Connecting the past to the present in a meaningful way was the context of the Charlton RSL Sub-Branch’s commemoration of the 107th Remembrance Day marking the cessation of hostilities of World War 1.

Highlighting the First and Second World War service of three local soldiers – Private Frank Reginald Elder, Private Gordon McGillivray and Corporal Frank Stewart Rich – last Tuesday’s commemoration showed that these histories weren’t the only defining qualities bringing them to the public’s attention; it was the attendance of relatives, or association by place, which gave these men a reality which mere words on a page don’t always yield.

For the small crowd which braved the cool November conditions, the symbols of remembrance were abundant in the area outside the Charlton RSL Clubroom. From the tiny white crosses with their red poppies encircling the base of the Lone Pine, to the verdant rosemary bushes proliferating nearby, the poignancy of the occasion was further heightened by the recitation of John McCrae’s evocative poem, “In Flanders Fields” by RSL Club secretary, Bill Freeman.

MCing the proceedings, RSL President, Alan McGillivray, followed the traditional service which included the Last Post before a minute’s silence was observed at 11am. The saying of the Ode and music of the Rouse concluded the formalities before relatives and the general public were invited to pay their respects by laying a poppy in remembrance of the fallen.

Connections

Connections of the three local servicemen invited to attend Tuesday’s function included: Robert Elder, (great-uncle Frank Elder from Dooboobetic – was killed on 20th August 1916, aged just 21); the McGillvray family, (great uncle Gordon McGillivray from Yeungroon – who took part in the Battle of Messines and was killed in action on 11th June 1917, age 26), and Carmel Catherine (proprietor of the Vale of Avoca) representing Frank Rich – a Second World War enlistee whose place of abode was given as the Vale of Avoca.

The conversations generated about each of these men helped to shape a picture of who they were and flesh out more than just a name or a service number. The McGillivray family had researched in detail the service information about their relative, while Carmel Catherine was able to provide a living link, through location, to Frank Rich.

While these men met untimely ends in conflicts far from home – Frank Elder (Pozieres, France), Gordon McGillivray (Messines, Belgium) and Frank Rich (Vevi, Greece) – this adds ever more poignancy to their loss at such young ages. The sharing of their stories in a contemporary setting helps to transcend the sepia photos, and on days such as last Tuesday, reminds us of the sacrifices made in past and the commitments of the servicemen and women of today in peace-keeping actions across the world.

The ceremony concluded with an invitation to all to share morning tea and refreshments in the RSL Club room. 

See more Remembrance Day coverage in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 14 November 2025.