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Back to 1968 index or Main Index Makan – No. 177a Dear Dig, And so comes April, 1968! The spotlight this April is on troubled Vietnam, on the squabble between Jews and Arabs, on the racial riots in the U.S. Finding a satisfactory remedy for all of these unhealed wounds will be more difficult than rounding Cape Horn in a tub. We have our own national problems, but aren't we lucky compared with most other countries? Apart from our concern about our own fellows in Vietnam and the real need just now for April showers in the drought-stricken south, we have little of consequence to worry about. Thus we should look forward to a happy Anzac Day, confident of our future but conscious of the need to maintain the vigilance we have been told so often to keep in our thoughts. If you have not read the names on the front sheet you will have realised you have a new and somewhat novice editor. He was detailed to volunteer for the job. Due to thinning brain tissues he does not feel he is much good as an editor in the wake of such able exponents in the art as Stan Arneil and Harry Collins. However, with his do-it-yourself operating kit and an expected flow of news from you fellows who, it is hoped, might write in about themselves and their families more often, he expects to maintain publication of this time-honoured piece of work carried on by others with such notable success through the last 177 issues. LAST POST Ernie Parkes, an original member of H.Q. Company, died suddenly on 8th April. To all the bereaved members of his family we extend the deepest sympathy of the Battalion. ANNUAL MEETING This was well worthwhile. There was ample drinking time, a delicious array of foodstuffs and plenty of margin for talking before the formal part of the meeting began. To me it seemed like a little reunion. There were about 30 fellows there, amongst whom was retired farmer, Neil Huntley, all the way from Port Macquarie. He lives 42 miles out from the Port near the lighthouse, and always has a cool drink in the fridge for 2/30th friends going that way. He keeps his hand in by occasionally mustering and branding his neighbours' cattle and does some shooting at the local Rifle Range. He reckons he can still see the bull. Len "G.G." Dawson was there boasting about being a great grandfather. That is what the "G.G." stands for, though some will still settle for the erstwhile "Gobble, Gobble" of parade ground memory. Len spends most of his time out of doors and looks a young 68. He is a great gardener and lawnmower and has been burned by the sun to a dusky brown. Ray Simmons gave us good news of his nephew (son of Bruce Greer) who, on 28th March, was to have conferred on him the degree of Bachelor of Ag. Science. Bruce, who was present, looked coyly pleased at the acclamation on announcement of this piece of news. Bruce declined nomination to the Committee as all of his spare time is used up Treasuring for the Marrickville Hospital. Noel Johnston announced his retirement from Secretaryship of the N.S.W. Education Department and his pending departure with his wife on 2nd April on a world tour. Strong appreciation of the sterling services throughout the year of Bessie Ellis, Cecily Boss and the wives of Harry Collins, Kevin Ward and Bruce Ford was voiced and assented to by acclamations. Jack Boss said he dropped a bomb when he suggested Bessie and Cecily might want to ease up after all the years of persistent toil for the welfare of the Battalion. Their reply was they don't consider it a chore but a privilege. What a wonderful example for us who feel more like giving things up now we feel were getting on a bit. The Old Man, talked to us in his inimitable way about many things, but particularly about what the 2/30th Bn. Association should mean to us and what he thought about the Vietnam torture incident. He did not condone the torture but condemned the hundreds of pressmen who set out to knock the army on the incidents. He paid tribute to the quality of the Australian soldier in Vietnam who is by far the best trained soldier we've ever sent out of this country. He urged us to get on the side of the soldiers and defend them against the insidious attacks of the press critics. The Old Man reported with regret that he will not be marching with us on Anzac Day but will be leading in a jeep. His medico, an Air Force wallah, advised or told him not to walk the distance. Fancy talking to the Old Man about walking! Since he cannot march the whole distance, he is going to look back on us from his jeep. Let us hope we will have a goodly number of marchers both here in Sydney and throughout the country towns wherever a 2/30th man is fit enough to keep up with his fellows. As the march in Sydney has been shortened to end in Hyde Park instead of the Domain, it is expected that fellows will stick together for the service after the march and then move along to the Occidental Hotel, 43 York Street for an after-march drink and yarn. Hope to see you there, mate! Please remember to wear your regimental tie. If you want a replacement of either ties or sleeve links, see Jack Boss or Ron Foster before the march. SICK PARADE Since last Makan, Kevin Ward reports that Keith McFarlane of A Company and J Force, and Peter Mason of HQ. Company and F Force have been patients at the R.G.H. and were visited. Members are reminded of "standing order" - if unfortunate enough to be in for a spell of hospital to contact Kevin Ward (phone a number on front sheet) so that a visit can be arranged. It is known that Brian Hayes from Scone, D Company and F Force, is due at R.G.H for tests and expects to be there for a couple of weeks ANZAC DAY AT BATHURST The only Battalion representative to date is Joe Geoghegan who proposes travelling up on Wednesday 24th with his wife and returning on the Friday. Another volunteer at least is required. Would any starter get in touch with Bruce Ford or Ron Stoner for details? Out of indebtedness to Herb Prattley who has looked after the Battalion Memorial Cairn for so many years, we should build our representation to at least two. ABOUT THE BOYS Keith Mulholland, Narrandera, prodded by his wife Ruth and daughter Catherine, has become a member of the Association. Keith, who is well known and popular throughout Murrumbidgee towns, gets together with 2/30th mates at the annual P.O.W. Reunion at Leeton each October. Les Perry has also re-domiciled himself and wife Margaret in Narrandera after 32 years in Sydney. Both Keith and Margaret wish to be remembered to all. Rod "Andy" Anderson is living in Mundingburra, a humdinga suburb of tropical Townsville. He is dispensing fire fighting, irrigation, farming machinery, etc., for his old Sydney firm in a territory stretching from Mackay to Cairns and out to Mt. Isa. It needs some energy to cover such a lot of ground. Apparently Andy still has it. Jack Fell is the greenkeeper at East Cessnock Bowling Club. He seems to have made himself indispensable to the Club which has treated him very well. Although Jack is beginning to creak a bit at the joints, he works hard and will remain one of the State's best greenkeepers for many years yet. On my last trip up the Coast I had drinks with Bob Newman, popular banana grower President of the Woolgoolga R.S.L. Club; with Darby Young, Forestry Officer and Committeeman of the palatial Coffs Harbour R.S.L. Club; and delayed on my way back south to enjoy the hospitality of Phil Bailey, Secretary/Manager of the Macksville R.S.L. Club. Visit any of these clubs on your way north and you'll be assured of a warm welcome by or on behalf of the aforementioned. Dave Tate of Garradunga, Qld., H.Q. Company, and George Johnson, C Company, had their heads together about coming down to the Tamworth reunion, but both felt it impossible because November is a busy time for canegrowers. They send their regards to chaps of the Unit. Bob Skinner, H.Q. Company and F Force, has moved out to a self-contained flat owned by the T.P.I. Association after spending 15 years at Moore Park. He is getting up towards the 70 year mark and is reasonably well. Misses being close to the football grounds and S.C.G., and Sundays at the Sports Ground. It is over 2 years ago since he had 7 weeks at R.G.H. Concord. Frank Wallwork, D Company and J Force, and Martin, his older brother, are both still at The Pocket, Billinudgel. Frank packed up with chest trouble some time ago and was still in hospital at the time of the reunion. We hope he has recovered sufficiently to be back home again by now. Vern Baynes, who is the Australian representative of a large European company associated with the bakery trade, lives opposite the Stoners in Pymble and has a son at Sydney Grammar Secondary School and two young daughters at P.L.C. Pymble. Bruce Upcroft - Assistant State Manager of the Commonwealth Development Bank in Sydney, also lives in Pymble and the respective daughters of Stoner and Upcroft are in the same form at secondary school. Bob Morrison, also a Pymble resident, manages the A.N.Z. Bank in Macquarie Street and is keeping down his weight and wearing well. APRIL 25 Years Ago Good Friday 23/4/1943: On board Train 6 en route for Thailand. Breakfasted at 3 a.m. on very thin Yak stew and had a much needed wash at Kuala Lumpur. Had evening meal at Ipoh at 2.30 p.m. Vegetable soup and rice. Were able to buy bananas and paw paws from the Malays. 24/4/43: Spent 1 a.m. to
3 a.m. in Prai where we had breakfast of rice pork and vegetable stew.
Crossed border into Thailand and were ordered by the Jap guards to get out
and do P.T. Spent nearly three hours in Alor Star where we had our evening
meal. Easter Monday: Took it in turns to sleep: No room for more than half the truck load to lie down. No meal all day. Tuesday: Arrived at Base Camp, Bampong before setting off on march up country. Back to 1968 index or Main Index |