
Individual Stories
Not only was the collective experience of the city revealed in the letters, but they also tell the stories of individual lives. These included council staff, business owners, members of the defence forces, representatives of patriotic groups, entertainers, and private citizens — the names of thousands of Melburnians are recorded within.
Digital Resources
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Memo, stating that he has received instructions to report himself for Military Duty at Broadmeadows
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Reporting that (2) Working Men's College Students have been called for Military duty suggesting that Salary of Brinkley be raised to 10£2/10/- per week
- Letter from Meter Inspector (T Wilson)
- Memo, stating J Lennard Assistant Inspector will resume work on Monday 24th August
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Memo forwarding particulars of the employe W Williams at the Station who lost his life at the War
- Letter from City Surveyor
- With regard to leave of absence to A H Wardrop for Military Instruction from 14th October to 12th November
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Forwarding memo from L J Bird stating he will be away at Queenscliffe for 16 days
- Letter from J Wilson (Meter Inspector)
- Reporting that J Lennard, assistant Meter Inspector, has again been summoned to attend Military Duties
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Submitting letter from Dr J W Springthorpe (Melbourne University) who is leaving for the War
- Letter from City Surveyor
- Reporting that he appointed A Barton Temporary Clerk to fill L Beanland's place during his absence on Military Duty
- Letter from City Surveyor
- Reporting that A Wardrop will be away for a further 5 Weeks on Military Duty
- Letter from Miss C Squire
- Further letter with regard to Employment and referring to money voted by the British Government
- Letter from N J Boyd
- Application for employment
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Stating Assistant Inspect E T Wood was released for two days from Military Service on 3rd and 4th inst andwas engaged at his usual Departmental Duties
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Reporting that Assistant Inspector E J Wood was released from Military Duty on 10th and 11th inst
- Letter from A R Butler and A F Trebilco and others
- Applications for positions (2) of Architectural Draftsman (Temporary)
- Letter from M McDonald
- Application for Employment
- Letter from W Barnard and W Kennish
- Stating they want to enlist for the War and referring to the Military Conditions of Pay
- Letter from Police Department
- With regard to whereabouts of A Rowe
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Stating L J Bird is required for Military Service for an indefinite period and referring to clerical assitance in his absence
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Stating T Turnbull has been accepted for active Service with the Expeditionary Force
- Letter from C E Ebeling
- Furnishing particulars relating to his Nationality
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Re filling vacancy in Electric Supply Pay Office caused by G R Scott enlisting
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Reporting that L J Bird has left with the Australian Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from Police Department
- Reporting A Daniels, E G Randall, R Woods S Isaacs, J Edmonds, H Owen for over loading Motor Cars at Broadmeadows [with soldiers]
- Letter from Electrical Engineer
- Re leave of absence to T Scott to attend Officers School of Instruction at Broadmeadows
- Letter from Inspector Montgomery
- Reporting John O Harrod acting as a driver without a License at Broadmeadows
- Letter from N Ker and others
- Applicants for position of Clerk in City Treasurers Office of Electric Light Department ([viz?] Riddell)
- Letter from Acting Secretary Defence Department
- Requesting certain information relating to the late Ewart G Offen
- Letter from Mrs N Harrison
- Requesting information as to whereabouts of her son John Frederick Harrison
- Letter from City Architect
- Forwarding letter from A E Darnton Draughtsman, stating he intends volunteering for active service
- Letter from City Architect
- Re services of temporary Draftsman Dainton's position and a Junior Draftsman £2/10/- per week
- Letter from J A Cormick
- Stating he has been accepted for Active Service with the Australian Expeditionary Forces and applying for leave of absence
- Letter from Electrical Engineer
- Stating Engineering Assistant Hall has Joined the Forces and asking that his position be filled temporarily
- Letter from Eric E Poole
- Stating that he has joined the Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from J J Cairns
- Stating that he has joined the Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Stating L F Armstrong, Meat Inspector, and Ballantyne, Branding Boy, are enlisting in the Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from Soldiers' Dental Fund
- Use of room in Town Hall
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Charles Edward Cobb, Laborer, Abattoirs, enlistment in Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from N H Christian and J H Stansby
- Applications for Architectural and Junior Architectural Draftsmen
- Letter from Acting City Treasurer
- Enlistment of R Harper, Junior Clerk, Electric Supply Department
- Letter from A N A Bear, Miss Watson and others
- Applicants for position of Junior Clerk in Town Clerk's Office also Clerk
- Letter from Douglas Little and others
- Engineering Assistant, Electric Supply Department
- Letter from Mr Watts and family
- Death of Lieutenant R J [T?] Watts at the Front
- Letter from C D Huggins
- Stating he cannot accept position of Clerk in Electric Supply Department
- Letter from William Riddell
- Application for Employment
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Stating that G. Heinz has enlisted in Expeditionary force
- Letter from Sydney Arnold Best and Co
- Request for reduction of rent, R Nicolson 58 Errol Street North Melbourne
- Letter from John Gunn and others
- Applicants for position of Temporary Clerk, Town Clerk's Office
- Letter from A S Finlay and others
- Applicants for Temporary position of Clerk in City Treasurer's Office (£2/0/0)
- Letter from Mrs R Young
- Claiming allowance on account of death of son Lance Corporal R E Young
- Letter from G Williams and others
- Applications for position of temporary Junior Draftsman in City Surveyor's Office
- Letter from Commonwealth Military Forces
- Re Civil Employment of Mr J Lennard if called up for duty in Australian Army Medical Corps
- Letter from R L Amess and A Douglas
- Applications for positions as Building Inspectors
- Letter from W E U Campbell
- Application for Employment
- Letter from Richard Almond (Employe Alexandra Park)
- Asking for leave of absence to join Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from Thomas Longridge
- Application for post as Clerk in City Electrical Engineers Office
- Letter from Superintendent City Baths
- Bates, Attendent at Baths
- Letter from W H Rose and others
- Applications for position of Clerk in City Surveyors Office (new position)
- Letter from Mr W H Ford and others
- Applications (5) for temporary position of Architectural Draftsman in City Architects Office, vice [sic] Mr Trebiles (enlisted)
- Letter from K W L Cox and others
- Applications for position of Clerk in City Surveyors Office (vice Mr G Duncan, promoted)
- Letter from A G Sinclair and others
- Applications for position of Clerk in the Electric Supply Department
- Letter from D Hiranand (Cairo Egypt)
- Passport to visit Commonwealth (Forwarded to Secretary Department of External Affairs)
- Letter from Miss Stella A M Turnbull
- Application for clerical position
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Reporting A T [Alfred Thomas] Sparrow, laborer at Abattoirs has enlisted
- Letter from Police Department
- Re complaint of persons playing football gambling andc in Yarra Park on Sundays
- Letter from Mrs E L Poole
- Re war risk premium paid for life. Insurance Policy of her son E E Poole serving with Expeditionary Force
- Letter from H.J. Stevenson
- Application for clerical employment
- Letter from Superintendent of Baths
- Appointment of Talbot vice G W Bates enlisted
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Reporting that C W Scott assistant clerk at Abattoirs has enlisted
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Application from J E Brown for leave of absence to serve with Expeditionary Forces
- Letter from A G Herman and others
- Applications for position of temporary clerk at City Abattoirs vice C Scott enlisted
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Authority to engage P Nicholas as Junior Engineering Assistant at £3 pw
- Letter from A Black
- Stating he has enlisted (Parks and Gardens Employee)
- Letter from City Engineer
- Stating N H Christian has been accepted for service with the AIF
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Charles Hoy stating he has enlisted and ask for 1 weeks annual leave
- Letter from W V Wallens and others
- Application for Temporary Engineering Draftsman at 15/- per day
- Letter from John Botterill and others
- Applications for Temporary Mechanical Draftsman at £5/10/- per week
- Letter from City Engineer
- Application for annual leave S P Holding, Clerk at Destructor who has enlisted and as to refilling position
- Letter from N R Bennett
- Stating he has enlisted and applying for annual leave
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Stating Assistant Inspector A E Day has enlisted
- Letter from A N A Bear
- Stating he has enlisted and applying for annual leave
- Letter from Inspector of Meters
- Re appointment of G Davidson as temporary assistant vice J Lennard
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Stating G Robinson has enlisted and as to filling position
- Letter from A J Steven and others
- Applications for position of Clerk in Town Clerk's Office (£3/-/- per week) vice N R Bennet enlisted
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Stating Meat Inspector F B Hawse has enlisted and as to filling position (temporarily)
- Letter from Electrical Engineer
- Exemption of Shift Engineer McLean from Military Service
- Letter from Clerk of Disbursements
- Re payment of difference between Civil and Military pay to Palmer and Guthrie (enlisted)
- Letter from James McGowan and others
- Applications for positions of Clerk in Electric Supply Department at £3/-/-
- Letter from W.G. Hughes
- Permission to have stand in a lane for sale of fruit or flowers
- Letter from Alderman Sir Arthur Snowden
- Notice motion re appointment of Returned Solider as lift attendant
- Letter from A E Dean. Thomas Gilding and others
- Temporary Clerks for Office of Clerk of Disbursements. (Applications received in place of Messrs Dyke and Brewer who have enlisted
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Filling of vacancy caused by enlistment of E S Beachcroft
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Appointment of Clerk at £3 per week
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Application for position female Assistant Clerk
- Letter from City Solicitor
- Result of prosecution Montfomery v T G Shine - for driving passengers without licence
- Letter from H V Prior and others
- Applications for position of Junior Clerk in City Treasurer's Office (Electric Supply Department)
- Letter from J G Evans (Officer)
- Return to duty, having received discharge from military forces
- Letter from H Jenkins and others
- Applications for position of Assistant Superintendant of Markets and Properties
- Letter from F R Crawford
- Application for a fruit stand in the city
- Letter from Police Department
- Re whereabouts of Wiliam Goode
- Letter from State War Council
- Asking for information re E.B .Simmons
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Report that Sergeant A.R. Williams and Lance Corporal F.L. Lugton employees of Electric Supply Department, have been killed in action
- Letter from R.W. Carrie
- Application for a position as a temporary clerk
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Recommending appointment of K.L. Edwards as temporary clerk in place of L. White (enlisted)
- Letter from City Engineer
- Appointment of BW Blackley as Blacksmith's improver and H Scott as Fitter's improver
- Letter from Captain J.N. Ryan
- Stating he has been called up for Military duty and applying for leave of absence
- Letter from State War Council
- Asking information re T J Ryan, 73 Haines Street, North Melbourne
- Letter from State War Council
- Re returned soldier R Weller 166 Pearson St., Brunswick
- Letter from City Engineer
- Reporting that H.M. McCay Engineering Pupil in his office has been accepted for service in the Army Medical Corps
- Letter from Officer of Health
- List of Officers liable for military service
- Letter from Charles C. Sandford
- Application for clerical employment
- Letter from G.E. Preston
- Application for employment (clerical)
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Reporting examination of Thomas Norris (returned soldier), and stating that although unfit for his usual duties, he would be physically capable of discharging the duties of messenger
- Letter from Registrar of Pensions
- Asking information re Arthur Edwards
- Letter from Miss Ethel Rove
- Application for clerical employment
- Letter from C Simpkins
- Stating he has been accepted for military service and applying for leave of absence
- Letter from D L Gilchrist
- Application for clerical employment
- Letter from Wm [William] Ripper
- Stating he has enlisted for active service with the Australian Imperial Forces
- Letter from E R Hudspeth
- Stating that he has been accepted for Compulsory Home Service, after having twice been rejected as a volunteer, and asking that his position be kept open and extra pay be granted
- Letter from R H Stockfeld
- Successful applicant for position of Temporary Architectural Draughtsman in City Engineer's Office
- Letter from L Kemp and others
- Applications for the position of Junior Clerk in the Town Clerk's Office
- Letter from A W Dwyer and others
- Applications for the position of Assistant Clerk in Electric Supply Department at £3 per week to replace H L Hibbs
- Letter from Registrar of Pensions
- Asking for confidential report re E.S. Simpkins - liftman at Town Hall (returned soldier)
- Letter from John Carlton
- Re engagement of supper room Kensington on December 30th for wedding
- Letter from Superintendent Robertson
- Reporting that G. Oarmes counter of stock at Cattle Market has enlisted, and asking that fresh appointment be made
- Letter from W E Haslam and others
- Application to the position of Clerk in the Town Clerk's Office
- Letter from O.C. Recruiting Depôt Town Hall
- Asking for information re loyalty of E.J. Hirt
- Letter from Registrar of Pensions
- Asking for confidential report re H.J. Watson
- Letter from City Electrical Engineer
- Applications for the position of Engineering Assistant and recommending T Richardson as the most suitable applicant
- Letter from Australian Military Forces (Captain Fairnie)
- Re. A. Cavanagh motor driver employed by the Council not reporting himself for military training also price road repair
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Reporting that Inspector Beatty resumed duty on 16th inst after being in Camp at Geelong
- Letter from Hallkeeper
- Recommending 14 days sick leave be granted to E. Simpkins (Lift Attendant) to undergo an operation
- Letter from O.C. Recruiting Depot Town Hall
- Asking information on loyalty of Frederick William Diergarten of 225 Spring Street Melbourne
- Letter from State War Council
- Requesting information re William Andrews of 253 Drummond Street, Carlton
- Letter from William L. Tyquin and others
- Applications for position of Temporary Messenger and Attendant in Town Clerk's Office
- Letter from Australian Military Force (C.O. 52 A Area)
- Requesting that leave of absence be grated for Sergeant Major James P. Biggs from 23rd December to 2nd January to attend Battalion Camp
- Letter from C.J. Simpkins
- Application for increase in salary
- Letter from State War Council
- Re J.H. Meyers 21 William St. South Yarra. Asking what prospect he has of earning a living as Licensed Motor Car Driver
- Letter from The Registrar of Pensions
- Asking particulars re John G Evans
- Letter from R A Williams and others
- Applications for position of Temporary Junior Clerk in Pay Office Electric Supply Committee
- Letter from State War Council
- Re J W Carey's prospects of making a successful living as a Taxi Cab owner and driver
- Letter from D O'Sullivan and others
- Applications for position of messenger and attendant
- Letter from Registrar of Pensions
- Asking information re Thomas J. Hamilton
- Letter from E R Hudspeth and others
- Application for position of Clerk in City Treasurer's Office
- Letter from City Engineer
- Recommending appointment of W Baglin as clerk at Destructor. Further recommendation as to appointment of F. Bushnil
- Letter from L.J. Opie
- Particulars of his duties whilst in Camp
- Letter from The Registrar of Pensions
- Asking information re Walter Randle and John Price
- Letter from A.N.A. Bear
- Application for two month's leave of absence to recuperate, having just returned from active service abroad
- Letter from A Chapman and others
- Application for temporary position of Sanitary Inspector
- Letter from City Engineer
- Reporting death of Mr Norman H. Christian on Active Service in France
- Letter from State War Council
- Indulgence passage for wife of James Sherry a gardener employed by the Council
- Letter from Sergeant E. Bastings
- Thanking Council for their congratulations on his decoration
- Letter from Hallkeeper
- Medical certificate for A. Brown (returned soldier) who will have to undergo an operation on his old wound
- Letter from N.H. Brewer
- Reporting his return from Active Service, and asking for re-instatement
- Letter from L.G. Bowes
- Advising his return from Active Service
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Reporting death in action of Private J.E. Brown
- Letter from Officer of Health
- Placing on Honor Roll of names of Nurse Singleton and Private T.G.O. Jordan
- Letter from Abbatoirs Superintendent
- Reporting death of Lieutenant C. Scott at the Front
- Letter from Mrs T. Larter
- Complaining of conduct of __ Cook, a council employe
- Letter from G. Smith
- Appointment of temporary Junior Clerk
- Letter from W Thomson and others
- Applications for Rate Collector etc at North Melbourne
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Reporting death on active service of Bombadier A.V. Wootton, and asking instruction re amount overpaid to his representative
- Letter from N. [actually William] Trembath (Lift Attendant)
- Sick Leave
- Letter from City Engineer
- Absence of Mr A.H. Wardrop through illness
- Letter from Town Clerk
- Applications for position of rate collector and valuer, Smith Ward