Summary

Alternative Name(s): Honour Roll, Honour Board

World War I Roll of Honour depicting or commemorating 29 'Volunteers from the Board's Service who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918'. It was 'Presented by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Workd Employes (sic) Association'. Printed by the Survey Branch, MMBW.

The men depicted are as follows: W. Morison, 7th Batt.; F.J. Nathan, 59th Batt.; H. Marshall, 5th Batt.; J.W. Ross, 29th Batt.; C.C. Guest, 23rd Batt.; G.T. Hancy, 29th Batt.; G.F. Reynolds, 6th Field Amb.; J. Armstrong, 13th Light Horse; A. Armstrong, 24th Batt.; R.S. Snadden, 3rd Pioneers; F.W. Pearson, 8th Batt.; W.J. Mountain, 23rd Howitzer; T.A. Johnston, 5th Batt.; T.J. Gascoyne, 21st Batt.; D.H. Thomas, 58th Batt.; J.J. Thomson, 57th Batt.; R.H.M. Eltis, 7th Field Eng.; F.J.J. Travers, 29th Batt.; H. Sloss, 22nd Batt.; C.H. Ledward, 21st Batt.; C.H. Oakes, 22nd Batt.; B. Bride, 21st Batt.; W.H.A. Ackerley, 21st Batt.; T.M. Addis, 5th Batt.; G.S. Burton, 46th Batt.; C. Beer, 23rd Batt. Three more soldiers are named by not depicted: G.V. Gaylor, 8th Light Horse; J.R. Moloney, 22nd Batt.; and H.C. Lincoln, 37th Batt.

A range of honour rolls were made after World War I to commemorate the service of MMBW employees. The names on this roll of honour are also found on a photograph of a circa 1919 MMBW roll of honor held by the Australian War Memorial (P01222.001), which included names of staff who served and survived. Gary Vines explains in his Melbourne Metropolitan Tramway Heritage Study that another honour roll, designed by H. B. Herbert, was unveiled by Premier Lawson at the MMBW offices in November 1921. It commemorated the 518 tramway workers who enlisted, 71 of whom were killed overseas and 18 of whom received awards for gallantry. The Study depicts an honour roll 'from MMTB Head Office' (now at the Malvern Tramway Museum) - differing from that in the AWM photograph. In March 1922 The Argus announced that a bronze MMBW honour roll, with 193 names, was unveiled in Spencer Street, Melbourne, by the Governor-General, featuring a list of dates and 'principal battles' at the foot of the roll.

While the provenance of this roll of honour is unclear, it is inscribed on the back: Herbert Marshall Killed in Action Brother Mr Hector Marshall 21 Acacia St Murrumbeena'. Herbert Marshall, of the 5th Battalion, is depicted in the top row of the roll. Private Herbert Stanley Marshall, service no. 3483, was aged 22 when he was killed, in a location 'not known but believe Polygon Wood', Belgium, on 20 September 1917. In fact his 5th Battalion was engaged at Glencorse Wood on 20 September, at a tragic cost of lives.

Physical Description

Printed image adhered to brown cardboard backing. Image depicts 26 soldiers in oval mounts, with a 27th oval including three names without photographs, interspersed by foliage including oak leaves. Text above and below.

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