Ill, maps, p.183.non-fictionThe Gallipoli campaign began one fateful Sunday morning in April 1915. It was to be Australia's test of nationhood. The Allied soldiers landed in the dark, crossing beaches tangled with barbed wire, passing mines and scaled the precipitous cliffs under machine-gun fire. An intense five-month campaign ensued, the lines so close that there was no respite from battle. With access to military documents, the poet John Masefield published this moving account of the Allied efforts in the Dardanelles less than a year after the defeat. The book was a huge success, as it gave glory to the bravery and determination of the young men who endured heat, toil, thirst, disease and pestilence but were always ready and willing to die in exultation for their cause.. Moving account of the Allied efforts in Dardanelles after the defeat. world war 1914-1918 -campaigns - gallipoli, world war - campaigns - dardenalles.

Ill, map, p.299.non-fictionRecollections of an Australian soldier in Palestine.world war 1914-1918 - australian light horse, world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections

Ill, p.304.non-fictionPersonal recollections of a British soldier in France.world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france

p.372.non-fictionA gripping novel of World War I as seen by a German soldier.world war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france

p.372.non-fictionA glossary of military slangworld war 1914-1918 - dictionaries, world war 1914-1918 - slang

Ill, p.100.non-fictionAn account of the escape from Crete of Australian soldiersprisoners of war - crete, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia

.Ill, p.255.non-fictionThe experience of a New Zealand soldier during the Crete campaignworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - crete

Ill, p.266.non-fictionStory of the Malayan Campaign of 1942 and subsequent captivity in the hands of the Japanese from a private soldier's point of view. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - japan, world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war

Ill, p.117.non-fictionThe adventures of a British soldier in Indiaindia - sepoy rebellion, lucknow - siege - 1857

Ill, bib, p.47.non-fictionA short history of the British armygreat britain - history - military, great britain - history - army

This portrait photograph of Dame Mary Herring is a visual record of her taken during the time she was offering advice to Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home (later Hospital)' as a member of their Committee from 1931. She was a Vice-president from 1943-1957 and acted as President in 1953. As a Medical practitioner she was involved with the formation of the MDNS After-Care Ante-Natal clinic in 1930 and the establishment of the Women's Welfare Clinic at the MDNS After-Care in 1934. Dame Mary Herring was born in Carlton on the 31st of March 1895. She graduated as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB. BS) at the University of Melbourne in March 1921. During her training she went out with the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), where she visited many in poor circumstances and through this decided she wanted to improve the lives of women and children. She married Edmund Herring on the 6th of April 1922 and he supported her to continue her Medical career. She established an Ante-Natal Clinic at the Prahran Health Centre in 1926 and assisted MDNS After-Care Home in the establishment of its Ante-Natal clinic in September 1930. In 1931, as Dr. Mary Herring she became a member of the Committee of the now named ‘Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home’ (later Hospital), and as Lady Herring became a Vice-president from 1943 until 1957 and acted as President in 1953. In 1934, along with Dr. George Simpson and Dr. Victor Wallace, she established the Women’s Welfare Clinic at the MDNS After-Care Hospital for patients of the Society; the first of its kind in Melbourne. After its opening in October 1934 she was the Hon Secretary of the Welfare Clinic, which operated from a room in the Ante-Natal Clinic of the After-Care. Dr. Herring pioneered family planning services. The clinic ran until 1940 when women could now obtain this advice from other establishments. In 1953, as Acting President, Lady Herring was involved with the discussions of the District Division of MDNS relocating to ‘Airlie’, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne and the separation of Melbourne District Nursing Society and After Care Hospital, with the District Division now a separate entity, known as Melbourne District Nursing Service with its Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. In 1966 with Royal patronage, this became the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Though asked to be President of the Hospital division of the MDNS Society, she declined due to her many activities. In 1940 Dr. Mary Herring was a founder of the A.I.F Women’s Association and served on the Women’s Welfare Subcommittee to assist the families of soldiers and now as Lady Herring, she became President from 1943-1946. She was a a founding member and first president of the Victorian Council of Social Service 1946, chairman of the Vera Scantlebury Brown Memorial Trust 1946-1979, Deputy-president of Victorian division of the Australian Red Cross 1944-1963, and of the Victoria League 1945-1972 and the Australian council of the Save the Children Fund from 1962-1967. Lady Herring was a tireless worker for many charities particularly charities for children. On the 10th of July 1953 she was made Commander of the Order of St. John in recognition of her charity work and on the 11th of June 1960 was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for “services to nursing in Victoria” In 1949 the Argus Newspaper (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22776603) described her as “one of the finest examples of Australian women in our State, with a record of selfless devotion to the service of others. Calm, kindly, clear-minded, and intensely logical”,..... “she has taken all this in her stride without once stopping out of her aura of cool, unruffled efficiency, an efficiency which is tempered by her warmth and understanding, her approachability, and her human sympathy.” Dame Mary Ranken Herring died in Camberwell on the 26th of October 1981. This black and white photograph is a portrait view of Dame Mary Herring. She has curled light coloured hair. Only a portion of her scooped neck dark coloured frock which falls in soft folds can be seen. There is a light colour brooch attached on the left hand side of her frock near the shoulder. She is wearing a string of pearls around her neck. A curtain can be seen in the background of the photograph.Stuart Tompkin Studiomelbourne district nursing society, ante-natal clinic, women's welfare clinic, rdns, royal district nursing service, dame mary herring

The rock and attached plaque to Caroline Chisholm stand in front of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Essendon Centre. It was unveiled at the opening of the Centre on the 30 August 1967.The plaque has a deep silver colour background, light silver colour writing with gold coloured edging.Caroline Chisholm visited the goldfields of Victoria in 1854 and was horrified by the conditions en-route. The Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm, in front of the RDNS Essendon Centre which is situated on Crown Land, is in recognition for her work in establishing, with Government assistance, shelter sheds about a days walk apart, to enable the prospectors and their families heading for the goldfields shelter on their way. Caroline Chisholm, a Philanthropist, began her work in Madras in 1834 founding a Female School of Industry for the daughters of European soldiers. They were taught to read, write, cook, keep house and were given instructions in nursing. After coming to Sydney in 1838, she set up accommodation for poor young unemployed migrant women and families. This work was extended when she arranged employment for assisted immigrant women and families into the countryside, many times travelling with groups of young women to check their employment conditions. In seven years she placed 11,000 people in homes and employment. On her return to England she fought for, and won, free passage to Australia for wives and children of former convicts, and for children left behind in England by circumstances, when the family migrated. She established the Family Colonisation Loan Society in 1849, which set up a saving scheme for emigrants, and later loaned them half of their passage to Australia. The Society's Agents found them employment on arrival, and the loan was paid back within two years by a humane payment scheme. At first they used emigrant ships, but then the Society provided ships with much improved conditions, and this led to the upgrading of the passenger Act.. The Chisholm's lived in Kyneton for several years, returning to Sydney for health reasons, before going back to England where Caroline died, aged 68 years, on the 25th of March 1877.Black and white photograph of the Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. The rectangular plaque sits on a rough light grey rock, and has light colour writing and edging, on a dark grey background. The inscription on the plaque is in five lines and reads: "On this site in the year 1855"/, "Mrs Caroline Chisholm"/, "Established a Shelter for"/, "Diggers and their families"/ "Travelling to the Goldfields"/.Photographers stamp. Quote No. GJ 56rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns centre, caroline chisholm, memorial plaque

Mrs. R. Gordon is the President of the Victorian branch of the National Council of Women. The Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm stands on a rock in front of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Essendon Centre, and was unveiled at the time of the opening of the Centre on the 30th of August 1967.Caroline Chisholm visited the goldfields of Victoria in 1854 and was horrified by the conditions en-route. The Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm, in front of the RDNS Essendon Centre, is in recognition for her work in establishing, with Government assistance, shelter sheds about a days walk apart, to enable the prospectors and their families shelter whilst heading to the goldfields. Caroline Chisholm, a Philanthropist, began her work in Madras in 1834, founding a Female School of Industry for the daughters of European soldiers. They were taught to read, write, cook, keep house and were given instructions in nursing. After coming to Sydney in 1838, she set up accommodation for poor young unemployed migrant women and families. This work was extended when she arranged employment in the countryside for assisted immigrant women and families, many times travelling with groups of young women to check their employment conditions. In seven years she placed 11,000 people in homes and employment. On her return to England she fought for, and won, free passage to Australia for wives and children of former convicts, and for children left behind in England by circumstances, when the family migrated. She established the Family Colonisation Loan Society in 1849, which set up a saving scheme for emigrants, and later loaned them half of their passage to Australia. The Society's Agents found them employment on arrival, and the loan was paid back within two years by a humane payment scheme. At first they used emigrant ships for passage, but then the Society provided ships with much improved conditions, and this led to the upgrading of the passenger Act.. The Chisholm's lived in Kyneton for several years, returning to Sydney for health reasons, before going back to England where Caroline died, aged 68 years, on the 25th of March 1877.Black and white photograph of Mrs. R, Gordon, wearing a dark coloured coat, black shoes, and a beret style white and black hat, pointing with her left hand to the unveiled Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. The dark oblong plaque is adhered to a large rock.The British Flag can be seen in the foreground. Part of a building can be seen in the background; short glass windows can be seen above the brickwork on the left, with dark fascia above, and part of a large glass window to the right.Photographers stamp. Quote No. GJ 58rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns centre, essendon centre, memorial plaque, mrs r. gordon, caroline chisholm

Mrs. R. Gordon is the President of the Victorian branch of the National Council of Women and is unveiling the Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. The plaque stands on a rock in front of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Essendon Centre, and was unveiled on the same day the Centre opened on the 30th of August 1967. Mrs. E.G. Wilson is President of the Royal District Nursing Service. Miss Mary Evans is the Director of Nursing of the Royal District Nursing Service and is wearing her dark grey Director's uniform.Caroline Chisholm visited the goldfields of Victoria in 1854 and was horrified by the conditions en-route. The Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm, in front of the RDNS Essendon Centre, is in recognition for her work in establishing, with Government assistance, shelter sheds about a days walk apart, to enable the prospectors and their families shelter whilst heading for the goldfields. Caroline Chisholm, a Philanthropist, began her work in Madras in 1834 founding a Female School of Industry for the daughters of European soldiers. They were taught to read, write, cook, keep house and were given instructions in nursing. After coming to Sydney in 1838, she set up accommodation for poor young unemployed migrant women and families. This work was extended when she arranged employment in the countryside for assisted immigrant women and families, many times travelling with groups of young women to check their employment conditions. In seven years she placed 11,000 people in homes and employment. On her return to England she fought for, and won, free passage to Australia for wives and children of former convicts, and for children left behind in England by circumstances, when the family migrated. She established the Family Colonisation Loan Society in 1849, which set up a saving scheme for emigrants, and later loaned them half of their passage to Australia. The Society's Agents found them employment on arrival, and the loan was paid back within two years by a humane payment scheme. At first they used emigrant ships for passage, but then the Society provided ships with much improved conditions, and this led to the upgrading of the passenger Act.. The Chisholm's lived in Kyneton for several years, returning to Sydney for health reasons, before going back to England where Caroline died, aged 68 years, on the 25th of March 1877.Black and white photograph showing Mrs. R. Gordon, wearing a black coat and black and white beret style hat, with her left hand on a rock and her right hand on the British Flag, whilst unveiling the Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. Mrs. R. Gordon stands between Mrs. E.G. Wilson, who is to her left, and is wearing glasses and a black coat, hat and shoes. Miss Mary Evans, who is wearing her RDNS uniform of a dark grey skirt and jacket and brimmed hat, and with a handbag looped over her left arm, is to the right.. Part of a building is seen in the background; short glass windows can be seen above the brickwork to the left and a large glass window to the right.Photographers stamp and 'Quote No. GJ 60'rdns, royal district nursing service, essendon centre, caroline chisholm, memorial plaque, mrs r. gordon, miss mary evans, mrs e.g. (hazel janet) wilson

The memorial honours APC crews and vehicles for service rendered but in particular the 1APC Sqn, Vietnam 1966-1967, Long Tan.A record of the place in the Vietnam War held by APC crews and vehicles and the support so provided to infantry and other soldiers. Photo: of the Memorial for the 1APC Sqn Vietnam 1966-1967, Long Tan. Memorial consist of a stone oblisk with a metal plaque attached which includes a depiction of an APC vehicle. Positioned on top of memorial stone are vehicle spares for maintenance."1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron. 1 A.P.C. Sqn, Vietnam. Vietnam 1966-1967 Long Tan". Nicknames "The Aspros" and "The Bex Boys". Text inside the frame of the vehicle is "For Those Who Returned and To Remember The Fallen". Unveiled 16th August 02. vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, battle of long tan, raac

A commemoration ceremony at the Long Tan Cross, Vietnam with Australian soldiers reflecting on the battle and the cost therein; supported by two pipers. Includes the Heading for the text: The Pipers Lament to the dead of Long Tan by 6RAR/NZ Battalion. Photograph AWM Bel 69/556VN.The Long Tan Cross is a memorial which was erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on 18 August 1969 to mark the site of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought three years earlier during the Vietnam War. While the cross was removed following the Communist victory in 1975 and used to commemorate a priest, it was recovered by the Đồng Nai Province Museum in 1984 and placed on display. A replica cross was also erected on the battlefield during the 1980s, and is frequently visited by Australian Vietnam War veterans. The original Long Tan Cross was gifted to Australia in 2017 and placed on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.Photograph in landscape format of Pipers Lament, with Guards, at Long Tan Cross, Vietnam, respecting the soldiers who died in the Battle of Long Tan, 1966; includes short text describing Battle of Long Tan.Text describing in brief the background of the Battle of Long Tan.vietnam, vietnam war, battle of long tan, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Item is a commemoration of Vietnam and those who served 1962 - 1973.The item is one of many similar items over the years that commemorates those soldiers who served, suffered and died in Vietnam 1962 1973.Bottle of Port, 750ml with two clear glasses.Bottle label: Iconic picture of soldiers awaiting Dustoff. At top of label: "For all those who suffered and died in Vietnam 1962 - 1973. At bottom of label: Mt Aitken Estates, Calder Highway, Gisborne South, Vic, 3437, Australia. At righthand side of bottom of label: 18% Alc/Vol 750ML. Two clear wine glasses on stem. Transfer on both glasses: Vietnam War Memorial 1992 below which is sketch of the Vietnam Memorial at the Australian War Memorial and below that is "For all those who Served Suffered and Died. Vietnam 1962 - 1973.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

The Scroll was issued to the Hoffman Family honouring the sacrifice of their brother/son; the item was donated to the Beechworth RSL by Miss Anna HoffmanThe Scroll has been laminated in clear plastic The Memorial Scroll bears the Royal Coat of Arms and a message paying tribute to the soldiers who gave up "their own lives that others might live in freedom". At the bottom in red ink is the soldiers name and battalion numberOn the reverse side in pencil is the underline number 629 (member's service number). underneath the pencil lined is the number 347108 (possibly indicating the registered Scroll Numberscroll

This plaque was issued to the Hoffman family of Beechworth commemorating the death of Frederick Hoffman who was killed in actionItem is part of the Hoffman Family collection.The round bronze Memorial Plaque is 120mm in diameter. It shows Britannia and a lion on the front and bears the inscription: "He died for freedom and honour". The full name of the dead soldier ( Frederick Hoffman )is embossed on the right hand side of the plaque. No rank, unit or decorations are shown, befitting the equality of the sacrifice made by all casualties. It is adhered to a wedge of pine wood Around the rim is embossed "he died for freedom and honovr" The words "Frederick Hoffman plaque, dead man's penny

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war

"Captain Simon Thomas Staughton was the son of Simon Thomas Staughton MLA who had built the mansion Eynesbury on his share of the Exford property inherited from his father Simon Staughton, the original 1840s Werribee River squatter. When the land was sold, Simon’s Exford station extended from Mt Cotterell to the Brisbane Ranges. ST Staughton (senior) was a reputedly the public spirited member of the family in his generation, being a member of the first Roads Board (and Melton Shire President in 1867), a JP, Magistrate and MLA for Bourke from 1883 until his death in 1901, whereupon his son became the MLA for Bourke. Captain ST Staughton had earlier been chosen as a member of a contingent of Victorian Mounted Riflemen sent to England for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (1897), and was later a member of King Edward’s coronation escort. In October 1899 he had sailed for South Africa with other Mounted Riflemen from Victorian and NSW to take part in the Boer War. There he was awarded the DSO. He died of peritonitis in 1903, aged 27. He was buried in Boroondara Cemetery after a full military funeral, in which the coffin was borne on a gun carriage drawn by four black horses. All local newspapers reported eloquently on the funeral, and the late Captain’s virtues. The Staughton Memorial Lamp was given to the town by his young widow in 1903. In addition a window in the (former) Christ Church bore the inscription ‘This window is erected by his brother soldiers in loving memory of Captain S Tom Staughton, DSO, ADC, MLA’. The Staughton family had been prominent benefactors of the Church, whose altar rails were also inscribed to the much respected Captain, along with a memorial stone in the new chancel. In the 1970s the memorial was within one of four fenced tree plantations, probably erected and planted in the 1920s or 30s. When High Street and its service roads were redesigned in the 1970s the plantations were completely removed, and the Melton and District Historical Society was successful in having the memorial moved about 50 metres east to its present location". The Weekly Times article about a gift from Tom Staughtonlocal identities

A display folder for a set of 20 cent coins issued in 2015 to commemorate 100 years of Anzac and the First World War. Based on photos chosen from the Australian War Memorial archive, the ANZAC Official Coin Collection includes fourteen coins that have been designed and produced by the Royal Australian Mint to mark significant aspects that occurred in the First World War. Our set contains 13 coins. The First World War themes featured in this collection include the war years, mateship, Light Horsemen, the home front, the Royal Australian Navy, Remembrance Day, Nurses, wartime animals, The Last Post, War Correspondents, Australian Flying Corps, Australian Imperial Force, the Unknown Soldier, and the Gallipoli Landing. Project was issed by the Royal Mint and supported by the Australian War Memorial, Newscorp, Westpac and Legacy. The set, including coins was used as a prize in the JPESA speaking contest that Melbourne Legacy ran for many years until 2022.A type of prize given at a Legacy speaking competition that commemorates World War 1.Cardboard folder for a coin collection to be inserted in. Folds out into 6 sections. Red cord to tie the folder closed.coins, world war one

A set of thirteen 20 cent coins issued in 2015 to commemorate 100 years of Anzac and the First World War. Based on photos chosen from the Australian War Memorial archive, the ANZAC Official Coin Collection includes fourteen coins that have been designed and produced by the Royal Australian Mint to mark significant aspects that occurred in the First World War. Our set contains 13 coins - missing the Australian Flying Corps. There is also a folder to store the set in. The First World War themes featured in this collection include the war years, mateship, Light Horsemen, the home front, the Royal Australian Navy, Remembrance Day, Nurses, wartime animals, The Last Post, War Correspondents, Australian Flying Corps, Australian Imperial Force, the Unknown Soldier, and the Gallipoli Landing. Project was issed by the Royal Mint and supported by the Australian War Memorial, Newscorp, Westpac and Legacy. The set, including coins was used as a prize in the JPESA speaking contest that Melbourne Legacy ran for many years until 2022.A type of prize given at a Legacy speaking competition that commemorates World War 1.Thirteen uncirculated 20 cent coins in cardboard mount, each commemorating an aspect of World War 1. coins, world war one

Sergeant Keith McDowell gave a cone he collected from Gallipoli to his aunt to try and grow. One seed was planted in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens and another at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. These pine trees have symbolic importance as a representation of Australian soldiers' "tenacity and fortitude". They are an important link to the remembrance of those men and women from Ballarat who saw action in World War 1.3 pages (pp.44-46). p.44 in black print on white paper, a photograph of the planting of one of the pines in 1934 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. p.45 is a coloured picture of the pine in Canberra. p46 has a history of the seeds brought from Gallipoli by Smith and Mcdowell on the right-hand side of the page and a photograph of the Pines being labelled. There is a column about these trees down the left-hand side of the page.None john garner, doctor, john garner collection, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, the lone pine, gallipoli, anzacs, sergeant keith mcdowell, lance corporal benjamin smith, aleppo pine, turkish pine, pinus halepensis, pinus brutia, gardens, ballarat

'Menin Gate at midnight' was painted by Will Longstaff to commemorate those soldiers with no marked graves on the Western Front during the First World War; also known as 'Ghosts of Menin Gate'. Longstaff attended a ceremony dedicating the Menin Gate memorial to the soldiers of the British empire forces, just outside the town of Ypres, Belgium, on 24 July 1927. The memorial was dedicated to the 350,000 men of the British and Empire forces who had died in battles around Ypres, and bears the names of 55,000 men with no known grave, over 6,000 of whom were Australians. Longstaff was profoundly moved by what he witnessed and that night, unable to sleep, Longstaff returned to Menin Road and later claimed to have had a vision of spirits of the dead rising out of the soil around him. On returning to his studio in London he painted 'Menin Gate at midnight' in a single session. Today 'Menin Gate at midnight' has achieved the status of a national icon. The painting retains its ability to provoke an emotional response and to communicate the scale of the loss of life and the devastation of war. However as people now have a very different understanding of war, the painting serves a slightly different function. Whereas in the past people responded to the painting as it related to the loss of a loved one and their own personal grief, now the painting communicates the loss experienced by a whole generation. The vast number of those who were killed, and the immensity of the damage wrought during the First World War, requires that those who sacrificed their lives should not be forgotten. Longstaff used well-known motifs to trigger emotion. His scarlet poppies are flowers that could be found in the Flanders fields, but they also carry the traditional connotations of shed blood and remembrance; they represent a floral blanket covering the bloodied bodies of unknown soldiers; at the same time, like the paper poppies worn on Remembrance Day, they are a tribute from the living to the dead. The portrayal of the steel-helmeted soldiers rising from the cornfields extends the range of visual emblems used by Longstaff: the plentiful harvest; the harvest of men; the steel-helmeted crosses covering the graves of many soldiers; and the helmeted bayonets raised in cheer and victory.ww1, menin gate, wark vc club