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Collection of 41 personal items belonging to Captain Robert McKilliam

Date1861 - 1934

Object numberANMS0228

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Laurence and Robert D McKilliam

Terms

DescriptionThis collection of 41 personal items belonged to Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam. The series consists of one cash account for Mary H McKilliam, Scotland; one Birth certificate of Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam; two calling and two greeting cards; two Wills for Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam and one Will for Mary Helen McKilliam; four postcards sent to Captain McKilliam; one newspaper clipping; two marriage certificates; 25 letters and 19 envelopes addressed to Robert McKilliam from family and friends. The collection spans the period 1861 – 1954.HistoryScottish-born Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam served in the Aberdeen White Star Line between 1876 and 1908. A native of Aberdeen, he was apprenticed at 14. He served under famous clipper captains like Robert Kemball and on famous clippers like THERMOPYLAE and SALAMIS, mostly in the Britain-to-Australia service. He also served in the modern steamers of the day. After 32 years he retired from the sea and soon after, in 1910, he married. In 1913 he brought his family to live in Sydney. Appointed Assistant Manager of Darling Island Wharf, he worked as a superintendent stevedore in Sydney from World War One up to the Great Depression. He died at his home in North Sydney in 1934.