This blog is a companion to the Database of Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Woman Haters' Club go to war

This photo shows members of the Women Haters' Club at their Dromana Camp.  The soldier in the centre is wearing sergeants' stripes on his sleeve.  The history of the club says that no camping was done on this campsite until the end of the war, so this may represent a Welcome Home by members.

The Honour Roll for the club had 32 names on it, reproduced in their history, Woman Haters' Club, Essendon - Dromana.  One Hundred Years, 1902-2002. 

Photos of members can be and the Roll of Honour can be seen on the Empire Called website, and also on the Time Travellers blog

Saturday, March 5, 2016

The Wilsons of Moonee Ponds

Emily, Daisy and John Wilson, Leighton Studios, circa 1917. Courtesy of Nereda Shute.
Private John Wilson and his wife Emily took their little daughter Daisy to the Leighton Photographic Studio in Margaret St, Moonee Ponds, opposite the Moonee Ponds station.  They had this keepsake photo taken prior to John embarking with the 10 Machine Gun Company in June 1917.  After a period of training in England, John was transferred to the 37 Infantry Battalion and embarked for France.