First published as The Story of the Chalice Heidelberg Historian (Heidelberg Historical Society) October 1994
On 25 August 1994, a special service in the Ivanhoe Grammar School Chapel was the occasion of the presentation of an historical chalice by members of the 2/14th Battalion Association. The story of the chalice was provided in the order of service published for the occasion.
The original Chaplain posted to the 14th Battalion in 1914 was the Rev. Andrew Gillison, M.A., Minister of St. George’s Presbyterian Church, Chapel Street, East St. Kilda. Prior to embarkation of the Battalion on 22 December 1914, the Young Men’s Bible Class of St. George’s presented a chalice to the Unit and it was placed in the custody of Padre Gillison, their former minister.
The chalice was used by the Padre en route to the Middle East and again, when possible, at Gallipoli. After the death of Padre Gillison, who died of wounds incurred whilst bringing in wounded soldiers on 22 August 1915, it was used by subsequent chaplains on Gallipoli and in France. Amongst those who used it was Chaplain F.W. Rolland, M.C., M.A., who became Headmaster of Geelong College.
After the 1914 – 18 War, the chalice was returned to St George’s Church by members of the 14th Battalion where it was used for many years. Sometime later the chalice and a quantity of silverware was stolen from the church, and its whereabouts remained a mystery. During the 1980s it was discovered during excavation work in the St Kilda area buried approximately one metre underground. The finder was a Vietnam veteran who had served with the 3rd Battalion R.A.R. After restoration, including replating, it became the property of a Malvern dealer in military memorabilia. In 1987, Mrs Val McAllester, the wife of the 2/14th Battalion Association, Jim McAllester, noticed an advertisement for its sale and the Association, on learning of its whereabouts bought it with donations received from members.
It has now been presented by the 2/14th Battalion Association to Ivanhoe Grammar School for use in communion services, and perhaps as a reminder to young Australians of the acheivements and sacrifices of their predecessors. Present at the service was Lieut Colonel P.F. Rhoden 0.B.E., E.D., R.L., former Commanding Officer of the 2/14th Battalion during Wor1d War II, and who has been Honorary Colonel of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Cadets from 1981.
Photo: Kirsten Winkett
This story was first published in “Fine Spirit and Pluck: World War One Stories from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea” published by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, August 2016