The young officer: Stanley Savige in uniform for the first time, just prior to leaving for Gallipoli in August 1915. Courtesy of the Savige family
Savige’s parents, Ann and Samuel, at the weekend house that Stan built at Somers, Western Port Bay, Victoria. Courtesy of the Savige family
Gathering at Somers, where the Savige family and friends spent most weekends. Courtesy of the Savige family
Snipers at Gallipoli. A sniper uses a periscopic rifle while his comrade observes for him through a periscope. Stan Savige was a crack marksman, and his unmatched and deadly effort on Sniper’s Ridge put him on the path to senior command roles. Australian War Memorial, C01541
An Australian sniper at Gallipoli. Savige had the best strike record in this role for a short stint on Sniper’s Ridge. He and others would pick off enemy assassins, who had caused havoc on the path up to Monash Valley at the height of the conflict. Australian War Memorial, C04155
Brigadier General Sir John Gellibrand DSO, QSA (later KCB) (1872–1945), circa 1916. Gellibrand joined the staff of the 1st Australian Division in 1914, was wounded at Gallipoli and successively commanded the 12th Battalion, the 6th Brigade, the 12th Brigade and the 3rd Division, where he became one of Monash’s five outstanding commanders. After World War I, Gellibrand established Remembrance Clubs in Tasmania, inspiring Stan Savige to found Legacy, first in Melbourne and later throughout Australia. Australian War Memorial, P01489, donated by S. Savige
Two Anzac soldiers stand on either side of a captured Turkish sniper. Turkish snipers sometimes concealed themselves in bushes for camouflage. This one had killed many diggers, and was fortunate to be taken captive rather than shot himself. Many of the Turkish marksmen were eliminated by Savige, Billy Sing and other Australian sharp-shooters. Australian War Memorial, G00377
An informal group portrait of unidentified members of the 5th and 6th Brigades resting on the road to the frontline trenches in France, circa June 1916. On the far left is a dump of boxes containing bombs and rifle ammunition. Australian War Memorial, EZ0074
Australian stretcher bearers coming in under a white flag from the line near Mouquet Farm on 28 August 1916. They are passing the old cemetery of Pozières, where Tramway Trench crossed Brind’s Cut. These battlegrounds, experienced by Stan Savige in 1916 and 1917, were among the worst ever killing fields in World War I. Australian War Memorial, E04946
A group of Captain William’s irregular cavalry (part of the Dunsterforce) at Korkora in Persia. Captain Francis Edgar Williams, originally in Australia’s 32nd Battalion, joined the Dunsterforce in February 1918. The group’s Persian Lieutenant, Siaf-ul-Nizan, is the rider at the front. Australian War Memorial, J01323
Dunsterforce member Sergeant Charles Doherty, of the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, forcefully demonstrates marching drill beside lines of local Persian troops who are without uniforms and early in their training program. Australian War Memorial, B03572
Dunsterforce camp showing tents, horse lines and motor ambulance at Pia-Tak Pass, Persia. In the foreground, a pack horse is partially camouflaged by a bush. Australian War Memorial, A01085
A studio portrait of Captain Savige MC DSO, 24th Battalion, taken after he returned to Australia in January 1919. Australian War Memorial, H19217
Savige, at Sandy Point in 1939, with (from left to right) nephews Stanley and William (Bill) Tyquin and John Savige, and a housekeeper. A caring and generous man, Savige provided the means to educate his nephews, along with several nieces. Courtesy of the Savige family
Brigadier Savige at Biet Jerina, Libya, on 14 June 1940. Damien Parer, Australian War Memorial, 002111
The big six of the 6th Division in North Africa and the Middle East at Ikingi Maryut, Egypt, 1940. Top row (left to right): Colonel Frank Berryman, Brigadier Stanley Savige, Colonel George Vasey. Bottom row (left to right): Brigadier Arthur ‘Tubby’ Allen, Major General Iven Mackay, Brigadier Horace Robertson. Australian War Memorial, 019443
Alexandria, Egypt. A convoy arrives from Greece in 1941. Englishmen, New Zealanders and Australians mingle as friends are reunited. Australian War Memorial, 007652
Lieutenant General Savige enjoys a cup of tea at Rose Bay flying boat base, in late 1942, following his arduous effort in North Africa and the Middle East and before he sets off for the Pacific. State Library of Victoria, H38849/3989
Stanley Savige, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Australian Division (on right), and Brigadier Murray Moten, of the 17th Infantry Brigade, on the track to Drakes Observation Post, at Goodview, New Guinea, in August 1943. Australian War Memorial, 055639
In September 1943, the so-called ‘Fuzzy-wuzzy Angels’ (local New Guineans) carry a wounded Australian soldier along a track of slippery mud. It took six hours to climb 2500 feet to Buoisi Ridge and 90 minutes to descend. Australian War Memorial, 015758
Major General Stan Savige and Brigadier Moten salute as they lead the 6th’s Division 17th Brigade’s march past in Melbourne, November 1943. Australian War Memorial, 139986
From left to right: Lieutenant General Savige, Australian Commander-in-Chief Sir Thomas Blamey, and Lieutenant General Berryman on Bougainville in March 1945. Australian War Memorial, 090025
Blamey and Savige, now Commander of 2 Corps, at the Compton River area of Bougainville, March 1945. Australian War Memorial, 090031
Savige, as Commander of 2 Corps, greets Lieutenant General Vernon Sturdee, General Office Commanding of the Australian First Army, at Piva airstrip, Torokina, Bougainville, in early May 1945. Sturdee was there to inspect troops. Australian War Memorial, 091834
From left to right: In early May 1945, Lieutenant General Sturdee has Japanese positions on Bougainville explained to him by Brigadier Heathcote H. Hammer, Commander of the 15 Brigade, with Major General William Bridgeford and Savige looking on. Australian War Memorial, 091857
In August 1945 at Torokina, Bougainville, Savige presents a Valour Medal to a member of the Royal Papuan Constabulary for bravery in the face of heavy Japanese fire. State Library of Victoria, H38849/3987
Painting depicting the surrender ceremony at Torokina, 8 September 1945. Savige (seated, far end of table, on left) watches as Lieutenant General Masatane Kanda (seated, left) surrenders the Japanese forces on Bougainville. Australian War Memorial, ART26675
The Saviges (from left): daughter, Gwen, Stanley and wife, Lillian. Courtesy of the Savige family
More than 3000 mourners attended Sir Stanley Savige’s funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, in May 1954. He was 63. Courtesy of the Savige family