Doctor HAROLD ROBERT CATFORD was the first to be made a Life Member of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. The certificate was signed on the 8th Day of May 1947. He was first elected to Committee of the Bendigo Branch in 1918 and retired after 29 years at the AGM 1947 serving the whole time as Vice President. Doctor Harold Robert Catford enlisted as a Captain on 23.6.15 age 41 years and attached to HQ 29th Batt AIF. Embarked for overseas 10.11.15, transfer to 8th Field Ambulance 6.10.16. At various times he was attached to 5th Div Ammunition Column and 2nd A.C.C. Station, promoted to Major 24.8.17. He returned to Australia on 26.9.17 for personal reasons and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 11.12.17. from 1.1.18 he was RMO to several military units including the 38th Batt in Peace time. Promoted to Lt Col on 19.4.23, placed on the AAMC reserve list 30.1.30 and then the retired list 30.1.1934. Life membership certificate of the Bendigo RSL awarded to Dr HR Catford. Certificate is set in a yellowish cardboard frame inside a silver wooden frame. The certificate is in colour with a red seal and signatures of Federal President and Secretary of the RSSILA. A set of WWI ribbons has been placed in the frame.brsl, smirsl, life membership

“A Century of Service. The Events, People and Places that shaped The RSL in Bendigo 1915 - 2015 “, By "Murray Poustie". The Author served on the Committee of the Bendigo District RSL from 2003 - 2009. He was Treasurer for 4 years. He also served on a number of Sub Committees, House and Finance, Welfare, Commemorative (Chair of) and the Memorial Walls. He is also Returning Officer and a Sub Branch Historian. Murray was made a Life Member 2019. Within the subjects, brsl, smirsl, a large amount of the information supplied re people, events, life membership, committee, dates/times were from this book. Soft cover book. Cover- cardboard ,red, blue and white print on front, spine and back. Background illustration, blue colour tones. The Memorial Hall, Pall Mall C1924 with image of a soldier on front. The Memorial Hall 2014 with 2 x RSL badges in colour on back. Inside cover- end papers- illustrated collage of images in colour. 239 pages. Paper, cut, plain, white. Illustrated block and white photographs, graphs and certificates smirsl, brsl, century, service

Colour photograph of Keith Hearns RSL State Exec, Graeme Bob Crouch awarded Life Membership, Ted Maxwell branch President RSL Metung Victoriareturn soldiers league

Also another photograph showing Pres Lillian Lee presenting Muriel Mitchell with Life Membership at same function 04754.1Colour photograph of RSL Pipe band receiving money raised from Auxiliary L to R Ken Young, Lillian Lee, Harry Dilkes, Michael Robertson, receiving cheque Faye Lancaster and Muriel Mitchell, taken at RSL annexe Barkes Ave Lakes Entrance Victoria. Also another photograph showing Pres Lillian Lee presenting Muriel Mitchell with Life Membership at same function return soldiers league, clubs

Enlarged colour photograph of Life Membership being awarded to Noel Gray of Ladies Auxiliary Lakes Entrance Victoriafundraising, return soldiers league

The 3 membership cards belonged to Peter Ball. The Servicemen's Club was a Co Operative Society of the 3 Bendigo RSL Sub Branche's, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat & Eaglehawk. In the year 2000 the Club became Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc. Peter was a Bendigo RSL delegate on the Co Operative Society for the years 1998 - 2000. He was a Committee Member Bendigo RSL & Bendigo District RSL from 1996 - 2010, 2012 - 2015, Jnr Vice President 1998 - 2002, Snr Vice 2003 - 2008. From 1997 - current has been involved with the RSL Museum at SMI as a guide, Museum Curator 1998 to 2015, Chairman Museum Sub Committee 2003 to 2015, Sub Committee member 1997 to 2015, 2019 to current, other involvement since 1996 in Commemorative events, Appeals and Welfare to current, SMI Revitalization program Sub Committee 2011 to 2015, Memorial Walls Sub Committee 2010 to 2015. Refer also Cat No 4704.Three Membership cards all different to the Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club. .1) Orange card laminated one sided for the year 1994 No 421. .2) Blue card unlaminated one sided for the year 1995 No 0276. .3) Green card laminated double sided for the year 1996 No 421, has image of the club on the front, rear has details re Club address, some rules and place for Members signature."Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club 73 - 75 Havilah Rd Bendigo 3550".brsl, smirsl, bdsc, membership

This newsletter published in January 1999 by the President Bendigo RSL Alan Holmes is basically an Annual report of the Sub Branch in 1998. The 22 sub headings cover all aspects of the Sub Branch. The one photograph shows Norm Smart with his Life Membership Certificate on the left, on the right is Jack Barnes, Norm was the Treasure BRSL and Jack was the Secretary. Some of the main points are: Membership total 1998 being 797, 40 members had passed on, award of the French Legion of Honour to Jack Locket 108 years old, Anzac Day was a high standard with guest Speaker Ray Wheeler, Annual dinner guest speaker being Warick Johanson, Life Membership awarded to Norm Smart, 97 parcels had been delivered to Members in Care, Appreciation to Jack Barnes, Norm Smart & Peter Ball, 19 Bendigo RSL Members win the Edinburg Bowls Sheild, Museum report by Curator Peter Ball, Appeals report by Malcolm Angus raising in the two Appeals, ANZAC $29,223.35, POPPY $22565.20, List of the full Committee 1998 & next AGM to be February 8th 1999, the first Sandakan service and B.B.Cue to be held on Sunday March 7th at 11.00Newsletter, paper, 4 pages each folded, all print B &W, there are 22 sub headings, two advertisements and one large article re Whats on at the Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club, heading on first page is simply "Newsletter 1999" underlined, one photo showing two RSL Members.brsl, smirsl, newsletter, 1999

The letters are all related to William John Turner being recommended for a "Life Membership" of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. .1) Appears to be a final one although not officially signed. .2) .3) These are possibly earlier versions of .1) Cat No 8029 is a framed copy. Cat No 8030 is TURNERS Life Membership and his volunteer/committee work with the Sub Branch as well as his WW1 service history..1) Letter, paper with the letter head of the "Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airman's Imperial League of Australia" Bendigo Sub Branch, all type/print in black signed in blue pen. .2) Letter paper typed in black and dated. .3) Letter paper typed in black and dated..1) "Bendigo Sub Branch 13th May 1954" - "Re: TURNER W.J" .2) "Memorial Hall Pall Mall Bendigo May 1954" .3) Same as .2)brsl, smirsl, letter, recommendation

The letter is to William John Turner in appreciation of him conducting the Ritual (ODE) on numerous occasions. Turner is a Life Member of the Bendigo Sub Branch. Refer Cat No's 8029 & 8030 for details of his volunteer/committee work, Life Membership and his WW1 service records.Letter off white colour, letter head of the "Returned Services League of Australia" - Bendigo Sub Branch, all type in black, signed in blue pen. The letter is to "Mr W. Turner" of 121 Barnard St Bendigo."Bendigo 18th June 1969" "President C.J. Plant" "Secretary J.K. Barnes" "Mr W. Turner"brsl, smirsl, letter

GEORGE VICTOR LANSELL is the longest serving President of the Bendigo RSL 1925 - 1952 and then 1954 - 57. He was awarded Life Membership and Life Membership with Gold Badge in 1956. This photo was originally hanging in the Billiard Room SMI. It was moved to the Foyer post 2000 to be with a plaque Cat No 8013. After the renovations to SMI 2016 -18 it was then placed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room". This is not the original photo that was placed in 1926. George Victor Lansell had prior service in the 67th Militia BN before WW1. He enlisted in the AIF with A Coy 38th Bn on 1.5.1916 age 32 years 7 months. He was appointed Coy Commander of A Coy. Embark for England 20.6.1916, hospital 19.8.1916 with Influenza, rejoin unit 25.8.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, WIA 1.12.1916 grazed by a bullet to right forehead, suffering from concussion and other complications he was returned to Australia on 12.5.1917 and discharged from the AIF on 11.8.1917. Timber frame painted gold, black & white portrait of Sir George Lansell wearing a suit and tie, RSL badge on coat. Below photo: "Sir George Lansell KB CMG VD MLC President Bendigo Sub Branch RSSAILA” 1926-1951"brsl, smirsl, 38th

The Bendigo Womens Auxiliary was actually formed in 1936 and went through until 2002. Due the Soldiers Memorial Institute becoming a Museum and the formation of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc the Auxiliary decided to cease fund raising. Their last meeting was held on 26.8.2002. During their time at SMI the Ladies conducted weddings, functions and other fund raisers to support the Bendigo RSL. At the RSL Annual Dinner each year which the ladies catered for they would present the RSL with a cheque. The Auxiliary were awarded 6 Life Memberships and two Certificates of Merit with gold badge.Charter, small brown section timber frame with details on white background. Top has the RSL badge with flags either side followed by the wording establishing the Auxiliary. Main wording is in gold colour.Main wording, " Victorian Branch hereby establishes and constitutes the Bendigo Womens Auxiliary" "Dated at Melb the 25th Day of May 1994" "Bruce Ruxton State President" "......... State Secretary"brsl, smirsl, charter, auxiliary, wabrsl

William John TURNER served on the Committee of the Bendigo Sub Branch from 1948 - 1951, 1953, 1955 - 1958, he was Jnr Vice President during the 1953 - 1958 years. His fund raising and other positions are well documented in Cat No 8029 re the submission for the Life Membership. William Turner had pre WW1 military service in the 67th BN Bendigo area as a Cpl in the Machine Gun section for 2 years. He enlisted in the AIF No 3627 in the 8th Reinforcements 21st BN age 19 years 6 months on 10.7.1915, embark for Eygpt 29.12.1915, transfer to 60th Bn 26.2.1916, promoted Cpl 25.3.1916, embark for France 29.6.1916, WIA 24.4.1918 GSW right wrist, rejoin unit 23.7.1918, promoted Sgt, transfer to 59th Bn 25.9.1918, RTA 15.5.1919, discharged from the AIF 22.8.1919. Certificate framed, frame is timber gold colour, certificate backing is maroon, certificate has ornate edge, all print in blue and black with a red seal at the bottom RH corner. At the top is R.S.S.A.I.L.A followed by the RSL logo then the details of the person receiving and signed.Main points; “This is to certify that Mr W.J. Turner has been awarded Life membership of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airman’s Imperial League of Australia for services rendered as a member of Bendigo Sub Branch Vic” “Dated Canberra 21st Day of November 1956, ................Federal President J Neagle General Secretary”brsl, smirsl, life membership

Framed certificate, frame is timber brown colour, no glass in frame,certificate is yellow colour, all print in blue and black, RSL logo at top followed by the details of the Achievement.Main points, “Certificate of Achievement Bendigo Sub Branch” “For Commendable increase in Membership- Winner Country group 501 - 1,000” “Bruce Ruxton State President” “..................... State Secretary” “Dated 1st July 1981”brsl, smirsl, membership

Framed Certificate, light brown timber frame, certificate yellowish background, all print in blue and black, RSL logo at top followed by the details of the Achievement.Main points, "Certificate of Achievement Bendigo Sub Branch - For Commendable increase in Membership" "Winner Country group 501 - 1,000" "......................... State President” ..............................State Secretary” “ Dated 4th July 1979"brsl, smirsl, membership

Framed certificate, frame is brown colour timber, certificate is cream background with the RSL logo at the top followed by the details of the Achievement. A red seal is at the bottom LH side.Main points, “Certificate of Achievement - Bendigo Sub Branch for the highest increase in membership, an increase of 14.17% in the category of 501 - 1,000 country group for the year 2005” “David McLachlan State President” “...................... Chief Executive Officer” “Dated 29th June 2006” brsl, smirsl, membership

The Life Membership relates to William John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 for details of his work and fund raising for the Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8030 for details re his Committee involvement with Bendigo Sub Branch and his WW1 service history. The Unit Social Clubs listed in an RSL Bendigo Annual report 1946 appear to be 6th, 38th, 57th Bn Associations, Railways Sub Section, Catholic War Veterans Association, POW Association (new member 1947).Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, backing for the certificate is maroon colour, certificate has ornate blue edging, RSL logo at the top followed by the details of the certificate, all print in black, signed and dated.Main points; “Inter Units Social Club - Life Members Certificate - Presented to Mr W.J. Turner for services rendered to the above club” “R C. Kuryke President” “H Skinner Secretary” Dated 28.3.1960”brsl, smirsl, certificate.

00428.1 Leather Wallet 150 x 100 cm, .2 Leave Pass Dated 6th October 1942. .3 Membership card RSS&A League Cairns Qld 31st Dec. 1946. .4 RAAF Hat Badge Sweatheart badge RAAF Emblem Perspex.As above.