A book highlighting the history of the sheepskin Digger’s vest – which resulted in their reproduction by Mortels Sheepskin Factory in Thornton – will be launched on Wednesday.
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The book called Men in Sheep’s Clothing: the History of the Digger’s Vest, will be launched at Newcastle Regional Museum.
It is the work of military historian John Gillam, and teacher and social historian Yvonne Fletcher.
The two collaborated with Tony and Stephanie Mortel to have the Digger’s vest reproduced at Mortels Sheepskin Factory.
Examples of these reproductions are displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Anzac Memorial in Sydney, the Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton and the Newcastle Regional Museum.
The coffee-table book documents a great but forgotten Australian story of innovative design and mass manufacturing, Mr Gillam said.
“More importantly, it documents the story of incredible community fundraising for the first Australian-made sheepskin product gifted by the people of Australia to their World War I soldiers,” he said.
Apart from saving many lives in the severe winters in Palestine, France and Belgium, the vests gave birth to a new Australian sheepskin industry and by 1916, 75,510 waist coats and 61,193 inner soles had been sent to soldiers at the front.
n The book can be ordered at Newcastle Regional Museum, Mortels Sheepskin Factory and the Raymond Terrace Historical Society.