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A man and two boys riding in a miniature train in a backyard. Two men are standing behind and a shed is visible to the left. This photograph shows a miniature train ride for the 'Bomb Children of Britain' charity, Sandringham, circa 1943. The three men riding the train are unidentified but the man behind on the left is Robert Edwards, who built the train. The man on the right is his father in law, 'Grandpa' Fraser. The miniature train rides were a charity event organised by Robert and Madge Edwards, over 1943 and 1944. Children would exchange a toy for a train ride, and the toys were collected for 'The Bomb Children of Britain' charity during World War II. The miniature train was a replica of a particular steam train. The track of the train was in the shape of an oval and ran around a quarter acre in the backyard at the Edwards home. It ran over a little bridge and through some bushes which had been trimmed into a tunnel. Born in England in 1901, Robert Edwards came to Australia in his early 20s. He married Mary 'Madge' Cecilia Stewart Fraser. After spending a little time in Tasmania he settled in Sandringham and Dandenong in Victoria. He worked for Nettlefolds, an engineering company, even though he was of independent means. His work included model making, photography and made components. This image also shows the shed in which he constructed the train. He had a medal lathe shed and a wood lathe shed.

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