Legacy had its origins in the aftermath of the first World War. General Sir John Gellibrand in 1923 in Hobart established the Remembrance Club which was to assist returned soldiers. He convinced Stanley Savige a returned soldier who had served with Gellibrand to set up a similar group in Melbourne. The Melbourne group was established at Anzac House shortly after. Initially looking to the needs of returned soldiers, by 1925 they had included the care of deceased soldiers’ widows and children a task which continues to the present day. It is an entirely honorary organization. It lists among its objectives as doing all for the children which the father would have been glad to see done for them. The Warrnambool club was founded in 1947 and this booklet lists the office bearers as Chas Watts, I Buzzard, D B de Beaurepaire, A K Browne R Potter, N K Morris, P H Allen, W J Tolmie, J Paterson, b C Stronach, L G Stevens, T b Patrick, R S Robinson, J O Tait. The Warrnambool region covered from Port Campbell north to Pormborneit, through Darlington and Woorndoo and across to Broadwater and Codrington and Port Fairy in the west. In 1947 they had 200 wards under their care. This booklet has as its centre pages two photographs depicting children and adults and the captions to raise £10000 towards their work and also to build a holiday camp on beach frontage already approved by the Warrnambool City Council.This booklet has historical and social significance as it shows the endeavor of the people of the district to care for those affected by war, in the district and records the names of the first people involved in working with Legacy in Warrnambool .Dark cream coloured soft card cover with brown text. Title is in larger text with the Legacy emblem in the centre of the front cover. The back cover has the poem, Flanders Field and the legacy response. Eight pages which has text and some photographs. A list of Warrnambool office bearers is on the inside back cover. *Printers Geelong. Issued by Warrnambool Legacy. warrnambool, warrnambool legacy warrnambool legacy 1947

A letter from Legatee Meldrum recalling memories about Legatee Stan Savige. It is addressed to Legatee Kemsley who was on the archive committee at the time. Legatee Meldrum was a dentist and Stan was a patient of his. During a visit there was a discussion that Meldrum could help convince Sir John Monash to be President of Legacy as he used to play tennis with his son-in-law. It goes on the recount how Sir John suggested the role to Harold Cohen. Part of what was written: 'I did speak to Sir John the next Sunday. He was very interested but said he just could not take the office because his hands were so full with Yallourn. He said "Don't worry, let me give you some advice. If ever you want a job - a good job - done go to a busy man." Later as I was leaving Sir John called me into his study and said "I took my own advice today and asked a very busy man to take on the job you asked me to do. You know Harold Cohen because you always sit at his table at the Club. Well I've told him I would like him to think about taking the Chairmanship. Now it's up to you. Arrange for Savige and others to meet him". Which I did. Being originally a 6th Brigader I knew nearly everyone interested and I had known Pip Powell for six years before the war. I did attend a committee meeting just before the first luncheon at Stan's invitation but had not formally joined. I did attend the first luncheon at Anzac House and joined Legacy then.'A record of a Legatee recalling the events about the start of Legacy.White paper note dated 1 October 1976 from Legatee Meldrum about Stan Savige.stan savige, frank meldrum, sir john monash

A brochure explaining 'A brief account of its ideals and work' in 1928. The notation H4 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. The brochure lays out the history of the young organisation, it has 146 members in 1927, and clubs had started in state capital and Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo. Members were all men who had served in the forces of the British Empire during the war. It shows the work of Legacy as : Junior Legacy Club - for sons (aged 9 to 21) of deceased soldiers. Members of the Legacy Club were in constant touch and acted as Big Brothers. Boys' Literary and Debating Branch - approximately 80 boys attended weekly meetings of a debating society at Anzac House. Boys' Physical Training Branch - for the boys physical welfare classes and conducted weekly by a permanent instructor (paid by Legacy). There were 161 boys attending. Also cricket, football, Lacrosse and swimming clubs, all supervised and coached. A holiday camp is held each Christmas at the seaside- 67 attended the previous year at Balnarring (led by Stan Savige). Girls' Physical Training Branch - started in 1927 and now over 120 girls were being instructed by Mrs AM Gilles (the wife of a Legatee). Lending Library of over 400 books. Vocational placements for junior legatees. Meetings were held in the Victoria Coffee Palace at 1pm on Tuesdays and included a half hour lecture. The policy and objectives were laid out including to preserve the memory of fallen comrades and to assist their dependents, particularly the children. Also to maintain a spirit of comradeship, and to safeguard the good standing and interests of ex-service men in the community and to assist the the to secure suitable employment. The brochure shows activities as: Employment Committee, Comradeship Committee, a pledge to assist the National War Memorial being established on the Domain site, and for the children the 'Deceased Soldiers' Children's Welfare Committee. A schedule of Boys' and Girls' Classes is included to show the options for the children. Also picnics, Christmas camp, cycle club, and rambles as arranged. There is help for vocational options for the children. See also 01480 for a copy from 1930.This is one of the first documents that promotes Legacy and summarises its objective and services. Brochure describing the ideal and activities of the Legacy Club in 1928.Handwritten H4 in red pen.legacy promotion, history, goals, objectives

A brochure explaining 'A brief account of its ideals and work' in 1930. The notation H4 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. The brochure mentions clubs had started in the Federal and state capitals, and Geelong, Ararat, Ballarat, Fremantle, Ipswich and Bendigo. Members were all men who had served in the forces of the British Empire during the war. It shows the work of Legacy as : Junior Legacy Club - which had been running for 5 years, for sons (aged 9 to 21) of deceased soldiers. Members of the Legacy Club were in constant touch and acted as Big Brothers. Boys' Literary and Debating Branch - approximately 95 boys attended weekly meetings of a debating society at Anzac House. Boys' Physical Training Branch - for the boys physical welfare classes and conducted weekly by a permanent instructor (paid by Legacy). There were 270 boys attending. Also cricket, football, Lacrosse and swimming clubs, all supervised and coached. 'A permanent camp has been erected at Balnarring East, and this is occupied by the boys at the Christmas vacation under the control of Legatee Stan Savige, and the girls at Easter, with Mrs Gilles in charge. The value of these camps in enabling Junior Legatees to become better acquainted and in the development of character and the Legacy spirit cannot be overestimated'. Girls' Physical Training Branch - started in 1927 and now over 200 girls were being instructed by Mrs AM Gilles (the wife of a Legatee). Lending Library of over 600 books. Vocational placements for junior legatees. Meetings were held in the Victoria Palace Hotel, Little Collins St, on Tuesdays and included an informative lecture. The policy and objectives were laid out including to preserve the memory of fallen comrades and to assist their dependents, particularly the children. Also to maintain a spirit of comradeship, and to safeguard the good standing and interests of ex-servicemen in the community. The brochure shows activities as: Employment Committee, Comradeship Committee, a pledge to assist the National War Memorial being established on the Domain site, and for the children the 'Deceased Soldiers' Children's Welfare Committee. Also picnics, Christmas camp, cycle club, and rambles as arranged. There is help for vocational options for the children. It is mentioned during 1930 which consisted of 'a hospital ward, mess room seating 80, a kitchen and storeroom. Also tent frames and necessary offices are provided and the total value of the building and equipment owned by the Club is our £600.' See also 01478 for a copy from 1928.This is one of the first documents that promotes Legacy and summarises its objective and services. Brochure describing the ideal and activities of the Legacy Club in 1930.Handwritten H4 in red pen.legacy promotion, history, goals, objectives

An article from the Bulletin including the text an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley at a Legacy event on 4 October 1977. He discusses the beginnings of Legacy. He starts with Legatee Savige's tip to Hobart and Sir John Gellibrand's Remembrance Club. Then a meeting of the 24th Battalion at Phair's Hotel in 1923 and the men there agreeing to start a similar club, he mentions Sandy Lowe as a member at the meeting in 1977 that was at the initial meeting in 1923. He also mentions other at that initial meeting were Savige, Frank Selleck, Ted Pittard, Bob Irving, and 'Babe' Norman. He relates the approach made to Sir John Monash to be the first president. It was when Savige was in Frank Meldrum's dentist chair that the plan was hatched for Meldrum, (who was playing tennis with Monash's son-in-law, Gershon Bennett), to approach Monash to be president. It shows the nature of relations between high ranking ex servicemen. Instead Monash suggested Colonel Harold Cohen. Initially Legacy was founded with 'one person from each profession or business who will represent that profession until such time as the Club has established itself on a wider basis.' For example there were 'two solicitors - Downing and Armstrong, Meldrum as dentist, George Worboys as plumber, Dr Gardener as the eye specialist, Doolan and Goodchild as Surveyors, Fred Wickham of the Premier's department who was regarded as very important, Baker from Myer's Emporium, Joynt from the printing world and Blackett the architect.' He also mentions a Police Strike and General Monash set up a special constabulary force. Cohen, Kemsley and many of the early legatees answered the call to help keep peace. By December 1923 there were 54 members of the new Legacy club. The name was under consideration as the Tasmanian club was called Remembrance Club. Pip Powell nominated the name of Legacy to be submitted for consideration, but it was Frank Selleck who moved the formal resolution. The speech mentions that Sir Gellibrand was appointed Patron of Legacy and later Monash and Sir Harry Chauvel were chosen. Frank Doolan posed the question 'what does Legacy really mean?' and focus changed toward widows and children. Citing some slightly different dates to those in a later speech about the start of Legacy (at 02029) he says it was July 1926 that they met with widows and a couple of weeks later 142 boys were to attend Anzac House for a Literary and Debating class. Ballarat and Geelong had formed clubs by 1925 and Legatee Hilmer Smith was transferred with his work to Sydney and started a Legacy Club there in 1926. The first Conference was held in November 1926. The first Government House Christmas party for children was held in 1926, when the Governor General of Australia was still residing there. His final words were about his war experiences and relates a speech made by Legatee Brian Armstrong on 28th February 1961 (02502) that also spoke of the area around the Pozieres Windmill that was part of the battle of the Somme in July/August 1916, where so many of the early legatees fought.. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of a speech made by Legatee Kem Kemsley a past president of Legacy about events in the early days of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Photocopy of 5 pages from Bulletin on an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley in 1977.Bulletin 4.10.77. Page No 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.past presidents, speech, foundation day, kem kemsley, sir john monash, pozieres, somme

Photos of wreaths at the old war memorial after an Anzac Day service. A war memorial/Cenotaph to the 1914-1918 war was originally erected in Spring Street outside the Victorian Parliament. It was a flimsy half-sized replica of the London Symbol of Remembrance in Whitehall built of timber and fibro cement and was only meant to be temporary. Anzac Day services were held at this memorial in the 1920s and early 1930s. These photos were taken before the Shrine of Remembrance was erected and dedicated in 1934 as the National War Memorial of Victoria. It is possible that the stamp on the reverse, '4 24', means April 1924, also see a similar photo at 01371. Items were in an envelope with other photos and programmes from different School Student ceremonies. Labelled S15 in red pen it was part of an old archive numbering system (S=Shrine), that showed there has been efforts in the past to collect, order and save items of Legacy's history. From articles in Trove: The temporary cenotaph was the original first world war memorial until the Shrine of Remembrance was dedicated in 1937. The cenotaph was a half size replica of the London Symbol of Remembrance in Whitehall. It was made from timber and plaster and was initially meant to only last for the 1926 Anzac day service and be removed. With annual upkeep it remained until at least 1934 when ex-service men proceeded from the incomplete Shrine to the cenotaph on the steps of Parliament House on Anzac day.A record of an Anzac Day ceremony at the old temporary war memorial in Spring Street.Black and white photo x 3 of wreaths laid on ANZAC Day at the old First World War memorial in Spring Street.Stamped with a round stamp 'Printed by Harringtons" in grey ink, stamped '4 24' in blue ink. Handwritten 'ANZAC DAY' in blue pen on one photo.anzac day, wreath laying ceremony

A newspaper photo of returned servicemen and nurses marching past the original First World War memorial during an Anzac Day march in 1928. It was published as a centre page spread on 5 May 1928 in the The Weekly Times. '25,000 Returned Soldiers, Headed By Their Leader, Sir John Monash, Marched Past The Cenotaph On Anzac Day.' A war memorial to the 1914-1918 war was originally erected in Spring Street outside the Victorian Parliament Building (at that time it was the being used by the Australian Federal Parliament, from 1901-1927 when it moved to Canberra). Anzac Day services were held at this memorial in the 1920s and early 1930s. Items were in an envelope with other photos and programmes from different items relating to the Shrine of Remembrance - including discussions on its location and design. Labelled 'Shrine of Remembrance S1 - S14' it was part of an old archive numbering system (S=Shrine), that showed there has been efforts in the past to collect, order and save items of Legacy's history. From articles in Trove: The temporary cenotaph was the original first world war memorial until the Shrine of Remembrance was dedicated in 1937. The cenotaph was a half size replica of the London Symbol of Remembrance in Whitehall. It was made from timber and plaster and was initially meant to only last for the 1926 Anzac day service and be removed. With annual upkeep it remained until at least 1934 when ex-service men proceeded from the incomplete Shrine to the cenotaph on the steps of Parliament House on Anzac day.A record of an Anzac Day ceremony at the old First World War memorial in Spring Street in 1928. Not many photos are available of the original memorial. The size of the march past (reported as 25,000 soldiers) points to the enormous number of Victorians who served in the First World War. Black and white newspaper article about ANZAC Day at the old First World War memorial in Spring Street in 1928.Title: '25,000 Returned Soldiers, Headed By Their Leader, Sir John Monash, Marched Past The Cenotaph On Anzac Day.' Caption: " Scene at Parliament House, Melbourne, where the Governor, Lord Somers, took the salute, as returned Soldiers and Nurses passed, on they way to the Commemorative Service at the Exhibition.'anzac day, wreath laying ceremony

Gwendoline (Gwenda) Grace Watson Davies, only daughter of Mr. William Watson Davies and Mrs. Grace Davies (nee Hayes) of Arthur Street, Eltham was born in Newport, 18 February 1908. Gwenda grew up in Arthur Street and when she left school she was employed as an officer at the State Bank of Victoria, Chief Accountants Department, Head Office, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. During 1933-1934 in her early to mid-twenties, Gwenda wrote a series of poems which were captured in three books: one a leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover and two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon. These poems are a reflection of her childhood days, home, her mother, her environment, pioneering days and other miscellaneous subjects including one example titled “EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY”, an homage to the brave men of Gallipoli. On October 20, 1937 after ten years of service, Gwenda submitted her letter of resignation effective November 26th as she was to be married in the near future to Fred Jones. Frederick Geoffrey Jones, born 7 January 1911, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones of Napoleon Street, Eltham, married Gwenda at the Eltham Methodist Church on 27 November 1937. They made their home at ‘Llangollen’, Arthur Street, Eltham, a new house Fred had constructed earlier that year opposite the Shire Offices. Their residence was recorded in the Electoral Rolls from 1963-1980 as 6 Arthur Street, Eltham which was situated on the corner of Arthur Street and present-day Commercial Place. In the 1970s their home was sold and demolished to make way for the new shops. They built a new home at the top of the hill in Bible Street. In the Electoral Rolls for 1943-1980, Frederick’s occupation was recorded as a Plumber’s Assistant. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Eltham Cemetery Trust. He was first appointed 26 April 1944 and resigned 17 July 1957 to be appointed to the Warringal and Eltham Joint Trust where he served till February 1980. He then re-joined the Eltham Cemetery Trust and served a further 14 years till his resignation on 24 August 1994. In total, Fred represented the interests of Eltham Cemetery for 50 years (1944-1994). Gwenda and Fred were blessed with a son, Frederick William Jones in March 1942. Sadly, Frederick only lived two days and was buried at Eltham Cemetery on March 11. It is not known whether his grave is marked. A second son, Geoffrey Morris Jones arrived 25 November 1944 but he sadly contracted polio as a child. A fall down the front steps of Fred and Gwenda’s new home in Bible Street culminated in Geoff’s death from a heart attack whilst in transit to the Austin Hospital on February 6, 1979, at age 34. He was also interred in the Eltham Cemetery. Geoff was posthumously awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to fire safety at the CFA. A small man, handicapped from his childhood polio, he had figured prominently in the area as an active Apex member and as group officer for the 13 local brigades in the CFA Lower Yarra Group. His work for the CFA, all voluntary, included writing a fire-fighting manual and the innovation of aerial fire spotting and weekly fire reports. Gwendoline and Fred were presented with Geoff’s B.EM. award at Government House. Four years later on the anniversary of Geoff’s death, Gwenda could not sleep and collapsed in the hallway at home from a heart attack, 6 February 1983 at age 74. She was interred with her son Geoff, at Eltham Cemetery on February 9th. Fred died 31 July 1997 at age 86 and was also interred at Eltham Cemetery. A memorial plaque to Gwenda, Fred and Geoff lies within the lawn cemetery at Eltham Cemetery. In February 2022 Gwenda’s book of Poems along with a copy of her letter of resignation from the State Bank of Victoria and a news clipping about the Autumn Show held in the Public Hall at Eltham (opposite her home with Fred) in which Gwenda is listed as having entered Cream Puffs and a Swiss Roll into the Cooking section, were donated to the St Vincent’s de Paul Society in Bega, N.S.W.. A dedicated volunteer there researched their origins and desirous for these items to return ‘home’, posted them to the Eltham District Historical Society for which we are most appreciative. EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY “Tell me why you’re dreaming, Daddy” Said my little son to me, So, I told him all about it, As he sat upon my knee. I told him of that Sunday morn, ‘Twas eighteen years to-day, When the men of Australasia, Joined the mighty fray. How they landed on that foreign shore, And fought the gallant fight, Of how they nobly won the day, And put the Turks to flight. We saw the cliffs before us, To be scaled ‘mid shot and shell, And our comrades fell around us - - - - I remember it - - - so well. There are some who’ll sleep forever, On a hill that’s called Lone Pine, And the twenty-fifth of April, Is famous for all time. And so to keep their memory green, We march each Anzac Day, To pay tribute to those Heroes, Who gave their lives that day. - Anzac Day 1933 And in reflections to Gwenda’s childhood home in Arthur Street: HOME Where do my thoughts ever wander? Where do my thoughts always roam? To a little old house, on the top of a hill, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home.” No matter where-ever I travel, On land, or away on the foam. My thoughts will return, and my heart ever yearn, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home”. - 2/7/1933 Sources: Book of Poems, G. Davies Letter of Resignation, 1937, Oct. 20, G.G.W. Davies Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria New House at Eltham (1937, September 10). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56845735 Family Notices (1937, December 17). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 3. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56846386 Geoff Jones, Proud Memory, unknown newspaper clipping, 1979 1979 Birthday Honours, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Birthday_Honours Australian Electoral Rolls, Ancestry.com Family Trees, Ancestry.com Eltham Cemetery, Deceased Search findagrave.com Personal recollections, Joan Castledine The poetry by Gwendoline Davies provides an insight into life growing up in Eltham and the early 1930s. A long time resident, Gwendoline, her husband Fred Jones and son Geoff Jones were fully dedicated to the Eltham community for over 50 years.1. Brown leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover 20.5 x 14.5 cm, Walkers Loose Leaf Book, pages typed with some pasted in colour illustrations, alphabeticised dividers (some tabs missing), 21 leafs (some blank) 2. Two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon 15.5 x 12 cm, typed, some with colour illustrations, pages numbered (rh only) 12 pages and 25 pages and paper cover 3. Newspaper clipping 4. Letter sized hand written page in ink folded in three and damaged by foxing and insectsanzac day, arthur street, napoleon street, cfa, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, frederick geoffrey jones, geoffrey morris jones b.e.m., grace davies (nee hayes), gwendoline grace watson jones (nee davies), llangollen, lower yarra group, poems, william watson davies

Franics Read known as Jock, was a life time resident of Eltham. He served in the Navy in WW2. He was well loved as a long time school crossing supervisor and member of EDHS with a remarkable memory of his life's experiences. Contents 1. In Memory of "Jock" Francis Percival Read 11.09.1915 - 22.12.2010; Funeral Service Booklet (3 copies), A4 card folded. Held at St Margaret's Anglican Church, Pitt Street, Eltham, Friday 7th January 2011 at 11:00 AM 2. News clippings - Clip Clop Lollipop!, Diamond Valley News, 14 Dec 1976, p1 - Jock Read with horse, Smokey, Diamond Valley News, 1978 - School Crossing Supervisor Jock Read with horse, Lofty, Diamond Valley News, 1982 - Families shed a tear for Tackey, Diamond Valley News, 23 Apr 1985 - For fallen friends, Diamond Valley News, 16 Nov 1992 - Lollipop man calls it a day, c.1996 - Local digger leads the march, Nillumbik Mail, 3 May 2000, p5 also “Our Anzacs remembered” - Rain holds off for people's march through memories, c.2001 - For Sale; 52-54 Henry Street, Eltham, Barry Plant Real Estate, The Weekly Review, 14 Mar 2002 - Wartime's memories of mates. Photo "Jock Read stands proud in front of the Australian flag in his front yard", Diamond Valley Leader, 19 Apr 2006, p1 - Keeping the Anzac spirit alive, Diamond Valley Leader, 19 Apr 2006, p10 - Meaningful life well lived by Jim Connor, Diamond Valley Leader, 16 Feb 2011, p25 3. Draft of obituary by Jim Connor published in Diamond Valley Leader 16 Feb 2011 4. Jock Read Memorial notes 5. Jock Read Distinguished Life Member, Eltham District Historical Society 6. Distinguished Life Member presentation to Jock Read by Eltham District Historical Society at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 7. Photographs (qty 3) 10 x 15 cm of Jock Read at the Distinguished Life Member presentation by Eltham District Historical Society members at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 (Photographer possibly Jim Connor) 8. Photographs (qty 9) printed on 3 sheets of A4 photo paper of Jock Read at the Distinguished Life Member presentation by Eltham District Historical Society members at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 (Photographer unknown) 9. Transcript of audio tape recorded by Peter Bassett-Smith with Jock Read at the old Police Residence, 728 Main Road, Eltham during Heritage Week display, 28 Apr 1990 10. Transcript of audio tape recorded by Denis Ward of Old characters and other folk around Eltham: a chat with Jock Read and Doug Orford at Eltham District Historical Society meeting held 10 May 2000 11. Interpretative transcript of audio tape EDHS_01636 Jock Read Tape 1 – 2002 12. Transcript of audio tape Main Road Eltham: a chat with Jock Read and Doug Orford at Eltham District Historical Society meeting held 10 Sep 2002 13. Baker's Run - List of names and deliveries forming Jock Read's Baker's run and discussed at meeting held 10 Sep 2002 15. Jock Read - when asked what he used to do around about 14. Nillumbik Council Item; Jock Read Eulogy 16. Photocopy of photo: Wedding Party; Jock Read and Beryl Olivia Burgess, St Katherine's Church, St Helena 17. Celebration of the life of Beryl Olivia Read nee Burgess 1 December 1924 - 17 July 2008harry gilham collection, jock read, frances percival read, 728 main road, alison delaney, bakers delivery run, blacksmith, building industry, david johns, diana bassett-smith, doug orford, funeral service, gwen orford, harry gilham, henry street, heritage week, i remember (poem), industry, jim connor, lofty (horse), matlock police (tv show), peter bassett-smith, russell yeoman, shamus (horse), smokey (horse), sue law, tackey (horse), wally, eulogy

Following the landing of Australian & New Zealand troops, the Anzacs, at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, casualties mounted rapidly and were initially transported to their base in Egypt, which was soon unable to cope, with wounded being sent to England. Here the troops found that there was no Australian base to which they could report once they had been discharged from hospital; what was needed urgently was a base in England where troops could be sent to convalesce. So on 31st May 1915 a command depot was set up at Monte Video House in Chickerell, some two miles from Weymouth. Weymouth then became the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) Command Depot No.2 which accommodated those men not expected to be fit for duty within six months, therefore, most of the Diggers repatriated as a result of wounds or sickness passed through Weymouth. During the years 1915-1919 over 120,000 Australian and New Zealand troops passed through Weymouth. In Spring & Summer, Weymouth Esplanade would be full of Anzac soldiers in wheelchairs, being wheeled along by their more able mates. The first contingent of 200 wounded men arrived in the first week of June 1915, and two weeks later a group of local ladies organised a cream tea for the newcomers, followed by a concert party 'The Frolics' at the camp. So began the close connection that was to grow between the soldiers and the villagers of Chickerell. The ANZAC Memorial on Weymouth seafront commemorates the Australian and New Zealand troops who were accommodated in three camps in the town during WW1: Monte Video, Westham and Littlemoor. In Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Cemetery there are about eighty-six graves of those Anzacs who were never to return to their homelands. Also in memory of these troops, there a number of roads close to the camps named after Australian cities and states.A World War 1 Letter Card sent home by Australian troops repatriated in Weymouth, UK containing images of Weymouth and a picture of the Australian Base Camp.Front cover (see image) Souvenir Letter Card of Weymouth Inside are eight pictures of the Weymouth area including the YMCA Hut - Australian Base Campymca, uk, australian base camp, world war 1, ww1, aif, army, australian army, westham, littemoor, weymouth, melcombe regis cemetery, anzac

Con Kroker CollectionBlack & white photo. Part of the Memorial Triangle floral display for Anzac Day. The words "ANZAC & LEST WE FORGET" are formed with flowers arranged on the lawn in front of them memorial. Old Town Hall in background.

Con Kroker CollectionBlack & white photo, part of the floral display at the Memorial Triangle, for Anzac Day. This photo is taken from an elevated position. A cross union jack with 1914-18 underneath, Australian Flag with 1939--45 underneath & rising sun emblem, formed from flowers arranged on the lawn. Memorial on right. Old Town Hall & Portland Bowling Club at rear.