Philip Crabb has been a huge supporter of the State Library of WA Foundation. In particular, Philip is an advisor to the board to assist with their 'On the Homefront' appeal. The appeal is very close to Philip's heart as his uncle and grandfather both served their country in WWI. His father and seven uncles from both sides of the family all served with distinction overseas in the AIF during WWII.
THE BATTLE AGAINST TIME IS MASSIVE! AND IF WE ARE GOING TO WIN WE NEED YOUR HELP.
On the Homefront is an appeal for funds to ensure the digital survival of important World War l records.
The State Library of Western Australia and the State Library Foundation have identified a number of local newspapers, diaries and personal correspondence at risk of being lost by fading overtime.
Your gift to this appeal will ensure they are digitally preserved and made accessible for posterity.
These priceless mirrors of our past tell the living stories of West Australians – from the ANZAC battlefields, to the day to day lives of people at home across the State. As such we have valuable insights into how our ancestors lived, worked and survived.
Your gift will ensure these important heritage documents from World War I are preserved, whilst allowing researchers and family historians to access them from wherever they are in the world.
Don't let your stories fade away. Stand alongside the ANZACs, the people On the Homefront - you can save their legacy!
Visit the list of local newspapers, diaries and personal correspondence in the On the Homefront appeal by visiting www.statelibraryfoundation.org.au/homefront
You might find a connection with your family’s past.
Help us conserve and make accessible some of our important World War 1 records
On the Homefront is a project which will ensure the survival of important World War 1 records including news from the ANZAC battlefields, personal diaries and letters, and local newspapers. Our goal is to make these important documents and records, which bring to life the stories of everyday Western Australians, available on-line to everyone who wishes to see them. They will be invaluable to family historians and researchers.
We are seeking your support to raise the necessary funds needed to fully conserve and digitise these fascinating records.
Some of the records include:
- Collection of approximately 150 letters written by 5394 QMS George Percy Manners to his wife and children in Victoria Park East.
- Trotter family papers including WWI letters from Lt Frederick Edmund (Ed) Trotter to his brother R F O (Frank) Trotter describing the first landing at Gallipoli, his wounding and convalescence in Lemnos, and his return to other fronts (1915-1919). Some of these lengthy and detailed letters were published in the Kalgoorlie Miner. The collection also includes letters from John Vincent (1916-1918); thank you letters for Christmas puddings sent by West Boulder State School (1917); photographs; and family history information.
- Rice-Howlett collection of WWI diaries, letters and a photograph album owned by Geraldine Howlett (1897-1984). Before WWI Geraldine worked with Cecil Rice in Boans Bros department store and they became romantically involved. Cecil joined the Australian Imperial Force in May 1916 and the couple were soon separated by the war. The letters and diaries tell the personal story of their developing relationship and provide insight into life on the home front in Perth.
- Letters from 18yo Pte Oscar Stahl of the 11th Battalion written from Blackboy Hill camp in 1915 to his mother in Kalgoorlie.
- Serial: The Port Hacking cough : a record of the returning home 1914-1918 men on D.34.
- Sir Joseph John Talbott Hobbs personal diaries 1915-1919.
![[IMAGE: NO. 1 SECTION, A COMPANY OF THE 11TH BATTALION IN FRONT OF THE SPHINX, 10 JAN 1915. CA/2716B. REPRODUCED COURTESY OF STATE LIBRARY WA]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c89440e4b05aa550213683/1440068845121-PJN46PF3IQDA0VPOXBJT/image-asset.png)
[IMAGE: NO. 1 SECTION, A COMPANY OF THE 11TH BATTALION IN FRONT OF THE SPHINX, 10 JAN 1915. CA/2716B. REPRODUCED COURTESY OF STATE LIBRARY WA]
Local Newspapers:
- Avon Gazette and Kellerberrin News 1914-1916
- Avon Gazette and York Times 1916-1930
- Blackwood Times 1905-1954
- Bruce Rock Post and Corrigin Guardian 1917-1924
- The Call & W.A. Sportsman 1918-1920
- Collie Miner 1900-1916
- Daily Telegraph and North Murchison Gazette 1918-1920
- Fremantle Herald 1913-1915
- Geraldton Express 1906-1928
- Gnowangerup Times 1912-1918
- Leonora Miner 1910-1928
- Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette 1894-1925
- Narrogin Observer 1905-1954
- Northam Advertiser 1895-1954
- Nungarin Trayning Mail and Kununoppin Advertiser 1917-1922
- Pingelly Leader 1906-1925
- Primary Producer 1917-1947
- The Reformer 1906-1919
- South Western Times 1917-1929
- Southern Districts Advocate 1914-1936
- Sun (Kalgoorlie) 1898-1929
- Tambellup Times 1912-1924
- W.A. Record 1888-1922
- W.A. Sportsman 1914-1918
- The Westonian 1915-1920
- York Advocate 1915
Just imagine the wealth of information contained in those documents! Please help us to help you connect with your important past. Your donation will bring to life the stories of your family, your community and your heritage.
$50 will enable conservation, preservation and a digital copy of a handwritten letter.
$100 will digitise an edition of a regional newspaper and make it accessible on the Trove website.
$500 will digitise a diary written by a soldier serving on the front line.
Donations of $2 and above are tax-deductible.
Click here to make an online donation right now!
Media Release 28 April 2015
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