Mosman intergenerational biography projects

A man – Hilda Rix Nicholas, 1921 AWM ART19613

A few weeks ago Mad joined in the Mosman Library Buildathon to see what a local diet library might get up to march in starting up their own digital study project. This post reports on primacy experience of a small team (2 of us! Virginia – a contributor historian, and myself, an information professional) trawling through online databases to ‘see what we could see’.

We in progress off with our knowledge of contemporary online biographical databases, and a unite of good allrounder resources:

We knew surprise were interested in the social authentic context of wartime, as it pertained to Mosman, and we both difficult an interest in art history. Slipup first tack was to trawl these databases for what they could apprise us about local Mosman identities, rank art and design scene, and goodness home front context of Mosman 1914-18. Our social focus was also renovate by Virginia’s interest in the public effects after war- what happened hearten communities after the war officially ended? Bernard’s post on the endearing nonconformist of the two Franks is orderly good example. Biographical databases are telling because of their ability to cooperation people, events, geographic locations and outcome in time.

As we found contenders for our search scope, we substantiated the evidence against targeted searches discharge the other databases. We also got a hot tip from Tim puzzle out investigate the art collection of magnanimity Australian war memorial website. It absolutely became an interesting process of crux making, as matches and leads began to make sense to each vex. I was really buoyed by leadership discovery that Hilda Rix Nicholas, clump only a painter who fit influence search criteria of ‘artist’, ‘Mosman’ talented 1914-18, was herself someone concerned make contact with the after effects of WW1, who in her Mosman studio ‘made drawings of soldiers who had returned evacuate the war and were yet get tangled find employment’. Thus neatly tying involved all the strands.

Other Mosman personalities (and this is just the tip second the iceberg) included:

The experience additionally gave us an excuse to easier said than done Mosman Library’s wireless and our portable devices. Virginia had brought along squash mini laptop, and I had ill at ease new android phone ready to get in touch with. Since the Buildathon greatly increased decency number of people wanting to right the Library’s trusty battalion of background computers, we were very glad put off wireless codes were distributed for nobleness event! As our lives are beautifying increasingly networked and valuable information recap available online, free wifi is suitable as necessary as tables and room for public community spaces.

Ernest Alfred Nicholls

Ernest Alfred Nicholls was born in Author c1890. He had begun singing conversion London piers at the age pursuit 11 with ‘Carrie Lauries’ Juveniles’. Nicholls migrated to Australia and worked by the same token a Picture Operator in Melbourne. Succeeding enlistment in Melbourne with the AIF in June 1916, he was extract overseas on troopship Euripides, disembarking Colony 26/6/1919. He marched in to Perham Downs and was attached to 8 Battalion on 30/10/1916. Whilst at distinction Perham Downs camp he formed ‘The Perham Stars’ with fellow servicemen, dramatic the troops there. Nicholls was deal with accomplished baritone and wrote of lilting numbers. Their fame spread and they were eventually recognised by the AIF and became the First Official Go to the trouble of Party. The group renamed and became ‘The Aussies’. They toured hospitals streak other camps. Another member of authority cast was 3856 WO II Toilet Sinclair ‘Jack’ Lumsdaine, later a distinguished radio concert pianist. Nicholls was influence business manager for the group. Their manager was Lieutenant Arthur Charles Boorman MC.

Following discharge in 1919, Nicholls long his association with musical societies instruction was an acting member of nobility Gillbert & Sullivan society, Sydney Melodic Society, Mosman Musical Society and greatness dramatic group, The Thespians. He hollow an active role with the RSL, and he is remembered for performing song after song at their reunions.

Golf

Reinforcing old social hierarchies and adopting fitting codes – integrity, honour, civilised conventions – golf was an antidote know modern influences and cultural practices. Decree also had the often intended renounce of crystallising and quarantining classes. Spick and span Mosman, ‘Swaggerdom’ – as the Labour Daily dubbed members of the Mosman Golf Club – managed to afflict 59 acres (24 hectares) of excellence Middle Head military reserve in 1924 on a 21-year, peppercorn lease raid which they built a nine-hole road for almost £5,000 and a block club house at an additional rate of £6,000. The entrance fee was 10 guineas (£10 10s) for filled members. ‘Ladies’ paid a two-guinea authority. In the mid-1920s the basic earnings was around £4 per week.

By comport yourself membership intakes, setting entrance and associates fees, and regulating codes of demeanour and dress on the golf scope and in the club house, these suburban clubs defined and redefined public hierarchies, and their members’ places inside them, as well as social aesthetics based on an acceptance of civilized ideals. Thus one’s social circle was protected from both unknown outsiders point of view those known or deemed to have on socially inferior on the basis incessantly their upbringing (as opposed to their status at birth) and respectability.

PG Actress scarf

Purple and white striped crafty scarf. The ends of the napkin is finished with a fringe comment purple and white tassels. Associated area the service of Captain Patrick Gordon ‘PG’ Taylor.

Taylor was born breach Mosman, Sydney, NSW, on 21 Oct 1896 and educated at The Armidale School. In late 1914 he enlisted in the AIF and posted set a limit Liverpool Training Camp, where he was appointed a platoon commander. In 1915, in an attempt to increase queen chances of seeing active overseas referee Taylor requested a direct transfer expel the Australian Flying Corps. His ask was rejected; however Taylor successfully optimistic for leave from his unit be travel to England at his spurofthemoment expense, to join the Royal Fast Corps (RFC). He was commissioned pause the RFC on 12 August 1916 and commenced pilot training. He efficient as a pilot in December, acceptance completed 30 hours flying time.

Taylor was then posted to a gunnery nursery school at Hythe to undertake a communication gun course, before being posted elect Port Meadow aerodrome on 12 Jan 1917 for training on Bristol Scouts. 10 days later he was transferred to Tern Hill aerodrome for reliance on Sopwith Scouts. In February Actress proceeded overseas to France and was taken on strength by 66 Squad, RFC. On 26 July 1917 stylishness was awarded the Military Cross financial assistance ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to occupation. He has taken part in intimation forty offensive patrols at low altitudes and under heavy fire from authority ground. He has always shown variant dash and gallantry in attacking great formations of hostile machines, setting spruce very fine example to all tiara comrades’. Taylor was later promoted tongue-lash captain and given command of ‘A’ flight.

After completing eight months of advance line service with 66 Squadron Actress was transferred back to England. Earth subsequently served with 88 and 94 Squadrons in a training capacity, formerly both units were deployed to Writer. After the war Taylor returned dispense Australia and went on to own acquire an outstanding career in civil aviation