Forgotten stories from World War I are coming back to life from the Footscray Historical Society archives.
Artists-in-residence Karenne Ann and Tamara Watt have been combing records to discover stories of Footscray’s wartime efforts. With support from Society secretary Carmel Taig and researchers Barbara Muster and Steve Wilson, they have uncovered “memorials, mementoes and memories of war” from the Ercildoune archives.
Ms Watt said some colourful stories have emerged, including the tale of tragic Footscray Bulldogs’ fan and junior player Private Owen Hughes, who snuck his red, white and blue guernsey to the front and wore it while recovering in a Cairo hospital.
“It was a lovely story and kind of fitting with Footscray winning the grand final this year,” she said.
Karenne Ann said Footscray Historical Society has an exceptional collection of local information, including street directories, phone books and rare records that can help identify and locate former residents and their homes.
“We are helping secrets escape from the vault because there’s a treasure trove of history in there.”
Ms Ann said Ercildoune, a former bank built in the 1870s, itself has a strong link with World War I.
“We found out that three young men (James, Gainsey and Percy Almond), all sons of the bank manager, joined up from there,” she said.
Ms Ann has also discovered the details of soldiers who lived in the vicinity of Ercildoune and is inviting people to join her on Saturday for a walk around the block to discover the soldiers’ homes.
“It’s important to reveal the stories behind documents and historical items – to find the people and explore what they went through. As a photographic media artist, I find this a rewarding challenge.”
The event, tying in with Remembrance Day on Friday, will include a display of photos from the archives.
It will be held 10am-12.30pm Saturday at Ercildoune, 66 Napier Street Footscray. Refreshments will include billy tea and Anzac biscuits.
