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Back to 1949 index or Main Index Makan – No. 32 Official Organ of 2/30th. Bn. A.I.F. Assn, Patron: Maj. Gen. F.G. Galleghan, D.S.O., O.B.E., E.D. Dear Dig, Tommy Grant has changed his occupation again and is now a cocky farmer at Burrell near the Tweed River. He is working in partnership with his brother and hopes to do well. Harry Teasdale is Tommy's next door neighbour and he is also making a healthy crust. Harry is a married man like most of us, so his worries have been considerably lessened now that he has someone to share them. He is still having trouble with his old tummy. Bobby Gibbs the sheep shearer of A. Coy is certainly a mighty man. Given up for dead at Changi in 1943 he confounded the critics and refused to die. He returned home to Narrabri and pitched into work harder than most people, married a charming girl and had the audacity to become a father., Yes, Bob is the big family man now with a new daughter. He was so excited about it all that he rushed from the hospital and to calm his nerves cleared ten acres of scrub land before breakfast. Jock Logan often pope over to see Bob and his family. Jock has a furniture business at Goondiwindi. Jerry Lawson, the big happy unit butcher is doing very well in Melbourne. He is 12˝ stone and carries an outsize in tummies. His daughter made her debut at the local Mayoral Ball in May. It was an occasion for a few jugs by the proud father because it was held on the 19th anniversary of Jerry's wedding. Jerry is always at home to any of our lads who visit Melbourne. His address is 66 Carlisle Street, St. Kilda. That Reg Ellis is a hard man you know. He actually is hoping that the total entrance fees and subs we receive, this year will equal the amount we received last year. This is practically impossible because we received such a lot of new members last year. However, Reg says that if enough of the boys pay for a year or two in advance or if several change over to life-membership then we may be able to do it. Graham Bridgewater is the latest to transfer to life membership and as he is about the sixth this year we may reach a record yet. It's not a bad idea you know to pay 10/- instead of 5/-. It stops all the worry of buying postal notes and so or, every year. Bill Humphrey scribbled a couple of lines from Armidale that he is still able to take an interest in things. A few months ago we told you that Les Southwell of A. Coy was having a lot of trouble with his leg. We were misinformed slightly Les writes that his leg or rather his stump has always been excellent. It was the artificial limb which was playing up. Popeye Kentwell will be married shortly, if he lives long enough. He is so much up in the-clouds that he wanders across the busiest intersections looking neither right nor left. A couple of months ago Les Hall was ripping through Parramatta and saw Popeye dreaming across the road. He blew his horn so loudly that Popeye jumped into the air and landed wrong side up in the gutter. Dear Dig, The foregoing paragraphs were written of course by our usual editor Mr. Stanley ("Horse") Arneil, but the poor old boy hasn't been too good. Recently at Yaralla, he underwent a minor operation and was doing quite well but the day he was due to come home, suffered a setback and subsequently was placed on the S.I. List. However, Stan is O.K. again now and his only complaint is that he should have been placed on the D.I. List - he reckons he felt crook enough for just that. So for this issue of "Makan" at least there will be an absence of the Irish wit for which Stan is so adept. That personification of politeness and kid walloper, Alec Campbell ex I Section, recently spent three weeks at Yaralla - we understand he felt much better for his short stay in hospital - good luck Alec. All copies of the Unit History that were ordered and paid for have been posted to the addresses. According to the favourable reports received from all sections, everyone seems to vote the book a great success; this reflects great credit on the authors, Alan Penfold, Ken Crispin and not forgetting old Cliff Bayliss. Wally-Starver-Jones, one of our ex Sgt. cooks, conducts a Drapery Store at Swansea but a little bird told me that this is only a blind for a two-up school, However Wal has improved his letter writing; it only took him seven months to answer my letter. Received five years subs from Geoff Gillespie of Cobargo during the week. He must have been in a desperate hurry when he wrote as you will see by this extract from his letter "-25/- which will enable me to be a financial member till the end of the end." Anyway its good to hear from you again Dig after an absence of three years. Welcome back to the Association. Now for a word about our 3rd Annual Ball, the greatest to date. An attendance of 227 passed through the turnstiles and a wonderful enjoyable night was had by all. Although gallons of liquid amber flowed freely during the evening the conduct displayed was exemplary. No wonder we have no difficulty in hiring again the same rendezvous for our functions. Bouquets in plenty to the organizing Social Committee, Garry Evans, Johnny Parsons, Sid Grounds, Alan Smith, Harry Collins and Ward Booth, for their splendid efforts - the results must have given them as great a kick as it did me. The financial results stirred my Arabic blood considerably. We thank Mr. Doug Okey (President of the 8 div. Council) for his donation to the Dance Fund, and for his interest displayed in our activities. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Bruce Upcroft, late of the Tatler Hotel and J.R. Maclay late of West Ryde, please let me know - their "Makan" have been returned unclaimed. Recently I spent a short holiday with my old pal Stewart Blow at his property on the South Coast. All is well with "Massa" these days who by the way is the very proud Dad of a very sweet little seven months baby girl called Barbara Anne - the rumour that Stewart is about to apprentice me to the Dairy farming game is not true. There was great excitement down Balgowlah way at Easter time. You remember Dick Tompson that popular and unassuming Captain of the Carriers? Well he moved into a brand new lovely home built to his own design. Two more of the boys are headed in the right direction. I refer to Doug Blanshard and Bob Jack; each has become engaged to a charming little lady and to them all we offer our congratulations. "Geek" Geikie has not come down to earth yet, his wife presented him with a baby girl recently, however, Rosemary's head has been carefully wetted. Good on you Geek. The Bill Claytons of Mosman have an addition to the family - William Richard. All the best to you Bill. Another now arrival of April vintage is Jennifer Cheryl Parsons and proud father Johnny sticks his chest out just that little bit further. Then there's Ian Montgomery Booth, new son of Lyn from up Chatswood way. Lyn thought it best to tack on the second name as the little chap was born on Anzac Day. Tom Stevens of Narrandera has a leg in plaster but reckons it has its compensations, it has allowed him to catch up with his correspondence, Tom always was philosophical, he sends his regards to all and sundry. Arnold Ainsworth in a recent letter could not find time to write his words in full. He blamed the cat fish up Kempsey ways anyway that's as good a tale as any other, Arnold was always in a hurry and 'tis said it will not be long 'ere he becomes a millionaire. At present he is in the dry-cleaning business. It is with deep regret that I record the passing of another member of our old Battalion, Leslie W. (Bluey) Joyce. Mrs. Joyce lives at No. 1 Elsham Pde. Auburn, and to her we offer our deepest sympathy in her sad loss. Bluey had been in ill health for some time. This is typical of that casual bloke Harry Holden, he writes in this strain "I've got myself engaged to a country Lass at last and will take the plunge sometime when I can find the time." Congratulations to you Harry. Things are so prosperous with this young blood that he also contemplates becoming a life member. The most mobile member of our Association is without doubt Jack Fell. I have just changed his address for the 14th time or is that stretching it a bit Jack. He is now located at Tarago and is very happily placed at his now job. Have just received the regular three year letter from that broth of a boy Vince O'Reilly. Vince lives up in Queensland where after 2˝ years with the P.M.G. is back on the farm. He is also the very proud father of a 2 year old daughter Helen Kaye. He often meets Tom Aspinall. Tom has two boys, one 2˝ years old and the other 3 months. We certainly had some good colts in the old 2/30th Bn. Vince also tells us that Bert Welch is on his own farm and is doing well - Bert has a daughter. Here is an eye-opener with regard to "3/- a Day Claim", still being prosecuted with vigour by our 8 Div. Council. I am indebted to our 8 Div. Council Representative, Ron Chipps, for passing on to me the screed containing the following : "Public Law 896 of the United States Congress made law on 3 3uly 1948 allows for the payment of one Dollar for each day he was held Prisoner-of-War to a member of the United States Forces as compensation for the violation by the enemy Government by which he was held Prisoner-of-War of its obligation to furnish him the quantity and quality of food to which he was entitled as Prisoner-of-War under the terms of the Geneva Convention 1929". Now it is up to our own Government to treat us in a similar fashion by copying the example so ably set by the U.S. Congress. It is our job to provide assistance in the packing of food parcels for British ex P.O.W. under the scheme conducted by the 8 Div. Council. Volunteers are asked to phone or contact Ron Chipps JA 8666. Also, ladies are required for the 8. Div.. Council Women's Auxiliary - those interested please contact Ron. The 8 Div. Annual Bell will be held at the Trocadero on Monday night the 15th August. Tickets are 15/- each. An active committee is doing an excellent job in organizing it, so do your bit by getting a party together and going along. Noel Johnston, XA1122 is our representative on the Ball Committee. Debs are to be presented and this opportunity is open to any young lady directly related to a 2/30th man. The 15th August is of two-fold significance to us, firstly the date of our arrival in Singapore and secondly that greatest of all days - V. P. Day. The same Committee is also holding a Dance at the Millers Point Drill Hall on Saturday, July 9th. Tickets are 3/- and grog is obtainable on the spot. Vernon Baynes has at last found time to take a short holiday after seventeen months straight work without a break. Vern is keeping very good health these days. Clem Jobson of Crowdy Heads, via Harrington is still in the fishing game. He is now living in his own home and keeps good health. Clem is very badly in need of No. 8 galvanized wire for his lobster pots and I wonder if anyone can help him along that line. He sends his regards to all of his old mates. George Johnson (C Coy Sgt. huge eater) who is now on a dairy farm recently became a father for the third time since we came home - that's not bad but listen to this. The infant arrived before schedule and besides being over 20 miles to the nearest hector, no one else was handy to assist so George himself acted as midwife and moreover did a very creditable job. He was asked later how he had felt about it at the time and this was his answer "Aw, it was easy I had helped a cow calve only 3 days before so I knew just what to do." They certainly breed 'em tough up on the North Coast. Ernie Willis of Glen Idol., Gunningbland writes that he has just finished planting the golden grain - he finds it more pleasurable than growing sweet bucks for the I.J.A. A long distance reminder that our Annual reunion will be held this year on Friday night 18th November, so keep that date in mind. When remitting money please make all cheques and postal notes payable to 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Association at Sydney, and forward same to R.E. Ellis, 21 Military Road, Neutral Bay. That will be all for this time gents, but it will he on again next month when Stan will be once more back with you to give you some new laughs. Cheerio for now, Back to 1949 index or Main Index |