“The Finest Thing Yet Done in the War”: Pompey Elliott and Villers-Bretonneux presentation by Dr Ross McMullin

The immense German onslaught in March 1918 led to Britain’s gravest crisis of the war.

The Australians, rushed to the rescue in this climax of the conflict, were influencing the destiny of the world more than Australians have done in any other year before or since. The culmination of their vital contribution was the stunning counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day 1918. No one was more pivotal in this celebrated transformation than Pompey Elliott. In the centenary year of this famous battle, award-winning historian Ross McMullin will illuminate what took place. There could hardly be a more appropriate talk for the Pompey Elliott Memorial Hall.

Dr Ross McMullin is an acclaimed biographer and historian, and a lively and entertaining speaker. His latest book, Pompey Elliott at War: In His Own Words, has been recently released. Farewell, Dear People: Biographies of Australia’s Lost Generation, his previous book, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History and also the National Cultural Award. His 2002 biography Pompey Elliott won awards for both literature and biography. Another biography, Will Dyson: Australia’s Radical Genius, was highly commended by the judges of the National Biography Award. Other previous books include the ALP centenary history The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991, and another political history So Monstrous a Travesty: Chris Watson and The World’s First National Labour Government. He has been a prolific contributor to newspapers, periodicals and multi-authored books.

http://www.rossmcmullin.com.au

Doors open at 6.30PM
The ‘Pompey Elliott Memorial Hall’ is located at the Camberwell RSL Sub-Branch at 403 Camberwell Road, named in honour of Major General Harold Edward ‘Pompey’ Elliott CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, VD. Elliott was a senior officer in the Australian Army during the First World War and served as a Senator in the Australian parliament. He was also the second President of the Camberwell RSL Sub-Branch in 1919.
Seminar Speaker Program Logistics. The MHHV seminar speaker series will run between 7.00 – 8.00 pm on Wednesday 15 March, Wednesday 16 August, Wednesday 15 November following drinks and snacks from 6.30 pm.
Entry & Catering. The seminar speaker series will attract an entry fee $5 for MHHV members, veterans, concession card holders and students while all other guests will be $10 to cover the costs of providing food, tea & coffee or beverage and hall use. Drinks at RSL prices.