This is a set of 26 black & white photographs of troops from the Army Headquarters Survey Regiment undertaking ceremonial drills at a military funeral held at Mildura in 1968. As a senior officer of field rank (Colonel or above) led the funeral procession, it is presumed the unknown deceased soldier was also a highly ranked field officer. The location of the funeral service was the Methodist Church in Merbein, based on the sign in photo .2P and the burial was held at the Midura Cemetery in northwest Victoria, based on the annotation on the back of photo .10P.This is a set of 26 black & white photographs of troops from the Army Headquarters Survey Regiment undertaking ceremonial drills at a military funeral held at Mildura in1968. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) to .8) - Photo, black & white, 1968. All unidentified. .9) &.10) - Photo, black & white, 1968. Front rank L to R: unidentified (x4), SPR Bob Williams, SPR John McCracken, remainder unidentified. Rear rank L to R: all unidentified. .11) to .13) - Photo, black & white, 1968. File on right: No. 4 - SPR Bob Williams, No. 5 - SPR John McCracken, remainder unidentified. File on left: all unidentified. .14) to .19) - Photo, black & white, 1968. All unidentified. .20) - Photo, black & white, 1968. Front rank L to R: all unidentified. Rear rank L to R: unidentified, SPR John McCracken, SPR Bob Williams, remainder unidentified. .21) to .26) - Photo, black & white, 1968. All unidentified. There are no annotations, except the date ‘1968’ is written on the back of photo .10P. No personnel are identified.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

This is a token of appreciation to Rev William Charles J. Peart who was leaving the Wodonga-Bethanga Methodist Circuit to serve King and country. He was minister of the Wodonga-Bethanga circuit in 1914 from where he enlisted in the Light Horse. He afterwards became a gunner in the Field Artillery and was severely gassed, from which he never really recovered. He spent time in hospital and on his return to Australia his circuits were Drouin, Footscray and Merbein. He then had to request leave of absence for six months owing to war disabilities. He was able to return to the ministry. Before enlisting he married Doris Quick who came out of the Daylesford Circuit. The war left a legacy of suffering and limitation with Mr Peart, but he showed a brave face and a steady heart. Paper testimonial mounted on card. The text is gold and there is an image of a draped Australian flag in the top right corner. The testimonial is signed on behalf of the Wodonga-Bethanga Methodist Circuit by 12 people.wodonga-bethanga methodist circuit, rev william charles j. peart 1881-1949, world war 1914 - 1918

John Blakemore (1908 - 2000). Born at Pelsall, Staffordshire. Became a local preacher at the age of 18. Arrived in Australia in 1926. Accepted as a Home Missionary and served at Ultima, Willaura, Piangil and Moulamein. Studied at Otira and at Queen's College. Whilst studying he was sent to St. George's Rd Northcote, where he met his wife. Returned to England for two years, where he served as a probationer. Returned to Australia in 1937 and was ordained into the Methodist Church. He served at Merbein, Shepparton, Newstead, Numurkah, Maffra, East Ivanhoe, Bentleigh, and Oakleigh. Between 1941 and 1944 he was a chaplain in the A.I.F.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. John Blakemore.john blakemore, local preacher, home missionary, otira, queen's college, chaplain a.i.f., methodist, minister.