Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984. Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023. This torch was part of a collection of items donated to Wodonga Historical Society by Les Cole. The RSL emblem on this item was first introduced in 1990.A small tin containing an aluminium torch and 2 batteries in foam packing. The emblem of the Australian Returned Services League is etched on the lid. On side of torch: RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE AUSTRALIArsl australia, memorabilia

Wooden Plaque N Z Returned Services Association N Z Returned Services Association

Brass Returned from Active service badgeFront Returned from active service Back A0077

Grant of Charter given by Victoria R.S.L. Head Office to Sub Branches to carry the name Lara R.S.L. Sub-Branch Inc. dated 16th May 2007.Grant of Charter for Lara R.S.L. Sub Branch to be Incorporated. Dated 16th May 2007. Refer to record number 250 Lara collection for reference to original Grant of Charter dated 1928. Grant of Charter - The Returned Services League Lara Sub-Branch dated 16th May 2007Grant of Charter - The returned & Services League of Australia Limited issued 16th May 2007charter, rsl, rsl victorian branch, lara rsl, 2007

Ballarat Shool of Mines played an important role in training returned World War One servicemen via the Repatriation Vocational Training Scheme. Operating from 1917 to 1922, this scheme offered trades-based training to a large number of returned soldiers, depending on aptitude and level of disability. Many returned soldiers were unprepared for the workforce after demobilisation because of war injuries, or lost study opportunity during the years of their service. The Scheme was designed to give ex-servicemen the skills to find jobs, boost post-war economic recovery and add to social cohesion. It operated from 1917 to 1922. White paper with handwritten script in ink. The rough draft letter relates to free tuition for returned soldiers at the Ballarat School of Mines28.8.1916 Major Lazarus Secretary Returned Soldiers Association Y.M.C.A. Ballarat Dear Sir. On the 25th February last my Council adopted a resolution to the effect that application from returned soldiers for free tuition at this school would be favorably considered. At the Council meeting held on Friday last, the 25th inst., the matter was further discussed and, at Colonel Bolton's suggestion, it was decided that it would be in the best interests of the movement, if application for admission were received through your association. The undermentioned gentlemen were appointed as a sub-committee to receive such application and will be very pleased to interview any soldiers whom you would recommend as trainees. Yours faithfully Joseph A. Day Sub committee:- Col. W.K. Bolton, Mr T. Hurley. W.R. Stephenson, The Principal of the Science School (Mr E. Fenner), and the Principal of the Art School (Mr H.H. Smith)repatriation, repatriation vocational training scheme, ballarat school of mines, world war, world war 1, bolton, colonel bolton, w.k. bolton, joseph day, t. hurley, r. stephenson, fenner, h.h. smith, returned soldiers, returned soldiers association, balllarat ymca, major lazarus, world war one, repatriation

Booklet of Rules of the Wangaratta Returned Servicemen' s Club which contains the names of Office Bearers - President - Mr W. H. FIELD - as per Honour Board verified as President in 1955-6.Wangaratta Returned Servicemen's Club Booklet of Rules - Mr W. H. FIELD was President of the Club in 1955-6 Cream coloured booklet with blue RSL logo and inscriptionWangaratta Returned Servicemen's Club - RULESwangaratta rsl, club rules and bylaws, 1955-6

This badge is a membership badge to the Warrnambool Returned Services Club which is situated on Merri St Warrnambool. It provides services and meals for returned servicemen and women and the general public. This badge belonged to Ernest Swan who served in World War 11Round gold metal with dark green rim with writing in gold. A separate red circle of metal is attached at the lower section with the number 78 in gold. Small round hook at the top.Returned Services Club Warrnambool around the rim. Stokes on the reverse.warrnambool returned services club, ernest swan rsl, warrnambool history

Issued to returned service personnel following WW2. This badge can be worn on the left lapel in civilian clothes.Brass badge in shape of a diamond. Each of the services are represented in the badge, Wings of Airforce, anchor for Navy & rising-sun for Army, with a crown in the centre.Around base: Returned From Active Service. Reverse side: A 1506returned service, badge

A shell mosaic in Clunes by returned soldier Arthur Pickford.arthur pickford, mosaic, clunes rsl, returned soldiers league, shells, world war one

Returned from Active Service badges were issued to all Australian service personnel who saw active service. Issued to Mr ??? Service No:- 251845SignificantRound badge with crown on top. Brass. Front centre:- Rising sun emblem with AIF underneath. " Rim:- Issued by Dept. of Defence. Returned from Active Service. Rear:- 251845. Amour Sydney

Set of three notices, duplicated on cut paper: .1 - D386 - 8/2/19 - "Returned Soldiers' tickets" regarding availability of concessions on trams - only to 1914 men and those undergoing hospital treatment. .2 - D471 - 9/12/19 - "Returned sick or wounded soldiers' concession tickets" regarding the use of tickets and their use beyond the two penny section. See Reg Item 4262 for an associated card. .3 - C478 - 31/12/19 - "Blinded Soldiers" - regarding cardboard passes issued to these men, their conditions of use. See Reg Item 4262 for samples. Two copies held, pinned together.trams, tramways, tickets, world war 1, hospital, blind person, soldiers

A bookplate for Keith Wingrove featuring a koala carrying a book.This Book Must Be Returned to Keith Wingrovebookplate, keith wingrove, books, koala

Returned from active service badge with King's Crown for service in WW2 and Korea. Numbered on the reverse. Symbols of Navy, Army and Air Force mounted above a boomerang. Also issued to the Nursing Service .

A newspaper photo of returned servicemen and nurses marching past the original First World War memorial during an Anzac Day march in 1928. It was published as a centre page spread on 5 May 1928 in the The Weekly Times. '25,000 Returned Soldiers, Headed By Their Leader, Sir John Monash, Marched Past The Cenotaph On Anzac Day.' A war memorial to the 1914-1918 war was originally erected in Spring Street outside the Victorian Parliament Building (at that time it was the being used by the Australian Federal Parliament, from 1901-1927 when it moved to Canberra). Anzac Day services were held at this memorial in the 1920s and early 1930s. Items were in an envelope with other photos and programmes from different items relating to the Shrine of Remembrance - including discussions on its location and design. Labelled 'Shrine of Remembrance S1 - S14' it was part of an old archive numbering system (S=Shrine), that showed there has been efforts in the past to collect, order and save items of Legacy's history. From articles in Trove: The temporary cenotaph was the original first world war memorial until the Shrine of Remembrance was dedicated in 1937. The cenotaph was a half size replica of the London Symbol of Remembrance in Whitehall. It was made from timber and plaster and was initially meant to only last for the 1926 Anzac day service and be removed. With annual upkeep it remained until at least 1934 when ex-service men proceeded from the incomplete Shrine to the cenotaph on the steps of Parliament House on Anzac day.A record of an Anzac Day ceremony at the old First World War memorial in Spring Street in 1928. Not many photos are available of the original memorial. The size of the march past (reported as 25,000 soldiers) points to the enormous number of Victorians who served in the First World War. Black and white newspaper article about ANZAC Day at the old First World War memorial in Spring Street in 1928.Title: '25,000 Returned Soldiers, Headed By Their Leader, Sir John Monash, Marched Past The Cenotaph On Anzac Day.' Caption: " Scene at Parliament House, Melbourne, where the Governor, Lord Somers, took the salute, as returned Soldiers and Nurses passed, on they way to the Commemorative Service at the Exhibition.'anzac day, wreath laying ceremony

Very, original badge,Bronze. Returned from Active Service Badge, issued in 1920 to Ferrier Sergeant James Walter Healy.See photo

significant to the Pyrenees Shire and Lexton communityframed print of the constitution of the Waubra Sub-Branch of the Victorian Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia

Catalogue card reads, 'Clocktower re-opening. Returned soldiers'.

Six workmen and cook? near tents at St George River Returned Soldiers' Camp. Note timber tramway on left-hand side of photographreturned-soldiers-camp; st.-george-river. timber-tramway-track

Brass round medallion presented to Alex Taylor Returned from Active Service. A.Taylor. from Charlton Citizens 1939-1945

St Kilda Town Hall, c.1945glossy black and white photograph good conditionHand written on back: Neg 48, Returned Soldiers Dinner 1945. 1940's?

Gilt bronze medallionIssued by Dept of Defence. returned from Active Service. Australian Military Forces. 211591

Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch local community contributions being acknowledged by a Certificate of Appreciation for Aid to Mental Welfare dated 5/07/1989.Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch local community contributions being acknowledged by a Certificate of Appreciation for Aid to Mental Welfare dated 5/07/1989.certificate of appreciation awarded by The Returned Services League of Australia - National Executive to Lara RSL Sub-branch for recognition for Aid to Medical Welfare dated 5th july 1989.Topped by an official RSL Badgeand on the bottom right is the official seal signed by National President and National Secretary.the returned services league of australa - national executive, cerficicte of appreciation, aid to medical welfare

Commemorative, souvenir booklet of the visit to the RSS Mills by HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester on Saturday, 3rd November 1934. HRH stayed at 'Ercildoune' at Burrumbeet, Victoria, home of H. Alan Currie, MLC, and a merino stud containing descendents of the historic King George III flock. HRH sheared a sheep during his stay, and the fleece was taken to the RSS Mill where HRH later visited to see it being made into a Royal and Hunting Stewart tartan travelling rug.WITH THE COMPLIMENTS / OF THE DIRECTORATE OF / THE GEELONG RETURNED / SOLDIERS' WOOLLEN MILLS / GEELONG / VICTORIA, AUS., / NOVEMBER, 1934royal visits, textile mills history, merino sheep history, textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000), fairnie, mr edward john - returned soldiers and sailors mill schofield, mr albert m.b.e. - returned soldiers and sailors mill currie, hon. h. alan m.l.c., ercildoune stud, burrumbeet, textile mills - history, merino sheep - history

"Parade of Returned AIF Personnel through city streets, Wednesday 18 November 1943" 2 memos from JM Harry, Dist Traffic Supt, to depots for tram arrangements for above event.Pencil comments to Mr Harry to notetrams, tramways, events, parades, world war 2

Membership card of L.L. Haines to the Ringwood Returned Servicemen's Club. Expiry date 31-Dec-1959. L.L. Haines was the father of Russ Haines who is the president of the Ringwood Historical Society. Colour of the card is yellow.506 on back of card

Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch continuing support for Lara Community and resulted in it's membership growth by 30.14% Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch continuing support for Lara Community.A4 picture frame containing a parchment of a Certificate of Appreciation given by the State Executive of the Victorian Branch of the Returned & Services League of Australia to Lara RSL Sub-Branch for accounting for the membership increase by 30.14 % dated 8/7/2010On the top of the Certificate of Achievement is the RSL Official Badge symbol and signed on the bottom by the State President and Chief Executive Officer.parchment for certificate of achievement, glass front, wooden frame, white card board back

Items relate to Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 2039 for service history also 2034P..1) Returned sailors & soldiers Imperial League of Australia certificate stating B Chadd Reg No 10594 is a member & is entitled to wear badge No 67353. This document was found inside wallet. Pink paper, details in pencil. .2) Black, plasticised wallet.On flap wallet “The Aussie Wallet, Christmas wishes from Australian YMCA 1918'documents-certificates, personal effects, wallet, certificates