Historical information

Born in Castlemaine 1886. Maldwyn L. Williams (Leslie) was a prominent doctor in Bendigo, both at Bendigo Base Hospital and in private practice. He played several games in the Victorian Football League (VFL) whilst at university. Enlisted in Citizens Military Force in 1909 as Captain in Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. Promoted to Major in 1913. Sept 1915 - appointed Major in regular army, 8th Field Ambulance Unit. Nov 1915 - sailed for Egypt; June 1916 - sailed for Marseilles. Jan 1917 - promoted to Lt. Colonel and command of 1st Field Ambulance Unit. Wounded near Bapaume 2nd March 1917; died from wounds 3rd March 1917. Buried at Dernancourt Cemetery, France.
The engraver of the plaque was C.G. Roeszler & Son of Melbourne. This business was founded in 1869 and is still family-owned and trading today. This company is responsible for many examples of engraving around Melbourne, including work on the 1928 Ringwood Memorial Clock and in St Paul's Cathedral in Flinders St, Melbourne.

Physical description

Rectangular metal plaque, possibly brass. 4cm border featuring botanical motif. A flower with eight round petals at each corner - each flower has a 0.7cm hole at its centre. Decoration and inscription engraved and filled with black material, possibly shellac or enamel paint which is degraded, cracking, and loose.

Inscriptions & markings

Main inscription: "TO THE MEMORY OF/OUR FRIEND/MALDWYN LESLIE WILLIAMS. LT. COL, M.B,B.S./WHO DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN FRANCE/MARCH 3RD ['RD" is in smaller font and higher that other letters with a dot beneath] 1917.'
Bottom right: "C.G. ROESZLER & SON MELB".