Copy of research conducted for Anzac Display at Specimen Cottage 2015, on Jack Swatton, President of the Bendigo Branch of the RSL 1958 - 1960. Jack enlisted for service in the first AIF on 10 July 1915. He died 9 August 1988, buried Bendigo Cemetery MON G7. Research sourced from M. Poustie.-person, individual, john william swatton, swatton, j.w., bendigo rsl

In 1960 the President of the Sub Branch was John William Swatton, served on Committee 1941 - 1960, Snr Vice President 1949 - 1957, President 1958 - 1960, made Life Member 1962. Refer cat No 6719.2P for his service records. Secretary G.F. Osborne, Served as Secretary 1954 - 1960. Treasurer John Edward Widdison - Fay, served on Committee 1958 - 2000, made Life Member 2015. Refer Cat No 8129P for Jack Fay’s RSL involvement.Booklet paper 32 pages, front cover has headline "Bendigo RSL News" with a large colour central RSL Logo depiction, inside covers Committee, reviews, administration, notes from Auxiliaries and Service clubs, Repatriation, War Service homes,, all internal print in red & black. Approx half the booklet is advertising by local Bendigo Business."Official Organ of Bendigo Sub - Branch R.S.L" "Volume 1, Sept - Oct - Nov, 1960 Number 2"brsl, smirsl, booklet

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

Items in the "Swatton" collection. .1) Jack Swatton, 2nd from left front row. .2) front row 5th from the left. John (Jack) William Swatton. His first connection with the Australian Military is with the Universal Conscription scheme pre WW1. On 1.7.1913 he is alloted to D Coy 67th Bn (Bendigo) Regt No 671 as part of quota 1895 (Year of his birth) He then enlists in the AIF on 10.7.1915 No 4905 age 19 years in 15th Reinforcements 7th Bn AIF. Embark for Eygpt 7.3.1916, embark for France 2.6.1916, Transfer to 48th Bty 12 F.A.B 17.4.1916, transfer to 24th F.A.B 15.6.1916, Transfers to 43rd Bty 11th F.A.B 25.1.1917, detached to Ordnance Works Viviers Hill 15.2.1917, Promoted Bombadier 10.12.1917, attends 2nd Army Artillery School, promoted Corporal 16.3.1918, promoted Sgt 17.6.1918, promoted Bty Sgt Major 15.12.1918, awarded MID 31.12.1918, embark for Australia 11.5.1919, discharged from the AIF. Post WW1 he enlists in the 38th Bn (CMF Bendigo) in 1921, he is Commissioned as an Officer in Sept 1929, from that date till 1940 he is the CO of the BN. The same year he transfers to the 8th Bn CMF. Besides his Mention in Despatches (WW1) he is also awarded the Long Service and Efficiency decorations. On 25.4.1942 he enlists in VDC age 46 years No V362516 in the 15th BN Volunteer Defence Corp for part time duty with the rank of Lt Col, His appointment is terminated on 19.12.1945. In 1941 he is elected to the Committee of the Bendigo RSL, serves as Snr Vice President 1949 - 57 then President 1958 - 60. In 1962 he is made a life member of the RSL..1) Photograph B & W showing 21 Officers of the 38th BN standing outside a building. .2) Photograph sepia tone showing 20 Officers of the 38th Bn in three rows in front of a tent.photographs, 38th bn, post ww1, passchendaele barracks trust.