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Back to 2000 index or Main Index Makan No. 329 INDEX
For the majority of us, it will be 60 years since we joined the Army at Tamworth. So in November, we will be celebrating its sixtieth Birthday and despite our feebleness and dispositions, it is hoped that a good number of us can assemble at Tamworth for that occasion. When we returned in 1945, did you anticipate surviving another 55 years? Some of us have weathered well, and some not so well. It is hoped that in this year, the MAN upstairs shall treat us kindly and we can gather together once more. Where ever you may be, if you have occasion to visit Sydney, endeavor to make your visit around the 3rd. Tuesday of the month at Bankstown Sports Club, where we hold a monthly mini reunion. I believe the "Makan" has new arrangements re printing, and the Bankstown T.A.F.E. will be relieving the "Makan" team of this somewhat, as they are all feeling the strain (or shall I say, getting old?) Age has caught up with your Patron, and unfortunately, unable to attend all meetings and gatherings, but it is my hope that I shall be spared for some time yet (See you in November). Anzac Day was a tremendous success in the City , and according to reports, all over Australia. It is indeed heartening to know that the younger generation are ready to pick up the Baton for their fathers. I find as I age, that things of 50 - 60 years ago, are coming back in memory. It was good to see John Howard and Kim Beazley attending Anzac Day at Gallipoli, and the words spoken on that occasion, and that 10,000 Australians saw fit to attend Anzac Cove on this occasion. I sincerely hope that your health does not deteriorate over much in this year 2000, and I wish the same for all your loved ones.
Kindest regards,
The Auxiliary Luncheon at Parliament House, on Friday, 14th. April, was a great success. Gretta Maston, Joan Crispin, and the ladies of the Auxiliary, are to be congratulated on the very high standard achieved by them. Major General Ray Sharp was the guest speaker, and his speech was outstanding in the way in which he dealt with the Anzac theme. A special vote of thanks was passed to Peter Nagle, who organised for the Auxiliary to have the use of the Dining Room at Parliament House. There were 74 people present, and the way in which they mixed and talked together, was wonderful. We hope that there will be similar functions in the future. Those of us who were there, extend our sincere thanks to the organisers. Our thanks also go to so many who are continuing to give their time to Association affairs. Bruce Ford, who continues to be our ever effective Secretary, Bert Farr, our Treasurer, who keeps such a sharp eye on our finances, Ray Brown, our skilled Vice President, who is also President of the 8th. Division, Association and the help of his wife, Marion, keeps the "Makan" production team effective. The letters of thanks from our members show how much the "Makan" is appreciated, and is continuing to be the life blood of the Association. Members are invited to visit Mrs. Campbell's home, to see the wonderful work being done. Robyn Lowndes, our "Makan" editor, who puts so many hours into compiling the material that comes in from members all over Australia and overseas. It is so wonderful to see how our "Makan" team is continuing to carry on the foundation work that was established by Phil Schofield, Les Hall, Stan Arneil, Ron Stoner, Alex Dandie, Jim Strang, Ron Foster, Reg and Bessie Ellis, Cecilie Boss, Harry Collins and all those men and women who have taken the keen interest, which has produced the "Makan" for so many years. I do trust that I have not left out any names and I apologise if I have done so. The growth of the part played by the Associates is now so important and we acknowledge the present Associate President, lain Huntley, who is carrying on after Gregory Allardice. The Associates in Sydney, hold their meetings at the Combined Services Club in Barrack Street, Sydney, and the Parramatta R.S.L Club. In reading copies of letters from members, it is interesting to read of sons and daughters and grand sons and grand daughters of the original men of the Battalion. Our thoughts are stirred with the question, what are we doing to bring them in as Associates? I ask that we take steps to do this. You will find with this "Makan", an application form to be used to enrol new Associates. The Auxiliary branches are so important in Sydney, Newcastle and Hunter Valley, the Far North Coast and Southern Queensland. We will be interested in any suggestions for the establishment of any other branches to enable members to meet one another. Hospital Visitations are an important part of our activities. Please do let us know when any of our members are in hospital, or sick at home, and we will take steps to ensure that visits are made to them. Rex Grant handles the home visits and Dennis Garland handles the hospital visits in Sydney. In the country and interstate, we urge our local members to keep in touch with one another. Book Presentations in memory of our deceased members are an important part of our activities. Victor Hooper has taken on the responsibility for this key task. He is supported by Trevor Gillespie. Birthday Cards. Our Chief Correspondent, Frank Sullivan, brightens our birthdays with the wonderful way in which he sees that we receive our birthday cards. Thanks so much Frank and thank you, Olga, for the way in which you support him in this very important task. Our Chaplain, the Rev. Stephen Williams, is happy to receive notice of any of our members who are in hospital, or are disabled at home. He will be happy to talk to widows, or relatives, of deceased members. Arch. Dickinson is our country Vice President and he and his wife, Pat, take a great interest in any of our country members. Please do not hesitate to contact them. Lance Sanderson and his wife, Isobel, take a great interest in our Queensland members. It is great to have the interest of all these members who keep the Association together by their various activities. It is a great privilege for me to be the President of the Association and I do thank all members of the Association for their wonderful support. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Kindest regards to everyone, Yours sincerely, Ron Maston.
Owing to delays in the bulk handling depot of Australia Post, the March issue of "Makan" and the Newsletter, was seriously late in arriving in many member's hands. This meant that the Proxy Votes on the Notice of Motion, set down for decision at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, could not be delivered to our Secretary in time for that April 11th meeting. It was therefore decided to refer the matter back to the Central Committee meeting, held on the same day, where it was decided to withdraw the Notice of Motion. At the Central Committee meeting scheduled for June 13th it is planned to consider alternatives available to the Committee under the Association's constitution. Bill Pritchard, the Pensions and Welfare Officer has given us the details on several pension items and will continue to do so in future editions of the "Makan". These items follow after the Anzac Day Report, which was submitted by Bert Farr. The "Makan" team of Ray Brown and his helpers would like to thank the Bankstown College of T.A.F.E. for the unstinted help shown to us in "Nisus Formativus", (or) Putting to Bed Makan No. 329. Those who attended the Ballina Reunion in August will be saddened to hear of the demise of Derek "Monty" Montgomery-Campbell, the piper who played the lament at the Memorial Services for many years. He will be missed. I would like to say what a pleasure it was for me to march with my father's Battalion on Anzac Day. I was not the only Associate to be there that day, Judy, (Don McIver's daughter) and David Saunders came from England, Will Hawke from Orange, Joy Dries from Oakdale, Carolyn Smith and Greg Allardice, and the grandsons, Andrew and Michael, of Vince Leonard, Geoff Wilson from Canberra and Phillip Carey. There were many others, but apologetically, I have to say that I have mislaid the list I made, and can't remember their names. I had joined the 2/18 Battalion Association that day (my step grandfather was in that Battalion and died at Sandakan in May, 1945) and was asked to march with them, but had to decline, as of course I wanted to march with the 2/30th. So much for those who say that children and grandchildren should not be part of the March. I think we should be there to remember those courageous men who allowed us to enjoy the freedom we have today. We are told to get over the pain of our father's passing, but grief often returns without warning, and the heartache never leaves us. However, being part of the 2/30th. makes me feel that we are never really alone. Robyn Lowndes.
Fred Winters, 27/4/2000 Con Hedwards, 29/4/2000 Anthony Angus, brother of Jim Angus, 28/12/1998 Allan Hudson, 3/1/2000. `D' Coy William McNamara, son of John McNamara, `B' Coy Billie Melrose, widow of Les Melrose. Sigs. 10/1/2000 Les Hemming, 11/12/1999. HQ RAP Elizabeth Wiltshire, 20/11/99. Daughter of B. Hickson Marry Pearce, 2/7/99. Brother of Tom Pearce Elizabeth Bowden, 31/3/2000. Widow of Tom Bowden Peter Murphy, 5/1/99. Nephew of P.J. Clyne. `A' Coy.
Geoff Waite, Ted Skuse, Reg Quinton, Les Hall, Don Devey, Garry Evans, Dinny Lane, Keith Dowling.
After four glorious Autumn days over the Easter break, the sun took its own holiday on Tuesday, April 25th. However, undaunted by the showers, the Sydney March went ahead, with what appeared to be an increased number of veterans from all services, and a very large and enthusiastic crowd lining the route. The 2/30th mustered some 40 stalwarts on parade, including a good sprinkling of Associate Members. President Ron attended at the assembly point, and was prepared to march, despite a cold, but when the rain came, he wisely decided to take cover, rejoining us towards the end in Bathurst Street. Our group was very ably led by former Lieutenant Gordon Brown. The Association Banner was again carried by "strongman" Neville Riley, whose job was made harder by the soaking rain. Keeping a promise made some years ago, Jack Black was the bearer of the Australian Hag, while Will Hawke, down from Orange, handled the Unit Flag. Ray Brown, although suffering from back trouble, led the 8th. Division in an army jeep. After the march, we assembled at Scruffy Murphy's Hotel on Goulburn and George, where our good ladies from the Auxiliary, provided sandwiches and tea and coffee for the troops. Our thanks to Gretta Maston, Joan Crispin and their helpers. Allen Gilbert did his usual good job in bringing in the hot water urn, cups, coffee and tea supplies, with some help from Sully. Treasurer, Bert Farr, was busy collecting monies from those present, in the hope of reducing the $2300.00 outstanding for unpaid membership fees and 'Makan' subs. The President, Ron Maston, addressed the gathering and we missed our Patron, John Maclay, who was not well enough to join us for the day. Prior to the march, at 8.15 a.m., Associates President, lain Huntley, with a small group, laid a wreath on the Cenotaph, as a tribute to our fallen comrades. Our indefatigable Secretary, Bruce Ford, traveled to Bathurst to represent the Association at Anzac Day ceremonies held in that city, and took the opportunity to inspect the Cairn which is undergoing repairs. Bruce's report appears later in this issue. Bert Farr.
Disability Pension Back to top This is paid to a veteran as compensation for the effects of war or defence caused by injury. Veterans who have malignant conditions, pulmonary tuberculosis or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are eligible for treatment of those regardless of whether the disability has been accepted as war or defence caused. Approval for treatment for these conditions can be "fast tracked" providing a diagnosis has been made. The Department also acts as agent for investigation of claims on behalf of U.K., New Zealand, Canada and other Commonwealth countries. A Disability pension is not taxable and not subject to an income test. A Disability pension is not counted as income for Service pension but is counted as income by DSS. Veterans may be entitled to a number of additional allowances to cover extra costs caused by the disability. More information about allowances is included in this section. Eligibility Back to top The eligibility criteria for Compensation / Disability pensions are very complex. Eligibility may be met by, operational services, defence service, "peacekeeping" service or hazardous service. Verification of service is necessary. People who served with a number of philanthropic and other organisations such as non-service members of "Peacekeeping" Forces that were formally attached to a unit may also be eligible. Rates of Pension Back to top A Disability pension may be payable at the General Rate, Intermediate Rate, Special Rate or Extreme Disablement Adjustment Rate. General Rate of Disability Pension Back to top General Rate pensions are assessed and paid in multiples of 10% up to 100%. If a degree of incapacity is deemed to be less than 10% of the General Rate, a pension may be assessed at nil but in these cases a veteran is eligible for treatment of the accepted disability(ies) at Departmental expense. Rates Of Pension Higher Than General Rate Back to top A pension may be paid at a rate greater than 100% of the General rate if the war caused incapacity: Affects the veteran's employability (Intermediate and Special rate); or Results in extreme disablement (Extreme Disablement Adjustment). More information follows. Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) Back to top EDA is an amount equivalent to an additional 50% of the General Rate and is payable to a veteran whose degree of incapacity from his/her accepted disability(ies) has already been determined to be 100% (not necessarily in a previous determination) or who receives Disability pension at 100% for Pulmonary TB. The veteran must be aged 65 years or over with an impairment rating of at least 70 points and a lifestyle rate of least 6 points (each determined according to GARP) and not be eligible to receive a pension at the Intermediate or Special Rate. Intermediate Rate Back to top Payable where a veteran's incapacity from accepted disabilities has been determined to be at least 70%, or who is receiving a pension at the General Rate in respect of Pulmonary TB, and the veteran is prevented from undertaking remunerative employment other than on a part time or intermittent basis, and is suffering a loss of salary or wages or earnings solely because of his/her accepted disabilities. Intermediate Rate is payable when a veteran is capable of working 20 hours or more hours per week (or 50% of the time ordinarily worked by persons in that type of employment) or when a veteran ceased remunerative employment for reasons other than accepted disability (e.g.. age or other incapacity). Special Rate (Commonly known as T&PI) Back to top This is payable when a veteran is blinded in both eyes, such blindness being an accepted disability, or when a veteran's assessed rate of incapacity from accepted disabilities is at least 70%, or the veteran is in receipt of the General Rate due to Pulmonary TB. The veteran must be prevented from undertaking remunerative employment for periods aggregating more than 8 hours per week, or prevented from continuing remunerative work and therefore suffering a loss of salary, earning or wages solely because of his/her accepted disabilities. Special Rate is not payable where a veteran has ceased or is ceasing remunerative employment because of incapacity that is not service related or for other reasons e.g.. age-related retirement. T&PI is not usually granted to veterans over normal retiring age i.e.. 65 years (Refer EDA for benefits), unless the veteran was engaged in remunerative work after the age of 65 and that work was in the same business or occupation as he/she had been pursuing for ten continuous years. The Special Rate may be paid on a temporary basis (known colloquially as T&TI) where a veteran is temporarily incapacitated by accepted disabilities and if the veteran were so incapacitated permanently would be eligible for the Special Rate. In these cases the Assessing Officer determines for what period T&TI is payable. T&TI is most often paid during recuperative periods following hospitalisation for an accident or operation. War Widows Pension (War Widower's Pension) Back to top War Widow(er)'s pension is payable to the widow(er) of a veteran who was in receipt of a Disability Pension at the Special Rate (T&PI) of pension at the time of death, or to the widow(er) of a veteran whose death has been accepted as service related. Like other compensation pensions, it- is not income or asset tested nor is it taxable. War Widow(er)s who remarry retain their pension and treatment entitlements. This pension applies to the widow(er) of veterans who were in receipt of EDA or whose partners were Ex-Prisoners of War. A further payment of $24 per fortnight is made to war widow(er)s, this payment is generally referred to as Domestic allowance. Single Orphan's Pension Back to top Single Orphan's pension is payable to the children of deceased veterans who were in receipt of a pension at the Special (T&PI) Rate or the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) at the time of death or whose death has been accepted as service related. It ceases to be paid at age 16 if the child receives other Commonwealth allowances (e.g.. under the Veterans' Children Education Scheme or Austudy or Abstudy). Single orphans receive Personal Treatment Entitlement Cards (PTEC) and are eligible for most treatment at Departmental expense. As long as they are full time students they retain this eligibility after age 16 years until they reach 25 years.
To Mr. Paul F. Gemmel, President of the 2/18th. Battalion Association. Dear Sir, Australians and Kiwis are the first ever world wide lead plaintiffs in a U.S. Class Action to sue Japanese industry for compensation for Human Rights Violations arising from Japanese World War 11 atrocities. In 1995, the international press, the electronic and the print media, declared that (apparently) I was the first lawyer in the world to have obtained compensation and restitution for an individual Australian Holocaust survivor's claim against a Swiss Bank. Thereafter I successfully pursued other individual Australian Holocaust survivor's claims against other Swiss, German, French and Austrian institutions. During the last five years or so, I crossed paths with the renowned U.S. Class Action Lawyer, Ed. Fagan, who (with a team of other American and German Lawyers) co-lead successful U.S. Class Actions against Swiss Banks, European Insurance Companies and amongst others, Austrian Banks. In or around March 1999, I formed an Australian (Jewish and non-Jewish) Class Action to join with the American Class Action, in a claim against German Industry. This case was resolved in principle December last, resulting in the creation of a 10 Billion Deutsche Marks Humanitarian Fund,- from which slave and forced labourers and other victims, will soon be able to receive some semblance of restitution and/or other compensation. On Tuesday, 9th. November, 1999, Ed Fagan and I met in my Melbourne office with Mr. Ray Wheeler, the President of the Victorian Ex-P.O.W. Association (and the rest of his Committee). A civilian and P.O.W. class action has been formed for the purpose of the action. Victims of Japanese are joining the action from the U.S.A., Britain, Canada, China, France, Holland, Korea and the Philippines, as well as New Zealand and Australia. The action is being brought in the U.S. because American law allows non U.S. residents to sue in the U.S. any individual or company which conducts business or has assets in the U.S. Most importantly, this class action is being brought in the U.S. because all previous P.O.W. claims for compensation, were brought in Japan, before Japanese courts. To date, all these actions have been dismissed by the Japanese courts. Those actions have been like appeals from Carpar unto Caesar. The Japanese seemed to have based their defence on the 1951 signing of the peace treaty - the San Francisco Treaty. The proponents of this class action appear to believe that by moving the legal action to the U.S., other considerations, based on international trade, become relevant, including Japanese trade with the U.S. Similar class actions against Swiss Banks and Austrian banks, have been successful. Like action has also been taken against French Banks and German Industry. No one can say that the Australian Group will win, but this proposal is something new and you might very well say, might was well be in it. You cannot win, if you do not enter. The cost is $50.00 payable when you complete and return the registration papers. They are available from Glennen Burstyner and Co., at their St. Kilda address shown above. If no compensation is awarded to the Australian Class, we are advised that you will have no obligation to pay any legal fees, costs or expenses associated with the litigation, save for the initial $50.00 mentioned above. The lawyers will be working on a contingency fee basis, under which their costs form part of the compensation awarded. The U.S. courts control the actual amount. The lawyers carry the risk that no compensation is awarded - for them, it is no win, no gain. It is not certain that P.O.W's. widows and their other beneficiaries will share in any compensation. That should become more clear as the action proceeds. They should register in the same way as the former P.O.W's. and await events. If when you receive the registration forms, you find some matters about which you have questions, Alan Loxton, ex 2/18th. Battalion, who retired as a solicitor some years ago, has said he would try to help if you ring him. He cannot help on questions on U.S. Law.
at the Anzac Day Luncheon at Parliament House on the 14th. April, 2000. Thank you for the privilege of speaking to the Auxiliary and friends, on a topic so important to us all. 2000 has already been quite a 2/30th. year for me. I was at Sandakan, reflecting on your Battalion, on Gemas Day, two weeks ago I took the chance to visit the Battalion's 1941 camp site at Bathurst, and today I am afforded this special opportunity. Like many here, I suppose I have been giving Anzac addresses for some thirty or forty years, such is its significance. It's perhaps worthwhile for a moment to think back to those times, a third of a century ago. By then, Korea, Malaya, and (newly, at that time) Vietnam, had appeared, with the effect of again providing younger service personnel the opportunity of proving they were worthy of the Anzac tradition - and they were indeed. But we now know much more was to come, in the numerous deployments, culminating in the recent Interfet and current U.N. activities in East Timor. So we have a perspective. But way back then, I alluded to the very special nature of the Gallipoli Campaign, to historian Bean's superb description of Australia's participants: "What motive sustained them? Not love of a fight - not hatred of the Turk - Not purely patriotism - not the desire for fame - it lay in the mettle of the men themselves - true to their idea of Australian manhood". I pointed to the importance of trying to translate Anzac values into the Australian community, to the fact that I was then not long back from the Papua New Guinea Border and how it was a pleasure, but a sober reminder, to see P.N.G. children playing in freedom which Australians had helped to secure. I find I mentioned some of the then tensions that prevailed in the 1960s about the varying ways we were marking Anzac Day. In that third of a century, we've seen the passing of the last but two, of those who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula. We've seen the awarding of the Legion D'Honneur to the few remaining veterans of the Western Front. But we've also seen, despite our expectations of changes in marking Anzac Day, a continuance of the embedding of the Anzac ideals in much of the Australian community. Not always visible, but never that far from the surface. Indeed, the battles of the Gallipoli Peninsula are still, at this turn of the century, being recounted with intense passion, reflecting the horror, the waste and the futility of war and insensitive leadership. Bryce Courtenay is the latest author I've encountered in this vein. The Gallipoli Story is in the psyche and the increasing numbers of Australian and New Zealand pilgrims to Anzac Cove also say to me that the detail won't be forgotten. Today though, I sense a need to take a somewhat different route for my Anzac remarks. This stems from (once again) my recent return from visiting a number of island locations to our north, notably Indonesia and Sabah, and from what I hope we'll see as a more relevant path being taken by the Australian Defence Force in maintaining its readiness for what the work may have in store. The "route" I use is to touch on our amphibious operations then and now, and the destination is "how relevant are they to the future". The Expeditionary Force landing in Rabaul in 1914, into areas occupied by Germany, produced casualties, but was, of course, overshadowed - by the horrendous events in the next four years. Previously, we'd had the sea transport of our contingents to the Sudan in the 1880s and the Anglo-Boer War at the turn of the century. Gallipoli introduced us dramatically to what we would term "Opposed Landings". We know well the story of the harsh terrain, the appalling conditions, the long odds against survival, and the withdrawal of a spent and unsuccessful force. We sea-transported World War 1 troops to Egypt, then on to France and Britain, World War 2 to the Middle East, to and from Greece and Crete, to Singapore, Malaya, to the East Indies, Papua, New Guinea and Pacific Islands. Let me digress, but with relevance: Think for a moment of the Japanese Army's use of the sea as it impacted on those to many here today: from bases in Vietnam, they put a seaborne invasion force ashore at six coastal points in Thailand, and two in Malaya. Their success in this started a chain of successes which led to the fighting and suffering of so many we know and have known. The 8th. Division's units were, of course, at the northwestern end of the broader "Battle for Australia", to use the term first coined by our Prime Minister in February, 1942. That "Battle for Australia", stretching from Malaya to the Solomon Islands, must not be forgotten. It was the Australian troops carrying out the 1943 Lae and Finschafen landings who saw themselves as direct successors in that specific sense to the Anzacs. The successive landings on the north coast of New Guinea, and in 1945 at Tarakan, Balikpapan and Labuan in Borneo, carried the same aura. All were successful, as for most of the participants they followed careful training, whether at Port Stephens or at Trinity Beach, Cairns, or elsewhere, and they occurred at a mature stage of the war, by which time, personnel were seasoned, and Navy, Army and Air force had ironed out many of their inter-service wrinkles. Movement by sea ., with air cover, became more commonplace and even when the landings or deployments were unopposed, was more readily used. And in war's wash-up, sea transport brought the thousands home. Now look at the recent sequence for Australia (and here I must omit a number of the many small deployments our defence forces have undertaken since the Vietnam time): Fiji 1987, a rifle company embarked at Townsville, to prepare for a services protected evacuation of 500 Australian citizens from Fiji (you will recall the coup) should that have been needed; Somalia 1992, an Infantry Battalion, structured for sea transport, and not an amphibious landing, dispatched as part of the United Nations Force; Bougainville 1995, a tailored by skills force deployed substantially by sea into an area long the locale of government - rebel fighting; East Timor 1999, an air and sea deployment of an army force equipped to deal with hostilities, potentially from a number of unknown quarters. To all these and others you can add the need for sympathetic and comprehensive logistic tail, again relying on sea transport. The first half of the twentieth century saw us in expeditionary force mode. The latter part of the century saw us, indeed the world, trying to understand how to behave when the cold war stopped. We are fortunate in having in Australia, some very professional defence studies centres and in coming to a close I want to draw on one of their documents which in turn used words from a "Report on the Military Defence of Australia" produced by a committee chaired by Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel, in February, 1920. That report observed in part, that 'The advantages, moral and material, of fighting in the enemy's country (and I add therefore not in your own) are so enormous that it is folly to await an enemy's attack on our own soil ... all preparations for the defence of Australia, thorough and complete as they may be, may break down absolutely if, at a final and decisive moment, the weapon of defence cannot be transferred beyond our territorial waters". I spoke earlier of 'The Battle for Australia". We now have a national commemoration of this, in September each year. Its primary purpose is to ensure ongoing remembrance and understanding of the threat to, the attack upon Australia in 1942, and its eventual repulse. But it has a significant second purpose: To ensure today's community requires of our Government, an adequate and effective security coverage for this great land of ours. Our Anzac inheritance demands at least that. I've taken the route of drawing your attention to the varied use of the seas as a thread of military tradition now reaching back well over one hundred years. I have invited your agreement with what I think is the sensible idea of being able to project our military capabilities offshore, by timely and effective use of the sea around us. I believe that the experience of the powerfully-opposed landing at Gallipoli, and the qualities of its participants, provide starting points for understanding such a strategy, and for utilizing the admirable Anzac personal attributes. As proud members of a great nation girt by sea, we forget both at our peril.
Major General Sharp, it is my privilege, on behalf of the 2/30th. Battalion A.I.F. Association Auxiliary, and all those present, to say thank you for speaking to us today. While the 25th. April was originally set aside as a day to commemorate the landing of Australian and New Zealand Forces at Gallipoli, it has become a time when we celebrate Australia's involvement in many conflicts. This does not mean that we glorify war - rather that we recognize with pride, the role played by the men and women of our armed forces in world events. Again, thank you for sharing these sentiments with us.
Carol Riley, daughter of Ted Skuse Back to top Dear Mr. Farr, I'm very sorry I haven't written to you earlier, but time seems to get away. Firstly, Dad (Ted Skuse of `A' Coy) is now living up here in Kempsey. Compared to the other nursing homes in this region, it is like a 5 star motel. Dad likes it there. He has a lovely room with its own toilet and shower and it looks out onto bushland. Some of the residents are Aborigine but mostly white people are patients there. Dad's sight is failing and he has to use a walker, as his legs aren't too steady. He would like to hear from some of his old mates if they have the time. Enclosed are my dues. I hope the amount is correct. Also, thanks to Sully for the cards. You do a good job. Regards, Carol Riley.
lone Campbell, Widow of Ted Campbell Back to top Dear Sir, Today I received the "Makan" - a journal Ted always loved to acquire and read. Thank you all concerned for your loving care and interest in getting to Tumbarumba on time for Ted's war records and poem to be read at his funeral. 159 people crowded into the little country church, and outside, to say `goodbye' to a wonderful human being. It was a very sad, but beautiful service - R.S.L. Members, and others, speaking beautifully of this amazing man. Ted was loved by all in the country. He was truly a `man of all seasons' - artistic, a skier, glider, yachtsman, poet, bowler, and above all, teacher. He taught two generations of young people to swim and snow ski. Ted loved his first sweetheart and wife, Thelma, and also loved his second wife, lone. He was honest, kind and helpful to all, and everyone treasured his friendship, and respected him. Ted and I began as pen friends, two lonely people after losing our precious partners. We decided to marry and we were so happy. I feel honoured to have known such a gentleman and wish he was still here beside me. God Bless you Ted, and may you rest in peace. Thanking you all for your concern, lone Margaret Campbell.
Allan Venn Back to top Dear Arch, I had my right eye done on the 3rd. February and my sight is now near perfect in the right eye and I can read without glasses much better. Regards to yourself and Pat and hope to have a happy and healthy Xmas and New Year for 1999/2000. Sincerely, Allan Venn.
Joyce Worth, Widow of Claude Worth Back to top Dear Sir, Wishing you all well and enjoying good health. Please find enclosed $20 for "Makan" and whatever. Thank you, Kind regards, Joyce Worth.
Joe Haggart Back to top Dear Sec, Enclosed M/O for $20 to pay for my dues, the rest for association funds. I cannot write much as I am blind. Yours truly, Joe.
A.D. Hollingsworth Back to top Dear Sully, A big thank you for the Birthday Card. Very few people know my birthday, so your card was a big plus. Enclosing a cheque for the kitty. Speed.
Clare Pettigrew, daughter of Stan Arneil Back to top Dear 2/30 Battalion. Please find enclosed my cheque for annual membership fees. The spirit of love and care is so evident in the pages of "Makan" that you have as a community. God bless you all. Sincerely, Clare Pettigrew.
Harley Wallis, Son of `Punter' Wallis Back to top Dear Sir, Enclosing cheque for subs for "Makan" and the rest is a donation. I have been to Maitland recently to visit Rene. Health wise O.K. but having a bit of trouble getting up and down, otherwise very alert. An inspiration of not giving up on anything she wishes to achieve. All the best, Harley Wallis.
Gwen O'Reilly Back to top Dear Sully, Vince was so happy to receive your B.C. once again, on time as usual. Also, please find enclosed cheque for membership. Sorry we are late - I had a fall and broke my kneecap. I'm on the mend now. Hoping you and all the rest of the boys are well, Yours sincerely, Gwen O'Reilly.
Georgetta Davey, Daughter of G. Kinsela Back to top Dear Bruce, I can't remember whether I sent the "Makan" fees or not. Been "away with the fairies" for a couple of months. However, everything has settled down once more. Hope all is well in the "Workhouse" and best regards to all. Yours sincerely, Getta Davey.
Keith Towers Back to top Dear Bruce, I am enclosing a cheque for $100.00. Please take a couple of years dues out of it and use the rest for the Association. Verna and I are both in good health. Hoping you and yours, together with all members of the Association are the same. Best wishes for 2000, Keith Towers.
Josephine O'Shea, Sister of Paddy Walsh Back to top Dear Mr. Sullivan, Happy to receive birthday greetings from members of the 2/30th. The 87th is on the 15th March and I keep reasonably well for an old dear. I was a keen and reasonably good bowler and a member of the same club for over 50 years, so for many festive days or celebrations, I am an invited guest. I still play contract bridge a couple of times a week. Sad to say not as expertly as I once did. My brother and I were very close and in the later years he always spent time with me in Townsville. On one occasion he told me one of his proudest moments was when he lead the Battalion in an Anzac Day March. I now like to remember him as a good priest, the soldier's friend, a good bridge partner and loved brother. Sincerely yours, Josephine. Known to all my nieces and nephews as Aunty Sally.
Chum Farley Back to top Dear Bruce, I am enclosing an article from today's Sunday mail about Alf Lulham, better known in Army days, and for some years thereafter, as Alf Wells. A lot of our chaps will remember him as he was at Bukit Timah and took part in some of the boxing matches held at that place. That was before we went away on `F' Force. He was an amazing man, being able to return to the fight game at 36 years of age and do so well after being a P.O.W. I saw him fight quite a few times and he was a "pretty tough nut". I saw him fight Clem Sands, and I think he lost, but it was one hell of a fight. Best wishes and regards to all. Yours, Chum.
Arthur Leggett Back to top Dear Les, I received your enthusiastic letter today and its content is most appreciated. Thank you. I have attached an additional copy for your records as well as an "official" looking letter giving you permission to publish the poem. Although I have designated the magazine titles "Makan", you can publish the poem as you see fit. I thought you might be interested to learn I was born in Manly and our Boy Scout Troop used to camp at lakes at Narrabeen. I spent much of my spare time swimming at South Steyne and in the shark proof pool which used to be on the harbour side. We lived in Fairlight Street and Kangaroo Street before coming west in 1934. I am one of the originals of the 2/11th Battalion and was captured on Crete. Obviously I was never in Jap hands but I have been a member of the Ex P.O.W. Assn. for many years and I learned of the horrors your mob experienced and read quite a bit from public libraries. This knowledge, coupled with my own experiences, gives me a fair idea of the overall scene. Incidentally, last month the W.A. EX P.O.W. Assn. elected me as State President. I remember Charles Cousens when he was an announcer on 2GB with another chap named Lumsden. Most of us feel his court martial was a rough one, conducted by Brass which hadn't missed a meal. Have you ever met any digger who regards Blarney as a role model? Well, thank you for your interest and I wish you all the best. Yours sincerely, Arthur Leggett.
6th August Back to top Have you not heard of nurses Have you all forgotten scenes Let me tell you who they were, The chaps with whom I played cricket Have you forgotten Darwin Town was
bombed? The invader pounded upon the door! A war's a bloody awful thing But, before you weep for the enemy, Arthur Leggett.
Darby Young Back to top Dear Bruce, My memory is deficient and I must owe the Association more than just a little. Am enclosing a cheque for $50. Would you please allocate it as you wish. Merle joins with me in conveying best wishes to all. Please thank Sully for birthday greetings. Mighty fella. All the best, Darby Young.
Robin West, Widow of Don West Back to top Dear Bruce, Herewith money for "Makan". We have had the hottest start for this summer for 70 years. Even bowls games cancelled for over 36 degrees, 6 in total. Now have a new roof, front and back fences and a roller door carport. Where the front lawn was (all weeds) is now paved with large sandstone pavers. Son and family were down in January from Muswellbrook and were a considerable help. I talk to Marj quite often and hear the news. All the best for this year, Regards, Robin West.
Bob Morrison Back to top Dear Bruce, Regards and best wishes to you all. Please convey my thanks to Sully for my Birthday Card. How old we are - many a time I didn't think I would make it. Now 84 years old. Still get in an occasional game of bowls. Sorry I missed out on Gemas Day. The 16th January happens to be our wedding anniversary. 59 years and going strong. I did happen to be in Maitland at the 80th birthday of a long standing friend. A good party at Lorne Bowling Club. If the rain stops I hope to be around on Anzac Day. Whether I march is another question. The legs do not work as well as they used to do. I enclose my cheque for $25 for use as the committee may think fit. Best wishes for 2000 and onwards. Sincerely yours, Bob Morrison.
Sid Stephens Back to top Dear Sully, Bruce and All, I thought it about time I put pen to paper and said a big "Thank You" for my birthday cards which seem to arrive just on the exact date. Also a big thanks to all who work so diligently for the 2/30th. Joan and I are both reasonably well (Thank God). I had a procedure done on my heart last August, to get it back into rhythm and since then I am feeling a lot better. It only takes me five stops, not fifty now, when I'm mowing the lawn. Early in February I had this desire to return to Singapore to pay my respects once again to former mates. So, on the 14th Feb. we flew from Sydney for five nights in Singapore, five nights in Hong Kong (Qantas of course). We visited Kranji War Cemetery on the 16th Feb. (Just couldn't make it on the 15th.) We know Singapore fairly well so could use public transport. We paid our respects to all our fallen comrades and appreciate the manner in which the area is kept. It is a haven of peace - quiet - silence - and we always rejoice at the beautiful setting on the side of the hill. For those who haven't been to Singapore for sometime, they would notice huge changes. We observed that the best way to get to Kranji was by M.R.T. (Mass Rapid Transport) - the train system. There is a station quite close by. It is mainly to serve the magnificent new race course which is adjacent to the cemetery. The race course has been strangely placed to draw punters from Malaya, as well as Singapore. Say a 20 minute trip costing $1.50. Once the cemetery stood alone, surrounded by "green jungle", buildings are encroaching from all sides but there is still an area of privacy - a green belt. All the swamp areas at Kranji, where the Japanese landed, have all been reclaimed. There is a large freshwater reservoir, with earthen banks which was once in the swamps. We drove past the entrances to the dockyards which seemed to be a hive of activity. First time I had been there. We could see that Singapore was a very progressive and thriving island. Next day we set off by public bus for Changi and on the way passed St. Patrick's school at Katong. I was thrilled to see same as although we have visited Singapore about eight times, this was the first time I had seen St. Pat's. It was of special significance to me, as, when I was wounded, I first went to Singapore General Hospital and then to St. Pat's school. I was feeling very sick and sorry for myself at the time. I certainly wasn't in too good condition!! We arrived at the Gaol to view the Chapel and Museum, and of course said a few prayers for the boys. We were so proud to see "Changi" Aspinall's magnificent prints displayed. He got a few special prayers. Then off to Changi Village and we called at "George's Photograph Shop". The shop is named after George Aspinall as he befriended the owner of the shop, when it was in the old Changi Village. The son of the original owner welcomed us. His father died about 2 years ago. He was in his late 70s. The new Changi Village is at a new location, closer to the beach. Apart from a few modern facilities, the beach seems the same. The La Meridian Hotel at one stage displayed large prints of George Aspinall's photos in their foyer. However, as large numbers of Japanese tourists who visited the hotel, objected, they were removed and hung on the 6th. floor, but now seem to have been removed completely. I wonder where they are now. Does anyone know? I asked about Selarang Barracks, but alas, they have been demolished. I suppose condominiums will be erected in their place. Opposite the Gaol, which is now called "Changi Heights", are large areas of very upmarket, and beautiful, modem flats and villas. We couldn't see any cultivation - no pineapples, rubber trees etc. for now the land is too valuable. Units go up everywhere. It is two years since Joan and I were last in Singapore and the progress is just racing ahead. One home unit completed every ten minutes. We travelled everywhere on the M.R.T. which is clean, cheap, and most efficient. We saw block after block of units - all high rise. Our trip was not for shopping. Just as well, as we found prices of all goods, food, clothing, jewellery, more expensive than Australia. Our exchange rate was $1 for $1. Again, many thanks to all the workers. Regards and best wishes. Sid.
Mike Bailey Back to top Dear All, Please find enclosed my belated subscription for "Makan". When the gentle reminder arrived this time, I decided to act immediately, rather than put it off as I have done too often in the past. May I take this opportunity to offer sincere thanks to Jim Donaldson for his sending on a picture of my Uncle Bill's grave, following his recent visit to the Australian War Graves at Kanchanaburi and Kranji. It is very much appreciated - as was his placing of a poppy on the headstone. Bill's untimely death during the war, and well before I was born, robbed me of an opportunity to know someone who is highly and fondly regarded by all who remember him - and his love of, and knack for a bit of fun, even in the most adverse circumstances. My thanks also to various members who have sent me other pictures of 2/30 Bn. Association occasions which I have attended over the years. You are all valued friends, and now something of a link to my late parents, Mick and Edna, and the times - both good and tough - they shared with you. Yours sincerely, Mike Bailey.
Cecilie Boss, Widow of John Boss Back to top Dear Bruce, Sorry I am late with the "Makan" fees, so I am sending $20 to cover 2000 and 2001. Hope you are keeping well. Notice you are still as busy as ever. My eldest grandson, Martin, aged 24, was married last October in Queensland, and all the family went up for the wedding. It was a very happy and joyous occasion. My daughter, Sue, who is Martin's mother, has M.S. but she is a 'battler' and is coping quite well. I do enjoy receiving "Makan" as it is still an excellent production and it is good to read about so many friends of both Dad and John. Take care Bruce, Sincerely, Cecilie Boss.
Lance Sanderson Back to top Dear Bruce, I am writing at this time to tell you that we have a new phone number. Hope everything is O.K. at the moment. I have only distributed 2 of the books "Getting On With It" so far, one to St. Mary's College in Ipswich and one to Sandgate High School, in memory of Rick Rickerby. Sorry to trouble the people who alter things in their address book with the change of phone number, but it just happened. All the best, Yours sincerely, Lance Sanderson.
Myra Williams, Widow of C. Annand Back to top Dear Frank, Many thanks for your birthday wishes. My birthday was on the 9th, January and I am 84. I do appreciate your kind thoughts. I don't get about very much, but have a good family living near and count my blessings that I am able to live in my own unit, and with help, look after myself. I do appreciate hearing from you, and trust all is well with you and your family, Yours sincerely, Myra Williams.
Trevor Gillespie, Brother of Jeffrey Back to top Dear Bruce, Enclosed is my cheque for $20, being subscription for "Makan" and any balance to be used as you see fit. I found the last "Makan" (No. 327) to be interesting and informative, and occasionally come across names of those my brother, Jeff, mentioned at various times, such as Harry Holden, from Cooma. Harry attended Jeff's funeral at Cobargo, but unfortunately I did not get to speak to him as I did not know who he was. I do not get to do as much for you blokes of the 2/30th as I'd like to, as I seem to have less time to do things when I was working 80 or 90 hours a week, the time being taken up with various sporting organisations through the day, and associated meetings at night. Better than vegetating though, eh? I was recently given a small sign to put in my car. It says "I'd rather be an old fart than a young dickhead" which I think says it all. Best wishes to all, Trevor Gillespie.
Brian Hickson Jnr. Back to top Dear Sully, Thank you for remembering me on my birthday (19th. March). It was so nice to have at least one letter, in among the pile of bills and advertising material, that addressed me as dear Brian. I have been receiving birthday greetings from you for a period, nearly as long as I can remember, as have other members of my father's family, but sadly I have to ask you to withdraw my sister's name from the list, as she passed away on the 20th. November, 1999. My sister's name is Elizabeth Margaret (Hickson) Wiltshire, daughter of Cpl. Brian Murray Prior Hickson NX41262. Thank you once again Sully. I look forward to meeting you again soon. Brian Hickson Jnr.
Anna Garde, G/daughter of Hank Massey Back to top Thank you for reminding me of my debt and please find enclosed cheque for $20. From now on I will borrow my father's copy of "Makan" to read, as I believe in saving paper. I still enjoy reading the "True Life" stories as I knew nothing of these experiences when I was growing up. I'm now 32. Anyway, thank you for the subscriptions over the years, take care, you're a special collection of heroes and women. We are all proud of you. Thank you, Anna.
Harry Jarrett Back to top Dear Sully, Thank you for Harry's birthday card which arrived on THE DAY. He was very pleased. He is keeping fairly well, but is not as agile as he would like to be. Enclosed please find cheque for $20, $3 for annual membership fees and the balance for "whatever". Yours sincerely, Shirley Jarrett for Harry Jarrett.
Beryl Hicks, Widow of Doug Hicks Back to top Dear Bruce, Very Sorry for being late with my subs but health wise was not the best since Xmas, but starting to improve now. All the best to yourself and all the members, Regards, Beryl Hicks.
Phil Buckham Back to top Dear Bruce, Just a few lines to thank the Association for my recent 69th. birthday greeting, sent by "Sully" once again - very much appreciated. . Also enclosed is $20 to cover my contribution to the "Makan" magazine and also for our son, Richard, in Queensland. As mentioned by phone to you, Bruce, some of the work - namely the water blasting and turning of the cairn has been done and I shall be further in touch about this. Kindest regards to president Ron and all Members and Associates. Yours sincerely, Phil Buckham.
Ted and Lola Riches Back to top Dear Sully, Many thanks for birthday cards. They seem to come around too quickly these days. Dot passed away last September. She was 87, the same age as Dad when he died, so they both had a good run. All the best, Ted and Lola Riches.
lone Campbell, Widow of Ted Campbell Back to top Ted loved receiving the "Makan" and I would feel privileged to continue receiving and reading it. Thank you and God bless you, lone (Polly) Campbell.
Les Perry Back to top (This Letter was started on the 30/11/98 and posted on the 21/5/99. Bruce Ford has finally sent it on to to be included in the "Makan".) Dear Bruce, So nice to hear from you and I can't think of a better handler of our affairs, as our unit has progressed beyond all expectations. With the passing years, your job is becoming more than a full time position, and Sully, like yourself, does a remarkable job that not too many could do. I am sure the birthday cards are always appreciated. Even though we moved from Narranderra my card arrived on the right date. I don't know how he does it. It is good to know you still keep in touch with George Parfrey, he is a remarkable man. He farmed at Morundah, 22 miles from Narranderra, and every ,year we played tennis in their town of one pub, one store (now closed down) but there were five tennis courts. You knew Les well, but his other brother, Tom, joined the 2/19th. and was in the shocking party of 2,500 or more who went to Borneo and perished. Tom was a very good tennis player and sportsman. I got behind in answering your very welcome letter when I had some dizzy spells, falling over, and having a spell in hospital and am now starting again. I was under a heart specialist for some time, was discharged, and was told that he had some good and bad news for me. The good news is that my blood pressure is good, and the heart is good, but the bad news is that he can't fix my complaint. All he can think of is that now and then there is not enough air or blood getting through to the brain and when that happens I become giddy. My youngest daughter, Leanda and son-in-law, Ted, have a heated swimming pool next door so I have been swimming on most days and the buoyancy of the water was keeping me up and I was improving but still use a walker. I think it was a great idea for all members to give you a few details which will be handy for you on their deaths. We lost so many good sportsmen in Narranderra that I was lucky to play in the open tennis singles final, as Keith Mulholland could generally beat me before he suffered his bad injury in our last stand against the Japs, and another joined the 2/19th. and was killed in Muar. Keith's daughter, Catherine, has carried on the tradition and is a director of the Narranderra Ex Servicemen's Club. It is now May 22nd. and the young lady who comes every morning to shower me, Margaret, will post this for me. Hope your good wife and self are well and pleased to see you are both weathering the years quite well. Ron Eaton cannot be well. Remember when he once took over the 16 Platoon, when Ken Parry was away, and, like Ken, was a popular officer, and even handled the pugs, Clarry Miller and Broad without any trouble. It is more than about time I finished off and hope you can read same. Please thank Sully for my birthday card. Again, love and best wishes to you both. Always thinking of you. Sincerely yours, Margaret and Les. Phil McFarlane, Son of Tom McFarlane. Dear Sully, As per usual, I am very late in thanking you and the Battalion, for the much appreciated birthday card. I do hope this letter finds you in good health, as nothing has changed in regards to both my sister's or my health, yet. Business is hotting up here, as the main company I contract to, "Baiada" poultry, have either bought or leased a lot of sheds in Inghams in the Tamworth district. So, for the first time in fourteen years, I have purchased a Mazda Bravo diesel extra-cab ute, and I do notice the difference in both comfort and power!!. Many thanks again, and best wishes. Yours sincerely, Phil McFarlane.
Terry Trevor Back to top Dear Sully, Thanks for the card. The years fly by, technology reduces us to button pushing robots, nourishing a blind life within the brain, and a host of fast food depots head us into feeding frenzies - but - thou, Sully, go on forever - always on time with card and good wishes. Thanks again and regards to all 2/30th. people. Yours sincerely, Terry Trevor.
Fred Butt Back to top Dear Sully, Must get this away to you a bit more `on the double'. My last signal was a couple of years ago when you so kindly, and patiently, remembered my birthday in 1998, as you did again in 1999, and now spot on, as usual, 2000. Keep `em coming Mate, even though I may be lousy in acknowledgement, I certainly do appreciate "That Card". Not only for its greetings and warmth, but the great memories of friendship we have enjoyed. The `bars', the `schooners', the `blokes', the `bond', we all have, thank you. As Stan would have said "God bless you my son". I just hope you are going OK, as healthy as possible, keeping mobile, with a strong right arm, a firm grasp and a dry throat. Talking about grog - it is with great regret that I have to advise you I have been forced by Nature, severe emphysema, and Medical Opinion, to drastically lower my fluid intake. I find this difficult because I only used water for breakfast cup of tea and shower. So that beautiful sparkling, foaming ale, had to go. I admit to sneaking the odd pint o' Guinness, you don't seem to be able to purchase a lesser quantity and it seems the IRISH have built something into that nectar that does me less harm, (purely a personal opinion of course). Actually mate, I go pretty well, like all of us, I have a few health problems, but life is good. I'm fond of saying that the main problems I have - "I volunteered for". No one forced me to join the army, and no one forced me to smoke or drink alcohol. What I would like to do is shout for you blokes at Scruffy's on Anzac Day. Nothing pretentious, nothing bad. You would be doing me a big favour if you would organise a few schooners or other to "our good health and our good mates". Again Sully, thank you for all those Birthday Cards you so conscientiously got out on time to us all. I don't mind how long it takes, but I'm looking forward to my 83rd. like you said. Regards to all. Sincerely, Fred
Margaret Roberts Dear Mr. Ford, I'm sorry to be so late with this letter, which is to thank you for the books on P.O.W.'s you so generously sent over to be presented to Carine Senior High School, in memory of my late husband, Len Roberts. The Rev. Don West arranged the presentation to year 12 students in Mr. Zani's History Class on the 30th. July, 1999. A young student, Thespene Stamatiou, accepted the three history books on behalf of the school. Our two grandsons, Mark Roberts and Neil Izard, attended this school. Present were my son, Vawn and wife, Lynn, my daughter, Suzanne Izard, and friends, Jim and Marjorie Somers. We were all very impressed with the talk that Rev. Don West made on behalf of the P.O.W.'s. I wish to thank him very much. I am enclosing two photographs, taken at the presentation. Life without Len is rather lonely, but I am coping, having involved myself in many aspects of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, North Beach. I keep my music up and am finding more and more widows, who have lost their husbands in the past two years. Last April, I enjoyed a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 2 weeks in Israel, a week in Rome, and then on to London for a week. My very first organised overseas tour. I floated in the Dead Sea, and because I didn't get dressed fast enough, the bus went off without me. I didn't have my Passport or money, but all was well as someone on the way to Masada asked where I was! The guide had miscounted the heads before they took off and they had to travel twenty miles before the road was wide enough to turn around and come back for me. It was quite an experience, but I didn't panic. The girl in the resort office could speak English, so she took me into the office and gave me water to drink and told me not to worry. The family here are all well and very busy with their respective work. My granddaughter, Tracy Izard, is the first one to leave home at age 22. She has been transferred to the National Bank at Margaret River, which is a very popular area these days. I miss seeing Tracy come home every afternoon. I'm amazed that I've written this much! Must close now. I am going over to the east in December to spend Christmas in Tamworth with my sister, Norma Mihell. Best regards and thanks again. A happy and holy Christmas to all the 2/30th. Members and Associates, and all the best for the year 2000. Yours sincerely, Margaret Roberts.
The family of the late Allan Edwin Stirling Hudson sincerely thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy.
"That best portion
of a good man's life, Wordsworth. Edward William Leslie (Les) Hemming, born 26/2/1922, passed away 11/12/1999, aged 77 years.
To the world but
one, The kindness of our many relatives and friends who shared our sorrow has comforted and sustained us in the loss of one so dear, husband, father, father-inlaw, grandfather and great-grandfather, and we thank you most sincerely for your prayers, support and loving expressions of sympathy. Mrs. Dorothy Hemming and Family
Frederick L. Winters, died 26/4/2000. Private Frederick Lindsay Winters, NX47719, enlisted in the A.I.F. on the 3rd. September, 1940, significantly, 12 months after commencement of WW2, at the age of 21 years, having been born on the 22nd. January, 1919. He was of that young group of 469 men, who had been born in the years immediately after the end of WW 1. They were a part of the 1339 men of the 2/30th Battalion A.I.F. who embarked for overseas service, from Sydney on the 29th. July, 1941, or who were later taken on strength as reinforcements. Fred passed through Broadmeadow Recruit Reception Depot to the training Battalions at Tamworth, and was in the initial intake on formation of the 2/30th. Battalion on Tamworth Showground. The Battalion moved to Bathurst in February, 1941 for consolidation with its sister Battalions for Brigade training, before sailing for overseas. Their destination was Malaya, instead of the Middle East, for which they had been training. They became part of the 8th. Division, arriving in Singapore on the 15th. August, 1941. Fred was posted to 2 Section, 16 Platoon, `D' Company. He was one of that Platoon's Champion Athletic Team in the Platoon Tabloid Sports at Bathurst, known for his tall, rangy build and speed. The Battalion held the enemy at Gemencheh and Fred's company is renowned for its bayonet attack on the Japanese at Gemas. The Battalion was always able to hold the enemy on the movements down the peninsula to Singapore Island, but to the men's dismay, High Command gave orders for arms to be laid down on the 15th. February, 1942 and they became Prisoner's of War. The Japanese commenced using troops as work parties within a week of their incarceration. Fred Winters went with his mates in a working battalion on what became known as "The Shrine Jobs" an the 5th. May, returning to Selarang Barracks towards the end of the year. On the 5th. May, 1943, Fred was one of the 640 men from the Battalion , sent to Siam (now known as Thailand) on `F' Force, a party of 7000 Australian and British troops sent to "Hell Camps" to work on "The Death Railway". It was there that the Battalion lost the greater part of its men. The survivors were lucky to be sent back to Singapore towards the end of the year, when the railway lines from the Burma and Siam ends were joined. They were able to recuperate to some extent, although the task then was to construct an airfield. The dropping of the Atomic Bombs, and the capitulation of the Japanese, before they had been able to carry out a predetermined plan to exterminate all prisoners of war, allowed for repatriation of Allied troops. Fred was with that part of the Battalion on the "Esperance Bay" which berthed at Woolloomooloo on the 10th. October, 1945 and was soon with his family at "The Gorge". The Battalion Association was formed in Changi, because `Black Jack', as its C.O. and a veteran of WW1, knew of the advantage it would be in keeping the men of the Battalion in touch with each other. Fred became a Life Member in 1965, and has been a consistent supporter through the years, with the help of his wife, Jean. The men of the Battalion send their condolences to Jean and their large family. We have lost a great mate. I am especially asked to stress that his old friend, Harley Forrester, was devastated to learn of Fred's passing. Till we meet again. WE WILL REMEMBER HIM.
Curly Heckendorf, by Bill Gammage Back to top I would like to thank Curly's family for giving me the honour of speaking about him today. No one here will doubt that this is an honour: We all knew Curly as someone with ideas, as an intelligent and competent organiser, as a public spirited citizen, as someone who did not complain about pain or hardship, or buckle under adversity, and as a good man. He was a man to be thankful for, a man to respect. If we combine his record of service in peace with his record in war, he was the most distinguished citizen in this district's history. Curly's uncles came to select land in the 'Pine Top' area, just west of Mt. Galore, 110 years ago and his father, John , settled there almost a century ago. Curly was proud of his family's pioneering heritage, proud of the hard work and dedication his parents gave to the land and the community, and proud at how the family battled along together to succeed, as so many of the district's best farming families did. In later years he recalled the area as places for hard work, but also as social centres, where meetings, dances, school concerts and sport were held. There he played cricket and tennis and from there courted the local girls, or fillies as he sometimes called them, and from there in 1939 he became an original trooper of the Lockhart troop of the 21st. Light Horse. When war broke out, Curly was 33. He was born on the 11th. April, 1906 at Pinetop, 20 km. north of Lockhart. He need not have gone to war but he joined the original 2/30th Bn. which went as part of the Eighth Division to Malaya. In the Army he was called `Heck' and became a L/Cpl and then a sergeant in the 2/30th. Intelligence section, attached to Bn. Headquarters. He was part of the Gemas ambush and then led a small patrol back to estimate the damage, but when he returned to his own lines he found that his Battalion had withdrawn. In this situation in Malaya, some Australians became lost, wandering for days or even weeks until captured by the enemy. Not Heck. He kept his patrol together and took to the jungle, with superb bushcraft and great determination, leading them south and within a day had rejoined the Battalion. He was recommended for a Military Medal, not for his skill at Gemas, but at Sempang Rengam on the 27th. January, 1942. There he showed "conspicuous courage and efficiency" in leading two platoons under heavy fire to the help of the 2/30th. company being attacked by an enemy Battalion. The recommendation said that this was typical of Heck's courage and initiative in all the Battalion's engagements, that he had been twice behind enemy lines on dangerous missions and that he had always been an example of "courage and devotion to duty combined with efficiency." Many of you will have seen those qualities in civilian life. From April to December, 1943, Heck was a member of `F' Force on the Burma Railway. One night, ill and half starved though he was, he carried his dying mate, Cliff Bayliss, piggy back, all night, through the rain, over the dark and slippery track, until they reached camp. Another time on the railway, he actually volunteered to work in the cholera camp. To do that was almost like volunteering to die, for few who went into the cholera camps came out alive, but miraculously, Heck was one of them. Back in Changi, he was one of those who kept an underground radio operating, at the risk of his life. He was, as a 2/30th. man put it, "A magnificent soldier" and after his return to Australia, he was proud to be a returned soldier, part of that fraternity where class and politics and wealth don't matter, where old deeds and old mates are not forgotten. As in war, so in peace. On the 23rd. November, 1985, Lockhart Shire Council presented Curly with a certificate which read: Presented to Erwin Ernest `Curly' Heckendorf. Sir, The President, Councillors and Citizens of the Shire of Lockhart ask that you accept this certificate as a token of esteem - and in appreciation of almost a lifetime of community services freely and conscientiously rendered. In grateful thanks the common seal of the Shire is hereunto affixed. The certificate is decorated with scenes depicting aspects of Curly's public life. There were symbols of his service with the 21st. Light Horse, the A.I.F., the R.S.L. and the Ex-Servicemen's Club, and the Red Cross. There were symbols of his work on the Shire Council, The Wagga P.P. Board, the Show Society, the Historical Society and Museum, and the Rotary, for which he was given their highest award, the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1985 On most of these bodies he was a long serving member and often the President. The certificate also recorded several of Curly's public initiatives or public projects, which he worked hard to help realise; the extensions to the Hospital, the Pioneer Gates, Magnolia Lodge, the Mobile Library, the restoration of the Grandstand, the wonderful Galore Hill Nature reserve. At that point the certificate ran out of room but there was also Curly's work in helping establish a doctor's surgery and residence, in rebuilding the main street verandahs which now grace Lockhart, in the flood mitigation levees along Old Man Creek, which Curly considered among his most important work. Here was an intelligent, imaginative, hard working, and far sighted man. The Order of Australia Medal he was awarded in 1986 seems a small return for so much service. He was a good farmer, a careful planner, a practical conservationist, a good mate, and a good family man and loving husband. He endured more than his share of family tragedy. The deaths of his wife, Joan, their daughter, Patricia, and their son, Michael, aged 21 and the deaths of his sister, Gladys, and his brother, Jack, during the war. I believe he would want me to thank his family on his behalf for the warmth, the strength and the happiness his family gave him, but especially he would like to thank his wife, Rose. Among all the misfortunes in his life, Rose was his great stroke of good fortune, and he knew it.
Mary Seah, AM, The Angel of Changi Back to top From the Sydney Morning Herald, 14th. March, 2000. The Angel of Changi, 1905 - 2000. She was only 150 cm. tall, with an innocent Chinese face, shy manner and soft voice, but Mary Seah, who died, aged 94, was also a determined and resilient woman, not to be underestimated. She was a heroine of WW2, the woman known as the Angel of Changi, by all those whose lives she helped to save. Seah sneaked food and medicines to the prisoners at the Japanese camps, risking her life; she could easily have been executed by the Japanese and was tortured by them on several occasions. She was born in Singapore, her father left home to seek work in China when she was three and young Mary grew up in boarding school, where she learned very quickly to fend for herself. She was betrothed by her parents when she was 17. Seah followed her mother's career of midwife and social work. She was sharp enough to realise that it would be a good idea to be fluent, and literate, in several Asian languages, as well as in English. When Singapore fell in 1942, Seah, then 36, was single handedly raising nine children aged between 5 and 18 (she had walked out on an irascible husband) by working up to 22 hours a day. Then her 16 year old son, Kim Tee, was taken by the Japanese. She would search endlessly for him at various camps but found no trace of him. What she did find was the many prisoners crammed into Singapore jails. She decided it was her job to do her damnedest to help them. She knew they needed food and medicine if they were to survive the overcrowded incarceration in Singapore's hot and humid weather. To the Japanese, she was the hawker who sold coconuts, and the like, to prisoners. When the guards weren't looking, she would quickly pass food (from her own family ration), medicines, radio parts - whatever the prisoners needed. Eventually she fell under Japanese suspicion and she was tortured. She was beaten from lam to midnight, or left to dehydrate in the sun. A Japanese officer pricked her neck with his sword, while threatening to behead her on the spot. She persuaded him that she could relieve the irritating sores on his face. Her cure worked and the delighted Japanese officer granted whatever she wanted. She modestly asked for a pass for the camps. After the war, Seah, then 40, reinvented herself, making money in real estate, and kitten breeding for a former Sultan of Johore, who became a great family friend. Two decades after World War 2, she accepted an invitation from grateful POWs to visit Australia. A quiet holiday, catching up with old friends in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney produced widespread coverage and many functions in her honour. As political and racial instability increased in Singapore in the 1960s, she thought more of living permanently in Australia, eventually arriving here on Christmas Day, 1967, and settling in Brisbane. There she shared her modest home for 30 years with three granddaughters, their mothers being tied to jobs in Singapore. Eventually they wound up those jobs and were reunited with their children, while Seah became an Australian citizen. She was often a guest at Anzac Day events, and various POW bodies were keen to have her made an OBE for her wartime bravery. She declined, arguing that she had merely tried to help people, not to seek glory for herself. Those who owed their lives to her, worked quietly, and on Australia Day, 1996, she was made AM. Seah frequently foiled continued media interest in her by pretending to be the maid, who could only comprehend a little English, when reporters were on the phone. She agreed to one TV interview where the reporter discovered that this shy, demure lady, was quite stubborn. She would not take off her sunglasses. Mary is survived by eight children, Florence, Joseph, Kim Tuan, Kim Bee, Winnie, George, Rosalind and Andrew.
Wilson, Albert Laurence, NX47500, `D' Coy. Trf. to 8 Div. Sigs, 10/11/1941. Died 13/2/1942, Napier Street, Singapore, on patrol. Mrs. Olive M. Willows has written from Murwillumbah, "I recently had an article published in our local paper. I was trying to find the family of the late A.L. (Laurie) Wilson. He helped to save my life in 1940. I had a very bad accident, having fallen from a horse. Laurie gave blood in a blood transfusion for me. We were very sad when he died in the fall of Singapore. I was only nine at the time. My mother always kept in touch with him, forwarding parcels. I have the last letter we received from him, written on the 12th. January, 1942. I wanted to know more of his life, and where he was buried. He had three sisters, but no one seems able to tell me whom they married, nor where they now live. But I had a call from Allan Venn. He showed me the recent computer list of the 2/30th Battalion Nominal Roll, with Laurie listed on it. I also knew many of the other soldiers, who were also on the list, and who came from Tyalgum, whence I originated. I was hoping that you might have a copy which I may buy from you. Yours sincerely, Olive M. Willows (nee Kirby.)" Mrs. Willows has sent a photocopy of Laurie's last letter to her mother. You will appreciate this bit, it is typically Malaya. `I have done a fair bit of moving about since writing you last, the last trip a few days ago involved all night driving, and of course, as usual, it had to rain all the way.' Laurie was in `D' Company. We have no record of which platoon it might have been. Mrs. Willow has sent a photo so someone might recall him and let her have some of Laurie's experiences while with the Battalion. His number was NX47500, but unfortunately, those with whom he enlisted and whose numbers are on either side of his, have passed on. He came from Tyalgum, through Broadmeadow Recruiting Depot, enlisting on the 30/8/1940, so Tom Grant's memories would have been similar. He must have been in either 3 or 4 Training Battalion at Tamworth Showground or Manilla Road. He was in the original intake into the 2/30th. Battalion and on the first parade on the 22/11/1940, sailing on the 'Johan van Olden Barneveldte'. He transferred to 8 Div. Sigs. on the 10/11/1941 while we were at Batu Pahat. The Secretary of the 8 Div. Sigs. has their Unit Nominal Roll, which he says was made up by Capt. Ben Barnett, their adjutant, while they were in Changi. This showed that he had married before he sailed overseas, and that they were living in Murwillumbah. He had been posted to L Section, 27 Brigade, and that our old friend Gordon Cruikshank, Signals Platoon, had transferred out with him, on the same day and to the same L Section. A phone call to Gordon, and we learnt that L Section serviced the communication to the three Battalions of the 27 Brigade, and that Laurie had been the driver of the Cable Truck. L Section was at Napier Road in Singapore on the 13/2/1942 when two patrols were sent on, what was to be, location of a sniper. Gordon was the Corporal of one patrol, Laurie was with the other Corporal. It was on that patrol that Laurie was killed. An Australian War Memorial Record shows that he received a decent burial by his mates at M/R 826216 Singapore and Johore Bahru Sheet as per plan. His body was retrieved by War Graves Recovery and re-interred at Kranji War Graves Cemetery, Plot 4, Row A, Grave 2. The Register shows that he was aged 27 years at the time, son of Herbert Lawrence and Louisa Jean Wilson, and husband of Mary Wilson, who had moved to Wollongong.
John Haines, Metropolitan vice president of the RSL in NSW, is coordinating a state wide appeal for memorabilia to be donated to a new war memorial museum in Singapore. Australian survivors of Changi and their families are being asked to donate any possessions brought back from their time as P.O.W.'s in Singapore, Burma and Thailand. The original chapel is now at the Defence College, Canberra, but Mr. Haines visited the previous site of the old Chapel and inspected the new site for the Museum which will be established within a complex on Upper Changi Road, about one kilometre from Changi Gaol. The Museum will house the Chapel, Memorabilia and Changi Murals. These five, life sized scenes from the New Testament, were painted by British POW, Stanley Warren, while recovering from dysentery in Changi Hospital, to decorate the sparse St. Luke's Chapel, beside Block 151 of the Dysentery Wing. It is expected to be in operation about the middle of the year 2000. The new complex has the full support of the Singapore Minister of Information, the Singapore Minister of Arts and Home Affairs, the Singapore Tourist Board and the Singapore Heritage Board. Singapore authorities have been at pains to ensure the relocation does not detract from what it represents. They have maintained close liaison with overseas ex-service organisations, like the RSL in Australia. Mr. Haines said "A lot of things which would be well suited for this exhibit could be tucked away in cupboards and drawers, all but forgotten. In families where the old diggers have passed away, their heirs and survivors might find comfort in knowing relics of a dark period in our history, are on public view and in safe keeping". The plans to relocate the replica Chapel to make way for redevelopment at Changi Prison will become part of Singapore's historic World War 11 trail, along with Fort Canning, Kranji War Memorial, Fort Siloso and the Images of Singapore exhibit on Sentosa Island. Mr. Haines asks that any original members, or their descendants, who wish to contribute items, should write to him at P.O. Box 3153, Parramatta, 2124, or phone him at his home at (02) 9638 5337, or fax 96380065.
We have received from Mrs. Di Elliott of Evatt, ACT, a copy of a letter from Lt. Col. (Retd) Terry Beaton, the new Manager / Curator, of this Memorial Museum in Thailand, with a copy of the first issue of a quarterly Newsletter, titled "Hammer and Tap", which will ring a bell with those ex POWs, who worked on this mammoth task of excavating this massive railway cutting.
It is generally thought that the men of `A' Force only went to Burma and Thailand, and returned directly to Australia after the war's end, but this story from Jack O'Malley, shows that they went to several other places, including what is now Vietnam, and Ho Chi Min City (Saigon). "When the Railway was finished we were cutting wood, which was to be one metre long, for the steam engines, or drilling holes in big rocks, to blow them up for ballast. Then we went to Kanchanaburi Camp. We worked on the bridge over the River Kwai, plus putting steps up the mountain for a lookout for the Japs. We left Kanchanaburi on Good Friday, 1944, for Bangkok, to Phnom Penh by train, then went by boat to Saigon, where we worked on the wharves, loading barges, then to St. Jacques, to work in an oil refinery. After that we worked on the main aerodrome at Saigon. In 1944, the American four engine bombers would come over, the Japs would run off, and we would go through the sheds to pinch what we could. We would give our takings to the night shift fellows, who were in the trenches. They would take it into camp, and that night, when searched, we would have nothing on us. We were bombed nearly every day by the mad Yanks. Early 1945, we loaded 52,000 bags of rice onto barges, then the Dutch had to load them onto the ships. The next job was working 36 hour shifts filling drums of petrol. On the 9th. March, 1945, the French and the Japs had a blue, which let us have three days off work. In April, we went from Saigon, by train, to Da lat. We worked at putting timber in the roof and walls of tunnels. A native tribe, named Les Mois, was with us. The Japs had them in chains, working in the tunnels, men, women and children, all in the raw. We were next moved to Nha Trang, where we worked on a railway, fixing a tunnel, and also on a small aerodrome, at which were a few Jap Air Force people, with only one plane. The Jap pilot thought that he was very smart. A couple of Australians were smarter. They did something to the plane. When the pilot took off and went up in the air, the plane blew up. It took the grin off his face. One old Jap there, came in amongst us, and played cards every evening. He would give cigarettes to the boys. Our next move was to Tuy Hoa. We worked on a railway bridge across the delta or bay, putting boards down, so that it could be used for road traffic. When the war ended, we came back to Saigon" Jack sent a letter, which he received from NX47296, Allan J. Donaldson, AASC, listing some 54 of the 68 POWs who were in this party and included Jack O'Malley, who was the sole 2/30th. man. These 54 men had been on the `Highland Chieftain', when being repatriated to Australia. He says that most of the Americans with them were off the U.S.S. Houston, which was sunk in the Sunda Straits and some of the 131st. Field Regiment, who were captured in Java".
AASC, a survivor of `A' Force, ending in Saigon, amongst 68 Australians, some Americans from the U.S. Houston, 131st. Field Regiment, US Arty, and Dutch, has been the unofficial custodian of a flag from their last camp in Saigon. On the day that word of the Jap capitulation came through, the Jap flag, which had fluttered over the Saigon Camp, was torn down, and the red and white of the Rising Sun cut into neat strips. Then they commandeered a Jap Mosquito net and cut it up. The mosquito net border, a deep blue colour, formed the background; the red 'and white strips were arranged in Union Jack form; the stars of the Southern Cross, and the seven pointed star for the States and territories, were carefully cut from the larger pieces of white on the Jap flag, and a parachute cord was placed along one edge of the oblong blue piece. With an ancient sewing machine, found in the camp, one of the Australians, Gnr. Tich Houston, of Box Hill, Victoria, a tailor by trade, neatly sewed all together to make an Australian flag. Two days after liberation, this new flag flew over the French Foreign Legion headquarters in Saigon. a symbol of freedom. This flag is regularly dry cleaned and kept in mint condition. All the names of the Australians are written on the flag in indelible ink.. The following letter was received from A.J. (Jim) Donaldson, now a special member of our Association. With my wife, Hazel, I attended the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, on the 15th. February, 2000. At the Service, I had the pleasure of meeting my old friend, Joe Geoghegan, and also Alex Dandie, with whom I had a pleasant conversation. The following day, Wednesday 16th., we flew to Bangkok, a trip of nine hours. We arrived about midnight, which was 4 a.m. in Sydney, so it was a long and tiring day. We spent Thursday in Bangkok, then on Friday morning, we left by private car for the River Kwai. There are buses which leave Bangkok every hour during the day, but I was told it is a slow trip, and I believe, very tiring. On arrival at Kanchanaburi, we went directly to the Felix, River Kwai Resort. ,The Resort covers many acres, and is built on the banks of the Kwai Yai River. I made contact with Mr. Rod Beattie by phone. Mr. Beattie is the manager of the War Cemetery at Kanchanaburi. He came immediately to the hotel resort where we had a long yam, and quenched our thirst in the meantime. He asked if we could make ourselves available for one day, so that he could show us around. We agreed that the following morning, Saturday, would be suitable. Rod picked us up at 8 a.m. in his 4 wheel drive vehicle, and we took off for the upper reaches of the old railway line. We passed Hellfire Pass, and after many miles we turned off the bitumen and followed jungle tracks which continually crossed over what was the original line. Rod has spent many hundreds of hours clearing the old line, so that now, one can walk quite a distance along the old track. We had with us the son of a friend of mine who worked at Hindato, known to many Australian P.O.W.'s as Hindane. We travelled all the way to Hindato, a total distance of 140 Kilometres north west of Kanchanaburi. We arrived back at Kanchanaburi at 5.30 p.m. after nine and a half hours in the jungle. On the way back to Kanburi, we called into the new Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum. A memorial which will stand forever to the memory of the Prisoner's of War, who died while slaving on the Railway of Death. There are One Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Two (1362) Australians buried at Kanchanaburi, and 1348 Australians buried at Thanbyuzayat, in Burma, a total of 2710 who perished during the building of the Railway. My wife and I laid Poppies of Remembrance on the graves of many Australian soldiers, including the grave of BRIAN WOODS, who enlisted from Bellingen, and was well known to me. The wording on his grave shows he died when he was only 18 years of age. I took a photo of the grave. If anyone knows the address of his sister, Dawn, and lets me know, I will send the photo to her. We returned to Bangkok on Monday, 21st. February, and on the 23rd. February, we flew to Singapore. The trip was much faster and more comfortable than the old Dakota in which we flew from Bangkok to Singapore on our way home, after the war ended. We spent a most enjoyable week in Singapore, and during that time, we visited Kranji War Cemetery, on Singapore Island. We travelled by taxi, so that we could spend as much time as we wished at the Cemetery. If one travels by bus in organised parties, they tend to hurry you up, and there is not time to walk among the graves, and pay one's respects to the dead. Whilst at Kranji, we laid Poppies of Remembrance on the graves of many of the 2/30th. Battalion Members, including that of Bill Bailey, elder brother of Mick and Gerry Bailey. Bill Bailey was the uncle of Mike Bailey, ABC Newsreader. I am forwarding the photo to the Executive, who may make the photo available to Mike, if he would like it? Whilst in Singapore, we crossed the Causeway into Malaysia. We were only in Johore Bahru, Malaysia for two hours, but we had to have our Passports stamped four times in those two hours. We left Singapore at 9.40 a.m. on Wednesday, 1st. March, and arrived at Mascot at 8.15 p.m., travelling time about seven and a half hours. A wonderful trip. Tiring, but wonderful, and worthwhile. Best wishes to all members of the 2/30th. Battalion family, from the Donaldsons of Forster.
known as Max, 'D' Company, 17 Platoon. Ray Brown and Allen Gilbert paid a visit to Dorrigo while on their way to Sydney from the Ballina Reunion. At the Local History Museum they saw a memorial display to Max Freeman. They were refused permission to photograph the display which was framed, glassed and approximately three feet square. It showed his medals, army badges, pressed flowers, a commemorative plaque and family tribute, his photo and one of the `Christmas Cards' the `Jap spy photographer' in Batu Pahat was preparing for the boys and the Jap army. (Kevin Ward recognised him in his Japanese Captain's uniform one day on the `Shrine Job' in Singapore.) Alex Dandie, in his Scouting days, knew a Ron Freeman, who was then Group Leader of the Brush Park Group. This Ron Freeman had worked at Qantas. On retirement, he went to live at Tyringham, on the Armidale / Grafton road with a branch road from Tyringham to Dorrigo. Alex's friend contracted Alzheimer's Disease and died on the 10th. Feb. this year, but his son, Tony, has provided photos. Tony says that Max and another, Albert Connolly, (seemingly not 8th. Division) similarly honoured, are relatives, and listed in their family tree.
NX53104 Elvin Timothy Turner, known as "Tiny Tim" Bn. Hq. and `D' Coy. then as POW on `A' Force, Burma / Thailand, then to Japan, where he is believed to have worked in the coal mines in Nagasaki. He died 6/11/1987, His widow , Joan. Neville Johnson, brother of Elvin, was fostered out and is currently trying to put together his family story. If you can supply any information regarding Elvin Turner, during his service with the 2/30th and/or as P.O.W. please write directly to: Mr. Neville Johnson, Lot 31, Bridge Street Village, 530 Bridge Street, Toowoomba, Qld. 4350. Phone (07) 4634 8590.
Was it at the Shrine Job at Bukit Timah, or transforming the Singapore Golf Course near McRitchie Reservoir into a Japanese Style Park? According to Harley Forrester, `Hank the Yank', said the Japanese officer parked his car and came over to our group to explain that it was not necessary for us to steal petrol. The Japanese Army would very generously give us sufficient for our cigarette lighters. Of course we were most appreciative and assured him that one thing we would never do was steal petrol. Imagine our chagrin when, on driving away, he got not much more than 250 yards. His petrol tank had been drained! Anyway, eventually, `Hank the Yank' became one of the biggest racketeers in petrol and cement. Dutchie Holland mentions the time, somewhere mid-term of our incarceration, `Black Jack' asked Takahashi ( the Jap in charge of Changi Gaol) for permission to knock holes in some walls of the gaol. Takahashi said it was OK with him but `Black Jack' would have to answer to the Brits when they came back. Takahashi, early in the piece, knew how things were going!!! (Derived from a conversation with Dutchie Holland ... Bruce Ford.)
A.A. (Bob) Martin (last surviving original member of Pioneer Platoon) when he enlisted, was a boat builder in a shipyard at Huskisson. The men in those jobs were classified as reserved. The Battalion Nominal Roll shows that all Bob told the recruiting officer was that he was a carpenter's labourer. However, `Manpower' tracked him down when we were at Bathurst. They nearly had him tossed out of the Army. He had to front the Adjutant, who said to him, that, as Bob did not want to leave the Battalion, he would do what he could for him, and Bob soldiered on. Bob was in the Jap Working Party at Mount Pleasant and Caldecott Hill. He and 'Scobie' Brown were taken on a job, boxing for kerb gutters at the `Shrine Job'. One day, the hammer that the Japanese issued to Bob, was his own, the one which he had used in his boat building days at Huskisson. When he was drafted to the Pioneer Platoon, he put his own hammer, rule and pencil, in his kit. He had used them all the time that he was with the 2/30th. Battalion. It had been in the Pioneer Platoon truck, and had become part of the loot of the Japs. It was a claw hammer with his name stamped on it, so was readily identifiable. It was strange that he should use his own hammer on that day, have to hand it in as the Japs collected the tools at the end of the day, and say goodbye to it a second time!!!
Alf Lulham died last month. Queensland lost not only a sporting champion but a war hero and a gentleman. Rob Black's Report in the Sunday Mail, Feb. 6, 2000. It was bigger than anything modern day boxing entrepreneur Don King could have ever staged, bigger than any of the epic Ali-Frazier battles. It was the pride of the all-conquering Imperial Japanese army versus Aussie guts and pride. The venue was a 1942 prisoner of war camp in Thailand, on the way to the infamous Burma railway. The ring was a circle of half starved Aussie prisoners and their Japanese guards. The combatants were the Japanese Olympic' light-heavyweight champion Sakomoto, and Queensland's Alf Wells of the 2/26 A.I.F. Battalion. Wells (his real name was Lulham) died last month, aged 88, but he lives on with family and friends and, in particular, in the memories of mates from the POW camps in Burma, Thailand and Malaya. Alf, who fought professionally before, and after WW2, under the name of Wells, was underweight, and undernourished, when he shaped up to Sakomoto that sweltering day, 58 years ago. The Japanese champion was naturally fit and rested, and the Japanese and Korean guards revelled in the anticipation of humiliation for the Australian. Humiliation they got - Alf knocked out Sakomoto - with just three quick punches. "Funny thing about the Japanese, they liked a good fighter or a good worker. They gave me a snakeskin wallet and some extra sweet potatoes". When Alf got back to Singapore at the end of the war, he beat the British heavyweight champion. Alf started fighting at an early age and fought to survive the depression in the 1930s. He earned the equivalent of $1.25 for four rounds, then $3 for six rounds, and up to the princely sum of five quid ($10) for a ten round bout - if he won! And on the name: Alf Lulham played league for Wynnum in the 30s, and was training in a gym in South Brisbane, when he was pulled up by a fight manager looking for a sparring partner, for his fighter, Alf Wells. Alf Lulham knocked out Wells, took his place the following night at the old Stadium (Festival Hall) in the city - and won that fight too. But, so his mum wouldn't find out Alf was in the fight game, he took the name of the man he beat. From then on Alf Lulham was known as Alf Wells. After the war he took out the Queensland lightweight title in 1946, and at 36 years of age, took on the NSW champ, Clem Sands, at the old Stadium, in what was remembered as one of the great fights of the era. Alf hung up his gloves in 1948 and, in between looking after the bars with brother, Doug, at their uncle Ted Smith's old Normandy Hotel, kept his hand in with the horses and the dogs. It was the common touch and everyday bloke that people loved about Alf. RIP Alf Wells - a true hero.
By Mark Reynolds in the Daily Mail, Feb. 23, 2000. To the Japanese camp guards, the British soldier being buried was just another prisoner of war who had died under their regime in World War 2. But, impressed by the grief of his comrades, they provided a guard of honour as the evidently popular and respected Private Records was given a dignified send off and his coffin interred in the notorious camp at Changi in Singapore, 1944. But Private Records - a name conceived with British black humour - was not a person but a war diary. And the sombre ceremony concealed a plan to preserve a record detailing the deaths of more than 500 Royal Signallers, both in Changi and in Burma. Determined not to let the Japanese outrages in their treatment of prisoners be erased from the annals of history, Major Eric Beaver and RSM Feltham had loyally documented where and when each and every British POW from their regiment had died through disease, malnutrition or ill-treatment. But after a series of searches by guards who had got wind of the diary's existence, and fearing it was about to be found, its compilers concocted the elaborate plan to bury the diary under the noses of the enemy. The plan passed off without a hitch and with the diary safely buried, the two veterans played a waiting game until the end of the war. Then they went back to the burial site, dug up the book and brought it back to the UK. It was later used by the War Office to contact the hundreds of relatives of servicemen who had died in the Far East. But now, some 56 years later, the diary has found its final resting place - the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford, Dorset. Major Beaver has died and it is unclear what happened to RSM Feltham. But the document was presented to the Museum by Major Beaver's daughter-inlaw, Mary. The diary makes tragic reading, with page after page recording British soldiers struck down by a catalogue of illnesses, ignored by their Japanese captors. Many died from dysentery, many from cholera. Some were killed by gangrene or beri beri while the cause of death of others was simply recorded as `wounds'. Changi prison was designed in 1938 to hold 650 men. But during the war it took in some 12, 000 Allied POWs, including survivors of the Burma -Thailand Railway and Americans. The Museum's director, Colonel Cliff Walters, said: "It's a staggering story. Just how the Major and his RSM managed to get information from other camps over in Burma and so on is incredible". "To have that kind of record is truly wonderful".
Mr. and Mrs. Stan Brown, of Bankstown, have received a number of letters about their son, Ray, from friends of his, who say he has been recommended for a decoration. The action that led to his recommendation is described by Corporal A.N. Rowe to his parents in West Kempsey. "Young Ray Brown made a name for himself. The day we bumped the Japs first he was lying on top of a cutting near a road. A bomb burst, undermining the bank and brought him tumbling down on the roadway. In the fall he lost his rifle. Four Japs rushed in and tried to stab him with their daggers but he lashed out at them with his fists, and punched and ducked to such good purpose that they could not land a finishing stab on him, although he got 14 stab wounds all told. He managed to take a dagger from one of them. He killed two and wounded the other two, and was making his way back when big Ray Ferry, from Tamworth, saw him and got him on his back. After carrying him for a mile they were again attacked by Japs, so Ferry had to put him down. They had to fight their way back three miles, and Brown plugged along under his own steam. When they got him to hospital they found he had a slight fracture of the skull, as well as the stab wounds, but he is in the next bed to me and is doing really well, though they won't let him up yet. One gash in the back of his head, lifted his scalp, and took eight stitches and another one in the forehead has six stitches. A Queenslander named Edwards, also put up a good performance. He followed two Jap officers for miles through the jungle on his own. At one stage he was tracking the Japs, and as he looked around, he found two tigers stalking him, but he carried on till he could pass on the information which led to the capture of the officers".
Mrs. Clarke of Narranderra, received this letter from her grandson, Pte. Leslie Perry regarding the first encounter with the Japanese tanks. "The happenings that afternoon will stay in our minds for all time. For, instead of running away from bullets, we literally ran in to them. Our company commander called us all together and said "Well boys, we are going to attack the Japs. Travel as lightly as possible". To get to the Jap's position in the trees, we had to move over four hundred yards of open ground. And, as soon as we left our position in the trees, three Jap planes swooped down on us from apparently nowhere and commenced machine-gunning us. At the same time the Japs opened fire from their concealed position with machine-guns, rifles and mortar bombs. Under this hell of fire we at once dived flat on the ground, as it didn't seem possible for any human being to escape the `blazing' fury. A barbed wire fence near us was ringing backwards and forwards from the bullets but our skipper sang out "On your feet men. We must take that position". I, like the others, expected a bullet any second, but I had only one thing in mind - to reach the trees and kill every Jap I saw. When we did eventually reach the trees, we split up in parties, and Athol, George Parfrey and myself, with five or six others, rushed through high grass to find several Japs in hiding. Athol turned his Bren machine gun on them and under our supporting fire with rifles, made several get up and run for their lives. A cobber of ours, Charlie Taylor, from Bourke, looked up in the air in time to shoot a grinning Jap from out of the trees, as he was firing all around us. We then heard the command `Retreat' yelled out. We could not understand it, as it looked like the Japs being well licked. George Parfrey had his blood properly up and rushed right forward and it took a good while to persuade him that everybody was retreating. We soon found out the answer when we found the other boys. While the boys were attacking on the right flank, huge tanks had rushed out of the trees, while we, luckily, were attacking on the left. Nobody had a thought that tanks would be used in this country. It was a terrific blow to be stopped by such means, but all the more heartbreaking to us, was the fact that throughout the operations, we never saw one of our own planes in the air. On reaching headquarters another painful blow was in store for us. Our trucks had been blown up and we were forced to walk endless miles through the jungle before taking up another position. Athol and I are now curled up in a trench, listening to the bombers flying over. Waves and waves of them flying practically on the tree tops, and we can't do anything to stop them. . Just got to lie still and pray that the bombs land a good way off. The one that landed closest to us was twenty yards away, and even that made the ground around us tremble, but it is all experience, and we can take it. But we hope that Britain and America do not let us take it in vain, but send every spare plane they can get their hands on ".
The Associates held their meeting at the Combined Services Club, Tuesday 2nd. May, 2000. Present were; lain Huntley, Greg Allardice, Jim Busine, James O'Rourke, Mark Bodak, Paula Winchester, John Jackson and Marilyn McKnight. Anzac Day was discussed. It began at 8.15 am for the Associates, with the laying of a wreath at the Cenotaph. Present were; lain Huntley, Greg Allardice, Jim Busine, Rodney Leonard and his two sons. Whilst I mention we had an early start with the wreath laying, Jim Busine, for many years, has attended the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, which is a real commitment that maybe some of us should follow. Associate participation was pleasing, with at least thirty Associates marching. Will Hawke from Millthorpe (Orange way), carried the Battalion Flag, which is always a great honour. At our meeting, it was suggested that we should try to attract younger Associate Members. From discussion with Bert Farr, the youngest age group we may be able to attract would be sixteen years. It was also suggested that we should introduce a kit for new young members, which would include an introductory " letter explaining the history of the Battalion, training at Tamworth and Bathurst, and the events of war in Malaya, Singapore, Gemas, Changi and the Railway etc. The kit would also include a copy of "Getting On With it". If anyone has any thoughts on this subject, please contact Greg Allardice or myself. Apologies to Lindsay McNamara for not thanking him in my last letter, for the excellent work he has done on the Pymble Cairn. It really looks much better, and all the members at our meeting commented on just how good it looks. THANK YOU LINDSAY. Reminder:- A Harbour Cruise has been organised for Sunday, 25th. June, 2000, at 11.00 am to 3.30 pm, Matilda Cruises, Pier 26, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour. This event has always been enjoyable. Anyone interested should contact Bruce Ford, ASAP. Our next Associate Meeting is at the Parramatta RSL Club, 1st. August, 2000 at 7.00 pm. Your attendance and participation is necessary. Try and make it. I look forward to seeing you there. lain Huntley.
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