25th April 2011

Commemorative booklet proudly presented by Michael McCormack MP Federal Member for region gave it’s all in war time WHEN the call came in our nation’s Australians have greatest hour of need, the mighty men always put service – and women too – from the Snowy above self in the Mountains region of the Riverina pursuit of peace. responded magnificently. It is the just and They enlisted in their hundreds – right thing to do. patriotically, voluntarily and most of It is the way of the all enthusiastically. Willing to do their Digger… the ANZAC spirit. bit. Ready to serve. Prepared to die This booklet commemorates that if necessary. remarkable sense of courage and They boarded ships which took them responsibility which courses through to faraway lands where they fought with the veins of all who have worn an vim, vigour and valour. Australian military uniform and those who continue the proud tradition today. Many, sadly, did not return. They were buried in foreign fields, often where they On April 25 each year – the anniversary fell… some with markers over their of the 1915 Gallipoli landings by the hastily dug graves, many without. Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – communities large and small The names of those brave souls who paid appropriately and respectfully mark the ultimate price and lost their lives are our most important national day by chiselled into monuments both here and conducting services and marches. abroad – their sacrifice made, their duty done, their memory eternal. Times and venues for local ANZAC events are included in this publication Gallant sons and daughters of Adelong, as well as two moving pieces by local Batlow, Coolac, , Rosewood, schoolchildren who have eloquently Tooma, , and written about what in the surrounding districts who went to Riverina means to them. gundagai war to uphold the noblest quest of all – remembers freedom. Freedom for people overseas who MICHAEL McCORMACK MP GUNDAGAI’S many desperately needed help, whose countries Federal Member for Riverina monuments will ensure had been taken by force and whose lives for all time its military men were at risk. and women will never be forgotten. australian war memorial The town is dotted with memorials including the one well worth a visit (pictured) at the intersection “HERE is their spirit, in the heart of the of Sheridan and Virgil Streets land they loved; and here we guard the and Railway Parade. record which they themselves made.” This large red and grey This is what Charles Bean, who played granite and concrete obelisk an essential role in the creation of the The iconic Canberra museum was contains 1133 names of those Australian War Memorial, had to say opened in 1941 and today welcomes who fought in the two World about the national military shrine in 1948. Wars, Korea and Vietnam. nearly a million visitors, a quarter of Bean’s idea was to set aside a place in those children, annually. Its foundation stone was where families and friends Entry is free (donations welcome) and laid by Major-General could grieve for those buried far away the museum is open 10am-5pm every Charles Cox on 24 May 1928. and difficult to visit – a place which day except Christmas Day. would also serve to contribute to the Gundagai’s main street understanding of war itself. Visit www.awm.gov.au for more details. also has a Boer War monument while near the town’s famous Rugby League OFFICES OF MICHAEL McCORMACK: field, appropriately named CANBERRA: PO Box 6022, Parliament House, ACT 2600 P: 6277 4725 F: 6277 8563 ANZAC Park, there is an GRIFFITH: 100 Yambil Street P: 6964 1212 F: 6962 7722 impressive dedication to : Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street P: 6921 4600 F: 6921 5900 locals who served. E: [email protected] www.michaelmccormack.com.au A SILENT sentinel, he stands stony-faced… always on duty… forever on guard.

NIGHT DUTY: The rescued soldier commemorates the service of those from Grahamstown BRAVE BOY and Shepardstown. EVER-WATCHFUL: FROM BATLOW Adelong’s other sentry stands FIVE Batlow-born soldiers atop a plinth honouring the town’s war heroes in went to the Vietnam War but Memorial Park. sadly only four survived the conflict which for Australia lasted from 1962-73. On guard at Adelong Maurice George Beasley, Alan George Gardner, Paul Perhaps it is no William Patrick Daniel to Adelong with plans Anthony Gow and Mitchell coincidence he looks O’Brien, a former Tumut to re-erect it in Memorial Ross Oddy all returned to over Adelong one way Mayor, rallied people Park. Instead, it remained loved ones after their duty with the small town’s for subscriptions for the in pieces for a couple of was done. other marble sentry facing original memorial. years until shifted to the Trooper Albert Lesley him, albeit several streets Adelong Shire Depot Doubtless he was driven Casey, however, was killed away in Memorial Park, by the sadness of having where a council worker as if they are watching placed the base in a in action aged 20 a week short lost two sons, Orlando of just three months in the over the good folk who in the Battle of Messines corner of the yard and, live there from both keen to practise his B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry in Belgium in 1917 and Regiment of the Royal directions. lighthorseman Assal gravedigging skills, laid the soldier to rest “six Australian Armoured Corps. The main street statue in Palestine just nine feet under” nearby. (which features on the months later. He is remembered on the cover) is on a pedestal Master sculptor Francis Local historian Alan honour rolls on his hometown with four white columns Rusconi of Gundagai Turner, whilst researching War Memorial (pictured) and the names of the built the memorial Grahamstown’s World as are the 17 Great War and 72 brave men from which was located in War I contribution in 12 World War II locals who Grahamstown and the Shepardstown 2001, became fascinated died serving their country Shepardstown engraved school grounds and was by the monument’s and community. into dark grey granite officially opened by Mr disappearance. tablets and highlighted From the time of the arrival O’Brien amid solemnity An article was published in black. of Australia’s first military yet fanfare for it was an in the Tumut and Adelong important occasion. personnel in July 1962 almost Just how this magnificent Times and soon after 60,000 Australians, including monument came to take Those in attendance the long lost soldier was ground troops and members up residence in Adelong exhumed, minus his gun. immediately set about of the Air Force and Navy, is a remarkable tale fund raising for a statue A matching rifle was served in Vietnam; 521 died combining all the to adorn the monument sourced in Europe elements of community as a result of the war and and Mr Rusconi was and Kell and Denson spirit, loss, survival, more than 3000 were again commissioned for stonemason Andrew perseverance and, most wounded. the project which was James painstakingly of all, the true essence completed in 1922 with restored the soldier of ANZAC Day… Mr O’Brien doing the and the monument to remembrance. unveiling honours once its present glory in time The memorial, without its more. for its latest tour of duty soldier, was first erected at The soldier stood alongside the Adelong Grahamstown in 1921 to proudly until 1968 when Services and Citizens honour the district’s finest the school closed and and Bowling Club, who went off to fight in with the site sold, carried out after the The Great War, 14 of the monument was official re-unveiling whom never returned. dismantled and taken on ANZAC Day 2008. RECRUITS: The Wagga Wagga Kangaroos before they set off on their march which would lead them to Europe’s battlefields. John Ryan is in the back row, fourth from the left. Photograph courtesy The Kangaroo March by Sherry Morris and Harold Fife. Saluting Private Ryan HE IS Tumut’s greatest hero. Unmistakably so.

A man unafraid to do more than his duty who unflinchingly risked his life in an act of remarkable and selfless bravery. A recipient of the nation’s highest honour – the Cross – and deservedly so. Edward John Francis Ryan, known as John or even more sentimentally as Jack, was the right man in the wrong place at the right time. His calm, cool temperament, ability to rally and lead others and derring-do turned a desperate situation into a victorious one and earned Pte Ryan a place in the pantheon of Australia’s greatest soldiers. Certainly his VC is proudly on display in the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Valour where it belongs – alongside those awarded to other Diggers who by their actions earned an honoured place in history. John Ryan was just an ordinary man who performed extraordinary feats in the heat of battle. He neither sought benefit nor gained any later in life from the military fame he achieved on the afternoon of 30 September 1918. His decoration was earned during an assault on the famous (Above) REMEMBERED: Hindenburg Line as the 55th Australian Infantry Battalion The memorials in Richmond attacked near Bellicourt, France. Park, Tumut, where Pte John Ryan VC is honoured. Pte Ryan’s VC citation best describes his bravado: “In the initial assault on the enemy’s positions, Private Ryan went (Left) FOR VALOUR: forward with great dash and determination and was one of the first John Ryan’s Victoria Cross. to reach the enemy trench. “His exceptional skill and daring inspired his comrades and, despite heavy fire, the hostile garrison was soon overcome and the trench occupied. “The enemy then counter- attacked, and succeeded in establishing a bombing party in the rear of the position. “Under fire from front and rear, the position was critical, and necessitated prompt action. “Quickly appreciating the situation, he organised and led the men near him with bomb and bayonet against the enemy bombers, finally reaching the position with only three men.” Although outnumbered, the party gained the upper hand before Pte Ryan alone rushed the enemy with bombs, forcing a hurried retreat by the Germans who suffered heavily as they fled across No Man’s Land. His action enabled the moment to be seized and the trench to be retaken. By then, however, Pte Ryan had been badly wounded, having sustained a machine-gun bullet in his right shoulder. He enlisted on 1 December 1915 at Wagga Wagga “A particularly dangerous situation had and marched out that day with 87 others, known as Kangaroos, passing through Harefield, , and been saved by this gallant soldier, whose on to , arriving on 7 January. By then their ranks example of determined bravery and had swollen to 213 members with The Daily Telegraph hailing them as “men of firm purpose and steady resolve”. initiative was an inspiration to all,” Pte Ryan sailed for France, leaving Sydney on 14 April according to his citation which appeared in the London 1916 on HMAT Ceramic. Gazette on Boxing Day 1918. His younger brother Malcolm served as a Trooper with the 6th Light Horse in the last year of the war. Hospitalised for five weeks in Trouville, France, Pte Ryan recovered sufficiently to get “Blighty” leave in England for Unfortunately, the post-war years were not kind to John Christmas where he read of his VC decoration. Ryan and on 16 August 1935 The Age ran a story that, carrying a swag, the VC recipient had walked into a Imagine how honoured this humble Riverina labourer Mildura office and asked for work, explaining that he felt when on 22 May 1919 he received his VC medal from had hitch-hiked from and that he had been King George V at Buckingham Palace. on the road for the past four years. He headed back to Australia aboard HMAT Euripides He was hired by the local council before more permanent in early September that year and was discharged from the work was found for him in a insurance company. Australian Imperial Force on 10 January 1920. He died of pneumonia aged 51 in Royal Melbourne Described by The Sydney Morning Herald as “a thin lithe Hospital on 3 June 1941 and was buried with military man with a smiling face”, John Ryan had performed the honours in the Springvale Cemetery. His sister Phylis greatest of deeds in the worst of wars. Grant of Yass presented John Ryan’s VC to the Australian Born at Tumut on 9 February 1890, John Ryan was the War Memorial in November 1967. second son of Michael and his wife Eugenia.

(Top Left) VALIANT: Tumut’s VC recipient John Ryan, a hero for the ages. (Left) OATH: John Ryan’s enlistment where he signed up to do his duty. (Top Right) OFF TO WAR: John Ryan sailed to Europe on HMAT Ceramic. (Bottom Right) SAILING HOME: He returned aboard HMAT Euripides. (Above) DOGFIGHT: Aerial combat over the English Channel as depicted in RAAF Saga (1944). (Right) BRAVE: Fresh-faced Arthur Roberts wears his uniform proudly. Coolac’s top gun ARTHUR Donald Roberts was a a troubled dashing, handsome, young airman who Europe fitted every bit into the Top Gun mould. and the protection of Australia. He was only 19 years of age when he enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Once posted overseas, Roberts was Force in Sydney just four days after seconded to the Royal Air Force’s famed TUMBARUMBA’S ANZAC Day in 1940. 615 Squadron, a fighting force which became popularly known as “Churchill’s Born at Greenwich on Sydney’s lower COMMITTMENT Own”. North Shore, he was the son of Dudley TUMBARUMBA’S and Ida Roberts. The squadron’s Honorary Air dedication to its nation’s Commodore was none other than He was living at the time at Beecroft military efforts has been the British wartime Prime Minister in northern Sydney when he joined the extraordinary. Winston Churchill. RAAF. The splendid monuments You had to be among the best of the best in the park on the corner World War II was still in its first year to fly with this unit which took part in of Bridge and Winton when this wide-eyed teenager signed the early actions of the Battle of Britain. Streets commemorate the up for what he hoped would be the loyal service given. adventure of a lifetime. Pilot Officer Roberts, flying a Hurricane, was not seen again after Names of the 245 Great No doubt this fine individual, whose being shot down in combat over the War locals are inscribed in profession was a clerk, also answered English Channel on 27 September 1941. gold lettering in black marble his country’s call out of patriotism and (pictured) including 49 who a sense of duty for the greater good – the His death was listed as “officially made the ultimate sacrifice. desire to ensure freedom was restored to presumed”. Of those, five Diggers: Colin Cramond, John At the time of his death PO Rob- Downie, Ralph Lees, James erts was based out of the airbase at McAulay and Gordon Squire, RAF Northolt, established in 1915 lost their lives at Gallipoli and which operates to this day. in 1915. The base is located about 10 A total of 414 members of kilometres north of London the military had Tumbarumba Heathrow Airport. connections in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and of His devastated Dad donated the those, 17 perished. gates leading to the Coolac Memorial Hall, with a black granite Across the street is the town’s panel set into one of the brick piers Returned Soldiers’ Memorial MEMORIAL: Airman Arthur Roberts Hall, established in 1936. is honoured at Coolac Memorial Hall. recording PO Roberts’s sacrifice. 2011 ANZAC DAY SERVICE times and venues ADELONG TUMUT (Includes Brungle, Lacmalac) 9.45am Pilgrimage to Adelong 6am Dawn Service, Cenotaph in Cemetery to lay flowers on Richmond Park, cnr of Russell, graves of recently deceased Capper and Robertson St’s. servicemen and women. 10.30am March from Wynyard St. 10.45am March. 11am Main Service. BISCUITS TO KEEP ‘EM 11am Wreath Laying and Service, WAGGA WAGGA SOLDIERING ON Memorial Park Cenotaph. 5.45am Dawn Service, Cenotaph in THE famous ANZAC 11.45am Small Service at Victory Memorial Gardens, Biscuit came about, so legend Grahamstown-Shepardstown Baylis St followed by Service at goes, because mothers, wives Monument, Tumut St. Wagga Wagga War Cemetery, and girlfriends feared their Kooringal Rd. BATLOW men overseas were not getting 6am Dawn Service at Cenotaph. 10.30am Baylis St March begins. sufficient nutritional value. 3pm March from RSL to Cenotaph. 11am Wreath Laying, Victory Food supplies had to be shipped to Great War Memorial Gardens Cenotaph. 3.15pm Service. battle-fronts and naval transportation was slow, so a GUNDAGAI (Includes Coolac, Capital city services: CANBERRA recipe was formulated for a Mount Horeb, Tumblong) biscuit which would last the 5.30am Dawn service at the Australian 6am Dawn Service, ANZAC Walk. distance and pass the taste test. War Memorial (suggested 6.20am Dedication of new World War arrival from 4.30am onwards). Ingredients II Monument. • 1 cup each of plain flour, 6.30am The Aboriginal and Torres 10.30am March from Family Hotel, sugar, rolled oats and Strait Islander Commemorative Sheridan St. coconut. Ceremony at the Aboriginal • 115 grams (4 oz) butter. 11am Main Service, Cenotaph, Memorial Plaque on the side • 1 tablespoon treacle intersection of Sheridan and of Mount Ainslie. (golden syrup). Virgil St’s and Railway Pde. • 2 tablespoons boiling water 10.15am National Ceremony at the (add a little more water if NANGUS Australian War Memorial mixture is too dry). 10.30am March and Service at park. (suggested arrival 9.45am). • 1 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda. SYDNEY TALBINGO Method 6.30am Dawn Service, Cenotaph 4.15am Dawn Service at the Cenotaph 1. Grease biscuit tray and in Miles Franklin Park. in Martin Place. pre-heat oven to 180°C. TUMBARUMBA (includes , 8.30am Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 2. Combine dry ingredients. Khancoban, Rosewood,Tooma) the Cenotaph in Martin Place. 3. Melt together butter and 6am Dawn Service, District War 9am ANZAC Day March starting golden syrup. Combine Memorial, cnr of Bridge and at Martin Place/George Street/ water and bi-carbonate Winton St’s. Bathurst Street/Hyde Park. soda – add to butter mix. 6.20am Travel to cemetery, lay wreaths 4. Mix butter mixture and dry 12:30pm Commemorative Service at the on graves of ex-servicemen who ingredients. in Hyde have died during past year. Park South. 5. Drop teaspoons of mixture onto tray allowing room 10.30 March. 1pm Aboriginal ANZAC Day for spreading. 11am Main Service. March in Redfern. Bake for 10-15 minutes or TUMBLONG 5pm Sunset Service at the Cenotaph until golden. Allow to cool 9am Service. in Martin Place. on tray for a few minutes before transferring to PLEASE NOTE: All times and venues have been supplied in good faith cooling racks. by various RSL Sub-Branch officials and were correct at the time of publication. *Makes about 35 biscuits. Every care has been taken to ensure as many services as possible have Recipe provided by Bob Lawson, been included. For verification of other services please contact your local an ANZAC at Gallipoli. Source: RSL Sub-Branch. Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au SCHOOLCHILDREN’S THOUGHTS

RIVERINA primary and secondary school students were invited to enter a writing competition “What ANZAC Day in the Riverina means to me.” Hundreds of entries were received with the ones judged most outstanding reprinted on this page and their authors receiving ANZAC-related book prizes. All who submitted an entry will receive a commemorative certificate. early start to event with real meaning Whether it special day was a loss of EVER since I have started going to a grandparent, LONG before the Sun’s up we school when I was 5 years old, I have rise and shine, an early start to parent, brother the day. continuously been asked: “What does or sister, loss ANZAC Day mean to you?” of a loved one A brush of the hair, a “Come back in war is Until now, I have never actually stopped on” from Dad, in our car and like losing a to put thought into what ANZAC Day on our way. loved one now is really about – its real meaning. We head into Tumut for the – death could Dawn Service, the cold air To some people, ANZAC Day is just come around hits our face. a day of a minute’s silence on 25 April, the corner There are many people paying topped off with a snack of ANZAC anytime. respect, this is a special place. Biscuits. I believe ANZAC Day is more than We return to Adelong to But from my point of view, I see just a memory of those who have fallen march with the school, we end ANZAC Day as a very emotional event during wartime in support of their up at the park. – a day to remember all who fought in country; I see it as a day of peace. Nearly everyone in town is the Army. there, for this is a special day In conclusion, next time someone asks you should mark. I see ANZAC Day as a day which me: “What does ANZAC Day mean to will always be remembered, for its you?” I would say: We lay our school wreath and significance, history and tradition. pay our respect for those who “ANZAC Day means a time of served in the war. It makes me proud to think of all the remembrance to me. I think of ANZAC For those who stand around Australians and New Zealanders who Day as a day of remembrance and thanks us and those who didn’t come were brave enough to go through the to all the brave soldiers in the war who home, they remain in our gruesome wars, with their lives at risk, protected not only me, but Australia and thoughts for evermore. just to battle for their countries. New Zealand.” Lest We Forget. Year after year at ANZAC ceremonies, So I am proud to be living in a country Holly Uhr, age 11, Year 6 I can always see the great amount of where I am protected by the brave Adelong Public School respect that goes towards the thousands people from the Australian and New paying of men and women who gave their service. Zealand Army Corps. As I get older, I seem to understand the Esther Hampton, (Above) 13, Year 8 respects true meaning of ANZAC Day more McAuley Catholic Central School, Tumut and how emotional the event can be for ANZAC Day different families. is a special and sad day to remember the soldiers who fought in the war. BOOK PRIZE: It means a lot to me because Riverina MP Michael my great uncle Sam fought in McCormack presents the World War II. He’s a hero to primary age winner me, and made me proud. Holly Uhr, 11 with the book Simpson and his I’m more than happy to go Donkey as Adelong down to the War Memorial to Public School pupils pay my respects to the soldiers Blake Maher and and to give my thanks. I also Raymond McDonald, lay a wreath and I enjoy the both 10, proudly hold barbecue lunch. their certificates and Nicholas Radford, 13, Year 7, retiring Principal Ted Tumbarumba High School Conroy looks on. This material has been produced by Michael McCormack MP using his printing and communications entitlement. Authorised by: Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650. Printed by Chambers Whyte Design and Print, 5 Rabaul Place Wagga Wagga NSW 2650