Brett and Burley Family records

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1913. His address at the front of the volume is: Commercial Hotel, Longreach. It describes his life as a mechanic and driver.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1914. His address at the front of the volume is: Box 56 Longreach. It describes his life as a mechanic and driver.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1915, and early 1916, during which time he was serving with the 25th Infantry Battalion. In the front pocket are 6 receipts variously dated from 1915 and an invitation to his brother Leslie's wedding.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1916. It records his service in the 25th Infantry Battalion in Egypt and France and his return to Australia. The diary is missing its cover.

Brown, cloth-covered diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1917. His address at the front of the volume is: Vanda Station, Torrens Creek. He describes his life working on Vanda and Lammermoor Stations in the Hughendon district.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1918. It records his re-enlistment in Brisbane, where he was employed at 7B Area Office, and later in Townsville following the armistice.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1919. His address at the front of the volume is: Wantley Street, Warwick. The first part of the year is spent in Townsville, before he is assigned to Warwick Area Office.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1920. His address at the front of the volume is: Warwick. It describes his work with the Area Office, and his wedding to Edna Sams in April.

Edna Isabel Sams (1892-1975)

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1921. He describes his activities as a driver and mechanic, his application to join the Flying Corps, and the birth of his son Robert in April.

Included in front of the diary is a leaflet referring to Bert Hinkler and the Avro Baby G-EACQ aircraft.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1927. It describes his work as a garage proprietor and mechanic at Brett's Garage, Warwick. The first half of the diary is missing.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1928. There is a note in front of diary 'a rotten year'. He describes his life in Warwick, closing Brett's Garage, and his first solo flight as a pilot.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1929. He describes his work as a motor & aircraft mechanic, and the task of seeking alternative employment.

Leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1931. He describes his activities as a pilot and mechanic for Queensland Air Navigation, at Eagle Farm and joy flights at Archerfield aerodromes.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1932. The address on the front of the volume is c/o Queensland Aero Club, Brisbane. He describes his activities as mechanic, instructor and aircraft pilot.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1933. The address on the front of the volume is: Killarney Street, Yeronga, Brisbane. He describes his activities as pilot and instructor in Brisbane, then as pilot for QANTAS.

Red leather diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1934. He describes his activities as pilot for QANTAS and Holdens' Air Transport in North Queensland and New Guinea.

Brown leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1935. It is inscribed in the front 'To Dad from Robert wishing him a happy 1935'. He describes his activities as a pilot for Holdens' Air Transport, Kingsford Smith Airways, Reliable Air Services & McDonald Air Services in New Guinea and Queensland.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1936. He describes his activities as pilot for McDonald Air Services & Butlers Air Transport, Queensland.

Blue leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1937. He describes his activities as pilot for Butlers Air Transport, Queensland and New South Wales.

Blue leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1938. He describes activities as pilot for Butlers Air Transport, Queensland and New South Wales.

Green leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1943. His address at the front of the volume is: 'Beaufort' Wingarra Street, Yeerongpilly, Brisbane. He describes his activities with the Volunteer Defence Corps during the Second World War, at Nambour, Chermside and Southport.

Leather bound diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1944. His address at the front of the volume is: 'Beaufort' Wingarra Street, Yeerongpilly, Brisbane. He has been discharged from the Volunteer Defence Corps, due to deteriorating eye sight and later joins Aircraft Pty Ltd as mechanic.

Diary kept by Cyril Brett for the year 1946, which includes loose pages for 6 June - 7 July 1945. It describes his journey to Mount Lonsdale Station, near Mitchell western Queensland, and his daily life as the station manager until July 1946.

Cyril Brett's pilot log book recording flights completed, type of craft flown and number of passengers carried, between 28 October 1927 and 21 July 1932. The log book includes loose notes.

Cyril Brett's pilot log book recording flights completed, type of craft flown, number of passengers carried, between 21 July 1932 and 24 September 1934. The log book includes loose notes.

Cyril Brett's pilot log book recording flights completed, type of craft flown and number of passengers carried, between 4 May 1935 and 23 June 1939. The log book includes loose notes relating to significant events.

Cyril Brett's pilot log book recording flights completed, type of craft flown and number of passengers carried, between 24 June 1939 and 4 July 1940.

Pilot's certificate and licence issued to R.C.P. Brett at Melbourne, 25 November 1930, valid until November 1936.

Ground engineers of aircraft licence issued to R.C.P. Brett at Melbourne, 16 October 1930, reissued 1947 & 1949.

Blue cloth covered photograph album containing postcard sized images of  scenes and activities in Rockhampton, Darr River Downs, Longreach, Fitzroy River, many images have been annotated with handwritten captions.

Photographs relating to the service of Cyril Brett, 25th Infantry Battalion while at the training camp, Enoggera, Brisbane.

Photographs relating to the service of Cyril Brett, 25th Infantry Battalion. Images include the wharves at Pinkenba, embarkation of and troops on board HMAT Aeneas, camp at Sydney Showgrounds and surrounds.

Photographs relating to the service of Cyril Brett, 25th Infantry Battalion. Images include arrival at Port Suez, camp at Heliopolis, Choubrah Hospital, The Pyramids and the city of Cairo.

Photographs relating to the service of Cyril Brett, 25th Infantry Battalion.

Images include views of dugouts, Russells Top, Walkers Ridge, and mule transport on Gallipoli; troops on Lemnos Island.

Green cloth covered photograph album containing approx. 85 images relating to Cyril Brett's service during the First World War with the 25th Infantry Battalion.

Images depict training camps in Brisbane, embarkation from Pinkenba wharf, life on board HMAT Aeneas, camp at Cairo. Many images have handwritten captions. The album includes a small Australian flag.

Photographs relating to the service of Cyril Brett, 25th Infantry Battalion. Images include servicemen visiting Colombo enroute to Australia, family groups and patriotic carnivals in Queensland.

Album of photographs, predominantly of family members, some relating to the First World War, many pages unfilled.

The album includes loose items housed in a separate envelope.

Green cloth covered photograph album containing postcard sized images of Longreach, Lammermoor Station, Isis Downs, Barcaldine and Hughenden, many images are annotated with handwritten captions.

Green cloth covered photograph album containing postcard sized images of Rockhampton, Warwick, Longreach, Barcaldine and Darr River Downs, many images have handwritten captions.

Photograph album, cover missing, containing approx. 170 images, many relating to Cyril Brett's service with the 25th Infantry Battalion during the First World War.

Also included are early images of Warwick, Longreach and family outings.

Approx. 43 loose photographs depicting early scenes in Brisbane city, Brisbane river and surrounds, during the 1920s.

Approx. 72 loose photographs of aircraft, hangars, and other associated activities, 1920s-1930s.

9 loose photographs of aircraft and aircraft maintenance.

34 loose photographs of aircraft, hangars and views from the air, c1920-1930.

10 photographs relating to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, to Warwick, in 1927

Approx. 66 loose photographs, depicting aerial views of a wool shed at Tinnenburra, Hunter Valley, Toowoomba, Goolburra, Barrengun, c1930-1940.

Folder of approx.170 loose photographs depicting vintage cars, Brett's Garage in Warwick, car rallies and exhibitions.

Folder of 7 mounted images including William Rudd, 1914; Longreach, 1914; as well as group and family photographs.

Folder of approx. 77 loose photographs of people and places of Rockhampton and Longreach.

Approx.106 loose photographs relating to and of Cunningham's Gap, Queensland.

Approx.146 loose photographs of family, friends and related activities.

String bound photograph album containing images of Brett family and friends.

Two loose pages from a photograph album containing 16 miscellaneous images.

Newspaper clippings relating to Warwick, Cunningham's Gap and Spicer's Gap, Queensland.

Pamphlet titled: 'Pioneers of Queensland', published by the Bank of New South Wales, c1961.

Miscellaneous photocopied papers relating to the Brett / Brabazon / Palmer / Burley family history.

Field service postcard dated 2 June 1915 from Leslie Brett on active service, to his mother Matilda Brett, New Farm, Brisbane.

Entry ticket to Zoological Gardens, London, 1914

Two railway tickets issued by the Alexandria & Ramleh Railway Co Ltd, for use in Alexandria, Egypt, 1915

Black postcard 'Anzac, Gallipoli', unsent.

Subscription card for the Returned Sailors & Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia belonging to R.C.P. Brett.

Military greeting card for Xmas 1917 from Leslie Brett to his mother Matilda Brett. It includes a poem entitled 'Coo-ee' and a sketch of a light horseman and his mount by W. Otho Hewett.

Postcard to Mrs Matilda Brett, Brisbane from Rev. George Green, Red Sea, wishing her a happy new year.

He writes "I'm having the time of my life. Its great. Ive been with Victorians for 2 months. May see your boys next. Christmas at Cairo. A happy New Year to you"

Postcard to Matilda Brett, Brisbane from Rev. George Green, Heliopolis, Egypt.

He writes "Your boy has had slight measles but is well again now & quite fit. Don’t see much of your other sons. We expect to move from here to the dickens knows where in a few days."

Postcard to C.P. Brett, c/o Gore & Co. Goondiwindi from Con, Honolulu.

Postcard to R.C.P. Brett, c/o Gore & Co. Goondiwindi from Con, Honolulu.

Envelope addressed to Sergeant R.C. Brett, returned to Australia - Dead Letter Office, Brisbane.

Three newspaper clippings relating to Leslie and Basil Brett's service during the First World War.

Copy of letter from Leslie Brett, to his mother Matilda, thanking her for sending him a balaclava.

Copy of cable from Leslie Brett, in Melbourne to his mother Matilda Brett, Brisbane, advising of his current address.

Copy of letter from Leslie Brett, at sea on the troopship the 'Star of England', to his mother Matilda Brett, in Brisbane. He relates the daily routine on board the troopship.

Letter from Cyril Brett, Longreach to his mother Matilda Brett, Brisbane. He has to date refrained from enlisting, but there is less work about.

Copy of letter from Leslie Brett, Alexandria, Egypt to his mother Matilda Brett in Brisbane. He describes the voyage over, they are waiting to disembark and entrain for camp at Maadi.

Copy of letter from Leslie Brett, Maadi, Egypt to his mother Matilda, in Brisbane. He describes the conditions in camp and his experiences of Egypt.

Letter from Basil Brett, Cairo, to his father Arthur Brett, Brisbane. He describes being under fire at Gallipoli.

Letter from Cyril Brett, Gallipoli to his mother Matilda, Brisbane. He has seen his brother Leslie who is looking well, but not Basil. Winter is coming, they are not looking forward to the cold weather.

Letter from Cyril Brett, Polygon Camp, Heliopolis, Egypt, to his mother Matilda Brett, Brisbane. He has heard that his brother Basil is alright again. He is enjoying Cairo while he recuperates.

Letter from Cyril Brett, Heliopolis Camp, Egypt to his mother Matilda Brett in Brisbane. Since leaving hospital he has visited the Pyramids, and is trying to get back to his old Battalion.

Letter from Cyril Brett, at sea on board SS Franconia to his mother Matilda Brett, in Brisbane. He is on his way back to join the 25th Infantry Battalion.

Letter from Cyril Brett, Gallipoli, to his mother Matilda Brett in Brisbane. He wishes everyone a merry Xmas, there are many rumours of peace, they continue to snipe at the Turks.

Letter from Cyril Brett, France to his mother Matilda Brett, Brisbane. He explains how he lost his rank whilst being in hospital in Egypt and is currently platoon sergeant.

Copy of letter from Beta Richardson, London to Matilda Brett, Brisbane. She relates the circumstances of Basil Brett's recommendation and subsequent Mention in Despatches.