The St Kilda Soldiers’ Lounge was opened by the St Kilda Patriotic League and the YMCA in 1915, and run by Mrs Lucie Hallenstein. Located in the refreshment rooms of the former Comedy Theatre, Lower Esplanade, it provided a place for returned soldiers to relax and socialise. By mid-1916 the average weekly attendance had reached eight hundred servicemen. The lounge remained popular until it closed in 1920.White coloured card printed in bluewwi fund-raising, st kilda soldiers lounge, wwi, world war i

Women’s Auxiliaries were formed by mothers, wives, widows, sisters, daughters and aunts of men who served in the First World War. In May1918 a small band of women from the "Friendly Union" organised themselves,under the leadership of Mrs F C Purbrick, into a Women's Auxiliary of the Wangaratta Returned Soldiers Association (RSA). Their first task was to furnish club rooms for the RSA and this was achieved by seeking donations and raising money by selling jams, jellies and posies of violets by selected girls wearing special badges in the street. Over the years funds have been raised through raffles, competitions, street stalls and catering at numerous events to assist the aims of the Returned Services League. In 2018 the Wangaratta RSL Women's Auxiliary celebrated its centenary. Women have played a central role in sustaining the activities of ex-service organisations. Women's auxiliaries are dedicated to fundraising, supporting the activities of their local RSL, and caring for veterans in their wider community. Today, there are more than 1200 auxiliary members in Victoria.Red timber shield mounted on brown laminated base of particle board in a larger shield shape with metal emblem. Women's Auxillary RSL on metal logo with Crown and Australian Flag mounted on red shieldwomen's auxiliary, wangaratta rsl

Letter of sympathy to Mrs Seymour on the passing of her husband Gunner Barry SEYMOUR 19825Cream coloured paper letter with black type below letterhead and crest.The Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia dated 26/2/1941 and signed by State President G.W. Holland addressed to Mrs R. H. Seymour 29 Barnett Street, Kensington.rs&sila, barry seymour

The shield design is symbolic of the protection provided to those who wear it. Within the badge, red represents the blood ties of war that exist between comrades; white stands for the purity of the motives in joining the league – to render service without personal gain or ambition; and blue indicates a willingness to serve a comrade anywhere under the blue sky. The wattle represents Australia, with the leek, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock standing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. Badge issued to 3978 Private Wilfred FITTON born in Lancashire England, enlisted in the AIF in Melbourne on 28/7/1915. Served with the 5th Battalion 12/5 Rein.Embarked 23/11/1915 and was discharged on 6/7/1920. Post war worked for the Victorian Railways and lived at Tarrawingee.The League’s badge represents a readiness at all times to render service to Queen and country and to former comrades. It can’t be purchased and may only be worn by those who have served their country. Gold badge with crown on top, blue circle in the middle with image in gold centre, red banner at bottom surrounded in white enamel. Coat lapel pin attached.On front: Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen Imperial League Australia On back: 48257 V Property of League. Swann & Hudson Vic. australia, rsl, private wilfred fitton, 5th battalion, ww1

A sepia photograph of a soldier's memorial at sunbury at the intersection of Macedon Street, Barkly Street and Stawell Street before it was moved. Stawell Street was closed off and now forms part of the Village Green precinct. Unmounted postcardmonuments and memorials, soldiers, armed forces, returned servicepeople, returned servicemens league, gregor, alex, billinghurst, beryl, francey, sandra, world war 2, world war 1, sunbury, macedon street, stawell street, village green, george evans collection

ENAMELLED METAL BADGE TOPPED WITH A YELLOW METALLIC CROWN WITH A GREEN 67. ON BADGE - WHITE BACKGROUND WITH TWO GROUPS OF MARKS ON THE TOP RIGHT & TOP LEFT. BLUE CIRCLE UNDER THIS WHICH READS " RETURNED SOLDIERS SAIILORS & AIRMEN". INSIDE THE BLUE - A METAL COLOURED CIRCLE IN WHICH THREE FIGURES WEARING DIFFERENT HATS. UNDERNEATH THIS BLUE SECTION IS A METAL COLOURED BANNER - IMPERIAL LEAGUE AUSTRALIA.FRONT - 67 RETURNED SAILORS SOLDIERS & AIRMEN, IMPERIAL LEAGUE AUSTRALIA BACK - W A CUMPSTONS A7375local history, numismatic, medals, military, medals, military

Used by Robin Da Costa in 'Blackburn - A Picturesque History'.Black and white photo of Blackburn College opened 1914. Local Blackburn Girls entertaining soldiers during 1914 - 1918 war. Joe Sword's Hall in the Background is now located in Lake Road as a Scout Hall. The first meeting of the Blackburn R.S.L. was held in Sword's Hall in 1927.|See page 81 of Da Costa book.sword, joe, blackburn college, blackburn returned servicemens league

RSL memorabilia Black wooden frameLetter of thanks to Mr. G. Kingsbury as President of the Dandenong Sub. Branch

A shell mosaic in Clunes by returned soldier Arthur Pickford.arthur pickford, mosaic, clunes rsl, returned soldiers league, shells, world war one

Buff coloured book containing typed Rules and By Laws of The Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia. The Bendigo Sub Branch Rules and Bye Laws. Stapled to the inside front cover is a small booklet titled Rules of the Bendigo Returned Servicemen's Club Bendigo dated 1958.clubs, social, book of constitutions, r.s.l. bendigo collection - constitution bendigo r.s.s.a.i.l.a.

Blue leather covered diary, with RSL logo on cover. The first 40 pages have information relating to returned service personnel. The diary pages have pencil hand written entries in the last pages. Cover: RSL logo Victorian branch 1948. Title page: Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. Victorian branch 1948 Diary And Serviceman’s Guide.

10559a Letter to Mr. G.V. Lansell, Mr. R.F. Hyett and Mr. G.R. Wheeler, authorizing the Trustees of the Bendigo Sub-branch of R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Building and Patriotic Fund to complete the purchase of a property in Mackenzie Street Bendigo, and authorizing the Trustees to borrow £2000 to complete the purchase. Dated 19 June 1950. Letter from Solicitors Hyett. Willis and Hyett. 10559b Indemnity agreement for five members of the Bendigo Sub-branch of The Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airman's' Imperial League of Australia Victorian Branch ( R.S.S.A.I.L.A.) dated 22 December 1950, in relation to the purchase of (11) McKenzie Street, Bendigo and borrowing £2,000 from the Commonwealth Bank to complete a property purchase. The members being Mr. George Victor Lansell, Mr. Frederick Eustace Jackson, Mr. John William Swatton, Mr. George Robert Wheeler, and Mr. Augustus John Skehan. r.s.s.a.i.l.a bendigo branch, mackenzie street

Group Ladies R.S.S. & AILA Auxiliary c1940's R.S.S. was the RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS AILA was the AIRMEN IMPERIAL LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA BACK ROW L-R unknown , Mrs McL WALKER, unknown, unknown Mrs CHATFIELD CENTRE ROW L-R: Mrs ANYON, Mrs FITZELL Miss FAWCETT Mrs ROEBY unknown, unknown FRONT ROW L-R: Mrs MORIATY Mrs LUGAR Mrs PICKERING Mrs NEWTON Mrs KINDRED unknown Mrs EGGINTONSEPIA PHOTOGRAPH ENCLOSED IN A COVER WITH A METAL BACK. Three rows of ladies with the front row seated. lady in the centre of the front row is holding an R.S.S pennant Photographs were framed this way in the 1940'sstawell, soldiers, sailors, airmen

Charter of Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airman's Imperial League of Australia (Victorian Branch) presented to Lilydale sub-branch 1st February 1920. New charter signed and issued 23rd January 1953.

Standard dress uniform jacket for soldiers.Khaki coloured single breasted jacket fastened with four centre plastic buttons and a belt. Belt attached to jacket on back via two leather loops buttoned around a fabric loop. Jacket carries two breast pockets on exterior with flap, each fastened with single plastic button and two metal press studs. Two hip pockets with flaps, unfastened. Interior is lined with synthetic fabric; one interior chest pocket on the left hand side underneath which is a manufacturers label (transcribed below). Small square paper tag sewn into left jacket interior (transcribed below).Interior label reads "E.W. P/LTD./SOUTH AUSTRALIA/1968/[broad arrow symbol]/SIZE 36 SHORT/CLASS 8406/66-019-8479/ARMY No./NAME/DRY CLEAN ONLY./REPRESS USING IRON AND DAMP CLOTH OR MEDIUM TO HOT STEAM IRON./CREASE UPPER HALF OF LAPELS ONLY." Written on the label is handwritten text "J.V." And "12/0L/0/67." Stamped in purple ink "BATCH No./385." Paper tag reads "62000/LOT 12 36S/GLOBE6/67."military, uniform, vietnam war, 1960s, dress uniform, beechworth, returned services league

This Unibic Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit tin is one of a series produced in 2014 to commemorate 100 years 1914 - 2014 of World War 1, focusing on the Victoria Cross, The Anzac Biscuit Story and The RSL Story. The included paper sheet explains the Victoria Cross in full detail. The RSL and Modern Baking Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows provided this product.A large rectangular commemorative Unibic Limited Edition red lidded Anzac Biscuit Tin with an embossed old brown toned photograph image of a soldier on parade receiving a Victoria Cross medal. The lettering for the tin is stamped in red and white at the top of the lid with Limited Edition in gold. There is a brief explanation about the Victoria Cross in a black rectangle shape at the bottom as well as a picture of the medal above it. The back of the tin has information about The Anzac Biscuit Story and details about the RSL (Returned Service League) formed in 1916. Inside the tin there is a white sheet of paper with full details about the Victoria Cross. As stated above there is the name of the tin 'Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit'. "The Victoria Cross" - The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "In the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. 500g Net'war, world war 1, world war 2, containers, tins, commemorative tins

This is a rare programme detailing a concert presented by the visiting Royal Marines Band, H.M.S. "Renown" and two local military bands, the Victorian Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Band and the Victorian Railways Military Band. The concert was held at the Green Mill, Princes Bridge on Sunday 8th May, 1927. In the programme it can be seen that the bands presented several seperate items and also some combined items.This program is significant, not only for its rarity but also for the fact that it highlights one of the concerts that the Band of H.M.S. "Renown" participated in during their tour. It also shows two of Victoria's now defunct bands that existed at the time. Programme printed on card.royal marines band h.m.s. "renown", victorian returned soldiers' and sailors' memorial band, victorian railways military band

Ian Darnton Watson was a member of a prominent family of civic leaders in Wodonga. He was born on 6th July 1925 in Albury, the first son of Kenneth Darnton Watson and Phyllis Lenore Emily Austin. He completed his primary education at Albury Grammar School, and later became a boarder at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. He enlisted for military service at Albury on 25th January 1944 and commenced full time service on 8th February 1944 at Royal Park in Melbourne, Victoria and was allocated to the 2nd Medium Artillery Regiment. He embarked on overseas service in Borneo on 30th July 1945 and disembarked in Australia on 15th April 1947 after serving with the Australian occupation forces in Japan. Mr Watson was discharged on 22nd April 1947 at which time he was a member of the Australian 2nd Medical Regiment. On discharge he returned home to help his father farm his property, de Kerilleau in Wodonga which was classified by the National Trust in 1974. Ian described his father, Kenneth as a hardworking, practical man, who for two years from 1929 - 1931, had been the Wodonga Shire President. Cr K. D. Watson was again elected to the Council in 1943 and served until he died in October 1951. In March 1957, he married Miss Lesley Buttfield, of Sydney, NSW. They had three children, Fiona, John and Rowena. John was later to become a member of Wodonga Council and served as Mayor. Ian was President of the RSSAILA (Returned Sailor's, Soldier's and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia) branch at Wodonga from 1953 to 1955 and remained as a member after that time. The League was renamed to the Returned Services League in 1965. Mr Ian Watson died on 14 December 1981, aged 56.This certificate is significant because it recognises the service of Ian Darnton Watson in support of Returned Servicemen in Wodonga.A framed certificate mounted on card. The frame is plastic with a wood grain finish.On Certificate:- R.S.S.A.I.L.A. VICTORIAN BRANCH Presented to Ian D. Watson, As a token of esteem and in grateful recognition of valuable services rendered as President of the Wodonga Sub Branch Years 1953 to 1955.wodonga rssaila, ian darnton watson, watson family wodonga, rsl wodonga

Badge mounted on light coloured timberReturned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen Imperial Australia League

Small members metal badge for Australia Imperial LeagueReturned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. Imperial Australia League. V33503. Badge ? Rupert ?

Small metal members badge with claspImperial Australia League. returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. Worn inscription on rear

Small metal members badge for the Australia Imperial LeagueAustralia Imperial League. 44. Returned Sailors and Soldiers.

This photograph shows the Protestant Hall on Nepean Highway Cheltenham, which at the time of the photograph was used by the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Aimen's Imperial Leage of Australia (RSSAILA). The building facade, World War I memorials, fire station building and road plantation are also in view. The Protestants Hall was built by the Cheltenham Protestant Hall Company Limited in 1886. The hall has been used for a wide variety of purposes; in earlier times it served as the Sunday School for the Methodist Home for Children, and later as a schoolhouse when the Beaumaris School (now Cheltenham State School) No 84 met with overcrowding problems. It was also a popular venue for annual balls and regular dances held by church groups and sporting organisations. The City of Moorabbin purchased the building in the 1920's for use by the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League, in whose hands it remained until the late 1970s when it was taken over by a catering firm. During the 1920s, and right up to the late 1950s, it also served as Cheltenham's picture theatre. The three memorial columns, one from the South African War, one from World War I and one from World War II previously located in front of the hall were relocated when Nepean Highway was widened. The Protestant Hall still stands at 1261 Nepean Highway CheltenhamBlack and white digital image depicting three buildings. The right hand building bears a sign that reads RSSAILA. There are trees and a bench seat in the foreground. There is a World War I memorial pictured. world war i, world war ii, protestant hall, cheltenham, returned sailors' soldiers' and aimen's imperial leage of australia (rssaila), returned and service's league (rsl)

A commemorative magazine published by R.S.S.I.L.A. for Anzac Day 1919. It contains black and white photos from World War 1. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.A record of a publication made to commemorate World War 1.A publication to commemorate ANZAC Day in 1919, a colour printed cover with a wrap around tissue protective cover.world war one, souvenir

Two page document recording anecdotes about Melbourne Legacy Presidents, including Bill Cremor, Syd Birrell, Ray Hall and Cyril Smith, written by Ray Hall's successor in 1935, H.G. Brain. According to his account relationships were not always smooth; not only did Hall chair a fractious Board in 1934, but in 1931 insults were hurled during a meeting (by no less than Stan Savige) which resulted in the immediate resignation of the then President Smith, later retracted. Brain himself upset Mildura Legacy when he put forward his view to the Mildura Annual Dinner that 'the returned soldier section of the population was big enough ... to carry its own welfare activities, and that it ought not to pound the general populace too hard.' He had inadvertently broadcast his ideas over the national network, thinking that the microphone was only for local hearing assistance. More amusingly Brain also tells a story about Cremor when he ran against Harold Holt for the the House of Representatives seat of Fawkner 'in 1942 (?)', and one about Birrell showing a group of the Women's Nationalist League (a conservative women's organisation established in 1904 to support the monarchy and empire) members around the Flemington Saleyards. The handwritten notation at the end references the funeral of 1949 President Syd Birrell, who died in 1966.Eyewitness account of early Melbourne Legacy presidents, which is indicative of the times and attitudes.2 typed sheets, black on white'Birrell funeral' handwritten in blue ballpoint, tick beside the final paragraph on each sheet.past presidents, history