History of Swansea RSL
A committee of the RSL was formed after WWII. In 1954 it was decided to build an RSL Ex-Servicemen's Club in Swansea to provide meetings, and dinners, and to enable services to all ex-servicemen in the Glamorgan Municipality.
Funds were raised by holding dances, door knock appeals, bark stripping and a private loan of 1,000 Pounds. Plans for the building were drawn up by the then President Mr Reg Arnol. The Land was purchased from the Glamorgan Council for £13-3-0.
Mr Gordon Graham was appointed as Supervisor of the building and construction commenced in 1955 using concrete blocks for the outer walls using voluntary labour of RSL and community members.
The Club Rooms opened on 15 December 1957 and the official opening was on the 15th February 1978 and was performed by Mr Roy Fagan the Attorney General of Tasmania (1946–1958).
The first Management Committee of the Club was President David Burbury, Vice President Mr Gordon Graham, and Secretary Ivan Cotton with committee members Rex Morey, Mr Harry Tanner and William Knight Gray.
Mr Frederick Joseph (Fred) Kean was the first Steward of the club, who sat on an ammunition box behind the bar.
Further extensions were made with the help of RSL Members. Extension and renovations to the Club Building were also added in 1998 and opened by WWI Veteran Merv Lewis.
Swansea has a proud military history, the Pegg flag is on display at the Swansea RSL for all to view.
The Pegg Flag
Private Frederick William Pegg – TX3788
Born 21/9/1918 – Died 21/8/1981
2nd/40th Australian Infantry Battalion
Date of Enlistment – 8 July 1940
Declared a Prisoner of War – 1942
Liberated from Changi – 1945
Date of Discharge – 23 January 1946
Medals awarded to Private Pegg, from Left:
1939–1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939–1945, Service Medal 1939–1945, Service Medal 1945–1975, Australian Defence Medal
On Tuesday, 29 October 2024 the Pegg Flag was installed in its display case in the Swansea RSL Sub-Branch Club rooms. The Pegg Flag is a war memento kept by Fred Pegg a POW in Changi prison, Singapore, during World War II. The Flag has been signed by over 100 servicemen, 16 of them Tasmanians serving in the 2nd/40th Infantry Battalion.
A Grant from Saluting their Service has been used to purchase a protective sealed case to ensure the flag is on display and remains in good condition. The RSL would like to thank Tim Williams of Red Arrow (Hobart) for the case, Michelle Berry of TMAG for curatorial preparation, Suzanne and Neville Payne for their safekeeping, transport and research on the flag, and especially Arthur Pegg and family for their donation of the flag to the Swansea RSL for display.
The official unveiling was on Sunday, 1 December 2024 at the Swansea RSL (please find further information here).
The photos below show the flag and trench art made by Private Pegg before installation, Tim Williams and Arthur Pegg installing the flag in its Display Case.
If you have any relevant information or seeking more information regarding the Pegg Flag please email: peggchangiflag@gmail.com.au
Please find various links to information relating to the Pegg Flag: