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scuttlebuttBox Hill R.S.L. Sub- Branch Inc.

Box Hill RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated - trading as Box Hill RSL, 26 Nelson Rd, Box Hill 3128. Ph: 9898 5992, Fax: 9899 1740 Manager: Denis Fernando, Sub-Branch Secretary: Ray Wall, Association Registered No: A0057903U

July 2016ISSUE: #203

EDITOR: Tony Bowden OAM JP

GENERAL MANAGER: Denis Fernando

SUB-BRANCH SECRETARY: Ray Wall

ASSOCIATION REGISTERED NO: A0057903U

Contributions to each issue of Scuttlebutt must be with the editor by the 20th day of each month. Editor's e-mail: heraldry@sub.net.au

UNUSUAL GREAT WAR PHOTOGRAPHS DISCOVERED & NOW ON DISPLAYCHECK BACK COVER FOR DETAILS

WINTER & THOSE COLD WINDS ARE UPON UPOver the last few weeks we have witnessed what the next three months of winter is promising, rain, cold winds and colder evenings. If you have a problem keeping warm there is a solution – your Sub-Branch which opens at 9am each morning and closes late in the evening. There is free hot tea and coffee plus a comfortable lounge area to sit in or maybe just meet your friends for a quiet natter.

Your Sub-Branch is a cosy and inviting place to visit and keep warm in these cold months, it is your club, just remember it is open seven days a week.

TRIP REPORTRecently members of the Box Hill RSL shared an enjoyable day visiting Melbourne University to see their current WW1 exhibition at the Baillieu library and have a guided tour of the Percy Grainger Museum. Time was the enemy and we all agreed we could have spent several more hours looking at the diverse collections of material on display.

The guided tour of the purpose built Percy Grainger Museum was fascinating, with an amazing collection of memorabilia showing off his life and his passions. We were only able to scrape the surface of this remarkable man who was a brilliant composer, artist and a person well ahead of their time.

The ‘Somewhere in France’ exhibition was very worthwhile giving viewers a good understanding of the experience of

the WW1 soldiers. Half of the group were particularly fortunate in that they were given an impromptu guided talk by the curator. Several members later asked me why Germany invaded Belgium in 1914. In brief (from Google) at this time the Germans felt hemmed in by the enemy alliance of France, Britain and Russia. After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Germany moved to overthrow France whom they considered the weakest of the alliance. To do this their armies needed to pass through Belgium. The rest is history.

Lunch at the Leinster Arms was, as always, fantastic. Thanks to all those who came along.

Kathy Edelman, Welfare Assistant

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MEMBERS IN AGED CARE

Welfare Report For all welfare matters - telephone Faye Clark on 9898 2044

Our best wishes are with those members who are, or have been in hospital since the last issue.

Ray Rees, Vera Williams, Shane Williams, Margery Maxwell, Bill Slattery, Edward Woods, Kevin Adams and Vern Barret

Ron Snell AffiliateRobert Ashby 3726103 N.S.Ivan Yodgee 3119160 N.S.Joanna Eden AffiliateLyle Loveday Affiliate

Leigh McQualter VX 67542 – 1st Aust V.P.WSKeith Westaway A310495 N.S.Doreen Williams Affiliate

Vale lest we forget

BEULAH ANDERSON, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthJOHN BANKS-HUGHES, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleFRANK BOLTON, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyMAUREEN BRAYNE, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthKEN BUDGE, AdventCare, 163-165 Central Rd, NunawadingEARLE BUTTERFIELD, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleHILARY BUTTERFIELD, The Heights, 39 Doncaster Rd, DonvaleALAN BYRON, Milpara, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthWILLIAM CAHILL, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillDON CAIRNS, Nazareth Care, 16 Cornell St, CamberwellMYRA CAMPBELL, Dorothy Henderson Lodge, 157 Balaclava Rd, Marsfield.FAY CLARK, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillROBERT CLARK, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyMOLLIE CLOUGH, Kew Gardens, 22-24 Gellibrand St, KewNOEL & LOIS DUNN, BUPA, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleROY EDWARDS, BUPA, 18-22 McGlynn Ave., South MorangMERLE EVANS, Victoria Grange, 502-514 Burwood Hwy, Vermont SthJEAN FINEBERG, Alexander Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleMADGE GILBERT, Broughton Lea, 9 -17 Broughton Rd, Surrey HillsGEORGE GIRLING, McGarvie Hostel, Strathdon, 17 Jolimont Rd, Forest HillGORDON HANG GONG, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvalePAT HAMILTON, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleMARJ HASLER, Charlesbrook, 1 Innisfallen Crt. Templestowe

MARY HODGETTS, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyLORNA HOUSE, Wattle Glen ACF, 45 Silvan Rd, Wattle GlenBILL HOWE, Ascot House, 468 Middleborough Rd, BlackburnLORNA HUNTER, Cabrini, 54 Queens Parade, Ashwood, 3147LOLA INGLEFINGER, Banksia Lodge, 2 Jones St, FosterRAY JACOBS, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillMYRA KELLEHER, Clovelly Cottage, 16 Stewart St, BoroniaJEAN KING, Opal by the Bay, 185 Racecourse Rd, Mt MarthaALBERT KNOP, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillCLARE KNYVETT, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleSYLVIA LANG, Donwood Aged Care, 17 Diana St, CroydonDOROTHY LEITH, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthDON & MARGE LIVESEY, BUPA, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweROBERT LONG, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyBETTY MADDOCK, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburySIDNEY MANN, Roseville, Apt.10, 130 King St, Doncaster EastDAWN MAY, Jack Faichney Hostel, Strathdon, Jolimont Rd, Forest HillHARRY & JOYCE MCEWAN, Gregory Lodge, 2-58 Newmarket St, FlemingtonBRUCE MCLEAN, Templestowe Pioneer Village, 16 Herlihys Rd, Lower TemplestoweHAMISH MACLEOD, Dowell Court, 159 Lwr Heidelberg Rd, East IvanhoeBETTY McQUALTER, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillBETTY MONK, Livingstone Gardens, 39 Livingstone Rd Vermont SouthGEORGE MOXHAM, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, BlackburnTOM & PEGGY O’DONNELL, Livingstone Gardens, 39 Livingstone Rd, Vermont Sth

PHYLLIS O’REILLY, Richard McGarvie Hostel, Strathdon, Jolimont Rd, Forest HillNOEL OUTHRED, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleROMA OWEN, Highwood Court, 359 Warrigal Rd, BurwoodSHIRLEY PASCOE, BUPA, Heidelberg Park, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweTED PHILLIPS, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyGERALD PULLAN, BUPA, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweMILLIE RAYNOR, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave CanterburyDOROTHY REID, Baradine, Baradine Rd, MooroolbarkDOREEN ROCK, Camberwell Gardens, 15 Cornell St, CamberwellDICK ROSE, Clovelly Cottage, 16 Stewart St, Boronia.IRENE ROSEVEAR, Vincent de Paul Hostel, 13 Strabane Ave, Mont Albert NorthMAUREEN SAVAGE, Covenant House, 181 Canterbury Rd, BlackburnELIZABETH SAYERS, Jasmine Lodge, 56 Mt. Dandenong Rd, Ringwood EastBETTY SMITH, Arcare, Cnr Plenty and Gremel Rds, LatrobeLEO SMITH, Alexander Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Road, DonvaleERN TRELOAR, Broughtonlea, 9 -17 Broughton Rd, Surrey HillsEDNA TREWIN, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, BlackburnRALPH VAN DER HOEVEN, Rucker’s Hill, 14-24 Pearl St, NorthcoteNORMA VENDY, Dorset Lodge, 362 Dorset Rd, CroydonEILEEN WADDELL, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvalePHIL WALTER, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, BlackburnHELEN WILLIAMS, Glen Waverley PNH, 982 High St, Glen Waverley

VOLUNTEER ANNE YEOWART TURNED 95.

Anne celebrated being 95 years young surrounded by family and friends with a very successful birthday bash here at the RSL. Anne has been a long time member and volunteer for the Welfare Department, doing the

Scuttlebutt mail out, helping with the guests at our special IPP lunches, and knitting goods for children’s charities. She dedicated many, many hours to our Appeals Section, getting up to catch all the early morning commuters at the Box Hill Station and then moving to Centro to catch all the shoppers. But it is her dedication to our members in hospital and aged care facilities that makes her a much-loved volunteer. In the past she would hop on her treasured scooter to make visits, but as she is no longer able to do this she is accompanied by another dedicated volunteer Graeme Agnew. What a great pair they make, and how lucky is the RSL to have both these volunteers. But right now I say how wonderful it is that we have Anne, thank you Anne for your support! Another Gem!

Faye Clark Welfare Coordinator

Whitehorse Day Club Trip

MEMORABILIA GOES BACK TO SCHOOLWe know that April is a big month for Veterans, leading up to Anzac Day, a very important date on everyone’s calendar. None more so than many schools around Melbourne, who are joining in various services put on by many RSL’s, even to the extent that some schools have displays that concentrate on an era, whether it be WW1 or WW2 or some other conflict that Australian Soldiers have been involved in.

This year, Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School approached me as Memorabilia Officer to see if Box Hill RSL could prepare a display, not only for the Anzac week, but also to coincide with the school’s Open Day. As this year is the 50th Anniversary of the “Battle of Long Tan” in Vietnam and is commonly known as the battle that changed the war, it was only appropriate that the display represent this important anniversary.

On the Open Day, many hundreds of the general public attended Ivanhoe Girls Grammar and the Library area of the school was where our display was installed as the photo shows. The uniform worn by the mannequin belonged to one of our Members, Ian Teague, who was an officer with the AATTV. The two students who oversaw the display and explained it to all were Kate Conway and Olivia Ireland.

Brian Tateson, Memorabilia

Altona Homestead and Williamstown

On arrival at Altona - the Seaweed City – we had a leisurely stroll round the street market before our knowledgeable guide, Peter Weaver, welcomed us to Altona Homestead. The area was named after Altona in Germany by a German migrant in 1892 and had boomed in the 1950’s with the influx of immigrants. By 1988, Altona was one of the richest councils until amalgamation with other councils.

In 1845, Alfred and Sarah Langhorne moved into the house, then called Laverton Homestead and ran it as their principal place of residence. It was the first homestead built on the foreshore of Port Phillip. After Black Thursday in 1851, the first major bush fires listed in Victoria, the timber house (undamaged by fire) was rebuilt in Tasmanian bluestone, even though Altona had bluestone of its own. The house changed hands several times until 1957, when the Shire of Altona was formed and ownership was transferred to the new municipality for use as offices till new premises were opened in 1963. In 1988, major restoration began and the Homestead was officially reopened to the public under care of the Altona Historical Society.

After lunch, Jackie, our guide, boarded the bus and told us about Williamstown, past and present. It was named after King William and was to be the capital of Victoria. Ale was brewed locally and drunk because of the lack of fresh water.There are links to many countries. Dutch migrants came for the boat-building industry and their influence is reflected in street names. A fountain was brought over from Glasgow, U.K. by Rev. Wilkinson. Dr. Fig from Scotland, the port doctor, used opium himself as it was legal until 1910. Some of his patients died as he used too high a dosage of chloroform. We saw prison hulks – floating jails –for prisoners who were rowed to shore to work then returned at night. The Time Ball Tower is operational but is now computerised. Some other landmarks may have been familiar as they were used in “Sea Change.”

A special thank you to Kevin and Wendy Epps for their “supplementary” commentary. They had grown up in this area so were able to add some other details.

John and Mary Simpson – Tour Co-ordinators.

FROM THE PRESIDENTHaving just read the latest issue of Mufti on page 65 there was a report of the 2016 Duke of Edinburgh Shield. Our Bowls section has always been keen participants in this prestigious Shield competition and having had the opportunity of reviewing the past performances of our bowlers, I’m greatly perturbed.

With the Sub-Branch contributing heavily to this long weekend tournament I believe the Committee and Members of the Sub-Branch need to ensure our bowlers are in a fit and proper frame-of-mind to compete and hopefully win something.

Having thought long and hard as to what is possible, I believe we need to set some standards for those making the long trip north. The first and obvious standard should be no alcohol during the whole weekend and depending upon the results on the green it could become a permanent fixture.

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THE LAST POST – ORIGIN & WARTIME USEThe “FIRST POST” call signals the start of the duty officer’s inspection of a British Army camp’s sentry posts, sounding a call at each one. The “LAST POST” call originally signalled merely that the final sentry post had been inspected, and the camp was secure for the night. In addition to its normal garrison use, the Last Post call had another function at the close of a day of battle. It signalled to those who were still out and wounded or separated that the fighting was done, and to follow the sound of the call to find safety and rest.

Its use in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Commonwealth nations has two generally unexpressed purposes: the first is an implied summoning of the spirits of the Fallen to the cenotaph, the second is to symbolically end the day, so that the period of silence before the Rouse is blown becomes in effect a ritualised night vigil. The Last Post as played at the end of inspection typically lasted for about 45 seconds, when played ceremonially with notes held for longer, pauses extended, and the expression mournful, typical duration could be 75 seconds or more.

This custom dates from the 17th century or earlier. It originated with British troops stationed in the Netherlands, where it drew on an older Dutch custom, called taptoe, from which comes the term Tattoo as in Military Tattoo. The taptoe was also used to signal the end of the day, but originated from a signal that beer taps had to be shut, hence that the day had ended. It comes from the Dutch phrase Doe dent tap toe, meaning “close the tap”. The Dutch bugle call Taptoesignaal, now for remembrance events, is not the same tune as the Last Post.

The “Last Post” was used by British forces in North America in colonial times, but was replaced by the different “Taps” by the United States Army, first used in 1862 and officially recognised in 1874.

During the 19th century, the “Last Post” was also carried to the various countries of the British Empire. In all these countries it has been incorporated into military funerals, where it is played as a final farewell, symbolising the fact that the duty of the dead soldier is over and that they can rest in peace.

“Last Post” is used in public ceremonials commemorating the war dead, particularly on Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth of Nations. In Australia and New Zealand it is also played on Anzac Day usually before the two-minute silence, which concludes with “The Rouse”.

(The above explanation was discovered on the free encyclopedia Wikipedia)

Tony Bowden, Hon. President

"Did you know your Club, Box Hill RSL Sub-Branch, is one of many Clubs in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who support the daily Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial? I encourage you to take the time to watch this moving ceremony at least once. Please let me know your feelings and experience by dropping a line to The Editor

To enable anyone anywhere in Australia or overseas to view the Last Post ceremony, it is broadcast live daily via webcam on the Memorial’s website (https://www.awm.gov.au/live/) from 4.55 pm AEST. The ceremony is a memorable occasion, engaging visitors and offering them the opportunity to remember those Australians who have lost their lives in war and to reflect on their service and sacrifice.

The ceremony begins with the singing of the Australian National Anthem, followed by the poignant strains of a Lament, played by a piper. Visitors are invited to lay wreaths and floral tributes beside the Pool of Reflection. The Roll of Honour in the Cloisters lists the names of more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations over more than a century. At each ceremony the story behind one of these names will be told. The Ode is then recited, and the ceremony ends with the sounding of the Last Post."

TREV'S COLUMNMEMBERS PREMIUM REWARDS CARD – “CASH UP IN JUNE"

Don’t forget to swipe your Premium Rewards Card at the kiosk when you enter the Club and you could be one of ten lucky Members to share in the June promotion “Christmas in July” on 30 July 2016 to select a mystery envelope. Feeling lucky? Bonus entries are available from 6.00pm on 30 July 2016.

Also present your card over the Bar or Bistro with each purchase and you can obtain additional tickets when you spend $20.00 or more. Each purchase accumulates until you reach $20.00 so present your card even if you are only buying one drink.

PAKENHAM RACE DAY

Our trip to Pakenham on 21 June was a success with nearly all of the people who were booked to go to Kilmore in attendance.

NEW BISTRO FURNITURE

The new tables and chairs and the alterations to the Bistro will not commence for about 5 weeks so table 19 survives yet again!!

FRIDAY NIGHT RAFFLE

Looking for something to do on a Friday night? Why not come to the Friday night raffle? It is held in the Upton Room and sale of tickets starts at 5.45pm with the raffles commencing at 6.30pm. The raffle concludes at about 7.15pm in plenty of time to have dinner in the Bistro. Prizes include meat trays, $40 Woolworth Vouchers, $40 RSL Gift Cards, $25 Vouchers, beer or wine, and Mandy’s Mystery Bags. Have a bit of fun!!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON HIGH TEA

On Sundays from 3.00pm to 5.00pm High Tea will be served in the Members’ Lounge area. There are 6 types of tea: English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, Chamomile, Jasmine and Rose French Vanilla. Espresso coffee is also available. The beverages are accompanied with Ribbon Sandwiches, Savouries and Sweet Pastries. The cost is $34.00 for 2 people. Feed-back from Members that I have received indicates that it is very successful

Trevor Symes, Vice President

The following article is written by James Burrowes OAM: an Ex AIF Sergeant who served 4 years, including 2½ years as a

signaller Coastwatcher, in ‘M’ Special Unit of the Allied Intelligence; and 9 months with the US 7th Fleet Amphibious Landing

Force. He spend 10 months in enemy occupied territory overlooking Rabaul, and is the last signaller Coastwatcher in

Australia. Jim is a Member of the Australian Commando Association and the Box Hill RSL Sub-branch.

DARTS SECTION REPORTWe are approaching the halfway point of the darts season. Our five teams playing in the Wednesday night EDDL Competition have performed well, some a little more successfully than others.

Our Thursday night team playing in the ESDA has narrowly missed the mid-year playoffs.

As well as association competitions we run internal competitions exclusively for Box Hill RSL members which have been a roaring success and excellently attended. These are conducted monthly on a Tuesday evening. The most recently played competition, to crown our club champion, drew the highest number of attendees ever and necessitated the erection of a temporary fourth board in the kitchen area to accommodate everyone.

Membership is on the up and up as new players are attracted to the Club known for its facilities and welcoming attitude. We have two wheelchair darters who compete on a modified board and enjoy the game to its fullest.

Currently new uniforms are being arranged for all sides to promote our Club and will incorporate specific logos for each team as well as the Box Hill RSL logo.

A social darts evening is held on each Monday evening, starting at 8:00pm. All are invited to come along to ‘have a throw’ and say hi.

Paul Tinsley, Darts Section Secretary

HOW THE COASTWATCHERS TURNED THE TIDE OF THE PACIFIC WARJAMES BURROWES OAM

Two Australian Coastwatchers brought the tide of Japanese invasive successes to a shuddering halt when they reported the impending fleet of the Japanese invasion force with 5,500 troops. This precipitated the Battle for the Coral Sea in early May 1942, and aborted the invasion of Port Moresby. As Admiral (Bull) Halsey reported several months later: “The Coast watchers

saved Guadacanal, and Guadacanal saved the South Pacific”. This is the untold historical story of the M Special Unit of the Allied Intelligence Bureau (The Coastwatchers).

In early 1941, ten months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Australian Government set up the ‘Malay Barrier’ and deployed a series of ‘Bird defence forces on the island north of Australia – the Sparrow Force on Timor, Gull Force on Ambon and Lark Force at Rabaul.

Tragically, these under-manned and under-equipped forces were totally out-numbered by the superior Japanese invasion forces, as it swept south after Pearl Harbor. Hence, these defences were futile disasters incurring huge losses of Australian troops. The first of these invasions occurred on January 22, 1942 just six weeks after Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese invaded and occupied Rabaul, killing and capturing 73% of the token Australian force left to defend it. Subsequently, 1,053 POWs were casualties on the unmarked prison ship Montevideo Maru sunk by a US submarine off Luzon in the Phillipines, on the voyage to the Japanese-occupied Hainan Island. It was Australia's largest maritime disaster of the war.

Enemy landings, followed by occupation, then took place at Ambon a week later, followed by Timor a further fortnight on.

After occupying Rabaul, as explained by founder and commander of the Coastwatchers Eric Feldt in his historic book The Coast Watchers in late February 1942 “the Japanese despatched

a force from Rabaul to occupy Lae and Salamaua… Buka Passage and the Shortland Islands…. Then, in May, they essayed to take Port Moresby from the sea, at the same time occupying Tulagi”.

CONTINUES NEXT ISSUE..

FREE MOVIE FOR MEMBERS

"A Courageous Heart"(1 hour 35mins)THURSDAY, JULY 28TH 2016 AT 10.30Presented by Ray Wall

UNFORGETTABLE. INSPIRING. TRUE.

Irena Sendler was one of the most remarkable, and unlikely, heroes of WW2, risking her life repeatedly to save the lives of over 2500 Jewish children and babies during the Nazi occupation of Poland.

Box Hill R.S.L. Sub-Branch Inc. trading as Box Hill RSL 26 Nelson Rd, Box Hill 3128 Victoria.

T 9898 5992 F 9899 1740 E secretary@boxhillrsl.com.au

General Manager: Denis Fernando Sub-Branch Secretary: Ray Wall Association Registered No: A0057903U

scuttlebutt

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THE CENTENARY OF BOX HILL RSL IS FAST APPROACHING(1ST JANUARY 2020)One of the projects to celebrate our 100 years will be a book of the history of the Sub-Branch – this will include not only its official history but stories of its members past and present.

Should you recall a tale regarding a grandfather, father, uncle or any family member that was a member, we would like to hear from you. These family stories can be in a written format or if you require we can have your stories recorded then translated. Your stories can be funny, serious or just general tales from the past.

To ensure a great book and a great read your assistance is certainly required.

UNUSUAL GREAT WAR PHOTOGRAPHS DISCOVERED & NOW ON DISPLAY

BOWLS REPORTWith winter well upon us, a few of our most ardent bowlers are braving the cold wet weather to play Wednesday and Saturday social bowls. I commend you Thanks to the Match Committee for the organisation of these games.

A few lucky members have taken the opportunity to get away from the cold and travel to a warmer climate (can you blame them) for the next few weeks, while our winter bowls takes place. To those members - enjoy and travel safe!

On Monday, 13th June, a number of bowlers got together to enjoy a 'A fun and Skill' bowling afternoon put together by Neville Frostick from the Match Committee. This was a spur of the moment thing for those wanting to have a roll up on the nice sunny Monday Holiday. It turned out to be quite a challenge and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated. It was proven the bowl does NOT always go where you want it to go. We hope to have more of these days in the future when a few more bowlers are aware and available.

Thank you Neville and Glad for your time in setting this up for players to test their skills and enjoy.

Our Talkfest was held on 30th May and resulted in getting our calendar of events in order for the coming season, it was also a chance for members to put forward suggestions and ideas.

Helen Harrington, Bowls President

TOP: Sapper Eric Keast Burke at a “modern railway siding” (1918) near the old city of Babylon – he was part of World War 1s Dunsterforce. Sapper Burke’s son is a resident in Inala Village, Blackburn South.

BOTTOM: September 1918 – an Australian

wireless squadron accompanied by Ghurkas climbing mountains in North West Persia, they were sent to back-up Dunsterforce’s incursion into Russia.

Dunsterforce – established in 1917 and named after its commander General Lionel

Dunsterville. The force had fewer than 350 Australian, New Zealand, British and Canadian officers and NCOs, drawn from the Western and Mesopotamian fronts. The force was intended to organise local units in northern Iran and southern Caucasus, to replace the Tsarist armies that had fought the Ottoman armies in Armenia.

The Russians had also occupied northern Iran in cooperation with the British occupation of southern Iran, to create a cordon to prevent German and Ottoman agents from reaching central Asia, Afghanistan and India.

The late father of one of our members, Eric Keast Burke, who saw service in the Great War, being post to N. W. Persia and later N. Iraq as a signaller in the Dunsterforce Expedition, as well as a signaller, was a keen photographer.

At the Highway Gallery, Mount Waverley an exhibition of his unusual photographs will be on display from the 19 August to 11 September 2016. These photographs take you back to long lost times in Mesopotamia, Persia and Kurdistan.

The Highway Gallery is situated at 14 The Highway, Mount Waverley.