To commemorate 100 years since the Armistice, we would like to introduce you to 100 members of Caulfield RSL over the next 100 days
Charles Howard Warburton MM and Wally Peeler VC
Charlie lived in Glen Eira Rd Elsternwick and worked as a Gardener when he enlisted at the Age of 19 in the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Machine Gun Section. By the time they sailed he had become best mates with a number of men including Wally Peeler. At Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium under shocking conditions Peeler, carrying a Lewis gun supported by Charlie carrying the ammunition charged forward and overpowered four machine gun nests. Peeler was awarded a VC. Peeler was wounded but survived. At wars end both men returned to Australia.
Peeler married and moved to Caulfield, becoming a custodian at the Shrine, he was a frequent visitor to the club, although we haven’t located membership papers for him. He was quite happy to say that both he and Charlie should have got medals that day, but the British must have rationed them. Charlie married and lived at 14 Morrice St. Caulfield. Wally at 10 Moore St.
Although married with children, when WW2 started both Charlie and Wally re-enlisted on the 27 May 1940 (Peeler lied and said he was 14 years younger) in the 2/2nd Pioneers. In June 1941 they found themselves in Lebanon fighting the Vichy French for control of Syria. In the last major battle at Damour, on the 9 July it was Charlies turn to hold the machine gun, and leading his platoon succeeded in wiping out a number of dangerous posts. For this action he was recommended for and awarded the Military Medal. He was however seriously wounded and was repatriated to Australia. After this the 2/2 were moved to the Pacific to fight the Japanese. In Java they were overrun and 865 were captured, finishing up in Changi and on the Burma Railway, where many died. Wally Peeler survived and returned to Caulfield.
Both men were still at Caulfield RSL until they died. Walter Peeler VC on the 23 May 1968 and Charles Warburton on 12 October 1981.
Quick fact: Patterson was the nephew of famed Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba
Lest we forget