Keilor East RSL Memorials (Essendon)

There are a number of beautifully crafted memorials to fallen soldiers at the Keilor East RSL and the Neil Heinze Reserve which is opposite.

In the reserve and outside the RSL building are a number of seats of Remembrance.

Keilor East RSL Memorials (Essendon)

The north east corner of the reserve has the following information boards.

58th Battalion AIF
The 58th Battalion of the AIF was raised in Egypt in February 1916. It was comprised of veterans returning from Turkey from the 6th and 7th Battalions AIF as well as significant new reinforcements from Australia.

The Battalion was part of the 15th Brigade AIF and was commanded by Major General 'Pompey' Elliott. The Battalion fought at Fromelles, which has been described as a 'disaster'.

In early 1917, the Battalion participated in the battle around the Hindenburg Line, with further involvement in actions at Bullecourt (May 1917), and Polygon Wood (September 1917).

It played a significant role in the counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918. The unit was involved in the battle to secure Peronne in September 1918. Its last major battle was in late September 1918, in co-operation with American forces, breaking through the defences along the St Quentin Canal.

Due to exhaustion, the Battalion was withdrawn to rest on 2nd October and was still doing so when the war ended.

The unit gained many Battle Honours for its great contribution to the success of the Allies' campaign.

58th Battalion AIF Victorian Cross Recipient
Captain Rupert Vance 'Mick' Moon was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) whilst serving with the 58th Battalion AIF.

The VC is a military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy'.

He was awarded it for his military service, when in savage fighting and against strong opposition, he stormed and captured four machine gun nests and took 184 prisoners at Bullecourt in France.

By securing the position, the 58th Battalion AIF successfully secured ground for the Allied Forces. He was wounded three times during the attack before a severe wound to the face forced him to retire.

During World War II he served in the Volunteer Defence Corps. He died in 1986 and is buried at Geelong.

Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Wellington - During the 1930s, Nelson Wellington, the Town Clerk of the City of Essendon, was appointed Commanding Officer of the reformed 58th Battalion. He was instrumental in the erection of the war memorial in the grounds of the Battalion's headquarters on Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds.

This was unveiled by Major General Sir Thomas Blarney in November 1935 to the memory of the 615 men of the Battalion who fell in France during World War I.

Major General Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott
Major General Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott was already a seasoned soldier by the time he took command of the 58th Infantry (Essendon Rifles), part of the Citizen Military Force. He had fought in South Africa, receiving a Distinguished Service Medal for his work.

When war broke out in 1914, he took command of the 7th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and was joined by some of the men from the Essendon Rifles.

The 7th Battalion AIF was part of the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 where he was wounded. Only about 20 of the 'Essendon Boys', as he called them, survived the landing.

In 1916 he took command of the 15th Brigade, including the 58th Battalion AIF, fighting in France. Their first battle was at Fromelles. His men and unit were awarded many citations for bravery at the Somme, Bullecourt, Ypres and Polygon Wood.

'Pompey' Elliott was greatly admired by the local community. However, he said any decorations he received were due to the 'Essendon Boys'.

'Pompey' Elliott died in 1931 and is buried at the Burwood Cemetery.

7th Battalion and Lance Corporal William Charles Scurry
Lance Corporal William Charles 'Bill' Scurry came from Ascot Vale and attended Ascot Vale State School. At the age of 18 he joined the Essendon Rifles and once war broke out, he joined the 7th Battalion AIF.

When the Allied troops were withdrawing from Gallipoli they were greatly assisted by a self-firing rifle designed by Scurry and his mate Alfred 'Buntie' Lawrence.

His delayed action device fired a rifle by means of transferring the weight of water escaping from one tin into another. A rifle could be left to operate 20 minutes after the device was set.

This ruse was so effective that the Australian troops withdrew before the enemy realised and 20,000 men were evacuated without casualties.

It was also reported that the men had been playing cricket on Shell Green the day before to disguise what they were up to.

Following the withdrawal from Gallipoli, he was commissioned and promoted to the rank of Major. During the battle of Fromelles, he commanded the 15th Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery, supporting the Brigade's attack.

58th Infantry (Essendon Rifles)
The 58th Infantry Battalion, known as the Essendon Rifles, were formed in 1913 as a Citizens Military Force. Lieutenant Colonel 'Pompey' Elliott (later promoted to Major General) was appointed as the Commanding Officer.

Recruits came from the Essendon area, including the nearby suburbs of Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale and Newmarket. The unit was located in a building opposite the Town Hall on Mount Alexander Road.

'Pompey' Elliott formed a strong relationship with the Essendon Council and the local community.

The Unit had its own band and Essendon Council organised many local fetes and community events to support the 'Essendon Boys'. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Australian Government raised the AIF.

'Pompey' Elliott commanded the 7th Battalion AIF of which C Company had Essendon and Moonee Ponds as its recruiting zone. The Battalion fought at Gallipoli.

From 1915 until the end of the war, 'Pompey' Elliott commanded the 15th Brigade, including the 58th Battalion AIF, in France.

Photos:

Location

12-22 Hoffmans Road, Essendon 3040 Map