ONE of the largest displays of World War I memorabilia in Victoria has been unveiled at the Creswick Town Hall.
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The extensive collection is made up of thousands of pieces and includes historic photographs, uniforms, postcards, telegrams and love letters.
The exhibition is the result of the Creswick Historical Society and the Creswick-Smeaton RSL collaborating for months to create the display in time for the centenary of Anzac.
The memorabilia was sourced from eight Creswick collectors and includes a rare collection of tin cigarette cases and more than 120 war servicemen’s hats.
Society president Jack van Bevren said some of the pieces had been stored away for almost 100 years and belonged to the descendants of Creswick’s fallen
soldiers.
One of the most harrowing displays is a showcase in honour of Frank, William, Henry and Albert Lambert.
The four brothers left Creswick to serve in World War I, but only Albert returned.
Mr van Bevren said their war medals, photographs and letters gave an insight to the pain their family must have endured.
“Four generations on and, like many others, their families are still living with what happened to their relatives,” Mr van Bevren said.
There is also a poignant collection of love letters from Creswick’s Corporal Francis C Whitfield to his wife Carrie.
Each letter is addressed “My Dearest Carrie” and dates up until Corporal Whitfield was killed in action.
He died just days before his wife gave birth to their first child, Marie.
“In his letters he tells Carrie to look after his unborn girl,” Mr van Bevren said.
“It is incredible because after he died she gave birth to a girl.”
The free exhibition will be on display at the Creswick Town Hall, 70 Albert Street Creswick, from 10am to 4.30pm every day until Sunday.
On Saturday, it will be open from noon.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au
