World War 1 artefacts at Melbourne Museum

These 5 priceless Australian pieces from the World War 1 exhibition at Melbourne Museum

THIS all-Australian image of sea and sun is not what it seems.’It’s Nice in the Surf’, 1917, was a war recruitment poster to shame the blokes who stayed home as war raged. See the poster in The WW1 Centenary Exhibition at Melbourne Museum. Here’s five more Australian-related artefacts >>

1/10THIS all-Australian image of sea and sun is not what it seems.
’It’s Nice in the Surf’, 1917, was a war recruitment poster to shame the blokes who stayed home as war raged. See the poster in The WW1 Centenary Exhibition at Melbourne Museum. Here’s five more Australian-related artefacts >>

American President Woodrow Wilson dominates the centre of William Orpen’s 1919 painting, ‘A Peace Conference at the Quai d’Orsay’. But Australia’s Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes (fourth from the right) punched above his weight at Versailles where world leaders conferred. Hughes was ardent in promoting what he perceived to be Australia’s interests. When Wilson angrily told him he only spoke for a few million people, Hughes hit back: “I speak for 60,000 dead. For how many do you speak?”

2/10American President Woodrow Wilson dominates the centre of William Orpen’s 1919 painting, ‘A Peace Conference at the Quai d’Orsay’. But Australia’s Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes (fourth from the right) punched above his weight at Versailles where world leaders conferred. Hughes was ardent in promoting what he perceived to be Australia’s interests. When Wilson angrily told him he only spoke for a few million people, Hughes hit back: “I speak for 60,000 dead. For how many do you speak?”

Field Marshal Lord Kitchener was well known to Australians long before the war began. This most British of commanders spent seven weeks here in 1910 on a mission to shape our pre-war defence policy. Kitchener was feted every step of the way. So by the time he appeared at Gallipoli, in November 1915 as secretary of state for war, he was given a heroes welcome by Anzac troops.

3/10Field Marshal Lord Kitchener was well known to Australians long before the war began. This most British of commanders spent seven weeks here in 1910 on a mission to shape our pre-war defence policy. Kitchener was feted every step of the way. So by the time he appeared at Gallipoli, in November 1915 as secretary of state for war, he was given a heroes welcome by Anzac troops.

The Australian Corps was at the forefront of the British Army’s advance to victory in August, 1918. Falling back, the Germans covered their withdrawal with machine gun fire. This Parabellum light machine gun was captured by the Australian 57th Batallion.

4/10The Australian Corps was at the forefront of the British Army’s advance to victory in August, 1918. Falling back, the Germans covered their withdrawal with machine gun fire. This Parabellum light machine gun was captured by the Australian 57th Batallion.

Made of pure wool and loose fitting with four roomy pockets, the Australian Army’s jacket was the most practical garment of the war.This one belonged to Private Robert Tuckerman. According to Pedersen: “Its baggy look showed that it was meant for the battlefield rather than the parade ground and its upper sleeve colour patches, which identified the wearer’s unit, evoked deep attachment.’

5/10Made of pure wool and loose fitting with four roomy pockets, the Australian Army’s jacket was the most practical garment of the war.
This one belonged to Private Robert Tuckerman. According to Pedersen: “Its baggy look showed that it was meant for the battlefield rather than the parade ground and its upper sleeve colour patches, which identified the wearer’s unit, evoked deep attachment.’

Barely two kilometres and backed by the sea, Anzac Cove at Gallipoli was especially vulnerable to Turkish gunners. This shell splinter, picked up by a 19-year-old British midshipman, is a memento of their dangerous presence. Pedersen writes: “The proximity of the Turks prompted the Australians and New Zealanders to dig trenches that were generally deeper and sturdier than the ones they took over later on the Western Front.’’

6/10Barely two kilometres and backed by the sea, Anzac Cove at Gallipoli was especially vulnerable to Turkish gunners. This shell splinter, picked up by a 19-year-old British midshipman, is a memento of their dangerous presence. Pedersen writes: “The proximity of the Turks prompted the Australians and New Zealanders to dig trenches that were generally deeper and sturdier than the ones they took over later on the Western Front.’’

7/10WWI Australian Angels Its nice in the surf - poster

8/10WWI Australian Angels Its nice in the surf - poster

9/10WWI Australian Angels Its nice in the surf - poster

10/10WWI Australian Angels Its nice in the surf - poster

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/photos/world-war-one-artefacts-on-display-at-melbourne-museum/image-gallery/d6d3c9f7ca32afec10131d5cdd976e98

World War 1 artefacts at Melbourne Museum

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