Late 2025, President Paul Fearon was contacted by Mike Gahan. Mike had a substantial amount of Ryder-Cheshire primary source material belonging to his late father, Joe Gahan and wished to gift these to Ryder-Cheshire Australia.

The items are now safely housed in the RCA Archives at the Ryder-Cheshire Homes in Ivanhoe, Victoria.

Joe met Leonard Cheshire when he was convalescing in Guy’s Hospital in London.  Joe had been flown from Australia with a serious medical condition. During the war, in his late teens, Joe held Leonard as one of his heroes and had followed his exploits with keen interest. He recognised Leonard when he was visiting one of his wartime squadron fellows in the same ward. Joe introduced himself and they struck up a friendship.

They became firm friends and engaged in regular correspondence, primarily by hand written letters which form a major part of his collection. The letters show that Joe was one of the first to be advised that Leonard and Sue Ryder intended to marry.

Back in Australia after recovering in London, Joe was active in community affairs as an Apex member.

When Leonard visited Australia in the 1960’s, he stayed with Mike’s father in Bundaberg. Together they arranged a series of meetings in Queensland and New South Wales leading to the establishment of some of the earliest Ryder Cheshire Foundations.

Thank you to Mike for taking the initiative to donate these archival treasures which are now available to be enjoyed by others and add to the historical knowledge of Ryder-Cheshire in Australia.

Photo of Mike Gahan at Ballarat Support Group Christmas BBQ

Dianne McGrath with assistance from Mike Gahan