This important occasion (the First Conference of the British Empire Service League), in the life and career Gilbert J C Dyett, indicates his position in a world between the 1st and 2nd World Wars when the British Empire was still a major power and ones proximity to the Royal Family was the key to your standing. Note, under the Union Jacks and third from the left edge sits the lead delegate and President of the league Bendigonian Gilbert Dyett, beside a Field Marshal and beside him the Chairman and Paron The Prince of Wales The venue The Connaught Rooms, London on the 16th July 1923. Sir Gilbert Joseph Cullen Dyett (1891-1964) was born in Bendigo, at the age of 14 he started working for J H Curnow Real Estate and Auction rooms. In March 1915 he was commissioned as Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion and was badly wounded at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. After the war he was prominent in many organizations including Anzac Remembrance Appeal, Ocean Road Trust, Returned Services League, Australian War Memorial, Racecourse Licences Board of Victoria, Victoria Trotting and Racing Association (which was largely controlled by John Wren) He was caricatured as Captain Dwyer by Frank Hardy in his novel Power without Glory. HE was Knighted in 1934. Died in Fitzroy in1964 and is buried in Bendigo. Ref. Australian Dictionary of Biography. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dyett-sir-gilbert-joseph-cullen-6071 A black and white photograph of about 90 men in dinner suits sitting at dining tables. The tables are all set with empty plates and opened wine bottles. all the men are looking at the camera. There are Heraldic shield and flags on the walls. Gilbert Dyett is sitting at the podium table, second from the left two places from The Prince of Wales who is sitting on the left edge of the flags. The photo is in a brown mount which has a small white piece in the lower section with black printing - THE BRITISH EMPIRE SEERVICE LEAGUE Welcome Dinner to the Overseas Delegates attending the First Biennial Conference. THE CONNAUGHT ROOMS, LONDON 16TH JULY 1923. His Royal Highness, THE PRINCE OF WALES, Patron in the chair gilbert dyett, british empire service league, the prince of wales, the connaught rooms, 'fortuna

IAN DYETT COLLECTION: Photograph. Mounted image of Mr C.J.Curnow calling for bids at the first Commonwealth disposal auction held in Alice Springs after WW2. C.J. Curnow is standing on some machinery in front of a crowd of manly men, a corrugated iron shed is in the background with three men standing in the doorway. Frederick Cullen Dyett is in the crowd below C.J. Curnow wearing a black hat with his collar up. The photograph in is mounted on light brown card. Black hand writing on the back - (C. J.) Cyril James Curnow Calling the bids First Commonwealth disposal auction Alice Springs. (F.C.) Frederick Cullin Dyett in crowd below C J with black hat and collar upc.j. curnow, !940s auction

IAN DYETT COLLECTION: Photograph. Mounted image of Mr C.J.Curnow (centre pointing) conducting an auction in late 1940s. There are about 15 men, most of them wearing hats, standing in front of him, in the background there 1940s motor vehicles. The photograph in is mounted on light brown card.c.j. curnow, !940s auction

Sir Gilbert Joseph Cullen Dyett (1891-1964) was born in Bendigo, at the age of 14 he started working for J H Curnow Real Estate and Auction rooms. In March 1915 he was commissioned as Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion and was badly wounded at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. After the war he was prominent in many organizations including Anzac Remembrance Appeal, Ocean Road Trust, Returned Services League, Australian War Memorial, The British Empire Service League, Racecourse Licences Board of Victoria, Victoria Trotting and Racing Association (which was largely controlled by John Wren) He was caricatured as Captain Dwyer by Frank Hardy in his novel Power without Glory. HE was Knighted in 1934. Died in Fitzroy in1964 and is buried in Bendigo. Ref. Australian Dictionary of Biography. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dyett-sir-gilbert-joseph-cullen-6071 IAN DYETT COLLECTION: Black and white Image of Presentation piece to Sir Gilbert Dyett as the Federal President of the Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League of Australia for presiding over the Seventh Biennial Conference held at Anzac House Melbourne from the 9th to the 13th of November 1934. In two sections with black frames probably joined by hinges resting on a black case in which the piece may have kept. Decorations on the piece include the Union Jack and the Australian Flag. The photograph in is mounted on grey card.gilbert dyett, seventh biennial conference of the british empire service league, anzac house melbourne