Francis Charles Pearson was born on 23rd August 1913 in Ballarat. During the course of his long life -he died just before his 96th birthday - he was a successful businessman, notably in the field of air conditioning, as well as a world renown farmer noted for his cattle breeding methods. This was in addition to a meritorious military career. Frank Pearson enlisted as a 16 year old cadet in 6 Field Company, Australian Engineers on 29 Jan 1930., CSM in 1935, he transferred to 2 Field Coy RAE on 1 July 1936. Next, he joined the cadre of 2 AA Searchlight Coy, RAE and was commissioned on 14 Oct 1939. That unit became 53rd AA Coy, providing personnel for 1/54 AA Coy late in 1939. Lt Pearson was was 2IC at this time. When the unit was mobilised on 14 Sep 1940, T/Capt Pearson was appointed OC. Seconded to the AIF on 14 May 1941 he was appointed to raise A Squadron, 2/6 Armoured Regiment, and once that was done, he raised B Squadron. Promoted temporary Major in June 1942 he served with the regiment in Stuart tanks during the difficult operations around Cape Endaiadere and Buna from October 1942 until April 1943. After return to Australia the regiment waited in vain for further operational employment. Frank Pearson was demobilised on 23 October 1945. With the raising of the Citizen Military Forces in 1948, Major Pearson was appointed 2IC 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. On 1 January 1953 he assumed command of 4th/19th Prince of Walers's Light Horse Regiment, a post he held until the end of 1956. After service in more senior postings he retired with the rank of Colonel on 24 August 1964. From then until just a few years before his passing, Colonel Pearson remained actively involved in the life of his regiment. Following a couple of less successful attempts to do so, he was instrumental in establishing the regimental museum, these days the Unit History Room. Undaunted by a continuing sequence of changing venues it is to his credit that the history of the regiment is not only preserved but readily available to today's members of the unit and the general public. Coloured photo of Colonel Francis (Frank) Pearson OAM ED. Mounted in wooden frame.frank pearson, photographs

Diamond Valley schools held an ANZAC Day commemorative service at Diamond Valley Secondary College on 23/4/2015. The 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment provided a catafalque party, guest speaker and a display of military memorabilia by the Unit History Room. The medallion was given as a token of appreciation.Bronze coloured 30 mm dia medallion. Obverse - Flaming torch, surrounded by "DIAMOND CREEK SCHOOLS 1915 -2015" Reverse - Monument standing in front of shrubbery. It is mounted on a card which provides a brief story of Australian involvement in WW1, names of Diamond Creek men killed, names of the local schools participating in the ceremony. Medallion and card laminated.

Service of Frank Phillips Prior to the commencement of World War I, Frank Phillips served in the Minyip Troop of the Light Horse militia. His civilian occupation was that of clerk. On 22 August 1914 he enlisted in C Squadron 4th Light Horse Regiment. The 4th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the troop ship “Wiltshire “ for training at Mena Camp, in Egypt. During May 1915 the Regiment was deployed to the Gallipoli campaign in a dismounted role. After seven months, the Gallipoli campaigned was abandoned and the troops withdrawn. On return to Egypt the 4th Light Horse Regiment divided with one component deployed to Palestine and the other to the Western Front. Frank went on to serve in Palestine. He was promoted to Sergeant while at Gallipoli and, in Palestine, was promoted to Captain, serving as Adjutant of the Regiment. He was granted furlough to return to Australia from 14 October 1916 to 12 March 1917. On 16 January 1918 he was Mentioned in Despatches Citation: At Hill 750 near Bir El Esani on 30-4-17 he led an attack on Hill 750 under heavy rifle fire capturing the position and 7 armed Bedouins. On 23-5-17 during reconnaissance, he led and attack on 790 under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire and captured the position, inflicting losses on the Turks. He has, at all times, set a fine example of courage to his men. 22 October: 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross Recommendation of Commanding Officer – For exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty on the 28th September 1918, during the crossing of the JORDAN near EL MIN, this officer (adjutant of the Regiment) personally reconnoitred for crossings under heavy M.G. fire and led the Regiment to the only available crossing, rendering invaluable assistance during the crossing. On 3oth September when the Regiment was advanced guard on to KAUKAB, this officer’s personal reconnaissance to confirm patrol reports was of the highest order and utmost value to his C.O. culminating in the capture of KAUKAB with a mounted attack and the The 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment has a long and distinguished history that pre-dates Federation to colonial Victoria’s mounted troops. Our history parallels that of the nation, including its active participation in some of the most inspiring events in Australian Military History including the Defence of ANZAC and the charge at Beersheba. The Regiment is based on a linkage of the two post-World War II Victorian Army Reserve RAAC units - 4th/19th Prince of Wales’ Light Horse and 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. From these units we derive our links with the six Light Horse Regiments of Victoria and Southern New South Wales (4th, 8th, 13th, 17th, 19th and 20th Light Horse Regiments.) The Regiment proudly bears the guidon of the 4th Light Horse, with the guidons of the remaining regiments being laid up in the crypt of the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. During World War I, the 4th Light Horse Regiment served with distinction on three fronts – Gallipoli, Palestine and the Western Front. Corporal, later Captain, Phillips was a member of the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. He created the post card while serving with the Regiment as a Corporal at Gallipoli. Post Card, hand madeFrom Cpl Frank Phillips, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Entries in pencil Front: Addressed to Andrew Phillips (father) at Minyip, Victoria, Message: “A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, Made while on my day out. Love Frank” Reverse Top Centre – 4 LH Badge Centre – cloth map of Australia stapled to card Bottom – Print of flag stapled to card, Irish green ensign, Union flag in canton, gold coloured Irish harp on fly. Notations: Broadmeadows, Wiltshire (Troop Ship), Shrapnel Gully, Suicide Gully, Courtney’s Post Mena, Mex, Heliopolis, Imbros, Gallipoli, Turkish soil underneath (flag), Australia on Turkey, Lone Pine, Leans Trench, Constantinople, All honour to our Irish comrades, To greet you 1915-16. From the shells, yells, and little Hells, of the Darda Dardenelles 0 – 0 May you enjoy your Xmas dinner as I hope to enjoy my Xmas billy in the trenches.ww1, gallipoli, 4th light horse, post card, frank phillips

Small statuette depicting an Australian serviceman assisting a wounded comrade. The statuette depicts a scene from a famous moving film taken in New Guinea during World War 2 by Australian War Correspondent, Damien Peter Parer who was attached to the Australian Military Forces. The statuette is made from Pewter and is mounted on a stained wooden base. The following text statement is copied from the AWM website and describes the image in further detail: During the advance on Salamaua VX89711 Sergeant Gordon Raymond Charles Ayre MM, a 58/59th Battalion bandsman from Shepparton, Victoria, in pouring rain assists a wounded mate, VX132355 Private William Oswald Wallace Johnson, of the same unit, across Alan's (Allen's?) Creek to an advanced regimental aid post. Johnson had been wounded by a Japanese grenade on the 13th of July 1943 during an attack on the "coconuts" area. Sergeant Ayre was awarded the military medal for his performance during this action. This is one of the iconic images of the Second World War. (Still from AWM film F01866 "Assault on Salamaua", newsreel by Damien Parer)The wooden base has a label which is inscribed with the following: "MATES" Heritage Fine Arts, Limited Edition