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Training in Malaya
2/30 Battalion First Anniversary - 22/11/1941
The
Battalion celebrated it's first anniversary on Saturday 22nd
November, 1941. A sports day and Anniversary Dinner were held to
commemorate the occasion.
1) Letter from NX29116 - Pte. Ray BROWN
NX29116 - Pte. Brown, R.J.T.
"B" Company 2/30 Bn
A.I.F. Malaya
Sunday 23/11/1941
Dear Marion,
We had our Battalion birthday yesterday and had a great day. In the
morning we had a ceremonial march through the town and our Brigadier
took the salute. After that we came back to camp, had dinner and in the
afternoon had a Battalion sports meeting. The British residents here
presented the 2/30 with a big silver cup to be presented to the champion
Company of the Battalion each time we have sports.
It was a beautiful thing and it was a nice thought of the people to give
us a cup. It only goes to show that they must think a lot of the
Battalion. H.Q. Company won the sports yesterday. "D" Company second,
and "B" and "A" came third so it was a good days sport a fairly even go
right through.
The diner last night was a real good show and we all enjoyed ourselves
immensely. We had a good meal and a couple of bottles of beer and a bit
of a concert after. I will enclose the menu in this letter if it is not
too heavy. There was a very representative gathering there comprising of
two Brigadiers, a State Commissioner, various members of the British
community and a few Malayan residents as well as a few Staff Officers
from Brigade and a couple of the nurses from our Battalion.
There is a bit of a fair on at the Police padang tonight and I may go up
and see what its like. It will put in an hour or two and help me from
worrying so much. I haven't been into town since last Sunday so its
about time I had a night out.
Russell and Pickard came back from Base for the party and will be going
back again this afternoon some time. I think I told you Pickard had to
have his varicose veins cut out and Russ had a broken collar bone
playing football. At any rate they are O.K. now and will be back with us
shortly.
Black Jack made a bit of a speech last night and said how proud of his
Battalion he was and praised himself up a treat about the way he had
discipline down to a fine art in his "Greyhounds". Quite a few of the
speakers reminded us of wonderful marches we did at Bathurst and the
time we did it in and of course the boys swelled up with pride.
The orderly Sgt. just came over and said I have to report to Major
Johnstone at 1.30 for tennis so it looks as if I'm off for a bit of
tennis this afternoon. I don't know whether I'll be able to play yet as
my ankle isn't the best since the march we did on Wednesday but I'll try
myself out and see how it goes.
There is a hell of a scatter on this morning0 as we are duty platoon and
there is a lot of work to do clearing up after the dinner last night.
When a Corporal comes near the hut there are blokes going out of
windows, doors and tearing away for their lives. Zip was a bit unlucky
and got caught but the rest of us as managed to dodge is so far although
I suppose before the day is out most of us will have done some sort of
job.
I opened the cake the other night and we had a cup of coffee and cake
about 9 o'clock. It was a beautiful cake but of course didn't last
long when we all got into it. We all take it in turn opening our cakes
so we have a feast of cake and coffee every night before going to bed.
Thank grandma and grandad when you see them and tell them I'll give them
a big kiss when I get home.
2) Newspaper article - source unknown
An A.I.F. Battalion's Anniversary
An A.I.F. Battalion stationed somewhere in Malaya celebrated its
first anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 22. The celebration opened
up with a parade on the local padang and a short route march
headed by the Regimental Band. Brigadier D.S. Maxwell, M.C. took
the salute at the march past.
In the afternoon the Battalion held an inter-company athletic
sports and this attracted a large number of spectators. There
was keen competition and some very good times were returned.
The British Community of the adjoining town kindly presented a
cup for the sports.
The Brigadier congratulated the successful competitors in a
brief speech and then distributed the prizes to the winners.
The following were the results:
Headquarters Company, 27½ points; "D" Company 18½ points; "A"
and "B" Companies tied with eight points each; "C" Companyfour
points. Private E. Stone was the most outstanding athlete with
10 points, winning the 100 and 440 yards sprints.
A dinner was held at night in the barracks and many prominent
local residents were present. A small concert was given by
the A.I.F. The Battalion band was in attendance.
Photos
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Last updated
14/02/2023 |
