To commemorate the centenary of the Anzacs, this exhibition explores Bendigo’s own stories through text, objects and photographs.

The Bendigo men who were recruited during World War I mostly became soldiers of the 6th, 7th, 14th, 38th and 57th Battalions, but were also integrated into other battalions. 

Known as “Bendigo’s Battalion”, the 38th Battalion was a distinguished group of Bendigo sons, and was formed on March 1, 1916, as part of the 10th Brigade, 3rd Division. Epsom Racecourse was the training ground selected by the military authorities. 

After recruiting a group of men of which the community could feel proud, Commanding Officer Charles Davis and Second in Command Major RO Henderson prepared the troops for its departure on June 20. 

Through hundreds of reels of coloured ribbon, scarves and handkerchiefs, no. 54 HMAT Runic moved slowly out from the Port Melbourne pier. 

The 38th Battalion had a number of engagements in France and Belgium during 1917 and 1918. Their first involvement in an attack came in late February 1917, when the battalion sent in 400 men to a short raid on German-held trenches. The Battles of Broodseinde and Passchendaele resulted in their heaviest loses, with casualty rates of 30 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. 

The 38th Battalion was disbanded in April 1919 after its last major action of the war in September and October 1918 in an operation that breached the formidable defenses of the Hindenburg Line along the St Quentin Canal. As the first draft of soldiers returned to Australia in February, they remembered the 499 killed and 1478 wounded. The memories of those who gave their lives were recalled and cherished.

The 67th Battalion was raised in Bendigo in 1912 as part of the peace-time Army. It comprised men from northern district towns. 

Shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914, the 67th Battalion was mobilised as a Garrison Battalion for home duties and at the same time, the 67th men began transferring to the newly formed AIF Battalions. 

The 38th Battalion was raised in Bendigo in 1916 as part of the AIF for service overseas. 

At war’s end, the 67th was disbanded – by 1921 the 38th Battalion AIF was designated as the 38th Bendigo Regiment in the peace-time Army. 

Both battalions are part of a long lineage of Bendigo units.

Brass insignias like the ones pictured were attached to the front of soldiers’ hats and onto their collars to identify their battalion. These insignias belonged to soldiers from the 67th and the 38th Battalion. 

Enjoy this exhibition at Post Office Gallery, 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo, from 9am to 5pm daily. Entry is by donation. Many original artefacts, photographs and memorabilia highlight the stories of our local heroes.