World War 1 Service with 4th Light Horse Regiment and 58th Australian Infantry BattalionFramed Portrait and Service History of LT Rupert Vance Moon VC with replica medalsService History on brass plaqueworld war 1 service with 4th light horse regiment and 58th australian infantry battalion, awarded victoria cross during may 1917 in france

The World War 1 service of William.F.P.Andrews 38th Batt, 3rd Div AIF and 3rd Div Signals Company AIF. He enlisted on 27.3.1916, No 57, age 19 years 6 months in the 38th Batt HQ, embark for England 20.6.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, hospital 16.12.1916 with Bronchitis, rejoin unit 23.12.1916, transfer to 3rd Div Signals 25.4.1917, hospital 11.1.1918 with Influenza, rejoin unit 23.1.1918, hospital 20.5.1918 with Impetigo/Dermatitis, rejoin unit 12.7.1918, discharged from the AIF 12.12.1919.Book, spiral bound with black metal, cover cardboard black print and illustrated in sepia tone of a soldier in uniform, rear cover has a postcard photo, 101 pages, plain white paper, illustrated B & W and colour, diagrams, maps and photo of medals.books, 38th batt aif, world war 1 service

Honour Board, wooden construction, with gold lettering listing members of the 4th (late 20th) Corangamite Light Horse. Members who subsequently died on World War 1 service also listed. world war 1, 4th light horse, 20th light horse, memorials, corangamite, militia units, colac

This photograph of the Greensborough and District Honour Roll was taken on a visit to Greensborough RSL in 2012. [Caption by Bruce McDowell: The name of R H McDowall as shown on the board is incorrectly spelt - it should be R H McDowell - son of William McDowell & Susan Elizabeth McDowell (nee Poulter)]The Honour Board features the names of the Greensborough residents who fought in World War 1 and is located in Greensborough Primary School.A coloured photograph of a Great War 1914 - 1918 Honour Roll. Nilgreensborough, the great war, world war 1, military service

The Higginson family farmed in the Kiewa Valley17 pages of photocopied pages from Henry John Higginson's enlistment and service history with the Australian Imperial Force (WW1)world war 1, war service, higginson, kiewa valley

The Dixon family lived at 42 Essex Road for decades from 1890s to 1940s. Herbert William Dixon was a civil servant. The family frequently hosted World War 1 veterans. Nursing care and hospitality were also offered in a number of other Surrey Hills homes. His son Hugh Banks Dixon embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A7 Medic on 12 January 1916. He was an motor mechanic / engineer and was assigned to the 4th Motor Transport Section as a transport driver. Herbert died in 1936.Black and white photo of 2 vehicles transporting invalid soldiers to the home of Mr and Mrs H W Dixon of 42 Essex Road, Surrey Hills. One is parked; the other appears to be moving. Both vehicles have their hoods down. In the first, the driver and one man beside him are in civilian dress; the other four are in army uniform with the 3rd man in the front seat being an officer.1914-1918, essex road, world war 1, returned service people, herbert william dixon

World War 1 service of Leslie Victor Clark 2829 awarded the Gallipoli Medal. Black frame with dark green background mounted with circular photograph of a soldier and star shaped medal with red white and blue ribbonPlaque: Service Number - 2829 Full Name - Leslie Victor Clark - 8th Battalion A.I.F "Blood and Bandits" Overseas from 7/7,1915 Returned to Australia 30/6/1916gallipoli, medal, ww1, 8th bn, leslie victor clark

A4 folded program for Anzac Day service at Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch, Pall Mall, Bendigo in 2015. On front 'commemorating the service and sacrifice of all Australian servicemen and women. Side by Side . A Centenary of Memories' Black and red print on white paper.Bendigo RSLmilitary, world war 1, rsl anzac service programme 2015

Article on the World War 1 service of Thomas Finnigan and the likelihood that he abandoned his wife and future child in Ireland when he took ship to Australia in 1915.6 p., colour images and mapthomas john finnigan, world war 1 project

The Honor Roll book was created in 1921 to capture a greater depth of information about World War 1 service men and women who were born in the Borough of Eaglehawk. A full leather bound volume of approximately 30 pages recording information about men and women from the Borough of Eaglehawk who served in World War 1. Title deboss on front cover. Screw binding. Handwritten entries listing alphabetically service men and women with address, service number, rank, unit, embarkation, days served and any casualty.BOROUGH OF EAGLEHAWK / HONOR ROLLborough of eaglehawk honor roll, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item, city of greater bendigo community partnerships, borough of eaglehawk, world war 1

World War 1 1914-1915 Star, Service Medal, Sarah Jane Procterstawell, ww1

World War 1 Form of Service for Church Parade, Australian Armed Forces.Form of Service Prayer Book 23rd November 1914 Australian Military Forces, Authorised by..Printers Hyde and Townsend Limited, London. E.C.W. H. Osbourne , Major, Acting Secretary, Military Board, Melbourne, Victoria 23 November, 1914 Approved by The Chaplains-General, of the Anglican, Presbyterian . and MethodistChurches of the Commonwealth of Australia, and hereby Authorised to be used at all United Church Parades

A small cardboard tube container which originally held an Iodine Ampoule for external treatment of wounds. These were issued to World War 1 Australian and British service personnel for initial treatment of wounds whilst in the field. This item has a printed label with instructions for use and was packaged by W. H. Whatmough, London in 1914.There is a label affixed to this item with the following inscription printed in black: "Iodine Ampoule for External Use", "Made by the Patentee", "W. H. WHATMOUGH, 457, Caledonian Road, London, N." "Patent No. 23437, 1914."

John Henry Lockett OAM (22 January 1891 – 25 May 2002) was the oldest man ever in Australia when he died aged 111 years, 123 days. As one of the last surviving veterans of World War I, he was acclaimed as a national hero during the last decade of his life. Lockett was born in the small Victorian town of Waanyarra, near Bendigo. He left school aged nine to work on a local farm. Later, he worked for his uncles in the Mallee. On 24 March 1916, he travelled to Mildura to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He served in France with the 38th Battalion, earning promotion to sergeant and was discharged on 20 September 1919. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lockett After the war, Jack returned to The Mallee and selected a 640 acres (260 ha) block of land in Linga, Victoria, deciding to make his living as a farmer. In 1923, he married Maybell Ingwerson and they had four children together. In 1963, the couple retired to Bendigo, leaving the farmland (which now covered more than 130,000 acres (53,000 ha), in the care of their children and grandchildren . Five newspaper cuttings referring to Jack Lockett First cutting Bendigo Advertiser Tuesday, March 17, 1987- page 8 For the Bowler (Headline) Senior man at veterans' day is 96-year-old Jack Lockett BDBA Veterans Day was a great success with 171 veteran and super-veteran bowlers taking part. Oldest bowler taking part was Mr Jack Lockett of the Bendigo East Club who is 96. RVBA councillor, Mr Ron Manning, presented 14 super veterans their badges during the day. Second cutting Bendigo Advertiser, Môn, Jan. 25 1982-3 A black and white photograph of brothers Alf, 94 and Jack, 91 Lockett in Eaglehawk. There is brief description of their lives in Tarnagulla in a family of ten siblings, their move together to their uncles' pioneering property in Northwest Victoria in 1912, Jack's World War 1 service and their currant addresses in Bendigo and Eaglehawk. Third cutting Bendigo Advertiser, Tuesday, September 24, 1991- page 13. (heading) BOWLS ROUND-UP A black and white photograph of three men wearing white shirts and trousers, dark jackets and ties Below the photo in large print - Centenarian starts season. ABOVE: Bendigo East Bowling Club president Frank Slater with the club's longest serving member Jack Lockett and BDBA president Vic Canobie at the opening of the 1991-92 season. Mr. Lockett sent down the first bowl. Fourth cutting Bendigo Advertiser, Friday, April 22, 1988 - Page 3. (headline) Licensed to drive till he's 102! Below there is a close up photograph of Jack's face and his DRIVER LICENCE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA. A collum to the right of the photograph is headed - But don't worry he gave up at 97 The article talks about the silliness of issuing a driving licence for someone to use till they are 102. It also highlights that his date of birth on the licence is 22/ 01/91 and the licence expires on 27/06/93 A two-year old motorist?! Fifth cutting The Litchfield Times, July5 2000 page 4 Heading in the middle of the page - Proud as punch below there a photograph of three adults and two children with one child holding a photograph of Jack Lockett with names under neath Debbie Hermann, Babara Lockett, Jake Hermann, Kelly Hermann and Kevin Lockett. jack lockett, mabel ingwersen, alf lockett, bendigo east bowling club, taragulla, the bendigo advertiser, the litchfield times, mallee farming

This is a ship model of the SS Orotava, a British Screw Steamship built at Barrow-in-Furness, county of Lancashire, by the Naval Construction and Armaments Company (NC & A Co.) in 1889. The gross tonnage was 5552.10 tons, length 430 feet, breadth 49.3 feet and depth 34.2 feet. It was built for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company (of 31, James Street, Liverpool) and used as a passenger liner. The vessel was launched in 1889 and made two voyages for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company during 1889. Then, under the new management of the Orient Line, its first sailing was 6th June 1890 from Liverpool to Australia via Suez. During the Boer War (1889 – 1903), Orotava served as a troop ship, but apart from this, it remained in the Orient Line’s Australia service until 1906. On 14th December 1896, the Orotava sank at Tilbury Docks after being serviced on her return from Australia, becoming unstable and taking in water. Five men lost their lives. The ship was then raised to dry dock and repaired for service again, and an investigation was launched into the cause of the sinking. Between 1901 – 1906, the name Orient-Pacific Steam Line was used due to the close ties between the Pacific and the Orient lines. In 1906, the Pacific Steam Line Australian service was taken over by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., and the alliance between them and the Orient Line was dissolved in 1909. Orotava then served the West Indies service of the Royal Mail Line. In World War 1 (Dec 1914 – June 1916), the vessel served as HMS OROTAVA, an armed merchant cruiser. It was broken up in 1919.The model shows a visual description of the SS Orotava, which was used for commercial and government purposes from 1889 to 1919. The model is also an example of ship model-making, a skilled craft enjoyed for hundreds of years, demonstrating the evolution of ocean vessels. Ship model: SS Orotava. The model, without a case, has four masts and two funnels, and is mounted on a small timber base. The SS Orotave was a British passenger liner, launched in 1889. Inscriptions are painted on the hull. "OROTAVA" painted in white on each side of the bow. 'OROTAVA / LONDON" painted in white on the stern.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ship model, ss orotava, naval construction and armaments co., n c & a co., pacific steam navigaiton company, passenger liner, orient line, orient-pacific steam line, royal mail line, hms orotava

This card was most probably purchased by Harry Holmes while on service with the Australian Imperial Forces during World Way One.Black and white postcard showing a three story brick building. It is the Watter-mill, Le Moulin, Somme. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham - holmes family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, france, somme, wtter-mill, meaulte, le moulin, amiens, aif

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

The Ballarat Technical Art School made many honour boards for schools and organisation in Victoria and interstate. Their own was made, but the names were not listed. The Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report for 1921 states: 'It has been decided, for the present, to record the names of our students who served in the warm, in an Honor Book, and to defer the erection of an Honor Board until we can feel assured that the Roll is complete. the wide spread occupations of our students has rendered it very difficult for us to secure detailed information of their service. A handsome Honor Book and Case has been designed and executed by the staff and students of the Technical Art School, and the engrossing of the names and military records will be proceeded with as soon as possible. The Technical Art School was quite busy with commissions. The SMB Annual Report of 1918 states: 'under the direction of the Art principal (Mr H.H. Smith), the work of the Art School continues to receive wide public recognition. Handsome Honor Boars have been designed and executed for the Sydney Sports' Club, the St Arnaud High School, the Birregurra State School, the Wendouree State School and the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club. The School also designed the certificates for the Young Workers' Patriotic Guild, the 'Herald" Shield for perpetual competition at the technical Schools' athletic meetings, the "Hansen" Shield for competition among the Northern District High Schools, two metal tablets for the Castlemaine high School, and a certificate for the Grampians Secondary Schools' Association. Numerous Honor Books and Mural cases have also been designed for State Schools.' Over 400 former students and staff of the Ballarat School of Mines served during World War One. The 1920 SMb Students' Magazine said' 'Many students left Australia with the first Contingent, and since then, the School has been represented on every field where Australians have fought, from the first landing at Gallipoli to the decisive victory on the 8 August 1918.' The influence of the school was appropriately shown in the fact that at least 13 of its students were officers in the Australian Mining Corps. The title page has the initials 'D.J.' which most probably stands for Donald I. Johnston, a teacher with the Ballarat Technical Art school from 1920 to 1949. The Ballarat School of Mines World War 1 Honor Book remained uncompleted for more than 90 years. The names of over 400 SMB staff and students who served their country were not inscribed until 2012, despite names, ranks and service records being compiled. A restoration project was instigated as part of the 140th anniversary of the Ballarat School of Mines in 2010. Names were inscribed into the book by Calligrapher Lyn Forrester. The University of Ballarat believed this project is important not only to SMB's history, but the families and descendants of those who served while studying or teaching at SMB. The restoration project involved names being hand written in calligraphy into the Honor Book and was funded with the assistance of the 'Restoring Community War Memorial Grant'. The memorial was designed and made by the staff and students of the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School under the direction of Principal Herbert H. Smith. In 1921 the Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report recorded: "It has been decided, for the present, to record the names of our students who served in the war, in an Honor Book, and to defer the erection of an Honor Board until we can feel assured that the roll is complete. The wide spread occupations of our students has rended it very difficult for us to secure detailed information of their service. A handsome Honor Book and case has been designed and executed by the staff and students of the Technical Art School, and the engrossing of the names and miliatary records will proceed with as soon as possible. The Ballarat Technical Art School and was involved with the design and manufacture of numerous WW1 memorials. When it came time to complete their own memorial, the Principal died, and the Honor Roll must have been overlooked in the confusion that ensued. There have been numerous theories about why the Honor Roll was never completed, one being that it was because the SMB Principal, Maurice Copland, literally worked himself to death organising repatriation classes for ex-soldiers who attended SMB. The Courier of 18 November 1922 said of Maurice Copland: “He put his very best into the work for the welfare of the soldiers; in fact, he did too much for the good of his physique, for he wore himself out in the services of the returned men. If ever there was a war victim the late Mr Copland was one. But for the stress of work entailed by those repatriation classes and the amount of general war work which he performed Mr Copland would probably have been with them today." Understandably, SMB was thrown into some disarray by their Principal's death and the Honor Book was not completed. The University of Ballarat would like to finally honor its SMB war veterans by completing the Honor Book and as a further mark of respect, dedicate the project to Maurice Copland. The Ballarat Technical Art School undertook many honor boards. The Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report 1918 states: "Under the direction of the Art Principal (Mr H.H. Smith), the work of the Art School continues to receive a wide public recognition. handsome Honor Boards have been designed and executed for the Sydney Sports' Club, the St Arnaud High School, the Birregurra State School, the wendouree State School and the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club. The School also designed certificates for the Young Workers' patriotic Guild, the "Herald" Shield for perpetual Competition at the Technical schools athletics meetings, the "Hansen" Shield for competition in the northern District High Schools, two metal tablets for the Castlemaine High School, and a certificate for the Grampians Secondary Schools' Association. Numerous Honor Gooks and mural cases have also been designed for State Schools." The 1920 Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report stated: Public appreciation of the High standard of design and artistic craft work produced by the students of the Art School, under the direction of the Principal (Mr Herbert H. Smith), continues to be demonstrated by the lage number of important commissions entrusted to the school, not only by the public bodies and business firms by the Education Department and public bodies all over the State." "Amongst the important local commissions received during the year was the designing and supplying of the Municipal Council's Address of Welcome Casket for presentation to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the designing and supervising of a large four-light stained glass window for the Lydiard Street Methodist Church, ... and supply numerous honor books, honor boards, etc., for public institutions and school." "The School has been honored by, and has acceded to the request of the Education Department to supply designs for the title page, chapter headings and initial letters for the War Service Book which it is about to publish, Mr F. Tate, director of Education, recognising the students' work in this direction by an appreciative letter of thanks. The Education Department has also been instrumental in directing to the School applications from all parts of the State, including Melbourne, for the School to supply competitive sports shields, honor boards, books and designs for certificates, and various decorative objects. The School has therefor been responsible for much work coming to local Ballarat firms which would otherwise have found its way to Melbourne or other centres. In 2011, as the result of a 'Restoring Community War Memorials Grant' calligrapher Lynton Forrester was commissioned to record over 400 names into the honor book. A Victorian Blackwood World War I Honor Board holds a red leatherbound Ballarat School of Mines Honor Book. The book includes a title page relating to the Ballarat School of Mines and Industries. The Ballarat School of Mines Honor Book and case was not finally inscribed with names until 2012. world war one, ww1, ballarat school of mines, world war 1, world war i, honour roll, calligraphy, don johnston, honor book, honor roll, copeland, maurice copeland, honour book, roll of honour, percy coltman, arthur e. tandy, leslie coulter

HENRY SMERDON (Harry) HOLMES was born in 1897 at the family property, ’Sauchieburn’, 17 km north of Ballarat, in the Ascot district. He was the youngest of four children. After finishing his education at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Henry joined the Holmes family farming interests. At the age of 18 he enlisted and served with AIF in Egypt, France and Belgium 1915-1918. Henry served at the famous battlegrounds of Ypes and Somme in the Australian Army 8th Battalion. He was a Driver with the 4th D.A.C. The postcard is of "The Ascot" boys. Includes [Samuel] Gordon Spittle, Henry [Harry] Holmes's first cousin, and other Ascot lads and district connections: neighbours, Ascot State School classmates and football mates from Clunes / Creswick districts. [Research by a granddaughter of Henry Smerdon Holmes, Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) 2024] Ray Blight and Gordon Les Sim were former students of the Ballarat School of Mines. Les Sim was associated with Sim and Co. hardware and wood merchants). Eight soldiers of the AIF. They are the tent mates of Harry Holmes a Driver with the 5th D.A.C. The names of the soldiers are John Raymond (Ray) Blight, Joseph Fawcett, John Joseph (Jack) Nase, Gordon Spittle, Harry Holmes, Harold Joseph Reid, James Leslie (Les) Sim, Leslie John Walters. handwritten in pen on verso "This is a snap of our tent mates. Reading left to right. Back row, Jack Nase, Joe Fawcett, H. Reid. Middle - Les Walters, Ray Blight, Gordon Les Sim, (Sim and Co wood merchants) and Harryworld war 1, chatham, jack nase, chatham family archive, joe fawcett, h. reid, blight, sim, les walters, ray blight, gordon les sim, pickford, world war, gordon spittle, harry holmes, les sim, horace pickford, world war one, aif, armed services

This item was created while on service during World War One. A group of eight uniformed Australian soldiers casually dressed while posing for a photograph. The image was taken at Serapeum during World War One.Verso "Group taken at Serapeum, left to right front row, Frank S., Jack Nase, Joe Fawcett, B.R., H.H. Gordon, Theo Jones at back, Harold Holmes, Reid, Les Walters.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, nase, fawcett, gordon, theo jones, reid, h.reid, harry holmes, walters, gordon spittle, joe fawcett, joseph fawcett, harold holmes, les walters

Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Image of eight Australian soldiers during World War One. They stand in front of damaged palm trees alongside their horses. Each of the soldiers are from Ascot, Victoria. They are Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'Verso 'A group of the Ascot boy. Taken with our own horses. from left to right:- Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ascot, harry holmes, gordon spittle, les walters, archie may, frank thomas. mase, reif, spittle, walters, may, thomas, fawcett

This photograph was with a number of others associated with Harry Holmes of Ascot, Victoria. The postcard was written on by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Nurse Kirkham is Laurie Hemsley Kirkham She was admitted to the Suez Public Hospital (Abbassia) post 06 January 1916. She left Australia with a group of South Australian nurses. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) The Nurse Kirkam mentioned by the writer is probably Sarah Alice Kirkham, Staff Nurse with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Nurse Kirkham was from North Perth, Western Australia. She was posted to the Auxiliary Hospital, Egypt on 09 November 1915 leaving for France on 23 June 1916. Samuel Gordon Spittle (8005) enlisted into the AIF on 17 July 1915, a member of the 18th Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). He left Alexandria on 15 June 1916 disembarking at Marseilles 24 June 1916. Harry Holmes was discharged from a hospital in Egypt on 15 August 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal promulgated on 11 December 1919. (NAA: B2455, Spittle Samuel Gordon) Not only does this photograph portray life in Egypt during World War War, it highlights the role played by members of the Australian Army Nursing Service in both professional and social activities in the theatre of war.Two Australian nurses and a number of Australian soldiers in Hospital Uniform pose for a photograph in Egypt during World War One. Verso: "A little group of Australians at Suez Hospital Joe F[awcett] & I [Gordon Spittle] are standing in the back row with Nurse Kirkham standing between, she is on the short side so stood on a box. Gordon S."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, gordon spittle, kirkham, suez, egypt, samuel gordon spittle, joe fawcett, laurie kirkham, nurse kirkham, suez hospital, laurie helmsley kirkham, l.a. kirkham, harry holmes, nurses, ascot

The primary role of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member was that of nursing orderly in hospitals, carrying out menial but essential tasks - scrubbing floors, sweeping, dusting and cleaning bathrooms and other areas, dealing with bedpans, and washing patients. They were not employed in military hospitals, except as ward and pantry maids; rather, they worked in Red Cross convalescent and rest homes, canteens, and on troop trains. At the start of the First World War, Australian VADs were restricted from travelling overseas by the Defence Council. As a result, many chose to travel on their own initiative and join British detachments, often in Australian Hospitals. It is reported that the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital included in their nursing staff some 120 VADs, chiefly Australians in the British service, employed through the Australian Red Cross Society. This policy was changed in 1916 after a request from Great Britain, and the first detachment of thirty official Australian VADs to serve overseas left Australia in September 1916.(http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/vad/, accessed 13 August 2014)A group of VADs, a nurse, and some men from the Australian Imperial Forces. Verso: 'group of nurses and some of the men at Highton - taken at an afternoon we had. Can you find me [Harold Holmes] it is not very clear. The 2nd in uniform from the right hand side.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, highton, red cross, vad, voluntary aid detachment, nurse, nursing

The photograph was associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Gordon Spittle was the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. They were the aunty and uncle of Mary Elziabeth Holme ( m Chatham) Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)Four Australian soldiersVerso: 'Moascar, Egypt, June 14th '16. From left to right. S.G.S. [Gordon Spittle], Cam Williamson & Harry [Holmes]. Sitting is Private Berry a son of the big merchants in Melbourne. Am sending these negatives to Jim W. so if they arrive safely, you'll be able to get better proofs from him. From Gordon [Spittle].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, moascar, egypt, suez canal, spittle, williamson, harry holmes, berry, egypt, moarcar, ascot