NEWSLETTER 2/2014 SEPTEMBER 2014 about but had the suitable nightmares associated with war The Duntroon Story and the and death. Bridges Family A couple of years later my father was awarded the MBE, and remembering his comment that Bridges men only Peter Bridges survive one war with or without medals, I naively asked him if this was because he had been wounded in the war—in Charles Bean, in his 1957 work ‘Two Men I Knew’, WW2. He told me that the MBE medal was not for war time reflected that Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges achievements but for peace time achievements. As an eight- laid two foundations of Australia’s fighting forces in WWI— year old this seemed very odd that someone who worked Duntroon and the 1st Division. Many officers and soldiers in hard got medals. I still firmly believed you got medals for our Army have served in both these enduring institutions being enormously brave in war time. It didn’t make sense to and one might suspect, more than occasionally, reflected on me so I asked him why Bridges men died in war and he was Bridges significant legacy in each. still alive. The story then came out. I had the great pleasure to welcome Dr Peter Bridges to His grandfather, the General (WTB), had fought in the Duntroon in 2003 and from that visit, the College held for a Boer war in South Africa (against my mother’s grandfather decade, and to its Centenary, the medals of its Founder. The as it turns out) and had been wounded in the relief of willingness of Peter and the greater Bridges family to lend a Kimberley. This was not in fact so—I do believe he very personal family treasure to Duntroon is testimony to contracted typhoid fever and was evacuated back to the UK, the affection with which the College and its graduates are although he did however nearly die of this illness. held. We owe the Bridges family a debt of gratitude. My father’s father, William Francis Noel Bridges was From that 2003 visit a quite remarkable and personal the second oldest surviving child in the General’s family and friendship has formed and when we met in Cape Town according to my father had a torrid time with his father the recently, I imposed upon Peter the obligation to tell the General, because the General was such a disciplinarian, a story of the Bridges family after the Founder’s death in May trait applied equally to both his troops and children. So 1915. It’s a question often not asked but one that interested much so that my grandfather, on completing his schooling in me—it’s the story that’s beyond Bridges’ Grave on Mt 1917 at the Melbourne Grammar School, found his way to Pleasant. At lunch that day overlooking Cape Town, Peter the shores of England to join up with the British Armed told the story that is outlined in the following article—it Forces in the UK. He fought and was wounded in action in represents a family that understands the notions of service World War 1. He was mentioned in a number of military and duty. dispatches and awarded the DSO in 1918. It was after World Bridges’ medals now reside in the care of the Australian War 1 that he returned to Australia and made peace with his War Memorial for a period that coincides with the relationship with the old man, who had been killed at Centenary of World War I. Quite rightly they sit in the heart Gallipoli. He joined the Australian Military Forces when of the institution that honours the service of so many and in World War 2 was imminent, and sadly lost his life at sea this case, the man who raised those two institutions and the during the evacuation of Singapore. I have the last letter he laid the foundations of our country’s land forces. wrote to my grandmother the day before he left Singapore, Michael (M.F.) Paramor (1976) AM and it really brings tears to my eyes each and every time I Commandant RMC, 2002–2003 read it. My father was born in Malaya in 1923 as his father was then the Surveyor General in Malaya. In today’s terms my I recall the exact moment my father told me about the father’s upbringing would I believe be considered Bridges men and their involvement in war. It was 1956 and I dysfunctional. He was sent to boarding school in the UK at was six years old. We were at the dinner table and my father the age of seven and only saw his parents when they came asked me why I had a scratch on my face and a black eye. I over to the UK from Malaya for their long leave which told him we playing armies at school in the break period, happened every four years. Strangely my father had no ill and that all the older boys were in the British army and we, feeling about this and regarded it as part and parcel of the the younger boys, were made to be in the German army. The times, and in his own words he was very lucky to attend two British army won and we were beaten up! great schools, Port Regis Junior School, and then onto senior My father looked at me and said ‘Son, the Bridges men school at Marlborough College. He was head boy at both only ever survive one war—so no more wars or you will die schools. with or without medals’. I had no idea what he was talking

1 My father joined the armed forces as soon as he finished Duntroon on the Rocks, my brother had a farm called school in 1944 and did his training in Scotland with the Duntroon Orchards, so it would be safe to say the old Black Watch. He was involved in the invasion of France in General was still exerting his influence three generations 1944 as a young captain, and was seriously wounded a week later. after the landing. All he would ever tell me about the war My daughter Sharon and her husband Erik were in and the circumstances of the time he was wounded was that Australia on vacation in 2001 and ended up in Canberra it was all worthwhile, particularly as he got flown out of specifically to see the Royal Military College. They still France in a Dakota DC3—his very first flight ever. regard that day as one of the special days in their lives as It always amazes me that, to the day he died, he never they were shown around the College. Sharon said it was a talked about the horrors of war—only the honour of war. very moving experience as she sat next to her great-great- After the war, my father did a stint at Cambridge University, grandfather’s grave and the tears flowed. I recall a few years where he met my mother. He spent the first three years of later feeling the same emotions, particularly for the privilege marriage in Basutoland (now Lesotho) as a District of being allowed to step over the chains surrounding the Commissioner, and went on to become the British High General’s grave. Later in the day, Sharon was saying Commissioner’s Private Secretary in South Africa until goodbye to the historian, who happened to mention that he 1957. Thereafter, he was Clerk of the Legislate in East had spent years searching high and low for the General’s Africa until independence in 1963. It was then the family medals but had not been able to locate them. Sharon laughed moved to South Africa. and told him they were very beautifully mounted in a I recall my father asking me at the age of 16 if I would display frame next to the portrait of the General in her consider a career in the armed forces—well this nearly father’s study—my study! And that is how I met Michael brought about World War 3 in our house. I was at that Paramor and ended up lending the medals to the College. As impressionable age of defiance and was furious that my a family we were very proud to know that the General’s father had surrendered my British passport for a South medals contributed in a small way to the RMC centenary African passport which now meant a compulsory period in celebrations in 2011, and are equally delighted that they will the South African armed forces—certainly not an army or contribute to the commemoration events at the Australian defence force that could be considered as the world’s War Memorial in the next five years. flavour of the month in 1966. I’m afraid I was the first of the I have often wondered what would have happened if my male Bridges line, from the General’s father who was a father had returned to England rather than coming out to Captain in the Royal Navy, who would not consider any South Africa when he left the colonial service. I also wonder form of military involvement on a voluntary basis. I do why Australia was not on his radar—maybe it was a South know that had my father suggested Duntroon or the RAF as African wife—however she adamantly denies any influence possible choices there just might have been some discussion here. about their merits. My dad was a wonderful family man and had a passion And so it was that every Bridges man or woman that has for the history of our family. What may well be of interest is fought in wars (since the General was killed at Gallipoli) has that the Bridges family can be traced back to 1435 and we died in the second war they have fought in, and they were know the King’s seal was given to the family in the early ‘wounded’ in the first one. Hence the hope that Bridges men 1500s. The family tree had been reasonably healthy with a only ever experience one war as there is a pretty good good number of sons born to the eldest son in the chance of surviving it! genealogical line to keep the ‘blood line’ going. That was My father had a huge respect for WTB—the ‘old man’, until my brother and I arrived on the scene. I have two as he affectionately called the General—and this saw my daughters, Jenny and Sharon (Jenny knows as much about mother and father visit Royal Military College at Duntroon a the Bridges family as my father did as she continues to make number of times. They also undertook a very detailed visit an in-depth study of the family history) and my brother has to Gallipoli with one of the world authorities as their guide one daughter (Tracey who has represented the Bridges to see exactly where the ‘old man’ had been stationed and family a number of times at Duntroon events). So, in old where he died. Interestingly enough my father was tickled to fashioned terms, the family name dies with no ‘boy’ heirs. find out that the General spent a number of months on the Or, maybe we now follow a gender-free tree of life where Greek island Limnos before the invasion of the beaches of the girls are the same as the boys. After all, Duntroon today Gallipoli. Limnos is the island my wife, who is Greek, has a female commandant. comes from—what a small world. There were many other stories that came out over the They also visited Uncle Tony, the General’s youngest years about the Bridges family, the deeper we looked the son, a number of times and systematically contacted most, if more interesting the Bridges story became and the more not all the Bridges family descendants of the General. They chequered the Bridges history is prior to the General— met many very interesting people, with more than a priests in favour of slavery, and naval captains losing the common family lineage. Kitch and Bill Bridges were both family fortune, just to name a couple. Finally I have often stockbrokers, as was my father, so spoke at length about wondered what the General, when sitting around a table at a things other than ‘The Famous Throsby’. The families formal dinner party, would have said when asked—‘do tell visited one another both here in South Africa and also in me about your family, General’, as that too is a fascinating, Australia over the years, and this is a testament to the old if a somewhat sad story. man, Sir William Throsby Bridges, who brought the He was a wonderful example to us, his family, and we families together through the legacy he left us as a family. are proud to be his descendants, and are humbly cognisant I think it is worth recording how the medals ended up at of his achievements. the RMC. The name Duntroon runs long and deep in the Bridges family. My father’s house was called Duntroon, my house was Duntroon Towers and our holiday home was ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 is down and the darker colour of the cadets’ puggaree. Both Presentation of Major General of these are thought to be related, but not definitely proved, William Throsby Bridges’ Medals to the condition of General Bridges’ slouch hat when he was wounded at Gallipoli. I can assure you the General’s legacy to the Australian War Memorial, is alive and well within the College and the standards of Saturday 31 May professional and personal behaviour that he demanded remains the central tenet of our ethos. Peter Evans I would like to recognise the great affection that the

st Bridges family have for Duntroon. Not only the feelings Mid-morning of the 31 May, Brigadier Dianne Gallasch, they have for their ancestor, William Throsby Bridges the Commandant of the Royal Military College, hosted a small founding commandant, but also the contribution that they ceremony at General Bridges Grave to mark the hand-over have made to the college as a national institution over many of the Bridges medals and decorations to the family years. A representation of their contribution to Duntroon is representative, Ms Tracey Bridges, who then passed them to the reason that we are here today. A decade ago Peter Mr Tim Sullivan, Branch Head National Collection of the Bridges approached the then commandant, Brigadier Australian War Memorial. Both Brigadier Gallasch and Mr Michael Paramor and, having sounded him out, offered the Sullivan gave addresses and these are reproduced below. College the opportunity to hold Bridges’ medals in trust. All In addition to Tracey, other Bridges’ descendants present families cherish their links with their forebears and it was a were Mr Michael Cowley, Ms Joanne Cowley and Major truly selfless act that the family have allowed Duntroon to Christopher Cowley (retd) (1988), son of the late Lieutenant care for and find inspiration in these medals. The medals Colonel Bob Cowley (1955). In addition to a large number arrived at Duntroon in time to be part of the one hundred of staff, the June Graduating Class was present as was the year celebrations of the College’s founding. In addition to whole of Gallipoli Company. The Duntroon Society was his Queen’s South Africa Medal for service during the Boer represented by myself and Lieutenant Colonel John Bullen war, Bridges was made a Companion of the Order of St (1958) who was there in his capacity of Chairman of the Michael and St George in 1909. For his service in the first RMC Heritage Committee. World War he received the 1914–15 Star, British War The inspirational value of the medals will not be lost as Medal, and the Victory Medal. Notably, he was appointed the June Graduating Class later donated a replica set of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 17 May medals to the College for display in the Museum. 1915, the day before he died of his wounds, and was Speech by Brigadier Gallasch posthumously mentioned-in-dispatches. For a decade these medals have been viewed by cadets Members of the Bridges family—Tracey, Michael and and staff of the Royal Military College and for a decade the family, Mr Tim Sullivan, Assistant Director of the national College has found inspiration in the example of leadership collection and fellow staff of the Australian War Memorial, and service they represent. The medals of our first staff and cadets of the Royal Military College—Duntroon. commandant have been part of the sacred history of the Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your participation here Royal Military College and we cherished the responsibility today on the occasion of the return of Major General of caring for them. For the trust shown by the Bridges William Throsby Bridges’ medals to the Bridges family and family, and on behalf of every officer or cadet who has been then their presentation to the Australian War Memorial. through our museum and stared in wonder at this relic of our ‘a gallant and erudite soldier, he was the first founder, I thank the Bridges family. commandant of this college, where in recognition of We have chosen today for this event because on this day faithful service, his remains were publicly interred in 1914 Bridges relinquished his position as Commandant to on 3 September 1915’. become the Inspector-General of Commonwealth Military This simple tribute, inscribed on the memorial stone behind Forces. me, has been recounted by countless Australian and When Australia went to war three months later, he raised international officer candidates during their time here at and commanded the Australian Imperial Force. Numbering Duntroon. Reciting this inscription was not simply amongst the ranks of the AIF was a small group of officers compulsory learning. Rather, it has formed an act of who had graduated early from Duntroon, at Bridges’ remembrance extending across the decades and serves as a insistence, especially for operational service. In April 1915 tribute to an officer that exercised a profound influence both Bridges, as commander of the 1st Australian Division, on the Royal Military College and the Australian Army— landed at Gallipoli. When stalemate ensued, he became Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges. known to his troops for inspecting the front lines on a daily The fact the College’s fundamental structure of classes basis, despite the risks. It was on one of those inspections on and companies has withstood the test of time, despite 15 May, amidst the maze of saps, posts and trenches that significant changes to the curriculum, speaks for itself. As a Bridges was struck by a Turkish bullet. Evacuated to the relative newcomer to the customs and traditions of the Royal hospital ship Gascon he died en route to Egypt on 18 May. Military College, I am in awe of the reverence in which he is The College had been established for barely four years held here at Duntroon. This extends beyond the obvious when it was called to bury its founder here at this spot in tangible symbols such as this grave, Bridges House, the September 1915. Of the 60,000 Australian soldiers who died Bridges Memorial Library, General Bridges drive and overseas during the Great War, Bridges was the first whose Bridges company formed in 1989, to the symbolic / cadet remains were returned to Australia for burial. This was folklore elements or traditions that add to the unique unique recognition, because it was not until November 1993 mystique of the college such as wearing the chinstrap buckle that another Anzac from World War One would return home on the right hand side of the face (whereby the remainder of to be interred as the unknown soldier in the Australian War the army wears it on the left) on a slouch hat when the brim Memorial’s Hall of Memory. In keeping with Lady Bridges’

3 desire for simplicity this grave and its surrounds, which were designed by Walter Burley Griffin, has little ornamentation, other than a memorial stone with a cast bronze crusader’s sword and the simple inscription. So it is only fitting that here today at this gravesite, in a simple yet I hope, poignant ceremony, that the Royal Military College relinquishes the trust of the General’s medals back to his family who will pass the medals to the next group of trustees—the Australian War Memorial. The timing is perfect. In the same way that we had the privilege of having his medals here for our centenary in 2011, they will now be viewed by a much wider audience at the Australian War Memorial in what will be the centenary of Anzac. RMC is delighted that they will continue to be not just part of our heritage, but now, a very visible part of Brigadier Gallasch handing over the medals to Tracey Australia’s heritage. Not only did Bridges set up and Bridges. command the Royal Military College, but as the leader of the 1st Australian Division in some of its most difficult days on Gallipoli, this nation is very much in his debt. I would now ask Tracey Bridges to come forward and receive the General’s medals. As a symbol of our respect, I have immense pleasure in letting you know that the cadets here today—those who are just about to graduate—have decided that their farewell gift to the College will be a replica set of these medals so that all those that go after them will never forget. Speech by Mr Tim Sullivan On behalf of the Australian War Memorial’s Chairman, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, our Director Dr Brendan Nelson, Michael Cowley, Joanne Cowley, Tim Sullivan, Tracey and the staff of the Memorial, it is a great privilege to be Bridges and Christopher Cowley. here today to receive on loan the medals of Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges. The medals will be included in the redeveloped First World War Galleries and will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people over the years of the Centenary of the First World War. It is appropriate that we recognise and honour Major General Bridges in this small way. Brigadier Gallasch’s remarks tell the story of a remarkable man, a remarkable leader, whose influence extends to the present day. Not only did he found the RMC, but he also founded that first AIF which will be the focus of our commemoration. He then led it into battle on the Gallipoli Peninsula and was killed in action there at the same time as the legend that became that 1st AIF was born. Handover ceremony at Bridges’ grave. The Army that he created, all of them volunteers, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ became one of the finest fighting forces on the Western Front by 1918. It was magnificent, and it was exhausted, but Notes from the Diary of Reg Miles still magnificent. Bridges influenced a generation of commanders who not only fought in the First World War Barry (B.D.) Dreyer (1965) but who were called on again in what was to follow in a second world war. The attributes of that Army, its character Brigadier Reg Miles was the top graduate of the first and its characters, its trials and triumphs, will be the focus of graduating class from RMC in August 1914, joining the our Centenary commemoration over the next four years. NZEF in the RNZA and embarking from New Zealand in That is the context in which we honour the service of Major December 1914 as a howitzer battery section commander. General Bridges and his sacrifice. He had a distinguished war in Gallipoli and France, ending It is a privilege to accept his medals from the Bridges the war as Brigade Major of his artillery brigade having family: I hope you will pass on our thanks and appreciation been awarded a DSO and MC, as well as being wounded to your family, Tracey. We had a lovely email from Peter twice. In 1940 he was appointed as the Artillery Bridges last night expressing his regret at not being able to Commander of 2 NZEF, and subsequently CRA 2 NZ Div. be here today and his appreciation of the gesture by RMC He was wounded and captured at Sidi Rezegh when he was and of the AWM. Be assured they are in good hands. Thank visiting his regiments during the relief battles for Tobruk in you. December 1941. Imprisoned outside Florence, he and three other senior officers escaped in March 1943, with Brigadier Miles finally making Spain via Switzerland and France.

4 Tragically he died in Spain on 20 October 1943 while What happened was, there were a good many casualties arrangements were underway to get him back to the UK. He in the boats and as soon as shallow water was reached the was awarded a bar to his DSO for his escape exploits. men scrambled overboard, threw off all equipments except Brigadier Miles’ papers came to me from my rifles, bayonets and ammunition, on the beach and made a predecessor as Colonel Commandant RNZA, Graham Birch desperate rush. There was no forming up, every man was his (Class of 1960). They were gifted to the RNZA by the Miles own general and with a mad rush they took the trenches family, and include his diaries, letters and various papers without firing a shot. Even then they did not stop but found from the time of his graduation through to his death. They their way up the hill by following the retreating Turks, the are an important national resource. The intention is that only mistake they made was that they did too well. They they form the basis of a scholarly book on Reg Miles. went ahead so fast that they got ahead of their supports, their ammunition and their entrenching tools. When the Turks THE ANZAC LANDINGS were reinforced our fellows could not hold on but had to fall back and the supports could only help that withdrawal until From notes written at the time by Captain Reg Miles RNZA, they got some sort of cover, held on desperately and dug in. Section Commander 4 (How) Bty NZFA It was in falling back that the casualties were so heavy Saturday 24th. We left our quiet anchorage at 6:30 a.m. and and though the men stuck to their mates marvellously, steamed about 20 miles then “stood by” all day, proceeding carrying them back with Turks following at 40 yards, yet “slow ahead” in the evening. We had to go down to Cape nearly all the wounded had to be left. Major Grant, my old Helles to hand over some horse boats to the British division company commander, was shot through both legs, one of his before proceeding to our landing place. At about 4 a.m. on men carried him until he was again shot, this time through the 25th (Sunday) we were awakened by the thunder of big the stomach and had to be left. Hill, in charge of my old guns, the first time I had heard guns firing in earnest. I was platoon was shot through the mouth, Barclay killed, and so rd not long in getting up and we could see the flashes of the on. In the 3 Brigade were four Duntroon men, Smith, ships’ guns. As it got lighter and we came in closer we could Patterson, Boase, and Selby—the first three were killed the see the ships firing and the shells bursting on the shore. We first day, and Selby has since lost his right arm. {CSC 20 sailed up between two lots, one of which was bombarding A.J. Boase was not killed—he retired as a lieutenant general the Asiatic coast and the other, the Peninsula. A Russian in February 1951 (see Newsletter 2/2011 p. 25). Ed.} ship was banging in broadsides as hard as he could go a few By the evening matters were very critical and the hundred yards from us and British, French and Russian were artillery were not allowed to land. At 10 p.m. the infantry at it all round. Then the “Lizzie” {HMS Queen Elizabeth. off our boat went ashore—we turned into bed then but at Ed} got hold of something and fired broadside after midnight word was brought for us to go ashore. Out we broadside of 15 inch guns, for a time firing lyddite at short tumbled and I had to superintend the slinging of the guns range into a small space. The effect was fearful, all we could and wagons out of the hold and into the pontoons, while see was a ghastly inferno of flame and smoke and flying Gardner watched the horses go over. It was raining slightly earth. It was ‘the iron rations for the Turks’ breakfast going and pitch dark but shortly after 2 p.m. we had the left ashore”. I do not know what she fired at but there could not section (half battery) ready. The tow did not come for some be much of it left, the bombardment was probably the time and it was nearly daylight when we got ashore. The heaviest in history and a sight I never expected to see, and pontoons were grounded stern on, ends lowered and guns expect never to see again. Later on we could see our fellows and wagons limbered up and run ashore by hand. Teams (British) advancing by rushes in the good old style and from an Australian battery were waiting and with the help of gaining ground well. By about 10 a.m. we had got rid of our drag ropes hauled the two guns about 50 yards up the hill. boats (at Cape Helles, Ed.) and made up for this place. One gun was brought into action, our Colonel gave us a The landing here was to be made by the Australian and rough line and range and ‘bang’ went the first shot our New Zealand Army Corps less the mounted troops. Here battery had ever fired, just to let the infantry know our guns there seemed to be much less bombarding and things did not had landed. seem to be going so well. We were greeted by the sight of We were the first New Zealand battery in action and an upturned boat and later by boatload after boatload of owing to the steep hills were the only guns of much use wounded. However, I will give an account as I understand it during the first week. Major Falla detailed me to take charge took place. of the second section when it came ashore—I went off and Unlike the country at Cape Helles which is open and found two gun epaulements partly prepared in a position to moderately flat after climbing a bank about 100 feet from support our left. I then scrambled up the hill with a the seashore—this country rose straight from the beach in telephone and two men to find a place to control from, only steep precipitous banks and precipices about 700 feet into a to find I had reached the same place as the Major from the hilly area covered with thick shrubs from 5 to 8 feet high other side of the ridge, no good both being there so down and intersected by deep steep sided ravines. The steep slopes again and off in another direction. By this time the guns facing shore were entrenched in places and Turks and were ashore. We scrambled along through thick prickly machine guns hidden in the scrub right down to the water's scrub over rough gullies and skirted the bottom of the cliffs edge, while concealed guns swept the seafront with trying to find a way out. At last we came to a ridge our shrapnel. Against this the 3rd Australian Brigade under infantry were holding and scrambled up it until we Colonel MacLagan started to land under cover of darkness, eventually landed in the foremost trenches and here we have the covering party of 1,500 men was bought as close as been ever since, though the infantry are somewhat further possible in torpedo boat destroyers, then transferred to boats on, and our little spot is now comparatively peaceful and and rowed ashore. The instructions were that the officer in serene. rd the bow of each boat was to be the first to land and form up The next entry is dated 3 May 1915. his boatload on the beach, lying down if under fire. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 glass (and I had my head pressed up against it the way Our Cowra Experience children do when they wish to be amusing) you couldn't Duntroon Society Biennial Reunion, 16–18 see the artifice. She was perfectly formed, full colour, May 2014 (Sponsored by Vic/Tas Branch) charmingly articulate, rather dishy three-dimensional person right in front of me and only six inches high. It Bob Slater (1963) was the most captivating thing I had seen in years. It was obvious that it was a film projected in some way From the moment we met at The Mill (the cellar door for the from beneath, but there wasn't a stutter, a bump, no Windowrie Estate vineyard) for a convivial Friday happy scratchy lines or wriggly hairs. It was as real as an hour wine tasting and welcome by Cowra Mayor Councillor image can get. She was a perfect little hologram. The Bill West, we sensed this would be a special weekend. And narrative, it is worth noting, was sympathetic and so it was! A relatively late necessary change in dates meant informative - a model of its type. I watched it three times only 21 of the original 51 acceptances were able to attend. and couldn't have been more impressed.

Bob and Ruth Slater We went from there to The Peace Bell. This is a very special Tiit Tonuri (1963) feature of Cowra. John (1959) and Nola Bertram Cowra’s distinct place in Australian history has created a Barry (OCS June 1960) and Elizabeth Campton culture of reconciliation that resonates through the town. George (1959) and Tess Salmon Each March Cowra holds a Festival of International Ross Harding (1948) and son Stephen Harding Understanding at which townspeople commit to making the Neville (1956) and Nanette Bergin future a more tolerant place. Each year a Nation is invited to Garth (1956) and Margaret Hughes be the Guest Nation; activities are centred around cultural Alan (1951) and Maria McDonald and other aspects of that nation and is attended by the John Sedgley (1938) and daughter Anne Sedgley Ambassador and other embassy staff. John (OCS June 1954) and Gwen MacPherson This passion for peace and international understanding was officially recognised when the town was awarded the But those of us who attended were treated to an experience Australian World Peace Bell. This is a replica of the World organised by Cowra resident Tiit Tonuri (1963) none of us Peace Bell located in the forecourt of the United Nation’s will forget. headquarters in New York. Usually, Peace Bell replicas are Saturday centred on the connection Cowra has forged only awarded to a nation’s capital. Cowra's is one of only 22 with Japan—not just one city or region, but the Japanese worldwide and the only one in Australia. Coins and medals people as a whole. We were privileged to have as our tour for the metal of the Bell came from over 160 countries. This guide Lawrence Ryan, President of the Cowra Breakout rare gift was made as a tribute to the spirit of friendship and Society. peace which has developed between the Japanese and the First we visited Cowra’s Visitor Information Centre, Cowra community. begun in 1988, and located behind the Cowra Rose Garden Located in a pavilion in Cowra’s Civic Square, the Bell with more than 1,000 roses and 107 varieties. Inside the is decorated with pottery tiles reflecting the community’s Centre we were enthralled by the widely acclaimed Cowra ideas about world peace. It is the focus of Cowra’s World Breakout Hologram and PoW Theatre. This is a ‘must see’ Peace Day commemorations on the third Tuesday in for all visitors to the town. Indeed when the American travel September each year. On this day, Peace Bells throughout writer Bill Bryson visited the town he watched the the world ring out to mark the opening of the Disarmament presentation three times. Below is an excerpt from his book Session. Downunder where he describes the experience wonderfully. We listened to the informative audio stream to learn the All this (the Cowra Breakout) is commemorated in story of the Bell and its significance to the community, and photographs and other displays at Cowra's visitor were then invited to each ring the Bell as a commitment to a centre, which in itself is excellent, but in a room at the more peaceful world. A very moving experience. back was a small audio-visual theatre that was one of From there we travelled to the WWII PoW site, to hear the most enchanting things I believe I have ever seen— on the ground from Lawrence Ryan about the purpose and certainly ever seen in a small country town in the conduct of the camp, and about the now famous Japanese middle of nowhere. breakout. Hearing the details from Lawrence, especially Behind glass on a kind of small stage were objects tailored to a receptive military audience, was totally saved from the PoW camp: some books and diaries, a absorbing. couple of framed photographs, a baseball bat and glove, Cowra, a farming district, 314 km due west of Sydney, a medicine bottle, a Japanese board game. As I entered, was the town nearest to No. 12 Prisoner of War Compound the light automatically dimmed in the room. A little (one of 28 in Australia), a major PoW camp, where 4,000 introductory music played and then—this was the Axis military personnel and civilians were detained. The enchanting part—a young woman about six inches high prisoners at Cowra also included 2,000 Italians, Koreans stepped out of one of the framed photographs and began who had served in the Japanese military, and Indonesian moving around among the objects and talking about civilians detained at the request of the Dutch East Indies Cowra in the 1940s and the prison breakout. My mouth government. fell open. She didn't just move about but interacted with By August 1944, there were 2,223 Japanese PoWs in the objects—stepped around books, idly leaned on a Australia, including 544 merchant seamen. There were also shell casing—as she went through her presentation. As 14,720 Italian prisoners, who had been captured mostly in you can imagine, I got up and had a closer look and I the North African Campaign, and 1,585 Germans, mostly can tell you that no matter how close you got to the naval or merchant seamen.

6 Although the PoWs were treated in accordance with the • No complaints regarding treatment had been made by 1929 Geneva Convention, relations between the Japanese or on behalf of the Japanese before the incident, PoWs and the guards were poor, due largely to significant which appeared to have been the result of a cultural differences. premeditated and concerted plan; A riot by Japanese PoWs at Featherston PoW camp in • The actions of the Australian garrison in resisting the New Zealand in February 1943 led to security being attack averted a greater loss of life, and firing ceased tightened at Cowra. Eventually several Vickers and Lewis as soon as they regained control; machine guns were installed to augment the rifles carried by • Many of the dead had committed suicide or been the members of the Australian Militia's 22nd Garrison killed by other prisoners, and many of the Japanese Battalion, which was composed mostly of old or disabled wounded had suffered self-inflicted wounds. veterans or young men considered physically unfit for Hardy and Jones were posthumously awarded the frontline service. George Cross as a result of their actions (because at the time In the first week of August 1944, a tip-off from an the area was not considered a war zone and so their actions informer at Cowra led authorities to plan a move of all were not considered to be ‘On Active Service’). Japanese PoWs at Cowra, except officers and NCOs, to No. 12 Camp continued to operate until the last Japanese another camp at Hay, NSW, some 400 km to the west. The and Italian prisoners were repatriated in 1947. No Italians Japanese were notified of the move on 4 August. In the tried to escape until they were being repatriated to Italy, words of historian Gavin Long, the following night: with the last being ‘re-captured’ in 1950. At about 2 a.m. a Japanese ran to the camp gates and From the PoW camp site we travelled to the Cowra War shouted what seemed to be a warning to the sentries. Cemeteries. Adjacent to the Cowra Cemetery are two Then a Japanese bugle sounded. A sentry fired a separate cemeteries; one for Australian servicemen, and the warning shot. More sentries fired as three mobs of Japanese War Cemetery that contains graves of the Japanese prisoners, shouting ‘Banzai’, began breaking through involved in the PoW Breakout, as well as other internees the wire, one mob on the northern side, one on the and those involved with the battle of Darwin. western and one on the southern. They flung themselves The Australian section commemorates those who died in across the wire with the help of blankets. They were training at the local Military Camp, as well as the four armed with knives, baseball bats, clubs studded with soldiers who were killed during the breakout. There are nails and hooks, wire stilettos and garotting cords. thirty three graves with the first death in July 1941 and the The bugler, Hajime Toyoshima, had been Australia’s first last in March 1947 when troops were still in place in Cowra Japanese prisoner of the war. Soon afterwards, most of the after the war. The majority of deaths were due to illness. buildings in the Japanese compound were set on fire. One training accident with a prematurely exploding mortar Within minutes of the start of the breakout attempt round claimed three lives. There are ten graves from the Privates Benjamin Gower Hardy and Ralph Jones manned PoW Camp including the three guards who were killed the No. 2 Vickers machine-gun and were firing into the first during the breakout and twenty two from the Military wave of escapees, but they were soon overwhelmed by the Training Camp including the officer also killed during the sheer weight of numbers and killed. However, Private Jones breakout roundup of Japanese PoW. There is also the grave managed to remove and hide the gun's bolt before he died. of a young Royal Air Force corporal killed after the war in a This rendered the gun useless, thereby preventing the motor cycle accident. prisoners from turning it against the guards. The Japanese War Cemetery was tended to after WWII The actions of the Japanese PoWs in storming machine by members of the Cowra RSL and ceded to Japan in 1963, gun posts, armed only with improvised weapons, showed thus Cowra has its own little piece of Japan. In 1971 the what Australian Prime Minister John Curtin later described Cowra Tourism Development decided to celebrate this link as a "suicidal disregard of life". Nevertheless, 359 PoWs to Japan, and proposed a Japanese Garden for the town. The escaped. Some prisoners, rather than escaping, attempted or Japanese government agreed to support this development as committed suicide, or were killed by their countrymen. a sign of thanks for the respectful treatment of their war Some of those who did escape committed suicide, or were dead; the development also received funding from the killed, to avoid recapture. All those still alive were Australian government and private entities. recaptured within 10 days of the breakout. A large black granite monument dominates the Cemetery During the escape and subsequent round-up of PoWs, and the burning of incense, wreaths and gifts can be seen at 231 Japanese soldiers died and 108 prisoners were wounded. the Cemetery after Official Functions. This is the only Three Australians were killed during the breakout (Privates Japanese War Cemetery in Australia. Hardy and Jones, and Private Shepherd, who was slain The Cowra War Cemetery is maintained by the during the breakout in an area near the top end of Broadway, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and has become a the main camp street). Lieutenant Harry Doncaster became showpiece for modern military cemeteries. the only Australian killed in the roundup, when he was In keeping with the protocol that visitors bearing wreaths attacked and murdered by Japanese eleven kilometres north should lay one in each cemetery, Bob Slater (1963) laid a of Cowra. Four others were injured. The leaders of the wreath in the Australian War Cemetery, and Duntroon breakout had ordered that no civilians be harmed, and they Society elder, John Sedgley (Class of 1938 and veteran of were true to their word. Finschhafen and Tarakan) laid a wreath in the Japanese War The findings of an official inquiry into the events were Cemetery. read to the Australian House of Representatives by Prime Next we went to the Japanese Garden; a manicured oasis Minister Curtin on 8 September 1944. Among its findings within the typically outback Australian pastoral landscape, were: where we lunched in the Japanese Garden Restaurant • Conditions at the camp were in accordance with the followed by a quiet and leisurely Saturday afternoon stroll Geneva Conventions; through this horticultural masterpiece.

7

Stephen Harding, John Bertram, Ross Harding, Nola Bertram, John Sedgley, Bob Slater (behind), Barry Campton, Elizabeth Campton, Margaret Hughes, and Maria McDonald.

At the PoW camp site.

Ruth Slater, George Salmon, Tiit Tonuri behind Lawrence The Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre was Ryan (back to camera), not a member of the group, Stephen designed by Ken Nakajima (1914–2000), a world-renowned Harding, John Bertram, Ross Harding , Nola Bertram, John designer of Japanese gardens at the time. The first stage was Sedgley, Bob Slater behind, Barry Campton, Elizabeth opened in 1979, with a second stage opened in 1986. Campton, and Margaret Hughes. The gardens were designed in the style of the Edo period (1603 to 1867) and are a kaiyū-shiki or strolling garden. The rocky hillside, manicured hedges, waterfalls and streams, and the two lakes provide a serene environment for a myriad of birdlife. Special features of the Garden include a Bonsho Bell, a traditional Edo Cottage, an authentic open air Tea House and a Bonsai House. They are designed to show all of the landscape types of Japan. At 12 acres, the Cowra Japanese Garden is the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere. An annual Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festival) is a major event in Cowra's tourism calendar and is held in the gardens during September. The festival celebrates the birth of spring. It attracts performers from across Australia and around the world. Locals, Australian and international visitors alike have the Neville Bergin, Alan McDonald, John MacPherson, and opportunity to experience traditional elements of Japanese Nanette Bergin. culture. From the Garden we travelled to the Cowra War Museum, so named for its comprehensive PoW and military camp displays, military vehicles and light horse memorabilia, and one of the largest German infantry displays in the world. But that's not all! In the centre of this two acres (largely under cover) is a mammoth model train layout (30 km of HO scale track), an original FS passenger carriage and guards brake van used from the1940's onwards, a fire engine, a large collection of model vehicles, railway trikes and trolleys, working oil engines, 14 working portable and mill steam engines, original early 19th Century hand and engine operated agricultural machinery and tractors, and rows and rows of other relics from farms, farmyard kitchens and lifestyle bric-a-brac from the past 100 years and more. A country gem! This exhilarating day was capped off that night by fine John MacPherson, Nanette Bergin and Anne Sedgley. dining and fellowship at the renowned Quarry Restaurant.

8 Those who didn’t have to rush off on Sunday morning were treated to a sumptuous country morning tea with the Delaneys at historic ‘Farleigh’ (see following article). All in all a most enjoyable weekend, which incited all present to commit to the next biennial reunion, planned to be held in Adelaide in 2016 and organised by Neville Bergin and the South Australian team. Thank you again to all who attended, to Tiit Tonuri for arranging the program, and to co-convenor Alan McDonald for keeping us solvent. (Information details thanks to the Cowra Visitor Information Centre).

Group at the Cowra Peace Bell.

Bonzai garden. John Sedgley ringing the Cowra Peace Bell.

The Museum.

Margaret Hughes ringing the Cowra Peace Bell.

Garth Hughes and Alan McDonald pleased that it’s not BC Margaret Hughes, Gwen MacPherson and Ruth Slater at Day. the PoW Camp site.

9

John Sedgley and Anne Sedgley in the War Museum. Lawrence Ryan explaining the PoW Camp layout.

Bob Slater laying a wreath at the Australian War Cemetery,

Cowra. Lunch at the Japanese Garden Restaurant.

John Sedgley laying a wreath at the Japanese War Cemetery, Cowra. Ross Harding, Stephen Harding, and Tiit Tonuri in the War Museum.

Bob and Ruth Slater with John Sedgley. Ruth Slater and Tiit Tonuri.

10

Back row L to R: Nola Bertram, Garth Hughes (1956), John Bertram (1959), Stephen Harding, Ross Harding (1948), Tiit Tonuri (1963), John Sedgley (1938), Margaret Hughes, Tess Salmon, and George Salmon (1959). Front row : Bob Slater (1963), Anne Sedgley, Ruth Slater, Chris Delaney, Barry Campton (OCS June 1960), Elizabeth Campton. Absent are John and Gwen MacPherson, Neville and Nan Bergin, Alan and Maria McDonald and Peter Delaney.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Duntroon Society Biennial Reunion, 16–18 May 2014 (Sponsored by Vic/Tas Branch) Garth Hughes (1956) Over the weekend 16–18 May 2014, the Duntroon Society met in Cowra NSW for the 10th Biennial Reunion. Bob Slater (1963) Tiit Tonuri (1963) and Alan McDonald (1951) were responsible for organizing the excellent weekend of activities. Bob has reported separately on those events. Peter and Chris Delaney. One highlight of the weekend was an invitation to a morning tea on Sunday 18 May from Peter and Chris ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Delaney. Peter graduated from the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville (OTU 1/67) in June 1967 and served in 18 Field Eleventh Biennial Reunion of the Squadron RAE for the two years of his national service Duntroon Society obligation. The venue was their property ‘Farleigh’, some ten kilometres from Cowra. Neville Bergin (1956) The residence at ‘Farleigh’ is magnificent. It dates from 1867, and has been fully restored by the Delaneys since its At the very successful Tenth Biennial Reunion held at purchase by them in 1998. All of the Society guests felt Cowra in May this year, it was decided that the 2016 privileged to have viewed and been part of such a beautiful reunion should be held in Adelaide. This is the first occasion estate. in the long history of these reunions that a gathering has The Delaneys were most gracious hosts. been held in a state capital, and those in attendance unanimously supported the selected location. As Convenor for South Australia, and with the assistance of Dennis Harverson as Co-convenor, our planning for this event is already underway. This notice is by way of giving members initial advice of the reunion. More detailed information will be provided through this Newsletter and your State Convenors as planning progresses. The Adelaide reunion is to be held during the weekend Friday, 6 May to Sunday, 8 May 2016. The reunion program will follow the now traditional sequence:  Friday afternoon: members and their ladies settle into accommodation and gather for registration and welcome drinks. Front view of ‘Farleigh’.

11  Friday evening: members and ladies dine at nearby training and college life, integration of the Museum with the venues with friends under their own arrangements. other historical elements in the Garrison such as the Messes  Saturday: A bus tour into the beautiful Adelaide and the historical societies, and engaging with the Garrison hills, viewing the autumn colours along the way facilities plan to map a new Museum building that provides and stopping to sample the renowned cool-weather better public access and enhanced facilities. wines of the hills region, before enjoying a lunch I hope that in the future there will be an opportunity for with a difference! Return to the city after lunch in members of the Duntroon Society to provide some volunteer time for those who wish to rest, or sight-see, before services to assist the Museum. dinner. Contact details for the RMC Museum are: Manager,  Saturday evening: Our Reunion Dinner is to be MAJ Geoff Lever, [email protected]; Curator: held in the elegant surrounds of the Naval, Military WO2 Steve Medforth, [email protected]; and Air Force Club. Transport from and return to Telephone (02) 6265 9733. accommodation will be provided.  Sunday: End of program. Members disperse, although it is hoped that many will take this excellent opportunity to stay a little longer in Adelaide for further sight-seeing and shopping. Members are encouraged to mark this weekend. Further detail will be provided in due course, but members may indicate their interest in attending, noting if they will be accompanied or unaccompanied, by email to [email protected] at any time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ceremonial Handover of the RMC Archives and Museum to the Army History Unit 31 August 2014 Major General Sengelman and Colonel Huxley. Peter Evans On 31 August 2014, a small group assembled in the RMC Museum to witness the ceremonial handover of the RMC Archives and Museum to the Army History Unit. The handover was conceived, organized and stage-managed by Major Murray (M.K) Craze (Jun 1990), Staff Officer to the Commandant, who did an excellent job. We are also indebted to Grace Costa for the photographs taken on the day and reproduced here. The DMA, Colonel Darren (D.D.) Huxley, DSC (1991), represented the Commandant and marked the occasion by handing over to Major General Jeff (J.J.) Sengelman, DSC, AM, CSC (OCS 1981), Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning - Army a symbol of the museum in the Lieutenant Colonel Bullen, Brigadier Evans, and Dr Lee. form of a 1914 RMC Rugby Honour Cap. Both of these officers addressed the gathering as did Lieutenant Colonel John Bullen (1958), Chairman of the RMC Heritage Committee, and Brigadier Peter Evans (1958), President of the Duntroon Society. There were many other guests at the function including Doctor Roger Lee, Head Army History Unit, Major Geoff Lever, Manager RMC Museum, Lieutenant Colonel Micah (M.) Batt (1997), CO RMC-D (formerly titled CO CSC), WO1 Martin Burgess, RSM RMC-D and other members of RMC and Army History Unit staff. For some time now, the RMC has not been resourced to maintain the Archives and the Museum Collection and there were real fears of physical risk of deterioration. The transfer of responsibility for this unique collection enables Army to Major General Sengelman, Lieutenant Colonel Bullen, care for this precious resource by providing a dedicated Major Lever, Brigadier Evans, Colonel Huxley, and Dr Lee. professional management capability. A dedicated Museum Cell managing the Collection provides the continuity and Photographs: Grace Costa: Defence Publishing - Audio capacity to plan medium- and long-term goals including Visual. digitisation of the Archive and other records, refreshing the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Museum displays and engaging more directly with cadet

12 was submitted to the Commandant. When her approval was Memorial Plaque Dedication given, I then contacted Alan Hodges as a representative of 6 August 2014 the RMC class to tell him of our plan. His enthusiastic reception of the proposal, and his immediate and unsolicited Noel (N.) Sproles (OCS Jun 1960) offer to share the costs, set the tone for the excellent level of cooperation between our two groups that culminated in the In November 1963, 1st Task Force was conducting Exercise successful fruition of this venture. The surviving members Sky High in the area now known as the Wollemi National of both classes, to a man, supported and financed the Park, about 100kms SW of Newcastle. Taking part in the proposal to install this plaque. exercise was the Independent Flight of 16 Army Light The arranging of the design, manufacture and installation Aircraft Squadron based at Rylstone, just to the west of the of the plaque was a straight forward task and was completed exercise area. just before Easter. A more difficult undertaking promised to On the morning of 18 November, three exercise umpires, be the tracing of relatives to let them know of our plans. Captain Henry ‘Harry’ Benson, Lieutenant John ‘Ben’ Hall While the RMC class still had contact with John Hall’s and Lieutenant Jack Smith, were tasked with a low level family, details of John Cope’s and Jack Smith’s families aerial reconnaissance of the area looking for signs of the were just distant memories for the OCS class. enemy force. They were instructed to wait for their allocated John Cope was the only one of the three who had been aircraft at Gospers, a small airstrip used to pick up and married. I was able to garner from classmates his widow’s deposit passengers and stores. given name and the fact that she may have remarried. A After a period of time, an Army Cessna 180, piloted by search online of the marriage records gave me her name and Lieutenant John Cope, landed at Gospers. It was his second my first real break. While her given names were not that mission for the day. Captain Benson walked over to the unusual, her first name did have an unusual spelling. A aircraft, introduced himself and asked if John could take all search of the electoral rolls at the time of the accident three passengers. He was told ‘No’, he could only take two. revealed that there was only one other woman in all of Captain Benson then instructed John to take John Hall and Australia who was enrolled to vote and who had the same Jack Smith and, when they had finished their task, for John combination of given names and spellings. A further search to return and collect him so that he could carry out his of the rolls showed that at the election following the reconnaissance. accident, one of these two women had changed her surname. The aircraft took off and headed north. It was flying low I suspected that this might be the new married name of along a valley when it turned to starboard into a re-entrant John’s widow. I then set about tracking her through the about 12km north of Gospers at around 10.20am. The saddle electoral rolls as she changed addresses and as electoral at the end of the re-entrant would have looked low enough division boundaries were re-drawn and adjusted. Having for the aircraft to clear with ease. Tragically, it was not the traced her up until the last election, it was time to put my saddle but a rise in the ground. The real saddle was further hypothesis to the test! back and higher and the aircraft would not be able to clear it. I was reticent about ringing as I could not be certain if It would appear that a sharp bank to port was made in an this was she and, if it was, what sort of reception I would attempt to exit the re-entrant and that it was almost get. Then one afternoon, while home alone, I plucked up my successful. But the port wing tip evidently hit a sapling and courage and made the call. Having introduced myself and the aircraft crashed and burned killing all three officers quickly explaining what I was doing, I asked her if she knew aboard. John Cope. There was a long pause and then a soft voice The events of this day were recalled over half a century said ‘I was married to him’. It was a ‘Yes!’ moment for later on 6 August 2014 with the dedication of a memorial sure, but also a relief that she was most receptive to what we plaque at the Anzac Chapel of St Paul at Duntroon. were doing and remained so for the duration of the project. Following this, three wreaths were laid during the Last Post But, finding traces of someone called Jack Smith seemed Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. This was a joint a different matter again. There was nothing unique in such a effort by the OCS Class of June 1960 and the RMC Class of name, except maybe that one of his given names was 1960. John Cope and Jack Smith were members of the OCS ‘Drummond’. I was able to find his parent’s names online class and John Hall of the RMC class. Approximately 55 from Jack’s death certificate and then trace them to the Perth people attended including relatives of the victims of the area through the electoral rolls. However, that avenue of crash, serving army officers and classmates from both OCS search came to an end when I discovered that they had both and RMC. Amongst the serving officers were the Heads of passed away and were buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. I Corps of Signals and Infantry and representatives of the found the locations of their graves, again from an online Commandant RMC-A and the Head of Corps of Aviation search, and asked a mate who lived nearby to visit the Corps. graves to see if they contained a clue as to next of kin. The initial idea came during a reunion in Canberra of the Unfortunately, the gravestones did not provide any further OCS class in February 2014 when we assembled at the OCS information. Memorial at Duntroon to remember our deceased In what now seems as an inspired moment, I decided to classmates. Observing the names of the OCS graduates search the relevant electoral rolls in reverse, searching for killed in action on the memorial, I suggested that we erect a Jack’s parents’ last address. Perhaps, on the off chance, the plaque to the memory of John Cope, Jack Smith and John property may have been inherited by a relative. Eventually I Hall. Although they were not killed on active service, they found it and immediately knew that my search was over. were killed while on duty. A quick group discussion agreed The surname of the occupant of the house was not only that it was an idea worth developing and, in true army ‘Smith’, but one of his given names was ‘Drummond’! And fashion, I was told to get on with it! again, there was the trepidation before making the call Following consultation with John Bullen, a request for followed by relief that I had found not only his younger approval to erect the plaque on the wall of the Anzac chapel

13 brother but that he also was enthusiastic about what we were doing. Contact having been established, the word quickly spread through the families. When the plaque was dedicated, John Cope’s widow, granddaughter, great granddaughter, brother and nephew were in attendance. His granddaughter performed the unveiling of the plaque during the service. John Cope’s nephew is not only named John, but his birth date of 18 November is the same date as that of the crash. John Hall’s brother and sister and a close friend were also present as well as Jack Smith’s brother and a cousin. In the weeks following the dedication, several of the relatives wrote to say that the events of the day provided a consolation to them to know that their loss was still remembered. It was a poignant time not only for them but for the OCS and RMC classmates of those killed. But Barry Smith and Bob Hall, the brothers of Lieutenants Smith something that also moved me during my search for the and Hall, join Moyra Mercer, the widow of Lieutenant relatives, and in making arrangements, was the reaction of Cope, and Noel Sproles in front of the plaque. Photo: strangers to what we were trying to achieve. The staff at the Defence News. State Library in Adelaide refused to accept payment for the photo copying I did when seeking newspaper reports of the crash. The staff member in Officeworks who printed out the proof of the programme for the dedication service said ‘How sad’ when she saw what it was. The young man in the print shop who printed up the programme spent several hours of his own time fine tuning what I had done and would not take payment for it. Some unknown member on the staff at Duntroon decided that the plaque installation would be covered without cost to us. I felt that people do not want to forget the sacrifices made by others and are appreciative of them but just need to be reminded from time to time. Without such reminders, ‘Lest We Forget’ loses its meaning. As I noted in my speech at the dedication service, it is appropriate therefore that this plaque has been erected at the Royal Military College, in the heart of the Australian Army. It will serve as a reminder to future generations of young men and women passing through RMC not only of the event itself but that service in the Army calls for sacrifice not only in war but in peace. It will remind them that training for war can be as dangerous and as deadly as war itself. If that proves to be the case, then our three fallen classmates are, in a way, still on duty and contributing to the ADF.

Alan Cope and Moyra Mercer, watch the unveiling of the plaque by Sarah Tinkler, Lieutenant Cope’s granddaughter. Photo: Defence News. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Noel Sproles graduated from OCS Portsea in June 1960 into the Royal Australian Survey Corps and then qualified as a surveyor at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He then served in remote areas of Australia and in PNG. Unusually for a Survey officer, he was wounded in action in the Vietnam War. Further trained at RMCS at Shrivenham, UK, he later became a staff officer in Australia and Relatives, guests, and former classmates gather to Indonesia, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He subsequently remember the death of three officers killed on 18 November studied successfully for his PhD and continues to maintain 1963. Photo: Grace Costa, Defence Publishing- Audio his military interests. Visual. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

14 Two new Fellows of the Society have been elected, these I am largely rehabilitated being Brigadier Bob (R.A.) Slater (1963), Victoria and Graham (G.F.) Walker (1962) Tasmania Convenor and His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter (P.J.) Cosgrove (1968 and I no longer feel obliged to compute to three decimal points Commandant RMC 1997). I am sure all members join me in the number of cups left in jugs of liquid or to recite an congratulating the new Fellows. idiotic statement about cows whilst I am doing it. Even the Membership has grown to 2,316 including the Class of inscription eulogising some erudite soldier that for so long June 2014 but this is way below the potential number of clung to my consciousness like some tentacled parasite, has members. Any suggestions for recruitment would be more eased its grip. I take pleasure in slumping round-backed in than welcome. my chair at the dinner table and morning teas no longer On 25 August I presented His Excellency the Governor- incite in me an ugly forward lunge. I am proud to say I General with the Medallion marking his election as a Fellow could not now shave using my shoes as a mirror and dust of the Duntroon Society. I was accompanied by the Deputy finds a respected place in the welts of my boots. President, Duntroon Society, Major General Paul Stevens In some areas of rehabilitation I am advanced. I now and Director, Duntroon Society, Lieutenant Colonel John mostly refrain from suggesting solutions to everyone else's Bullen (1958). Sir Peter was pleased to receive the award problems and my clothes rarely feel the heat of an iron. and assured us of his ongoing interest in the Society and his Indeed, some have suggested that my rehabilitation has run intention to participate in Society events whenever possible. amok when I tell them I have seen beauty in a crumpled shirt. But there is one obstacle to my complete rehabilitation. That obstacle is time; or to be more precise, ‘on-time’. I know intellectually that everyone else in the world means ‘approximately’ midday when they suggest lunch at 12. I know they mean 12.30 is OK and 12.45 is acceptable with a feeble excuse. Even 1 o’clock is tolerable with a good 'traffic' story. But intellectual understanding is apparently not enough. I am compelled to arrive on time when invited to dinner knowing the acutely embarrassed, half-ready hosts will be forced to entertain me whilst they struggle with dressing and dinner preparation for the half-hour before there is even a chance of anyone else appearing. And my condition is getting worse. Only the other day I was running late for a back-yard barbeque that I knew would last all afternoon and at which Major General Paul Stevens, Brigadier Peter Evans, people would drift in and out. As midday passed and I was His Excellency the Governor-General, and Lieutenant still 15 minutes away, my feelings were as if I was Colonel John Bullen. responsible for the massacre of battalions of infantry suffering the late lifting of an artillery barrage. Finally, on 16 June, I had the great pleasure of I badly need help and would seek treatment from a presenting the Duntroon Society Prize to Jethro Oosthuizen doctor except their appointments are always running late. who graduated to RAE. The Duntroon Society Prize is ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ presented to the member of the graduating class who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and dedication to From the Chairman, Duntroon training. Society Committee Peter Evans The Duntroon Society has now been incorporated in the ACT with Office Bearers: President Brigadier Peter (P.J.A.) Evans (1958); Deputy President Major General Paul (J.P.) Stevens (1967); Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Mike (M.B.) Taarnby (1976); Treasurer Doctor Mike (M.J.) Ryan (1980); and Directors Lieutenant Colonel John (J.E.) Bullen (1958) and Colonel Wal (W.H) Hall (OTU 2/68). The full Council consists of the Office Bearers plus Convenors (or their Proxies) and other appointed members to ensure that OCS, WRAAC OCS and OTU are represented. There has been an initial meeting of the Office Bearers and I anticipate a meeting of the Council on 21 October. There have been a number of significant events since Brigadier Peter Evans presents the Duntroon Society Prize March including the handover of the Bridges Medals to the to Jethro Oosthuizen who graduated to RAE. Photo: Phill AWM and the handover of the RMC Museum and Archives Vavasour, Defence Publishing - Audio Visual. to the Army History Unit. These events are covered ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ elsewhere in this Newsletter.

15 Australia’s finest independent boarding schools. The From the Commandant RMC Podmore Foundation awards $5,500 scholarships to selected Brigadier D.M. Gallasch AM, CSC Yalari scholarship recipients annually to assist with school fees and additional funds to create study, philanthropic, I have now survived just over twelve months in the position leadership development and sporting representation and have two full time graduations and a Queen’s Birthday opportunities in Australia and overseas. Additionally, Parade (which was a spectacular day down at Lake Burley Podmore provides mentors and sponsor families for its Griffin) under my belt. I also had the honour of overseeing recipients who are far from home facing the challenges of the return of General Bridges’ medals to the Bridges family boarding at prestigious private schools. While these schools and then over to the Australian War Memorial for the educate these children, they also educate school upcoming ANZAC centenary events. I am also pleased to communities about Indigenous achievement and report that RMC-D has now officially handed over the determination to succeed if they are given the opportunity. Royal Military College Museum to the responsible stewardship of the Army History Unit {See report on p. 12. Ed.} We have also welcomed a new Commanding Officer to RMC-D, Lieutenant Colonel Micah Batt, an Infantry Officer who is a 1997 graduate. As I said in the last Newsletter, this year continues to be a particularly busy year with 412 staff cadets in training after the July intake. I can also report that the total number of graduates from the June graduation was 76 (8 female). The Corps Battalion Sergeant Major, Staff Cadet Robert Andrew who graduated to Aviation Corps, was also the recipient of both the Sword of Honour and the Queen’s Medal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Canberra Girls Grammar scholarship recipients with From The Podmore Foundation members of the Podmore Foundation Board, benefactors, www.podmorefoundation.org mentors and supporters outside the Westbourne Room at the Royal Canberra Golf Club after the Scholarship Certificate All members of the Duntroon Society are Presentation Lunch on 15 June 2014. grateful to past generations for the inheritance of our great nation after their sacrifice and hard work. But they have bequeathed unfinished business that the Podmore Board felt needed to be attended to before handing Australia on to coming generations. The Podmore Foundation has conducted three events over the past six months: a scholarship presentation lunch at the Kirribilli RSL Club on 4 May; another scholarship presentation lunch at Royal Canberra Golf Club on 15 June and the City2Surf Fundraising Run in Sydney on 10 August. There will be a Spring Lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club on Sunday 9 November. All members of the Society are invited to hear about Podmore’s work making a Professor Mick Dodson, benefactor, Associate Professor difference in the lives of specially-selected Indigenous Bob Breen, President, Larissa Woosup, His Excellency the children. Governor-General, benefactor, Meagan D’Arcy, mentor and His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Katherine Meagher, mentor. Cosgrove joined another Australian of the Year, Professor Mick Dodson, to award their scholarship for leadership named after them to Larissa Woosup, from MacKay QLD, who is boarding at Canberra Girls Grammar School. Larissa is the Year 11 Vice Captain of Glebe House and has recently been selected as a member of the Australian U18 Dragon Boating Team that will compete in Canada in 2015. She has represented her school and the Australian Capital Territory at the Australian National High Schools Championships for the past three years. The Board takes great pleasure and encouragement from our philanthropic partnership with Yalari (www.yalari.org) a not-for-profit organisation that selects and sponsors Indigenous children from the bush to board at some of City2Surf Fundraising Run in Sydney on 10 August 2014.

16 In Sydney the RMC Class of 1972 sponsors Aubrey enjoying what Melbourne has to offer. Reunion activities Faull, a boy from an Indigenous community near Taree, included: NSW, who boards at St Ignatius College, Riverview. In  several morning teas, lunches and dinners; Canberra, Podmore has seven recipients boarding at  an AFL clash between 2013 Grand-finalists Canberra Girls Grammar School and partners with KPMG- Hawthorn and Fremantle; Canberra, as well as the support of staff and cadets from the  a Memorial Service at the Shrine of Remembrance, Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), members of Melbourne; the Army’s Indigenous Strategy team and alumni from the  a tour of Fort Nepean (the former OCS Portsea); Duntroon Society to support these girls, all but two of whom and are from single-mother families, and one is from a foster  a ferry ride to Queenscliff from Portsea and a family. Queenscliff tour. Class 1/69 also held a reunion in Melbourne, this one being over the ANZAC Day weekend. This reunion included lunches and dinners, the ANZAC Day AFL clash at the MCG between Collingwood and Essendon and a bay cruise on the Lady Cutler, a former Sydney ferry now operated in Melbourne by Scheyville Graduate Jeff Gordon.

Aubrey Faull, scholarship recipient with members of the RMC Class of 1972 (LtoR) Paddy (P.J.) Ryan, Bob (R.J.) Blue, John (J.S.W.) Price and Duncan (D.A.) McInnes.

For those of you attending your Class reunions this year, consider Podmore’s motto Returning Opportunity and Victorian Chapter (including the 1/69 Class Reunion) reflect on whether the time has come for you and your marching behind the banner in Melbourne on ANZAC Day. classmates to contribute to the work of the Podmore Further north Class 4/67 held their annual reunion from Foundation in handing on a better Australia where there is a 28 April to 2 May at Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast new generation of capable, well-educated Indigenous hinterland. Activities included golf, dinners, a night at the leaders and role models. Contact David Retter, Secretary, Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast and a [email protected] or the President, visit to Jungle Training Centre Canungra—a much more Associate Professor Bob Breen (1970), pleasant visit than some had while they were serving! [email protected]. National Reunion 2015 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next significant activity for the association will be the From the OTU Representative celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the commencement of the second NS Scheme. This will be held at the Australian Neil Leckie (3/68) War Memorial in Canberra on 30 June 2015. A big turn-out of Scheyvillians is expected. Reunions The OTU Collection at the RMC Museum The OTU Association goes from strength to strength mainly as a The OTU Collection of memorabilia and photographs at the result of the 2013 National RMC Museum, Duntroon, continues to grow. All NS Reunion, organised by the NSW Classes now have a good collection of photographs, Chapter, to commemorate the 40th however, the OCS Overflow classes are still very short of Anniversary of the Closing of photographs. It will be interesting to see how the Museum OTU Scheyville. runs now that the AHU has taken over. During the life of OTU Scheyville there were 30 National Support to the RMC Service/Air Cadet classes and three OCS Portsea overflow classes. Many of these classes have been holding annual Each Graduation at RMC sees the presentation of The reunions, but since the 2013 Reunion there have been Scheyville Prize. An OTU ACT Chapter member presents several ‘big’ class reunions. the prize at each graduation ceremony to the staff cadet who One of these ‘big’ reunions was the Class 1/71 Reunion shows the most improvement in leadership during their held in Melbourne over the period 4–9 April 2014. The course at RMC. The June 2014 award was presented to majority of the attendees were there for the weekend 4–6 (Staff Cadet) Sergeant Liz Daly of Newcastle. Lieutenant April, while the ‘stayers’ had a further three days of Daly has been posted to 11th Close Health Company in Darwin.

17 The Scheyvillian Newsletter Officers Mess (which will give her a handy home ground advantage). The OTU Association newsletter, The Scheyvillian, As always, this annual event is open to Society members continues to gain support with many Association members and friends. and even some non-members contributing articles. The Scheyvillian is published three time a year and is issued New South Wales prior to ANZAC Day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day and Christmas. The newsletter reports on reunions, coming Branch Office Holders events, activities undertaken by Scheyvillians, book reviews Convenor: Bob (R.L.) Guest (OCS 1959) and sadly, the passing of the Association members. Treasurer: I.R. (Ian) Taylor (1965), [email protected], (02) 9953 9441, 0407 539 441. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Secretary: P.M. (Peter) Reid (1964), From the Branches [email protected] (02) 9460 0741, 0417 274 090 In mid-year, D A (Duncan) Spencer (1962) stood down as Australian Capital Territory NSW Branch Convenor, a role he first performed in 2007 Branch Office Holders when he became Acting Convenor while Viv Morgan was in ill health. Duncan became Convenor in 2009 and has done a Convenor: Brigadier P.J.A. (Peter) Evans (1958) sterling job during his tenure. Bob (R.L.) Guest (OCS 1959) Secretary: Lieutenant Colonel J.E. (John) Bullen (1958) has become the Convenor. Treasurer: Lieutenant Colonel M.J. (Mike) Ryan (1980) Unfortunately, the NSW Branch was unable to hold any Members: Dr M.P. (Moreen) Dee (WRAAC OCS 1966); social function during the year, but has again scheduled the Brigadier G.T. (George) Salmon (1959); Colonel M.J. December Graduation lunch at Victoria Barracks Officers’ (Mike) Ford (1957); Major S.B. (Stuart) Althaus (RMC & Mess on 9 December 2014. OCS 1982) New Zealand Annual Lunch, 29 May 2014 Branch Office Holders On finding that our attendance at this lunch was only going to be 22, we switched our venue from the Main Dining Patron: Major General R.G. Williams, CB, MBE (1952). Room in Duntroon House to the Old Dining Room. This Convenor: Brigadier M.J. Dudman, LVO, OBE (1959). gave us a very cosy gathering who enjoyed lunch in the Secretary/Treasurer: Major P.J. Skogstad (1964). delightful atmosphere of the elegant Old Dining Room which dates from 1832. Branch Social Functions As so often seems to happen over many years of In July, 44 Auckland members their wives, partners and Duntroon Society lunches, the Commandant was very much friends gathered at The Northern Club for the annual lunch looking forward to attending this lunch until being hosted by Michael Dudman. The guest speaker was Sir Bob overtaken by events which required her to be elsewhere on Harvey, Advertising Agency Executive for 30 years, Mayor that day. However she was most ably represented by Major of Waitakere City for 18 years, Life Member and past ‘CJ’ Bellis (1995) who is the Deputy President of the RMC President NZ Labour Party, and Chairman Waterfront Officers Mess and who made an enthusiastic contribution to Auckland who gave a most entertaining and enlightening the success of the occasion. address on the topic, ‘My Life in a Landscape’. CJ’s posted appointment at Duntroon is 2IC RMC-D (or, In July, 30 Wellington members, their wives, partners in oldspeak, 2IC CSC) which put her in an excellent position and friends gathered at the Royal Wellington Golf Club for to answer questions on the Corps of Staff Cadets of today the Wellington Sub-branch Lunch hosted by Colonel David and also to offer positive suggestions on the many thoughts (D.J.) Grant (OCS Dec 1961). that arose around the table. Membership Annual Lunch and Speech, 13 November 2014 Membership of the New Zealand Branch is 143 including 16 Following our most successful and enjoyable talk by spouses of deceased members. Brigadier Tan Roberts, Fellow of the Duntroon Society and a member of the very first class to graduate from the Officer Queensland Cadet School, Portsea, in June 1952, we have decided to Branch Office Holders continue that theme, but with a big difference. On 13 November we will have a panel of female Convenor: G.J. (Graeme) Loughton (1956). speakers to present their Officer Cadet School experiences. Branch Social Functions We have selected four OCS graduates to cover the full range of female OCS training from 1952 at Mildura to 1985 at A small group of us meets monthly for lunch at United Portsea. Our panel of four speakers will cover their Service Club on the second Wednesday, the classes of 1955, experiences at Mildura, early Georges Heights, late Georges 1956 and 1957 being well represented. All members with Heights and Portsea. Their ranks range from Lieutenant email addresses receive a monthly reminder and the others a (retired) to Brigadier (still serving).This promises to be a calendar update by snail mail about twice a year. Twice a most informative and entertaining occasion. year, about June and November, we hold a ‘lunch with Such a panel of course will require a suitable moderator partners’. The next such will be on Wednesday 12 and again we have exercised careful selection. Our MC will November, just ahead of the G20. A notice will go out 2-3 be the RMC Chief Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel Liz weeks ahead. If you think you have missed out, contact me Stephens (1997) who is also the President of the RMC on (07) 3378 7376 or [email protected].

18 Apart from the lunches, the other regular event is to Western Australia enter a team or two in the Postal Golf Competition. We will play this at Royal Queensland Golf Club on Thursday 30 Branch Office Holders October. Any interested golfer who hasn't received a notice Convenor: W.R.M. (Bob) Hunter (1985) by mid-September should contact me as above. Social Convenor: K.F. (Kevin) Poynton (1974) South Australia & Northern Territory Note these positions are both endorsed by members but held informally as no specific constitution is in place. Branch Office Holders Social Functions Convenor: N.R. (Neville) Bergin (1956). The WA Branch has conducted two of the regular Branch Social Functions networking and social drinks gatherings in 2014, with a mix of attendees from a cross-section of eras. The next is The South Australia Branch Annual Graduation Luncheon is scheduled for late September. Contact the convenor Bob to be held at the Naval, Military and Air Force Club, Hunter (0413 045 355) if you wish to have notification of Adelaide on Tuesday, 2 December 2014. these gatherings. Planning for the Eleventh Biennial Reunion of the Duntroon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Society, to be held in Adelaide in 2016, has commenced. See the separate notice on p. 11 of this Newsletter. Coming Events Membership ACT Branch Branch membership is 65. 13 November 2014. Annual Lunch and Speech, Duntroon House. Victoria & Tasmania TBA May 2015. Autumn Lunch, Duntroon House. TBA November 2015. Annual Lunch and Speech, Duntroon Branch Office Holders House. Victoria continues to operate by committee with occasional NSW Branch meetings and primary contact by email. The committee consists of: 9 December 2014. Graduation Lunch at the Victoria Coordinator: R.A. (Bob) Slater (1963) Barracks Officers’ Mess. Treasurer: A.M. (Alan) McDonald (1951) New Zealand Branch Members: P. (Phil) Davies (1961), C. (Conrad) Ermert 27 November 2014. The annual golf tournament combined (1962) (Membership), and D.J. (Doug) George (1967). with the Auckland Postal Golf Tournament will be C.A. (Craig) Wood (1963) remains proxy for Canberra- played at the Helensville Golf Club followed by dinner based meetings. and prize-giving. Branch Social Functions Queensland Branch The Victoria/Tasmania Branch hosted the 2014 biennial Monthly (second Wednesday). Meet at noon for lunch at the Duntroon Society Reunion in May this year in Cowra (see United Service Club. separate report on p. 6). Our thanks go again to Tiit Tonuri 30 October 2014. Golf at Royal Queensland Golf Club. (1963), a Cowra resident, for helping to organise this 12 November 2014. 'With partners' lunch at the United memorably enjoyable and informative event. Service Club. Once again the annual Luncheon will be held at University of Melbourne’s Graduate House, 220 Leicester South Australia Branch (incorporating NT) Street Carlton, on Thursday 16 October, 12 for 12.30 pm 2 December 2014. Annual Graduation Luncheon, Naval, until 2 pm, cost $65 per head. Guests are most welcome. Military and Air Force Club, Adelaide. This is an excellent venue for our purpose, and we are being Victoria Branch (incorporating Tasmania) made to feel very much at home. Our guest speaker is LTCOL Michelle McGuinness, CI ADFA who will give us 16 October 2014. 1200 for 1230. Annual lunch at Graduate an insight into how ADFA operates and life at the Academy House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. today. [RSVP NLT 8 October to Bob Slater, 4 Beenak Western Australia Branch Court, Doncaster East, 3109, (03) 9842 6632, with cheques September. Quarterly drinks. For details, please feel free to made payable to ‘Duntroon Society Victoria Branch’] contact the WA convenor, Bob Hunter on General [email protected] or 0413 045 355. Despite electronic connections seemingly working well Retired Officers Luncheon Club there is little interest being shown towards activities other This Club meets on the first Thursday of every month for than the annual luncheon. lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club at 12 noon. Retired We remain open to ideas from Duntroon Society officers meet in a very pleasant venue for a convivial members in the Southern region and will be happy to assist monthly gathering which originated in 1985. There is a with any local connections that Duntroon/ADFA may selected menu which ensures that the cost will be require from time to time, such as presentations to approximately $30 including pre-lunch drinks and wine. headmasters and business leaders. Please contact Bob Slater Bookings are essential. If you are interested please contact on 0418 317 057 or [email protected]). Don McDonough (1961) on (02) 6259 6583.

19 Married Quarter allotted to the RSM. It was here that the RMC Ceremonial Events Watson team began their long and outstanding gardening 22 September 2014. Special Service Officer Graduation. endeavours. Late in 1954, the RSM was commissioned as a 8 December 2014. Prizes and Awards Ceremony. captain and the family, now with a son Geoffrey and a 9 December 2014. The Graduation Parade daughter Elizabeth, moved to Puckapunyal to his posting in 7 February 2015. Army Reserve Officer First Appointment 1 Armoured Regiment. Apart from their official duties the Graduation two Watsons became active participants in the regimental Further information is available from SO3 Protocol and life where Grace made many friends. Visits, Ms Jenny Pieper—(02) 6265 9515. Four years at Puckapunyal came to an end when Geoffrey was posted to Army Headquarters, then in the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Administrative Building in the Canberra suburb of Parkes. The family moved into a house in the suburb of Campbell Obituary where the Watson team set about establishing a garden that Since the publication of the last Newsletter we have learned became renowned in the ACT and then NSW and elsewhere. of the deaths of the following: In its class their garden, with much skill and hard work, quickly moved to the top in ACT competitions and, in 1966, 24 Sep 06 Lieutenant Colonel E.V. Gooch (1943) won The Sydney Morning Herald garden competition for 14 Jan 14 Lieutenant Colonel D.C. Presgrave (1962) NSW and continued to win until 1972. Articles in 30 Apr 14 Mrs K.J. (Joan) Hughes1 newspapers and programmes on TV extolled their 29 May 14 Lieutenant Colonel H.A.F. Benson (OCS Dec achievements. It should be borne in mind that until Major 1952) Watson retired from the Army in 1965, much of the early 17 Jun 14 Mrs Gwen Dempsey2 work was being done while he was on full time duty at 22 Jun 14 Lieutenant Colonel M.C. Mules (1957) Army Headquarters. 10 Jul 14 Mrs G.E. (Grace) Watson3 2 Sep 14 Colonel B.W. Lake (1955) 23 Sep 14 Lieutenant Colonel A. Argent (1948) 1. The widow of Major General R.L. (Ron) Hughes (1939). 2. The widow of Professor Boyd Dempsey, Fellow of the Society. 3. Formerly WO1 G.E. Badman, Grace Watson (née Badman) was a Fellow of the Duntroon Society for over 15 years and was also the widow of RSM (later Major) G.J. ‘Fango’ Watson. See following article. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Gracious Lady Sergeant Grace Elizabeth Badman of the Australian Womens’ Army Service marched into the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 5 October 1943 to report to her new OC, Captain Rosamund Dowling and what would become, for her, a much changed life. Born at Eastwood on 7 December 1912, in civilian life Grace became an experienced stenographer and, on Geoff (Fango) and Grace Watson, with their two children enlistment at Paddington on 26 January 1942, was quickly Geoffrey and Elizabeth. Date, place and photographer are posted to an appropriate role. That, and the maturity of her not known, but what little can be seen of the garden and the 29 years, soon established her reputation as a more than approximate ages of Geoffrey junior and his sister ordinarily useful member of her Service and she was Elizabeth, it is possibly in Campbell about 1958. It is likely promoted to the rank of corporal in early 1943. After serving that this is the only photograph of Grace, Geoffrey and the on a number of major headquarters such as 2 Australian children taken together. Hundreds of staff cadets will be Corps and the NSW Lines of Communication Area and, for most intrigued to see their RSM in such a benign mode, but a time, in the Security Service within the Australian Army it does enhance the character of this widely and much Intelligence Corps, she was posted to Canberra. By this time respected soldier. the women of the AWAS, were finally acknowledged by the Unfortunately, tragedy loomed. Early in his life young addition of another letter in their Army numbers which, for Geoffrey firmly decided that he wanted to be a musician in Grace, became NF 388950. the Army and he became an excellent trombone and drum Shortly after her arrival at the RMC she was promoted to player. His long-held dream was shattered when cancer Warrant Officer Class II with a further promotion to brought on his death on 12 January 1970 when just 19 years Warrant Officer Class I on 9 September 1944. While this old. The effect on his parents can be imagined. In his process was unfolding, a new RSM of the RMC marched in memory his parents presented his bugle and silver marching on 3 June 1944. He was Warrant Officer Class I G.J. drum to the RMC Band on 27 July 1983. (Geoffrey) Watson and they later became close friends. When the garden in their Campbell home became too Grace had volunteered to serve as long as the AWAS much for them in early 1980, the family moved to the remained in being so, as part of the disbandment of that suburb of Cook where the space for a garden was limited. Service, she was discharged on 23 December 1946. Nevertheless the Watson team still managed to establish a Her severance from the RMC did not last as she and garden that drew admiration and praise from gardening Geoffrey Watson were married in Ashfield, NSW on 9 July enthusiasts and others as well as writings in a number of 1949 and returned to Duntroon to set up house in the

20 publications. Despite his reputation for having an iron grip access underpass. With the camera facing south west, on any confronting situation, a long-standing heart problem the No1 Oval is off to the left of the road shown, and caused Geoffrey Watson’s death on 9 May 1988. the other RMC playing fields are behind the partly Grace remained in their home and, with amazing vitality, constructed Parkway (to the right). As can be seen, the lived a busy life, including a continuing involvement with tunnel is large enough to allow vehicular access. Duntroon. Indeed, the Class of 1953 had been instrumental in organising Major Watson’s funeral and included her as an honorary member. During the year after he died a group of graduates of the RSM Watson era established an appeal which led to a statuette of their RSM titled the G.J. Watson Drill and Ceremonial Prize. On 1 December 1989 Grace presented it to the Commandant, Major General Blake (1960) who, ten days later, awarded it for the first time. At the graduation held in her 90th year Grace performed the presentation to the worthy staff cadet. She continued a relatively active life until she was admitted to the Sir Leslie Morshead Home (now the Sir Leslie Morshead Manor for Veterans) in the suburb of Lyneham in 2006 where even then she was still able to get about while retaining an excellent memory and bright mind. By her 100th year she was confined to a wheelchair. Among the activities to celebrate her centenary was a visit from the Deputy Chief of The tunnel under Majura Parkway providing access to No1 Army, Major General Angus Campbell (1984) representing Oval. the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison (OCS Dec 1979) who wished to mark her very long and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ close association with the Australian Army And so this long, remarkable and wonderful life with its joys and tragedies Letters to the Editor drew to close on 10 July 2014. Grace had lived 101 years From Garth (J.G.) Hughes (1956), Convenor of “the and seven months. In doing so she set a record for longevity Band of Brothers” Saturday Tennis Club at RMC among the women members of the Society. Her record is unlikely to be surpassed and, in a way, seems a fitting At page 4 of the last Duntroon Society Newsletter completion to a life that gently touched so very many. [Newsletter 1/2014], is an article titled “Beyond Expectations, The RMC Class of 1948”. The author of that ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ article is neither identified nor acknowledged, although Profile of Corps of Staff Cadets readers would assume that he was a member of the Class of 1948. One of the missing statistics in the article is the Current strength (27 August 2014) sporting achievements of that Class. It is a pity that we do CSC 412 not know how many international rugby players came from First Class 156 the Class; nor how many of the 43 graduates are still active Second Class 122 in the sporting field. For example, playing golf or tennis. Third Class 107 There is at least one Class of 1948 member still playing Neville Howse VC Platoon 25 tennis. He turns 87 in September and is shown in the Malaysia 1 accompanying photo; appropriately dressed in tennis whites! New Zealand 7 He is, of course, Ken Hill, seen below playing on the new Pakistan 6 courts at RMC in May this year. He is also the author of that Papua New Guinea 14 article in the last Newsletter. Thailand 1 Tonga 1 UAE 2 Married 49 Females 51 RAAF 3 Cadets with previous service in ARA 24 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shorts  Under this heading in Newsletter 1/2014 were published photographs of the present state of the RMC No1 Oval. The accompanying Short noted that a tunnel was planned to go under the Majura Parkway and this would allow access from the RMC No1 Oval and the other RMC playing fields. A recent photograph taken by Liz Pugh shows that much progress has been made with the

Parkway construction including the completion of the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

21 Editor Associate Editors Dr Mike (M.J.) Ryan Colonel Ross (R.R.) Harding (Retd) School of Engineering and IT 37 Quandong St. UNSW Canberra O’CONNOR ACT 2602 Australian Defence Force Academy Telephone: (02) 6248 5494 Northcott Drive CANBERRA ACT 2600 E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: (02) 6268 8200 Fax: (02) 6268 8443

E-mail: [email protected] Brigadier Chris (C.A.) Field E-mail: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

22