Scotch College

Official opening of the Scotch College Cadet Museum

WORDS: MR PAUL MISHURA – SCOTCH COLLEGE ARCHIVES PHOTOGRAPHY: MS KATHRYN CAIRNEY

Coordinated by the Scotch College Foundation, the Scotch College Cadet Museum was officially opened on Thursday 4 June 2009 by major (AAC) Norm Bain. Attendees included Principal Mr Tom Batty, Acting Director of Development Lieutenant (retd) Astrida Cooper, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Ian Teague (’52) and his wife Jane, leading aircraftman (retd) Peter Young (’43), and History teacher and WW2 historian Dr. Mark Johnston. Although the Cadets have held memorabilia for years, including rifles captured by Rear Admiral Frederick Tickell (1875) in the 1900 Boxer Rebellion, it has not been formally displayed.

Ian Teague unveiled a display of his medals and war service record, along with a .303 rifle. He was instrumental in having fellow commando Bain come to Scotch. Lieutenant (retd) Ken Dumbrell (’39) was unable to be present, but his display of memorabilia including his army uniform and teak sandals made while a POW of the Japanese, were unveiled. Lastly, Peter Young unveiled his display with considerable emotion and gratitude. It includes replicas of his medals and those of his father Jack (’17) and uncle Charlie (’10), along with photographs and biographies researched and prepared by Paul Mishura. Peter served in the RAAF from 1944-46. Jack was a POW of the Germans after being captured in Greece in 1941. He was awarded the MBE. They may be the only Old Scotch father-son combination to have served in a war together. Charlie was killed at Pozieres on 20 August 1916. Understood by his family to have had no known grave, research revealed Charlie was actually buried by Old Boy George Robinson Johnston (’14) who placed a cross with the Scotch motto over the grave. Johnston himself died of wounds on 24 March 1918.

Cadet or military memorabilia relevant to Scotch College and Old Scotch Collegians is sought by the museum. For enquiries, please contact Archivist Jim Mitchell on 9810 4293 or jim.mitchell@scotch.vic.edu.au. GS