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Makan – No. 190
June/July, 1970

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

COMMITTEE

EIGHTH DIVISION A.I.F. NATIONAL MEMORIAL

As mentioned in last issue of "Makan" the dedication of a National 8th Div. Memorial under the direction of Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan and his Committee will take place at Bathurst on Saturday, 15th August next.

This memorial, a broken column of red polished granite standing about 7 feet high, will be erected just off the street footpath on the concrete concourse entrance to the Bathurst City Hall. The initial proposal by former 8th Div. members living in Bathurst and District was for a modest memorial; partly dressed stone and bronze plaque; however the invitation of the Bathurst City Council to place the memorial in the middle of the concrete entrance to the City Hall called for something more in keeping with the site. Dr. J.H.E. Flak, B.A., Ph.D., M.Ed., Dip. Art, E.M., Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Bathurst produced a most acceptable design symbolic of the 8th Divan. and its history. This will take the form of a blade at whose broken tip is incised the figure "8" and a sword-cross. The stone will be set on its low rectangular podium to present its edge to the main thoroughfare.

The cost of the Memorial and its erection, around $2,500.00 will be met by donations - $2 and over being taxation deductible - from former members of the Division and A.I.F. Malaya, including 23rd Brigade New Guinea and Darwin and those who served in Timor and Ambon. DONATIONS ARE INVITED NOW. Please send donations with the enclosed application form direct to Norman Paul, P.O. Box 8, Bathurst, 2785 or to Bruce Ford, or to Bessie Ellis with your annual sub to the Association if you have not already paid it. Their addresses will be found on page one of this publication.

All servicemen and servicewomen of the 8th Div., including husbands, wives, widows and relatives are invited to attend the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial at Bathurst on Saturday, 15th August, preceded at 3 p.m. by a short march and the laying of a wreath at the Bathurst War Memorial. Decorations and medals will be worn.

August 15th is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the termination of the war against the Japanese, and the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of the Division. A REUNION, including ladies, assembling at 6.30 p.m. on August 15th, will be held at the Bathurst R.S.L. Club, Rankin Street, the subscription for which is $5.00 per person to be forwarded with Memorial donation or request for accommodation as outlined in the enclosed Dedication folder.

Because of our important place in the history of the 8th Div., because of the strong association between 2/30 Bn. and the people of Bathurst and District, and also because of the role of our beloved Patron, "B. J." in this commendable project we must give it our whole-hearted support. Your Association Committee hopes you will without delay write our your accommodation slips and send your cheques to Norman Paul by first post. The time left for booking accommodation is fast running out and you must not dally if you are to ensure you will have a place to lay your heads on the night of 15th August.

SICK PARADE

Our esteemed hospital visitation convenor Kevin Ward has himself been quite ill. He is still far from well but is on the mend we are happy to record.

Since last "Makan" the undermentioned were admitted to Concord and subsequently discharged:

Sir Frederick Galleghan,
Tom Rockett, Grafton
Kevin Anderson, Dubbo
Ted Rickards, Mungindi
William Jackson, Chatswood.

Admitted and still in hospital are:

Len Roberts, HQ Coy
George Gough, BHQ
Jack Graham, D. Coy
George Osmond, A Coy.

ASSOCIATION FINANCES

For your perusal and earnest consideration we quote hereunder our Treasurer's Statement as at 9th June, 1970:

Balance as at 20th February, 1970                                                        $222.42

Receipts
Subscriptions                                                                     51.00
Ties/Badges                                                                       10.00
Donations                                                                            2.00
Commonwealth Loan Interest                                               47.50        111.00

Payments
Northside Duplicating Service - (Makan & Annual Report)      60.43
Northern Line Printing (Makan covers)                                 113.27
B. E. Ellis (Treasurer's Disbursements - mainly postages)     25.28
R. Stoner (Makan disbursements - 12 months)                     5.35
Northside Duplicating Service (Makan)                                 42.00
B. E. Ellis (Treasurer's disbursements - postages, etc.)        23.20           269.53

Balance as at 9th June, 1970 carried forward                                          $63.89

As you can see our working balance is very low and would not in fact cover the cost of another Makan. As there could be other accounts coming in as well I think the Committee should give serious consideration as to the advisability of cashing some of the Commonwealth Loan".

It looks grim doesn't it? Well, it's up to you fellows. What are we to do about it? Seemingly rising costs have overtaken us and to keep afloat we have either to "cough up" overdue subs., pour some voluntary donations into the coffers, cut down the number of issues of Makan, or start cashing in on our Commonwealth Bonds reserve.

For years the bonds have provided us with a steady income without which we would not have been able to maintain our regular communication with members and next-of-kin. If we are to cash bonds at their present heavily depressed market value we must forego the steady income from interest we have been so dependent upon in the past.

What are the views of our readers ? We should like to hear from you about it and thus stimulate discussion which is bound to occur at our Bathurst foregathering on 15th August. In the meantime two members of your Committee have weighed in sufficient to make this issue of Makan possible.

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BATTALION ASSOCIATION NEWS

TED RICKARDS, B Coy, whilst at Concord was delighted to have the opportunity of having quite a chat with the Old Man who was there at the same time. Ted after trying his hand over the years at shearing and stewarding has now settled down to the job of Greenkeeper at the Mungindi Club. A popular B Coy man, he has been missing out on "Makan", an omission since repaired by becoming a financial member of the Association.

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STAN ARNEIL, A Coy, and his wife sent a postcard to the Old Man from Bangkok recently. They walked over the Gemas battlefield and Stan reckons it hasn't changed - they have toured over the Singapore battle areas and the Burma-Thailand Railway and should have lots to tell us when they are home again.

****
ARCH DICKINSON and TOMMY BICKNELL, C Coy mates and their wives flew off to Singapore on 24th April and went out to Kranji War Cemetery on Anzac Day. They stayed at a Hotel out at Tanglin, had a good look over Singapore Island and noted the sameness of some places and the changes in others. They later proceeded up the mainland to Kuala Lumpur visiting old haunts like Batu Pahat, and Malacca en route. Apparently it is not easy to locate some spots that figures so largely in our fighting activities of over 25 years ago.

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IAN PRYCE, D Coy also made an extensive tour of the Far-East recently and we hope to hear something of his experiences in a later "Makan".

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ALLAN VENN, HQ Coy, Murwillumbah, sent in $5 subs to keep him financial for some time ahead. We quote from his welcome and newsy letter:- "I have had a lot of hospital over recent years and have been advised I am now T.P.I. as from 30th June, 1969. Fortunately members of our family are all grown up and married. Our eldest, Bob, born while I was in Malaya, has taken over my job of keeping "FORD" to the front here in town. Marie has been married for 7 years now and is living in Grafton. Her husband is a draughtsman with the Main Roads Department. Our youngest, Fred, is married and has twin daughters born August, 17th 1969. He is Accountant at The Commercial Banking Co., Bombala.

I was talking with the mother of George Johnson, C Coy, yesterday. George is far from well and is selling his property at WANGAN, North Queensland and has built a new home in town. He has two girls and a boy. He sends his regards to all. It was his nephew who fell or was swept off the flight deck of the Aircraft Carrier Melbourne early in April. As Nana Johnson says "Grog again".

Fred Arnott, HQ Coy, is at Mullumbimby and is not very fit at present. He was in the local hospital early in April. Although blind, he has a good manager looking after his hotel, the "Commercial", for him. He sends his regards to the fellows also".

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DON SUTHERLAND, D Coy, sending in his annual subs and writing from Bowen, Q. , spent a month of March/April in Greenslopes Repat. Hospital. He said he didn't feel much better before starting work again.

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RAY DUNCOMBE, HQ Coy, one of the best pen men amongst our members, wrote in expressing his regret at inability to make the "Occidental" on Anzac Day because of the illness of his wife. On the previous Anzac Day he was the one who was ill. He enclosed his subs and reckons if all goes well he will get to the reunion later in the year even though he seldom goes out at night now.

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HARRY GRIFFIS, D Coy., sent in subs from Taree and confessed he had no news to give us from that part of the State.

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WARD BOOTH, D Coy, and his charming wife were portrayed in a recent issue of the "Sun-Herald" receiving drinks at a cocktail given by the Outward Bound Movement at the residence of the Flag Officer-in-Charge, East Australia Area, Rear-Admiral C. J. B. Crabb and Mrs. Crabb. Ward is the Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and as such had much to do in arranging presentations of Awards whilst the Duke was visiting Sydney on the recent Royal Tour.

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The cost of the 8th Division Memorial at Bathurst, around $2500, will come from donations from former members of the Division and their Associations. Donations already received have come from 2/15 Field Regiment Association $50 and 27th Brigade Association $20.

****
TERRY O'ROURKE, C Coy, and his wife Muriel were at the Bathurst reunion last year. We also enjoyed the company of Terry's brother John and wife Val at the Bn. dinner. John served his time with P. J. Taylor's Engineering. P. J. was the father of our beloved R.M.O. Capt. John Taylor. John's 18 year-old-son, Ian, was recently in Sydney and spoke to Ward Booth by telephone. He will be letting Ward know the next time he is in Sydney. Many of us would welcome an opportunity of meeting him.

We do hope the O'Rourkes will be at Bathurst again on 15th August and that they'll encourage as many Narrandera folk as possible to make it for this historical occasion.

****
There are many 2/30 Bn. fellows who have never joined the Bn. Association or have allowed membership to lapse by not paying subs for many years. It is thus pleasing to find a steady stream of our old mates joining up. Hence we delight in welcoming Harry "Curly" Scott, A Coy, and E. R. "Ted" Rickards B. Coy, to our membership and hope they will continue to wear their purple and gold badges for many years to come.

****
ROSS HUTTON, A Coy, sent in subs, and a donation and said " I would like to sincerely thank all who visited me in R.G.H. where I lost my right eye. I am pleased to say I have made wonderful progress and am back at work". That's good reading Ross. May continued good health compensate for the loss of that eye.

****
Up at Tumba-bloody-rumba
Shootin' kanga-bloody-roos.

So says two lines in a bawdy Australian poem in the style of "The Man from Snowy River" about that delightful little town in the foothills of the Snowys - the home of CLYDE BLENCOWE, D Coy, and A. E. "Bluey" GRAY, C Coy.

Clyde's letter enclosing $9 was a boomer about the togetherness of subs from the Tumba boys from now. Clyde said "Hope and trust you can work it out O. K." Sure Clyde, if we can't we'll call for a photo finish to decide which of you is in front. The Tumba twosome send "Regards to one and all".

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LES SOUTHWELL, A Coy, is off overseas again with his wife Althea. He sends regards to his old mates and we in turn wish both he and Althea (his secretarial spare rib) bon voyage on their magic carpet trip for a look at Changi via Hawaii, Canada, the States, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

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Another Secretarial better-half, Phil, co-partner of Lloyd Stuart, D Coy sent in his subs. Lloyd like lots of us has his ups and downs but he still keeps to his game of golf on Sundays - though not playing to his old low handicap now. Still with Lloyd the game's the thing and while he lives he'll continue to enjoy it.

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CLARRIE LATTIMER'S, HQ Coy, subs come in year after year with faultless regularity but nary a word of news from this hardworking Kyogle Accountant.

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KEN PARRY'S son Ross is 21 on July 11th and three generations of the Parry Clan will be in Brisbane to celebrate the occasion. Our good wishes go to Ross on this important milestone in his life.

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We regret to record the passing at Concord R.G.H. on Anzac Day this year of Ida Constance Clark, aged 82, widow of the late Joe Clark who died in 1962. Joe, who was well-known to many of us, was a Pay Corps man attached to our Battalion. He worked under Reg Ellis and we always looked upon him as one of us. Our sympathy is extended to Mrs. Robertson, Mt. Druitt, the surviving sister of Mrs. Clark.

****
Correction: In last issue of Makan we credited Corporal Middleton with the composition of the Regimental song "Purple and Gold". On enquiry it is believed that Sgt. Ray Watterson, BHQ, who died of illness at Kanburi in 1943, was the composer of "Purple and Gold".

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Would anyone knowing the present address of any of the undermentioned members please advise Bessie Ellis or Ron Stoner:

Last known address

E.A. "Sandy" Christensen, Allambie Heights.
A. McK. "Lieut Don" Garner, Concord.
Ron W. Grubb, Mascot.
Ron Kentwell, Castle Hill.
Harry Law, Ultimo.
Joe G. Lonie, Hurstville.
Jack W. McGee, Springdale.
Alex McKenzie, Edgeroi via Narrabri.
W.P. "Bill" McKenzie, Leeton.
Gary G. Rickwood, P.O. Box 1514, Singapore.
H.C. Robinson, Randwick.
E.G. "Ted" Watson, Woodford.

****
ANDY HYSLOP, BHQ, living in retirement at Umina Beach has loaned us an illuminated scroll on which is printed a poem written by him at Changi commemorating the fourth anniversary of the formation of the 2/30 Bn. A.I.F. It is described by Andy as "A fragment from Changi unearthed while packing to move. I wrote it on a Prisons Register sheet while at the Gaol in 1944".

The scroll has been beautifully illustrated by water colour pictures drawn by Ted Campbell, HQ Coy, whose help in the production Andy gratefully acknowledges. These delightful water colour sketches include illustrations of the Bn. flag, colour patch, banner and rising sun badge, also vivid scenes, amongst groups of coconut palms and Japanese characters, depicting the outline of the Gaol, a messing point within the Gaol and an attap hut in Battalion lines outside the Gaol.

Since an appeal was made for original poems and songs in last October's Makan our supply of copy has been enriched by a collection of writings from various sources. Of these, this gem received from Andy Hyslop is an important piece of Battalion literature. It faithfully expresses the deep sentiments we all felt at the time it was written and reading it now we can recapture the spirit that, with the inspiration of the Old Man, welded us into the united force we were in action and in captivity.

MALAYA, 22nd November, 1944.

ANNIVERSARY IN CHANGI
(Fourth Anniversary of the Forming of the 2/30 Bn. A. I. F.)

The times have changed since Atkins slogged
As Kipling showed him how,
Since Russian guns and Tennyson
Made horsemen take a bow.

And with debunking writers strewn
Profusely by the way
It's hard to pluck a martial string
In minstrelsy to-day.

The fashion does not run that way
It is "de trop" to cheer,
When talk is of the nation's name
It's more in place to sneer.

"Forget it chum", say bitter souls
The tough ones say "Don't winge,
We've nothing to be proud of now",
On this does valour hinge ?

Ten thousand noes; we will with pride
Remember friends we've known
And cherish now the memory
Of men who sleep alone.

And facing all posterity
We'll name a strong command
That rose and fought a freeman's fight
Beneath a master's hand.

And masterful, he moulded well,
With inbuilt strength, Black Jack,
His unit met an army corps
And fought its own way back.

We suffered swift and heavy blows
To make the senses reel,
Our Gemas debit, planes and tanks,
We evened up with steel.

At Ayer Hitam none were seen
Regretting there the scrap,
Or Simpang Rengam's bombs and blood,
Unless it was the Jap.

We fought outflanked the long way back
Beneath a screaming sky,
With hunger, pain and lethargies
That wait for hope to die.

But over bukit, parit, plain,
Through rubber, swamp and sty
The stubborn teamwork did not break
And hope refused to die.

"It's just another unit!" – well
It may be so to some
Whom malice blinds or him who finds
His heart and spirit dumb.

For how can fail a regiment
Once strong and ably led
That still remains a bridge between
The living and the dead.

That honours still the stern Old Man,
A shield in toil and strife
Where claim and debt meet squarely in
Allegiances for life.

We've felt the sting of English jeers,
Derision of our own,
Contemptuous Nippon lashed us on
In bondage and alone.

We toiled at grim, inhuman tasks
In a plague and famine land,
We burnt our best and let them rest
Where jungle crosses stand.

Remembering the vanished men,
We'll call them name by name,
Who fell and died in that red tide
And say "They played the game".

FOR THE FALLEN

Except thy spirit wake we fail
That tarry comfortless for thee,
Renew in us thy fleeting tale
As stewards of your mystery.

So shall in vain a foreign earth
Encompass thy triumphant bed,
Thy light transcends life's ghostly firth,
It brightens where thy spirit led.

And wider with a wakening race
It shines above the northern shore,
Against the dawn's far-beaming face,
A burning beacon evermore.

A. Hyslop.

****
EIGHTH DIVISION, A.I.F., NATIONAL MEMORIAL

DEDICATION

BATHURST SATURDAY, 15th AUGUST, 1970

BRIGADIER SIR FREDERICK GALLEGHAN, D.S.O., O.B.E., I.S.O., E.D.
Committee President

THE IDEA

The proposal for a National 8th Division Memorial came from a group of former members of the Division living in Bathurst and District, which referred the suggestion to Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan, who placed the proposition before a meeting of 8th Division Council and Unit Associations where it received unanimous approval. The Bathurst group was requested to set up a committee and formulate plans. These were approved by the committee at Sydney of which Sir Frederick is President.

WHY BATHURST?

The majority of members trained at the Bathurst Camp. "They knew Bathurst". Which other City or Town is better placed?

THE MEMORIAL

The design chosen is the work of Dr. J. H. E. Flak, B.A., Ph.D., M.Ed., Dip. Art., E.M., Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Bathurst.

A broken column of red polished granite, of unusual shape and many planes, standing about 7 feet high, symbolic of the Division and its history; with a bronze plaque. To be erected just off the street footpath on the concrete concourse entrance to the City Hall; a position suggested by the Bathurst City Council as being worthy of such a monument.

THE COST

The cost of the Memorial and erection to be met entirely by donations - $2 and over being taxation deductible - from members of the Division and A.I.F. Malaya. Any amount donated surplus to requirements to be donated to Legacy. A separate cheque would assist bookkeeping requirements. DONATIONS ARE INVITED NOW. The Memorial involves a heavy financial commitment. Would you please send your donation immediately to: Major Allan Shearing, E.D., Harris Park, N.S.W. or Norman Paul, Bathurst, N.S.W. or included with application for accommodation. (Form attached).

DEDICATION

All servicemen and service women of the 8th Australian Division and A.I.F. Malaya, including husbands, wives, widows and relatives are invited to attend the UNVEILING and DEDICATION of the Memorial to take place at Bathurst, Saturday, 15th August, 1970, preceded at 3 p.m. by a short march and the laying of a wreath at the Bathurst Way Memorial. Decorations and medals will be worn.

August 15th is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the termination of the war against the Japanese, and the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of the Division. A REUNION including ladies, assembly 6.30 p.m., August 15th-Buffet Dinner, including refreshments - to permit maximum movement; some seating available; is arranged at the Bathurst R.S.L. Club, Rankin Street. Subscription is $5 per person, to be forwarded with your donation or request for accommodation. Admission will be by ticket forwarded to you by post. For catering purposes early payment of subscription is essential.

ACCOMMODATION AT BATHURST

All accommodation at Bathurst has been reserved. This will be allocated on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis. All is of reasonable quality. Bed and breakfast rates vary from Single $5 to $8.50; Double $9 to $12. It might be necessary for some requiring single accommodation to share. Please indicate if this is acceptable. Booking applications must be received prior to 10th July when blanket reservations expire. A deposit of $2 per person is required. Please apply on the printed tear off form. All applications will be acknowledged giving name of Hotel or Motel and room number. Those wishing to extend their stay should clearly state their requirements by enclosing a memo. If demand for accommodation exceeds the local supply, Orange, 34 miles West, the nearest town will have some rooms available. Please indicate if you are willing to stay at Orange if necessary. FAMILY UNITS at Karingal Village are suitable for families or parties of men, willing to provide own food and cook, sheets and towels. These units accommodate five or seven persons. The village is about 3 miles from the Post Office on the slopes of Mount Panorama. Charge is $7 per unit. If sheets and towels are provided the additional cost is 40c per person per night.

CARAVAN PARK

The City Caravan Park has a modern amenities block and power outlets.

TRAINS

Central Western Express leaves Sydney about 8 a.m.; seats must be reserved.

ACTION REQUIRED

NOW: Complete the attached form of application for accommodation, attach a signal for a longer stay. Please include your cheque and post to Box 8 P.O., Bathurst, N.S.W. 2795.

Application for accommodation at Bathurst, Saturday, 15th August, 1970

DEDICATION OF NATIONAL MEMORIAL 8th DIVISION A.I.F.
(Please Print)

Name
Address
Unit     

Accommodation Required        Deposit $2 per person No.
DOUBLE at $4 each    $
SINGLE at $2 each      $
SINGLE willing to share $2 each          $
Karingal $7 per unit      $
Orange if necessary Yes/ No
Reunion Dinner Tickets $5 each            $

DONATION. Separate cheque would help      $

Post to: Norman Paul, Box 8, P.O., Bathurst, N.S.W. 2795 Spare application form. Come along if you possibly can and put in your application NOW.. if you want a bed!

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