39th Battalion AIF 1916-1919

13/01/2025

Amazing revelation of dozens of items belonging to the family of the 39th's final WW1 commanding officer, Lt Col AT Paterson.

EXCLUSIVE: A Victorian family has unveiled a secret collection of military memorabilia considered the only one of its kind in Australia. For three generation...

02/01/2025

Dances, Euchre Nights and Dance Cards - an Australian bygone era.
In the period after the Great War many communities held Euchre and Dance Nights in their local halls to support their returned soldiers, sailors and airmen. Sometimes the men themselves ran the night as a thank you to their communities.
Tarnagulla in the central goldfields of Victoria was no exception.

The Diggers’ Dance was the creation of Tarnagulla’s returned diggers from WW1, and was intended as an expression of appreciation for the support given to Tarnagulla’s soldiers by the people of Tarnagulla, and especially the Welcome Home Club for the food parcels and other comforts sent over to the boys in Europe year after year. There are some very well known Tarnagulla names listed on the Committee. The card is 12cm x 12cm.

I wonder how many of us today are familiar with these complicated-sounding dances? The Victoria Theatre must have been a sight to behold on the night, with the couples moving gracefully around the floor.
This is a small excerpt from the local Tarnagulla newspaper, reporting on what was obviously a very successful evening. Interestingly, euchre competitions were nearly always held as a prelude to and during dances. This ensured that non-dancers were catered for and could join in the evening with a game of cards.
Tarnagulla is not a local indigenous name, but phonetic meaning of the Polish Czarnogóra, (Eng. Black Mountain - Montenegro). Name was given by Polish explorer and geologist Paweł Strzelecki, likely after nearby Mt Moliagul.
Source - Tarnagulla History Archive; author David Jordan.

23/12/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all families and friends of the 39th.

11/08/2024

39th's banner on the poppy wall at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.

23/07/2024

Brief Channel 7 Melbourne news item about 39th Bn and 46th Bn WW1 'Boy Soldier' Pte 3325 Arthur Roy Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/410297172019452

Longer article

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sKM0fHmwdg

One of Australia’s youngest World War I diggers has finally received recognition, after a six-year fight from his family. Arthur Roy Johnson was just 13 when...

23/05/2024

Australian War Memorial's Last Post Service on Thursday 23rd May 2024 commemorating the life and service of 39th Battalion AIF soldier Cpl 873 Alfred Roy Emmett, killed in action 29th April 1917 in Belgium. Emmett is buried at Strand Military Cemetary, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium.
Factis Non Verbis - Deeds Not Words.
Mud Over Blood

Lest We Forget

In the Last Post Ceremony for 23 May, we remember Corporal Alfred Roy Emmett who served Australia in the First World War. The Last Post Ceremony streams live...

04/05/2024

Families and friends of the 39th
A 39th AIF soldier will be remembered in the Australian War Memorial's Last Post Service on Thursday 23rd of May. The service will be broadcast live on Youtube from 4.30pm.
Corporal 873 Alfred Roy Bennett was a 24yo farmer from Ouyen in north western Victoria. He was killed in action on 29th April 1917. He is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.
At the moment there isn't an available photograph of Emmett.
If you miss the broadcast I will post the link on the 39th's page after the service.
Youtube link -
https://www.youtube.com/

26/04/2024

Anzac Day 2024 in Melbourne. Many thanks to all the people who helped organise the event, wreaths, speeches, Camberwell Grammar Cadets who carried the banners and all families and friends of the 39th men of both units.

17/04/2024

Due to a couple of enquiries here is the arrangements for the 39th Battalion World War 2 in Melbourne on Anzac Day next week.
ANZAC Day 2024.
Descendants and members of the Association are encouraged and welcomed to participate in the ANZAC Day March. It is a privilege to march behind the 39th Banner, but it should not be taken lightly.

Melbourne: 39th Bn. will form up in Collins St near Swanston St Intersection, (East, on the South Side). Assemble at 9:00 am.
Look for our banner as the marshals sometimes move our assembly point.
Factis Non Verbis - Deeds Not Words.

09/04/2024

Awards and decorations given to the men of the 39thBN AIF.

07/04/2024

All families and friends of the 39th AIF -
Anzac Day 2024 Melbourne arrangements.
Assembly point is Flinders St - east of Swanston St, south side of street (Federation Square side). 2 pictures attached.
Line up time is 10am and step off is 11am. Please be on time as last year we stepped off nearly 40 minutes early and had WW2 banners with us. Please be respectful to the marshalls. They do a great job under at times trying conditions. You will not be able to join the group after the step off.
I will not be at the March this year due to a leg injury. The banner has been collected from me will be brought to the assembly point by cadets from Camberwell Grammar. The cadets will carry the banner. The Grammar has had a very long connection to the 39th Association. Please make the cadets most welcome.
As usual there will be a short service and wreath laying with the WW2 39th at the tree, then dispersal.
I will be watching the March on TV so dress appropriately for the occasion, no backpacks, pushers or photos to be carried (and keep in step).

regards Tim

Factis Non Verbis - Deeds Not Words

29/09/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8J07iy69E&list=FLQzUm5XHNVi4mk_Xgi8v5dQ&index=1&t=11s

Australian War Memorial's Last Post service for the 39th's 2nd commanding officer, Lt Col Robert Oswald Henderson DSO.
Factis Non Verbis - Deeds Not Words
Lest we Forget.

In the Last Post Ceremony for 29 September, we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Breaking of the Hindenburg Line, and remember Lieutenant Colonel Robe...

24/09/2023

Extraordinarily rare 39th Bn ring held by the daughter of the 39th man.

30/08/2023

The Australian War Memorial's daily Last Post Service will on Friday 29th September 2023 will honour the 39th's 2nd commanding officer, Lt Col Robert Oswald Henderson DSO. He was killed in action in France on 29th Sept 1918. Henderson was a builder's merchant from Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
The service will also remember the 105th anniversary of the Allies breaching the Hindenburg Line.
The service will commence at 4.45pm and live streamed on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/

12/08/2023

Final Reminder -
39th Battalion memorial service tomorrow Sunday 13th Aug at Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne commencing at 2pm. Be early if you want a seat.

31/07/2023

On Sunday, 13th August 2023, the 39th Battalion Association will be holding their annual Kokoda pilgrimage to the Shrine of Remembrance. Descendants and friends of the 39th Battalion AIF are welcome to attend. After the service inside there will be 2 short services and wreath laying at both 39th plaques and trees in the Shrine gardens.
Please arrive at 1.45pm for a 2pm start.
Following the service, there will be a light afternoon tea.
Please make contact for further information or to RSVP. [email protected]

12/07/2023

From June 20 to December 17 the Bendigo Military Museum will proudly be presenting the history of Bendigo's very own 38th Battalion A.I.F. Don't miss the opportunity to learn about this integral part of our city's history.
If you are visiting Bendigo please go to the museum and see the display of the 38th. The 38th was part of the 10th Brigade AIF with the 37th, 39th and 40th Battalions.
The museum is in the centre of Bendigo in Pall Mall opposite the Myer store.

28/06/2023

Colourised photo of 39thBn men on Anzac Day Melbourne 1965. Identifed are 3rd from left (shorter man with glasses no hat) Pte 477a Charles Moy; 5th from left is Pte 460 Stewart Gordon.

Thinking caps on people - if you can identify any of the other men please let me know.