Makan – No. 75
1st February, 1953

Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Assn

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

We would like you to know how much we appreciated those little cards and Xmas Greetings. It is good to hear from our members and we do get a kick out of it.

We hear that Ashley Pascoe is doing rather well, like most of us in a rather modest way. He was married in 1947 and since then has been sharing a house with other people, but has now purchased a block of land in the Campsie district. The block has all the right things such as sewerage, kerbs and gutters and so on, so perhaps the wait was worth it. Ashley hopes to build a house this year and, if he can manage it, then his little cup of happiness will be well filled. We mention one little point that Ashley does not usually find time to attend our functions and, for this reason, he sent along a couple of pounds to be used for welfare work or as we think fit. It was a nice gesture and the money will be used in the right way.

It was nice to hear of Vic Gordon again. In the old days one couldn't help but bear the brute for, with a voice of that timbre, the sound pursued one for a hundred yards. Vic and his wife, Jeanne, are good Association members and good company too and as some prosperity seems to have come their way, they sent down a nice little gift, together with a Life membership and just to make it all legal, a shilling to cover any exchange. Their extra cheque will help to swell the welfare fund and their Life membership will help to maintain us in a reasonably good financial position. The Gordon's, in their last letter, told us of their plans to spend a holiday at Ballina, and if they do so, then they will fall over our chaps on every corner. Vic may drop in on Laddie Newlands, who should match him glass for glass and, in my opinion, will leave Vic well behind. Anyway, both the Gordon's are keen fishermen and there are plenty of fish to be caught on the North Coast. It was pleasant to hear from them and we hope that they make a trip to Sydney again one of these days. Wouldn't there be a riot if Vic turned up at one of our reunions.

Stan Desmet, ex Band, sends along his subs from Junee, where he is living. He is well, but forgets to add much news in his letter.

Porky Moore is still around. He lives at Brighton le Sands.

Lennie Lansdown, now living at Summer Hill, was unfortunate to have his house burgled some time ago. It was apparent that they were looking for Len's Association Badge, which they stole. There was a suit attached to the Badge at the time and they took that also, plus most of his other clothes.

Ernie Ross, once of Bogan Gate and now of Auburn is up to date with his subs again, in fact he has paid for years ahead. Ernie will never be well again, but at least his spirits are up in the air.

We had the great pleasure of renewing acquaintance recently with Phil Bailey, ex H.Q. Coy. Phil is just as delightful company now as he was when we knew him before. He is living in Lithgow and, by material standards, is doing very well indeed. He is interested in mining and in haulage and is making a success of his part. For some time Phil was managing the R.S.L. Club at Lithgow and, in a short time, he had rebuilt the Club, placed it well on its feet financially, and made it a model Club. He is very keen on R.S.L. work and advocates all returned man joining it. By our standards, we consider that  Phil has still a long way to go as he is not yet married and, as such, is compelled to live in boarding houses and pubs, a poor substitute for the joys and comforts of one's own home.

The Association extends its congratulations to Jack and Lorraine Black on the birth of their second baby, a daughter, who has been called Heather. Their first baby was Peter, so they now have a pigeon pair and it would be hard to find a nicer couple of children. Jack is one of those people who sleep in banks from nine till four on week days and from nine till eleven on Saturdays, after which, refreshed and contented, he returns to his home at Manly and puts in a couple of strenuous hours at the end of a paint brush or shovel.

We have frequently asked you to donate copies of the Unit's History to various libraries. We have a letter from the New York Public Library asking for a copy. An extract of the letter is as follows:

"This Library has a unique collection of the American World War 11 regimental histories, some 1600 titles. We are supplementing this collection with the similar publications of our Allies. With the single exception of Galleghan's Greyhounds, the Library now has a complete collection of the Australian histories. An order with our Australian Agent brought the report that the publication was out of print. It is too early to find a copy in a second hand shop. At the suggestion of the Australian War Memorial I am writing to you with the thought that an appeal might be made to your membership. It is possible that a member may have a spare copy which he will be willing to pass on to this institution......"

That is the extract from the. letter, the rest is up to you. If you care to donate a copy, full particulars of your name and address will be inscribed on the copy by the Library. We will send the book along for you.

ANZAC DAY MARCH AND WAR MEDALS

At the last Annual General Meeting, the question of wearing war medals for the March was brought up. The Executive have discussed the matter at length and it has been decided to ask you to write to the Officer in Charge of War Medals, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, and ask for your medals. State your regimental number, rank and address on enlistment. However, it takes a long time to get your medals and even if you write now you probably will not get them back for Anzac Day. On enquiry the Executive has found that the number of our members who have already received their medals is very much in the minority so, for this year at least, the Executive recommend that, for the sake of uniformity or as much uniformity as we can expect, all Association members wear their Association badges (if you have lost your badge write to Reg Ellis for a new one) and non members of the Association wear the Returned From Active Service Badge, known as the Jew's Harp.

JANUARY 14th

This year the anniversary of the entry of the battalion and the A.I.F. into the Japanese war was celebrated by the laying of wreaths on the Cenotaph, during the lunch hour. It was a very simple ceremony and, for the first time, the 2/15th Field Reg. Assoc. also participated. It is a good thing that the 2/15th were with us on this occasion as the anniversary is just as significant to them as to us. The day did not pass without comment from the daily papers and was also mentioned over the national news bulletin of the A.B.C.

FEBRUARY 15th

In accordance with your wishes, as expressed at the last Annual General Meeting, our Association will not be officially represented at any public commemoration of this day or at any reunion which may be held about that time. The Association, of course, will be represented at commemorative church services held on that day. For the third successive year, the Old Man has been asked to lead ex Eighth Division men at Melbourne in a march to be held in connection with February 15th. In replying to them, he has explained his reasons for his refusal to march on this day, which is the anniversary of perhaps one of the greatest defeats the British Army ever suffered. As a thought, you may be interested to know that at present in Singapore we have heard that the Communists regard the date of the 15th Feb as a day of special rejoicing. On that day they grasp the opportunity of reminding the natives of the defeat of the British Army in 1942.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This year the Annual General Meeting will be held at the Drill Hall, Arncliffe, on the second Friday in March (13/3/53). We would like you to remember this date as the 'regulars' consider that the annual meeting is the cosiest reunion of the year. The general meeting is the only decent opportunity you have of unburdening yourself of your pet grouch and, from past experience, we must admit that members are not backward in voicing their complaints or suggestions.

ANNUAL BALL

We remind you once again of the Annual Ball which will take place at the Coronet Restaurant, near Wynyard Station, on Saturday 6th June. Johnny Parsons has gone to a lot of trouble to arrange the Ball at the Restaurant as expenses at previous balls have climbed too high for us with our small membership. He has requested that those of you who can manage, should come along with as large a party as possible to ensure that we reach our guaranteed attendance and that we hold the Ball at a small profit rather than a loss. This Ball is held only that the wives and friends of the members may share in our good fellowship at least once a year. Make this Ball the most successful to date.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

Yes it is on again, but this time we are in earnest. If you are not a Life Member, please post your 5/- subscription to us without delay. Better still, make it 10/- and cover yourself for two years, for those few who did not pay last year, then you have made a profit of 5/- because we do not charge for past years, but ours is a compact family so help us to maintain our finances and post this year's subs in to us TODAY. For those who are desirous of becoming Life Members, a cheque for £5.5.0 will end your worries.

Please make all cheques, money orders and postal notes payable to Reg Ellis, Hunter's Hill.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL

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