Showing 1206 items
matching soldiers' memorial
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Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Print - Framed Print, Captain William Frederick Longstaff, Menin Gate at Midnight (Ghosts of Menin Gate), Painted 1927
Print of original oil painting by Will Longstaff depicting a host of ghostly soldiers marching across a field in front of the Menin gate War memorial at Ypres, Belgium.Plaque on frame "Menin Gate at Midnight / copyright reserved / by / Will Longstaff / presented to the Commonwealth Government of Australia / by / Lord Woolayinton -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Badge - Framed appeal badges, Appeals
Timber frame containing Appeals badges, tokens, ribbons for various commemorative days including Red cross, War Chest, YMCA, St John's, Relief Organisation, Lord Mayor's Patriotic Fund, Liberty Loan, food For Britain, Medical Aid, Anzac Memorial Bursaries, Tin Hat, Return Soldiers Fund, Soldier's Dependant, Home For Soldiers, Legacy, ANZAC, Poppy Day etc. -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian War Memorial. Canberra, Soldiering ON/ The Australian Army at Home and Overseas, 1942
Book -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, William Heinemann, A town like Alice, 1950
A novel told partly in flashbacks about a girl's search for the Australian she met in Malaya during World War II. A young woman who miraculously survived a Japanese "death march" in World War II, and an Australian soldier, also a prisoner of war, who offered to help her--even at the cost of his life.p.332.fictionA novel told partly in flashbacks about a girl's search for the Australian she met in Malaya during World War II. A young woman who miraculously survived a Japanese "death march" in World War II, and an Australian soldier, also a prisoner of war, who offered to help her--even at the cost of his life.australia - fiction, women prisoners - fiction -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Rudyard Kipling, Barrack-room ballads and other verses, 1899
Barrack-Room Ballads first series. To that Illustrious Soldier, Lieut-General Sir EVELYN WOOD, V.C., G.C.M., K.C.B ° “ The Young British Soldier,” by Gerard F. Cobb J® by Gerard F, Cobb ~ “ Route ... Sheet advertising copies of Rudyard Kipling's Barrack-room Ballads, set to music by Gerard F. Cobb.p.208.fictionBarrack-Room Ballads first series. To that Illustrious Soldier, Lieut-General Sir EVELYN WOOD, V.C., G.C.M., K.C.B ° “ The Young British Soldier,” by Gerard F. Cobb J® by Gerard F, Cobb ~ “ Route ... Sheet advertising copies of Rudyard Kipling's Barrack-room Ballads, set to music by Gerard F. Cobb. england - poetry, england - ballads - military -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Rudyard Kipling, Soldiers three, 1902
A novel of British military life in Indiap.388.fictionA novel of British military life in Indiaengland - fiction, india - british occupation - fiction -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Rudyard Kipling, Soldiers three : The story of the Gadsbys; In black & white, 1930
A collection of short storiesp.353.fictionA collection of short storiesengland - fiction, england - short stories -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Francis Yeats-Brown, Lancer at large, 1936
Indian life as described by a British soldierp.320.non-fictionIndian life as described by a British soldierindia - social life and customs, india - description and travel -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Percival Christopher Wren, Stepsons of France, 1917
Percival Christopher Wren was an English writer, mostly of adventure fiction. He is remembered best for Beau Geste, a much-filmed book of 1924, involving the French Foreign Legion in North Africa. This was one of 33 novels and short story collections that he wrote, mostly dealing with colonial soldiering in Africa.p.316.fictionPercival Christopher Wren was an English writer, mostly of adventure fiction. He is remembered best for Beau Geste, a much-filmed book of 1924, involving the French Foreign Legion in North Africa. This was one of 33 novels and short story collections that he wrote, mostly dealing with colonial soldiering in Africa. english fiction, french foreign legion -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Herbert A Stewart, From Mons to Loos, being the diary of a supply officer, 1916
Personal recollections of a British soldierIll, p.306.non-fictionPersonal recollections of a British soldierworld war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france, world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, John Masefield, Gallipoli, 1916
The 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.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. -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, J.L Gray (Donald Black), Red dust, an Australian trooper in Palestine, 1931
Recollections of an Australian soldier in Palestine.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 -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Grant Richards, Bullets and billets, 1916
Personal recollections of a British soldier in France.Ill, p.304.non-fictionPersonal recollections of a British soldier in France.world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Alfred Hein, In the hell of Verdun, 1930
A gripping novel of World War I as seen by a German soldier.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 -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book - Soldier and sailor words and phrases : including slang of the trenches and the Air Force, Edward Fraser et al, 1925
A glossary of military slangp.372.non-fictionA glossary of military slangworld war 1914-1918 - dictionaries, world war 1914-1918 - slang -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Escape from Crete, 1944
An account of the escape from Crete of Australian soldiersIll, p.100.non-fictionAn account of the escape from Crete of Australian soldiersprisoners of war - crete, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Collins, Kiwi saga : memoirs of a New Zealand artilleryman, 1943
The experience of a New Zealand soldier during the Crete campaign.Ill, p.255.non-fictionThe experience of a New Zealand soldier during the Crete campaignworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - crete -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Russell Braddon, The naked island, 1956
Story of the Malayan Campaign of 1942 and subsequent captivity in the hands of the Japanese from a private soldier's point of view.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 -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Henry Metcalfe, The chronicle of Private Henry Metcalfe, H.M. 32nd Regiment of Foot / together with Lieutenant John Edmonstone's letter to his mother of 4th January, 1858, and other particulars collected and edited by Sir Francis Tuker, 1953
The adventures of a British soldier in IndiaIll, p.117.non-fictionThe adventures of a British soldier in Indiaindia - sepoy rebellion, lucknow - siege - 1857 -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, British soldiers, 1944
A short history of the British armyIll, bib, p.47.non-fictionA short history of the British armygreat britain - history - military, great britain - history - army -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, Portrait black and white, c.1930
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 -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, black and white, 30 08 1967
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 -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, black and white, 30 08 1967
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 -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, black and white, 30 08 1967
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 -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Photograph - Armoured Squadron, c2002
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 -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Photograph - Long Tan, c2002
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 -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Memorabilia - Bottle, 1992
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 -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Print - Commemorative Scroll, Commemorative Scroll Pte. Frederick Hoffman
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 -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Memmorial Plaque
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 -
Melton City Libraries
Newspaper, Crosses lay out pledge to remember, 2015
"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