Historical information

Two legatees with James Tierney and his Corps of Commissionaires service medal. The notes on the back infer that Legatees were involved in the commemoration of James Tierney's life by arranging his burial at sea.
An article in The Age 6 Jan 1953 mentions that Jim Tierney was the first paid instructor employed by Legacy for physical training classes in 1927. He also became one of the two Commissionaires at the Shrine of Remembrance for 12 years up to 1953.
The service medal he is receiving in the photo comes from the Corps of Commissionaires Association (Australia), which has information at http://www.thecorps.com.au. A summary:
"The Corps of Commissionaires was founded in London 1859 by Sir Edward Walter KCB.
The original aim was to provide to employment and welfare support for veterans of the Crimean War.
The Corps of Commissionaires was established in Australia in New South Wales in 1939 and became based in Victoria in 1946. There are Corps members in all states in Australia from all three Australian military services. Our members range from World War 2 veterans through all conflicts to Timor and Peacekeepers. The Corps is currently an ex-service, welfare and philanthropic organisation that is located at the Veterans Centre in the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Victoria."
The details of the three legatees mentioned are:
Legatee Samuel J. Benson (Lieut.Commander) – born 12.7.1909, inducted 17 October, 1950, died 26.7.95. Served in WWII with the RAN for 6 years. He was a Junior Legatee before the war, and Legacy found him a job in the office of an Adelaide Shipping Company. After the war he became a Master Mariner, Sea Pilot. He was proposed as a Legatee by Stan Savige.
Legatee Donald J. Simonson (Captain) – born 21.5.1920, inducted 27 July 1953, died 11.7.2010.
Served in WWII in 39th Battn., Decorated with M.C. Worked as an Importer and Manufacturers Agent after the war. President of Melbourne Legacy 1970.
Legatee Adrian Beattie (Captain) – born 21.3.1920, inducted 10.10.1950, died 8.8.1989. Served as a Signal Officer in 24th Btn. After the war worked as a Physiotherapist.

Significance

A record of a type of work done by Legatees.

Physical description

Black and white photo of two Legatees and Jim Tierney.

Inscriptions & markings

Front of photo has a typed label saying: "Jim Tierney receiving Commissionaire's Service Medal".
The back "James Edward TIERNEY at Royal Park receiving Service Medal, Corps of Commissionaire.
Buried at Sea (1963): by Legatees Sam Benson, Donald Simonson, Adrian Beattie, and families in Port Philip Bay by kind favour Port Philip Pilot Service" in blue ink.