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Old ContemptiblesPrint Page Print this page

Old Contemptibles : 13-September-2011
Old Contemptibles : 13-September-2011
Photographs supplied by Graeme Saunders

A plaque commemorates the officers and men of the British Army who served in France during World War One from 5th August to 22 November 1914 who became known as the "Old Contempibles."

The Old Contemptibles Association banner was laid up in th church in 1978. 

The name 'Old Contemptibles' arose from an Order of the Day issued by the Kaiser during World War One, which mentioned 'Sir John French's contemptible little army'. All ranks of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) who served in France and Flanders within range of the enemy artillery during the 5th Aug - 22nd Nov 1914 were entitled to call themselves 'Old Contemptibles'. The Old Contemptibles Association was founded by Capt JP Danny, RA on June 25th 1925. The Association had 178 branches in the United Kingdom & 14 overseas branches. It produced its own magazine The Old Contemptible and all members were known as "chums".

Location

Address:Collins & Russell Streets, Scots Church, Melbourne, 3000
State:VIC
Area:Foreign
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.814668
Long: 144.968626
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW1
Actual Event Start Date:05-August-1914
Actual Event End Date:22-November-1914

Dedication

Front Inscription

To The Glory Of God
& To The Memory Of The
Officers And Men Of The British Army
Who Served In France 5 August - 22 November 1914, 
" THE OLD CONTEMPTIBLES" 
The Old Contemptibles Association Banner
Was Laid Up Here, Sunday 18 July 1978.

"Oh, little mighty force that fought
the legions to a stand
& in grim endeavour
held the line"

Source: MA,RHSV
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au