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Back to 1970 index or Main Index Makan – No. 192 Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Association GREETINGS I am writing this Christmas message on the 22nd November, 1970 - the 30th birthday of the 2/30 Battalion. Thirty years ago, as it is recorded in our battalion history, I commenced my period as your Commanding Officer by saying "My name is Galleghan" and I have just re-read the first page of "Galleghan's Greyhounds", which recalls to me very vividly our commencement. We can look back 30 years and still be proud of our "Purple and Gold". There is no doubt in anyone's mind as to the prowess of the 2/30 Bn. in all situations we faced during our service. Today in 1970, I think we can still help Australia by carrying on in the same manner we did during 1940/1946. Let us have the same unity, the same esprit de corps and the same will power to do right no matter how hard it is. To everyone of you and your loved ones, I send my wife's and my own Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for 1971. God bless you and Good Luck from ... The Old Man. We are saddened at the knowledge that Ron Stoner is leaving the helm of MAKAN. He has done a magnificent job. He will be a hard man to follow but if there is one man in the Battalion who can do so it is Phil Schofield. Make a Christmas and New Year resolution to feed him with news of yourself and your family. You make up the Association. Without you, it is nothing. He will present it to us in MAKAN and ensure that it remains the life-blood of the Association. My affectionate greetings
to you and yours for the festive season. 30th BIRTHDAY REUNION The Reunion Dinner at the Australia Hotel on 21st November, on the eve of the unit's 30th birthday, (the Bn. had its first parade at Tamworth on 22nd November, 1940) was a night to remember but the attendance, no more than seventy, was disappointing. There were several apologies from men who, for obvious reasons, could not be present. Each of them sent in the price of the dinner. Such funds were most welcome and needed to makeup the cost of the guaranteed minimum of 80 diners. The atmosphere was super and the service, from a pleasant staff of young women, excellent - in fact, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy waiting on us. President Arch with his nimble wit and dextrous chairmanship set the ball rolling following his proposal of the loyal toast and from then on the reunion proceeded swingingly with interesting speeches, banter, repartee and reminiscence until the lights began to go out. Amongst the apologies was one from Bert Farr who left on the day of our reunion for U.S.A., and one from Ron Chipps farewelling a sister going overseas. George Ramsay was coming but had an unfortunate fall and had to abandon any ideas of going out. Jack Black who was gravely ill and had to have an emergency operation at the Mater Hospital in October had hoped to be well enough to attend but did not make it. We also missed Keith Mulholland whom we had looked forward to having with us this year. Arch reminded us of the par in the last issue of Makan in which Graham "Millie" McLeod told us of the 2/30th Bn. car. A bomb! It panned out very well for us. Tangible evidence of the success of Graham's efforts on our behalf in the form of a cheque for $57.84 was tabled at the dinner. Arch also referred to my departure for Perth in the near future and the need to find another Editor for MAKAN. Such a successor in the person of Phil Schofield "not elected, not volunteered but detailed by the Old Man", had been found and will take over the reins of MAKAN at the beginning of 1971. Bruce Greer proposed the toast of 'Fallen Comrades' and the toast to "The Regiment" was ably proposed by Harry Collins. Harry had recently visited Singapore Island and his speech took us on a vividly descriptive tour of the Island spots we knew so well some 25 to 28 years ago. He took us to the haunts of our early leave days in Singapore, Raffles, The Great World, etc., the scenes of our toil in River Valley Road, Bukit Timah, Changi Gaol, Selarang and the aerodrome. He peopled these places for us with the young men of 28 years ago. He helped us to relive some of the events moulded into our lives at that time. He mentioned that the 1st Bn. Royal Australian Regiment has taken over and occupies the Selarang Barracks and have the buildings and surroundings looking neat and tidy once again. Harry spoke movingly about his visit to Kranji. As he said, "Wherever you go in Singapore you can see something that reminds you of the 2/30th Bn., and the history it made there. Eventually, one goes to Kranji and standing at the entrance gate looking towards the monument on the top of the hill is a really unforgettable experience because one can feel the presence of the 2/30 Bn. there. It surrounds and encompasses one". "To walk down through the rows of graves and read many of the old, familiar names is to recall and reclothe in one's mind those 2/30th men of yesterday in all their youth and glory not as old men as we are today. The feeling goes suddenly and one is conscious of standing there alone in the middle of a cemetery on a hill at Kranji". Before calling on the Old Man to respond, Arch drew our attention to a handsome trophy on the table. It was obtained as a token of appreciation of the many kindnesses showered upon the 2/30 Bn. by Bathurst R.S.L. on the occasions of our Anzac Day visitations and the 1969 Reunion. Acting upon the suggestion of one of our members and in consultation with Bathurst R.S.L., it was decided to present the Bathurst Returned Services League Band with the trophy for annual competition amongst the Bandsmen for the Most Improved Junior Player of the Year. The R.S.L. Band is comprised mostly of young people and we are grateful to them for the manner in which they have willingly given up a great deal of their time to play for us both in Bathurst and out at the Limekilns Road Memorial. The trophy, a valuable and artistic piece of work has been paid for by one of our members who was present at the dinner and wished to remain anonymous. *** The Old Man in responding to the toast of the Battalion in his usual forcefulness gave voice to many matters of interest to us and about which we will need to think about and act upon. He gave thanks and paid tribute to Arch Thorburn for being an excellent Chairman for so many years and for his Committee each and everyone of whom has done a good job for the Battalion Association. He also thanked Ron Stoner as Editor of Makan and wished him well in his future in Perth and added that he could not think of a better man than Phil Schofield to carry on the standard of our Battalion publication. In one of his amusing asides he mentioned the press report of the destruction the day before by fire of a Post Office built in the last century at a place called Sunny Corner. He added, "It's a pity that that was burned last night. It could have been burnt on another night and done a lot more good". He said that the disciplining of young Australia is a responsibility that applies to us all. Referring to the Kranji part of Harry Collins' toast speech The Old Man pointed out that this country we fought for has dead scattered all over the world and wondered whether the sacrifices have been worth while. He added that the only way we can make them worth while is to say to ourselves "This country Australia is mine and the b........ isn't born that's going to take it away from me. Instil this into your children and we may get somewhere". He reminded us that the 22nd November was the 30th Anniversary of the first ever Battalion parade held and said "Some people seem to regard the Battalion as a curio compared with others. I know they're very jealous of us. But it doesn't matter what anybody that's not in it says, if they are honest and they fought in Malaya and lived as P.O.W.'s they would acknowledge we were the best Battalion in the Division. The Old Man told us that the 1st Bn. Royal Australian Regiment had sent from Malaya to the 17th Bn. R.N.S.W.R. (the old Man's command before the war and now the custodian of the 30th Bn.) a large concrete cylinder used as part of a tank trap at Gemas. The C.O. of the 17th Bn. proposed and the Old Man agreed that the block be set up as a memorial to Gemas in the parade ground of the Headquarters of the 17th Bn. at Pymble - a site which couldn't be bettered. This will be our own memorial sent back from Malaya and nothing else. The Old Man appealed for our fullest support for this event and you will read more about it elsewhere in Makan. He said, "I think this memorial is something I have always wanted to see. If we get this memorial to Gemas only, in the training centre of a Regiment that will look after it, I think we are going to be very fortunate". The Old Man finalised his remarks by telling us that he didn't know that we were accepting our responsibility to the widows and children of our own fallen comrades. He thought we ought to get the widows together some time and let them talk amongst our own members who were the mates of their fathers and husbands. He added, "I leave that as a final thought for you". After thanking Harry Collins for proposing the toast and those present for the manner in which it was received he concluded - "We are all becoming a bit old. But I'm not that old that I can't remember with enthusiasm having served in the 2/30th Bn., and I shall always be proud of that service, more proud of that than anything else". MEMORIAL TO GEMAS In the Old Man's response to the toast to the Regiment, he told us of the spontaneous action of the 1st Bn. Royal Australian Regiment in sending out from Malaya two large concrete cylinders - road blocks used at Gemas - one for the National War Museum at Canberra and one for the 17th Bn. R.N.S.W.R., the custodians of the 30th Battalion. The C.O. of the 17th Bn. proposed that the block received by his unit be set up as a memorial to Gemas and the 2/30 Bn., in a suitable position in the 17th Bn., Headquarters' parade ground at Pymble and we, in deference to the efforts put into this by both the 1st Bn. R.A.R., and the 17th Bn., R.N.S.W.R., have got to back the scheme, which has the approval and blessing of the Old Man, with all the support we can give it. The 17th Bn., want to turn on a parade for us and do the thing properly. It is, therefore, proposed that the memorial be unveiled and dedicated on Sunday afternoon, 17th January in lieu of the usual thinly attended ceremony at the Cenotaph on 14th January and that members of 2/30 Bn., and next-of-kin attend, together with wives, sweethearts, children and friends, After the ceremony, we will all be able to get together for refreshments in the 17th Bn. Headquarters Mess. Some financial support to the 17th Bn. will be required for this event and we are confident this "will be forthcoming from the fellows. Please now make a note of the date and make up your minds to come along to the Headquarters of 17th Bn., R.N.S.W.R., at 3 West Street, Pymble, for this important and historical occasion. It is expected that the dedication of the memorial will take place around 3 p.m. on the afternoon of 17th January. Please send contributions towards the memorial function and the planting of five palm trees around the rear of the memorial, one for each company, to either Jack Boss or Bessie Ellis. *** LAST POST "We will remember them" F. J. "Tommy" EVANS, B Coy, passed away around the beginning of October, aged 68. "B" Company members will be saddened by this news as Tommy was a great favourite in that Company. Small but sinewy he kept up with the best of us until he was knocked down by a car a few years ago. The subsequent loss of his wife was a great blow to him and he had been going down-hill for some time. Nevertheless, he turned up last Anzac Day and marched some of the distance. He was proud of his old unit and loved to yarn with his "B" Coy mates every opportunity he had. Every person in B Coy. joins with the Association in expressing sympathy to his next-of-kin. **** Our old and valued friend HERB PRATLEY of "Yarras", Bathurst has passed on. Herb was the dedicated custodian of our Roadside Memorial Cairn on Limekilns Road, Bathurst, since its unveiling on 23rd November, 1957. Devotedly, year after year he tended this landmark to our dead comrades and by so doing truly became an honorary member of our exclusive 2/30 Bn., family. He was host to 2/30th fellows on their visits to Bathurst on many occasions and threw open his beautiful property on Winbourndale Rivulet for a super barbecue lunch as part of our Bathurst Reunion Programme last year. We mourn the loss of this grand old man and express our deepest sympathy to the surviving members of his family. Bruce Pratt, D Coy, represented the Bn. Association at the funeral. **** We also express our deep sympathy to ERIC ARPS whose father died suddenly in October, aged 75. And to Vera, wife of BOB NEWMAN, who recently lost her mother, our sincere condolences. **** SICK PARADE On the date of our Reunion so far as Kevin Ward knew no 2/30 Bn. man was in Concord. Since last MAKAN Jim Hall, HQ Coy, Jack Bremner, HQ Coy, Arnold Truscott, HQ Coy, and Albert Parsons BHQ were discharged and Richard "Bob" Skinner HQ Coy and Walter "Darkie" Douglas, D Coy, transferred to Lady Davidson Hospital. "Darkie" now over 70 is not well. He has not been himself since he lost his wife nearly two years ago. **** LES HALL, H.Q. Coy, sent in a remittance to boost funds. He has always taken a real interest in Battalion affairs and has a genuine regard for the welfare of our Unit Association. Both Les and his wife have lately been in very indifferent health. We hope they have since recovered their lost vigour and will be bursting with better health before the end of 1970. **** Ruth, wife of KEITH MULHOLLAND, D. Coy, wrote in from Narrandera for a Bn. tie to ensure Keith would be regimentally dressed for the Reunion on 21st November. They had chosen wisely to make their holidays coincide with the Reunion. I think Ruth would have enjoyed coming along too and meeting the wives of Keith's mates. Something for us to think about for future gatherings of this nature. ***** ERIC STONE, H.Q. Coy., with the United Distillers Company (KING GEORGE IV OLD SCOTCH WHISKY) can boast about the prowess of his two boys in sport and scholarship. Son Jim, 23, plays 1st grade UNION with Eastern Suburbs and as a schoolboy represented the State in League code on three occasions. He is at present employed by the Commonwealth Bank at Rushcutters Bay Branch. Greg, 19, also a dedicated and prominent Eastern Suburbs Union footballer in the junior grades is doing his second year Arts course at N.S.W. University on a Teachers' College Scholarship and is majoring in Economics and History. Both boys have played grade cricket and Jim has played a lot of baseball with a leading team. Both are also keen golfers and members of Woollahra Golf Club. Their old man is an avid spectator of his sons' ball games. Himself a great sportsman in his day, we recall the time he won the 100 yards and 440 yards Cups at the first anniversary sports meeting of the Bn. at Batu Pahat in November, 1941. **** LLOYD STUART, D Coy. How quickly the years fly. Lloyd is now nearly 57 - just past the half-way mark, but still seeking honours and still getting them. He recently won a couple of major golfing trophies and has had his handicap reduced back to 6. He loves the game of course, the competition, and the personal challenge despite the torture it entails at times. Lloyd's recuperative powers are not so good as they used to be. He has his "off" days from time to time. **** BILL GILLIGAN, B Coy, enclosed subs - "plus balance to dispose of how you wish". Thanks for the money Bill but why no news ? We should like some information about fellows writing in to pass on to their old mates. How's your golf these days, Bill? **** CLYDE BLENCOWE, D Coy, Tumbarumba personality, appreciates receiving MAKAN and backed his approval of our Association journal with a tangible contribution towards its continuance. **** A generous and stout-hearted Queenslander member of our Association has sent in $25.00 with the request that it be put into Bn. funds anonymously. **** RAY GODBOLT, D Coy, writing from Merewether, gave MAKAN honourable mention and sent in a remittance with his expressions of approval. He reported having met Harry Griffis, Bruce Campbell, Tom Dare and Jack Clune at a Taree reunion dinner last August where it is apparent a good time was had by all. Ray was set on coming to the Reunion when he wrote. We hope he will make it. **** ARTHUR ROBERTS, C Coy, has a sizeable grazing property running over 400 head of cattle approximately an hour's run by car from Grafton. He and 17-year-old son, Garry, work their cattle from the old property homestead and return to the family's Grafton home at week-ends and usually for a night in mid-week. Arthur is a prominent cattle man in the Coaldale area just as Fred Winters, D Coy, of The Gorge, Towgan Grange, is the Number One cattle man in the Fine Flower area about 12 miles as the crow flies from the Roberts' acres. Joyce Roberts moved into Grafton many years ago for the sake of the family's secondary education (there were 5 of them to put through school) and Arthur finds town life, with opportunity for occasional fishing forays on the well-stocked Clarence River, to his liking. Eldest daughter Karalyn is 22 and married. She has 2 boys and Arthur is proud of his grandfather hood. Robyn, 20, is a hairdresser at Forster; Garry, 17, has followed in his father's footsteps; Janeen, 14, is in 2nd Form at Grafton High School and Selwyn, 8, at primary school. The Roberts' are birthday happy in November, no less than four birthdays in the family falling between the 7th and the 20th of the month. Arthur undertook to join the Association when I spoke to him. We have pleasure in welcoming him as a new member and hope he will be able to join us at some future Anzac Day or Bn. Reunion function. **** MRS. MILDRED COLLETT in thanking Bessie Ellis for sending her copies of MAKAN has sent $5.00 to the Association to help the funds' position. Mrs. Collett mentioned the loss of two sons who were together in the 2/30 Bn., and the loss of another son on the Burma Railway who was a member of the 2/3 M.T. Unit. We in "B" Coy well remember her sons - Fred, who together with "Kiwi" Bland and others of "B" Coy was killed by the Japs at Muar, and Arthur, who died of wounds in the Cathay at Singapore the day after the capitulation. Both Fred and Artie were typical of the type of well-trained soldier found in the 8th Division, steadfast in action and eager to do their share of duties when the going was tough. Mrs. Collett's younger son, a schoolboy when his brothers passed on, is now happily married and lives at Sans Souci. His wife and daughters, Helen and Julie, are a wonderful tonic to their mother-in-law and grandmother. Mrs. Collett, Snr. says they have been marvellous, to her. **** Donations, thanks and appreciative remarks have flowed in to Bessie Ellis regarding MAKAN. From many sources, it is evident our publication is filling a need, and is a popular media for maintaining the Battalion spirit. As Ward Booth said in a recent letter, "We all knew the importance of "communications" during the war. It is an interesting thought that most members find it no less so today". Thanks, good wishes, congratulations and funds (most gratifying to those who produce and despatch Makan) have come from Mrs. Mary Cohen, widow of Lew, HQ Coy, Gwyneth and Mick Lovell, Jock McDougall, Blair Taylor, A. McK. (Don) Garner and Dudley Bushby as well as from others mentioned in this Makan. Don "Lieut" Garner, lost for the past two years, wrote from Nambucca Heads to say he moved to Nambucca two years ago and was away overseas all last year. He has changed his address many times in the past 25 years. **** Mrs. Rose Ball, widow of the late FRANK BALL, HQ Coy., who was an original member of 2/30 Bn., and transferred to 27 Aust. Inf. Bde, H. Q. on 15/10/41, but returned to his mother unit after a brief period away from it, has written from England enclosing 5 pounds towards Association funds and to ensure "we shall be getting Makan for a long time to come". Extracting from her letter - Mrs. Ball says - " I am only doing what Frank would have done as I know how proud he was to belong to the 2/30 Battalion. I notice you have shown Frank as 2/15 Field Regiment in issues of Makan and think there is some misunderstanding along the line. He was discharged as 2/30 Bn., and though he was cooking for another unit for a time he reverted back to the 2/30th and believe me I know he was very proud to belong to the 2/30th. Some of his mates, one of whom was Merv Geoghegan could confirm this". (Yes, Mrs. Ball we apologise for our mistake. We, I, mistook your late husband for the late Frank Ball of the 2/15th Field Regiment who was very well-known to many members of the 2/30 Bn., Ed.) **** PHIL PAGET, B Coy, on a recent tour of our Malayan battlefields with his wife Dorothy suffered a severe heart attack and was admitted to a Malayan Hospital in Penang. Hearing of his plight the R.A.A.F. at Butterworth transferred him to the expert care and attention of the R.A.A.F. Hospital and offered to fly both Phil and Dorothy back to Australia. Dorothy, however, returned by ship and Phillip was flown back to Australia by R.A.A.F. transport plane. Our Association was happy to send a letter of thanks to the R.A.A.F. in Malaya for their kindness to one of our men. Their action typifies the quality of our forces serving abroad and gives the lie to those who seek to vilify those who have elected to serve their country. **** Few could be more enthusiastic about their 2/30 Bn. friends than Ron Chipps, C Coy. Who better equipped with a zest for living could take a week off for a pub crawl with old mates than R.L.C. Prominent and successful in his sphere of the engineering profession, and active as a leader over many years in Sydney Legacy, Ron has made a significant contribution to the welfare of youth requiring help and guidance and has in all things been motivated by national interest. He has always put gusto into whatever he has done, kept up with old Bn., friends and has demonstrated in all things the excellence that possibly resulted from his years of training and association with "Galleghan's Greyhounds". We delight in quoting from a newsy letter of his that reached Bessie Ellis about the time the last issue of Makan went to the printers. "I took a week off in July and set off north solo. I spent two nights in Brisbane and four with the Riches at Brunswick Heads. Quite a hectic week but I enjoyed it immensely. I lunched (and drank) with the effervescent Jock Logan at Burleigh Heads. Jock looks well, his business seems to be improving and his chief complaint was that someone had run into his utility stationary outside his shop - a write-off. In Brisbane, lunch with Colin O'Donnell looking his usual dapper self - he was off to the bush the following day with Kath who was just recovering from a bout of pneumonia following flu. Tommy Grant and I drowned our sorrows at Murwillumbah R.S.L. Club. Tommy and his wife and family look well and happy - an advertisement for the Northern Rivers. Harry Riches and I did a bit of visiting as you can imagine. In Lismore we caught up with Harry Teasdale and Alec Olley and wives. Harry is T.P.I. but cheerful and was about to move from the farm to a house in East Lismore. We called on Noel Hampton and his wife in Ballina - they'd sold their grocery business and were to move to Sydney in August. We had afternoon tea with Joe Johnson and family and several drinks with Fred Arnett and Stan Scarrabellotti (A.A.S.C.) in Mullumbimby. Fred wants it known that he now has the pub in Coraki and welcomes visitors. We called on Carl Sinclair (holidaying with his son who works in the Bank of N.S.W. at Mullumbimby). No trip around that area could be complete without seeing Os Jackson at Binna Burra (he was painting the front fence when we arrived and he's NOT getting any thinner) and Ernie McNiven at Bangalow. Ernie produced for inspection his "book" of Changi - containing a nominal roll of 2/30th deaths, 2000 recipes written in by Alec Campbell and a collection of poems and ballads - if Ron Stoner wants more of these Ernie sure has them. On the way home I lunched with the Sweeney's at Rappville. Ron was well but obviously worried like everyone else over the prolonged drought. All sent their best wishes, particularly Harry and Dot Riches. I told Dot that Harry had been selected to carry the banner next Anzac Day and she said she'd see he turned up. I must say that last Anzac Day was the most satisfying I've ever spent and Harry agreed with me. I hope we can repeat the programme next year". **** Shirley Osmond, widow of George, who passed away in September came to the Bathurst Unveiling Ceremony with her two sons Ken (ex 6th Australian Regiment) and Geoff and Ken's girl friend. They were all were all stirred and impressed by the ceremony and enjoyed the whole experience. Mrs. Osmond said in her letter, "We were all very honoured to be introduced to Sir Frederick and to some of George's mates who made us glad we had made the trip to Bathurst. I would like to thank the 2/30th men who visited George in Hospital, those who came to pay their last tribute to him, and for all the help and advice given me. Our special thanks to Sir Frederick, Allan Pryde, Bob Jack and the person responsible for the lovely piece in the last Makan about George. Once again, thank you to a wonderful band of people". **** JOHN KORSCH, C Coy, is addicted to his lapidary pursuits and in his spare time from carpentering, travels long distances in search of gem stones to polish, arrange and display just for the joy of it. At the Gem Display in the recent Jacaranda Festival in Grafton he won eight first prizes and attracted a lot of publicity in the local press for his perfection in the craft. His son, Russell, B.Sc., Dip. Ed., 23, is an experienced potter, just for the fun of it too, and has an impressive collection of his beautiful pottery productions. He is an Honours Science Student in Geology and is at present doing a thesis for his Doctorate of Philosophy degree on the structural geology of a large slice of Northern N.S.W., extending inland from the coast. Son Ken, 20, is a 2nd year student at Armidale Teachers' College, while Barry, 17, is in 6th year at Grafton High School and Veronica 15, is in 3rd Form. **** Joyce, wife of LES PARFREY, D Coy, sending in subs, wrote to say Les is well and enjoys reading MAKAN. She says, "We have a farm half-way between Deniliquin and Finley and have two teenage daughters. Les' brother George, (D Coy) has retired (he also had a farm in this area) and he and his wife now live at 21 Younger St., Wangaratta, Victoria. George also keeps good health and enjoys his golf. We quite often see Alan Cameron (C Coy) who is also in this area". It is good to know these two veterans of "F" Force, George is nearly 66 and Les is 58, are both well. **** Amongst those who sent in donations and/or subs since last MAKAN was "Gentleman George" Ramsay, who thanks the Makan team for valiant efforts on behalf of the Bn. Association; "Doc" Wilson who will be seeing everyone at the Reunion; Fred Arnett's wife giving thanks for Makan and telling us Fred has bought a hotel at Coraki, likes it, and is being helped by his Dad and wife in running the house; Neil Huntley bragging about the beauty of his beloved Port Macquarie and lamenting that too many people are finding it out and overcrowding the place, and from Vince Leonard saying he's not doing much on the piano these days. **** JACK BOSS, our Association Treasurer, is back in circulation and looking his old self, but knows he has to take things easier than he did of yore. His growing and enterprising family is very much awake and keeps Jack and Cecilie aware that they are alive. Sue, 21 now, is a Technical College Teacher and shoots off to a country assignment, probably in the Riverina area, early next year. Jan, 19, is a Stockbroker's Secretary and quite experienced in the business world, Greg, 14, a third former, is wrapped up in his school's Cadet Corps, in which he is a Sergeant and looking forward to a ten days' camp at Singleton this month. **** STUART PEACH writing to President Arch from the Australian Embassy, Vientiane, Laos, quoting himself as "one of MAKAN'S most appreciative readers", sent in a substantial donation to help with the finances. He spent 1968 in Vietnam and has been in Laos since. He says, "South East Asia is in a most interesting situation and keeps a Military Attaché well and truly on the job". He added, "My occupation seems to have mixed me up with several wars since Singapore which I fear is fast fading into antiquity and many young soldiers I serve with from time to time were not even born then. However, Singapore was my first big adventure and I am aware of the tremendous influence that my association with 2/30 Bn. has had upon me. The war may be fading but not my warmth for all its members. Depending upon military developments in this part of the world, I expect to get home for a few weeks' leave some time in December. I will be at Canberra, Bankstown Airfield and the South Coast most of the time but hope to see something of the chaps". He sent regards to all, especially the Old Man, and best wishes for the Reunion on 21st November. **** Neither CARL ODGERS, HQ Coy, who is approaching 70 years of age nor TOM ROCKETT, C Coy, who will be 60 before the end of the year are well. It is our hope they will renew their strength and face the New Year with better prospects of good health. **** The Liberal Party's N.S.W. Senate candidates, Senator Ken Anderson and former party secretary John Carrick, are more than just running mates. Each spent three and a half years as P.O.W. At one stage, they were in the same compound at Changi. Each was an officer in the 8th Div. **** RON EATON, BHQ., Managing Director of Overseas Containers Australia Pty. Ltd., has been appointed Chairman of the company. His appointment was announced on 10th November by the Chairman of Overseas Containers Ltd., London, Sir Andrew Crichton who is at present visiting Australia. Prior to joining O.C.A.L. Ron was a senior executive of Birt & Co., Shipping Agents, for many years. Ron, who has always evidenced outstanding administrative capacity, was, together with the late Norm Macauley and "Johnny" Walker, awarded an M.B.E. for the great job he did whilst a P.O.W. He was born at Lismore and educated at North Sydney Boys' High School. A keen sportsman, he is a life member of the N.S.W. Cricket Association and Mosman Cricket Club. **** Over the years, I have maintained a desultory correspondence with a former British Army Commander of an Indian Regiment, Colonel Gilbert, who lives in the Jersey Islands. We were together associated with a group of Toc H fellows who formed up at Changi and met regularly in the gaol. In a recent letter to me he alluded flatteringly to the military record of the 2/30 Bn., and "B.J." remarking about "B.J.", "He was a fine C.O. and kept you Aussies in order". He went on to say, "I was in Edinburgh the other day. My Q.M. and great friend in Changi is now a messenger in the National Library of Scotland. He has made an extensive collection of various Changi records and they have been tabulated and typed, etc., and put in the vaults for ever - but obtainable on request in five minutes. Is Padre Jones still alive? My son passed out of Sandhurst on 30th July. He seems to like the Army life ? Many thanks for the copy of Makan. I shall send it to Edinburgh to be kept with the other records". CHRISTMAS PARTY The 'PURPLE & GOLD CLUB', formerly the 2/30th Battalion Comforts Fund will hold their ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY on Thursday, DECEMBER 10th at the INDIAN TEA CENTRE, 176 Pitt Street, Sydney at 3 p. m. A cordial invitation is extended to all members. Please phone 969.5249 if you can attend. Hostess will be Mrs. M. JENKINS. Mothers, wives and next-of-kin please phone Mrs. Jenkins now and say you'll be there. It's going to be the same sort of happy get-together Mrs. Jenkins has organised in previous years. After the end of the War a deep bond of friendship existed between the ladies who worked so hard for us. They have since carried on with regular monthly Luncheons and Christmas parties. **** EIGHTH DIVISION WAR MEMORIAL, BATHURST A formal record of the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial and the following Reunion is available in the form of an illustrated brochure. Many of you have already received copies of this attractive and historical document. Additional copies are available from Bessie Ellis for 30 cents including postage. In ordering please state clearly name and initials, full address and post code. Please pass on the above information to ex-members of the 2/30th who are not members of the 2/30 Bn. Association. There are quite a number of them we would like to welcome as members of the Association. In case you don't know, the Membership joining fee is $1.50 , which includes cost of the 2/30 Bn. Association badge, plus a subscription of $1.00 per annum to cover cost of 6 issues of MAKAN, etc. Life membership is available at a cost of $10.00. **** BOWLERS A 2/30 Battalion Bowling Day is coming up at the Wentworthville Bowling Club. Would all bowlers please telephone John Kreckler at 519. 1755 and obtain details of date and time. It will be on either a Saturday or Sunday early in February - arrangements are in hand and will be concluded by the time this MAKAN reaches you. The plan is to arrive by 10.30 a. m., play 10 or 20 ends and enjoy a pleasant luncheon together. PLEASE PHONE 519. 1755 NOW AND NOMINATE YOURSELF. **** REUNION JOTTINGS Heard from Clarence the Clocker over Channel 9 on the morning of 21st November - "A lot of you know Roly Moore known to his army mates as "Porky". His old battalion the 2/30th., one of the finest to leave Australia is having its reunion dinner at the Hotel Australia at 6.30 p.m. tonight. Come along in your hundreds and meet your old mates again" *** KEITH BROUGHTON, HQ Coy, holidaying on Norfolk Island met the father of LAURIE QUINTAL, HQ Coy Sigs, who died of Beri Beri and Dysentery in Burma Hospital in 1943. Laurie, a popular member of the unit, was a direct descendant of one of the "Bounty" mutineers. Keith described Laurie's father as a grand old Melanesian gentleman. Keith was made welcome by his family of daughters and his grandchildren. A monument on the island records that 10 Quintals fought in the first World War and 4 in the last. **** GORDON McKNIGHT's son, Ken, is doing his final exams as an Auto Electrician and his daughter Marilyn 22, is abroad on a two-year working holiday. She left on the "Australis" which caught fire, necessitating 5 or 6 days in Fiji before the ship could proceed to Acapulco, Mexico for major repairs. Gordon thinks she's still dawdling on the ship at Acapulco. JACK ELLIS had hoped to make the Reunion but the wheat ripened sooner than expected and he had to remain home. L.F. "Darby" YOUNG has been promoted to Senior Accounts Inspector at the H.O. of the Forestry Commission and is now domiciled in Ashfield. Son, Paul, is a Stock Exchange Operator with Patrick Partners and daughter Ann, still in Coffs Harbour has two sons, Brad and Todd. ERNIE ROSS recently became a grandfather for the first time. HARRY HEAD was a welcome arrival at the Reunion and looks well. His daughter Maureen has 4 children and younger daughter Julie is employed by the "Wales". His son, Jock, 24, who was schooled at "Scots" Bathurst is a commercial pilot with Adastra and is making aerial surveys in the Woomera area just now. FRANK PURVIS, employed by Consolidated Press, is obviously well looked after by his wife and family. He looks fit enough to push a train over. His daughter Lesly, 21, is a school teacher, Susan 19, a trainee school teacher, Douglas 16 is in 4th year and Mark, 9, is flat out to catch up to his elder brother and sisters. GEORGE WINCHESTER has two daughters. Paula 22, a typist/stenographer and Donna 21, a budding biologist with C.S.R. Len "Baldy" BARNES was written up in a recent issue of The Women's Weekly. He turned up at the Reunion looking the picture of health and alertness. His four daughters are all married so he is now an experienced grandpa. He brought greetings from VIC "Speed" GORDON who, he says, is as cheeky and chirpy as ever, but his wife is in indifferent health. JOE GEOGHEGAN and his wife are good doers for their country. They have brought up 5 jolly fine Australians and now have a sizeable batch of grandchildren. Their daughter Val has 7 children, Ruth 20 is married, Dianne 23, works for Envelope Manufacturers and Judith 22, with the Rural Bank, while son Ross, 18, is with the R.A.A.F. at Wagga. GOING TROPPO An effort by one of the boys of the 2/30th whilst on War Service in Malaya. The rain, the heat, the
palm trees swaying, The staghorns on the
trees are growing, Yes dear, I'm always of
you thinking, And now the sun is slowly
setting, THE LITTLE ROOM Corp. T.H. Higgins, H.Q. Coy. There's a little room at
the end of the hut It's no good putting over
tales If you want to keep your
pay book free I've sifted all the
chances It's a wonder no-one woke
up VALEDICTORY GREETINGS In this my swan song, I want to thank all those who have co-operated to keep MAKAN going throughout 1970. The contributors of cash and copy, the printers, and particularly Bessie Ellis and her daughter Cecilie who have made things so easy for me. To all of them and to you, young and old, who have read MAKAN, and I hope enjoyed reading about real Australians, I wish a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. Ron Stoner, Editor. Back to 1970 index or Main Index |