Major Ralph Bernard Randell papers, 1870-1995

MLMSS 8456/Boxes 1-7
MLMSS 8456/Box 8X

fonds

1870-1995

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Cartographic Materials, Objects, Clippings, Ephemera, Photographs, Posters

153034

1.63 metres of textual material (7 boxes, 1 outsize box)

Ralph Bernard Randell (1892-1995) was the youngest son of George Randall and Eliza (nee Jackson). His eldest brother was George, his next brother was Otto, and his sister was Flora. Another brother died as an infant.

During World War I, Randell served with the 1st AIF - in the 7th Australian Light Horse in Palestine. In 1918 was sent to train with the Australian Flying Corps at Oxford. After the war, Prime Minister Billy Hughes sent him to the United States to investigate the dehydration of fruit and vegetables.

Randell joined with Rupert Mitford in the first scheme to bring potato chips to Australia, in a venture named 'Oddie's Tasty Taters'. When this was unsuccessful, Randell started discounting shirts with the name of Wilkes Todhunter. This venture was a success and his company was listed on the Stock Exchange and sold in World War II when Ralph rejoined the army.

Mining ventures from the mid 1930s with Wallace Smith were also successful, with their company being the first to pipe natural gas in Australia.

In 1932 he married Gwen (nee McLean). They had no children of their own, but were legal guardians of Otto's grandchildren, following the death of their parents.

The Randell name is also referred to as Randall throughout the collection.

Reference:
Compiled from the collection
Library correspondence file
'Centenarian with flair for adventure', The Australian, 10 March 1995, p. 28

BOX 1
Correspondence mainly between Ralph Randall and Gwen, including letters from before they were married (many letters undated), invitations, black and white photographs, 1873-1947

BOX 2
Folder 1
Letters and papers of Eliza Randall, including sketch map of Australia, pressed flowers, a knitting pattern, recipes, poems, newspaper clippings, visiting cards, and Christmas cards, 1870-1933

Folder 2
Diary of Roy Treloar and explanatory note, 1919; booklet on Antarctic Ocean Kelp; Randell Places: a guide to places of significance for William Beavis Randell and his family; restricted directory of geographic place names in the Southwest Pacific area ..., 1943; restricted military telephone directory, 1944; maps of London, Broken Bay, and New York

Folder 3
Locking of the Darling River (Reports, plans, &c.), New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1890

Folder 4
Department of Defence Co-ordination, letters from Miss B. Hayden Smith to Ralph Randell, Australian Military Liaison Officer to USASOS, September 1943-June 1944

Folder 5
Papers on McLean family genealogy, including family trees, family history, school certificates, photographs, copies of birth certificates etc., and newspaper clippings, 1919-1994

BOX 3
Folder 1
Papers including letters, telegrams, postcards, newspaper clippings, magazines, brochures, cruise ship memorabilia, 1918-1970

Folder 2
Cards, newspaper clippings, and copies of telegrams congratulating Ralph on his 100th birthday, 1992

Folder 3
Letters and cards of condolence to Gwen following the death of Ralph, newspaper clippings and obituary, and copies of funeral sermon, 1995

Album 1
Ralph Randell's trip from Sydney to London on the S.S. Ceramic, being mainly photographs of tourist attractions, harbours, and on the ship, 1924

Album 2
Ralph and Gwen's world tour, being mainly postcards and photographs of Gwen and Ralph, monuments, tourist attractions, architecture, etc., 1935

BOX 4
Folder 1
Papers relating to Otto Randell and his business, being a clipping from the Johnstone River Advocate, pay slip, and copy of letter from Otto to Flora, 1891-1911

Folder 2
Copy of the Randell & Shannon Pacific Review, volume 1, issue 1; Randell & Shannon letterhead, 1915

Folder 3
Papers relating to World War I, including Christmas card from the Australian Flying Corps, memorial program, letters, pay book, etc.; and World War I photographs from Palestine, 1916-1918

Folder 4
Publications, newspaper clippings, letters, relating to food dehydration, Randell Dehydration Company, Wilkes Todhunter, and advertisement for Oddy's Tasty Taters, 1912-1947

Folder 5
Certificate of discharge and flier for the Volumnia, 1924

Folder 6
Papers, newspaper clippings, letters, magazines, catalogues, and advertising for Wilkes Todhunter, 1929-1950

Folder 7
Letters, maps, magazines, company publications including annual reports concerning Roma Oilfields, 1948-1981

Folder 8
Photographs of Roma Oilfields, ca. 1922-1937

BOX 5
Bound report on the South Alligator River Uranium Field, Northern Territory, including photographs attached, 1957

Folder 1
Papers and photograph relating to Zircon Rutile, 1952-1976

Folder 2
Papers and letters relating to Uranium mining in the Northern Territory, 1954-1966

Folder 3
Papers, letters, photograph relating to Chatswood Arcade, 1971

Folder 4
Letter to George Randell from his mother, and cross-stitch in memory of Robert Jackson, ca. 1896

Folder 5
Papers relating to 'Angry Australian', including essays written by students at the King's School, 1970-1974

Folder 6
Papers and map relating to factories in Canberra, 1971-1985

Album
Postcards and Christmas cards addressed to Flora Randell, ca. 1904-1913

BOX 6
One small framed photograph; box of coloured slides

Album of photographs of friends and family members, 1916-1988

Boxed memorial book from the funeral of Ralph Randell, 19 February 1995

Folder 1
Demobilization procedure book, soldier's record of service book, and photographs mainly from New Guinea during World War II, 1941-1945

Folder 2
Passport of Ralph Randell, photographs of friends, family members, houses, artworks, etc., ca. 1875-1993

BOX 7
Realia
Box containing postage and airmail stamps; wall hanging from Niagara Falls; 3 boxes of playing cards; cigarette case; piece of quartz [?]; empty match box; Red Tulip marzipan rum prunes box; wooden box containing ticket, buttons, and stones

BOX 8X
Named photograph of the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force, 9 June 1916

Poster showing the military uniforms of different countries

Cards of Ralph Randell: Medicare, Veterans' Affairs personal treatment entitlement card, membership of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, membership card of the Australian Society of Authors, World War I Veteran's free pass for travel, ca. 1986-1995

Stationery set, also containing part of a mounted black and white photograph

Indexed map of Northern Territory / H.E.C. Robinson [no date]

Hand coloured map of Associated Australian Oilfields: Roma Authority to Prospect [Geological compilation to accompany bi-annual report for period April-October 1954] / Geology by J. E. Glover

Copyright status:: In copyright
Out of copyright: Photographs created before 1955
Research & study copies allowed:
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2011-2012