War graves the topic of historical talk

PEOPLE are invited to join the Linton Historical Society at their annual general meeting this month, which will also feature a presentation from a guest historian.

Federation University’s Dr Fred Cahir is set to speak on the topic of the Australian War Graves Detachment between 1919 and 1922.

“The Australian War Graves Detachment roll was made up of Australians, mostly veterans of the Western Front, and their job was to locate the deceased,” he said.

“These were the 10,000 Australians whose remains were yet to be located and identified, so it was a very grizzly task to exhume the bodies, try to identify them, and then reinter them.

“Their job was also to take photographs for families back home, across Australia, including thousands across regional Victoria.

“The Commonwealth Imperial Soldiers were to be interred in graves and cemeteries in Europe, like Gallipoli, or wherever they fell. Only one dead soldier was ever brought back to Australia.

“We’re not sure if there were Lintonites who served in the Australian War Graves Detachment, but we know some came from Ballarat and Yendon, including my grandfather.”

Dr Cahir has spoken at Linton Historical Society meetings before, and president Jill Wheeler said attendees have always enjoyed his well-researched presentations.

“He presents in a way in which people who are non-historians can understand,” she said.

“We always try to spread our net wider at the AGM, and have a variety of people come along, and he conveys the knowledge in a way they’re drawn to.

“He always has a PowerPoint which is helpful to illustrate it all as well. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion.”

Ms Wheeler encouraged people to attend, and said the formal meeting section will include a report and brief election of committee members.

She said the 2022 to 2023 year has seen some successes, securing grants, and the society’s members continue to seek contractors to complete works as part of the Linton Library restoration project.

“We’re hoping we can proceed in the last few months of this year, she said.

The unveiling of the Dr Vera Scantlebury statue was another “triumph” of 2023 for the society.

“We’re very happy with it,” she said.

The Linton Historical Society AGM will be held at the Linton Community Hub at 7.30pm on Monday 11 September and there will be a video link for people who can’t attend in person.