.1) We Remember The Home Guard. Hard cover, khaki buckram with dust cover, black / white print. Colour illustration of a man in Local Defence Volunteers uniform alongside a dog. 245 pages. .2) We Remember The Battle of Britain. Hard cover, blue buckram with dust cover, black / white print. Colour illustration of a military aircraft. 231 pages. .3) We Remember The Blitz. Hard cover, red buckram with dust cover, black / white print. Colour illustration of a blitz scene, burning buildings with 4 men in silhouette. 275 pages. .4) We Remember D Day. Hard cover, brown buckram with dust cover, black / white print. Colour illustration of a beach scene battle with landing barge in the foreground. 289 pages. .1) - .4) Pages, cut, plain, white, illustrated with black white photos. End papers are illustrated black / white images from a newspaper. .4) Handwritten inscription title page: “These books were produced on the 50th Anniversary of the major events of WWII” Handwritten in blue ink title page: “All Best Wishes Frank Shaw, J Shaw” book, we remember, 50th anniversary

Photograph belonged to Gerald Graham No. R53703 RAN. Rank Mechanician 2nd Class. HMAS SYDNEY 14-08-65 - 20-10-65 HMAS SYDNEY 22-04-66 - 18-05-66 HMAS SYDNEY 25-05-66 - 11-06-66 Troop Transports to Vietnam and return.Photograph - photographic paper, enlarged colour photograph of an RAN vessel - number "21" painted on ship bridge of an aircraft carrier - "HMAS MELBOURNE". Sea in foreground, sky in background. Mount - dark blue colour cardboard. Frame - timber with light brown varnish and decorative moulding. Glass front and MDF Board with brown paper backing.framed accessories, photographs, ran, hmas melbourne

Item in the collection of Gilbert John Mitchell (Jack) Pre WW2 Jack had service for a brief time in the 38th BN Bendigo No 447203. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31.1.1942 No 410686 age 20 years. Embarked for England on 6.1.1943 for further Training. Posted to 166 Sqd RAF Wellington Bombers then posted Operational to No 466 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Heavy Bombers. On 18.7.1944 he and his crew in MZ313 were on a mission to attack Railway Sidings at Vaires. This was new Aircraft on 11.6.1944. They were hit by Anti Aircraft shells exploding in the fuselage. The Bomb Aimer Flt/Lt Finley advised the crew to leave by parachute as it was possible the craft could disintegrate. The Pilot Officer R.J. Evans decided to try and get the aircraft back to England, once there they abandoned the craft which was seen to disintegrate in mid air. Both were awarded the DFC. Jack was taken POW and sent to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth on the Baltic Sea for Allied Airmen. The Crew were; Roger John Evans No 410202, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. Peter Hamiliton Finley No 412294, enlisted 22.6.1941 age 22 years. L.C. Abbott, British/Allied. G.J. Mitchell, POW. Keith Mossman Tranent POW, No 426402, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. J.P.T. Finn RAF (Paddy) T.W. Wild British/Allied. On 30.4.1945 The Germans vacated the Camp Jack was in and 2 days later the Russians released them and he was placed in a British Hospital weighing 6 stone. He arrived home in Sept 1945. He stayed in the RAAF No 033130 and served in No 35 Sqd flying VIPs. He was in the Berlin Airlift 1948 - 1949, he also went on exchange with the RAF and flew in No's 24 & 511 Sqd's one a transport the other VIP transport. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Flt/Lt on 6.7.1956 in No 11 Sqd. "Maunder and Sheean". In the article Jacks says that Lofty Maunder always had a joke etc when near the target to settle everyone down. The crew of Halifax LV875 were shot down by a Night Fighter near the target "Terngier" north of Paris 0n 11.4.1944. There was 157 Halifax's on the raid with 10 being lost. The Crew were; John Henry Maunder No 412562, Navigator, enlisted 19.7.1941 age 19 years 10 months. Brian Leo Sheean, No 409855, Wireless Operator, enlisted 1.10.1941 age 18 years. Research shows there were at least 3 more of the Crew KIA. Cecil John Bond No 420433, Pilot, enlisted 8.11.1941 age 19 years 11 months. John Neville Keys No 426112, Bomb Aimer, enlisted 23.5.1942 age 19 years 6 months. Clifford Young Warren No 427047, Rear Gunner, enlisted 26.4.1942 age 19 years 3 months. J.A. White, Flight Engineer, British/Allied. D.K. Messenger, Mid Upper Gunner, British/Allied. Newspaper article Herald Sun 19.4.2002, copy. Article re Jack Mitchell. The article has 6 photo insets 3 of Jack, 2 show Airmen beside an aircraft. The one with 2 Aircrew is "Lofty" Maunder and Jack. The article is mostly about "Maunder and Brian Sheean" mates of Jack. The inset photo of a women in uniform is believed to be "Maunders" English wife who he had married previously. Maunder and Sheean were KIA. "FLY THE FLAG FOR A MATE"newspaper, article, 466 sqd

Items in the collection re "Jack Mitchell". It is not sure if .1) was taken before the Mission. As per .2) The target was Berlin on 21.1.1944. There was 769 Aircraft on the mission which included 264 Halifax's of which 22 were lost. The Crew; Roger John Evans No 410202, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. (refer Cat No 7467) John Henry Maunder No 412562, Flt/Sgt, (refer Cat No 7467) Jack Mitchell, Flt/Sgt, (refer Cat No 7467) F. Greenwood Sgt British RAF. Sidney Robert McDonald No 413239, P/O, enlisted16.8.1941 age 19 years 3 months. Keith Mossman Tranent No 426402, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. (refer Cat No 7467) Patrick John Bourke No 426822, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 11.8.1942 age 21 years. (Later KIA on 11.4.1944, craft No HX274) Black & white photographs laminated. .1) Day light photo shows 7 Aircrew standing beside a Halifax Bomber before take off. .2) Night time photo showing 7 Aircrew standing beside a Halifax Bomber on return from a mission..1) "Jack Evans Flt/Sgt DFC, Jack Maunder Flt/Sgt KIA, Jack Mitchell Flt/Sgt POW, Frank Greenwood Sgt RAF, Bob McDonald Flt/Sgt, Keith Tranent Flt/Sgt POW, Pat Bourke Flt/Sgt KIA". .2) "Back from a raid on Berlin 21.1.1944. Same names but in a different order"photographs, 466, raaf, berlin

Item in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for his service details. Jack as per rear, front row 3rd from the left.Photo B & W Laminated showing a 2 engine aircraft with a large group of RAAF Aircrew, 1 row standing, 1 row sitting with a sign in front.On sign, "RAAF Squadron Berlin Airlift 14.9.48 - 29.8.49 - sorties 2002 - pounds carried ......... - flown ........ - passengers carried 6964". On rear, "RAAF Berlin Airlift - Squadron Lubeck Germany - Jack Mitchell - 3rd from left bottom row".photographs, berlin, raaf squadron, airlift

Refer Cat No. 7503, 7504, 7505, 4 book collection.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard, with red colour buckram cover, gold print on spine and embossed illustrations on front cover depicting map, aircraft and tank. End papers - illustrated, sepia tones artwork with aircraft and landscape battle scene. 255 pages - cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated in black and white photographs, maps and battle diagrams. Handwritten inscription on page opposite Title Page.Page opposite Title Page - handwritten black ink inscription - "Wishing Kevin a/ Merry Xmas/ from/ Nathalie 1944".books, pictorial, ww2.

Item in the collection re the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a single sheet of paper (foolscap size) dated No 10 Vol 1 14 April 1947. Text in black both sides. Side 1 - Headline - MANOORA ANCHORS AT 0800 HRS Sub Headlines - NO ELECTRIC TRAINS IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THE BEST COUNTRY, GENERATIONS TO CHANGE JAPAN. Side 2 - HEADLINE - CAPTAIN'S VARIED WAR CAREER Sub Headlines - EARLY JAP TREATY REQUIRED, MELBOURNE MAY BE AN AIR TERMINAL, DISPLAY AIRCRAFT IN TROUBLE, NEW PLANE NAMED COBB, SHIP'S STAFF GOSSIP. bcof, hmas manoora, newsletter

This item is on display in the gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Havilah Road. Refer photo .1) for details re manufacture, history and use..1) Plaque metal black on a stand with white text re details of the item. .2) Bofor 40 mm Anti Aircraft Gun M11 painted light green, mounted on a four wheeled base towed item.brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, bofor, 40 mm, anti aircraft

This item is in the gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Havilah Road..1WW2 era Truck painted green, open cabin with tray back, mounted on the back is a 40 mm Bofor gun.“4” - “913” - “3100682”brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, bofor, mounted

This was used as a dummy propeller when test running aircraft engines.This is a heavy wooden propeller for an aircraft. It is painted blue with birch tips. It has a large centre hole of 8 cm diameter. It has 8 bolt holes of 18 mm diameter. The propeller tips are squared (ie not tapered). One side of the blades have an aeronautical curved form.aircraft maintenance, propeller

Books were used as references for aircraft spotter on the home front and in battle during WW2.1. 64 page book outlining descriptions of British monoplanes. Front cover predominately black with red writing. Pictures of a plane in a search light over a city landscape. 2. 64 page book outlining descriptions of German warplane. Front cover predominately black with green writing with same background.1. Title "AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION" - British. 2. Title - "AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION" - German.german aircraft, british aircaft, books, ww2

Book was used by ground forces to identify various German aircraft in WW2.Brown hardcover book bound by boot lace going through 2 studs on front and 4 studs on back. Pink cover with writing in back. Inside pictures and descriptions of various German aircraft.Marked on front;- "For Official Use Only". "Recognition handbook of German Aircraft" "Air Ministry". "Not to be taken into the Air".book, ww2, aircraft identification, german planes

Heading to printed information - "Lockheed C-130 Hercules/ A97-010- Mambo 34/ Number 36 Squadron/ In the vicinity of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Middle East Area of Operations, 1336Z 24 April 2003" Further information below heading.Framed Print. Print - in colour on paper, photograph of a RAAF aircraft "Lockheed C.130H Hercules" with information on aircraft below in black print. RAAF and 36 SQUADRON crest in colour, either end of the printed information. Frame - moulded black plastic with gold inner edge. Glass front and timber back.framed print, raaf, lockheed aircraft

Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard with adhered glossy finish paper cover. Light blue and white print on front, spine and back. Illustrated - front, back and white photographs of an aircraft and landing beacon with operator. 528 pages - cut, plain, white. Illustrated black and white photographs of aircraft, personnel and maps. non-fiction"Desert Scorpions - A History of 459 Squadron RAAF/ 1942-1945".book, raaf, ww2

This photo relates to Ronald Leslie Schorey Dickinson RAAF, refer Cat No 7260 for service details. This is a black and white photo of a twin engine Beaufort Bomber in flight. It is flying low to the ground. Under the plane is flat ground with a few gum trees. In the background is a water way of some sort.Written on the back in blue ink is; "Beaufort Bomber being flown at Sale by Flying Officer Peter John Gibbs D.F.C in 1942. When I was at RAAF Laverton as a RAAF Cadet in 1942, F/O Peter Gibbs took me for my first ever flight in a similar plane".ww2, photo, aircraft, beaufort bomber

Cushion brought home from the Middle East by W.E. HAYWARD. "William Edwin HAYWARD" VX30915 enlisted20.6.1940 age 27 years in 2/2nd Anti Aircraft Regt, embarked for the Middle East 5.2.1941, disembarked Australia 18.3.1942, embarked fro New Guinea 24.5.1942, disembarked Australia 7.2.1944, (received leave to Aust during that near 2 years) he was hospitalised with Dermatitis to face, arms & legs, Malaria, discharged from the AIF 3.10.1945. Enlisted 20 June 1940. Discharged 3 Oct 1945. Rank: Gunner 2/2nd ANTI AIRCRAFT REGT.Cushion - handcrafted, brown and red leather floor cushion or pouffe - a low footstool. Cushions made in segments and is round with flat top and bottom. Zipper missing from base. Handstitched on top. Cushion padding made from cotton lining and kapok stuffing.souvenir, foot cushion, middle east, ww2, william edwin hayward

Item in the collection re Vivian D BULLEN, refer Cat No 7386 for his AIF & RAAF service details.Photograph - photocopy, enlarged of an original black and white photograph on photographic paper which has been laminated. Depicts a formal group photograph of RAAF 466 Squadron 1945 in front of a four-engined heavy bomber aircraft - Halifax.Below photograph - handwritten - black ink "RAAF 466 SQUADRON 1945/ SERVICE MEMBER: V. BULLEN" photographs, ww2, raaf, uk

Certificate awarded by the "G.Q. PARACHUTE COMPANY LTD., STADIUM WORKS, WOKING, SURREY" Item in the collection re Vivian D BULLEN, refer Cat No 7386 for his AIF & RAAF Service details.Certificate - photocopy of an original certificate, a memento awarded to V.D. BULLEN in 1945 for baling out of a Halifax bomber. Illustrated in colour - G.Q. Parachute company logo above an illustration of a serviceman with parachute amongst clouds and sky, small aircraft in background. Paper - pale yellow colour. Below illustration - black print award statement with handwritten recipient information in red ink.Recipient information - in red ink. "No. AVS 431933, Flight Sergeant "V.D. BULLEN, R.A.A.F." "20TH April 1945"certificates, ww2, raaf, uk

Relates to an ANTI AIRCRAFT PREDICTOR - VICKERS NO.1 MK111 - piece of Military equipment on display in the museum. Refer Cat No. 4591.Newspaper extract - facsimile copy on paper, black print on off white paper. Illustrated with photograph. Small typewritten label on paper attached to top of facsimile with metal staples. Frame - timber with mid brown stain, heavy plastic front and cardboard backing with paper tape. - handwritten information on cardboard.Top of facsimile - typewritten label - black ink. "Believed to be an extract from a "Melbourne Herald" early December 1942". On cardboard - handwritten - black ink "NEWSPAPER ARTICLE/ Newspaper article and photograph explaining how the PREDICTOR on/display in the main hall operated./ See Catalogue No: 4591"framed accessories, newspaper, military equipment, anti-aircraft, predictor

Refer Cat No. 4591 Relates to an ANTI AIRCRAFT PREDICTOR - VICKERS NO. 1 MK 111 - piece of military equipment on display in the museum.Document - typewritten, black ink on off white paper, information taken from a newspaper extract. Frame - timber with mid brown stain, heavy plastic front and cardboard backing with paper tape. Handwritten information on cardboard.On back cardboard - handwritten in black ink. "NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TRANSCRIPT/ Information detailing the/ functioning of the PREDICTOR/ on display in the main hall/ See Catalogue No: 4591".framed accessories, transcript, anti-aircraft, predictor

Items in the collection re Clarence Shearing, refer Cat No 7089.16P for his service details.Photographs B & W and colour various sizes some are reprints of originals. Two are ships in harbour. One re troops unloading from a landing craft. One of twin very large Japanese gun in a concrete emplacement. Nine aircraft various mostly fighters.On rear of one, "Inland sea Japan"photographs, bcof, japan

The Volunteers Air Observers was formed in 1941 with the aim of observing aircraft flying over Australia. There were over 24000 civilians volunteering their services and as the military threat to Australia subsided they took on roles as coast and weather watching. This photograph shows a group of local volunteers at their work. Mrs. S Hamilton, Mrs. J Lees, F/O E F English, Mrs. R Picton, Mr. Ralph Barnes and Miss S McDonaldA local item which relates to an organization which operated around Australia in the 1940’s. Small newspaper cutting with photograph with six people around a table. Text is underneath the photo. The back has an advertisement for Fletcher Jones clothingThe picture shows a control room manned by volunteer personnel. Here the plotters are marking positions of aircraft with symbols on a map of the surrounding district while the Teller in the raised chair sends reports on to the Air Force, which thus has a check of all planes left to right Mrs. S Hamilton, Mrs. J Lees, F/O E F English, Mrs. R Picton, Mr. Ralph Barnes and Miss S McDonald volunteer air observers corps,, volunteer air observers corps,, mrs. s hamilton,, mrs. j lees,, f/o e f english, mrs. r picton, mr. ralph barnes, miss s mcdonald warrnambool

The van is a Morris Ten Series II which was manufactured 1935-1937. The numeral only Victorian Registration plate 112-984 was part of the sequence of numeral only plates issued 1910-1939. Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1937 and 1942. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"112-984 (victorian registration), lester neil ingram, morris ten series ii, bakery, delivery van, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection