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Volunteer Defence CorpsPrint Page Print this page


Photographs supplied by Henry Moulds

The memorial commemorates those who served in the Volunteer Defence Corps during World War Two.

The Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) was an Australian part-time volunteer military force of World War Two modelled on the British Home Guard.  The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in World War One.

The Commonwealth Government took over control of the VDC in May 1941, and gave the organisation the role of training for guerilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of each unit's home area.  General Harry Chauvel who had retired in 1930, was recalled to duty in 1940 and appointed Inspector-General of the VDC. Chauvel held this position until his death in March 1945.

Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Government expanded the VDC in February 1942. Membership was open to men aged between 18 and 60, including those working in reserved occupations. As a result, the VDC reached a peak strength of almost 100,000 in units across Australia.

Location

Address:Coolgardie - Esperance Highway, Mallee Memorial Park, Grass Patch, 6446
State:WA
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -33.228112
Long: 121.716278
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Approx. Event Start Date:
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945
Approx. Event End Date:
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Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Wednesday 28th June, 1995
Approx. Monument Dedication Date:
Front Inscription

In recognition of all who served in the Volunteer Defence Corps

1939 - 1945

 

Left Side Inscription
Back Inscription
Right Side Inscription
Inscription in Proximity
Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au