Showing 75 items
matching battle honour
-
Wangaratta High School
Dead Man's Penny, 1919
A commemorative medal given to the next of kin to a deceased soldier in WWI. Colloquially known as a dead man's penny. Pte. Christopher F. Willcox was killed in the fist battle of the Somme in France on the 28th of July 1916 aged 21.Round metal single sided plaque depicting a helmeted man holding laurel wreath and a trident standing in front of a lion. Also includes the scroll with a coat of arms and a commemorative letter.HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR CHRISTOPHER FRANKLIN WILCOX -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection
Work on paper - watercolour, John C. Paul, Adam Lindsay Gordon cottage c. 1870, 1973
The famous Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833-1870) lodged for seventeen months in this cottage, located at 10 Lewis Street, Brighton. He and his wife Margaret lived here from 1869 until Gordon took his life on the Brighton foreshore in June 1970. Adam Gordon Lindsay was the first Australian poet to gain considerable recognition overseas and has been credited for beginning a national school of Australian poetry. His poetry reflected his love of the bush, a sense of humour, but also his battle with depression. In addition to being a poet, Lindsay was also a skilled horseman, police officer and politician. In 1946, the cottage at 10 Lewis Street was demolished. Local poet Mr Cyril Good, an ardent admirer of Adam Lindsay Gordon, purchased the bricks from the cottage which he carefully numbered and stored for a number of decades, in the hope that it would one day be re-erected in Gordon’s honour. John C. Paul, Adam Lindsay Gordon cottage c. 1870 1973, watercolour, 27.8 x 42.3 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Purchased 1974.brighton, john c paul, historic house, adam lindsay gordon, poet, lewis street, politician -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Beersheba Day 1992
On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of Lieutenant General J Gray inspecting Honour Guard, AWM Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992awm, gray, robertson, beersheba -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Beersheba Day 1992
On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of VMR Squadron Honour Guard on Beersheba Day parade , Australian War memorial, 31 October 1992.awm, vmr, beersheba day, robertson -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Beersheba Day 1992
On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photo of Honour Guard marching at Australian War Memorial, Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992. awm, vmr, parade, beersheba day, robertson -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Beersheba Day 1992
On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of Honour Guard drawn for VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse dressing ranks at Australian War Memorial, Beersheba Day 31 October 1992.beersheba day, awm, vmr, parade -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Print - Honour Roll, c2002
A listing by name of the 521 Australian Soldiers killed whist In Service; the recognition of those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice is the cornerstone of The Ode which is recited at all formal gathering of Vietnam Veterans.A reverent recollection of those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice even if the individual has no personal knowledge of those who died.Rectangular Honour Roll of the 521 Australian soldiers killed while In Service; picture embedded onto the Honour Roll of an assembly of soldiers at the Long Tan Cross, Vietnam.A brief description of the Battle of Long Tan is underneath the picture of the Long Tan Cross; names of all 521 Australian soldiers killed whilst In Service makes up the Honour Roll.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Speeches delivered at the dinner to honour Legatee Stan Savige, 1939
Speeches printed after a dinner to honour Legatee Stan Savige. The dinner on Saturday 4 November 1939 was held to celebrate Brigadier Savige's appointment to Command the 17th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, 2nd AIF. The speeches were given by Legatee Eric Russell as Legacy President in 1939, Sir John Gellibrand and a response by Stan Savige. The introduction by Legatee Russell mentions that Legacy Patron, Sir John Gellibrand 'had the inspiration which caused the Legacy movement' and Stan Savige was revered as the Founder of Legacy. Savige's response includes that he received the inspiration from Gellibrand in a letter (not as is commonly related that he visited Hobart). Savige's subsequent exploits in WWII are detailed in Chapter 4 of 'There goes a man' by W.B. Russell, which chronicles not only battles fought but also the politics which blighted his command until the end of the war.An important link to Legatee Stan Savige, the founder of Legacy as well as the famous soldier, at a watershed moment in his life.Cream booklet x 2 copies of speeches at a dinner held for Stan Savige in 1939.stan savige, speeches, legatee function, dinner -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Menu card, Dinner to honour Legatee Stan Savige, 1939
The dinner on Saturday 4 November 1939 was held to celebrate Brigadier Savige's appointment to Command the 17th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, 2nd AIF. The menu is included and the order of service with speeches by Sir John Gellibrand and a response by Stan Savige. A copy of both are also in the archive. There are five quotes through menu that sum up common sentiments of Stan Savige. Including 'Leave it to me and my little playmate'; 'This is the tamest fight I've seen - let's liven it up'; 'The only "experience" is trust in God then trial and error.' Savige's subsequent exploits in WWII are detailed in Chapter 4 of 'There goes a man' by W.B. Russell, which chronicles not only battles fought but also the politics which blighted his command until the end of the war. An important link to Legatee Stan Savige, the founder of Legacy as well as the famous soldier, at a watershed moment in his life.Cream card with red medal ribbon insert, brown print of a menu and programme to farewell Stan Savige in 1939.Signed in pencil by Stan Savige.stan savige, legatee function, dinner -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Certificate - Captain Kenneth Mortimer, D. W. Paterson Co. Pty. Ltd. Print, 1918
Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer was born in Leneva, Wodonga, Victoria on 9 October 1895. He attended school in Wangaratta before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1913. Along with the rest of his class, he graduated in June 1915. Mortimer was appointed as a Lieutenant with the 29th Battalion on 1 July 1915. He embarked with Headquarters Staff, 29th Battalion, from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ascanuis (A11) on 10 November 1915. Whilst training in Egypt in February 1916, he was promoted to Captain. He was in command of a company of the 29th Battalion at Fromelles, Armentieres, France in July 1916. and was reported missing, presumed killed in action on 20 July 1916, aged 20 years. Mortimer’s remains were buried along with those of hundreds of others in a mass grave near Pheasant Wood, close to the battlefield. This mass grave was rediscovered in 2008. After extensive research and DNA testing, the remains of Captain Mortimer were finally identified in April 2018. He was buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Fromelles and his grave rededicated on July 19, 2018, 102 years after his death. A memorial tablet was erected to his memory at St Luke’s Church in Wodonga. Honour Certificates WW1 - From 1915 onwards, recruits in many shires and towns in eastern Australia were honoured by local government authorities. A common form of recognition was the award of honour certificates. The first honour certificates were presented in 1915 and 1916 to men who had yet to leave Australia. The designers and publishing companies solicited business directly from councils. Publishers began to print two different types of certificates: honour certificates to thank soldiers who had survived and memorial certificates to commemorate the dead. D.W. Paterson, a Melbourne publishing firm, claimed they had supplied certificates to over 150 cities and shires in Victoria and New South Wales, including the Shire of Wodonga. Paterson also had the widest range of designs The certificate signified that the officials of the community recognised and shared the family's pride and grief. In the earliest designs, the legend "Australia's sons answered the call" appears below the shield. This was replaced with "For Liberty/ ANZACs/ For Justice". After the United States entered the war in April 1917, the design was reworked to include the US flag. Its presence in this certificate dates its publication as late 1917. The certificate was signed by S. T Parker, Shire President and R. H. Murphy, Council Secretary on 4th August 1918. Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer was born in Leneva, Wodonga and enlisted in the AIF after training at Duntroon. He fought and died at the Battle of Fromelles, France which was the first major engagement of the AIF on the Western Front. Along with hundreds of other Australian soldiers his remains were only identified in 2018, more than 100 years after the battle.Coloured certificate presented to the family of Captain K Mortimer by Wodonga Shire Council.29th battalion, mortimer, leneva, fromelles, aif, wodonga shire, honour certificates ww1 -
Woodend RSL
Uniform - Shirt, 1981
... who received battle honour for his service in Timor ...This shirt was owned by Matthew Calvitto. Matthew moved to Woodend with his family at the age of one. He commenced his career in the 56th Battalion Army Reserve unit. In 1999 or early 2000 he volunteered to join the regular Army. He was posted to the 6th Royal Australian Army Regiment, D company. His initial training was at either Shaulwater Bay or Conundra. After his training he served for 6 months in Timor, in either the second or third rotation. Matthew and the other members of the D Company received battle honours. Matthew was their forward scout, as well as a marksman, which you need to qualify for every year.As an item that belonged to Matthew Calvitto, a local Woodend veteran who received battle honour for his service in Timor, this shirt has social and historic significance. The provenance of the item is know as it was donated by family members. The item is also represenantive of a type of military shirt that was issued to Army personnel during the late 20th century. The item is also in very good condition. Khaki short sleeved shirt with a short pointed collar and two front chest pockets. Each pocket is fastened with one semi opaque beige plastic button. There are seven identical buttons that fasten the front of the shirt. Each shoulder has an epoulette that fastens with one of these plastic buttons near the neck. yellow D company 6th royal australian regiment. red a collectors item infantry or military police or 4th battalion, blue 1 royal victorian regiment.matthew calvitto, calvitto, woodend, 56th battalion, 6th royal australian army regiment, d company, timor, marksman -
Woodend RSL
Shirt, 1982
... who received battle honour for his service in Timor ...This shirt was owned by Matthew Calvitto. Matthew moved to Woodend with his family at the age of one. He commenced his career in the 56th Battalion Army Reserve unit. In 1999 or early 2000 he volunteered to join the regular Army. He was posted to the 6th Royal Australian Army Regiment, D company. His initial training was at either Shaulwater Bay or Conundra. After his training he served for 6 months in Timor, in either the second or third rotation. Matthew and the other members of the D Company received battle honours. Matthew was their forward scout, as well as a marksman, which you need to qualify for every year.As an item that belonged to Matthew Calvitto, a local Woodend veteran who received battle honour for his service in Timor, this shirt has social and historic significance. The provenance of the item is know as it was donated by family members. The item is also represenantive of a type of military shirt that was issued to Army personnel during the late 20th century. The item is also in very good condition. Khaki short sleeved shirt with a short pointed collar and two front chest pockets. Each pocket is fastened with one semi opaque beige plastic button. There are seven identical buttons that fasten the front of the shirt. Each shoulder has an epoulette that fastens with one of these plastic buttons near the neck. yellow D company 6th royal australian regiment. red a collectors item infantry or military police or 4th battalion, blue 1 royal victorian regiment.matthew calvitto, calvitto, woodend, 56th battalion, 6th royal australian army regiment, d company, timor, marksman -
Woodend RSL
Trousers
... who received battle honour for his service in Timor ...These trousers were owned by Matthew Calvitto. Matthew moved to Woodend with his family at the age of one. He commenced his career in the 56th Battalion Army Reserve unit. In 1999 or early 2000 he volunteered to join the regular Army. He was posted to the 6th Royal Australian Army Regiment, D company. His initial training was at either Shaulwater Bay or Conundra. After his training he served for 6 months in Timor, in either the second or third rotation. Matthew and the other members of the D Company received battle honours. Matthew was their forward scout, as well as a marksman, which you need to qualify for every year.As an item that belonged to Matthew Calvitto, a local Woodend veteran who received battle honour for his service in Timor, these trousers have social and historic significance. The provenance of the item is know as it was donated by family members. The item is also represenantive of a type of military shirt that was issued to Army personnel during the late 20th century. The item is also in very good condition. matthew calvitto, calvitto, woodend, 56th battalion, 6th royal australian army regiment, d company, timor, marksman -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Speech, Commemorative Address - Sir Stanley Savige K.B.E. Federal Conference of Legacy Clubs, Canberra, 10/1954
After the death of Stan Savige this address was given at the Canberra Conference in October 1954. It is tribute to his life. Sir Stanley Savige KBE : Commemorative Address Federal Conference of Legacy Clubs, Canberra : October 1954. On the 15th of May this year Legacy learned to its enduring sorrow of the death of its Founder, Lieut. General Stanley George Savige KBE, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, ED, for more than 30 years affectionately known to us all as Legatee Stan Savige. He was the embodiment of all those things for which Legacy stands, and each one of us who knew him and worked with him feels a great and abiding sense of personal loss. It is proper, therefore, that those of us at this Conference, the first after his passing, representative of Legacy throughout the Commonwealth, and comprising so many who were his friends, so many who knew the depth of his love for Legacy, should acknowledge our debt to our Founder and ensure, so far as we may, that the inspiration of his life and work in this Cause shall not be lost to those who follow after. It was not ordained that Stanley George Savige - should enjoy a long life, but it was to prove a life of outstanding service. Born at Morwell in Victoria some 63 years ago, he received with his brothers and sisters such education as was then available to a lad in a mining district. He had no particular opportunities of advancement, but from his early days he cherished a strong ambition to make a success of his life, and with this in view he lost no opportunity of adding to his knowledge. Always a lover of the open country, a good bushman and a fine shot, he became as a young man, a Scoutmaster with a keen following of boys. Even in those early days he attracted youth and showed undoubted promise of the quality of leadership which later was to make him famous. Opportunity came with the first World War, and he took his place as a private soldier in the original 24th Battalion AIF. Followed Gallipoli and Anzac where his marksmanship and bush craft stood him in good stead. Conscious that his early training was not sufficient to secure the promotion he desired, he set himself to enlarge it. Only a man of fine fibre and rare determination could apply himself to study on that war torn Peninsula, where our men, hitherto untested, suffered every known hardship and no man knew, from hour to hour, whether he would survive. But Savige achieved it. Himself then a Corporal he found another Corporal who was a former Schoolmaster and learned from him all that he had to teach. Savige was on his way. He was commissioned on the Field and allotted the heroic task of leading the last party off that desperate coast during the famous evacuation. In France he became the Adjutant of his Battalion and one of the best known officers in the 6th Brigade. He won the Military Cross and was mentioned in despatches. Early in 1918 he received a signal distinction, He was included in a small but distinguished band of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers from the British and Dominion Forces most carefully selected for individual courage and proved qualities of leadership, and was sent to Persia, under the command of Major-General Dunsterville, Kipling’s famous Stalky, to assist and mobilise the friendly tribes with a view to protecting the road to India, left wide open by the withdrawal of Russia. The story of the Dunsterforce, its suffering and achievements in the face of incredible hardships and difficulties, was later to be told by Savige in his book “Stalky’s Forlorn Hope”. He emerged, finally, unscathed, despite his active participation in several of the bloodiest battles of all time, with the rank of Captain and a DSO and MC to his credit, to say nothing of three mentions in despatches. In later years, further decorations were to be conferred upon him, but I believe he valued none of these so highly as his awards for outstanding personal bravery won in the Field when he was an Officer of comparatively junior rank. Such was the man who in August 1923, at the instance of his former Commander, Major-General Sir John Gellibrand, gathered around him a handful of men who had fought and laughed with him over four well remembered years. This small band adopted the name of “Legacy”, but its purpose then was, in the main, to assist in safeguarding the interests of ex-servicemen in this country. Worthy although the case undoubtedly was, the conception and ideal which was to distinguish Legacy from all kindred post-war movements did not emerge until two years later. The torch had not been lit. Legacy had not yet found its soul. What has been achieved since then is known to you all. The Legacy ideal, unique in its conception, with no known counterpart elsewhere, is now accepted, welcomed and honoured throughout the Commonwealth and abroad. But in those early days the achievements of our Founder in the face of all manner of difficulties and frustrations are worthy of our lasting memory and thankfulness. As the source of every river lies in the hills, so must the inspiration from which stems a great conceptions of service to one’s fellow men be lofty and above reproach. Savige was the embodiment of this new expression of comradeship, as he was the central figure and driving force of the little group that sponsored it. But for his zeal, his faith and determination, it is likely that the flame, newly kindled, might have flickered and died. The idea of men returned from active service pledging for the sake of their former comradeship, their personal assistance to the widows, and above all, to the children of those who had fought beside them and paid the full price of War, was so completely new and unexpected that it was by no means readily accepted. There were no funds, no precedents to guide the new adventurers, only the clear bright flame of an ideal just envisaged, and the conviction that the Cause was unassailable. Nor were there lacking many who said that the community held no place for Legacy, that it was born of sentiment only, and would quickly pass. The scoffers are gone and one since forgotten, but the torch remains and burns brighter than ever. Down the years of Legacy there are many names deserving of honour, men from all States and all stations of life, but no name stands out in such clear and bold relief as does the name of our Founder. By his works you shall know him. He was, in truth, the Soul of Legacy. He sought no office and preferred to work as one of the team. Six years went by before he accepted the Presidency of Melbourne Club, and then only because his fellows would book no further delay. “The Spirit of Legacy is Service” - so runs the Charter, and that was Savige’s Creed. By virtue of his attainments he was called upon to take a leading part in the administration of Legacy, first within his own club and later, as Chairman of the Co-ordinating Council of Legacy in Australia. But always it was the essentially human character of the work which enthralled and upheld him, and the tasks which gave him most joy were those which brought him into close personal contact with the youngsters and their home life. Like their elders they recognised his goodwill and his leadership and responded to it. It was Savige who made possible the first camps held for the boys and girls by Melbourne Club. These were erected on his own seaside property, and were originally conducted under his personal direction and largely with the aid of funds he had collected. There was hardly an important post in his own Club that Savige did not at some time occupy and adorn. He was happiest in the company of those men with whom he had served in the field, and cherished always the comradeship born of active service which is of the essence of Legacy. He was a man of strong convictions but attentive always to another’s point of view. As a Legatee he played a leading part in bringing hope and encouragement to many a mother on whom the whole responsibility of a young family had been suddenly and tragically laid; in the attainment of the ambitions of many an orphan child, which not so long since had seemed to him or her to be mere dreams, impossible of realisation. Comfort for the bereaved, new hope for the children’s physical and educational welfare, assistance with the home, aid for the sick, money for the needy and a new courage to face a future that hitherto had held no promise, all these facets of Legacy endeavour combine to present a living and enduring memorial to the man we honour as our Founder today. Between the two World Wars in addition to establishing himself successfully in civilian life and answering the constant calls of Legacy on his energy and time, Savige maintained an active association with the Army. He was convinced that a Second AIF would one day be urgently called upon, and as a Battalion Commander he spared no effort to train the Officers under his charge during the uneasy years of peace for the trial that he felt must come. These men have all subsequently had distinguished military careers, their names are well known and many of the serve in Legacy today. When the second crisis came, Savige himself was one of the first to offer, and although his youth was spent, he proudly carried the number VX13 throughout the terrible years that followed. This time he was to command, first the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade in the first action of the Second AIF against the enemy at Barida, and subsequently at Tobruk and Derna - all famous names now. It was his patrols which gave the warning - unheeded at the time - that Rommel’s reinforcements were reaching North Africa far earlier than was expected. Then followed the grim days of Greece and Crete when the fine qualities of his leadership were put to the utmost test. I have been told by those who were closest to him it was typical of Savige that when his convoys were on the move back and were being blasted from the air by the unopposed Luftwaffe, he should sit by the side of the open road, wearing his red banded cap, to steady the morale of men who had then no chance of hitting back at the enemy. Unorthodox no doubt, but here was a man indeed. Throughout the whole campaign and later when he commended the 3rd division in New Guinea and later still when with the rank of Lieutenant-General he became a Corps Commander in New Guinea and Bouganville, it was at all times characteristic of him that he should see for himself the situation in the forward areas. He dealt personally with his subordinate commanders whenever it was possible to do so. No one says his G.S.O. 1. understood better than he did the importance of front line troops seeing their G.O.C. frequently, and knowing that he was aware of and prepared to share their hardships and dangers. He took many risks that he should not have taken, exhausted himself physically and mentally times without number, and considered himself not at all in order to secure the success of his operations. Finally, in Bouganville, he brought his campaign to a victorious conclusion and accepted the personal surrender of the Japanese Commander. Savige is known as one of Australia’s most human military leaders, but let no one believe that he did not ask and receive the utmost of his men. He trained them in a hard school but he was ever conscious of their needs and observant and thoughtful of their welfare. Fearless and untiring under conditions which brought younger men down, he asked nothing that he was not himself prepared to give and do. The close of the Second World War left him with the same brave heart; but a vitality greatly impaired. He was called up again and again to perform important national tasks, notably that of Co-ordinator of Demobilisation and Dispersal. But his interest in Legacy never flagged it was in fact more personal than ever, for under his command many junior legatees, sons of former comrades had proved themselves worthy of their Fathers in war and in peace. In the bearing and achievements of the young men of the Second A.I.F. he took a particular and justifiable pride. He applied himself to the Extension of Legacy to areas where it had not previously been practicable to operate. His record of service and close personal contact with the men of both wars made him a most welcome pioneer and many new Clubs and Groups resulted from his efforts. He founded, and I doubt whether any one else could have done so, the Club in the great Capital of our Empire. His reputation and obvious sincerity surmounted obstacles that might well have daunted lesser man. Legacy’s debt to him visibly increased. But he was ever a simple man, with a great love and understanding of his fellow men and a true Legatee at heart. Much that he did will never be known or recognised, save by those who benefitted. His service in Legacy ranged from the humble kitchen of cottage and farm to our representation in Westminster Abbey itself. A knighthood set the seal upon an outstanding career. None the less when upon the death of Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey, Lieut. General Sir Stanley Savige became the Patron of the Melbourne Club, he retained at his own express desire, the title of Legatee Savige, and when on that final day we bade him farewell, when the Flags he had served so well were lowered and the guns which had formed a grim final salute, it was apparent to all who had eyes to see that this great and simple man had won such a place in the hearts and affection of his fellow country men as is given to few men indeed. From the packed Cathedral, escorted by his fellow Generals, followed by men of his own Units, by Legatees and a great company of others who had cause to honour and esteem him, he made his last journey. But that is not the end. His voice and presence are lost to us but his memory and inspiration must ever remain. As he has bequeathed to the National War Memorial yonder his diaries, records and battle plans, so he has bequeathed to us his fellow Legatees his greatest achievement and his trust, Legacy itself. Never was the Torch passed by worthier hands. Now it is ours to hold it high. Whatever material memorial the future many hold for him, Legacy owes its Founder a livelier recompense. It is within our power to implement what I believe to be his greatest wish, that Legacy and its ideal of comradeship and service shall flourish and endure. Let each one of us then resolve that we shall, within our Clubs, in all tasks to which we are assigned, both great and small, keep in our minds the life and spirit of Stanley George Savige, so that we may be proud at all times to say of Legacy to those who follow after - “If you would see his memorial - Look around you”.The tribute to Stanley Savige shows how greatly he was regarded by the Legatees.Off white quarto paper with black type, address given about Stan Savige to the Canberra Conference, x 12 pages.savige, speech, obituary -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Menu card, Dinner to honour Legatee Stan Savige, 1939
The dinner on Saturday 4 November 1939 was held to celebrate Brigadier Savige's appointment to Command the 17th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, 2nd AIF. The menu is included and the order of service with speeches by Sir John Gellibrand and a response by Stan Savige. A copy of both are also in the archive. There are five quotes through menu that sum up common sentiments of Stan Savige. Including 'Leave it to me and my little playmate'; 'This is the tamest fight I've seen - let's liven it up'; 'The only "experience" is trust in God then trial and error.' Savige's subsequent exploits in WWII are detailed in Chapter 4 of 'There goes a man' by W.B. Russell, which chronicles not only battles fought but also the politics which blighted his command until the end of the war. An important link to Legatee Stan Savige, the founder of Legacy as well as the famous soldier, at a watershed moment in his life.Cream card with red medal ribbon insert, brown print of a menu and programme to farewell Stan Savige in 1939.Signed in pencil by Stan Savige.stan savige, legatee function, dinner