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Back to 1961 index, 1962 index or Main Index Makan – No. 150 Dear Dig, The Reunion Dinner was held on 18th November in the time of the most prolific summer rain in Sydney for a century. It speaks well for the loyalty of the lads that 130 of them swam into the reunion and the night was a great success. The Association was honoured by the presence of Mr. Bill Clayton of whom we wrote last “Makan”, and by Dr Rowley Richards and John Hogan, President and Secretary of the 2/15th field Regiment Association. Both are old friends of the Unit but it was the first time we have had the pleasure of Rowley’s company at one of our shows. As a doctor his time belongs to other people and it is not possible for him to make definite promises to be present at any function. The Old Man put us right on the 2/15th. He told us that at a 2/15th Dinner the previous week Rowley had spoken rather well of the 2/30th Bn. "which was attached to the 2/15th at Gemas". The Old Man straightened the matter out for us to the delight of those present. Our guest whom we had hoped to have attend was Mr. Graham Sands. He was unable to be present due to illness and the members send their best wishes to him and the hope for a speedy return to good health. Noel Johnston gave the toast of the Regiment at our Dinner at Batu Pahat just twenty years ago. His address was obviously prepared with care and reflected very fittingly the feelings of those present. In the main it went like this: "We all know that the mere fact that the 2/30 Bn. was an A.I.F. Inf. Bn. meant that it was organised and equipped on the same basis exactly as other A.I.F. Bns which were raised in 1940-41. It was expected to go through a similar programme of rigorous training as other A.I.F. Bns, and finally be capable of operating in the field against enemy forces drawn from the best armies of the world. This was the sort of a regiment that would be recorded in history as in the "Line of Battle” as a part of our forces in Malaya; as a unit of our war establishment and finally as a defunct unit which ceased to exist some 16 years ago. This sort of regiment is not absent from our thoughts to-night it is a necessary adjunct of this toast - but it represents the lifeless facet of our conception. As we reflect back on those days we care little about the material features of our regiment - we are only interested in the spiritual - the intangible bonds of comradeship, the personalities that in one form or another influenced so greatly the development of the aggregate moral fibre that ultimately became the real "Regiment”. "It is not so much the facts of our training at Tamworth, Bathurst, Singapore Island and Batu Pahat that we remember; it is the human relationships of those days within the framework of the battalion; the drive and burning concentration of the "Old Man" to make certain that there would be no equal in the whole A.I.F., to this regiment of his, the personalities of such people as "Billy the Pig," Mum, Andy, and Charlie Chan, the urbanity and quiet efficiency of "Gentleman George" and a host of others in all ranks whose human qualities were becoming sure and more evident to us all in those days. And here I would like to pay a particular tribute to the great personal influence exerted at that time by our W.O's. Mainly selected "out of the air", as it were, on Tamworth Showground, what a team we had in Len Dawson, Phil Schofield, Frank Smyth, Vic Gordon and Harry Duprez! These men ranked second to none in welding the regiment together toughening its fibre and getting it ready to do the great job expected of it. Later when the battalion faced the great test of battle itself, we remember other names that at various times passed from lip to lip because of their deeds in action; Abbotts, Frank Tuckey, Tom Pearce, Bill Clayton, Sgt. Christoff, Sgt. McAlister, Arthur Purdon and many, many others. Similarly, in the grievous days of P.O.W. camps, it is names like Charlie Annand, Bill Bailey, Sgt. Doolan, Arthur English, Sgt. Everingham, Tom Higgins, Bruce Johnston, Jim Mitchell, Ken Reid, and again many, many others that seem to dwell in our memories - far more than do the scenes we saw then, the things that happened, and the mundane "history" of those 3½ years. We all know the proud record of this Regiment of ours, in training, in battle, in adversity and every day it lived, but this is my concept of the "Regiment", and the one I call on you to honour in this toast; the concept of a human entity made up of 1300/1400 men altogether, some married, some single, some country man, soma city men, some having authority over others, some not, but all moulded together into a single-minded fighting machine to do a job for King and Country at the human level; a job that added costly battle honours to our colours, that brings pride to all Australians wherever gathered and which will live in our memories while ever life lasts. This Regiment we honour now is the regiment of loved comrades, of proud spirit, combining the good and the not-so-good characteristics of every man in it, and at its head the man who raised it, nurtured it and brought it to manhood and it’s glory - F.G.G." The Old Man's reply to Johnno was of the same standard as usual – excellent! One interesting sideline he had was on Battle Honours. He traced the origin of the custom of awarding Battle Honours and the fact that such honour as a normal circumstance of war are shared by the units participating in each battle. However, the Battle Honours of Games which was awarded to the 2/30th belongs to us alone and may be carried by no other unit in the Commonwealth! This is a distinction which has happened only once or twice in the history of the British Army. Our new colours which will be ready for next Anzac Day will carry our Battle Honours. LAST POST John Meillon - You will be shocked to hear of the death of your friend John Meillon on 20th November. John attended the Reunion on 18th November, appeared to enjoy himself thoroughly and seemed to be in good health. Two days later he died from a cerebral haemorrhage in the presence of your friend Bill Melville. John was about 45 and leaves a wife and two children. It is customary perhaps to write of the good points of the dead and to gloss over the bad points or rather not to mention them at all. In the case of John Meillon there is no problem in this regard for in more than 20 years we have not heard one word spoken in criticism of this man. Promoted from the ranks to Lieutenant, he remained in close affinity with the troops but yet carried a dignity to his rank which made him respected by all. He was a good soldier in every respect and his memory will be mourned by all who know him. In civilian life John was a solicitor and worked closely with Bill Melville after a period at Forbes. His spare time was taken up with Legacy, a sacrifice which he loved to make for those less fortunate than himself. John Meillon was a good friend to all who knew him and you won't forget him. For his wife and children it will be a sad Xmas and our deepest sympathy goes to them. John's wife lives at 182 Raglan St., Mosman. Will you make the effort to write her now and express your sympathy to her. It is only a small effort on your part but we know that the next-of-kin appreciate these letters. THE PASSING OF A MATRIARCH Members will be sorry to hear of the death of Arch Thorburn's mother, an identity in the Manly - Balgowlah district. Mrs. Thorburn was a great worker-for the Battalion during the war years and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She was described by the Minister who officiated at her burial as a Matriarch of the old school and this aptly described her in this age, when families scatter, she held her family closely together, even though they had left the home and began families of their own. Our sympathy goes to Arch Thorburn and his family. Mrs. Cecil Dews wrote that the Dews are now living at Richmond. You will recall that Cec spent some time in Japan with the Forces after the war. Mrs. Stan Larkin has written of their change of address to Evans Head. Stan is working for a Mineral Mining Company and is a member of the local R.S.L. Frank Dyson and wife were seen holidaying at Evans Head recently. Frank married a lass from London. George Lister is still farming at Hogarth Range. George and his wife have three boys and one girl. "Jock" Logan sends greetings from Goondiwindi to all his mates. ''Jacko Jackson of Chatswood often meets Freddie Butt in the local R.S.L. Club. Freddie was very popular recently when he cracked the jackpot in one of the poker machines. 14th January - Gemas Day On the 14th January we commemorate once more the Fallen comrades of our unit. We will commemorate those who died during the war years and the growing numbers of those who have been added to the list since the war. The ceremony of commemoration is perhaps the most important function of our Association. At 7 O'clock on .the 14th January all members of our unit who can do so are asked to assemble in front of the Cenotaph - make it about 6.50 p.m. At 7 o'clock exactly the wreath will be laid on the Cenotaph and the bugle will sound the Last Post. Members of the 2/15th Field Reg. Assoc., members of the 8th Div. Sigs., and other associated units will be present and will participate in the ceremony. Members are invited to bring their wives to witness the ceremony and it is possible that we will be able to arrange for a small gathering at a local club after the wreaths have been placed. Once again, members are urged to make every effort to be present. There will be no other reminder prior to this date. XMAS MESSAGE FROM THE "OLD MAN" We have just passed through an excellent year in the Association due to the good work of Arch Thorburn, Stan Arneil and the Committee and, in wishing you all the happiest of Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful 1962 I am sure you would expect me to also extend to the Committee of the Association our seasonal greetings as well as our thanks for their work on our behalf. Good luck to you all and may God bless you and yours. XMAS MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Christmas this year is not an occasion for unmixed rejoicing. We have lost during the year some good comrades and some of us have lost loved ones who were near and dear to us. On behalf of your Committee I send our best wishes for a happy Christmas to you and all members of your families and the hope that the New Year will find us even more closely together. Best wishes for a happy Xmas, STAN ARNEIL Back to 1961 index, 1962 index or Main Index |