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

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

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

History of the Rutherglen Sub-Branch of the Returned & Services League (RSL) published on the occasion of their 75th anniversary.Blue covered, stapled booklet of 20 pagesrsl, returned & services league, anniversaries

Framed certificate from the Returned Services League of Australia listing the "Code of Citizenship".Certificate has the RSL badge with 3 figures.

Ill, p.240.non-fictionA comprehensive pictorial record of Victorian war memorialswar memorials - victoria - pictorial works, returned services league - victorian branch

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

75th Anniversary of the making of the R.S.L.by the legacy of past Associations and a display of their badges.History of the creating of the R.S.L. in Australia and a display of the badges of the variety of past Associations etc.R.S.L. Badges from 1916-1991 - covering a variety of Names Associations and Leagues. Put together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary.For a Seventy five years the Returned and Services League (R.S.L.) has ensured that adequate care, advocacy and financial assistance is provided to past and present members of the Australian Defence Force, and remains as relevant today as it was in 1916.75 th anniversary, r.s.l., badges

Limited edition plaque containing artwork by Dick Evans to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Returned Services League of Australia created exclusively for members of the RSL and their next of kin.Silver plate frame with black mount containing Returned Services League crest above sketch of soldier holding automatic rifle"Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Returned Services League of Australia 1916-1986"rsl, 70th anniversary

Ill, bib, p.228.non-fictionLest we forget appears as Australians are identifying with the ANZAC tradition and showing a keen interest in their history.anzac - history, returned soldiers league - history

x, 240 p. : ill. (some col.) ; includes index. CIP confirmed. Bibliography: p. 233.non-fictionwar memorials, victoria

Booknon-fictionThe contribution of Victorian Schools to the Gallipoli Campaign 1915

This Unibic Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit tin is one of a series produced in 2014 to commemorate 100 years 1914 - 2014 of World War 1, focusing on the Victoria Cross, The Anzac Biscuit Story and The RSL Story. The included paper sheet explains the Victoria Cross in full detail. The RSL and Modern Baking Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows provided this product.A large rectangular commemorative Unibic Limited Edition red lidded Anzac Biscuit Tin with an embossed old brown toned photograph image of a soldier on parade receiving a Victoria Cross medal. The lettering for the tin is stamped in red and white at the top of the lid with Limited Edition in gold. There is a brief explanation about the Victoria Cross in a black rectangle shape at the bottom as well as a picture of the medal above it. The back of the tin has information about The Anzac Biscuit Story and details about the RSL (Returned Service League) formed in 1916. Inside the tin there is a white sheet of paper with full details about the Victoria Cross. As stated above there is the name of the tin 'Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit'. "The Victoria Cross" - The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "In the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. 500g Net'war, world war 1, world war 2, containers, tins, commemorative tins

A certificate of recognition of membership of the RSL Queensland Branch on the 90th Anniversary of the RSL in Australia. Signed by the State President, Deputy President and State SecretaryRecognises William Kelly

Order of Service, dedication of Greensborough War Memorial, War Memorial Park, Henry Street Greensborough on 28/08/1994. 8 p. booklet, printed in black on white paperwar memorials greensborough, greensborough war memorial park, greensborough rsl, shire of diamond valley

Book

This Unibic Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit tin is one of a series produced in 2014 to commemorate 100 years 1914 - 2014 of World War 1, focusing on the Victoria Cross, The Anzac Biscuit Story and The RSL Story. The included paper sheet explains the Victoria Cross in full detail. The RSL and Modern Baking Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows provided this product.A medium sized rectangular Limited Edition green and gold lidded Anzac Biscuit Tin with an old brown and grey toned photograph image of soldiers of the 5th Division in a motor car. The lettering for the tin is stamped in red and white at the top of the lid with Limited Edition in gold. At the bottom of the tin is written - Australian 5th Division 500g including a gold coloured embossed Rising Sun Badge. There is a brief explanation about the 5th Divisional Motor Car's location on one side of the tin as well as an explanation of the meaning of the Rising Sun Badge on the other side. The back of the tin has information about The Anzac Biscuit Story and a recipe. Inside the tin there is a folded brochure about the seven 2019 Limited Edition Tins that were available at the time.As stated above there is the name of the tin 'Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit' with details of the tin's meaning for the Australian 5th Division. '500g Net' All of the tin has information about the soldiers who served in WW1 and WW2 and the relevance of the Anzac Spirit and biscuits.war, world war 1, world war 2, containers, tins, commemorative tins, rsl

Ill, p.272.non-fictionPublished by Balgowlah-Seaforth-Clontarf Returned and Services League of Australia Sub Branch on the occasion of the Sub Branch 50 Year Anniversary 8 August 1995 and Australia Remembers 1945-1995australia - military - personal narratives, royal australia navy - history

Letter Eltham District Historical Society to Major General David McLachlan, State President Returned Services League, 15 April 2010, re recent closure of Eltham Returned Services League Sub-Branch, expressing interest in future of memorial in front garden of property. Letter Major General David McLachlan, State President Returned Services League, to Eltham District Historical Society, 20 April 2010, acknowledging letter, matter will be looked into.main road, eltham, returned services league of australia, eltham war memorial

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of WO2 Ray Simpson VC DCM of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) receives life membership to the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL), from an Australian Embassy official at the Embassy in the Caravelle Hotel, Saigon, while Maj Gen R. A. Hay looks on.photograph, wo 2 ray simpson, victoria cross, aattv, returned services league (rsl), dcm, saigon, maj gen hay, australian embassy, gibbons collection catalogue, life membership, caravelle hotel, denis gibbons, australian army training team vietnam (aattv)

The Returned Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Imperial League of Australia was formed in 1916 as welfare group to assist military personnel returning from the overseas active service. In 1965 the organization was renamed the Returned Services League of Australia and assists military personnel, and their families, both past and present. The Women's Auxiliaries assisted in the past with the work of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A. and today assist with the work of the Returned Services League. (The K.G.Luke company was founded in 1925 and continued until the 1980s.)This badge is of interest as one issued by the Women's Auxiliary of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A. It is not known if it has any connection to a local branch of the Women's Auxiliary. Small circular metal badge with dark blue circle around the edge and an Australian flag surrounded by a cream section. Pin on the reverse. Women's Auxiliary RSSAILA. ( Returned soldiers and sailors Imperial league of Australia)women's auxiliaries, returned services league of australia, returned soldiers, warrnambool history

Distributed during the Beach Street, Port Melbourne service Monday 25 Feb 2022.The four page program has a white cover with the image of a field of poppies across the lower section. It was produced in support of our Returned Services League for the Port Melbourne Anzac Day Commemorative Service held on Monday 25 April 2022 at 10.00 am at the Beach Street Memorial.the information "Close to the piers where our troops embarked Corner of Bay & Beach Street, Port Melbourne. Wreath & flowers welcome" is inscribed on the cover while inside has the Order of Service.anzac day, rsl, returned services league

Limited edition plaque containing artwork by Dick Evans to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Returned Services League of Australia created exclusively for members of the RSL and their next of kin.Silver plate frame with black mount containing RSL crest and sketch of Airman"Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Returned Services League of Australia 1916-1986rsl, 70th anniversary

Given to PMH&PS by the local RSL Branch on their closure in May 1998Framed photo of Sir and Lady H Chauvel passing the Guard of Honour in front of the former Seamen's Institute in Beach Street, 12 March 1938, on the opening of new location for the RSL Sub Branch. Former All Nations Hotel, Nott and Beach, visible in background.In mark lower leftsocieties clubs unions and other organisations, business and traders - hotels, returned services league, rsl, sir h chauvel, lady chauvel, frank wittman