Who are these men?

By Jessica Howard

The Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society is looking to identify a group of footballers in a photo dating back to the early 1900’s.

Found in the Society archives, the photograph is of the 1914 Bacchus Marsh football team.

Society member, Chris Bronchinetti said identifying the men will help to progress the Society’s research on the World War One soldiers of the area.

She said the research will chronical the stories of each serviceman, which will be compiled into a hard copy book.

“We think perhaps a good three-quarters of the men in the photo would have served in the First World War,” she said.

“In 1914, at least half a dozen soldiers left Bacchus Marsh and in 1915 another big contingent left too. The Bacchus March football team didn’t play any football in 1915, 1916 or 1917, so we think a lot of people that went to the war in that time are in that photo”.

Ms Bronchinetti said the Society hoped to publish the photograph in the hard copy book, which is set to be launched later this year.

“Unfortunately we don’t have all of the soldier’s individual photos, so instead we want to be able to use community photos, like this one”.

Through the Bacchus Marsh Express, the Historical Society has identified 465 volunteers who enlisted to serve in WW1, and who had a connection with Bacchus Marsh and surrounds.

Ms Bronchinetti said anyone with information that could help identify those in the photograph can drop into the Historical Society rooms on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays between 10am and 12pm and 2pm and 4pm.

Information can also be sent to [email protected].

The Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society is located inside the Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh.