x hand inscribed " Presented to [ name redacted ] from The Presbyterian Sabath [sic] School (Mrs) L. Drysdale Superintendent Narromine 9 - 8 - 24 " Published by "London British and Foreign Bible Society ... Printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Ltd. Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty" Contained in worn white cardboard box, possibly original presentation box.
4b. 1 x small bible inscribed inside "Joseph Christopher Cox buryed (sic) Westoek Ridge three miles east of Ypres near the edge of Nonalelbosches wood." and "Dad Died 13 April 1918.
Note: J. C. Cox was a World War One serviceman killed in action in 1917. An even more distant relative. We also have a standing portrait photograph of "Joe Cox" in uniform which I will loan to the Australian War Memorial for inclusion in the AWM's Roll of Honour photograph project.
5. Official World War Two civilian identity card complete in original blue coloured leather case with transparent polymer window - the window now being opaque with age. This is reasonably rare.
6. Christmas card with Australian Army motifs of artillery men, signal men and infantryman in action. Printed "Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year" and handwritten From "Dusty"". Appears to be World War Two era, possibly issued en-mass to servicemen. Although I have not yet confirmed this by research.
7. Folded paper serviette with two hand drawn sprint cars on the outside. One sprint car bears the number "45". Also handwritten on the outside of the serviette is "W. Field (Dusty) No 45" Contained in the folded napkin are a sprig of dried lavender, a dried flower (unidentified) and an oval shaped metal disc, possibly made of aluminium minted on one side "A.D.F.C. N.S.W. and on the other side " 1d bottle token 1d". Also contained is an Australian Army felt sh older patch, but I do not yet know of what unit or division. These appear to be romantic keepsakes.
8. Christmas gift tag bearing a printed colour picture of a square rigged sailing ship and "Seasons Greetings". Handwritten is "To Dear Heather From "Dusty""
9. Items numbered 5a, 6, 7, 8 and 9 above all contained in a tin with a hinged lid with a dining scene titled "The Toast".
10. 12 photographs which appear to be related to Dusty's WWII service in the Australian Army. the chronicle his travels from Australia to Palestine and New Guinea. One very rare photograph shows him beside the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, having a recreational swim in the Mediterranean Sea, with native helpers in New Guinea, and outside a makeshift bay. All bear handwritten inscriptions signed either W.F. or "Dusty".
For example,
- Taken at Xmas nearly as cold as Dubbo.
- An Arab boy with 5 mils in his hand about 1 1/2 Aust
- The ruins of an old Mosque Palestine
- A Camel train of 76 Camels Palestine
- A very old Olive tree
- A couple of our 'Fuzzy Wuzzie Angels' + their familys, I taught the little one to say ' Dusty' - But I couldn't get her 'Phone number -
- Your truly on the right in charge of a patrol in the jungle, my shirt looks as though its a nice shiny silk, but it is just wringing wet with perspiration. How do you like the 'mo' + stern look?
- At the wailing wall Jerusalem. This is a rare photograph showing 3 Australian servicemen in wartime next to the Wailing Wall.
- Yours truly with some willing helpers NOTE. 5 days growth
- Yours truly. After a dip in Mussoes Lake. [ "Musso's lake" was WWII service slang for the Mediterranean Sea: Benito Mussolini's lake ]
- The boys have a joke + this is a wet canteen at a camp we visited way up North. That's me alongside the ( illegible) I'm the one with glasses on!
11. One lace square, about 6inches x 6 inches, depicting Charles Kingsford-Smith's aircraft Southern Cross. Family legend has it that this was made by hand however it may be machine made.
There are a few more items, but I have not yet looked at them all.
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