All boys aged 12 to 17 began Compulsory Military Training in Australia from 1912. The following year the militia was reformed with Ballarat East being allocated the 70th Infantry and Ballarat West being allocated the 71st Infantry. The 71st Battalion was known as the Ballarat West Battalion until changing to (City of Ballarat) Infantry with its depots reaching as far as Warrnambool. In this photograph of the prize winning 71st Battalion Bugle Band a young 16 year old Michael Taffe is a bugler and won several awards with the band and as a solo bugler. A record of the immediate post-war activities still popular in 1919-1920.Mounted photograph of bugle bandcity of ballarat infantry, 71st battalion, warrnambool, ballarat, michael taffe, ballarat west battalion, cadets., bugle band, awards, bugler

Won by Moonee Ponds Area 58ASilver Metal trophyECMA Drum and Bugle Band Contest 1919 Moonee Ponds Area 58Aregimental property, 58th battalion, essendon rifles, trophy, wark vc club

1919 Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia: South Street Competition Ballarat Third place certificate awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo. Signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill.Awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo and signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill. The Taffe family, like many local families, were involved in community affairs and associations across the years. It is unusual for the generations of one family to retain these mementoes of activities in a generational home in Australia. This second Michael Taffe was active in several brass bands in the city and also was a bugler in the 71st Battalion Band.Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia Prize Certificate.w d hill, michael taffe, ballarat, cornet solo, south street competitions, bugle, military