Neerim District History and Heritage Group will remember and honour the brave men and women who fought in all conflicts on Remembrance Day next week with a special display of flags at Neerim Cemetery.
The group will commemorate soldiers who served in World War I by placing an Australian flag at each grave of returned soldiers or those lost in action who are buried at the Neerim Cemetery. The flags will remain at the graves over the week of Remembrance Day.

NDH&HG members will be at the Neerim Cemetery rotunda this Sunday, November 9 from 10am to 2pm and any descendants who wish to place a flag at the grave of their family member on that day are invited to attend.
The Australian flags have been supplied by Member for Narracan Wayne Farnham who will be attending on the day.
Anyone who would like to place a flag at the grave of a family member, reply to history@ndhhg.com before the day. Otherwise, members of the history group will place the flags on known WWI grave sites, to honour their lives and service.
Remembrance Day services will be held at the Neerim South Cenotaph, at 10.30am for a 10.45am start; and, outside the Neerim Junction Hall gathering at 10.45am for the reflection at 10.55am. Light refreshments will be served at Neerim Junction Hall at the conclusion of the reflection.
The following is the WWI story of just one of the many local soldiers from the Neerim District, who is buried at the Neerim Cemetery.
John Swaffield
Rural Australia has always punched well above its weight with respect to the number of brave men and women who left home shores to fight and serve in conflicts that took them far from their homeland.
One person was John Benjamin Swaffield MM (known as Jack). John was born on May 4, 1895 in Preston to Rose Ann Swaffield (nee Thompson) and Henry Benjamin Swaffield who married in 1885. Jack moved to Neerim South in late 1900, where Henry and Rose established the Federal Stores.
Jack enlisted in the Australian Infantry Forces (AIF) on January 18, 1916, at the age of 20 years and eight months. After training, Jack was appointed to the 6th Reinforcements/29th Battalion on April 1, 1916, at Broadmeadows as a private. He embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides four days later and in June he embarked at Alexandria per HMT Franconia and disembarked at Plymouth.
In September 1916, Jack was sent to France and was taken on strength of the 29th Battalion. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in March 1917 and then to Corporal in July. In May 1918 Jack was promoted to L/Sgt (Lance Sergeant).
Jack was awarded the Military Medal on December 11, 1918 for conspicuous services rendered.
"At Morlancourt, on the night of 28/29 July 1918, this NCO rendered most valuable assistance in organising and supervising all of his Coy's L.G. Teams prior, during and after the attack. The tactical placing of the guns after final objective had been reached resulted in the effective breaking up of an enemy counterattack, the whole of the attacking party being wiped out. Sergeant Swaffield personally accounted for several of the enemy and set a splendid example to the remainder of the Platoon. He showed rare judgement and personal bravery."
Jack was formally discharged from the AIF on June 22, 1919 and on returning home to Neerim South he and brother Les traded the store as Swaffield Bros for many years.
Jack married Euphemia Mary Moyes on September 8, 1920 at 'Clairdale', Neerim South.
Jack and Euphemia's two children were born at Neerim South - John born March, 18 1922 died May 30, 1995 and Heather Mary, born February 20, 1924, died April 15, 2015.
During his lifetime, Jack was involved in many activities. He was a member of the RSL for 50 years, made a Justice of the Peace in 1939, trustee, committeeman and life member of the Neerim District Agricultural Society, life member of Central Gippsland Affiliated Show Society , life member of the Neerim District Soldiers Memorial Hospital – a committee member for 44 years, served on the Neerim South Water Trust for 21 years and the hall committee.
He and Euphemia were active members of the Methodist Church, (later Uniting Church) and life governor of Fairview Homes.
Euphemia died on October 6, 1981, aged 89 years and Jack died in the West Gippsland Hospital on January 23, 1982, aged 86 years. Both are buried in the Neerim Cemetery.
Information from West Gippsland Genealogical Society's "A Tribute to those who Served, Volume 5."