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From the collection of Melbourne Legacy

3192 Items featured online

Photograph - Portrait, Legatee Harold E Cohen, 194

H E Cohen first president of Legacy

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Historical information

A portrait of Legatee Harold Edward Cohen CMG, CBE, DSO, VD, MLC, he served in both World Wars, attained the rank of Brigadier. He was the first president of Legacy in 1923 to 1924.
The portrait was in an album of photos taken in the 1940s (mostly 1945).
Harold Edward Cohen (1881-1946), soldier, lawyer, politician and businessman, was born on 25 November 1881. His early interest in soldiering led to him being first commissioned in the Australian Military Forces in 1901 in the Field Artillery.
On the outbreak of the First World War he took overseas the 6th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, seeing service in France and Egypt, and being awarded the CMG and DSO, and being twice mentioned in despatches. He was twice wounded in action. He was awarded the Volunteer Decoration in 1921 and the CBE in 1934.
In 1929 Brigadier Cohen entered Parliament as the member for Melbourne South in the Legislative Council, and in 1935 transferred to the Assembly as member for Caulfield, which seat he held until 1943.
During the Second World War Brigadier Cohen served in the Middle East as honorary Red Cross Commissioner overseas. Returning to Australia in 1942 he was appointed director of amenities, and subsequently Deputy Adjutant-General to the AMF, which post he held until his retirement in 1944.
A different photo of Legatee Cohen is framed and hung in the Level 2 function room (see 03991).

Significance

A record of a prominent legatee who was President of Legacy.

Physical description

Black and white portrait of Harold E Cohen, who was the first president of Legacy in 1923. Part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. From one of 20 pages with black and white photos.