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Makan – No. 57 Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Assn Patron: Brig. F.G. Galleghan, D.S.O.,
O.B.E., E.D. Dear Dig, It is with deep regret that we record this month the deaths of two of our former comrades. Bluey McNeil, ex Corporal of H.Q. Coy, and Greg Madden late of A. Coy, died during July. Bluey McNeil was at one time connected with the Officer's mess and was well known to most of H.Q. Coy. He was sent away on A Force and for this reason he was not as well known a others who remained with the main body of the Unit. He died as a result of malnutrition and debility suffered during P.O.W. years. The Association was well represented at the funeral, Jack Grossmith, Mick Lovell and Arthur Overett being present. It is a good thing to think that some of our lads are always ready to go to a great deal of inconvenience to pay their respects in such a case. Greg Madden of A. Coy, was one who suffered a different reaction to most of us whilst he was a P.O.W. He was an exceptionally good living chap and it is sad to think that he met his death by accident when he was only thirty nine years of age. Due to the fact that the funeral was at nine thirty in the morning and we were unable to obtain prior information about it we were not represented at the funeral itself. However, our condolences were of course conveyed to the next of kin. This year we have had four deaths in the Unit personnel. It is a forerunner of course of what must eventually come to all of us, but still, it makes one think, doesn't it? We must express our sincere thanks to Jackie Goodwin for the manner in which he helped us by carting the kegs of beer to and from the Annual General Meeting (meeting will be reported next month). We are most grateful to him for his action, and desire to express our keen appreciation. Syd Kirschler has just returned from a trip to Brisbane, to his property at Forbes. He is carving a stake for himself as most of our country boys are as against the form of most of our city dwellers who cannot raise the price of a steak. Syd is a married man and has had a real battle against floods and other adversity since he returned home. However, he is on the way now to better times and we hope that he makes all the fortunes he requires. Jimmy Parsons of Katoomba is another Lifer. "It saves all the trouble of trying to remember to post those wretched postal notes" said Jim. Jim is married to a very lovely girl, and has been just as happy go lucky since he returned home as he was in Malaya. Cec Farrar now has a house of his own and a peptic ulcer. The ulcer goes with the house and was brought about by extreme worry whilst he was trying to build the crimson thing. Everybody concerned had a lash at him from the builder to the plumber's labourer but it is all over now and he is able to sit back and contemplate the finished job. The maddening part is that when he does sit back and rest a little he immediately begins to remember the robbers and thieves who built the house and this brings on an attack of the ulcer, it’s a vicious circle and we can see no hope for poor old Cec. Ray Donald has had his share of hookworm treatment but he’s got little to growl about really as he is happily married, possesses two lovely sons and is living in his own home. Jock Maclean is in the big time, always pays his 5/- subs no more than a year late, and keeps good health. Charlie Golledge and his wife wrote us a very moving letter in which they told us that during the last year they have shifted their residence eleven times. They almost got to the stage of buying a caravan but are quite happy now as they have only one more move to make and that will be into their own home. It is a long time since we have had the pleasure of hearing of Jack Chatfield of A Coy. He writes at last that he is still in the building trade and cannot find enough days in the week in which to work. That is typical of Jack and it is a pity for our house hungry people that there were not a few thousand Jack Chatfield’s around. Jack is well and is now living at Cairns, North Queensland. He writes that he saw Tommy Steele some time ago, Tom is in the pink. We also hear that Peter Harper of Don. Coy. now living: in Queensland, recently went to Hobart for a holiday. Harry Wilson of Collaroy sends along his subs but neglects to tell us of himself. We received an interesting letter from Reg Napper of D. Coy. Reg has spent the last two years building his own house and it meant almost every weekend together with his holidays. He was ably assisted by his wife of course and now that they have shifted into the house they both do a little painting at night. Any member of the unit will always be assured of a welcome at Reg’s home, his address is Lane Cove and the Epping bus 290 which leaves Wynyard practically stops at the front door. Reg is a strong member of the C.M.F. and is the C.S.M. of B. Coy, 17-18th Bn at North Sydney. We doubt if a better man could be found for the job than Reg and we hope that he goes a long way in this hobby which is so important to Australia at the moment. Bob Wright of Chippendale who is still a member of the Forces usually gathers a few of, the Sigs together after the Anzac Day march and makes a nice little day of it. This routine is very simple, a few drinks in town, home to a simple lunch of fried rice and whitebait, off to his local Sgts. Mess for a few nogs in comfort then back homes for tea with a few bottles to follow. It sounds quite an idea for the Sigs, and next year any Sig. would be welcome to participate. Les Hall is trying also to arrange a little Sig. show in conjunction with Bob Wright and would like to contact any of his platoon. His address is Parramatta. Mention of the word Sig, brings back memories of that dreadful Sig-something-scope (can't spell it) which was so often in evidence during Changi days. It should have been called a Sig-murderer-scope. Doughy White is still in the baking game and is in good fettle. He is very happily married of course and has little to growl about in this land of shortages, blackouts, rackets, and poor quality beer. We rarely hear from Frank Jones of Victoria Park, Western Australia. He is still one of our supporters and writes that he has been married for two years now and has been lucky enough to be blessed with a daughter who is now eleven months old. Frank has been building his own home for eighteen months but has been living in it since Christmas and it is now almost finished. He considers himself to be a No. 1 Painter now and with such practice he probably is. We have received a letter from Mrs E.M. Noble, of Temora in which she desired to purchase a copy of the Unit History. Mrs Noble was the wife of our deceased cobber Sergeant Dick Noble. If any member feels so disposed to make a gesture and donate their copy to Mrs. Noble would he please get in touch with us. We received an interesting letter from Val Henning. He is one of the present day pioneers, one could say, as he is growing peanuts at Katherine, in the Northern Territory. Better than just growing nuts he is making money from them and it is good to see such enterprise succeed. The Annual Ball of the Eighth Division to be held at the Leagues Ballroom, 165 Phillip Street, will take place on Friday, 24th August, this year. It is very unfortunate that this Ball is so close to our own Ball this year but. we strongly urge you to patronise it if, you can manage to attend two within the one week. Tickets are 15/- per head and may be obtained from Miss M. Puddicombe at BU1260., SUBSCRIPTIONS, is a word which intrigues us very much. Every time I see the word I think of the ridiculously low sum of five shillings which is all that the Association requires from its members to keep its head above water. It is amazing to think that the annual fee is only five bob but more amazing still is the fact that SOME OF YOU VERY FORGETFUL GENTS HAVE NOT PAID THIS YEAR. Now what about it? If you can't remember to send it yourself then for heaven's sake tell your wives about it. THEY always come good. Some people of course are more forgetful than others. The record as far as we are concerned is held by George Brown of A. Coy who actually filled in an application form to join the Association, in December, 1948. On the original form he stated that he had a little girl two years of age. The amended form now shows a girl of too and a half years and a boy of two years. Anyway George is now a Member. As a farmer and grazier, George is now well on the way to becoming fairly comfortable after three years of hard toil on a block which was completely bare of house, sheds, subdivision, fences or improvements of any kind to begin with. For the first eighteen months George lived in a tent and saw his wife and baby only every fortnight, he now has a cottage built and thinks that the main part of his worries are over. We hope to hear more from George in the future and perhaps see him down to a reunion one of these days. Our last word about the ANNUAL BALL. If you have not yet bought or ordered your tickets than do so at once by ringing Reg Ellis at XB4293 or Johnny Parsons at BW4401. The success of the Ball depends upon the members and we urge you to bring along large parties if you can. If you neglect to buy your tickets until the last then came along anyhow because there is always room for another party at our Ball. It is impressed upon you again that the dress is strictly as you like it yourself. You will be correctly dressed in anything from tails to a lap lap. Bring your own medicine, of course, as it is unobtainable on the premises. Don't forget the date and place, THE NEW DUNGOWAN RESTAURANT, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY, ON FRIDAY, 17TH AUGUST. See you at the Ball, Cheerio, STAN ARNEIL. Back to 1951 index or Main Index |