Daylesford RSL in Daylesford, Victoria | Local service

Daylesford RSL

Locality: Daylesford, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5348 3724

Address: 20 Vincent St 3460 Daylesford, VIC, Australia

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25.01.2022 #OTD: Battle of Romani On the 3rd of August, we commemorate the Battle of Romani, one of the most important and decisive victories in World War 1. This battle w...ould put a stop to the Turkish threat to the Suez Canal, and mark the beginning of the British and Australian forces drive out of Egypt and into Palestine. In the late hours of the 3rd of August 1916, Turkish soldiers darted across the Sinai Desert towards the Romani tableland. Ahead lay isolated outposts of Major-General Harry Chauvel’s Anzac Mounted Division, which barred the way to the Turk’s objective, the Suez Canal. Close to dawn the Turkish army sighted the Australians and charged forward, slicing their way through the thin defences, destroying the posts before any resistance could be organised. This would be the beginning of the battle of Romani, a conflict which, after two days of intense bloody fighting, would destroy Turkish hopes of controlling the vital man-made waterway, the Suez Canal. Heavily outnumbered, the 1st Light Horse Brigade was forced to fall back but as the day progressed both mounted and infantry reinforcements steadily arrived, allowing the position to be stabilized around a massive dune known as Mount Royston, after the charismatic light horse officer Lieutenant Colonel "Galloping Jack" Royston. The position was held throughout the night and before dawn the next morning the 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades advanced on foot with the bayonet under the cover of a heavy British artillery bombardment. Turkish resistance collapsed at this point, and large numbers of prisoners were taken. At 6.30 am fresh troops of the 3rd Light Brigade were turned loose in pursuit of the retreating Turks. The Australians and new Zealanders launched a frenzied attack on the enemy still holding Wellington Ridge that the impetus of their charge drove the defenders back almost to the crest. It was too much for the Turkish soldiers, with the Australian and New Zealand troops taking a decisive victory. A final pursuit of the fleeing Turkish soldiers ensued with many falling back to their main position across the Sinai Dessert. The battle of Romani was over. The Australian casualties across the two day battle are estimated at approximately 623. The Turkish casualties were much higher at 9,200, including 4,000 prisoners. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

24.01.2022 On this day... in 1942, Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin, Port Hedland in WA, and Horn Island in Queensland. Many towns and airfields in northern Australia were ...bombed by the Japanese between February 1942 and November 1943, with Darwin being the most bombed town during the war; it was attacked a total of 64 times. Port Hedland was bombed again in August 1943, and Horn Island was bombed eight times during the war. Ian Smith Chair Anzac Day Committee Map showing the locations in northern Australia that were bombed by the Japanese during the war: AWM

23.01.2022 Today we Remember the Battle of Long Tan. A part of our Military's History. R.I.P. Lest We Forget.

20.01.2022 We don't know them all, but we owe them all. After 6 years, the war finally ended when Japan surrendered in August 1945. Australian ships had played a role in t...he push towards the Philippines and the Japanese home islands. Australian aircrew had fought in the air war over Germany while Australian infantry had continued mopping up campaigns in Borneo, New Britain, New Guinea, and on Bougainville. These men, and many more like them, are the contributing factors to the lives we lead today. They made sacrifice for people that they never met, and would never know. We owe them more than can be put into words, but at the very least a thank you. #VP #VJ #Victory #Pacific #Army #WW2 #WWII #war #secondwoldwar #historynerd #historic #military #collection #history #ww #soldier #militarylife #veteran #war #armedforces #OneInAMillion #OurVeterans #TYFYS #veteran #DiggersTribute #diggers #veterandiggers

09.01.2022 #OTD: Outbreak of WWI On the 4th of August 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany as a result of German refusal to remove troops from neutral Belgium. As a... result, Australia pledged full support for Britain and entered WWI. Australia pledged a force of 20,000, to be placed at Britain's disposal, but by the end of the war over 400,000 Australians were in uniform. For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Below is an album of colourised images from the Australian Geographic showcasing the Australian experience of WWI please refer to the individual images for a caption and credits for each. Let us know which picture you think is best! Lest we forget. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

09.01.2022 We may be unable to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with traditional commemorations and gatherings this year. However, it's pivotal that we... still commemorate and remember this important day together as a community. RSL Victoria is proud to announce that it will be hosting Victoria's official online Victory in the Pacific Day commemoration service on Saturday, August 15, right here on the RSL Victoria Facebook page. This special online service, that commemorates the 75th anniversary of World War Two, has been funded by the Victorian Government. The online service begins at 11.20 am and will conclude by noon for all to commemorate and connect online safely from the comfort of your own home. Please make sure you tune in to mark this historic anniversary in Australian war history, as we remember all those who have served during WWII. #VPDay75 #Victoriaremembers

07.01.2022 For actions performed on this day in 2010 Corporal Daniel Keighran was awarded the Victoria Cross. During an ambush by a large Taliban force at Derapet, in Afgh...anistan’s Tangi Valley, Corporal Keighran deliberately and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to draw attention away from a mortally wounded comrade Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney. Throughout the long action his bravery assisted the patrol to return accurate fire and to successfully withdraw without further casualties. Corporal Keighran’s Victoria Cross, on loan to the Memorial, is on display in the Hall of Valour. Learn more: http://ow.ly/yuti50B6S1D Photo: P10927.001

06.01.2022 #OTD: The Battle of Lone Pine On the 6th of August 1915, Australian troops from the 1st Australian Brigade charged towards the Turkish trenches at Gallipoli at ...the start of possibly the most famous Australian battle in our history the Battle of Lone Pine. Planned as a diversion for the attempts to capture Hill 971 and Chunuk Bair, the assault on Lone Pine nonetheless produced some of the harshest fighting of the Gallipoli Campaign. Lone Pine was a difficult objective comprising a series of well defended trenches behind a 140m stretch of exposed land routinely swept by Turkish machineguns. At 1730 on the 6th of August, the Australians charged across this open ground after an intensive artillery bombardment which destroyed some of the Turkish barbed wire and provided some cover in the open ground. The Australians crossed the open ground with only light losses, and forced their way into the labyrinth of Turkish trenches and engaged in ferocious hand-to-hand fighting. Much of the fighting was characterised by the use of ‘bomb’s or grenades, which were sometimes thrown back and forth a number of times before exploding. Evacuation of the wounded was near impossible in the trenches many died where they lay By nightfall the Australians had secured the trenches but the real battle had only just begun. Across the next three days, the Australians had to repel near constant counterattacks by a determined Turkish force both above the ground and below in the subterranean warrens. In the end, the Australians successfully held the positions, but suffered over 2,000 casualties 60% of the 1st Brigade’s entire fighting force. The Turkish casualties were significantly higher, at over 7,000 killed or wounded. Seven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Australians at Lone Pine, the highest number ever awarded to an Australian division for one action. The bravery and tenacity displayed by the Australians at the Battle of Lone Pine and the subsequent three days of fighting exemplifies the true story that underpins the Anzac Legend. We must never forget their bravery and sacrifice. The ferocity of the fighting is perhaps expressed in the famous words of Cyril Lawrence, an engineer who fought: The major is standing next to me and he says ‘Well we have won’. Great God won then may I never witness a defeat. Lest we forget. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

04.01.2022 Today marks the 78th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein, one of the turning points of WWII. The Battle of El Alamein, began with a massive artillery bombar...dment preceding attacks by British and Australian divisions. Changing tactics from the drive westwards, General Montgomery ordered the Australians of 9th Division to switch their attack northward. What followed was a week of extremely fierce fighting, with the Australians grinding their way forward over well-defended enemy positions. Between July and November 1942, the Australian 9th Division suffered almost 6,000 casualties. Although the price was fearfully high, they had without doubt played a crucial role in ensuring an Allied victory in North Africa. General Montgomery acknowledged that he could not have won the battle without ‘that magnificent 9th Australian Division'. Today we remember the brave men who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of El Alamein! #rememembertoremember Image Courtesy: Australian War Memorial

04.01.2022 #OTD INTERFET Today we remember and thank all the men and women who served in East Timor as part of the UN International Force East Timor (INTERFET). Arrivin...g in country on the 20th of September 1999, approximately 5,500 Australians served, and two Australians died from non-combat related injuries. Although a multinational deployment, Australia was by far the largest contributor. Australians would continue to serve in East Timor in other peace keeping operations until December 2012. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

04.01.2022 #OTD: General Monash knighted in the field On the 12th of August 1918, Lieutenant General John Monash was knighted on the battlefield by King George V. Monas...h was invested as a Knight Commander of the Bath for his services in 1918, particularly for the role he played in organising the offensive launched on the 8th of August at the Battle of Amiens. The Battle of Amiens marked the blackest day for the German army, and undeniably led to their downfall 100 days later. Using a massed force of 580 tanks and armoured cars, the Australians advanced rapidly and demonstrated the superiority of combined arms. The Australians would advance some 10km deep across a 24km front during the first day alone. In just over three hours, the Australians overran the enemy front lines, capturing 29,144 prisoners, 338 guns, and liberating 116 towns. Described by Field Marshal Montgomery as ‘the best general on the western front in Europe’, General Sir John Monash is undoubtedly one of if not the most famous Australian commander in history. Edit: An earlier version of this post referenced this event as "the first time a British monarch had honoured a commander in such a way in 200 years". Although a number of sources repeat this claim, I have decided to remove it as a few people have mentioned other distinguished individuals who appear to have also earned this distinction. Personally, I don't think that whether or not he was the first person in 200 years to have been honoured this way diminishes in any way from his achievements, so I'm just going to remove the line instead. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

03.01.2022 #OTD: Largest prison escape of WWII On the 5th of August 1944, Australia witnessed the Cowra Breakout when 1,104 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape f...rom a POW camp near Cowra in New South Wales. It was the largest prison escape of WWII, and also one of the bloodiest resulting in 4 Australian and 231 Japanese soldiers killed. During WWII Cowra was the town nearest to No. 12 POW Compound, a camp where 4,000 Axis military personnel and civilians were detained throughout WWII. By August 1944, there were 2,223 Japanese POWs in Australia, as well as 14,720 Italian POWs and 1,585 Germans. At about 0200 on the 5th of August, a Japanese bugle sounded and three mobs of prisoners shouting ‘Banzai!’ began attempting to break through the wire and set a number of camp buildings alight. Within minutes of the bugle sounding, Privates Ben Hardy and Ralph Jones manned a machinegun and began firing on the escaping prisoners. Before being overwhelmed, Private Hardy was able to remove and throw away the gun’s bolt, rendering it useless and preventing the prisoners from using the guns against the guards. For their bravery, both men wold be posthumously awarded the George Cross. Some 359 POWs escaped, whilst a number of others attempted or committed suicide or were killed by their countrymen. Some who did escape chose to commit suicide to avoided recapture. All survivors were captured within 10 days of the breakout. Australia maintained No. 12 POW Compound until the last Japanese and Italian prisoners were repatriated in 1947. Cowra maintains a significant Japanese war cemetery, the only such cemetery in Australia. In addition, a commemorative Japanese garden was later built nearby to memorialise these events. Let us hope that we never have to experience such an event again. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964