Albury RSL - News archive

Home Presidents Page News ANZAC Day Remembrance Day Day Club Committee Contacts

City of Albury RSL Sub-Branch

VETERANS SUPPORT CENTRE

527 Wilson Street Albury Ph 02 6021 1341

Serving the veteran and service community of Albury and district

THE PRICE OF LIBERTY IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE

Office Hours
Tue	10am - 3.30pm
Wed	10am - 3.30pm
Thu	10am - 3.30pm

ANZAC House

Sub Branch meetings

Are held on the

3rd Sunday of each month at 11 am

Albury war memorial

Please note:-

We are not a registered club and do not have catering or bar facilities.

If you require these facilities please contact:-

The SS&A Club Albury or The Commercial Club Albury

Charles George Bishop memorial

On 31 March 2012 in conjunction with the SS&A Club, the Sub Branch organized the refurbishment and rededication of the memorial on Bishop’s walk in Thurgoona.

Among the guests were the decendents of George Bishop.

The following story of George Bishop was researched by Colin Darts

Bishop, Charles George (1895–1931)

Charles George Bishop (1895-1931), soldier, labourer and council inspector, was born on 12 September 1895 at Urana, New South Wales, son of Charles George Bishop, labourer, and his wife Violet Jane, née Stripling. He attended Lavington Public School but had no further education after his mother died when he was 11. Before World War I he worked as a labourer, and served for two years with a militia unit, the 44th (Riverina) Infantry Regiment.

Bishop enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 August 1915 and two months later sailed for Egypt with reinforcements for the 18th Battalion. By May 1916 his unit was in France at Armentières where he distinguished himself in patrolling. On 4 August he was so severely wounded at Pozières Heights that he was unable to return to duty until late December. His battalion remained on the Western Front throughout 1917, fighting at Lagnicourt, Bullecourt, Messines and Passchendaele. Bishop was promoted lance corporal in May, corporal in September and sergeant in October.

In April 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal for leading an attack on an enemy patrol of thirty men at Pont Rouge, Belgium. During a patrol action on 8 March, German scouts had been seen entering a trench; Sergeant Bishop and three men, with covering fire from their mates, assaulted the enemy from a flank and routed them. In September he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty' on 15 April 1918, while in charge of a mopping up party at Cemetery Copse in the Villers-Bretonneux sector. He had to contend with an unexpectedly large number of Germans, but accomplished his task by bringing in neighbouring troops to assist in a prolonged action. His last encounter with the enemy was at Morlancourt on 19 May 1918. Although wounded in the face during the preliminary bombardment, he took charge of a party and reached the objective, rescued a wounded officer and took his place, until he too was wounded and evacuated. For this action, he was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal.

Bishop's various wounds were severe: he was invalided back to Australia on 20 October. The Armistice was signed while he was at sea and he returned to Albury as a local hero. After discharge from the A.I.F. he resumed his former occupation of labourer and worked on the construction of the Hume Weir until 1924 when he was appointed health and nuisance inspector with Hume Shire Council. In 1922 he had married May Elizabeth Knobel at Thurgoona; they had two children. Bishop was a tall well-built man, popular in the district. He marched on Anzac Day, but did not dwell on his wartime experiences. He died at Albury on 17 September 1931 of septic pharyngitis and cellulitis after only two days illness, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery. His early death was hastened by the effects of his wounds.

Researched by

Colin Darts

President

Albury RSL 2012

BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA SERVICE

The battle for Australia service was held on 2nd Sept in the memorial area at the rear of ANZAC house.

About 25 people attended the service which was conducted by our vice president Harry Hacking who gave a short history of the battles that are commemorated.

Harry was ably assisted by Snr Vice President Mark Dando and Trustee Barry Howard who recited the prayers.

Carmel from Aglow lead the reciting of the Lords prayer which was followed by the Ode of Remembrance the Last Post, Reveille and the National Anthem.

The ladies from Aglow supplied morning tea after the service

Boer War Sevice

On 28th May a Boer War memorial service was held at the new memorial cross at the rear of ANZAC House.

Before the service the Albury RSL chaplain Fr. Alan Kelv blessed and consecrated the cross and surrounding area including the soldier and monument model. It is envisaged that, now that the area has been consecrated, more services will be held in this area.

The service was conducted by our vice president Harry Hacking assisted by Fr. Kelv.

Sarah Winnel led the singing of the hymn and the national anthem.

Kate Walker played Reveille and the Last post.

Young Veterans' Information Forum

The City of Albury RSL Sub-Branch hosted a very successful and well attended Young Veterans' Information Forum at ANZAC House Albury on Sunday the 27th of October 2013.

Some 53 attended the morning sessions which were followed by lunch. Sixteen Young Veterans' and their family and parents attended. It was pleasing to see family members present to gain a better understanding of the issues that were discussed and to be able to talk directly to decision makers both within the RSL and DVA. Just prior to the morning break I invited Matthew Maw to tell of his experiences as a Young Veteran and his story touched many hearts.

The RSL was well represented with the National and our State Presidents both attending along with The State Secretary and two Counsellors. DVA was also well represented by the attendance of the NSW Deputy Commissioner and Executive Officer. Victoria was represented by David Saunders representing the Deputy Commissioner. Other representatives came from the Wodonga VAN Office and VVCS.

The weather was ideal and allowed for much networking during the morning break and again at lunch.

I measure the success of the forum by the attendance of family members, the quality of the information provided during the panel discussions and the presence of members of the Albury Sub-Branch extending a welcoming hand.

The presence of the VVCS Counsellor was most important and allowed several one-on-one opportunities as feeling and emotions surfaced during the discussions and I might say not only from the Young Veterans themselves.

Another forum is being proposed for 2016 and wider notification will be provided.

Let's all forget about the past and move forward to remain relevant to our Younger Veterans and members of the wider Ex-Service Community.

Graham Docksey, OAM
President

Pictures from the forum

NSW Sate president

National President

Mathew

Networking during morning tea

Mark Dando

Barry Howard

Carmel

Issac & Don

Spanning 70 years of service

Mark Dando, Noel Francis

& Harry Hacking

Young Veterans Forum

We had a very good turn up for the Forum on Sunday 8th May. There were five couples and 4 veterans without partners. The exercise was a positive one for all concerned with information shared.

The presenters were:-

The RSL National President, Ken Doolan.

The Deputy Commissioner Department of Veterans Affairs NSW/ACT, Jennifer Collins. DefenceCare General Manager, Robyn Collins.

They all presented the current and future up dating of their departments and organisations for the benefit of veterans.

Vice President Mark Dando gave a presentation on his experiences and PTSD.

The weather was not conducive to assist us with a rainfall of more than 25 mm (an inch in the old scale).

The visiting veterans found the forum to be very informative and thanked the Sub-Branch for conducting the forum.

Further forums are being planned as they are proving to be beneficial to both the

recent veteran and the members of our sub- Branch.

Past Reports

News archive

ANZAC day pictures