Circular No. 123
June/July, 1957

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

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

Bert Farr of Rose Bay, sends best wishes to all, as does Arthur Isaacs of Bankstown.

Alan Cameron of Deniliquin, has popped up after an absence of some years. Alan has married, for which we congratulate him, and has a small daughter, for which we congratulate both Alan and his wife. Alan has settled down and wants to roam no more.

The Association extends to Jim Walshe of Mosman, sincere congratulations on his wedding in February. Jim is a good lad and will make a grand husband. Members wish that every happiness will come the way of this couple.

Joe Roxburgh of Crows Nest, has been in ill health for some considerable time and is only now getting back to normal. We hope that his spell of bad luck has finished and that he will do better in the future; he certainly deserves it.

A letter from Don Sutherland of Bowen, contained names which stirred up some memories for me and probably will for you. He mentioned the Great World, Raffles Girls’ School, The Bottle Yard, Old Indian Camp, Nestles, Fraser and Neave, and the I.J.A. Gardens. Do you know, I hadn't thought of those places for years. Had you? The Bottle Yard was a famous place to lots of us who were in the Great World; whilst working in the yard we used to throw empty bottles to the Chinese outside the wire and the said Chows would sell the bottles back to the Japs. It was a lot of fun to outwit the Japs and help those Chows, but looking back upon it, it must have been hard for those poor Chinese trying to live and support families on the pickings they could find from the sale of a few bottles.

Our old mate, Harry Riches, has put the carpet slippers on and is living the life of a gentleman at Mullumbimby. He is not far from Brunswick Heads and can reach the Beach within ten minutes. Harry and his wife go to the beach often where Harry has made, of all things, a crab trap. He is not a fisherman but gets a great kick from catching those crabs. Harry is a grandfather now and is completely spoiling his new grandson.

Bert Welch of North Arm, N.C. sends best wishes to his friends.

Harry Griffis of Taree, writes that Les Hall and wife, Alex Dandie and his wife, and Bill Dainton, all have called upon him recently, either as they have been going to or coming from holidays. Harry is fairly well and writes that Fred Abbotts is also fairly well.

We heard from Harry Bailey recently, with best wishes to all those who might remember him. Harry was a Fortress Sigs. lad and was attached to the Unit under Jack Boss, whilst the majority of the Unit were in Thailand.

Sincere congratulations of all members go out to Ron Foster and his wife, on their recent wedding. The Unit was well represented at Ron's wedding by Jack Boss, Reg Ellis, Bill Jones and Reg Friend and respective wives. Ron and wife are living at Warriewood. Ron has always been and always will be a good Association man. He attends all our Reunions and meetings and any special functions we might have. We wish him a long and happy married life.

Kranji War Memorial Cemetery. The Kranji War Memorial Cemetery was opened on March 2nd this year. The Cemetery was planned by the Imperial War Graves Commission and is a fitting memorial to those who paid the supreme sacrifice. The opening of the Cemetery was attended by some Australians who were flown there at the expense of the Commonwealth Government. The Australians were led by Lt. General Gordon Bennett who rightly represented the Australians as a fighting force. However, from there, the selection of representatives was difficult to follow. The medical forces were well to the fore, and next-of-kin were included. The 27th Inf. Bde. had no representation and the soldier who physically commanded the bulk of the Division, for the greater part of the 3½ years, was not invited to attend. I speak of our own C.O. and if any man should have been sent to represent the Australians during the P.O.W. period then surely Black Jack should have been the first. Another notable part of the Division which was not represented was the Chaplains' Corp. One would think that our Chaplains who performed the last rites on all deceased P.O.W. should have been there to give their final blessing to the graves of our comrades.

The Minister who was responsible for the selection of personnel to attend the ceremony no doubt acted in good faith upon the advice of his advisors. It is my personal opinion, personal only, that he would do well to change his advisors if any opinion on the 8th Division is ever required again.

George Gough of Cabramatta, is a prominent member of the R.S.L. at Liverpool. George lives close to our friend, Vince Leonard.

Sid Hart of Newcastle, has not been to a function of ours for some years, but hopes to make the next reunion. Jock McDougall is still travelling for Clifford Love & Co. Jock used to love an ale in years gone by and has never brightened up since the doctor warned him away from it some time ago.

Brian Hayes is managing "Woodlands" Station at Nevertire. The station carries 6,000 breeding cows and the job carries a percentage on both sheep and cattle sales. The house on the property is fairly old but has plenty of conveniences. Brian and his wife would like to meet any of our members who travel through the district. Sid Grounds of South Hurstville, is well, as is his family.

Ray Godbolt of Merewether, has given away barbering and manages a fruit barrow in Hunter Street, Newcastle. Ray writes that Bob Dickson is the champion dart player of Adamstown.

 Special Film Screening for All. The Annual General Meeting requested the Committee to arrange a film night for members and their wives and next-of-kin. The Committee have accordingly arranged for a film screening at the Oddfellows Hall, 100 Clarence Street on 26th July. The film selected for screening will be an American documentary covering the planning and operation of the "D" Day landing in France during the war. The film was shot during the action and should be of absorbing interest to our members who in the main have probably not seen it.

The film might well be in the nature of a social evening and we hope that most members will come along accompanied by their wives. The film will be screened from about 8.30 and will be shown for about 1½ hours only. After the film a cup of tea and a light supper will be provided. The accent of the evening will be on informality and it should be an enjoyable night.

We are anxious that any next-of-kin of our deceased comrades should attend and we ask you to pass the invitation to any next-of-kin you may know. However, it is essential that the Honorary Secretary or Reg Ellis be advised of those next-of-kin who may wish to attend.

Contributions by male members who attend will be 8/-. Ladies will be admitted free of charge.

Ted Watson of H.Q. Company is a Life Member but has wandered around for some years and has as a result been out of touch with the Unit. He is now settled in at Liverpool, and attended the last reunion.

Johnny Parsons has shifted to the Post Office Store at Como. John is a small shopkeeper now and is doing very well.

Les Hall, our "hospital visitation" member, reports that Jock Logan, Jack Brooks and Jackie Goodwin have all been at Yaralla Hospital recently. Les spoke, to them all at different times. Jock Logan was having a skin graft on his leg where his old ulcer had broken down again. Jackie Goodwin shared ₤500 in the lottery whilst he was at Yaralla and was most anxious to obtain discharge so that he could celebrate his good fortune. Jack Brooks, ex A. Coy., has been at Yaralla for a general overhaul and check-up. Jack has slowed down a little although he doesn't complain. At home Jack lives at Goulburn, and he has been blessed with five children.

Snowy Stevens is a grandfather at last. His daughter presented him with his first grandchild recently and Snowy was so tickled that there and then he wanted to take the baby home for a few weeks "just so the baby will get to know his grandad." Snowy is made of iron as we all know, but a two weeks old baby is still at the stage where a little molly-coddling does not go astray. Snowy will get his chance later, and if his daughter really wants to prevent that child being spoiled by grandad, she should shift to another State. No, that wouldn't do - she should shift out of the country.

Big McNiven has sent a complete list of our lads who attended the reunion at Lismore some months ago. Although we reported the reunion and mentioned some of those present we give here the full list of those present.

They were:

L. Clavan, Bob Neil, Fred Arnett, Ossie Jackson, Joe Johnston, Ben Pearce, Ron Sweeney, Bert Galbraith, Tom Gardner, Ron Chipps, Ernie Stratford, Alf Jones, Snow Hampton, R. Montford, J. P. Newman, Bob Newman (Carrier), John Korn, Kingy Martin, Darb Young, Arch Craig, Fred Winters, Russ Mackie, Artie Power, Harry Teasdale, K. Richardson, Bob Robinson, Tom Davis and Gerry Myers.

As we make a habit of reporting new babies whenever we hear of them I hope you will not mind my mentioning one very important new infant. He is my own, a little boy, and he's a champion. He bears no resemblance to his old Dad as yet, but has already lined up alongside of me against the three women of my household. You can't beat a boy around the house for a little more support.

Curly Blomfield and his wife are to be congratulated on the birth, of their fourth baby, Peter. Curly has now two boys and two girls and is still going strong.

Don't forget the film night on July 26th. Bring your wife and any next-of-kin of deceased comrades.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL.

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