Historical information
RSL Funeral services conducted by the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch and Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch for their departed members.
.1) The first entry in the book is 27.10.1965 and the last on 27.12.2008.
A large amount of the entries were written by Jack Barnes OAM during his 43 years as Secretary of the Sub Branch. (Refer Cat No 8040).
The vast majority of the funerals were conducted by the President at the time, Committee members or members who were heavily involved with the Sub Branch. It's virtual who's who of Presidents, Life members and notables.
1988 saw the most funerals conducted during that year being 60, other figures varied from mid 20's to mid 50's per year.
One notable funeral Volunteer was John Balsillie MBE. (Refer Cat No 118.5) Between 2.1.2007 - 27.12.2008 there was 80 funerals with John conducting 78 of them.
There is an interesting addition of one funeral by Jack Barnes on 31.1.1968 was that it was (111 degrees).
.2) The list on the sheet with a note, "For Cindy" who was the BDRSL Office Person at the time. these were for 2007, there was 19 on the sheet with only 9 in the book, 7 of the names have a red tick beside. The sheet was written by John Balsillie. John had conducted funerals for many years pre 2007 and for more years after.
Physical description
.1) Exercise book, cover red & white with green text central of front, section of front page missing, pages are blue ruled lines, columns added in red or blue pen, 3 columns per page with year at the top, columns have the deceased persons name, funeral date, person who conducted the RSL funeral, some pages the persons unit served with has been added. all entries are hand written on red or blue pen.
.2) Sheet of paper with hand written names in blue pen with month and date, some have a red tick beside.
Inscriptions & markings
On front on a white sticker "Funerals" in black texta pen.
Hand written in blue pen, "27.10.1965 to 27.12.2008".
Inside front cover in blue pen by Jack Barnes, "Bugler as from Sept 84 - Les Warren 40 Story St Bgo phone 43007".
In red pen, "Took Bugle to polish etc 5 ? 84"
