A group of children in Geelong who's fathers had served during the first World War. The RSSILA (precursor to the RSL) had held an event for them and took this photo which was then distributed to the families at Christmas 1919. Margaret Burn is possibly one in the front row and her family donated the photo. Margaret later attended girls classes with Geelong Legacy in the 1930s and Legacy helped her find employment when she left school. Her family donated two photos and a Laurel Badge to Legacy.A very early photo shows that Geelong RSSILA were looking after the children of soldiers.Sepia photo in a brown cardboard frame of many children taken at a RSSILA Geelong event in 1919.geelong legacy, margaret burn

Letter from Roy Anderson of the Tramways Sub-branch of The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, complimenting Sylvia Mitchell on her success and recording such a large sum is the largest single effort by an industrial organisation in the Commonwealth. Demonstrates one of many congratulatory letters and telegrams received by Sylvia.Letter - typed on quarto size on Tramways Sub branch RSSILA letterheadmost popular conductress, sylvia mitchell, tramways, red cross, rsl, tramways sub branch

This oversize RSSILA Badge was made between 1919-1926 for the RSL.This is an original badgeRSSILA Badge - oversized - brass, crown on the top, white, blue, red, gold coloured.Front - Returned Sailors' & Soldiers' Imperial League, Australia Back - copywright, B1848, W Bishoprssila, oversize badge, oversize badge, 1919-1926

PUNCH CUP RSSILA Sports Carnival won by A W Macauley on Nov 9th 1929 Silverplated Punch Cup Trophy with side arms on a round basePunch Cup RSSILA Sports Carnival Nov 9th 1929 won by A.W. Macauleysports carnival, wangaratta, rssila

RSSILA Wangaratta Sub Branch Dinner held to celebrate the Centenary of Wangaratta in 1938. Dinner guests included the Chief Commissioner of Police and Mr Holland, State President. Other Centenary events included the unveilling of the King George V Memorial Gardens which were opened by Mr McEwan Minister of the Interior, representing the Prime Minister. John McEwen was born on 29 March 1900 at Chiltern in Victoria, to pharmacist David McEwen and Amy (Porter) McEwen. His mother died after the birth of their second child in 1901, and his father died in 1907. McEwen and his younger sister were raised by their grandmother, Ellen Porter, who ran a boarding house. They lived first at Wangaratta and then moved to Dandenong in 1912. In June and July 1965 he was acting Prime Minister.Dinner held by Wangaratta Sub Branch to celebrate the Centenary of Wangaratta in 1938. Cream parchment card with embossed borderR.S.S.I.L.A. Wangaratta Sub Branch Centenary Dinner St Patrick's Hall Wednesday 19th October 1938 8pm Three Shillings RSVP Wed., 12th October F.H. McDonagh President. G. Balcke, Secretary.rssila wangaratta sub branch, centenary dinner 1938, wangaratta centenary

The Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia was formed in 1916 to support servicemen returning from World War 1. In 1940 its name was changed to Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia and again in 1966 to Returned Services League of Australia. Arthur Ernest Beard enlisted in the 10th Battalion in 1914 and was discharged as medically unfit in 1918. His service included three years and 115 days of overseas service. He was gassed during his war service, resulting in ongoing health issues. Beard received an incapacity pension. Despite his ill health, Arthur dedicated many years of service to the committee of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia Wodonga branch. At various times he served as President and secretary. He was on the committee when the branch was lobbying for the construction of a Soldiers' Memorial and also a Soldiers' Memorial Hall for Wodonga. Arthur also participated in groups and community activities, including the Wodonga Boys’ Club, Wodonga Public Library Committee and the Wodonga and District Progress Association. Arthur died on 29 Jun 1940 in Wodonga, Victoria, aged 46 years. This certificate is significant as it recognises service to the Wodonga Branch of the RSSILAA coloured certificate on heavy card presented by the Wodonga Branch of the Returned Sailor and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. It features an archway imprinted with the name of the RSSIL with the League emblem surrounded by the flags of England, Australia and the Royal Australian Navy. It is adorned with an anchor and rifle and the words "Great War 1914 - 1919. An image of Anzac House, the headquarters of the R.S.S.I.L.A. in Melbourne is on the lower left hand side. The words of appreciation are printed in the centre of the archway. The insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces is in the centre at the bottom. WODONGA BRANCH / Presented to A. BEARD As a token of esteem and in grateful recognition of valuable services rendered as PRESIDENT Year 1922 - 23 A. A. Reid President R. S. Benson Secretaryreturned sailors & soldiers imperial league, wodonga rssila

Folding blue card. Membership card RSSILA -Geelong Sub Branch. Inside left panel has details of 1944 Geelong sub branch committee. The member's number 1269. Date stamp 1944. Inside right panel has meeting dates for 1944. Front has "Geelong Rssila" and the RSL baded motif.membership, rsl, geelong

Invitation from the Mayor of Geelong to the President of the Geelong Branch of the RSSILA, to lunch after the laying of the foundation stone for the Geelong RSS Mill on Wednesday 15th February 1922 at 1.30pm.Invitation to the President of the Geelong Branch of the RSSILA to lunch, following the foundation stone laying ceremony at the RSS Mill, 15-2-1922.textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000)

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) was the forerunner of today's Returned and Services League (RSL). Formed after the First World War, the organisation was a veterans' association formed by returned servicemen to care for and advocate for the returned service community. The organisation later changed its name to the RSL. This badge is dated to the 1920's by the name of the organisation. It is significant because it has the capacity to represent an earlier incarnation of today's RSL.Small blue, white and red enamel and metal badge. Inset embossing of two soldiers advancing. Words enscribed on the front. A white shield shape with a crown mounted on the top.Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League Australia.rsl, rssila, returned services

Two member badges from the The Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA). The number 68 on the front could be 1968 as it is detachable and could be updated each year. The badge with 1921 could be the year of membership. The member number is engraved on the rear. The shield design is symbolic of the protection provided to those who wear it. Within the badge, red represents the blood ties of war that exist between comrades; white stands for the purity of the motives in joining the league – to render service without personal gain or ambition; and blue indicates a willingness to serve a comrade anywhere under the blue sky. The wattle represents Australia, with the leek, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock standing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. The RSSILA was the precursor to the Returned Services League (RSL) and provided support for returned servicemen after World War One. Worn by members of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, those eligible being members of all services, both wars, including nurses, who have returned from active service outside Australia. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).The RSSILA was an important organisation for ex-servicemen and many Legatees would have been members.Enamel badges from the R.S.S.I.L.A. The centre of the badge shows a sailor and a soldier in raised detail. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS / IMPERIAL LEAGUE' in gilt lettering. The outer edges of the badge are white enamel with a floral spray to the top left and right of the blue circle. At the bottom of the badge is a red enamelled scroll with 'AUSTRALIA' written in gilt lettering. On the reverse of the badge are soldered two brass lugs with a split pin attached for securing the badge to clothing. 01124.1 Front has '68' and 'Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia'. On the reverse 'V92210 Badge remains the property of League'. 01124.2 Front has '1921' and 'Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia'. On the reverse 'R 3871' and 'C.C Roeszler and Son Pty Ltd Melb.'world war one, rssila

Certificate from TB Sailors & Soldiers' Assn. to Belgrave RSSILA.photo, ww1, general

The Returned Sailors and soldiers Imperial League of Australia was formed in 1916. Annual RSSAILA Balls (originally known as the Diggers Balls) were held to raise funds for those who returned fromconflicts especially those who were not eligible for war pensions.Socially , the ‘Diggers’ Annual Ball’ accomplished a great deal in bringing Returned Servicemen together. At this time, these functions were organised by self-appointed committees and proceeds were distributed among special causes – mainly to the RSSAILA members who were experiencing hardship.A rectangular card invitation to the Diggers' Military Ball, Monday 1st May 1939. Print is in black. The card is edged in gold. It is a Double Ticket - 7/6 RSSILAmilitary-balls r.s.s.i.l.a.

This was an invitation to the President of the Greensborough RSSILA and his wife to attend the Proclamation of the City of Heidelberg. Commemorates the Proclamation of Heidelberg as a City on 14th November 1934.An A4 photocopy of a certificate.Nilcity of heidelberg, lord huntingfield, invitations, hardley, warringal park

The badges relate to the HEWSTON family collection WW1 & WW11. The large badge with clip 1919 was possibly H.E.Hewstons No 40 AIF. Refer Cat No 2759.2..1) Badge, metal, RSSILA. Crown at top with RSL Membership Clip 1919. Centre has 2 figures. .2) Badge, metal, RSSAILA. Crown at top with 3 central figures. .1) “Returned Sailor's Soldier's Imperial League Australia No 67888” .2) “Returned Sailor's Soldier's Airmen's Imperial League Australia No V99409”numismatics-badges, societies-returned service league, rsl, membership

RSSILA. Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. Badge belonged to Thomas William Tuckerman No 7318 AIF. Refer 935P, 1265.3.Badge R.S.S.I.L.A (RSL) membership. Two central figures with a small crown at the top. Over the crown is a clip with "47" denoting membership paid 1947. On the rear is a metal washer and pin.Numbered "V 90195" on the rear.rsl, military history, rsl badges

This badge was issued for the Returned Soldiers Association, Victoria. It is numbered on the back of the badge 2050, no makers marks. The RSA preceed the RSSILA Badge of 1916.It is an original badge issued in Victoria in the period 1915-1919A Small badge, brass colour, enamel finish on the front.Front - RSA, Returned Services Association, Victoria. Back - figure 2050.rsa, victoria

Doctor HAROLD ROBERT CATFORD was the first to be made a Life Member of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. The certificate was signed on the 8th Day of May 1947. He was first elected to Committee of the Bendigo Branch in 1918 and retired after 29 years at the AGM 1947 serving the whole time as Vice President. Doctor Harold Robert Catford enlisted as a Captain on 23.6.15 age 41 years and attached to HQ 29th Batt AIF. Embarked for overseas 10.11.15, transfer to 8th Field Ambulance 6.10.16. At various times he was attached to 5th Div Ammunition Column and 2nd A.C.C. Station, promoted to Major 24.8.17. He returned to Australia on 26.9.17 for personal reasons and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 11.12.17. from 1.1.18 he was RMO to several military units including the 38th Batt in Peace time. Promoted to Lt Col on 19.4.23, placed on the AAMC reserve list 30.1.30 and then the retired list 30.1.1934. Life membership certificate of the Bendigo RSL awarded to Dr HR Catford. Certificate is set in a yellowish cardboard frame inside a silver wooden frame. The certificate is in colour with a red seal and signatures of Federal President and Secretary of the RSSILA. A set of WWI ribbons has been placed in the frame.brsl, smirsl, life membership

The badge was made in the 1940s for Victoria Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League (RSSL). The word 'Imperial' has been dropped frrom the title.This is an original badge from the 1940s.A round brass badge with a scroll at the bottom and a crown at the top, red, blue, brass colours,Front - Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League, Victoria, War Service Fund. White background RSL badge with sailor and soldier in the middle. Back - the number 156, Stokes, Melb.rssl, rssila, victoria, 1940s, rsl badge

Shadow image of soldier with pith helmet looking at a war grave with a pouch hewn cross. Soldier is standing on a knoll with ocean & sun setting in background. The Australian flag is on the left draped around a Greek style column. Inside are numerous black & white photos & captions of WWI soldiers. The rear cover has 3 flags & RSSILA Badge with 2 characters.Bottom left in white print: “ANZAC Memorial Day 25TH APRIL 1918”booklet, anzac, 25.4.1918

Wangaratta Comfort Fund final Meeting Report dated 18th December 1945 and 2 x Lists of Camouflage Nets sent to CWA Headquarters dated 24th and 31st of August 1943 2 x newspaper cuttings 3 page photocopy of handwritten notes dated 13th August 1941 detailing gift of Autoclave (medical apparatus) for use by the AIF presented by the then Mayor of Wangaratta Cr J F Dundas and President of the Wangaratta Branch of RSSILA Mr W Law The ACF provided a source of comfort, support and encouragement for the troops abroad and offered a means for women at home to contribute to the war effort and identify with the men in the trenches. The ACF acted as a vital link between home and the battlefields. The Australian Comforts Fund officially closed on the 27th June 1946. Typed and photocopied handwritten notes.Wangaratta Comforts Fund.comfort fund, wangaratta, ww2

A document detailing rules and regulations of the running of the Legacy Club, Melbourne. The date is not known. The policy and objects covers: loyalty, comradeship, dependents of deceased soldiers, cooperation with other organisations, education, preference, national development, and Shrine of Remembrance. Other parts of the document covers eligibility for membership, transfer of members, subscriptions etc. Meetings and their procedures as well as management structure. It is possibly before 1940 when the RSSILA changed it's name to RSSAILA. The notation H14 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. Documents the details of the rules and policies of the Legacy Club, Melbourne.White foolscap paper with black type x 7 pages of a document of regulations.Handwritten H14 in red pen. history, rules, organisation structure, objectives, goals

Walter Henry SMITH No 1572 enlisted in C Coy 25th Batt AIF on 9.4.1915. Embarked for Eygpt 29.6.1915, embarked for Gallipoli 4.9.1915. Hospitalised with enteritis on 21.10.1915. Embarked for France 14.3.1916. Transferred to 7th MG Coy on 17.7.1916. WIA 27.8.1916 shell shock and again on 29.7.1917 shell wound left leg. Discharged from the AIF on 26.7.1919 classed Medically unfit. Medals, WWI. Court mounted, set of 2 medals with 3 ribbons. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 18 Ribbon. Victory Medal 1914 - 19 .2) Badge, No. V43195 RSSILA . Red, white & blue enamel, 2 figures in centre. Surmounted with a crown with gold No 80 on red background. Denotes financial member 1980. .3) Badge TPI No 01068. Blue enamel on brass, surmounted with a crown. Centre is black enamel & brass mini-badge with TPI 1981. .4) Medallion, WW1 Veterans Travel Pass for 1980. No. 3152. Black & gold..1) “1572 Pte W.H.Smith 25 Bn AIF” .3) Front: “TPI 1981. Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Disabled Soldiers Association” .4) Front. “World War I Veterans. Travel Pass1980, 3152”numismatics-medals-military, badges-military, military history-army

The Eltham Shire War Memorial, a tower of remembrance, was built with public donations to commemorate the memory of the fallen soldiers from the shire who enlisted in the 1914-1918 war. The tower is reminiscent of the peel-towers or watchtowers that lined the English-Scottish border from the mid 14th century to around 1600 and is constructed from locally quarried stone. This uncommon and picturesque war memorial, which affords an excellent view of the surrounding district was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Stonehaven) on November 11, 1926. In July 1922 a deputation of returned soldiers from Panton Hill, presumably the Panton Hill branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA), proposed to Eltham Shire Council that the monument should be a cairn of local stone “sufficiently high to form a prominent and conspicuous landmark, and crowned with some suitable device”. Eltham Shire Councillor and President of the Panton Hill branch of the RSSILA, Basil Hall, was credited with being the first to suggest a tower, and with organising a Memorial Park committee to raise funds for the monument in the Memorial Park. A meeting for those interested in the establishing a War Memorial monument in the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed for this purpose. It appears that the broad and rounded cairn that had been recently built was considered by the League a temporary affair, and not the substantial cairn-as-monument, sufficiently high to form the conspicuous landmark, which had been envisaged by the Panton Hill RSSILA. A design competition was held for the monument. The chairman of the League, Councillor Basil Hall, suggested that the site of the memorial in Kangaroo Ground would lend itself to something rugged, instead of polished stone. By April 1924 thirty designs for a memorial had been received from which three designs were selected and of those, the design by the shire engineer Mr McCormack, for a 70ft tower suitable for construction in rough stone, was chosen. Artist Harold Herbert suggested that a peel tower-like design reminiscent of those along the English-Scottish border would be fitting for the site. Herbert drew up a rough sketch that was approved of, and later, Melbourne architect Percy Meldrum volunteered to draw up the design from sketch to architectural drawings. By January 1925 the Soldiers’ Memorial League had adopted Meldrum’s design for a 50ft high tower. Meldrum had also offered his design and supervision of construction free of charge. The Shire provided the stone to the builders, which was a gift quarried from land owned at Kangaroo Ground by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne The Shire of Eltham War Memorial, a tower of remembrance, and honour board were unveiled on November 11, 1926, by the Governor General Lord Stonehaven. At this stage a temporary honour roll was painted on the panels on either side of the tower entrance. In September 1930 bronze plates were added above the portal with the names of men who fell in the 1914-18 war. On November 16, 1951, the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks re-dedicated the war memorial tower and unveiled the names of men who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war. Two additional bronze plaques which recognise service in the armed conflicts of Korea, Borneo, Malaya, and Vietnam were unveiled November 11, 2001, by the Governor of Victoria, John Landy, A.C., M.B.E. The tower was first used for fire spotting activities following the Black Friday bushfire in January 1939 in response to a request from Mr R.D. Ness, secretary of the Kangaroo Ground bush fire brigade, who asked Council that the tower be used as an observation tower for detecting bush fires, and asked Council to arrange a telephone to be installed. It was suggested that if the Shire were to appoint a caretaker for the Memorial Park, his duties could also include raising the alarm in the event of a fire. Later in 1939 Council applied for a radio transmitter, which the Forestry Commission planned to install at vantage places throughout the state. The first dedicated fire spotter appointed from December1948, was Mr Smith of Warrandyte. A prefabricated glazed cabin was installed in 1974, which involved the removal of the original stone structure around the rooftop exit door. A new fire spotting cabin, which included the latest technology, was installed soon after the 2009 Black Saturday fires and is manned by CFA personnel on high fire danger days. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p123This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. While published in the book in black and white, this collection features the original colour digital photographs. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

Set of two reports regarding the difficulties of leasing the former MMTB head office building at 673 Bourke St following the move into the Little Collins Street building in 1936. .1 - Six page typed, part carbon copy, report (note the fist page has the carbon copy of another page in the report on the rear) Notes the extensive discussions with the Post Masters General Department, problems with discussions with the Board's agent, Mr. J. G. Membrey, possible sale of the building, issues within the PMG over leasing buildings, discussions with Bushell's Tea Company, lease to the RSL, then the RSSILA, through a Mr Bett, who then was in talks with the PMG to sub-lease the building, discussions with the Chairman, Mr. Cameron, which occurred. What a mess! .2 - two page carbon copy of report from Mr. J. G. Membrey to the MMTB discussion the issues with the lease, PMG, Mr. Bell and part occupied by the Radio Times. Also involves discussions with Mr. McGrath Deputy Chairmen when Mr. Bell was overseas. Report dated 19/10/1940. Two copies held.trams, tramways, mmtb, head office, bourke st, lease agreement, real estate, pmg

The League evolved out of concern for the welfare of returned servicemen from the First World War. In 1916, a conference recommended the formation of The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, which included representation from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. New South Wales was admitted to the League the following year, Western Australia in 1918. In 1927, the Australian Capital Territory formed a branch and was admitted. The Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) the forerunner of today’s Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) was formed in June 1916.Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia Badge. The centre of the badge shows a sailor and a soldier in raised detail. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS / IMPERIAL LEAGUE' in gilt lettering. The outer edges of the badge are white enamel with a floral spray to the top left and right of the blue circle. At the bottom of the badge is a red enamelled scroll with 'AUSTRALIA' written in gilt lettering. On the reverse of the badge are soldered two brass lugs with a split pin attached for securing the badge to clothing. Stamped at the top of the badge is 'COPYRIGHT' and at the bottom of the badge is impressed V40289 and the maker's details 'STOKES & SONS MELBOURNE'.Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League Australia.Stamped on the reverse of the badge is 'COPYRIGHT' and at the bottom of the badge is impressedV40289and the maker's details 'STOKES & SONS MELBOURNE'.badges, world war one lapel badge,lara r.s.l.returned sailor's & soldier's imperial league (rssila) membership badge

These Badges were made between 1922-1940 , there are two figures in the centre of the badge - Sailors and Soldiers.These badges are originals that were issued to Returned Service Personnel in the period 1922-1940Brass badge, crown on top, red,white and blue on the front, two figures in the centre of the badge - small version of the badge. Front - Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League, Australia Back - Stokes Melb, 85803, Badge remains property of Leaguerssila badge, 1922 -1940 period