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Post by cobber on Feb 15, 2011 17:01:37 GMT 10
These items appeared in various editions of "The Caravan" magazine that was published in England starting in May 1933. I put these items here to help us with our research and to provide information as to how the Australian caravan scene was regarded in the UK during the 1930's. This one is from the August 1937 edition of the English Magazine “The Caravan”. I didn't agree with some of the assertions made but never fear..... neither did our very own John D. Porter who was a regular contributor to “The Caravan”. He responded in the December 1937 issue. Cobber.
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Post by cobber on Feb 25, 2011 12:47:58 GMT 10
Touring In A Nomad. I'll put this item here in Memorabilia because I don't think it adds anything to the discussion regarding Nomad caravans and John JennisonI will add it to the Nomad thread in DHL if anybody thinks it is relevant. It is from the September 1939 edition of The Caravan. Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 25, 2011 20:16:39 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Nice find! It is always interesting to read accounts of early caravanning trips by "the pioneers". Just their description of the country they passed through and the things that they saw on the way is evocative of times passed. Thanks for posting it. Having said that, I think that it is worth posting the article on the Nomad thread, for 4 reasons: 1. It is the only actual picture we have of one of the larger Nomads (and both sides at that). 2. It includes the dimensions of the van, including weight, brakes, etc. 3. It confirms that there was no link between the Australian and the English Nomads. 4. I reckon the bottom photo could well have been the basis for the engraved drawing of the Nomad caravan on the Nomad blotter - check out the angle the rig is on, the type of road, the vehicle, even the simplified background. Have a look and see what you think. In any case, finding this, I think you may well have become Jennison's new best friend! He will be pretty excited when he sees the article I'm sure. Don Ricardo PS I see that Jennison has posted while I was typing this. You could sound a bit more excited Jennison! I told Cobber you would be. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by cobber on Mar 2, 2011 6:26:41 GMT 10
This article appeared in the April 1939 issue of “The Caravan.” I am sorry I can't get these scans to copy more clearly (but I'm working on it) because they do give an insight into the determination of our caravanning pioneers to tour in pretty rough conditions, they also show that Caravanners in the UK were interested in the Australian scene. This group toured from Melbourne to Mount Gambier with a “Romany Road” caravan soon after the Black Friday Bushfires in Victoria.
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Post by cobber on Mar 3, 2011 14:21:52 GMT 10
From The Caravan magazine of January 1941. A three page item telling of the experiences of a British caravanner touring in S.A and Vic. This is page one.
Try as I may I can't find a way to attach more than one attachment to a post.......... if anybody knows if it can be done......... do tell
Cobber
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Post by cobber on Mar 3, 2011 14:23:58 GMT 10
Page two
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Post by cobber on Mar 3, 2011 14:24:41 GMT 10
Page three
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Post by cobber on Mar 10, 2011 8:10:44 GMT 10
And here's another one that might cause Jennison to salivate From a war time issue of "The Caravan".... February 1941 Cobber.
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Post by cobber on Mar 10, 2011 9:26:45 GMT 10
And.... this item in the February 1937 issue..... 1937! Sorry, no photo of the 'van available. I suppose it's true.... we wouldn't pull a poor old poms leg would we Cobber
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Post by Jennison on Mar 10, 2011 19:29:17 GMT 10
INTEREST IS NOT THE WORD COBBER I AM IN RAPTURES.... OVER THE MOON. A WARTIME JENNO INDEED!!! ;D ;D ;D I am a very happy man ;D Please can I have one
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 10, 2011 19:57:45 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, What a sensational find regarding the Trailer Engineering Co ambulance van! I notice that the ambulance is described as 'sumptuous'. No ambulance I've ever been in could be described that way. One meaning of sumptuous is 'entailing great expense, as from choice materials, fine work, etc.' Another meaning is 'luxuriously fine or large; lavish; splendid'. Maybe it is the first meaning that applied? John Jennison obviously turned his skills and plant to assisting the war effort. I wonder how many of the vans may have been produced? Maybe forum member Jennison (as opposed to John) can find out from the military archives? Those copies of "The Caravan" you have your hands on are turning out to be a veritable goldmine of info. Thanks for posting the material as you find it. It is fabulous stuff which really helps to fill out our picture of the caravan scene in Australia in the 30's and early 40's. Don Ricardo
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Post by Jennison on Mar 10, 2011 20:17:59 GMT 10
Unbelievable stuff DonR, I wonder where I would start to track such info down. I might go to the field hospital unit at holsworthy and show them the photo for a start, see what they have as far as corps history jenno
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Post by cobber on Mar 11, 2011 7:51:00 GMT 10
G'day Don R 'n Jenno It is interesting to read an English magazine that managed to continue publication throughout the war years and maintain it's focus on the subject of caravans Caravans , it would appear, were of some importance in England during the war as safe accommodation away from the bombed areas, as field headquarters for officers, first aid posts etc. etc. There are many comments about the resilience of caravans during air raids (although I bet they did a bit of rock and rolling) As you would expect, the references to the Australian caravan scene are minuscule compared to the home scene..... but they do keep popping up, I'll keep posting them until somebody yells STOP.Cobber.
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Post by cobber on Mar 11, 2011 8:24:17 GMT 10
This photo appeared in the February 1938 issue of " The Caravan" The text states the 'van is in the grounds of Mr. G.H. Swan's home... I suppose that is true..we wouldn't pull a poor old pom's leg..... would we I later discovered that Mr. Swan was actually the Managing Director of Romany Road CaravansBut the caravan does look like a Land Cruiser.... not so sure we can put big money on the "House" belonging to Mr. Swan though Cobber.
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Post by Jennison on Mar 11, 2011 15:05:58 GMT 10
Alzheimers is a funny thing...... I visited my mum today at lunch and mentioned that one of the VVers found a photo of a jennison wartime ambulance caravan. The first thing she said was "I remember that....it had 4 wheels didn't it?"!!!! If only I had started up on VVs' before that wretched disease came along, the stuff we might have learnt jennison
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Post by cobber on Mar 11, 2011 18:11:22 GMT 10
G' day Jenno,
Yes.... really sad isn't it, she obviously had a lot of knowledge of what was going on in the industry but.... can only grab hold of bits and pieces of it now. Did you then show her the photo ?.... might bring back a few memories .
Cobber.
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Post by Jennison on Mar 11, 2011 18:15:24 GMT 10
Didn't have it with me Cobber but I will over the weekend regards
PS I contacted the war memorial, they had nothing on it but were happy to have a copy of the photo.
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Post by seeshell on Mar 11, 2011 18:43:41 GMT 10
Hi Cobber This is a really interesting thread - thanks very much for posting the excerpts from the magazines. I share Jennison's interest in the "war ambulances" - don't they look fantastic? Makes me want to put on an apron dress, red shoulder cape and a white cap and get all "Florence Nightingale". Cheers Seeshell
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Post by cobber on Mar 11, 2011 19:28:14 GMT 10
G'day Seeshell,
I'm pleased you like the thread. I'm impressed that the poms were interested in what we were doing here in Oz, it is just a shame that we didn't have much local coverage of the industry in the early years.... makes it hard for us to get accurate information, but we are getting there..... slowly.
Keep watching because I have more to post from the UK yet.
Cobber.
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Post by Jennison on Mar 11, 2011 20:17:07 GMT 10
SS Being new to the forum, I think you might misunderstand my interest. I'm not an ambulance chaser (or a lawyer for that matter!) It's the fact that Cobber has found another VV model that my grandfather built that has me in a spin ;D ;D jennison
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Post by seeshell on Mar 11, 2011 20:39:25 GMT 10
Hey Jennison Yes, you are lucky to have that family connection. Sorry to hear about your mum - my Pa was the same. Cruel condition isn't it? I like them for another reason - not a lawyer either. I love anything WWII vintage. And they sure look swell - almost makes you want to get some harmless but treatable condition to get a gander inside. Like Don - I'm morbidly curious about what would constitute sumptuous in an Ambulance. Maybe it's relative - compared to a wet stinking trench, it's luxe? Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 11, 2011 21:05:12 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Don and Jennison - I know it's not the same kind of van, but thought this interior shot of a military caravan/trailer laboratory from 1937 (used to test for syphillis! ) might interest you! I wish I could find it, but I used to have a picture of a caravan that was set up as a mother and baby clinic that did rural rounds in the late 40s. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by cobber on Mar 12, 2011 8:16:30 GMT 10
G'day seeshell, That's an interesting photo... do you know anything about the 'van ? And don't stop looking for the caravan set up as a baby health clinic, I have seen photos of railway cars and buses used for the purpose but haven't been able to find a caravan yet, would like to see that. There are a couple of WWII related photos at the bottom of this page too. Some times, when I have Ol' 36 on display, I like to imagine she did sterling service during the war and I put this stuff on show to make the point. Cobber
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Post by cobber on Mar 13, 2011 13:54:16 GMT 10
An item from The Caravan, February 1939. Mr G. C. Reid was a big wig in a few organisations including the Queensland Cameron Highlanders Association....The Brisbane Legacy Club...Organised the first Morris 8/40 owners rally in 1937... and was sales manager of a couple of motor companies ( Trove told me that while I was trying to find out if he any connection with caravan companies) I post the whole page FYI. Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 13, 2011 14:37:09 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Jennison and Seeshell, Apropos your discussion of the use of caravans in WWII are these comments from Keith Winser's 'On the Trail', which I thought may interest you: (Source: Keith Winser, On the Trail, Motor Manual, 1956, pp 194-195) Of the pre-War manufacturers, it seems that (Nomad) Jennison built caravans for military purposes, as did Wolfenden who apparently provided caravans to accommodate RAAF personnel on airbases. Don closed down their production line and used the factory for housing ammunition, or so I have been told. The fact that the factory was in the midst of suburbia seems not to have been a problem at that time. Don Ricardo
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