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Makan No. 235 OFFICIAL JOURNAL 2/30 Bn. A. I. F. ASSOCIATION Subscription Rate: $1.50 per Year Registered for Posting as Periodical: Category A
Please mark your Calendar for the following events 2/30 Bn Annual Reunion
To be held at
COMBINED SERVICES CLUB, BARRACK ST, SYDNEY
Meet at 6.30 pm for
Smorgasbord Dinner in Dining Room (it has its own bar). Acceptances to Chief Correspondent, Alex Dandie, on or before Friday, 21 October please, with your remittance. Country folk please let us know, if you want accommodation for weekend With Public transport facilities so handy what about it? B.J. Memorial Shield and Battalion Bowls Afternoon – 18th Sept To be held at BANKSTOWN R.S.L. BOWLING CLUB, KITCHENER PARADE BANKSTOWN, for access, turn right from Chapel Rd at French Ave before Town Hall, if coming from Hume Highway and, left from Chapel Rd into Kitchener Parade, first on left after Marion Street if coming from Canterbury Road. Car Park may also be reached from Meredith Street in rear. On SUNDAY, 18th SEPTEMBER 1977 MORNING GAME, be there 9 am for a start at 9.30 am. ALL BOWLERS from 2/30 Bn are welcome, whether you have ever been in this competition, or not. The Battalion has not been successful in having its name on the Shield yet, and it's about time. NON-BOWLER spectators are welcome to encourage the Bn teams. HOT SMORGASBORD LUNCHEON will be served after the game. Kevin Ward would like to know, who will be coming, so that he may fix up the TEAMS and also for CATERING at the Luncheon. 8th Division Reunion at it’s National War Memorial, Bathurst 14th August Members of 8th Div. and A.I.F. Malaya are invited to this Reunion at Bathurst. Wives and relatives are also welcome. Members and relatives will register at the R.S.L. C1ub, Bathurst between 10 am and 12.30 pm and, during that interval, they will be together for fellowship. At 1 pm a hot luncheon will be served. At 3.15pm Members will fall in and will march to the Carillon, where a wreath will be placed in memory of the fallen in the 1st and 2nd World Wars and in the campaigns in Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia. Thence to the 8th Div. Memorial, at which wreaths and floral tributes will be placed by representatives of 8th Div. and member units and other A.I.F. Divisions. An address will follow. The day's activities will conclude with afternoon tea at the Bathurst R.S.L. Club. Mess fee for the day (including some liquid refreshment) is $10 per person. We hope that you have sent yours in to "8th National Memorial Committee" c/- Jack Bennett. See you there! Newcastle Ex P.O.W. Annual Dinner - Sat. Evening - 6th August, 1977 This Dinner will be held at the HAMILTON R.S.L. SUB-BRANCH HALL, TUDOR STREET, HAMILTON on Saturday evening, 6th Aug. Visiting Ex-Ps.O.W. will be most welcome. For particulars contact Secretary, Alf Gee, or Kev Dalton. Central Coast Ex-P.O.W. Annual Luncheon – Sunday, 14th August, 1977 This Luncheon is to be held at the LAKES MEMORIAL CLUB, The Entrance. For particulars contact Secretary, Ray Kelly. Mid North Coast Ex P.O.W. Association Annual Reunion - 20th August, 1977 This Reunion is to be held at WAUCHOPE this year on the 20th August. Acceptances to be one week beforehand. Widows of Ex-Ps.O.W. are quite welcome to attend. Neil Huntley would be the best bet to contact for information. Far-North Coast Ex-Ps.O.W. Reunion - Ballina – 13th August, 1977 This Ballina Reunion is to be held as usual at the Ballina R.S.L. Club, commencing with Ceremony at 5 pm at Memorial Baths. Last Post
NX30114 - Pte.
William Hartridge Skene Bill Skene was an original member of "C" Company and on "F" Force and in Xl Tunnelling Party. He would have been 65 on the 2nd of August. Before he joined the 2nd AIF he had been a public servant in the Dept of Registrar General and returned there on his return from Malaya. He joined that Department in 1928 and worked in most of its varied Departments, rising to be Senior Deputy Registrar General but being forced to retire early on 21st February 1969 due to his health and having spent some time in hospital after lengthy and severe illness undoubtedly due to privations under the Japs. He was well liked in the Unit and, though he had not become a member of the Association, was always interested in the doings of his old mates. Your scribe, in his job with the Bank of New South Wales in its legal administration often had cause to require the Bank searchers at the Registrar General's Department to seek specialised information, frequently the information was brought to me with a personal inquiry from Bill as to how things were with me and no doubt members of the legal fraternity in our Unit, who might have needed the same sort of specialised information, could approach Bill and thank providence for "Our Man" there. We extend to his wife, Gladys, their children and the families our deepest sympathy in their loss.
NX70486 Captain
Edward Holroyd Booth, C.M.G. "Ward" Booth, who had been a subaltern in the 30th Bn NSW Scottish Regiment was an original member of "A" Company, holding the position of 2 I/C of the Company under Major Rod Anderson from the formation of the Battalion in November 1940.He received his promotion to Captain on 13th Feb.1941, and took up his position as O.C. "Don" Company on 2nd Feb 1942; after Captain 'Bill' Melville had been wounded and evacuated. He was on "F" Force on the "Railway Job". He was "Big" in many ways. Tall and broad of stature he was in the "A" Company League Team, which revelled in the claim that it was never beaten in any match, and was pictured in the reproduction of an old photo, taken at Bathurst, in the May 1966 issue of "MAKAN" No 172, showing that lack of hair on top from which he derived the sobriquets "Baldy" Booth and "Desert Head". He was "Big" in his hearty laugh; his love of fun; his good nature; his delight in clowning on the stage in the lighter Bn activities at night for the uplifting of morale of the Troops, and with Des Kearney, could go through a bracket of songs that they had thought up. "A Tisket a Tasket, the little yellow basket". One that comes to mind. Stan Arneil portrays the two in a wonderful word picture, that lets you recall them in those days saying, "Des Kearney and Ward Booth came along and we pushed them to the piano, where they sat through the bracket, which we heard hundreds of times. The songs lose no freshness in the retelling and these two brought the house down. Des sat slumped in a chair and with dead-panned face sang to the playing of Ward, who sat up like Jacky, with his great big face split from ear to ear with his usual grin, as he brought back the old memories." To Ward we owe the topical words, fitted to the tune of "Waltzing Matilda", which tell of the activities of the Battalion and to which were given the title, "ONWARD THE GREYHOUNDS" submitted to and approved by "B.J." in May 1941 as the Regimental March Song. The C.O. had been continually asking, "Couldn't anyone in the Battalion do something about providing words to our Regimental March", and history records:- "And so it happened, while coming down by train to Sydney for May (1941) leave, Captain Booth conceived the idea of "ONWARD THE GREYHOUNDS" - in fact the chorus was written during that trip, our old friend, Captain John L. Taylor, showing approval in his usual manner." His family arranged a private cremation and a Memorial Service was held in the morning of Wednesday, 27th July, at the Wentworth Memorial Church, Fitzwilliam Road, Vaucluse. The Church was packed with a congregation, the last of whom, some 60 or more had to be content to stand at the sides and in rear of the pews. A rough estimate was that over 300 had come to revere his memory. Friends of the family and associates of Ward in the many spheres of activities, in which he had taken part the young with the old and both men and women. It was such a tribute and a meaningful service. However, it was impossible in the vast crowd to ascertain how many of the 2/30 Bn members were there but there were some 20 or more. He maintained an active participation in sport. He took part in his last 18 holes of golf at the Royal Sydney Golf Club, of which he was a member, on the Saturday of this last weekend went home; changed and rested and returned to the Club for that last dinner party with some of his friends before he was stricken down. Yet we now know that he had been suffering for years, but showing a brave front. He recognised a duty to young Australians in that he was actively engaged in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. "MAKAN' recorded in July 1970 that, as its Chairman in N.S.W., he had much to do with presentation of awards, when the Duke was visiting Sydney earlier that year. However he had since become the Chief Coordinator of the Scheme on a National level. He was also on the National Council of Youth and other Organisations. Your scribe learnt, for the first time, at the Memorial Service that he had been honoured by the Queen, in that he had been made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St. George – C.M.G. He and Elaine had been guests on the Royal Yacht ''Britannia" whilst it was in Sydney Harbour during the Queen's tour earlier this year. The Association owes thanks to Ward Booth for many generous donations and assistance over the years. We sorrow with his wife, Elaine, and his children, Martin, Timothy and Amelia, and other members of their families and extend to them our sympathy. His last message to us came in the post on the Monday after his death as a comment on the Reunion Plebiscite; "congratulations to the Executive on making this effort to improve attendances and enthusiasm. It just might be the answer - the mixed function - as we all get older. I will support it and hope others do too. Let's try it! If it does not work we can, revert to "men only"."
NX37498 Sgt. Robert
Although Bob had been sick for some time, early 1968 he had had a mild coronary, he had felt well enough to soldier on. Bob gave his occupation on enlistment as Radio Mechanic and on return home set up a successful radio shop at Brookvale. Lately he has been a teacher at the Tech College in the building sphere. Bob was a member of No. 13 Platoon, C Company and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant as from 4th Feb 1942. He had been one of the 30th Bn NSW Scottish Regiment before the War. Bob had been a member of the Executive of the Association for some time before he was elected to the position of Vice-President in 1968, a position which he has held since, and to him has been delegated the job of organising most of our functions, of a social nature, since he did become a Committee man. Anzac Day, 1967, saw Bob carrying the Association Banner in the March, an honour which the Executive reserves for members of the Association, who may be regarded as outstanding. The hardships which Bob suffered under the Japanese as a Prisoner of War on the Island, as a member of "F" Force and X6 Tunnelling Party, especially at No. 1 Camp Shimo Sonkurai, when the treatment given Ps.O.W. was described generally as "barbaric” in those "Hell Camps" must have taken their toll of him for him to die now at the early age of 58 years. One incident, in particular, when his party were carrying baskets of gravel for road surfacing and Bob was forced to lift baskets with double normal loads, because he sought to relieve the strain on sick men, 'in a 200 yards carry from digging site to the roadway, was belted across both arms and on the body with a heavy sharp-pointed shovel with the result that both arms lost sense of feeling and became swollen; was forbidden to return to camp for medical attention for some time and when this was allowed the arms had stiffened and medical diagnosis was "broken blood vessels, bruising, and possible splintering of the bones above the elbow", it taking six weeks for the arms to recover, was, included in a citation of War Criminals' actions with a view to the indictment of those Japanese responsible for such treatment. We mourn with his wife, Shirley, and his children, Robyn and Colin in his untimely passing.
NX8372 Pte. A.H.
Seymour, “B” Company
Mrs Peggy Golledge
Mrs Arnett Snr
Mr Perry Snr Only last month we have learnt that Ted Lawty's brother, Bruce, died last August and he also lost his sister, Joan on 2nd October last year.
TO OUR MATES AND
THEIR FAMILIES Sick Parade Kevin Ward reports:
As at 27th July
there is no one in R.G.H. Concord. Those who have been on the sick list
are: Welfare Re Widows of 2/30 Bn Members Phil Schofield has penned the following advices: It cannot be stressed too strongly that the first thing to do, on the death of one of our members, is to have his widow enrolled with Legacy. This is effected by having the widow attend at Legacy in Sydney, or at one of the various metropolitan Groups, or at Country Legacy Clubs or Groups, which effect a State wide cover. The same set up exists on an Inter-State basis. The widow should have with her some evidence of death - newspaper announcement will do; Discharge Certificate and/or Repat Number of her deceased husband. On enrolment all the facilities of Legacy are available to her and an immediate application for a War Widow's Pension will usually be made. If she is in financial straits, she will receive help and advice. Legacy will ensure that she receives any of the Social Security and Repatriation Benefits, to which she may be entitled. Kevin Ward has advised, that it is the usual practice of R.S.L. Sub Branches to have a SICK PARADE where the sub branch Welfare Officer seeks to give advice on any problems. Apart from any other reasons, such as one Voice speaking for all Returned Servicemen, the Welfare side of the R.S.L. is one of the reasons that one of the objects of our 2/30 Bn. Association, as set down in our Constitution, is "to encourage eligible members to join the Returned Services League of Aust. "Galleghan's Greyhounds" How many are there, who have not read our Battalion History? How many are there, who would like to read it?. How many are there, who own a copy of it? How many are there, who would like to own a copy? The number of copies of the Battalion History, that were printed was only 500, because, although about 1,500 letters to those, who were thought might be interested, were sent out, the then demand was poor and so the number was restricted and only 485 copies were sold at the then price of £1/1/- in 1949/50,the balance sold off or presented to libraries and museums. Even when a copy was wanted to present to the British War Museum, a call had to be made for someone to donate their copy, which was done most generously by Alf Lamacraft's mother. On the weekend of 12/13 February at the Lismore Ex-Ps.O.W. Reunion one of the chaps and his wife, who had not read the history said that Jock Logan was to lend them his copy. They said that Jock had commented, at the time of making the offer, why should not the Battalion Association arrange to have our history reprinted in a paper back edition, as so many other famous books have been. It has been said that it would only be a matter of undoing the binding of someone's existing book, so that the copying could be carried out leaf by leaf. I myself, do not know if this is feasible or is the required process, perhaps some of our printer friends could advise on this. The question, of course, is, what would be the demand, and would costs be covered? Your scribe has received several enquiries, whether it is possible to get a copy. "Sluggo" Jones is the one, who had his copy, a bundle of pulp, after the flooding of his house. He is after a copy, but, there has not been one answer to the enquiry in the Oct/Nov 1976 issue of "MAKAN", as to whether he could get one. Keith Chapman lent someone his copy, but that someone forgot to return it; Keith cannot remember whom it might have been, so he is after a second copy. A cousin of Les Baxter (D Company), who died at Kanburi No. 2, is seeking one; there is one in the family already, but others in the family would like to have one. And so the list goes on. I have placed my name with one large 2nd hand book store in Sydney in case one reaches the market, but.....................??? News, Views, and Who's Whose
Kevin Ward - (A
Company) - Greenacre, 2190
Douglas McLaggan -
(HQ Company) - East Lindfield, 2070
Hylton Collins - (B
Company) - Eastwood, 2122
George E.T. Johnson
- C Company - Wangan, 4860 Unfortunately George has had family sickness troubles, that have bugged him for months. He has been too busy by day and too tired at night to be much interested in letter writing. He writes, "When I was compelled to retire in April 1970, I just flaked and for 6 months did nothing, but, as I felt better I soon found myself involved in the Scouting Movement. My only son, Ian, had joined Scouts and our eldest daughter of my second marriage, Sally, was in Girl Guides. Our late arrival, Gaye, was an entrant in a Tiny Tots Competition for fund raising and my wife, Heather, and I found ourselves really up to our necks in that fund raising. It was for sub normal children. All went off well. I became Group Leader of Innisfail Scout Group. I held that position for 3½ years (At this point, George, let me extend the left hand in congratulations, though I am still running a Scout Troop. ED). By the end of 1975 Heather and I decided to slow down. We went to New Zealand for a three weeks tour and for the last 1½ years have concentrated on renovations to our house and establishing a vegetable garden, and this is not easy to carry out, when so much rain belts down in the area. At the present time I am trying to finish painting our home, between showers. Wangan, where we live, is 4 miles from Innisfail, which is situated in the centre of the wet tropics. The original jungle was just like the Malayan jungle we knew. It was so thick, that in most places one could not see 8 ft into it, as I found out, when I came up here from the Tweed River, 25 years ago, to create a farm, which I did the hard way, by brush hook and axe. Recurring sicknesses handicapped me somewhat so after 17 years I was forced to sell and retire. These days, I do anything I can, to keep myself active. Early this year Heather became sick, this ended in me driving the 1700 km down to Brisbane to allow Heather to have a big operation. That was last month and now we are all home again and Heather is recuperating and recovering fast. I have my off days with one kidney and one lung, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, plus a tummy bloat, if I eat a bit wrongly, but, on the whole, I'm not doing too badly. I find that to keep active and eat sensibly and to think positively of better things, keeps me happy.
Once, I used to be
known as "Big Johnno", When I took Heather to Brisbane for her operation, we went a few days early and did the rounds of my 4 daughters of my previous marriage. They are all doing well. Their husbands have good jobs and we saw all 15 of my grandchildren. Heather, of course, is looking forward to the day, when she will have grandchildren of her very own. Our Sally is now 19, Ian is 18 and Gaye is 11, so it is a bit of a wait yet. I mentioned earlier that we live in the wet tropics. It's a dry year if we get less than 12 feet of rain. 1973 was Innisfail's Centenary year and it was also the wettest year on record, when the final count was 22ft 6 inches 15 points. 1975 was close behind with 21 feet 9 inches 31 points. 1976 we had 14 feet in the first 6 months, then it was very dry till 21st Jan. this year, when the wet season set in and the 1973 record has almost been toppled with 21 feet 11 inches 53 points to date and still 6 months to go, so it's to be our wettest ever year since recording began almost 100 years ago. (and 'you can say that again,' I can hear "Snowy" Stevens echoing, after the 14 days of continuous rain that Dave Tate ordered for "Snow" on his holiday on Dave's farm early this year. ED) Well Alex, there's a bit of a break, so it's back to the garden. My sincere regards to one and all, and I'm still hoping to get down to a reunion one of these days. Cheerio. George E.T. Johnson "Big Johnno".
Ray Godbolt – “D”
Company - Merewether, 2291 I gave up work last October and had to go on a pension, so now I am doing all those things around the house that have been going to get done in the last three years. (Now hang on all you wives; hold hard on those whips on your hubby's backs until you hear the rest. ED) I get up early of a morning and potter around until lunch time and that's it for the day. (So you see Ray has the P.O.W. timing too well ingrained for him to make the pace too hard). Ray continues, "Later on in the Spring we are going up North for a few weeks, so hope to call in on as many of the boys as possible." (Good hunting, Ray. ED)
J. Ashley Pascoe –
“B” Company - Belfield, 2191
Jim Morgan – “D”
Company - Port Macquarie, 2444 I have retired from the Telecom Dept and, after travelling up to the North of Queensland, South Australia, West Australia, a trip to Singapore and Hong Kong, we have settled in Port Macquarie, which we are enjoying very much. The fishing and the boating take up most of our time. Always plenty to do. So Cheerio to all, Jim Morgan. (Editorial Comment - Jimmy did all his trips without a word of change of address, until his "MAKAN" envelope came back to Phil Schofield, who rang me, told me that the envelope had a pencil note on it, "thought to be at Nambucca Heads", and suggested that, as "Don" Garner (Lt) had his Motel there, he might be able to locate Jimmy for us. We were too late, Jimmy had decided Port Macquarie offered a more idealistic climate for his retirement. Still, Don did the right thing, he rang through to Neil Huntley at Port Macquarie, and word came in from Neil, that 'by a process of elimination' he had found Jimmy, and we were able to welcome back Jim and Margaret to the fold once more. So there is the moral, if I may use that phrase. Please tell me of a change of address, when you pull up sticks, we don't want to lose you, and we would welcome back any you know, who may not be in Phil's Address Index, and include them "on the "MAKAN" Mailing List, if you could encourage them to send in something towards Subs. Jim had his Telecom pals on the watch. Others may not be so lucky. A.D)
Ron ("Porky") Moore
– “B” Company - Belmore, 2192 (Best Wishes, "Porky", to you and your wife and may you have many happy years together. Ed)
"Doc" Wilson – “A”
Company - West Ryde 2114
Ted Lawty – “C”
Company - Narrabri, 2390 Gwen continues by saying, "Ted is keeping very well. He is still working as a carpenter at, the local hospital.” He had bad luck last year as he lost his brother Bruce in August from cancer and then on 2nd October lost his younger sister Joan from leukaemia. Bruce was 42 and had 4 children, whilst Joan was 34 and had 2 children. (Please accept our sympathy for your losses, Ted. We trust that things are working out well for those who are left. ED) Gwen's further news is that Ted's mother is 78 yrs old and is living next door to them. Also that Ted and Gwen have 3 boys; Peter 20½ and a carpenter like his Dad, Kevin 19, and an apprentice baker, Doug almost 18 and an apprentice welder and in the course of learning his trade he has to go to Newcastle every six weeks to go to Tech College.
Colonel George S.
Ramsay - Epping, 2121
Len Hendy – “D”
Company - Cammeray, 2062
Lady Galleghan -
Cremorne, 2090
Ray Brown –
“B”Company - Bankstown 2200
Wally Scott – “A”
Company - Fairy Meadow, 2519 Phil Schofield reports that both the above have joined those declared T.P.I.
Fred Johnston – “B”
Company - Epping, 2121
R.A. ("Zipper")
Charlton – “B” Company - Harrington, 2427 Pearl wrote in and requested that I be good enough to alter the address for "MAKAN"; at the same time she reports that "Zipper" is in good health, considering, now that he has retired and will have plenty to do to keep him busy, (and adds "I hope". So you see "Zipper" do the odd jobs like Ray Godbolt, but get out from under her feet and see how the fish are biting if storm clouds seem to be drifting about. ED)
Tom Grant – “C”
Company - Murwillumbah, 2484 Around the middle of June Tom said that he was working at Tweed Heads in charge of the tick gates, however, only on a relieving basis, so that he did not expect to be there much longer. He commented, "It has been a change from field work in which I have been engaged with Board of Tick Control now for some 22 years. If it chance any of the boys should come through here, they will be pleased to know spraying is free, that is during the week. Both man and beast may enjoy being sprayed with milky white "Promicide" and at such a reasonable rate. Besides, it gets rid of all ticks and lice and most other things. Singapore Bugs or Burma lice are catered for at the same reasonable charge that applies to the local vermin. Hope this finds you and yours and the rest of the boys well, as this leaves us all here at the Tweed River.
Tom. E.E. ("Jock")
McDougall - C Company - MOSMAN, 2088 After seeing most of the South of England, we went by "Flying Scotsman" to Edinburgh for 4 days and 5 nights and also went to Glasgow and Paisley. Edinburgh is a beautiful city full of interest and dominated by the Castle and the Royal Mile. The Banks issue their own money (paper) and one finds it hard to cash the Scottish pound back in London, except for the Banks. We walked over the new Forth Bridge (3½ miles) in a howling hurricane with a wind that felt that it was straight from the North Pole.. The Botanical Gardens are beautifully laid out and, in my opinion, are better than Kew Gardens in London. The Scots were warm hearted and entertained us well. Back to London by the "Gordon Highlander", six hours, with a very nice three course meal on the way. We had a few more days at Oxford, and in London, before we came home. My impressions were that cost of living is about the same as here except meat which is twice as expensive as in Australia. Rents are lower to equal and cost of houses are only ⅔ the cost of Australian houses, except that they are mostly in terraces or semi-detached. The Arabs are buying up all the large single houses and giving up to £1 to £3.5 million with their surplus oil funds. The English have been living on borrowed money for so long, that it is now a way of life for them and, although they are mostly poor, do not seem to worry. The Continentals go over for a day’s shopping and even with the fare can still buy cheaper than in, France, Belgium and Germany. The rest of our family are well. Jeffrey has two boys, Andrew and Phillip, and is managing a property out of Narrabri. He has had two good years with wheat, barley and sorghum and hopes for another good crop of wheat and barley this year. He also has an Angus herd to look after, which keeps him busy and out of mischief. Ian is married, but has no family yet. He is under instructions for his wife, Sandi, to produce a grand-daughter. He is an Architectural Draftsman and has already left his mark on Sydney by the North Point Building at North Sydney and the Colonial Mutual Building at Pitt and Martin Plaza. He is still surviving the bad times in the building trade. I still read the "MAKAN" with great interest, Alex. My best regards to you and all my friends in the Battalion especially Bob Jack, Phil Schofield and Ron Maston, who must be "Bomb Happy" to do all that trip again. Happy Days, Ron. Kind Regards." Jock McDougall.
Jack Grossmith - HQ
Company - Woy Woy, 2256 He enclosed four photos, which he said, "I feel sure that the 2/30 Bn Association can make more use of than I." (They were in the display in the centrefold of last "MAKAN" with which we had the able assistance of RAY STREATFEILD in the printing and for which we thank Ray, most heartily.) He comments, "I know that "MAKANS" come and go - all 233 of them - but how the editor manages to collect so much from reluctant contributors is an amazement. I have just gone through the experience of producing one booklet, the 50th Anniversary of The WOY WOY - ETTALONG R.S.L. SUB-BRANCH, 1927 to 1977. How this booklet came into being was that at the November 1976 meeting of the Sub-Branch a sub Committee of 5 was selected, including one, Jack Grossmith, to formulate proposals for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary in the following April. Some of the Committee were all for a flamboyant affair of 2 days or more with parades and bands and a costly "Hurrah for the R.S.L." Finally, reason prevailed and we all agreed on a "Members' and wives' and special guests' Social Night”, and, that we must produce a Souvenir Booklet. They all looked my way and said, "You are the one to do the booklet." All protestations of my complete ignorance of such matters were of no avail and I was left with no alternative but to say, "I'll try, but on your head be it." So, I got my head down and plodded through the 50 years of monthly meeting minutes and did my best to make some sort of interesting and "human" content from them. Then, thinking that it was only a matter for me, the Editor, to ask for written contributions about the activities of our R.S.L., I encountered almost a complete blank, and I had almost to write nearly all the contents myself. Of the Anzac Day Services, Jack relates "No one knows quite why, perhaps because of 50th Anniversary publicity, perhaps because at the Dawn Service, for the first time we had the "Krait" and 8 or 10 Volunteer Coastal Patrol vessels anchored in Woy Woy channel to spear their searchlights on the Cenotaph at 4.57 am...I don't know, but, instead of 200 or so at the Dawn Service, there were 600. Likewise at the 10.30 am wreath laying and plaque dedication service, there were 2,000 instead of the usual 1,100 or so. It is interesting to note that in his culling of minutes Jack gives credit to the various executives of the Sub-Branch for their sustained efforts to see to the welfare of returned men and their families over the years. But that is understandable when he starts recounting what he does to fill in his days such as, "Apart from being on the R.S.L. Committee and throwing my weight around (all 10 stone of it), there are other things to do to keep a near septuagenarian, like myself, from vegetating - the home maintenance; odd days of bowls or fishing; the local Community Service; there always seems to be a job to do for someone - a bit of woodturning - a bit of ticket writing for fetes or what not. Then, of course, my wife, Hilda, is involved with the local Meals on Wheels - (so am I), the C.W.A. and the Nurses Association (a fund-raising body). So how's that for a synopsis of life on the Woy Woy Peninsular? (As Phil has said, "I dips me lid, Jack, to you and all those other members of the 2/30 Bn, who have accepted office on the Executives of their various Sub-Branches wherever they may be throughout this and every other State of Australia. To many of them has been granted the honour of Life Membership of the R.S.L., others just do whatever job comes up without, stint or favour. You are all doing a marvellous job. ED)
Alex Campbell - BHQ
(I Section) - Strathfield, 2135 No. 1 priority has been the painting of his house, but the difference between the colours on those '"colour charts" and what comes out of the tins has caused extra painting to be done to cover up the "unsatisfactory" and the "ghastly" and achieve what at last gives everyone satisfaction. Alex and Gwenyth have three boys, and his descriptions are:- "Ross, my oldest boy, aged 29, is married and is teaching languages in Canberra. Andrew, my second son, is an aircraft engineer and is living in Scotland. Two years ago he married a lovely Highland girl. My third son, Graham, 24, is romantically unattached and is teaching art in a Sydney High School. He says, "A month ago Gwenyth and I returned from a six weeks car tour of Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland, a delightful experience. Two years ago we spent three months on the Continent and in England and Scotland. The trip was prompted by Andrew's marriage. The ceremony was held in a little stone church in the Highlands and by the side of a loch. The reception that followed, with the skirl of the pipes and the whirl of tartan clad figures in a medley of Scottish dances, will always remain a vivid memory. If you see any of the boys please remember me to them.
Best wishes."
Billy Senior - HQ
Company (Pioneer Platoon) - Chatswood, 2065
Ray Body - HQ
Company - Raymond Terrace, 2324 As you know, Sandy found it very difficult to get about at any time and with his big toe broken, he was just about immobile, but I did go to Manly and had the day and a night with Sandy. We went to the 11 o'clock service by taxi and from there to the Manly Memorial Club, where we spent the afternoon. We did miss the boys. I am truly sorry we missed the day with you all and sincerely hope that we can make it next year. My regards to all the boys.
All is well with my
wife, my family and myself."
Con Hedwards – “C”
Company - Coniston, 2500
Ray Rickards – “C”
Company - Yennora, 2161
Geoff Alcock – “B”
Company - Thornleigh, 2120 Geoff was 71 this year and spent his birthday in that sick bed so that he could not help comparing that day with the one in 1943, spent in a rice truck on the way up to Thailand, when everyone's misery was so great. As far as he himself was concerned the importance of the day to him was not even thought of and it was not until some time in May that year that he realised that he had had another birthday.
Nev Riley - HQ
Company - East Hills, 2213 Reading Ron Maston's reminiscences of Gemas in March "MAKAN", led Nev to send me a photo of No. 13 Platoon with Mick Clemens in the front row, Nev having had an enlargement made of a small snapshot he had. So one day I may be able to have it reproduced in a future "MAKAN", but I would like to know first who were in 13 Platoon, since our Nominal Roll does not go into details of Platoon and Sections, only Companies.
Ted Skuse – “A”
Company - Tuncurry, 2428 Ted and Edna celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary at Kempsey with their eldest daughter, Carol, whose Anniversary of 21 years married, was 3 days after Ted and Edna's. Ted says, "I think, we are very lucky to be together all this time. Edna has had a lot of illness over the last few years, but is now very well, although she has still me to put up with, which is a feat in itself. My youngest son has put himself in his father's shoes and joined the Army. He is in the Medical Corps in Queensland.
“Joe" Johnston – “D”
Company - Knockrow, 2479
"Andy" Knox – “C”
Company -.Collaroy Plateau, 2098 "Andy" tells me that Sir Roden took quite a time going around the medical centre of the Home talking to the folk there. "Andy" has sessions at the Home both for physical therapy to help with his troubles, and also for work therapy. "Andy" is quite an artist with his copper work; he made a 3’ x 2’ “:Rising Sun” Badge for Sir Roden and the Authorities at the Home arranged a car to Government House for Andy to present it to him personally.
“Jacko” Jackson –
“B” Company - Chatswood, 2067
"Curly" Heckendorf -
BHQ (I Section) - Lockhart, 2656 He says that he had a pleasant surprise recently when Stewart Blow called and spent the day with him. Stewart being up from Berry to visit his daughter and her husband, the son of a family friend of "Heck" in Holbrook. He also saw Max Pyle at Narrandera for Anzac Day. We are very sorry to learn that "Heck's" wife has had a three months spell in a Melbourne Hospital, but he tells us that she is now home and doing well (and we trust the improvement continues Rose. ED). Daughter, Joan, has just become engaged, having completed her nursing training (DC) and is being married in September. (Best wishes and a happy life together, Joan. ED) and two boys are still at school. Despite a farmer's troubles of occasional drought or flood "Heck" says that the farm progresses, seemingly, forever, and he pays tribute to those who have gone before, by saying, “Sometimes I think due solely to the enterprise and labour, of one's fore-fathers." (Knowing Heck he isn't letting them down. ED)
Neil Huntley – “B”
Company - Port Macquarie, 2444 He says of Bruce, that he is a quiet stalwart in the R.S.L. Sub-Branch, and was recently awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding work on the hospital visitation committee. He reports:, "Anzac at the Port went off very well; over 120 at the Dawn Service, 500 in the March to the Service held on the village green, near the river. Many more at the dinner. Bruce busy helping to take meals around to those diggers at the hospitals and in their homes, who were unable to be at the dinner. I had my usual job, O.C. of flags and supply a land rover, one of many to transport disabled diggers.
Freddie Butt – “C”
Company - Terrigal, 2260 Fred writes, "We Makanesians owe a great deal to people like yourself, who are still prepared, after so many years, to follow on in the footsteps of the previous dedicated correspondents, editors and their associates and assistants, all of whom combined and coordinated their time and efforts in order that "MAKAN" should continually go out to so many of us. Undoubtedly it must appear that guys like myself have taken so much for granted, but let me assure you that assumption would be quite wrong. I wish I could adequately express my gratitude to all those who have been involved in the preparation of our Newsletter and 2/30 Bods Directory over the years. I realise it was no easy task, particularly during Schoey's (Phil SCHOFIELD) tour of duty, with his problem of failing sight and consequently the extra effort required to keep track of his evasive Printer's Devils and control the remainder of his ebullient workforce at the same time. I dips me lid, Phil. Generally speaking I enjoy pretty good health and it's only during the last couple of years that a bit of my past appears to be catching up with me. I hope to meet up with you and the rest of the troops in the not too far distant future, so HOO ROO for now. Our kindest regards and very best wishes to all. Sincerely, Fred and Paddy.
Ted Lutz – “B”
Company – Yanderra, 2691 No
trouble, if we want money or help, if a big fire is to be on, of the
many jobs that keep the equipment right up and in order and attendance
at meetings, that's another thing. Ted says, "I myself have no real serious complaint, a stomach, that won't be controlled and often stops me keeping engagements; still manage to go camping and shooting with three of the grandchildren, teaching them to use a gun safely, shoot their own tucker and look after themselves in the bush - with only such gear as we could carry on our backs. (Good on you Ted, I bet those kids reckon they have the best grandad ever. ED) We start our burning off or hazard reduction program here middle of July. Weather permitting it will go on for 6/8 weeks. It's not as bad as it sounds, more of a social event. The womenfolk turn on the refreshments and blokes, not seen all the year, come out of hollow logs or holes to be in it. There have been some heavy frosts lately, had to get up at dawn today, there was the fool pup, a white lump on the grass. My first thought, was he dead? No! Just a fresh air fiend. Has a good house too, would sleep in it myself, it's big enough and lined too. He made me feel cold, and I could not get the fire going quickly enough. I have been busy with the winter wood; left it late this year; but, looking at the log fire, must say it's worth the effort. Now, don't get the wrong idea. I use a chain saw.
Give my regards to
everyone, will write again in the spring.
Bruce Greer - HQ
Company - Ballina, 2478 Bruce says that Ross and his wife, Linda have started, a stud of quarter horses, with the hope of getting some money in, until such time as the cattle market improves. Billie and Bruce with two friends from childhood days are to go off on another trip. This time up to Townsville, and from there across to Alice Springs and Ayer's Rock. They all want to see as much of Australia as possible, before they get too old for long trips; in any case they are firm believers in the "See Australia First" policy.
Jack Maclay – “B”
Company - Rydalmere, 2116 Jack says he wants all bowlers to take note of Kevin's notice in the front of this "MAKAN" and roll up to Bankstown R.S.L. Bowling Club's greens and get the Bn name on the B.J. Shield. It's about time he says.
Arthur Isaacs – “D”
Company - Bankstown, 2200
Ray Simmons - BHQ -
Bexley, 2207 He was well known and respected by quite a few AIF 2/30 Bn in particular, officers and no doubt to some of the O/R’s and the article was published in the official organ of the Sambawang Association (comprised of members and ex-members of the RAAF who served in Malaya during 1940/42. I am sorry I cannot send you the journal, nor will I bore you with the details of how I came to read the same - but I am writing this in a sports store in Bexley, the owner of which is a member of the Sambawang Association and kindly gave me permission to copy the article - The name, incidentally, of the magazine is "Apa Khaber"? (including the question mark). Quote - "The Sea Gives up another secret". An Australian War relic of major historical importance has been recovered from the sea at Khota Bahru on the east coast of the Malay Peninsular. It is the Port engine from a RAAF Hudson bomber - the first RAAF Aircraft lost in the war against Japan in World War 2. The aircraft was one of two Hudsons of No. 1 Squadron RAAF, which were destroyed about 1 am on 8th Dec 1941, while attacking the Japanese fleet involved in the initial invasion of Malaya (The Pearl Harbour attack on Hawaii took place a few hours later (local time) and brought America into the War). The first Allied aircraft in the area believed lost to the Japanese was an RAF Catalina of No. 205 Squadron. Only one of the eight men from the two lost Hudsons survived the encounter - Flying Officer Donald Alexander Dowie, the second pilot of aircraft A 16-19. He, then aged 24, spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese and endured incredible privations. After the war he studied medicine and on 30 June this year retires as Director of Medical Services, Dept of Social Security, South Aust. Dr. Dowie, now 59, lives with his wife in Willunga South Australia. During a recent visit to Canberra, he was asked by the Air Force to provide first hand information of the encounter. While in the Air Force Office, he also met the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall J.A. Rowland (a wartime prisoner in Germany). His report is as follows: - First - No. 1 Squadron RAAF was the first of any RAAF Squadron to go into action in the war in the Pacific. In fact war had not been declared, when the squadron went into action in the early hours of 8th Dec. 1941. The squadron, newly equipped with modern Lockheed Hudson twin-engine bombers, had arrived at Khota Bahru in the mid 1941 to replace No. 8 Squadron RAAF also equipped with Hudsons. On 6 December 1941, Flt. Lt. J.C. Ramshaw and his crew, Flying Officer Dowie, second pilot and Sgts G.C. White and J.C. Coldrey, wireless air Gunners, were patrolling well out to sea off the east coast of Malaya, when they sighted a large Japanese Convoy of warships and troop transports heading north towards Thailand. In Don Dowie's own words, "Using broken cloud cover we shadowed them as they moved north. Suddenly they altered course and headed back south. The squadron kept an eye on it and throughout that day and the following day -7 Dec - as it steamed closer to Khota Bahru. Our C.O. Wing Commander R.H.S. Davis, told us to get a good night's sleep, as he expected that we were going to be busy from then on. I went to bed about 10 pm. A couple of hours later we were woken and told to prepare to attack the convoy, which was then off the coast. Soon after midnight we were in action against the Japanese. At that time the war in the Pacific had not been declared. In fact this was the very start of the war. Two aircraft, A16-19 and A16-94 were first into action. I was in A16-19 skippered by John Ramshaw and Sgts White and Coldrey were the wireless air gunners. The other aircraft, A16-94 was under command of Flt. Lt. J.G.L. Jones. We took off about 1am and bombed the convoy. The entire mission must have taken only a few minutes as, when we landed from the first run, I realised that I was still smoking the same cigarette, that I had lit just before take-off. We bombed up the aircraft again and our crew led the 2nd attack. We picked what appeared to be a cruiser and released our bombs at mast head height. That's all I remember. - I woke up in the sea supported by my Mae West life jacket. A16-94 was lost without trace of the crew. By an amazing stroke of good fortune an empty native prau floated towards me in the strong current. I managed to grab it and climbed aboard. It had no paddles and it floated further and further out to sea. Two days later and miles from land I was picked up by a Japanese armed patrol boat, which took me to Singora, Thailand, where I was put into prison. I was lucky to be alive, I would not have survived many days in a prau without food and water. After 2 months solitary confinement in Singora, where he was given only small quantities of rice and water and consequently suffered from Beri-beri, he was taken to Saigon, Vietnam and spent two months with 11 other Allied Ps.O.W. in a 10' x 10’ cell. Toilet facilities were often denied the prisoners. After the fall of Singapore he was taken to Changi Goal, where he spent the next 18 months. Then he was sent to work on the Burma Railway, where he spent 9 months ? (Ray's query) before returning to Changi. Because Don was in the first RAAF Aircraft lost to the Japanese during the war, he was given the privilege of being on the first evacuation aircraft out of Singapore for Darwin. The Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine was snagged off Khota Bahru in the net of a local fisherman, Abdul Rahman bin Harun. The Lockheed Aircraft Corporation U.S.A. has positively identified a data plate on the engine as belonging to A16-19. The Royal Malaysian Air Force transported the engine to Air Base Butterworth, from where it was flown back to Australia in an RAAF C 130 Hercules Transport. After Anti-Corrosion treatment at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, Victoria, it will be placed in the War Memorial in Canberra. For Don Dowie it will bring back special memories. From RAAF News."
Stan Arneil – “A”
Company - Collaroy, 2097 I am told that this award to Stan was the first made in the whole of the British Commonwealth to anyone for work done on behalf of the Credit Union Movement. Strange but it is true though the Movement was started in one of the Eastern Provinces of Canada. Also, I am told, that on first occasions the Queen reserves to herself the right to invest such a recipient and that our Stan attended Government House, Sydney, in March of this year at the Queen's Investiture to receive at her hands the ribbon and jewel of his rank in the Order of Australia. Do You Remember?
Col Tuckfield – “D”
Company - Kenmore (Q), 4069 My 23rd birthday is somewhat better documented - 6/6/44 - 23 years old today. Had birthday party for breakfast. Issue was 1 pint rice gruel. So I bought ¼ coconut and 1/6 lb Gula Malacca and mixed. Quite tasty. Coconut 80¢ each and Gula $1.50 per lb. (I wonder why the preoccupation with food). What a difference for his birthday this year. He says, "My wife arranged a surprise party of about sixteen people (it was somewhat of a League of Nations, consisting as it did of 2 Estonians, 3 Germans, 2 Peruvians, a Scot, a South African and assorted Aussies). I staggered (literally) to bed at 3 a.m. and my employer, the Government, got little from me next day.
Artie Power – “D”
Company - Kyogle, 2474 The food here consisted of three small bowls of rice daily with green cucumber and water. The rice was mixed with green wheat, which caused severe diarrhoea and stomach trouble, which lasted until we were released. Living quarters in this camp were very poor and we had to sleep shoulder to shoulder. We bathed and washed our dishes in one big cement trough.
"Hank" Massey - HQ
Company (Sigs) - Merrylands, 2160
Les Davidson - HQ
Company (Sigs) - Died of Illness at Kanburi No. 1. 8/12/1943
Baden S. ("Sluggo")
Jones – “D” Company - Booval (Q), 4304 Stop Press
Keith Mulholland,
P.O.W. REUNION at LEETON, Saturday, 3rd September, 1977 This will be the first ex-POW Reunion held in the Riverina for 10 yrs and will give former mates an opportunity to get together again. The reunion will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at Leeton Shrine of Remembrance at 6 p.m. Former P.O.W. are cordially invited to be present accompanied by their wife. The charge will be $10.00 per person including a sumptuous meal and drink's. If you intend to be present, please advise Mr. E. Shepley, Hon Secretary giving NAME, FIRST NAMES, NICKNAME IF ANY, UNIT and, if to be accompanied by your wife, her First Names. If accommodation is required, please include $10.00 Deposit and state dates accommodation is required. (PLEASE TURN OVER) . Please detach this page, completed, attach your cheque or money order and send it into the chief corresponded, Alex Dandie. Acceptance is to be in by Friday, 21st October please. Annual reunion Meet at 6.30 PM had combined services club, Barrack Street, Sydney on Friday, 4th November 1977. I will be attending this function and enclose $5.50 in payment of an admission charge. Name.......................................Address................................................................. As a Country Member I would like accommodation, for the weekend . Yes.................................No...................................... I will be coming with....................................................... Supplement with "MAKAN" No 235, Jun/Aug. 1977 Back to 1977 index or Main Index |