A.W.M Staiger (England) papers, 1914, 1922, ca. 1940

MLMSS 9326/Box 1X

fonds

1914, 1922, ca. 1940

1060954

0.36 metres of textual material (1 box)

Augustus William Miskin Staiger (1877-1968) was born in Fairview House, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane Queensland. He changed his surname to England in 1917 as evidenced by his letter dated 6 November 1922.

A.W.M Staiger (England) changed his surname on the Electoral role during World War I. He also ensured that during the 1940s his business would not be affected by people presuming he was not of English origin by displaying the window shop sign.

Poster entitled `The Proprietor of this establishment is a British subject’. E.V. Brown : Melbourne, ca. 1940

The poster was produced by Edward V. Brown (Printer and rubber stamp manufacturer whose shop was located at 97 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne from 1936-1947. The sign refers to the time before Australian citizenship was introduced in 1949 when residents were considered British or non-British subjects – Museum Victoria.

It was likely used by Mr Staiger (England) during World War II as a window shop sign to diffuse any ill feeling towards him as a presumed `enemy alien’ who appeared to be of German origin.


Letters (2) addressed to A.W.M England in South Brisbane written for a Swiss electroplater in Sydney, 9th and 15th March 1914.

Copy of a letter from A.W.M England to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, South Brisbane advising them of his name change in 1917, 6 November 1922.

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