Pause a minute this Remembrance Day
Every year at 11 am on 11 November, the eleventh hour of the eleventh month - Australians stop to remember those men and women who have served and those who have died in all wars and peacekeeping operations.
Our feature photo is a photo postcard in YPRL’s collection, sent by John Wailes to his sister Millicent from France in 1917. He wrote: "In the Field" 28-11.17 The Boys have a day off behind the lines.. John and his brother Bert were photographed with friends from N.S.W. Top left is John Henry Walies and bottom right, his brother Albert Ernest Wailes.
Corporal Albert (Bert) Ernest Wailes served in the 6th Australian Mechanical / Motor Transport Company and served in France 1916-1919. He was born in Yan Yean, in 1889 and at the time of his enlistment was living at "Studley Farm", Epping. Bert returned from the war and married Ruby Lehman. They had four sons.
John Henry Wailes, his older brother, was born in Janefield, (now Mill Park) in 1887, motor driver of 'Studley Farm', Epping when he enlisted. John also served in France. He also returned from the war and married Ruby Gist. He passed away in 1974.
Look for these local community events this week:
Flag Tributes. Gravestones of known servicemen and women will be marked with an Australian flag at Eltham Cemetery (till Monday 14 November), Kangaroo Ground Cemetery and Nillumbik Cemetery at Diamond Creek (till Tuesday 15 November).
Service and Displays
Epping RSL will have a service starting at 10.00am. It will be well worth visiting the sub- branch to view their special display of poppies and crosses with names.
Nillumbik Historical Society will be holding a Remembrance Day service and dedication of WW1 Soldier Memorial Panels on Sunday 13th November at 10.00am to be held at the Ellis Cottage Reserve, Diamond Creek. The cottage and barn will be open to view and will include a military display. Enquiries and RSVP to elliscottage@gmail.com
Services
Montmorency Eltham RSL will have a service at 10.30 am
Watsonia RSL are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year and are also planning a service.
Victorian State Remembrance Service at the Shrine of Remembrance
Be inspired by this video:
Finding Frank [video] : A story of military service and loss; family remembrances, an amazing find, and the thoughtfulness of strangers, presented by Australian genealogist Michelle Patient at this year's Rootstech Conference, the largest genealogy conference in the world.
Learn more and research family members. Access Service Records at the National Archives of Australia.
