Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

This folder of text and photographic memorabilia relating to Robert Wilson Baxter (1935py) is a fascinating record of this former student's service and ultimate sacrifice for his country. Robert Baxter was awarded the George Medal on the 28th July 1942 for heroism in rescuing a fellow crewman from the burning wreck of their aircraft. The Medal was received by his family after Robert's death on 7th August 1942 as a result of an accident while taking off on operations. Robert Baxter's father, also Robert Wilson Baxter, was a Ballarat businessman who purchased the Ballarat Star Newspaper in 1897, selling it to the Courier in 1924. He was also part of Baxter and Stubbs Pty. Ltd. (Printers). Robert's mother attended Mrs Kennedy's School for Girls. Items in the folder have historical significance as they document the service and sacrifice of a RAAF sergeant during World War Two. Archival folder relating to Robert Wilson Baxter (05/03/1918 - 07/08/1942), including photographs of RWB in squadron uniform and receiving wings, visit of Robert Menzies to Squadron, gravestone at Selby, England; telegrams to parents re war injury and discharge from hospital; letters, newspaper clippings and extract from the London Gazette relating to his posthumous receipt of the George Medal; letters of condolence from his Wing Commander and His Majesty George VI; Obituaries and in memoriams; letter from his sister, Margaret Jamieson, re donation of items to BCC. raaf, royal australian air force, george medal, second world war, robert wilson baxter, world war two honour roll, margaret jamieson, robert menzies, 1935py

The Australian War Memorial provides the following details about John Stanley Walker: Service number: 418494 Rank: Flight Sergeant Unit: 1 Service Flying Training School Point Cook Service: Royal Australian Air Force Conflict: 1939-1945 Date of death: 23 January 1943 Place of death: Victoria Cause of death: Accidental Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force .Oil painting on plyboard, framed with stained pine. Features head and shoulders of John Stanley Walker in RAAF uniform with cap.Signed in front bottom left: 'Jos. Schwarcz / Albury / 1943'1943, ballarat college, world war 2, john stanley walker, r a a f, w w 2

A card recording details for the Junior Legacy Honour Roll. The Roll kept details of Junior Legatees that served in World War II. This card records the personal details of Fred Blatchford, a Junior Legatee who joined the RAAF. He died at the age of 21 in an aircraft accident at Bairnsdale in 1943, having already fought in New Guinea and the South West Pacific. Frederick Edward Blatchford was the son of Legatee Claude Blatchford who wrote the book about the history of Melbourne Legacy which was published in 1932. Claude Blatchford died in 1933 which was when Fred became a Junior Legatee. The card is an example of the information kept about junior legatees that joined the services and which were finally collated into an Honour Roll that is on display at Legacy House. The whereabouts of other cards is not known.Commemorates the life of a Junior Legatee and his contribution to the RAAF’s involvement in WWII.Junior Legacy Honour Roll card, on cream card with black type and typing, faded dark blue ink handwriting, recording details of a Junior Legatee who died in WWII.Handwritten and typed information about the Junior Legatee Fred Blatchford.junior legatee, honour roll, fred blatchford