Nailed it Duck. I got details if you like. Plus a pic 
Interesting guy.been reading about him.
Interesting guy.been reading about him.
Australian History
- Thread starter the duck
- Start date
Help Support Prospecting Australia:
Master Blackburn's Whip - a cat o' nine tails whip with an Aboriginal club handle and knotted rope lashes attached that belonged to David Blackburn, Master of HM Brig Supply. It's on the Movable Cultural Heritage Prohibited Exports Register, and described in detail in the Book Ochre and Rust. You must have the book, as there is almost nothing on the interwebs about it!
Found this link about the book, with a picture. What a great question.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/arts/first-contact/story-e6frees3-1111114667966
Master Blackburn's whip
In 1999, this rare artefact turned up in a London auction house, Sotheby's, as an old naval whip, and only one buyer knew its true value.
Adelaide dealer Peter Walker recognised the bulbous head and the crudely carved runnels along the whip's handle as an Aboriginal tribal weapon - an all-purpose club and missile.
David Blackburn, master of the First Fleet vessel Supply, had adapted the club by nailing on four knotted tails to make a starter whip, designed to hurry sailors along, or mete out punishment.
It is now in the possession of the SA Museum, the only documented artefact of the First Fleet's encounter with Aboriginal people.
Many other artefacts were collected and taken back to Europe, but this is the only one known to have survived and have a definite association with the First Fleet.
Philip Jones says we may even know the original owner of the club. Blackburn was interested in the Aborigines of Sydney and his use of a dictionary of Aboriginal words, together with his own additions to it, makes that clear.
Those additions include, under B: "Benelong, the name of a man native". Jones says Bennelong would be a fitting owner of the club.
Jones points out that the conversion from Aboriginal club to Englishman's whip also had the effect of ensuring its survival.
Found this link about the book, with a picture. What a great question.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/arts/first-contact/story-e6frees3-1111114667966
Master Blackburn's whip
In 1999, this rare artefact turned up in a London auction house, Sotheby's, as an old naval whip, and only one buyer knew its true value.
Adelaide dealer Peter Walker recognised the bulbous head and the crudely carved runnels along the whip's handle as an Aboriginal tribal weapon - an all-purpose club and missile.
David Blackburn, master of the First Fleet vessel Supply, had adapted the club by nailing on four knotted tails to make a starter whip, designed to hurry sailors along, or mete out punishment.
It is now in the possession of the SA Museum, the only documented artefact of the First Fleet's encounter with Aboriginal people.
Many other artefacts were collected and taken back to Europe, but this is the only one known to have survived and have a definite association with the First Fleet.
Philip Jones says we may even know the original owner of the club. Blackburn was interested in the Aborigines of Sydney and his use of a dictionary of Aboriginal words, together with his own additions to it, makes that clear.
Those additions include, under B: "Benelong, the name of a man native". Jones says Bennelong would be a fitting owner of the club.
Jones points out that the conversion from Aboriginal club to Englishman's whip also had the effect of ensuring its survival.
Chuckle. That's the book I got the info from Duck.
The last few questions have been hum dingers. I'm cooking veal scallopine with sage and lemon for dinner, and will have to come back later with another question.
DrDuck said:
Are we all invited for dinner? Sounds awesome.
Thanks, RJ, it was delicious!
I haven't really tested this question for Google resistance, but here goes....
Who served in military, reserve and intelligence capacities in PNG, Korea, Britain, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, among other places, starting in WW2?
I haven't really tested this question for Google resistance, but here goes....
Who served in military, reserve and intelligence capacities in PNG, Korea, Britain, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, among other places, starting in WW2?
Holy Dooly... That's a lot of activity. The whole Aussie army?
Air force and navy?
Air force and navy?
He was an Army man.
Think this will be tough Doc.
Google it and its just a list of countries
Good extra info on Blackburn's whip too.
Google it and its just a list of countries
Good extra info on Blackburn's whip too.
There is information on this one to be had on Google, have a think about it and I will give another clue tonight, if necessary!
COLIN HUMPHREY BROWN?
Or
Stuart Clarence Graham?
Stuart Clarence Graham?
Definitely some similarities with those two impressive blokes, particularly Brown, but not either of them.
Ok,. The hunt continues....
Brigadier William Mac Grant, OAM RFD
Soldier
24-6-1922 10-6-2013
Soldier
24-6-1922 10-6-2013
Good work, RJ, That's the bloke.
Over to you.
Mac Grant served Australia from World War II until he retired in 1977, in the army, the Civilian Military Forces and with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.
He was with the army training forces in Vietnam for brief periods and his other appointments included being in Britain, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
William Harold Grant was born on June 24, 1922, at Cordeaux Dam near Wollongong, where his father, Alexander, was working as an electrical engineer. Alexander died when his five children were young and their mother, Victoria, had to support the family.
Mac was educated at Parramatta High School. Then, in 1940, he enlisted in a militia battalion and served with the First Heavy Brigade, which manned coastal artillery around Australia.
Advertisement
Members of the permanent forces were not permitted to join the AIF so Mac, ''on very good authority from other 18-year-olds'', put his age up from 19 to 21 and enlisted in 1941 under his mother's maiden name of McArthur. He was known as ''Mac'' thereafter.
When the Japanese entered the war in 1941, Grant was in a training camp at Cowra and was recruited by Major Paul Kneen to serve in special units.
In 1942 the Fifth Independent Company was formed and Grant joined the 2/5 Independent Company.
With brief specialist training but few basic infantry skills, the unit embarked for acclimatisation in Port Moresby before being airlifted into Wau and Bulolo, where the 2/5 carried out constant patrolling, interspersed with raids on Japanese positions. Grant was commissioned in early 1944 and in 1945 was committed with 2/12 Commando Squadron to Borneo and from there to Labuan at war's end. He decided then to stay with the army and volunteered to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan with 66 Battalion.
In 1946 in Japan, he married Joan Brown from the Australian Army Medical Women's Service, whom he had met in Sydney during 1945.
On his return to Australia, Grant commanded a Methods of Instruction Team before serving in Korea with 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
In 1995, Grant was appointed to raise and command 1 Commando Company in Sydney and 2 Commando Company in Melbourne - a new concept in units. At this time he was also seconded for six months to Britain for further commando training with the Royal Marines.
In 1959, Grant resigned from the army and joined the Australian Secret Intelligence Service as a full-time career officer. He also joined the Citizen Military Forces.
In the mid-1970s, Grant was sent to Jakarta by ASIS under diplomatic cover. His military background was very useful when dealing with Indonesian generals and he became close friends with General Benny Murdani who, contrary to Australian opinion at the time, he found to be an absolutely honest man. Back in Australia, Grant resumed his army service within the CMF (later called the Army Reserve), commanding 6 Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment and then, with the rank of brigadier, 4 Infantry Brigade.
He was subsequently appointed as Commander, 3 Division Field Force Group.
On his retirement in 1977, Grant was awarded the Reserve Forces Decoration. He continued his interest in defence matters, serving as president (both national and state) of the Royal United Services Institute. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 and also maintained a keen interest in the work of the commando units.
In recent years, Grant led the Second AIF section of the ANZAC Day parade in Melbourne. One of his more recent contributions was his participation in the rebadging of 4 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment as the 2 Commando Regiment in Sydney in 2009. He was life patron of the Commando Association.
Grant enjoyed the Australian bush and established a small property on the Goulburn River. There he developed into a fine fly fisherman.
In 1985, Joan had a debilitating stroke and Grant looked after her from then until her death in 2000.
Mac Grant is survived by his siblings Hugh and Joy. His son Peter died in 1976.
Jan Roberts Billett and Noel J.Denton
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obitu...ys-security-20130822-2se8z.html#ixzz2eXdmQk3k
Over to you.
Mac Grant served Australia from World War II until he retired in 1977, in the army, the Civilian Military Forces and with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.
He was with the army training forces in Vietnam for brief periods and his other appointments included being in Britain, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
William Harold Grant was born on June 24, 1922, at Cordeaux Dam near Wollongong, where his father, Alexander, was working as an electrical engineer. Alexander died when his five children were young and their mother, Victoria, had to support the family.
Mac was educated at Parramatta High School. Then, in 1940, he enlisted in a militia battalion and served with the First Heavy Brigade, which manned coastal artillery around Australia.
Advertisement
Members of the permanent forces were not permitted to join the AIF so Mac, ''on very good authority from other 18-year-olds'', put his age up from 19 to 21 and enlisted in 1941 under his mother's maiden name of McArthur. He was known as ''Mac'' thereafter.
When the Japanese entered the war in 1941, Grant was in a training camp at Cowra and was recruited by Major Paul Kneen to serve in special units.
In 1942 the Fifth Independent Company was formed and Grant joined the 2/5 Independent Company.
With brief specialist training but few basic infantry skills, the unit embarked for acclimatisation in Port Moresby before being airlifted into Wau and Bulolo, where the 2/5 carried out constant patrolling, interspersed with raids on Japanese positions. Grant was commissioned in early 1944 and in 1945 was committed with 2/12 Commando Squadron to Borneo and from there to Labuan at war's end. He decided then to stay with the army and volunteered to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan with 66 Battalion.
In 1946 in Japan, he married Joan Brown from the Australian Army Medical Women's Service, whom he had met in Sydney during 1945.
On his return to Australia, Grant commanded a Methods of Instruction Team before serving in Korea with 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
In 1995, Grant was appointed to raise and command 1 Commando Company in Sydney and 2 Commando Company in Melbourne - a new concept in units. At this time he was also seconded for six months to Britain for further commando training with the Royal Marines.
In 1959, Grant resigned from the army and joined the Australian Secret Intelligence Service as a full-time career officer. He also joined the Citizen Military Forces.
In the mid-1970s, Grant was sent to Jakarta by ASIS under diplomatic cover. His military background was very useful when dealing with Indonesian generals and he became close friends with General Benny Murdani who, contrary to Australian opinion at the time, he found to be an absolutely honest man. Back in Australia, Grant resumed his army service within the CMF (later called the Army Reserve), commanding 6 Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment and then, with the rank of brigadier, 4 Infantry Brigade.
He was subsequently appointed as Commander, 3 Division Field Force Group.
On his retirement in 1977, Grant was awarded the Reserve Forces Decoration. He continued his interest in defence matters, serving as president (both national and state) of the Royal United Services Institute. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 and also maintained a keen interest in the work of the commando units.
In recent years, Grant led the Second AIF section of the ANZAC Day parade in Melbourne. One of his more recent contributions was his participation in the rebadging of 4 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment as the 2 Commando Regiment in Sydney in 2009. He was life patron of the Commando Association.
Grant enjoyed the Australian bush and established a small property on the Goulburn River. There he developed into a fine fly fisherman.
In 1985, Joan had a debilitating stroke and Grant looked after her from then until her death in 2000.
Mac Grant is survived by his siblings Hugh and Joy. His son Peter died in 1976.
Jan Roberts Billett and Noel J.Denton
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obitu...ys-security-20130822-2se8z.html#ixzz2eXdmQk3k
Read a few interesting tales looking for Mac.
Easy one today.
Where did Tom Cole's horses go?
Easy one today.
Where did Tom Cole's horses go?
Nope
Hell west and crooked
Similar threads
