Respirator, anti-gas, with face mask, canister, container and haversack, made by Willow Manufacturing Co, Australia, 1942

Manufacturers of recreational and domestic equipment, established in Melbourne, Victoria.

Originated as Wilson Bros. Pty. Ltd, creators of the "WILLOW" brand.

The company known as Wilson Bros produced a wide range of tinned goods from the 1920s. Brothers Ralph and Richard Wilson originally formed their partnership in Victoria in 1887. They later formed the company Willow Ware for making tinned kitchenware, biscuit canisters and metal containers (http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/825577/barbecue-willow-sure-fire-aboriginal-motif-1970). The firm of Wilson Bros Pty Ltd was registered in Victoria on 29 June 1915 (ASIC Company name search, 9 September 2014). The company later expanded to New South Wales.

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5062451

Willow Ware Australia Pty Ltd

Australia, Oceania

Thomas Stokes was born in Edgeburston, Birmingham, England, in 1831. He was apprenticed to a diesinker, and migrated to Australia in search of gold in the 1850s. He did not succeed, but returned to his trade as a diesinker and button maker. In 1856 he established a successful business at 15 Mincing Lane, Melbourne, and soon moved to larger permises at 115 Flinders Lane.
In 1857 Stokes acquired a press from W.J. Taylor and began to mint large numbers of tradesmen's tokens, some 82 varieties in all (this has more recently been contested). He also commenced the Australian Medallic Issues. Within a short time the business moved again, to 100 Collins Street. In 1873 Stokes took a partner, Martin, and the business was re-named Stokes & Martin. It added silverware to its product line, but the new direction was not well received.The business relocated to 29 Little Collins Street, where in 1893 a disastrous fire damaged a large portion of the business. Unfortunately Martin had forgotten to renew the fire insurance policy, and the partnership was dissolved as a result. Stokes rebuilt the business as Stokes & Son.
The business became a proprietary concern in 1911, re-named Stokes & Son Pty Ltd. Its medals ceased being artistically significant, although remained technically sound. It began to focus on mass-produced medals at competitive prices, rapidly produced with insufficient time to develop artistic designs.
In 1935 the business moved to Albert Street, Brunswick, and in 1962 Stokes became a public company, renamed Stokes (Australasia) Pty Ltd. By 2005, the business had relocated to Ringwood.
From https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2475

Stokes & Son Pty Ltd

H9799 Respirator, with face mask, canister, container and haversack, anti-gas, metal / glass / canvas / rubber, Willow Ware Australia Pty Ltd / Stokes & Sons, Australia, 1942

Respirators

Masklike devices worn to protect against noxious gases, fumes, etc., as in warfare or in certain industries, the air inhaled by the wearer being filtered through charcoal and chemicals.

POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Anti-gas respirator set

Object No. H9799

Summary

Physical Description

DIMENSIONS

Height

Width

SOURCE

Acquisition Date