Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. Michele used this Discharge Certificate as part of her research: This is a Certificate of Discharge from the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force (AIF) for Private Horace Victor Betteridge, service number 13379, who served with the 13th Field Ambulance. Key details Name: Horace Victor Betteridge Rank: Private Unit: 13th Field Ambulance Place of birth: Bendigo, Victoria Age on enlistment: 29½ years Discharge reason: Declared medically unfit, not due to misconduct. Date of discharge: 14 June 1918 Place of discharge: Melbourne, Victoria Service record Service towards completion of engagement: 1,078 days Service abroad: 795 days No medals or decorations are recorded on the certificate. Physical description at discharge Age: 32½ years Height: 5 ft 8 in (approximately 173 cm) Complexion: Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Blue Trade/Occupation: Clerk Identifying mark: Vaccination marks on left arm Residence Intended place of residence after discharge: 82 Forest Street, Bendigo The document shows that Horace Victor Betteridge served overseas for over two years during World War I before being discharged in 1918 on medical grounds. As a member of the 13th Field Ambulance, he would have served in a medical support unit responsible for treating and evacuating wounded soldiers near the front lines. Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Certificate of Discharge - Horace Betteridge This item includes the following documents: 8672.28a Photocopy, two pages of an Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge for Horace Victor Betteridge, 14th June 1914bendigo, michele matthews collection, horace victor betteridge