25th April 2012

Commemorative booklet proudly presented by Michael McCormack MP Federal Member for We will never forget every day by those they left behind GROUNDED, BUT TIGER MOTH “They went with songs to the battle, and their memory they were young, will forever be commemorated STILL SERVING Straight of limb, true of eye, each ANZAC Day steady and aglow. – 25 April – by a They were staunch to the end grateful nation, by against odds uncounted, those who never They fell with their faces to the foe.” knew them but Canada, New Zealand, Rhodesia and NARRANDERA’S Tiger South Africa. THE third verse of Laurence Binyon’s who stand in silent famous For The Fallen, from which the tribute to honour their selfless duty. Moth Memorial is The Empire Air Training Scheme was Ode of Remembrance comes, gives a The irrigation areas were largely under way and Narrandera would play a poignant yet sombre portrayal of what, developed by soldier settlers who, given undoubtedly one of the significant role in it! for so many, is the finality of war. the struggles they had turning a barren best military museums in During World War II 3818 trainees So many who went to fight for what was wasteland into fertile, food-producing passed through the Narrandera school. right never made it home again. country, would literally turn in their graves if they knew the battles their country . As the school’s history brochure so Hundreds of these brave souls were from aptly puts it: “The Tiger Moth Memorial descendants were now fighting to retain The Royal Australian Air Force the Riverina, including the irrigation in Narrandera is a lasting tribute to those water rights. established No. 8 Elementary Flying areas. young boys who learnt to fly at 8 EFTS, School on the site of the present airport This booklet is dedicated to all who and to the warm-hearted people of the town, They lie in a corner of a foreign field, far just west of Narrandera in August 1940 have worn or now wear with courage who opened their homes and hearts to these from the beloved land of their birth, far and pride the military uniforms of this as the war in Europe escalated. LEETON’S from those who loved them but never, young men, so far from home, offering their ’S country – our Air Force, Army and The museum, next to the Visitor lives for their Country.” ever forgotten. Navy personnel – as well as the nurses Information Centre in Cadell Street DEDICATION who have served so diligently in various Dedicated to all who served at 8 EFTS, Some are buried in silent cities – fields (on the Newell Highway) honours that LEETON’S record of service BRAVE HERO theatres of war. the Memorial is the culmination of the of green punctuated by row upon row school and houses a DH82 Tiger Moth to ’s war efforts has of simple white crosses marking the tireless work of the late Jack Driscoll and WHILE it may not boast This publication includes a list of local aircraft used in training there. always been exemplary. last resting place of these brave, valiant other members of the local community. the military heritage of other 2012 ANZAC services. If able, try to At the time World War II began on 1 soldiers ... heroes all. attend a march near you and share in the It was officially opened on 2 October A total of 162 Veterans’ names Riverina towns due to the fact September 1939, the British Empire are inscribed on four marble Others remained where they fell while spirit of ANZAC. Lest we forget. 1988 by ex-pupil, Flying Instructor it was officially opened only was in many ways ill-equipped, plaques on a white painted on 27 June 1968, Coleambally the battle raged all around them or were especially in the air, for the and Commander of the RAAF, Air Chief Marshal obelisk which forms into a nonetheless places great placed in hastily made unmarked graves anticipated barrage which duly clock tower in memoriam to – now tombs of unknown soldiers. Sir Neville importance on ANZAC MICHAEL McCORMACK MP followed. those from the district who and Remembrance Day McNamara KBE, Their sacrifice was painfully recalled Federal Member for Riverina Germany was an aggressive, fell in the two World Wars. observances. AO, AFC, AE. powerful and well-prepared Situated at the prominent The town’s war monument foe. Entry is free and Griffith remembers it is open every day intersection of Pine and (pictured), in John McInnes Kurrajong Avenues, Square, is aptly inscribed: Britain and its Dominions except Christmas and THE Griffith Soldier Settlers’ Memorial (cover picture), funded by a grateful public, Chelmsford Place and Wade “Dedicated to those who served put in place a scheme to New Year’s Day. For is: “In proud and honoured memory of some 2000 returned soldiers of the Australian Avenue South and near in the wars and to those who fell train 50,000 air crews per more information, visit Imperial Force who came to this area at the end of The Great War 1914-18.” As the the famous Roxy Theatre, in our defence. Lest we forget.” year in schools formed www.8eftsassociation. plaque says: “They cleared the virgin scrub to establish farms which have since provided in Australia, England, org.au the monument is a striking A twice-decorated Great the base for which is now the most progressive and productive irrigation area in Australia. reminder to townsfolk and War hero Coleambally The Memorial also signifies the debt we owe to those of their sons, many of whom were visitors of the enormous claims is Jimmy Cull whose raised in poverty and adversity, who gave their lives during sacrifice Leeton and district gallantry at Reincourt the World War of 1939-45.” The monument, sculptured by made. on 15 May 1917 earned local Charlie Beltrame and situated on the intersection of It was erected by the Leeton him a Military Medal and Banna Avenue and Kooyoo Street, features two soldiers Sub-Branch of the Returned bravery at Péronne on 1-2 exchanging a gun for a farm plough. Mounted on a large MODEL: A mannequin Sailors’ Soldiers’ and Airmen’s September 1918 won him rock plinth and cast in bronze, it contains several brass Imperial League of Australia a Distinguished Conduct memorial narrative plaques. It was unveiled on 14 April displays the gear worn by with public subscription and Medal. 1990 by Belinda Kayess, widow of an original soldier was unveiled by Sir Iven settler (Oliver Kayess) and mother of a soldier son trainee pilots. A 22-year-old boundary rider ON DISPLAY: Mackay, KBE, CMG, DSO on Tubbo Station when he (Roderick Oliver Kayess) killed in action in Papua in and Bar, Croix de Guerre, 1942 at the age of 19. Long grounded enlisted in 1915, this dashing yet still serving, Greek MC and dedicated on Digger has a road named in this Tiger Moth Armistice Day 1965. his honour at Coleambally. OFFICES OF MICHAEL McCORMACK: is the principal Wounded at Gallipoli, Sir Lance-Corporal Cull returned CANBERRA: PO Box 6022, Parliament House, ACT 2600 P: 6277 4725 F: 6277 8563 attraction of Iven fought in both World to Australia on 10 December GRIFFITH: 100 Yambil Street P: 6964 1212 F: 6962 7722 Narrandera’s Wars and passed away aged 84 1918, his duty done and his : Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street P: 6921 4600 F: 6921 5900 fantastic military less than a year after opening name rightly etched in history. E: [email protected] www.michaelmccormack.com.au museum. the Leeton Memorial...... and in the morning, we will remember them

AS THE dawn breaks over Griffith, it is almost as if the Fairey Firefly is preparing to land after another successful reconnaissance mission for the Royal Australian Navy.

In truth, this magnificent aircraft is not going anywhere. It has remained fixed in this position, frozen in time, since 26 April 1969 when it was officially unveiled by Com- mander A H Gordon MVO, DFC, RAN, having been erected by the town’s citizens as “a memorial to our airmen”. Acquired from HMAS Albatross at Nowra, this sleek bird has remained a solid, proud protector of its people, many of whom have grown up with this famous fighter as a familiar landmark. Designed and built in Great Britain during 1941 as a World War II naval aircraft, this particular plane was engaged in active service on HMAS in Korea. It is fitted with a 2245 horsepower Rolls-Royce Griffon 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which had a maximum speed of 621 kilometres an hour (386 miles per hour). Griffith had a grand record of service to Australia’s armed forces in WWII and the Fairey Firefly is a fitting tribute to those magnificent men in their flying machines! a hero of hillston 2012 ANZAC DAY SERVICE times and venues STATION overseer at Allan James Park. Service to Lester Douglas Crossley is follow at Cenotaph. remembered at Hillston’s 6am Dawn Service, Cenotaph in Memorial Park among 49 Memorial Hall grounds, Wade St. WAGGA WAGGA brave souls from the district COLEAMBALLY 5.45am Dawn Service, Cenotaph in Victory Memorial Gardens. who “gave their all” in The 5.45am Dawn Service, John McInnes Sq. Great War of 1914-18. 6.30am Pilgrimage to Wagga Wagga War Cemetery in Kooringal Rd. He left Sydney aged 26 10.45am March from Post office along 10.30am Baylis St March begins. on HMAT Euripides on 2 Carrington St to Monument, WHITTON November 1915 and upon outside Murrumbidgee Shire 11am Wreath Laying, Victory arrival at the training centre for Council.. Memorial Gardens Cenotaph. AIR ACE the First Australian Imperial Address by Senior Navy Officer, 11am Service at Monument In Force reinforcements at Tel- Lieutenant Commander Linton A “DOGFIGHT”, with crack Carrington St. el-Kebir, Egypt, was taken on Lee Senior Naval Officer. Salute pilots testing their daredevil strength of the 4th Battalion taken by Army Recruit Training skill and wits against each other in deadly aerial combat, is one and sent to Marseilles, France. 3.15pm March from Goolgowi Hall to Centre Kapooka Commandant, of the most vivid scenes of all the Cenotaph outside Colonel David Hay. Sadly, Pte Crossley (inset) the movies made about World was killed in action on 24 July Ex-Servicemen’s Club, WHITTON War II. 1916, the second day of the cnr Combo and Napier St’s for 3pm March from Rice Bowl Hotel, Battle of Pozières, a two-week Commemoration Service. Benerembah St, to Memorial Gates. Sadly, it was just this very real action which cost a brave struggle for the French village GRIFFITH (Includes , Whitton truck driver his life in of Pozières and the ridge on Bilbul, Hanwood, Lake Wyangan, Noon Service, Yanco Hall, Trunk Rd 80. a flying battle over France on which it stands, during the Nericon, Tharbogan, ) 26 November 1943. middle stages of the Battle of 6am Dawn Service, Yenda Diggers’ the Somme. 5.45am Dawn Service, Memorial Gardens. Club, East St, cnr Ave. Attached to the Royal Air 10.30am March from War Memorial Force’s medium bomber 180 The Pozières ridge, described Museum (Ex-RSL Hall), Banna 10.45am March from Yenda Diggers’ Squadron, Warrant Officer by Australian official historian Ave. Club, East St, cnr Mirrool Ave. Allen John Painting, son of Charles Bean, “is more densely John and Annie, had enlisted in sown with Australian sacrifice 11am Main Service, Memorial Gardens. 10.45am Main Service, Yenda Memorial Park. Sydney on 20 July 1941. than any other place on Earth.” HILLSTON (Includes WO Painting’s death was listed Pte Crossley has no known and surrounding districts) Capital city services: CANBERRA as “officially presumed” after he grave and as late as 1938 his 10.30am March from Ex-Servicemen’s 5.30am Dawn Service, Australian War did not return from action that grief-stricken sister Jeanie was Club, High St. day. He was aged 26. writing to Army authorities, Memorial (suggested arrival 11am Service, Cenotaph in Hillston wanting to know if his name from 4.30am onwards). His name is one of 13 on Memorial Park. would be included on the 6.30am Aboriginal and Torres Strait the 1939-45 plaque on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. LEETON (Includes Gogeldrie, Islander Commemorative Whitton Memorial Gates Fittingly, it has been. Murrami, Stanbridge, ) Ceremony, Aboriginal Memorial (pictured) which were officially 6am Dawn Service, short march from Plaque, side of Mount Ainslie. opened on Armistice Day 1951. Certainly he is appropriately corner Church St to Cenotaph. honoured at Hillston, the town 10.15am National Ceremony, Australian Eight from Whitton fell in of his birth. 10am March from Leeton Courthouse War Memorial (suggested The Great War and they to Cenotaph. arrival 9.45am). are remembered on an Hillston’s World War I accompanying brick column. cenotaph (pictured), a 11.15am Leeton Soldiers’ Club, cnr Yanco SYDNEY magnificent granite obelisk, and Acacia Ave’s, RSL Shrine, 4.15am Dawn Service, Cenotaph in was moved to its present small Service and Wreath Laying. Martin Place. PLEASE NOTE: All times and venues have location in the town’s main NARRANDERA 8.30am Wreath Laying Ceremony at street from its original position (Includes ) Cenotaph in Martin Place. been supplied in good close by on the corner of High faith by various RSL 6am Dawn Service, Memorial Gardens, 9am ANZAC Day March starting and McGee Streets. Sub-Branch officials and cnr East St and Victoria Ave. at Martin Place/George Street/ were correct at the time The Memorial Park was Bathurst Street/Hyde Park. 9am Service, Air Force war graves of publication. Every care officially opened in May at Cemetery in Douglas St. 12.30pm Commemorative Service, ANZAC 1949 by New South Wales has been taken to ensure as 10.30am March from Narrandera Ex- Memorial, Hyde Park South. Governor, Lieutenant General many services as possible Servicemen’s Club, Bolton St. Sir John Northcott KCMG, 1pm Aboriginal ANZAC Day have been included. For KCVO, CB, a Veteran of 11am Main Service, Memorial Gardens. March, Redfern. verification of other Gallipoli and the North 5pm Sunset Service, Cenotaph in services please contact your African Campaign in World 8am Start of March after assembling Martin Place. local RSL Sub-Branch. War II. STUDENTS SHow anzac pride RIVERINA primary and secondary school students have again responded enthusiastically to the second annual writing competition “ANZAC Day in the Riverina”. Hundreds of poems and short stories were submitted with the best entrants being awarded book prizes from the Australian War Memorial. The most outstanding primary entrant received a copy of the wonderful tale The Red Poppy whilst the splendid hard cover book Australian Women and War went to the high school winner. Every student who sent in an entry will be presented with a commemorative signed certificate.

a day Okay, I am starting to regret even I’ve always wondered why they died nominating myself for Captain. The for us. I mean they must have been of real first reason? I have to follow a stinky made from stone, and only one thing meaning horse bottom down the main street. could stop them – a bullet. Second, I have to do a reading at the I’m starting to feel proud. One of my Jennifer Maher, ceremony. Jeez, I hate speaking in ancestors was a soldier in the 1910s, 11, Year 6, public. I start off okay and then my maybe he had a child that he didn’t Hillston Central voice just fades away. But the reason want to die. School. my voice fades is because I feel weak All these names in the park DAYLIGHT struck on the 25th in the stomach when I think of all the monument are real; real people, real April 2011. The dawn ceremonies in Australians that went to war for their relatives with true stories. the capital cities were just beginning country. I consider those families that to commence. A few hours later, couldn’t have the boys back home. Everyone in this town is proud of Hillston was waking up for the annual how many people sacrificed their life As I walk into the park I see the real for Australia and its people. ANZAC March. That’s where I come meaning of ANZAC Day. There are in. I am the current Primary Captain old ladies who lost their true love, on My conclusion? This blood-red poppy at Hillston Central School. the verge of tears, as they lay down a on my shirt is certainly not just a Getting up early and getting into wreath for their once happy lovers. decoration. my school skirt and shirt on this Their honeys sacrificed their lives for day is definitely NOT my idea of a not only the ones they loved, but for celebration. all Australian people. the spirit of our towns up high That was the Remembering with much pride the price we paid IT’S ANZAC DAY courage of those that died. Families throughout the Riverina The anthem is sung and prayers are broken, People gather in their towns as the said friends that Sun begins to rise Wreaths are placed and the names have fallen To recognise and remember the are read That is what ANZAC spirit. All is silent then the bugle sounds we mourn today. The march begins, the streets are lined A tribute to the lives lost in war with people, A tribute to those who heard the call. As we mourn and remember The children in their uniforms The ceremony ends and people We know those that fell will live on The Veterans with their heads held wander away from the town centre forever high But though we leave we will They are in the way we live One and all begin their journey side remember In everything we give by side. We won’t forget their sacrifice They are courage and sacrifice And they are the spirit of our towns. All around there is a strong sense of They did not die in vain pride The mistakes we make shall not be (Pictured) BOOK RECIPIENT: Saint The towns may be smaller but their the same. Francis De Sales Regional College Year sacrifice was no less We think to ourselves what a waste 8 student Teresa Aloisi, 13, captured Men and woman fought and died Lives cannot be replaced the essence of the occasion to win the Those that survived hold their heads Brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers secondary section. Authorised by Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, 100 Yambil Street Griffith NSW 2680. Printed by Chambers Whyte Design and Print, 5 Rabaul Place Wagga Wagga NSW 2650.