Back to 1970 index or Main Index
Makan – No. 188
Jan/Feb, 1970
Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Association
GEMAS DAY - 14th January, 1970.
This memorable anniversary brought out a party of 20 members from the Bn. Association, a small number of next-of-kin and a few wives of members to pay homage to our dead at the Cenotaph.
The traffic in Martin Place had been stopped and in the hushed calm which followed the "Old Man" accompanied by President Arch Thorburn placed a wreath on the Cenotaph as the G.P.O. clock struck 7 p.m. A bugler then sounded "Last Post" and "Reveille" as our minds cast back over the past 28 years in solemn remembrance of mates who have passed on.
After the ceremony a group from the party retired to the Combined Services Club in Barrack Street for a drink and chat before proceeding homewards. Amongst those present were Len Dawson (BHQ) and Ralph "Brad" Bradley (A Coy) both of them in their seventieth year and looking a great deal fitter than they apparently feel. Jack Boss looking himself again after his 1969 heart attack brought along to the Martin Place ceremony his mother-in-law Bessie Ellis, wife Cecilie and son Greg. It is always pleasing to see the sons and daughters of Bn members and to note the striking resemblance the sons particularly bear to their distinguished fathers.
LAST POST
"......At the Going Down of the Sun......"
Since last Makan three well known and popular members of the Bn. have passed on. We mourn their deaths and extend sympathy to their bereaved wives and families.
JACK SALISBURY, A Coy & F Force, husband of Lila and father of John, Heather and Helen died as the result of an accident on 9th January. Jack, who was approaching 58 years of age, spent his working life with the well known golf club manufacturers East Brothers and was a noted authority on golf and himself quite a good golfer. He was a splendid friend to many and a particular friend of a small group of fellows from A Company. Many owe him gratitude for his friendship and willingness to give the best that was in him for the general good of others.
REG FRIEND, BHQ & F Force, aged 58, passed away suddenly from a cerebral haemorrhage at his breakfast table on 22nd January and is mourned by his widow.
Reg, who was truly one of the characters of the Bn, practiced the art of swearing with considerable skill and could say the most significant things in such lurid language that made it a delight to listen to him. Never did he offend and even the Old Man condoned Reg's spells of profanity. In the company of ladies Reg's manners were impeccable and his talk always sweet and devoid of the expletive word mileage h used upon men. We shall remember him because he added lightness to army life and exhibited a benevolent affection and concern for his mates. There was nothing hifalutin' about Reg and he cultivated the art of abusive oratory to mask even from himself his willingness to carry more than his fair share of the burden of the day.
Some thirty members of the Bn. were at his funeral to swell the large crowd of people who came to pay their last respects to a man who was indeed a true friend in more than one sense.
NORMAN L. "MICK" CUTLER, A Coy & F Force, Aged 53, passed away on 5th February and is survived by his widow Elvie, daughter Bernice and sons Stan and Barry.
Ever cheerful despite his painful illness, Mick endeared him himself to many at Concord during his lengthy hospitalisation there. He knew he was destined to die from his dreaded illness but he fought a good fight and by his forced cheerfulness was an inspiration to others.
VALE, THREE GOOD SOLDIERS. "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM".
SICK PARADE
William Perry, in Ward 310, is the only one still in hospital.
Since last Makan John McDonald, D Coy, and George Osmond, C Coy, were discharged.
Bill Senior, HQ Coy, has been having trouble with his ulcers and was recently down from Brewarrina for Repatriation Dept. attention.
PERSONAL PARS
Joyce, wife of Tom Dare (C Coy) sent in subs and indicated that Tom, although able to work, is beginning to feel the strain (as most of us are) of advancing years. Tom is a steward at the R.S.L. Club at Gloucester and enjoys having the company of any of the boys passing through Gloucester in their travels.
Members of the Dare family have all or have just about reached adulthood. Tommy, the eldest, is married and living in Gloucester. He has a 19 months old son, Paul, who is treasured by his proud grandparents. Brian, 20 is a junior commercial artist with W. Fielding & Co., at Kingsgrove and steadily working towards his big break into the Commercial Art field. Michael, the youngest of the Dare boys is nearly 15 and in 4th Form at High School this year.
W.M. "Hoot" Gibson (C Coy) who lives at North Rocks sent in subs. He took his family to its usual stamping ground - Brunswick Heads - during the holiday period and mentioned he saw Harry Riches. Harry, a great man for the town, appeared to be carrying the load of the Interstate Wood Chopping contest at the Heads at that time. He looked well but obviously tired. "Hoot" had to travel fast to get his kids back to school and missed seeing 2/30th mates he had hoped to call on.
Congratulations to Jack & Val Ellis (HQ Coy) of Ootha on the birth of their first grandchild on 6th January.
Another one of our fellows lucky enough to have a competent secretary/wife is John W. "Mick" McDonald (D Coy) who was recorded as being in Concord at last "Makan". "Mick" is now out of hospital but still far from well. His wife Kim sent in a cheque making him a Life Member of the Association.
Win Mason, wife of A. J. "Snow" Mason (D Coy), is another of those precious wives who have ensured their husband's subs are kept paid up. The Masons who live in Dundas have a 22 months toddler running around the house. After a 15 year's break baby Deborah is quite an absorbing achievement to cope with these days. Son Geoff who is 17 works at the Bank of New South Wales, Pitt Street, and is making good progress in that Bank's service. "Snow" spends a good deal of his time working in country areas and makes contact whenever he can with 2/30 Bn. fellows at various R.S.L. Clubs throughout the State. He was in Eden just prior to Christmas and expects to be in the Parkes and Cootamundra areas in the near future.
We are pleased to welcome as a new member John W. Bremner (HQ Coy). John spent some time in hospital last year and expressed regret his state of health made it impossible for him to be away from home long enough to attend the Bathurst reunion. However, he hopes to be well enough to be at the 1970 reunion and "renew acquaintance with former mates of the Bn. over a few beers or whatever they are drinking these days". John, who was Captain John Taylor's R.A.P. truck driver in action and assisted John in the R.A.P. both in action and later at Changi, in thanking Bessie Ellis for sending him a copy of the obituary of John Taylor, revealed in his letter his deep regard for our beloved R.M.O. as a soldier, doctor, man and friend. Indeed, all of us who knew John Taylor will continue to remember him with proud thanksgiving.
TOM YATES (B Coy) who referred to himself as one of "Duffy's Mob" sent in a generous remittance to become a Life Member and provide a bit over for Bn. Association funds. Tom admits he is not much of a letter writer but the little he had to say was appreciated and was typical of Tom who never was one to waste words. He said he met Dave Swindail, also B Coy, recently and I'm sure were we able to record the conversation between those two in Makan it would make excellent reading.
Bob Jack, C Coy, popular and hardworking Vice-President of the 2/30 Bn. Association showing off the Banner before members attending the Bathurst Reunion lined up to march to the Carillon Memorial.
Our beloved Patron and his gracious lady taken on the day of their marriage in December last. Lady Galleghan has had the opportunity of meeting quite a number of the members of the 2/30 Bn. family and she has won their complete acceptance and affection. May both Sir Frederick and Lady Galleghan be long spared to impress their personal influence upon our Association.
JOE ROXBURGH, (BHQ) was first again with 1970 subs plus a donation to Association funds. Joe explained his absence from Anzac Day gatherings and march as due to the need to look after his wife who has been an invalid for several years past. He expressed interest to know how many Bn fellows had passed away since our return to Australia. Since all ex-members of Bn. are not members of the Association we are not able to give accurate figures but it is known 73 members of the Association have died since their discharge in Australia, 55 of them in the 1960's and 3 since the beginning of this year.
We are told the "Old Man" attended the annual church parade of the Red Cross V.A.D. , of which Lady Galleghan is the Honorary Divisional Commandant, on 14th December last.
Lady Galleghan was escorted into the beautiful old garrison church, Miller's Point by the Rector and Sir B.J. marched three paces behind her. Talking about the event later on the "Old Man" said, "Now I know how the Duke of Edinburgh feels marching behind a woman".
Do you remember the ever always, at all times, effervescent Len "Baldy" Barnes of HQ Coy? Well, he appears to have cracked the Jackpot of contentment at last. In this interesting extract from a letter recently received by Bessie Ellis from his wife Honey, is revealed the fulfilment of a dream - a prescription for longevity.
Uncut, except for the few lines at the beginning here it is:
"I shall do my best to bring you up-to-date on things . First I must thank you for “Makan". I do think it is a marvellous thing as both Len and I read and re-read it. Thanks must go to all of you wonderful people down there who keep all the boys so widely scattered - in touch.
We were in business in Yeppoon for three years after leaving Avalon - Len doing the office side of things whilst the girls and I ran the business "Barney's Fish Bar", until it became too much for us. In the second year we had to employ three seniors and one junior full time. Well, in June of '69 Len and a friend decided to take a trip to Cairns and just happened to discover a coconut plantation at Bramston Beach 26 miles north of Innisfail and 50 miles south of Cairns. Len said, this is what I have been looking for all my life so arranged to purchase. We put a manager in the business and the Barnes family prepared to go on safari again. By this time we only had one of our four daughters left. Kerry, now 23, is married and living in New Zealand. Dawn, 21, is married and has a small son. Janenne 19 is also married, has a daughter and lives in Brisbane. So there was only Peita, 18, left to come with us. Well, Len was right. We have 160 acres of the most beautiful tropical country you could ever wish to see. There is every physical aspect you could imagine from densest jungle with a beautiful waterfall incorporated - undulating grasslands - wooded hills - 1000 tall coconut palms approx. 60 years old - huge mango and avocado pear trees - exotic vines and trees - orchids, ferns - just too beautiful to even try to describe.
A tidal creek which supplies colossal barramundi and mud crabs - a rocky point which offers excellent fishing - our own tropical shelling ground - a natural spring - one mile of beach front and a number of islands just off-shore.
We also believe we are the only commercial coconut plantation in Australia. We have already 5000 young coconut palms in our nursery and only yesterday received an order for 1000 of these from the Bundaberg City Council. Brisbane's "Courier Mail" must have thought the order outstanding as they wrote it up in their paper yesterday - in fact it was in the paper before we received the order in the mail the same day.
A little item that would make some of the boys laugh. Len has got me eating the cabbage out of the palm trees. We had a cyclonic storm here on New Year's Day and 20 trees were snapped off like match sticks so we were able to get some cabbage out of them. I guess a number of the boys would remember what a luxury it was in the Changi days. It is really quite good in fried rice too, specially when the rice is cooked in fresh coconut milk.
Len had the misfortune to break his ankle the first week we were up here and was in plaster for some time. Then we rolled our car over an embankment avoiding another vehicle and landed 10 feet down a very muddy gully - only bruises though. We'd had 6 inches of rain the previous night. But really Len keeps fairly well and is much better up here with nothing to worry about.
We have seen Dave Tate quite a lot. He looks well. Has a cane farm about 12 miles away. Hope to see more of him now the cane season has finished.
Well I think this is all for the present - will keep you posted as to any further news and anyone passing this way is very welcome to pop in".
Len's address is P.O. Box 21, Miriwinni, 4870 should any of you have the opportunity of accepting the above invitation to drop in at the Barnes' utopia.
Karl Sinclair, D Coy, of Armidale suffered the sad loss of his sister a few weeks ago. We pray Karl's recent period of anxiety and grief will now change direction to a long period of better days.
Harry Riches' wife Dot sent in subs to take Harry up to 1975. Since Harry left the farm he has been working for a builder and is obviously a very busy and hardworking person. His boss has been unable to work because of illness so broad-shouldered Harry has been carrying the load. His statement that he is too lazy to write is nonsense. None would ever agree that the mighty Harry was lazy or languid. Callers on the Riches during the last few months were Reg Friend and his wife, Jock Logan and Russ Mackie.
Harry sends greetings to all and hopes he will be in Sydney for the Anzac Day march this year. His address is 58 Fingal Street, Brunswick Heads.
Three cheers for J. P. "Jim" Walshe, HQ Coy, who has been thoughtful enough to send in his change of address. Thanks Jim!
How about a few others who have moved letting us know their new addresses.
W.R. "JACKO" JACKSON, B Coy, wrote in from Chatswood enclosing his subs together with subs he had extracted from Harry "Curly" Scott, A Coy, on the golf course to join him up with the Association. Both Jacko and Curly are keen golfers as also is Jacko's golfing colleague Ron Johnston, C Coy. Ron, who was married several months ago, and Jacko are members of the same golf club and Ron's wife Meg is an Associate Member. The Bn. trio mentioned have raised the subject of a Bn. Golf Day once again. They hope to discuss it with interested golfing members of the Bn. on Anzac Day. Let us hope they will be able to nut out a firm arrangement.
"GALLEGHAN'S GREYHOUNDS"
The story of the 2/30th Battalion is now a rare volume and copies are virtually unprocurable at any price. Many have sought to buy copies and been unable to obtain them despite high prices offered. Members are advised to look after their copies of the publication and ensure they are passed on after their death either to some member of the family who will preserve them for future generations or to the National Library or other well known Public Library.
DEATH NOTICES
Members of the 2/30 Bn. Association are concerned with the passing of any former member of the Bn. and would appreciate it very much if next-of-kin in framing death or funeral notices would mention that the deceased was an ex-member or former member of the 2/30 Bn. A. I. F. This would be of great assistance to army mates of deceased in identifying their old friend and paying their respects to his memory.
BATTALION TIES
Bessie Ellis has a limited number of Bn. silk ties available for $2.00 each. These should be worn at all Bn. functions and at funerals of deceased members. If they are not so worn the Old Man is bound to remind you.
ANZAC DAY
For march details watch the press.
Tom Nixon, HQ, Coy, will lead with the Bn. Banner.
We have arranged that after the march we will re-group for refreshments, as in former years, at the Occidental Hotel, York Street
ANNUAL MEETING, 1970.
This will be held at the Combined Services Club, Barrack Street, on Thursday, 9th April, at 8 p.m. in the comfortable No. 1 Meeting Room.
Would those able to do so meet at the Club at 6 p.m. and ask for Jack Black (or mention they are from 2/30 Bn.)
After pre-dinner drinks we may sit down to a meal in the Dining Room at 6.30 p.m. or enjoy a bite to eat at the Barrack Snack Bar on the ground floor before proceeding upstairs to the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE ANNUAL SUBS FOR 1970 ARE NOW DUE
Back to 1970 index or Main Index