5 FIELD AMBULANCE RAAMC ASSOCIATION AUTUMN ISSUE 2018 A proud supporter of the RAAMC Association Inc. www.raamc.org.au ANZAC DAY NEWSLETTER 2
A Proud Supporter of 5 Field Ambulance Association 3 5 Field Ambulance RAAMC Association Patron: COL Ray Hyslop OAM RFD Office Bearers PRESIDENT: LTCOL Derek Cannon RFD– 31 Southee Road, Richmond NSW 2753— (M) 0415 128 908 HON SECRETARY: Alan Curry OAM—35/1a Gordon Close, Anna Bay NSW 2316 (H) (02)4982.2189 (M) 0427 824 646 Email: [email protected] HON TREASURER: Brian Tams—453/1 Scaysbrook Drive, Kincumber NSW 2251 (H) (02) 4368 6161 COMMITTEE: WO 1 Warren Barnes OAM Mobile: 0409 909 439 Fred Bell (ASM) Mobile: 0410 939 583 Barry Collins OAM Phone: (02) 9398 6448 Ron Foley Mobile: 0422 376 541 Ann Jackson Mobile: 0407 236 724 CONTENTS LIFE MEMBERS------Page 4 VALE ------Pages 5-8 Growing Older (Thoughts)/Reserve Forces Day ANNOUNCEMENT ------Page 8 President’s Message/Dates for your Diary ------Page 9 Secretary’s Message/Congratulations ------Page 10 ANZAC Day details/HAPPY BIRTHDAY ------Page 11 ‘Penicillin’/”Blast from the Past” ------Page 12 POEM-”What was all that Sacrifice for”/Condolence/Poems ------Page 13 Messages from Members ------Pages 13-16 Wartime Message 1942/Condolences/Poem ------Page 17 Condolence/Poem/Application Forms/2018 Fund-Raiser ------Page 18 Chaplain’s Corner (Final message from our ‘late 'Honorary Chaplain Brian Hogan) ------Page 19 POEM-”Roses” ------Page 20 Story-”Night Witches” ------Pages 21-22 PRE ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE (details) ------Pages 22 5 Health Coy Exercise on HMAS Canberra ------Page 23 Late Subscriptions/THANK YOU ------Page 24 New Members/SICK PARADE ------Page 25-27 Items Of Interest ------Pages 28-29 Story-WOJTEK the bear in WW 2/KIND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ------Page 30 Activity Sheet ------Page 31 ADVERTISEMENTS: Any enquiries to advertise in our magazine, please contact Alan Curry (above) or any committee member (details are listed above) We are a ‘Not-For-Profit’, community-based organisation and we are unincorporated, and have been since 1982.
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in our quarterly newsletters are not necessarily those of our Patron, Ex- ecutive or Committee. We welcome any input as long as it is not offensive or abusive but if any member has a problem with a printed article we would like to be informed in order that the author may be contacted. We do encourage your opinion. 4
LIFE MEMBERS (Please contact me if I have omitted your name or corrections are needed)
Mr. Samuel ALEXANDER Mr. John HEAD MAJ Peter PAISLEY (Rtd) WO 11 Michael ALI OAM MAJ Eileen HENDERSON OAM RFD WO 2 Steve PARIS (Rtd) COL Suresh BADAMI OAM RFD (nee Anderson) MAJGEN John PEARN AO RFD CStJ # Mr. Adam BAILEY LTCOL Kym HENDERSON RFD MAJ Robert PEARSON (Rtd) Mr. Trevor BARNES RFD Mr. Rodney HOGAN Mr. Barry PERIGO WO I Warren BARNES OAM MAJ James HOOLAN Jr. USMC (Rtd) # Mrs. Heather PERIGO Mr. Alan BECKERLEG Mr. Edward HUNG Mr. Peter PETHER Mr. Fred BELL LTCOL Sandy HUNT-SHARMAN RFD LTCOL David PHILLIPS RFD Mr. Robert (‘Scotty’) BOYD (Ret’d) Mrs. Karen PHILLIPS (nee Stead) Dr. Harding BURNS OAM # Mrs. Norma HUTTON WO 1 Ken PHILLIPS OAM Mr Bob BUTLER COL Ray HYSLOP OAM RFD Mr. Bob PINK OAM LTCOL Derek CANNON RFD Mr Ken ILES RFD Mr. John PRICE # Mrs Edna CANNON CAP Jim ILIOPOULOS Dr. F.G. (Geoff.) PRIOR Mr. Greg CANT CAP Natalie ILIOPOULOS (nee +Mr. Thomas (Tom) PRITCHARD WO1 Mick CARLSON (Rtd) Polydoropoulos) COL Robert (Bob) REID ED (Rtd) Mr. Kevin CARTER Mr. Terry IRVINE OAM CAP Alan ROBINSON (Rtd) CMDR James CHAPMAN (Rtd) Mrs. Ann JACKSON (nee Williams) CAP James ROCHE OAM Mr. John CHARTER # Mr. Don JARMAN MAJ John ROCHE OAM Mr. Noel CHRISTENSEN RFD Mr. Ernest JOHNSON Mr. Michael ROWLEY Mr. John CLEGG Mr. Richard JONES Mr. Bill RYLANDS Mr. K.B. (Barry) COLLINS OAM # Mrs. Sue JONES Mrs. Cathy SALMON Mr. David COOPER OAM LTCOL Stuart JONES RFD LT Susan SALVI Mr. Roy CROSSLEY Mr. Anthony JORDAN Mr. Paul SHERGOLD # Mr. Joseph CRUMLIN OAM MAJ Robert (Bob) KENYON Mr. Robert SHILLINGSWORTH Mr. Gordon CURTIS Mr. Doug KERSEY Mr. George SIP Mr. Alan CURRY OAM Mr. Colin KLINE Mr. Ross SMITH Mr. Greg CURRY LTCOL Edward KREMER OAM Mr. Stephen STANSFIELD Mr. John CURRY COL Frank LANG OAM RFD ED (Rtd) CAP Stephen STEIGRAD (Rtd) Mr. Patrick CURRY # Mr. Terry LANGWORTHY Mr. Robert STEWART # Mr. Stephen CURRY Mr. John LAYHE EM # M/s Judith STRACHAN MAJ David CZERKIES LT Igor LEMECH Mr. Chris STRODE MAJ Peter DALGLEISH RFD # Mr. Bryan LINDSAY Mr. Peter SULLIVAN WO 11 Theo DECHAUFEPIE OAM # Mr. Geoffrey LINDSAY Mr. Noel TAME # Mrs. Olive DODD # Mrs. Maureen LIVINGSTON Mr. Brian TAMS Mr. George DONNELLY MAJ Kathleen LOADSMAN # Mrs. Debra TAYLOR Dr. Ken DOUST OAM Mr. Robert LOVE # Mr. Trevor TAYLOR LTCOL Marie DOYLE Mr. Edwin LOWERY Mr. Bill THOMPSON Mr. Stuart DOYLE Mr. Alen LUCIC Mr. Peter THOMPSON Mr. Gavin DRISCOLL Mr. Huss MAHOMET Dr. Peter TRALAGGAN LTCOL Andrew ELLIS OAM Mr. Nick MARSHALL Mr. Ian TUCKER # M/s Brittany EVANS Dr. Helena MARTIN Mr. Keveral TURNBULL # M/s Felicity EVANS # Mr. Don MELVILLE Dr. Michael TYQUIN # Mr Josh EVANS Mr. Gordon MILLS Mrs. Ruth VAUDIN (nee Corbett) # Mrs. Julie EVANS Mr. Paul MISTO LCPL Rhys VAUGHN # Mr. Tony EVANS COL Bill MOLLOY RFD ED Mrs. Kate VERCOE (nee Rose) MAJ Madeline EVES RFD Mr. Michael MORONEY Mr. Matthew VERCOE Mr. Phillip FAGUE # Mr. Charles MURRAY Mr. Don WALKER Mr. Laurie FARRUGIA JP # Dr. William McBRIDE AO CBE # Mr. Kim WARNOCK Brett FERRARI Mr. John McCARTHY # Mr. David WASSON Mr. Nelson FIORENTINO Mr. Hugh McCARTY # Mr. Lindsay WASSON Mr. Garry FLOOD # Dr. Philip McGRATH LTCOL Darren WATERSON # Mrs. Adrienne FOLEY # Mrs. Trish McGRATH Mr John WEAVER Mr. Ron FOLEY LTCOL John McKEOWN RFD (Rtd) Mr. Ronald WEBB Mrs. Frances FOOKES (nee Henderson) CAP Tom McLANDERS (Rtd) MAJ Bruce WHITTET (Rtd) LTCOL Paul FOOKES # Mrs. Yvonne McLEAN CAP Don WIKNER ED JP Mr. Richard FORD Mr. Ken McNUFF # Mr. David WILKINSON MAJ John GALLAGHER # M/s Marion NEWMAN COL Warwick WILKINSON AO RFD ED Mr. Joe GATTY CAP Richard NG MAJ Alex WILLIAMS CAP John GORRELL RFD (Rtd) # Mrs. Rayda NOBLE (nee Prain) Mr. David WILLIAMS # Mrs. Margaret GORRELL MAJ John O’BRIEN (Rtd) Mr. John WILSON Victoria GORRIE # Mr. Peter O’GRADY Dr. Phillip YUILE Mr. Gordon GRANT MiD Mr. Barry O’KEEFE Mr. Jim ZORBAS Mr. Barry (Bob) GRIEVES WO 1 E. (Bill) O’KEEFE (Rtd)) Mr. George HARRIS COL John OVERTON AM RFD
+ 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance # Associate 5
Ben CASTLE joined our Association in 2015 as a Life Member. He became aware of our existence after noticing familiar names on our web site. At the time of his joining he was an In-Patient of Mona Vale House in Sydney due to his advanced stages of Parkinson’s Disease. I sincerely thank any of our members who were able to visit Ben, particularly Jim Roche.
I received a sad email in late January, from his loving partner, Marjorie, to inform me that Ben passed away peacefully on the 17th January. He had a private service prior to cremation. He was 77 years of age.
Ben joined the Army Reserve (Army Number 2207205) on the 1st April 1974 with 2 Field Hygiene Company (which was later Re-Designated 2 Preventative Medicine Company) on the 20th May 1976. Ben had overseas service in New Guinea from 15th to 30th June 1974. He discharged with the rank of Corporal on the 12th October 1981.
Our sincere condolences are given to Marjorie and Ben’s Family and friends. ————————————
George CARUANA was a much respected Life Member. He joined our Association in 1995 and, until his illness got worse, was always an eager participant in all our activities. George was a very committed and passionate Labor Party supporter as any of our members would readily agree if ever they started to discuss politics with him. The same man was also a very compassionate human being. Prior to his illnesses getting worse, George was a prolific letter writer to us on many matters. He was nearly always the first to write his condolences in respect to any member he knew had died. Especially about our last two Presidents, Jim McGrath and David Rothfield. One of George's major concerns were people who passed themselves off as past serving members of the ADF and wearing “fake” medals. He had a hand in exposing at least one “Walter Mitty”! I was contacted by George’s niece, Alex, in late January, who informed me that he had a bad fall, a few days before Australia Day. George had hit his head and was rushed to St George Hospital in a coma. His life support system was turned off on the 25th January and he passed away peacefully that afternoon. He was 70 years of age. A very warm, and occasionally funny, insight to George’s life was presented by his friend, Peter Papadopoulos. We heard that George’s civilian occupations were with the NSW Railways, the Prince of Wales Hospital as a storemen and finally as a Security Guard with the NSW Art Gallery. Peter quoted the below lines from Theodore Roosevelt titled “IN THE ARENA”
“It Is not the crItIc who counts, not the man who poInts out where the strong stumbled, or how the doer could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is in the arena, his face marred with dust and sweat and blood, who strikes valiantly, who errs and falls short again and again. There is no effort without error. But he who tries, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, at best knows the triumph of achievement, and at worst, fails while daring. His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neIther vIctory nor defeat.” LTCOL John Moore AM (Ret’d) is the Hon Sect of the Masonic RSL Sub Branch, of which George was a member, and he informed all present of George’s ADF service. The Sub Branch also conducted the Ritual. George joined the CMF (Army Number 2192311) on the 23rd January 1965 with the Light Anti Aircraft Regt and was with this unit until the 11th November 1968. He transferred to 5 Field Ambulance on the 12 November 1968 until he discharged on 21st August 1969.(Cont. on Page 6) 6
(Cont. from Page 5) George re-enlisted in the CMF with 5 Field Ambulance on the 8th November 1971 until he discharged on the 4th February 1974 with the rank of Private.
The day after George discharged from 5 Field Ambulance he successfully enlisted in the RAAF with Service Number A228438. He was in the RAAF from 5th February 1974 until he discharged with the rank of Leading Aircraftsman on the 14th July 1978. George was employed as Assistant Supplier. His postings were 1 Recruit Training Unit (Wagga Wagga) 5/2/1974-5/5/1974, RAAF School of Technical Training 6/5/1974-12/8/1974 and then Base Squadron Fairbairn 13/8/1974-to discharge on 14/7/1978
George was awarded the Australian Defence Medal and the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal. I kindly thank members, Bill Molloy and Mike Moroney who joined with me to pay our last respects to George and his family. —————————————————- Geoff. PRECIANS was a serving member of 5 Field Ambulance but somehow he ‘slipped through our net’ to invite him to join our Association! I was informed by Theo Dechaufepie OAM, the current secretary of the RAAMC Association Inc. Theo had been informed by our member, Rod Searle, that Geoff had passed away peacefully in the afternoon of 30th January. Geoff was 83 years of age. Rod had written that he and his wife Jennie had visited Geoff on the Thursday before he died and that he looked ‘poorly’. Rod said Geoff’s family had been at his bedside all morning on the day he died.
Geoff had a very notable army career. He enlisted in the Australian Regular Army (Army Number 27892) on the 26th June 1953. He was 19. He was posted to the Unallotted List Eastern Command before gaining a place with the Officer Cadet School on the 18th July 1953 until the 18th December 1953. On 19 December 1953 he was posted the Unallotted List Southern Command until 13 March 1954. On the 14 March 1954 he was posted to 14 NSTB until 15 August 1956. On the 16 August 1956 he was posted to the Australian Services Task Force until 31 May 1957. On 1 June 1957 he was posted to the Redesignated Maralinga Range Support Unit until 2 December 1957. On the 3 December 1957 he was posted to 1 Field Regiment until 30 June 1958. On 1 July 1958 he was posted to the Air Observation Post (Army Component) until 4 December 1960. On 5 December 1960 he was posted to 16 Army Light Aircraft Squadron until 3 April 1961. On 4 April 1961 he was posted to Army HQ until 15 July 1961. On 16 July 1961 he was posted to Intelligence Centre until 14 October 1961. On 15 October 1961 he was posted to 25 Field Security Section until 11 January 1964. On 12 January 1964 he was posted to Southern Command Personnel Depot until 26 August 1964. On 27 August 1964 he was posted to 5 Field Ambulance until 3 October 1965. On 4 October 1965 he was posted to School of Army health until 25 January 1968. On 26 January 1968 he was posted to the Australian Staff College until 12 December 1968. On 13 December 1968 he was posted to Army HQ (Canberra) until 17 February 1971. On 18 February 1971 he was posted to 1 Australian Field Hospital until 28 October 1971. On 29 October 1971 he was posted to HQ Northern Command until 25 June 1973. On 26 June 1973 he was posted to HQ ANZUK Support Group until 22 November 1974. On 23 November 1974 he was posted to 11 Field Ambulance until 26 August 1975’ On 27 August 1975 he was posted to 2 Field Hospital until 3 March 1983. On 4 March 1983 he was posted to HQ 1 Military District until he discharged on 23 November 1989, with the rank of Major.
As I wrote above, Geoff’s army career spanned 36 years. He was in the Regular Army for 22 years and then a further 14 years with the Army reserves. Geoff had Operational Service in Vietnam from 18 February 1971 to 28 October 1971, and in Singapore from 26 June 1973 to 22 November 1974. Geoff was awarded the following:- Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp Vietnam, Vietnam Medal, Defence Force Service Medal, National Medal with First Clasp, Australian Defence Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the Returned From Active Service Badge. *********(Vale Cont. on Page 7) 7
(VALE Continued from Page 6) Charles (“Charlie”) O’MEALLY was a good friend and work mate as a tally clerk on the Sydney waterfront. In the 1970’s. He joined our Association in 2003 and became a Life Member.
He always kept in touch with his letters and ‘snippets’ of info, for the benefit of his fellow members. I was very pleased to represent our Association and be able to attend his funeral , which was held in the Chapel of his Nursing Home, ‘Calvary Aged Care’, Cessnock, on 14th February. Charlie was 94.
What beautiful nurses and staff they employ. All were very caring and attentive. They were a great contribution to Charlie’s funeral service.
I was pleased to meet Charlie’s sister, Madeline and her daughter Sue and Charlie’s daughter, Robyn, and his good friends, Brian Bowie and Anne Marie Van Netten to express our sincere sympathies.
Charlie is survived by his daughter, Robyn and two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He had a few workmates ( John McKinnon, John Vassarotti, Ian Murray, Max Wardle and Jim Hannon) come up from Sydney to pay their respects. I sincerely thank John McKinnon and Charlie’s good friend from Cessnock, John Albury, for piecing together some of Charlie’s life.
We were told that Charlie was born in Ashfield on the 28th March 1923. He was the eldest of four children, a brother, Bill and his two sisters, Madeline and Lillian. He went to school (Primary and High) at the Christian Bros college in Lewisham and left at 15 years of age to follow his dad into the Public Service as an Accounts Clerk. (Charlie’s dad had served in WW 1 in 13 Battalion).
WW 2 started in 1939 and when Pearl Harbour was bombed by the Japanese in December 1941, Charlie ‘joined up’ in Martin Place . He joined the RAAF to be a pilot. His dad had originally signed his papers but stipulated “Not for Service Overseas”! But he later deleted this.
Charlie did much training and many courses and was a wireless gunner with 179 Sqn. in the UK. One night, whilst on a low level (400 ft above the sea) radar search for a German submarine, his plane developed engine trouble and crashed into the sea off North Cornwall, the crash killed three crew members. Charles never flew again after that incident.
One of Charlie’s good mates was the renowned Australian actor, Leonard Teale. Charlie also played cricket for North Middlesex in a RAAF side. He also played rugby union.
When Charlie discharged from the RAAF in January 1946 he re-joined the Public Service and shortly after he married Molly Prosser. Charlie and Molly’s marriage, although short lived, due mainly to Charlie not being able to ‘settle down’, produced a loving daughter in Robyn.
Some years later (1954) Charlie fell in love and married Joan Asimus. Joan, sadly, died of cancer in 1975. They were happily married but had no children. Charlie then left the Public Service and had employment with David Jones, the Customs Department, P & O and lastly with Patricks Stevedoring, as a Tally Clerk on the Sydney waterfront until his retirement in 1988.
It was during his time on the waterfront that he met and married Florence Drayton in 1983. When Charlie retired, he and Florence moved to Merewether in Newcastle to be near Florence’s sister, Gloria. When Gloria passed away in 2000, Charlie and Florence moved to Cessnock. Florence contracted Alzheimer's disease in late 2000 and was admitted to the Calvary Aged Care and eventually passed away. Charlie visited her almost every day.
In 2016 Charlie had to sell his home in Cessnock to live at the Calvary Aged Care. He was very well-liked and lovingly cared for until he passed away on the 8th February 2018. The very caring Celebrant, M/s Jacqueline Harrison, had two inserts on Charlie’s funeral program. One was a poem called “Miss me but let me go” and the other (printed below)—called “Footprints on your Soul” (Cont page 8) 8
(Cont. from Page 7) Sometimes on your journey through life we meet people who leave footprints on our minds, they challenge us to see things differently and to question our personal reality. Sometimes on a journey through life, we meet people who leave footprints on our hearts. They create a safe place for us to open our hearts to feel loved and special. Then, sometimes on your journey through life ,we meet people who leave footprints on our souls, they share themselves with us so profoundly that they touch the very essence of who we are in that secret, quiet place.. Charles was this person.
Our Association sincerely thanks the Cessnock RSL Sub Branch Welfare Officer and their members who attended to pay their respects at the RSL Ceremony.
Charlie’s Service Record shows he was given RAAF number A421377. His many postings were 2 Recruit Centre, 2 Initial Training School, 2 Embarkation Depot, 1 Embarkation Depot, 3 Manning Depot, 2 Wireless School, 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, 8 Air Observer School, 1 “Y” Depot, 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, 2 Radio School, 11 Radio School, 5 Personnel Despatch Centre, 1 Middle East Aircrew Reception Area, RAF Station Ein Shemer, 179 Sqn, 22 Personnel Transit Centre, RAAF Holding Unit and 2 Personnel Depot. Charlie’s attachments were:- Royal Canadian Airforce from 21 May 1942 to 13 December 1943, RAAF Overseas HQ 12 January 1944 to 6 March 1944, 4 Wing to 17 May 1944, HQ 27 Group and 179 Sqn. Charlie’s Movements show:-Embarked Melbourne 21 May 1942 Disembarked Canada 11 June 1942, Embarked Halifax 14 December 1943 Disembarked UK 21 December 1943, Emplaned Naples, Italy 8 January 1945 Disemplaned UK 8 January 1945, Embarked UK 4 September 1945 Disembarked Sydney 4 November 1945,
Charlie discharged on the 8th January 1946 with the rank of Flying Officer. Oddly, his Honours and Awards read “NIL”. ( I will follow this up!) ——————————————- SOME THOUGHTS ON GROWING OLDER (With kind thanks to my Email friends)
Remember: to day is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be, so enjoy this day, while it lasts. -Your kids are becoming you, and you don't like them, but your grandchildren are perfect! -Going out is good, coming home is better! -You forget names, but that's okay because other people forgot they even knew you! -You realise you're never going to be really good at anything… especially golf. -The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them any more. -You sleep better on a lounge chair, with the TV blaring, then in bed. It's called “pre-sleep”. -You miss the days when everything worked with just the “ON” and “OFF” switch! -You tend to use more four letter words like… “what”…”when”! -now that you can afford expensive jewellery, it's not safe to wear it anywhere. -You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”! -What used to be freckles are now liver spots. -Everybody whispers. -You have three sizes of clothing in your wardrobe, two of which you will never wear. But old is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, “OLD FRIENDS”! Remember, its not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!
ANNOUNCEMENT RESERVE FORCES DAY FINAL YEAR! More information will be forthcoming but I am informed that 2018 will be the final Parade, in SYDNEY, for the celebrating and recognition of all our Reserve Forces.
1998 was the start of a wonderful concept which saw a huge parade through the streets of Sydney. It invited past and present Reservists, from all branches of the ADF to take part. And they (and us) did. It was a great spectacle and crowd-pleaser. Sadly, for various reasons (some obvious), it will cease to be celebrated (in Sydney) after this year! 9
Welcome to the 2018 ‘AUTUMN’ ANZAC DAY Newsletter of the 5 Field Ambulance RAAMC Association.
Edna and I trust you had a safe and peaceful Festive Season and enjoying and anticipating a healthy and active 2018. Our Association activities program is shown below.
I draw your attention to the congratulations (page 10) for Theo Dechaufepie and Terry Irvine on receiving decorations in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, a great achievement by both. members
I am attending monthly meetings of Richmond RSL, when possible, and will be present at their ANZAC DAY march on Sunday April 22nd to Richmond War Memorial. I also plan to attend the Sydney march on April 25th to wish attending members well. Edna and I are happy to announce the pending birth of our first great grandchild to granddaughter Felicity Evans (life-member) and partner Mr. Ryan Carey, and also the recent engagement of Felicity’s twin Brittany Evans (life-member) to Mr. Anthony Laing. I have indicated my intention to attend the 30th Anniversary of the successful 1988 Australian Everest and Baruntse Expeditions. These expeditions were spawned out of the Australian Army Alpine Association which was Canberra based and the Military support of Adventure training in general. The expedition put 3 climbers on the summit of Everest. The Expedition was the first, to my knowledge, Everest Expedition not to use local Sherpa support. This expedition is included in the excellent publication “White Sherpas” by summiteer Patrick Cullinan SC, OAM published by BARRALLIER Books. I led a trekking “B” team of military members to Base Camp to wish them well before being snowed out on our own attempt to climb “Island” Peak 6189m, a noted trekking peak in the Everest region. To all our long-time and recently enlisted members and with constant thought for our sick, Edna and I wish you all the very best for the future. Good reading and I hope to see many of you, joining our ranks on ANZAC DAY 25April 2018. Derek Cannon
2018 Dates for your Calendar. The RAAMC Association Inc. (NSW Branch) meet in FEBRUARY, JUNE and OCTOBER, on the FIRST Friday, at 11.10am in the Paddington RSL Club, on Oxford Street. If you are a member of 5 Field Ambulance Association OR a member of the RAAMC Association Inc. you are most welcome to attend.
DAWN SERVICE (at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, 5.30am-see details on page 22)———-22nd APRIL ANZAC Day ——————————————–—————————–——————————————25th APRIL AHS CENTAUR COMMEMORATION————————————-—–——————————————12th MAY CORPS BIRTHDAY (RAAMC)—————–——————————————————————————1st JULY RESERVE FORCES DAY (Newcastle-Saturday)——–——————————————————————30th JUNE “ “ “ (Sydney-Sunday)———–————————————————————————1st JULY VP DAY—————————————————–——————-—–——————————————15th AUGUST BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA COMMEMORATION—————–——————————————5th SEPTEMBER REMEMBRANCE DAY————————————————–——————————————-11th NOVEMBER ANNUAL “MIXED” REUNION LUNCHEON——— ————–——————————————-24th NOVEMBER 10
Message from the Secretary A very Happy New Year to all our members. I hope this coming year is a safe, healthy and prosperous one for you and all your family members.
I pass on our prayers and our .good wishes to our sick and hospitalised members. I hope you are returning to good health as you read this. If any of our committee can be of assistance, please contact myself or any of our committee.
I thank our members (those without a computer) for their patience in waiting for their Christmas Newsletter to arrive in the post (in late January). We are most fortunate to have the services of a member’s daughter who prints me about 150 copies. She does this FREE, as a gesture for us and for her dad, who is a Life Member of our Association.
It is pleasing to read some ‘profiles’ of current reservists and for this I thank Rhys Vaughn. Rhys is a reservist with 5 CSSB Health Coy. He endeavours to get a story for us , from his mates in the Health Company
You may have noticed two small photos of a soldier on each side of our cover! I have taken the liberty of showing my dad (Pte. Bob Curry NX2620 on the left) and Ruth’s dad (Capt. David Bate NX103933 on the right). Both our dads passed away in July in 1990.
Our Association submitted an application for a Commonwealth Armistice Centenary Grant in February. I sincerely thank our esteemed members, John Overton AM and Theo Dechaufepie OAM, and also Kevin Jenkins and Stan Allanson (Pres and Sect of my National Servicemen's Port Stephens Sub Branch) and Paddy Twohill (President-Port Stephens Community Radio. As of going to print at the end of March, we have not heard from the Government.
I am a member of the Port Stephens branch of the National Servicemen’s Association Inc. and attended a National Servicemen’s Day (14th February) at ANZAC Park in Raymond Terrace. I also proudly represented our Association. 5 Field Ambulance was a big medical unit in the 1950’s & 60’s due to the influx of National Servicemen. The unit, to my understanding, was placed “On Stand-By” in the early 1960’s to go to Vietnam but not chosen!
Theo DECHAUFEPIE OAM & Terry IRVINE OAM are sincerely congratulated on being recognised for their achievements. They were invested with the honour of being awarded the Order Of Australia (OAM), which was notified in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List. They were both very surprised and humbled when they were notified. Theo is a past President of the RAAMC Association Inc (NSW Branch) and is currently the Secretary of this Association’s NSW Branch. Theo is also a co- Patron , with BRIG Georgeina Whelan AM CSC. Theo is a Vietnam Vet and was involved in the Macarthur Branch of the VVA. His award was recognised for his work involvement with the veteran community, and the organisations he has assisted in. Terry is a pharmacist. His award was for recognition of his life’s pharmaceutical achievements. He was a Foundation Councillor of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and was a member of the Pharmacy Board of the Northern Territory, and also an Ambassador of “HealthSoft”. He was a member of the Darwin City Council Planning Committee and is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship.
* Success is relative. The more the success, the more the relatives. * The reason men lie is because women ask too many questions! 11
ANZAC Day (Details) This very ‘special’ day is commemorated all around our country. In every capital city and in every small township. It is a day when we gather to march in our units or with our Associations. It is the occasion we give our prayers and our thanks to those very brave men and women who have lost their lives in a war, not of their choosing, but obeying the call of our governments to fight for our freedom against a common foe.
You may be present watching the parade, or marching, to honour the memory of the death, in battle, whether by gunshot or sickness, of a mum or a dad, a brother or sister, an aunt or an uncle, or a grandparent, who obeyed the call and died because of it.
The details below are for the SYDNEY March and we sincerely thank our many members who will march in their own locations with a medical unit. FORM UP (Same as last year) In O’CONNELL STREET (near Hunter Street) TIME—9.30am ROUTE Up Hunter Street and right into Elizabeth Street to our DISMISSAL in Liverpool Street. DRESS– Marching Troops in Ceremonial, Gents-Lounge Suit and medals, Beret and Name Badge, Ladies as appropriate. EYES LEFT will be given in TWO locations on Elizabeth Street—The first one will be to the War Widows and the second one when we approach the Cenotaph.
LUNCH will be at our own expense at the Sanctuary Hotel (the same place as last year) on the corner of Liverpool and Kent Streets. We look forward to your attendance if possible.
Our Association wishes each of our members a very Happy AUTUMN birthday. MARCH APRIL MAY Tony ARMSTRONG Rosemarie ALLEN Trevor BARNES Ashleigh BORG Warren BARNES OAM Scotty BOYD Alan BECKERLEG John CHARTER Barry COLLINS OAM Kevin CARTER David COOPER OAM Pat CURRY Dr. Ken DOUST OAM Joshua EVANS Gordon CURTIS Julie EVANS Richard FORD Theo DECHAUFEPIE OAM Debbie FANIA Ray GREENFIELD Brian HARTLEY Madeline EVES Ron FOLEY James HOOLAN Jr Doreen FORD Neil GIBSON Greg HUBBARD Joe GATTY Kevin HURRELL Vic INESON Victoria GORRIE Paul MISTO Stuart JONES Ken ILES Anthony JORDAN Yvonne McLEAN Igor LEMECH Brian INMAN Ken McNUFF Greg LEWIS-PHILLIPS Terry IRVINE OAM John O'BRIEN Don MELVILLE Colin LEE Peter O’GRADY Maurice PORTER Kathleen LOADSMAN Karen PHILLIPS Dr. Richard NG MAJGEN John PEARN AO Mitch PICKETT Reg PERRY John PRICE Robert PEARSON Dr. Ian PFENNIGWERTH Dr. Bob REID Dr. Geoff. PRIOR Dr. John ROCHE OAM Bill RYLANDS Matthew VERCOE Diana ROTHFIELD Barbara SEPHTON David WASSON Natalie SWAN Don WIKNER Ross SMITH Ian TUCKER Harry STRONG Dr. Michael TYQUIN Debra TAYLOR Thomas VELLA Lindsay WASSON Kimberley WARNOCK Alex WILLIAMS
May your birthday be filled with the warmness of sunshine, the cheerfulness of smiles, the echoing sound of laughter and the feeling of thoughtfulness and love. 12
PENICILLIN (With kind thanks to Warwick Wilkinson AO and the late John de Witt)
After the funeral of our late member John de Witt in mid-August 2012, our member, Warwick Wilkinson, said he had some material on John de Witt’s life story that he would post to me.
John’s life, and army experiences, was printed in our magazines from March 2001 to 2009.
Why the heading “Penicillin”?
We know that the respected medical researcher Sir Alexander Fleming was the first person to observe the antibiotic properties of the mould that makes penicillin but it was Howard Flory (an Australian) and Ernst Boris Chain who developed it into useful treatment.
Florey, Chain and Fleming shared the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine, in 1945.
The reason I mentioned John de Witt’s name was that Howard Flory visited Australia during WW 2 and in John’s own words wrote the following to Warwick Wilkinson on the 24/10/1998;
“in October 1944 serving as a sergeant with 55 Australian Camp Hospital AIF at Tennant Creek Northern Territory. I was hospitalised with acute follicular tonsillitis and had a very high temperature over a considerable number of days and was being treated with M & B 693, which did not do any good.
On about 9/10/1944. I can still vividly remember this man coming to my bedside about midday and saying “My name is Flory and I have something here, which I feel will make you better”.
I believe the OC of the hospital, Major C.A.Wood had practised in South Australia and knew Dr Flory and had arranged this visit, no doubt, through the ADMS at Alice Springs, Col B. Dwyer.
Dr Flory had a number of vials containing a white powder (which I later knew to be penicillin) and some containing a brown oil mixed with what looked like aluminium powder. The two were mixed with a table mounted centrifuge and then injected; I had 100,000 units on 10/10/1944 and another 100,000 units on 12/10/1944. The injections were made into the buttocks and which were very painful and required some massage to help spread the substance after the injection.
I made a quick recovery and went on leave after some two years in the Northern Territory and was married in Melbourne on 30/10/1944.
I am sure this episode must be on record with Sir Howard Flory’s documents, because for him to travel from Adelaide to Tennant Creek in an Avro Anson aircraft was, at that time, no mean feat. I cannot remember how he returned from Tennant Creek or whether he went back via the 106 AGH at Alice Springs. I would appreciate it if I could be advised of any published details of his trip to the Northern Territory at this time, so that I may follow it up”. John DeWitt (NB: in one sentence in the Australian Dictionary of Biography on Howard Florey, by Frank Fenner, it reads…In 1944 he visited Australia to discuss the local production of Penicillin and to report on the state of medical research in the country of his birth.)
As can be seen from the above letter, John would have been among the first soldiers in the NT to receive this new life-saving drug—PENICILLIN.
Florey’s discovery is estimated to have saved over six million lives in Australia. He is regarded by the Australian scientific and medical community as one of its greatest scientists. Sir Robert Menzies said (probably at Florey’s death in 1968) …”In terms of world well-being, Florey was the most important man ever born in Australia”. ------“A BLAST FROM THE PAST” I recorded and article in our June 2003 Newsletter of an incident that happened in early 1960. It was going to be a happy ‘night out’ for four of our members (Peter Thompson, Joe Gatty, ‘Castro’ O’connell and Bill Rylands). They had met at the Brighton Hotel for a few beers and then into the city, by train, to go on a harbour cruise. On the train ride to the city, as it approached Wynyard station, Bill fell out of the train! Peter vividly recalled this horrifying incident as Bill was struck by a signal post and with a dull thud disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel. At the station, Peter yelled to Joe and ‘Castro’ to tell the attendant to stop the trains and he bolted back into the dark tunnel. He heard Bill moaning in the dark—by some miracle, he was alive. Bill was hospitalised for five months and was granted an honourable discharge from 5 Field Ambulance. Joe and ‘Castro’ said that Peter’s act of courage deserved the highest recognition.(Ed. Note: I don’t know what become of Anthony ‘Castro’ O’Connell but Peter, Joe and Bill are still loyal members of our Association) 13
What Was All That Sacrifice For? To our member, Brian Inman, on (With kind thanks to Bill Laidlaw and author George Mansford) the recent sad loss of his wife, When I was very young, our nation went to war Hazel. We cheered marching troops soon to leave our beloved shore ‘Cause ours was a land of peace so free from foreign strife To marry, raise some Billy- Lids and have a wonderful life
Where you could speak your mind any place and anytime It was worth fighting for; this land of yours and mine
At home, women became busier even more Now in workplaces where they’d never been before For essentials of life there were ration cards for all Blackouts, bomb shelters and air raid drills when the sirens did call The war news was often very grim mid much blood and sorrow Yet in every street they defiantly sang it’s a lovely day tomorrow
As time went by, the messengers of death came hither A dreaded lottery as homes were chosen for sad news to deliver Our Committee and our members Brief official messages to be read and new victims to bravely bear extend their Sincere Sympathies Shrieks of grief reaching out for loved ones no longer there to you and your family. Many a darkened room with empty bed and loving laughter no more Gone the dream of a shrill cooee to greet a loved one home from war “REMEMBER ME WITH A SMILE” So many seasons later, the white doves did fly The cost had been enormous and countless loved ones had died Remember me with a smile, now Compare such unity and sacrifice to selfishness and apathy of today that my life on this earth is done. Selling the farm, drugs, suicides, crime and be careful what you say An empty treasury and no thought for the generations to come My dreams have been fulfilled Poverty and misery with shrugs and yawns of “What’s done is done” and a new life has begun.
Rabid fanatics with clear intent to destroy our way of life Let’s be thankful we shared pre- Yet Canberra Suits still wear blinkers despite such threats of strife Are we of the same people, who for us shed blood, sweat and tears? cious love. Keep the memories Patriots who stood tall and defiant in the face of adversity and fears warm for a while. Their Ghosts with terrible anger would surely howl “why?” Let them bring peace to your For a once proud, happy, unified nation which now does sob and cry heart, and remember me with a
smile. MESSAGES FROM MEMBERS Don MELVILLE sends his good wishes to all in our Association. He Now you are gracefully sleeping, sent an Email late last year hoping that the rains would come to help away from all your pain the farmers. He said many of the grain crops are now only fit for ‘feed’ But the love in our hearts will but the rains would help the farmers with their irrigators having to use always remain. their rationed water supplies. Good-Byes are not forever, Good Don said the Leeton RSL Sub Branch hosted a dinner (in late October -Byes are not the end. last year) to commemorate the Australian Light Horse charge at They simply mean I miss you, Beersheba and they had quite a few relatives of the Beersheba until we meet again. participants present. (one of those attending happened to be an old High School friend of Don)
At the Dinner, they unveiled a mural of “The Charge”, done by a local artist. Don said it was a most wonderful spectacle. It needed to be seen to be appreciated. (Thank you Don for your much appreciated letters and support. I hope by the time you read this you and your family are all good and that the much-needed rain has come and been of immense help to all our farmers in the region.) ———————————- Don WALKER wrote to say he enjoys reading all our news. He said they are not getting all the ‘wild’ weather that is occurring further north (Don lives in Goulburn) but he is starting to feel the change as Autumn approaches. (Good on you Don and thank you for your support. I hope this finds you in good health) ——————————— Brian INMAN wrote to me in early February to sadly let me know his wife, Hazel, had passed away. He had written to thank to my wife, Ruth, for expressing her condolences when he rang for me. (Cont. to page 14) 14
(Cont from Page 13) Hazel passed away on the 25th January. They had been married for 45 years. (All our members would join with me in offering our sincere condolences. Brian, we are thinking of you as we all read this.) ———————————— Ray GREENFIELD is a passionate supporter for the recognition the late General Sir John Monash (WW 1) being afforded the honour to be up-graded (posthumously) in rank from General to Field Marshall. (I moved a motion of support at my RSL Sub Branch which was accepted and passed on to our Newcastle District Council and then hopefully, to State Congress at the end of the year, to agree.)
I Emailed Ray’s request to all on our Email list and I received a comment reply from our respected member, Ian Pfennigwerth, which, with Ian’s permission, .I ’forwarded’ on to Ray.
Since then the “Monash for Field Marshall” movement has garnered much attention in that a private Member’s Bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly, in early March, by the Hon David Elliott MP, who is also the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. David also acknowledged the support from colleagues including Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, Josh Frydenberg, Tim Fischer AC and John Moore OAM.
In part of David’s speech he quoted a passage from a book titled “Waltzing Matilda” (written by Dennis O’Keefe), the passage referred to a letter written by the then 17 year old John Monash to one of his cousins. It read….”To what country and people do I owe most? To that which I have never seen, with which I have no connection, but that it is the home of some of my relatives? Or to that in which and among where I was born, have grown up, where I have learned all that I know, to which I owe all happiness that I have experienced? Shall I, in return for this, look back upon it as a foreign land, to be deserted at the first convenient opportunity? No, it is my native land, and I have contracted from it a heavy debt, and it will never be to me a prominent object, in some measure to repay that debt.” (Thank you Ray for your letter and Emails. It is on the cards for this honour to become a fact, hopefully, in time for “Remembrance Day” in November) ——————————— Terry IRVINE wrote to thank us for his engraved pewter mug we posted to him. It was a small memento from our Association on the occasion of him being awarded an OAM recently. Terry said it was a wonderful surprise and it was the ‘first ever’ engraved pewter mug he had ever received.
He wrote that ,with his kidney problem, he is supposed to drink 500mls of liquid a day but since receiving his gift he made an exception and ‘christened’ it as soon as he opened the package! (Good on you Terry. It was our pleasure. We hope when you read this you are in good spirits.) ———————————— John DAVIES passes on his good wishes to all his friends in our Association. We have been in contact over the past months as John keeps me informed of his health progress. He is grateful for the many emails and phone calls from his mates.
John has undergone a few ops and many tests since mid January, mainly at RPA in Sydney. He actually started writing about all his health experiences in a book he has called…”Take a Walk in my Shoes” after his first heart surgery in 2000. (Thank you John (and Moira) for all your emails and ‘snippets’ you send. You are like our mates, Huss Mahomet—stoic and positive. I hope when you read this you are good.) ——————————— Darren WATERSON is good and passes on his regards to his friends in the Association. He wrote to thank us for posting one of our Centenary Polo Shirts to his friend in the USA, COL Robert Thompson (Ret’d). His American friend was most thankful for Darren’s gesture and can’t wait for the warmer months to start wearing it. (Good on you Darren. It was a pleasure to assist you (and your friend) ——————————- Bruce WHITTET passes on his good wishes to all his friends, and he recently sent me an Email. It contained a poem which I think is simply called “OUR FLAG”. With Bruce’s permission I have placed it on Page 22 I do not know who the author is but we thank him/her also. (Thank you Bruce for this very Australian poem. I hope this finds you and Margaret in good health.) ——————————— Rayda NOBLE is a very good member and supporter of our Association. (Cont. Page 15) 15
(Cont. frpm Page 14) She had done a huge amount of research on her dad’s life only to have her computer ‘pack it in’. She rang me a while back to request that I don’t send any more emails until she sorted out her computer problem. I received an email recently from Rayda to say all was good and she now has a new computer and to place her back on my email list!
She emailed me a “Draft” of her Dad’s life. It was a great read and will be a wonderful family ‘keepsake’. She is going to ‘edit’ it so that a portion of it will eventually be included as a news item in the Tobruk House News of Victoria. She recently attended the AGM of the “Rats of Tobruk Association” (Vic) of which she is an Affiliate Member and was pleased to be among many dear friends again. Rayda was pleased to tell me that our own Associate member, Glenda Garde, was elected to the ROTA Committee.
Her other good friends, John and Bernadette Spring, (that’s John in the picture with Rayda) drove her back home and as you can also see by the photo, and her little dog “Andy”, was also pleased to have “Mum” back home. (Thank you Rayda, for all you news and family ‘updates’. I hope when you read this you have managed to walk along the Seaford pier with your friends, John and Bernadette.) —————————————- Peter PAISLEY passes on his good wishes to his friends in our Association. He emailed me earlier in the year to say that an article he had submitted on a previous occasion to the monthly ‘on-line’ magazine “Micscape” had been accepted. It was one of ten that “Micscape” had chosen, over the last two years, to print
I was amazed at the effort which Peter had put in. (It contained over 4,000 words and pictures). It is titled “The Lithography Business at 54 Hatton Garden: From Obscurity to Celebrity and Prolific Success”. It will be released by Amazon. It is basically the story of a bankrupt dealership in the early to mid 1850’s in London being bought by a man who formed a partnership and, eventually, other partners. They produced lithography works which encompassed portraits, rural scenes, advertising content, microscopical work, guide books, street maps and artefacts.
Peter thought his old army friends, Arthur Craig and Dave Parkinson, might find interest in his article. (Thank you Peter for your very informative Email. I probably haven’t done your article justice with my editing but we do wish you every success. I hope this finds you and Louise in good health) ——————————————- Phil McGRATH passes on his kind regards to his friends in our Association. He sent an email to say the last 12 months have been very busy with all his medical work, juggling family commitments and moving house from the southern highlands (Mittagong) back to Sydney in Lane Cove.
He has plenty of driving to do between home, Bankstown and Nepean Hospitals. His wife, Charlotte, and their two small children, Georgina (4 years old) and James (2 years old) are good. He remarked how fast time goes .
Phillip also told me that his mum, Trish had moved in February to Tweed Heads. She is now much closer to his sister, Melissa and her family, who are Gold Coast of Queensland. (Thank you Phillip, for your email. I wish you and your family all the very best. It is hard on everyone when various moves have to be made in the course of your home and working life.) ———————————— Richard FORD emailed to say he enjoys reading all our news and passes on his kind regards to all in our Association. He kindly sent this happy photo of he and wife, Dian. They are both good and keeping very busy in their retirement.
(Thank you Richard for your support and kind emails.) —————————————— (Cont. on Page 16) 16
(Cont from Page 15) Robert LIKEMAN is a respected member of our Association and is thanked for being able to assist a fellow war historian. A few weeks back I received an Email from LTCMDR Terry Feltham RAN (Ret’d). He said he was a member of the University of the Third Age (Port Macquarie) and gives regular talks to members.
He was researching into the “STENING” family of four brothers who all served during WW 2. and all were doctors of medicine. He was ‘stuck’ for photos and information on two of the brothers, viz; Sir George Stening and Warwick Stening.
I contacted our member, Jim Roche, and he steered me to Robert.
Robert is a noted writer of medical doctors in wartime, especially “The Australian Doctors at War” and “Australian Doctors on the Western Front” both covering events during WW 1.
This brings me to Robert assisting Terry. Robert has a new book called “The Thousand Doors”. It is about ALL the Medical Officers in the AIF and will cover the years from 1939 to 1942. (What an undertaking) He is hopeful of it being ‘released’ toward the end of this year. He very gladly gave Terry pertinent information which he feels might assist him with his quest on the Stenings. I understand Terry was most appreciative of Robert’s help.
During my efforts to contact Robert, I found him in Canberra. He was at the hospital and ‘over the moon’ because his daughter had just given birth to his grandson! (Thank you Robert for your help to Terry. I was glad I rang Jim Roche. Our heartiest congratulations to you and Julia on the good news of your recent grandson) ————————————— Joe CRUMLIN passes on his good wishes to his friends in the Association. He is keeping well and enjoys reading all our news. (Thank you Joe for your support, it is very much appreciated.) ————————————— Bob GRIEVES passes on his good wishes to his mates in our Association. In December last year, he and wife Daphne, enjoyed a cruise which sailed to a lot of countries. He Emailed me when they arrived back home to say he was still finding it a bit hard to adjust to ‘terra firma’.
Before he departed I asked him to keep a diary and let me know what he thought of the cruise. So far he said he took his medals for a Remembrance Service (which did not happen!) and a commitment that he would send me his story (I’m still waiting!). He did write that the passage through the Panama Canal was ‘something special’. (Thank you Bob for your Email. I fully understand how time and events get away from us. I look forward to your thoughts on you trip last year.) Jenny WEIR wrote to give her good regards to her friends in our Association. She said her family are all good. (Thank you Jenny. It is always pleasing to hear that all is well with you. We thank you for your support and encouragement.) ———————————— 17 1942. An urgent directive from the Prime Minister of Australia
Our sincere condolences are sent to our member Eugene (“Bill”) O’Keefe on the sad loss of his wife, Marie. I received a sad Christmas card from Bill to say his beloved wife had passed away last September. Marie had been in poor health the last few years. Bill kindly enclosed a memento book mark which had written on it…”God saw her getting tired, a cure was not to be, He wrapped her in His loving arms and whispered ‘Come with me’.She suffered much in silence, her spirit did not bend. She faced her pain with courage, until the very end. She tried so hard to stay with us but her fight was not in vain. God took her to His loving home and freed her from her pain. On the reverse side of the card was this beautiful poem…(Cont on Page 18) 18
(Cont. from Page 17) Our Association, and
”I thought of you today” Our si especially our committee, I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new offer its sincere condolences I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. to Fred Bell, our ASM, on I think of you in silence, I often speak your name, the sad and sudden loss of All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. his partner, Margaret Your memory is my ‘keepsake’ with which I’ll never part. Dougherty, on Monday 5th God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart. February. (With kind thanks to Bill and Creightons Funeral Services) Margaret and Fred were keen ‘fishers’ (as was evident with their boat, being hooked behind the hearse. Myself and Brian and Gail Tams represented our Association. Fred’s daughter Jody, gave us a beautiful insight into Margaret’s life. A very apt poem (below), by Delmar Pepper, titled “GONE FISHING” was a beautiful ending…. I’ve finished life’s chores assigned to me, so put me on a boat headed out to sea. Please send along my fishing pole for I’ve been invited to the fishing hole, Where every day is a day to fish, to fill your heart with every wish. Don’t worry, or feel sad for me—I’m fishing—with the Master of the sea. We will miss each other for a while but you will come and bring your smile. That won’t be long, you will see, ‘till we’re together, you and me. To all those who think of me, be happy as I go out to sea. If others wonder why I’m missing, just tell ‘em I’ve gone fishing’ ———————————— FUND-RAISER FOR 2018 We will continue with our $1 Raffle tickets until the end of the year when we will draw the winner/s name out at our end of year Reunion Luncheon at the Paddington RSL Club. (Saturday, Our committee very much appreciate your buying tickets or your very welcome donations.
Our Association has applied for a Commonwealth Grant that has become available and if we are successful it will keep the “wolves from our door”.
Our biggest concern would be the loss of our current Printer (at present we are supplied, FREE of charge about 120 copies of our magazine). This is an enormous saving to us, as at present we can finance all our postage.
In saying this, we very much appreciate all our members who accept our PDF quarterly Issues via their Emails. By the same token, if any member who receives a PDF version and would like a ‘hard copy’ please let myself or any of our committee know. ————————————— Oh Lord, please keep all the stupid people from breeding. We’re getting badly outnumbered down here.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE
(SEE PAGE 3—Alan Curry OAM CONTACT DETAILS) If you would like to join 5 Field Ambulance Association you would be made most welcome. You may have served in the unit on a previous occasion. You may feel there is a ‘connection’ between you and our Association even though you may not have served in the ADF. You are welcome. The cost is $15 per year. This entitles you to participate by telling us your story, participate in our activities and to receive our quarterly newsletter. For the RAAMC Association Inc. Are you serving OR have you served in a Medical Unit, in any capacity? This Association is a “Band of Brothers and Sisters” and is FREE to join (unless you offered a small donation to cover admin costs). Our Association encourages our members to join.
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The Final Chaplain’s Corner
(From our much loved, and recently departed, Honorary Chaplain)
Enjoying a bit of Zing
My wife likes to travel, but she needs me to be her driver and to guard the purse strings. Such was one of our trips in 2017. We spent Christmas and New Year in Sydney, where we enjoyed riding the busses and the ferries. Sight-seeing on a pensioner pass all day is cheap FUN. Then down to Nowra to do a bit of fishing for a week, and to visit some old friends.
We have a habit of going off the beaten track to see towns that we didn’t know existed. We drive down the Main Street and say, “Well we probably won’t be back here again!” This holiday we went to Nerriga which is between Nowra and Canberra. So now we can say, “Been there!” When we left Canberra, having passed through Cooma, we turned right at Nimmitabel and went to Dalgety on the Snowy River some 70 kms away. Well, we did the main street and crossed the Snowy, then came back over the bridge and drove the 70kms back towards Bombala and home. Just for the heck of it. Yes, we do such jaunts because we haven’t been there. It is one of the quirks of my wife.
Why do we do it? We enjoy seeing new places and having new experiences, and in meeting strangers we find adds a bit more colour to our lives. After all, some of us don’t want to end up wishing that we didn’t make the effort to be impressed by our country while we had the opportunity. Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm, wrinkles the soul.
What do you do to put a bit of zing in your life! One of my neighbourhood friends, and old truckie will, at the drop of a hat, drive from Victoria to visit his son at Mt Isa. He told me that he is thinking of selling his racing car, which he enters in the salt pan rallies out the back of Alice Springs, because he needs a couple of new knees and a hip replacement. But that will not interrupt his driving around the country.
Have you got a project on the go, or are you sitting on the porch wasting away. Someone penned these words called BOREDOM Nothing wishing - Nothing risking Others strenuously fair - Not I
Jesus was about putting the zing back into people’s lives. On a number of occasions he spoke to people and gave them a new lease on life. In the home of a wealthy business man he said, “Today salvation has come to you”. This man had made the wonderful discovery about himself, and it turned his life around. Zacchaeus was his name. Read his story in the New Testament Luke chapter 19: verses 1 – 10. On another occasion Jesus spoke to a woman who was fetching water from a well, and to her he said, John Chapter 4 verses 13 & 14 “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." Read the full account in John’s Gospel chapter 4 verses 4 – 43.
Many times the Zing we are looking cannot be found in our travels or what we do or acquire. It is a Spiritual emptiness that only Jesus can fill. I believe that it is worth the energy to check out who Jesus is and the claims he made about himself. You only have a couple of options. Ignore Him, or investigate Him for yourself. If what he says can be disproven then follow that course. But if you can’t fault him then you still have two choices. Reject Him or believe Him. It is that simple. The choice is yours.
Brian Hogan Honorary Chaplain 1 20 ROSES (Thanks to our Email friends. Purported to be credited to the late Jack Benny)
Each year he sent her roses The owner answered, and I know it must be lonely and and the note would always she asked him if he would the pain is very real say explain and if it was the other way, I I love you even more this Why someone would do this know how I would feel. year than last year, on this to her, and causing her such day. pain? The love we shared made everything so beautiful in My love for you will always “I know your husband life. grow with every passing passed away more than a I loved you more than words year, year ago, can say—you were the She knew this was the last The owner said—I knew perfect wife. time that the roses would you’d call, and that you You were my friend and appear. would want to know, lover. You fulfilled my every need. She thought, he ordered The flowers you received I know it’s only been a year roses in advance before this today were paid for in but please try not to grieve. day. advance, I want you to be happy, Her loving husband did not Your husband always even when you shed your know that he would pass planned ahead, he left tears, away. nothing there to chance. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years. He always liked to do things There is a standing order When you get these roses, early, way before the time. that I have on file down think of all the happiness Then, if he got too busy here, that we had together and everything would work out and he has paid, well in how both of us were fine. advance—you’ll get them blessed. every year. She trimmed the stems and I have always loved you and placed them in a very There is also another thing I know I always will, special vase, that I think that you should But, my love, you must go Then, sat the vase beside know, on. You have some living the portrait of his smiling He wrote a special little still. face. card—he did this years ago, Please…try to find That, should ever I find out happiness, while living out She would sit for hours in that he’s no longer here, your days. her husband’s favourite That’s the card that should I know it won’t be easy but I chair. be sent to you the following hope you find some ways. While staring at his picture, year.” and the roses sitting there. The roses will come every She thanked him and hung year and they will only stop. A year went by, and it was up the phone. Her tears now When your door is not to live without her mate… flowing hard. answered when the florist With loneliness and solitude, Her fingers shaking, she stops to knock. that had become her fate. slowly reached to get the card. He will come five times that Then, the very hour, the Inside the card she saw that day, in case that you’ve door-bell rang and there he had written her a note. gone out, were roses sitting by her She stared in total silence But after his last visit he will door! and read what he had know without a doubt wrote… She brought the roses in To take the roses to the and just stared at them in “Hullo my love, I know it’s place where I’ve instructed shock, been a year since I’ve been him, Then went to get the gone, And to place the roses telephone to call the florist I hope it hasn’t been too where we are—together shop. hard for you to overcome. once again.
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THE “NIGHT WITCHES” OF WW 2 (With kind thanks to member, John Davies via Email, and Wikipedia) In June 1941, the Axis powers, under the direction of their Nazi leader, Adolph Hitler, launched “Operation Barbarossa”. This was an enormous invasion intent on capturing Soviet Russia. It was the largest invasion force in the history of warfare and involved about four million personnel invading western Soviet Union, over a 2,900 klms front. Over 600,000 motor vehicles were utilised as well as between 600,000 and 700,000 horses! This offensive marked an escalation of the war, both geographically and in the formation of the Allied Coalition.
In October 1941, Marina Raskova, petitioned Russia’s leader, Josef Stalin, to allow her to form “an all- female fighting squadron. (Marina was the Soviet Union’s first female navigator and was known as “The Soviet Amelia Earhart”, she had also created long distance flying records). She had received many requests from females who wanted to join the war effort and fight against the Nazi’s. Many of them had lost mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters in this early onslaught by the Nazi’s. Until this point, women were not allowed to be combatants.
Because of the massive German assault and the gains they were making, Stalin issued orders to allow the formation of three ‘All Female Fighting Squadrons. From over 2,000 applicants, 400 were selected for the three squadrons. Their ages ranged from 17 to 26. They were moved to the small township of Engels in the northern part of Stalingrad to begin training at the Engels School of Aviation.
Each recruit underwent many months of an intense training schedule in flying, navigating, maintenance and ground crew. Training that would normally take soldiers about two years to master. They also had to overcome sexual harassment and scepticism from their male combatants who thought they added no real value to the combat effort! They endured long nights and gruelling conditions.
The military were unprepared for women pilots and they were offered meagre resources. They were issued with ‘hand-me-down’ male flying uniforms and boots which they had to ‘stuff’ with torn bedding to make them fit! The planes were no better. Outdated Polikarpov Po-2 Bi-Planes. They were 1920’s crop-dusters that had been used as training vehicles. The planes were made out of plywood with canvas pulled over. They were 2-seater, open cockpits and never meant for combat. The pilots were exposed to the elements as the planes offered virtually no protection.
Flying at night, pilots endured freezing temperatures, wind and frostbite. The planes would become so cold in the harsh Russian winters that if a metal part came in contact with their skin, it would tear flesh.
Due to the planes limited weight capacity, and lack of funds, the female pilots never had the luxury of their male counterparts, such as parachutes, radar, guns or radios. They were also forced to use rudimentary tools like rulers, stop-watches, pencils, flashlights, maps and compasses! The upside, if one could say this, was their planes were slower than the ‘stall’ speed of their Nazi opponents. This meant they could manoeuvre faster thus making them a harder target to hit. They could also take off and land from most locations.
So the 588th Fighting Regiment started their first night air attack against the Nazi’s on June 8th 1942, less than 12 months from when they first commenced their training. Their first successful raid was against the HQ of the Nazi invaders!
The Regiment would send up 40 two-person crews each night. The pilot would sit in the front and the navigator sat behind. Each crew would execute between eight and eighteen mission per night, flying back to re-arm between runs. Very few planes had guns and each plane could only carry two bombs (one under each wing). The weight of the bombs forced the planes fly at a lower altitude, making them an easier target, hence the night missions. When they came under enemy fire the pilots would dive. If a tracer bullet hit them their plane would catch fire because the bullets contained a pyrotechnic charge on contact. (Cont on Page 22) 22
(Cont from Page 21) They travelled in ‘packs’. The first planes would go in as bait so as to attract the enemy searchlights, they would release flares to light up the intended enemy targets. The last plane would idle its engine and glide in darkness to the bombing area.
The stealth mode of the gliding aircraft made an eerie “whishing” sound. The Germans called them “Nachthexen” (Night Witches) because the sound their plane made was like that of a sweeping broom! Their planes were too small to show up on the enemy radar or infrared locators. The Germans feared and hated them. Any German pilot who was credited with downing a “Night Witch” was automatically granted the prestigious Iron Cross Medal! The Germans had two theories on the “Night Witches” They were all criminals and their punishment was to be sent to the front lines, or they were given special injections to enable them to see in the dark!
Marina Raskova, the leader of the movement, was killed in action on 4th January 1943. Her plane never made it. Altogether these heroines flew more than 30,000 missions (800 per pilot and navigator). They lost 30 pilots and 24 of the flyers were awarded the title “Hero Of The Soviet Union”. Marina Raskova was given the first-ever State Funeral and her ashes were buried in the Kremlin. They were the most highly decorated unit in the Soviet Airforce.
Their last flight took place on May 4th 1945 when they flew within 60 klms of Berlin. The “Night Witches” were disbanded six months after the end of WW 2. A big Victory-Day Parade was held in Moscow, albeit without 588th Regiment—the reason given was that their planes were too slow!! —————————————— DAWN SERVICE-PRE-ANZAC DAY
The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway Committee, through the office of their coordinator, M/s Alice Kang, have invited our Association to attend this special event..
To any member who lives in the Sydney area and may not be able to attend the Sydney march, please feel free to come along and stand behind our banner.
The committee have arranged tea/coffee to be available afterwards.
DETAILS: are
DATE & TIME: Sunday. 22nd APRIL. 5.30am DRESS:Gents-Lounge Suit/Jacket & Tie, Beret, Name Badge, Service Medals. Ladies as appropriate. ————————— POEM -Train to Win not Fall Always is the pain and horror of war no different from all generations before Nor changed is the bible of self-preservation for all, Still the battle cry screamed at recruits “train to win; not fall’
Our military is now under fire from politically correct fools For them, war’s a game where they ignore proven rules Such amateurs cannot read past lessons, even in bright light. Besides, far better with heads in the sand to appease, not fight
A curse on Canberra’s recruit quotas to please a few No matter who, selecting on merit is what you must do Common sense demands soldiers who are the best The smartest soldier from any quota may not pass the final test Special badges and pandering to some is now a space age trend However, if you seek unity, it’s a dangerous message to send In war it’s all about the team facing danger together. Obeying Gods with chevrons despite fear, hunger, thirst, or weather Unity and mateship are the keys. Mid gore, blood, and mud, there’s no time for diversity On the Field of Mars, soldiers will be required to risk all. Always going forward if “all for one and one for all” is the call
Combat is the ultimate test for discipline and caring for each other. Where the best of the best become true sisters and brothers. Forget quotas and rules for “them and us” at the starting gate War is “horses for courses” where all must carry the same weight George Mansford ©October 2017 23 5 Health Company Develop their 'Sea Legs'
Late last year a call came out from the Commander of the 5th Brigade (5 BDE) to assist with sea trials for HMAS Canberra. This was met with a flurry of interest and for a two week period, at the end of 2017, soldiers from 5 BDE were invited aboard the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Flagship, HMAS Canberra to assist with the conduct of ship's readying activities.
The group, consisting of approximately three companies of soldiers from across the Brigade, being supplemented by a Health Training Team (HTT) sourced primarily from 5 Health Company (5 HLTH Coy), 5th Combat Service Support Battalion (5 CSSB).
The Senior Instructor, and administrative commander for the HTT was MAJ Leigh Easterbrook, a reservist currently posted to 5 BDE HQ, an Intensive Care Paramedic with NSW Ambulance.
The team included the 5 HLTH Coy CSM, WO2 Glen Watson, SGT John Dickie, LCPL Rhyse Vaughn, PTE Scott Blanch and PTE Matthew Smith, a new soldier from 5 HLTH Coy’s, Canberra Detachment. PTE Ellen Seneager and CPL Lawrence Harrigan from 1st Health Company also joined the team.
Health Training included the back-to-back running of four Army First Aid (AFA) courses for soldiers from across the Brigade. Each course had up to 40 participants, which combined with tight timeframes and different training environments presented unique challenges to the training team.
The AFA course is an all-corps soldier course held over 5 days; covering medical and traumatic emergency treatment as well as simulated combat injury scenarios. A small team of Navy personnel were also trained by the team.
This tasking provided members of the company with an insight into Navy life, with the HMAS Canberra taking part in a series of wider RAN exercises including; a resupply at sea, drills for fires, air combat and surface warfare. During the time on board, the HTT were able to work with medical personnel aboard, augmenting their response in a simulated Mass Casualty Scenario. Whilst the ship is over 200m in length, accommodation was cramped-but still far more comfortable than a pit or shell scrape. A range of pictures and media releases can be found by searching for the '5 Brigade-Australian Army' Facebook page.
(The above story with kind thanks to LCPL Rhys Vaughn and all members who took part)
When I was a boy my mum would send me down to a corner store with ten shillings and I’d come back with five potatoes, two loaves of bread, three bottles of milk, a hunk of cheese, a packet of tea and six eggs. You can’t do this anymore—too many security cameras! 24
A proud supporter of 5 Field Ambulance Association LATE SUBSCRIPTIONS A gentle ‘reminder’ to our members who pay yearly ($15). We rely on your subs to keep our magazine in circulation. When you read this and if you are not sure if you have paid your $15 would you kindly phone or email me and I will let you know if you are ’up to date’ with your subs. With our kind thanks, Alan Curry (0427824646, (02) 4982.2189 or email:- [email protected] 25
Barry SAINSBURY is a good friend and neighbour of Ruth and I. He lives in the same Retirement Village as us.in Anna Bay (NSW) When I got to know Barry and saw his surname was Sainsbury I immediately thought he was a relative of our late member, Morrie Sainsbury. He wasn’t but the strange thing was that his dad, Edward James Sainsbury, served in WW 1 with 2 Field Ambulance. He was wounded in Belgium in 1917. He was in the
Militia after the war and studying to be a dentist. He was a sergeant prior to 1932 and when WW 2 broke out and he joined up with 5 Field Ambulance as a Captain dentist. He discharged as a Major. I recorded Barry’s very interesting life, as follows.
When Barry read one of our newsletters he wanted to join us. He has fond memories of his dad, in Dress Blues and his mum by his side as they attended a Formal Dinner at Victoria Barracks with 5 Field Ambulance, in the 1950’s.
Barry missed out on being called up in any of the wars involving our country. He was born in February 1928. His primary schooling was with west Marrickville primary school and he started his first high school in Newtown (called North Sydney Junior Technical High School) but mum thought it better for him to attend Sydney Grammar!. Barry did not like this school (he was never “bullied”) but he could not “settle down”. He said he always felt like an ‘outsider’! He was in their School Cadets and he played rugby union for the school. Two years was all he could stand and he ‘ran away from home’ when he was 16 years of age. Barry had seen an office in Pitt Street advertising for “Boys on Farms”. He signed up (without his mum or dad’s permission) and secured a place on a NSW property at Lochiel and later to the nearby township of Pyramul in the Mudgee area. Barry was here for some time.
One day he was ploughing a field and nearly fell off the plough when he spotted his mum, in company with her neighbour, coming towards him! They hugged, and his mum asked if he was coming home. He said yes and was home that Christmas and back with his family. Barry’s mum, at that time, was sick. She passed away in 1945
He re-enrolled back at North Sydney Tech but, again, could not settle down. He left school before obtaining his School Certificate. He found employment as an apprenticed tool maker with Riga Products in Marrickville. He liked his trade very much and completed all his studies at the Ultimo Tech College. He obtained his trade certificate in 1949 and promptly left Riga Products with the intention of working his passage, on a ship, to America. He applied for a job with the Hoegh Shipping Line in Sydney. It was a Norwegian Shipping Company and they had about ten ships that travelled all over the world.(Cont. to next page)
OUR ASSOCIATION IS ON FACEBOOK Any member who has a computer and has access to the Internet can now visit our ‘Facebook’ page. We thank our committee member, Ann Jackson, for ‘opening up’ another avenue to connect to our members who are already on Facebook. We also would like to reconnect with any past member.
‘Admin’ will then accept members to that group. Our group will be a ‘closed group’ which means only members of the group can see ‘posts’. [email protected].
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(Cont. from Page 25) He got a job as a ‘greaser’ to do all the dirty work in the engine room. Barry did not care. He loved jazz and all he ever wanted was to go to America! His first ship was the “Silver Crest” and he was on this ship for about 12 months. At 21 years of age, the world was his oyster! He visited Singapore, Suez, Cape town, Alexandria, Egypt, Genoa, Naples but Barry said the most memorable port of all was Beirut in Lebanon—it was known as the “Paris of the Mediterranean”
Barry’s dream came true when his ship berthed in New York in late 1949. When he went ashore he saw this big advertisement “Benny Goodman and his band at the Capitol” He arrived at the Capitol and Benny Goodman did say ’Hullo’ to him albeit briefly, but his piano player, Buddy Herman, took him down to 52nd Street to the “Black Orchard”. Barry was in New York for about ten days. He was taken to “Bop City” where he listened to Gene Kruper and many others.
Barry has very many happy memories of his time at sea, on a variety of cargo ships. His last trip was as a Mess Steward on a Norwegian freighter bound for Sydney. The Mess was in a bad state but by the end of the trip Barry had replaced all the chipped and dirty crockery and repainted the entire Mess Room. When it was time to leave the ship for good, the Captain offered Barry a position as 4th Engineer. He was well-liked by both Officers and Crew.
On his return home he became closer to his girlfriend, Marjorie and they married in the Wesley Methodist Mission, near the Lyceum Theatre, in Pitt Street, Sydney in 1951. and rented a flat in Darling Point until 1954. They left the flat to live back in Marrickville in Barry’s dad’s rented flat due to the fact that Barry’s dad had just passed away and the savings on the rent was a blessing.
By this time, Barry was a Planning Engineer with BMC and during his service with BMC, he was asked to go to their UK Plant in Birmingham. This was in 1961.
Marjorie, although she supported Barry with his job because they both knew it would be of great help financially, she was apprehensive of being on her own with their two sons, Scott was now seven (born in 1955) and Adam was just six months old (born in 1962).
Barry went to England but he could not get used to the cold weather and in the course of changing employment a few times he ended up in Guyana, overseeing aspects of Alcan’s Aluminium operations. A memorable moment here was being invited to Rita Khan’s wedding (a prominent family in George Town) and being introduced to actor, Michael Cain’s future wife, Shakira Basch (She was a Miss Guyana). Barry never got to meet Michael!.
Barry was lonely without his family and asked his firm to let his family come over and live with him. They agreed and Marjorie and the boys joined Barry in 1965. They had been apart for three years and Barry was overjoyed with their reunion. Their two sons had three years schooling in Guyana before political unrest saw Guyana become a Republic. Marjorie noticed many subtle changes EG being ‘jostled’ in the street and hostile looks etc etc..
Barry decided to leave Guyana with his family in late 1968 and head back to Sydney. Marjorie flew back and was happy because she was able to enrol their sons in Newington College on their return.to Sydney. Barry finalised his affairs with Alcan and was offered a job as 2nd Engineer on a ship called the “Doroti Seconda”, (it was a freezer cargo ship) which was sailing for New York. It was a 4-weeks journey which was wracked with generator problems for the entire trip, with frequent stop-overs for repairs. At one stage the crew had to ‘jettison’ the entire deck cargo of freezer products because they had gone rotten!. When the ship berthed in New York, Barry ‘signed off’ and flew back to Sydney.
After arriving home, in Sydney, Barry obtained a position with Nahwal, a mining equipment building company in Smithfield. At this time Barry and his family were now living in Hunters Hill. Barry retired from work in 1993 at 65 years of age. (Cont. on page 27) 27
(Cont from page 26) He and Marjorie thought it would be a good investment to purchase a small business like a post office or a marina-type business in one of the north coast regions so they made their way up north. They travelled right up the Queensland coast and came back down and bought a duplex in Tin Can Bay (about 200klms north of Brisbane. It was in Crabtree Road and right on the water. Marjorie was not very happy in Tin Can Bay and they eventually rented it out and came back to Sydney (after about 6 years).
At that time, Marjorie had got sick with a lung infection and was diagnosed with cancer in Gympie Hospital. That is when they decided to move back to Sydney. This was in the late 1990’s. Barry sought further treatment for Marjorie at RPA and was attended to by the top surgeon. It was to no avail as Marjorie’s cancer was inoperable. She passed away on Australia Day, 2000.Barry was at her side.
After Marjorie died Barry sought friendship and solace with his drinking mates at his nearby club (Gladesville Bowling and Sports Club). It was during this period that a mutual friend (Wendy) introduced Barry to a Betty Doolan. Betty and Wendy played bridge together. Betty’ was a war widow as her husband was a WW 2 veteran and had passed away many years earlier. Betty lived in Ermington so Barry ‘downsized’ from Hunters Hill and also bought a home in the nearby suburb of Dundas. Barry and Betty became very good friends. Barry gives great credit to Betty for stopping the spiral he was on, after Marjorie died.
Barry never lost his passion for racing cars (he had built his own racing car and had been racing since 1952) and would enter quite a few of the ‘race meets’ at Wakefield Park in Goulbourn, at Eastern Creek and at Lakeside in Brisbane and the Brisbane Race Way. Betty did not come to many meetings because she was nervous of Barry getting injured. In fact, Barry had a bad accident in 2013 (when he was 85!) so this finished his days of competition motor racing.
Betty, at this stage, decided to move from Ermington to Port Stephens and bought a unit in Harbourside Haven, in Fingal Bay. This prompted Barry to move to the same area. He sold his home (in one day) in Dundas and bought a house in Ocean Beach Road in Shoal Bay. He bought it ‘on the spur of the moment’ because he loved the location, but he soon realised that the steep driveway and the many stairs he had to climb every day was a decision he regretted.
He sold Shoal Bay and eventually found the retirement village that he is in now. He is very happy here and has made a great many friends. He is about a ten minute’s drive from his friend of 18 years, Betty.
Just recently Barry celebrated his 90th Birthday with all his friends and his two sons and their families, with Betty and her family and friends, at the Soldiers Point Yacht Club. (It has been a pleasure to be a friend to Barry and for him to allow me to introduce himself to you—his fellow Association members. We sincerely welcome Barry as an Associate Member) ——————————————- SICK PARADE Bob BUTLER, Derek CANNON, Kevin CARTER , John CLEGG, Barry COLLINS OAM, Roy CROSSLEY, Gordon CURTIS, John DAVIES, George DONNELLY, Gavin DRISCOLL, Nelson FIORENTINO, Garry FLOOD, Richard FORD, Joe GATTY, MAJGEN Warren GLENNY AO, Gordon GRANT, George HARRIS, Norma HUTTON (Minnamurra Aged Care, 12-14 Clements St, Drummoyne NSW 2047), Ken ILES, Vic INESON, Brian INMAN, Terry IRVINE, Ann JACKSON (nee Williams), Neville JOHNSON, John LAYHE, Robert LOVE, Huss MAHOMET, John McCARTHY, Hugh (Macka) McCARTY, Ken McNUFF, Peter O’GRADY, Mike O’KEEFFE, Chris O’REILLY, Barry & Heather PERIGO, Karen PHILLIPS (nee Stead), Bob REID, Alan ROBINSON, Diana ROTHFIELD, Robert SHILLINGSWORTH, Stephen STANSFIELD, Rob STEWART, Judith STRACHAN, Harry STRONG, Natalie SWAN (nee Lloyd), Irene TROY, Keverell TURNBULL, John WEAVER, Bruce WHITTET, Warwick WILKINSON, John WILSON and Margaret WOODHEAD.
SIGNS Its hard to forget someone In a bar...If you are drinking to forget please pay in advance. In a Driving School...If your wife wants to learn to drive—don’t who gave you so much to stand in her way. remember Behind every great man ...there is a surprised woman. Laugh and the world laughs with you...Snore and you sleep alone. 28 ITEMS OF INTEREST (1) Books, Magazines etc. (Received with kind thanks from members and other sources.) (i) Tobruk House News (Feb, Apr 2018) (courtesy, Reg Lawrence) (ii) The National Serviceman (Dec 2017)….(courtesy, Ron Brown OAM) (iii) Reveille (NSW Nov/Dec 2017)…(courtesy, Alan Curry OAM) (iv) Frontline 1st & 2nd/19th Official Journal …(courtesy, Bob Pink OAM) (v) Shrine Of Remembrance Newsletters…(courtesy, Rayda Noble) ——————————————— (2) Cher Ami (with kind thanks to Noel Christensen-via email) In WW 1, during the Battle of the Argonne in 1918, a company of the US Infantry’s 77th Division was being shelled, both by the enemy and by their own side! They were unable to call off their own artillery which was inadvertently assisting the Germans in ‘pasting’ them. Their position was hopeless.
In desperation, the Company Commander released three carrier pigeons. The first two were shot down and the third, Cher Ami, was also hit after its release, and fell to the ground wounded. He, somehow, struggled back into the air and reached his objective. His actions saved nearly 200 American soldiers that day. Cher Ami recovered from its injuries and was fitted with a wooden leg. General Pershing awarded the bird the Croix de Guerre and personally farewelled it on its voyage home. Cher Ami had delivered 12 messages during The Battle of Verdun. He died of wounds on 13 June 1919 and became an exalted member of the Pigeon Racing Hall of Fame.
He is one of 600 birds used in the course of WW 1. The taxidermist has him in a glass case in the Smithsonian Institute with an inscribed plate which reads…”In 1918 a carrier pigeon saved 194 American soldiers by delivering a message to nearby support, despite being blinded in one eye, shot through the breast, covered in blood and with a leg hanging by just a tendon” ————————————- (3) USS LEXINGTON FOUND. (with kind thanks to my neighbour, Leon Fitzgerald) A search team, led by the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen, has located the missing aircraft carrier from WW 2, USS Lexington. She, along with another Aircraft Carrier, USS Yorktown was involved in a battle, against three Japanese Aircraft Carriers in the Coral Sea . The battle started on May 4th 1942 until May 8th 1942. It was the first time that no land forces were involved. It was ships and aircraft from their carriers.
The ship was located at a depth of 3,000 metres. It was approximately 800 klms off the east coast of Australia. She was so badly damaged that she was purposely sunk by another US vessel at the end of the battle. 200 sailors lost their lives when their ship was attacked, but many more were rescued by other US vessels prior to her being sunk. The “Lexington” was carrying 35 aircraft when she went down.
This search team also previously discovered the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis, which was also sunk by a Japanese submarine, in the Philippine Sea, in July 1945. —————————————— (4) TRANSIT SECURITY ELEMENT TRAINING. 50 Soldiers and sailors have just completed a rigorous training course at HMAS Cerberus. The training involves defence tactics and boarding party activities on how to board and secure a suspicious vessel and defend themselves at close quarters. This is all part of “Operation Resolute” (a jointly commanded civilian/military border protection operation—since July 2006). The ADF contribute RAN Ships, RAAF Aircraft, and patrols from the Australian Army’s Regional Force Surveillance Units. (Deployed personnel may be eligible for the Operational Service Medal for Border Protection) ———————————— (5) “PROJECT PAX” Is an initiative to be started in Banjup WA. They are calling for VOLUNTEERS to restore a former wartime minesweeper—”RV PAX”. The finished result will see a “floating men’s shed” for veterans who have suffered mental or physical illness as a result of their ADF service. Once the vessel is restored it will be used for veterans’ activities like fishing trips, scuba diving, sightseeing etc. If you would like to volunteer, please give Phil a call on 0414.783.677 OR Email; [email protected] ——————————-(Cont on Page 30) 29
(Cont from Page 28) (6) SGT WILLIAM WESTBURY-DEDICATION SERVICE: William was an indigenous soldier. He served in the Boer War and in WW 1 at Gallipoli. His Dedication Service was held 82 years to the day he died, at Pinnaroo SA. It was attended by members of the local community, indigenous elders, representatives of the South Australian Government and members of the Australian Defence Force.
The RSM of 9 Brigade, WO 1 Craig Cook, said he was proud that his unit provided the Catafalque Party for the Service. He said….”To me it’s about the history and the heritage of our army. These are stories that need to be told”
William served in South Africa during the second Boer War. Then, at age 37, he enlisted in the AIF in August 1914. He landed on Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915 with the 10th Battalion. He was shot in the ankle and evacuated. He got fit and returned to the battle in the August offensive. William went on to serve on the Western Front with the 50th Bn and they suffered heavy casualties in the “Battle of Mouquet Farm” in 1916.
Two other members of the Catafalque Party, PTE’s Joerin and Holly, remarked that it was important to research and recognise indigenous Australians for the service they volunteered. They said that SGT Westbury’s service was, and always will be, a true example of what soldiers strive to be like, whether you’re male or female, black or white. William was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and The British Service Medal.
After the war he became involved with local sporting clubs and the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. A line from his obituary (which was read at the service), written in 1936, said...William was one of nature’s gentlemen ————————————— (7) CHANGE YOUR LEGAL NAME (NEW FORM AE 795) Members of the ADF and Public Service employees and contractors are advised that this new form will minimise the effort when changing your legal name. Completing the form allows the following:-PMKeys, Everybody Database, Corporate Directory update, Personnel Security Administration Management System database update, CT account update, New Defence ID (Defence Common Access Card), New Defence Travel/Purchasing Card ——————————————- (8) ARMY’S COMMITMENT TO THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY CADETS The Deputy Chief of Army, MAJGEN Rick Burr AO DSC MVO recently addressed a Cadet Commander’s Conference at *HMAS Harman and reinforced Army’s commitment to the Australian Army Cadets. He said …”The Cadet program provided a valuable link into the Australian community for Army. The Cadets help our youth become better people and this is the best outcome for Army and, most importantly, for society. Creating better citizens is Army’s legacy for the Army Cadets. Army’s strategy for the Cadets is to deliver safe, well-governed cadet programs that will help create an environment that will strengthen Army’s image and standing within the broader community”.
He also took time to talk to the National Cadet Under Officer, Sam Elias from Perth and National Cadet Sergeant-Major Jazymn Coonan from Wangaratta (Vic). These two cadets provide a direct link from Command AAC to DCA. * (HMAS Harman is in Canberra. It was established in the 1930’s, on 250 hectares of land, as a wireless/transmitter station. It was commissioned as a “Stone Frigate” (Admin Base) in 1943. It currently hosts Army and RAAF Reserves, as well as all three branches of the ADF Cadets) ——————————— (9) PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION FOR VETERAN’S REHAB AND COMPENSATION: The Federal Government has announced an inquiry will be established to to review the system of veteran’s Compensation and Rehabilitation. It will examine whether the system is ‘fit for purpose’ now and into the future. This follows the Government’s response to a Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, on suicide of veterans and ex-Service personnel. The Commission will also review the governance arrangements, administrative processes and service delivery of the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio. Public consultation will be undertaken and is encouraged. The Inquiry is expected to take about 15 months. —————————————— 30
“WOJTEK” (A BEAR IN WW 2) (with kind thanks to my old work mate, Jim Donovan, and Wikipedia) In 1942, in Iran, Polish soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish 2nd Corps, found a bear cub! They ‘adopted’ him and named him “Wojtek”. The soldiers fed and cared for him. They taught him to smoke cigarettes and drink beer.
On the long journey from Iran to Palestine ‘Wojtek’ would sit around the camp fire, eat and drink with the soldiers and sleep in their tents!
He grew very big and drew surprised looks from any one who observed him sitting in the front seat of the truck he was travelling in. He loved wrestling with his soldier friends.
Because the British High Command did not allow for pets or animals in camps, the Polish army formally enlisted Wojtek into their ranks. He was assigned a serial number and given the rank of Private. He was included in all official unit rosters.
The highlight of Wojtek’s service came during the Battle of Cassino when he hand-carried boxes of ammunition, some weighing over 100lbs, from the supply trucks to the artillery positions on the front lines. His actions were so inspiring that the unit changed its official sleeve insignia to a picture of Wojtek carrying an armful of Howitzer ammunition.
After the war, some elements of the Polish army were re-assigned to Scotland and since Poland was under Soviet control many Polish soldiers did not like the prospect of living in a Soviet-run police state.
Wojtek lived out his remaining days in the Edinburgh Zoo. He always ‘perked up’ when he heard the Polish language spoken by zoo visitors. He was always visited by old army mates from his unit. Some would throw him a cigarette or even jump into his pen for a playful wrestle Wojtek was a hero in WW 2. There are statues and plaques, memorialising his brave service, in Poland, Edinburgh, the Imperial War Museum in London and the Canadian War Museum. Wojtek passed away in 1963. He was 22 years old.
KIND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (Please advise us if you have NOT been acknowledged) Gavin DRISCOLL (Cheque $100) for Donation Ray GREENFIELD (Cash $30) for Subs to 2018 Brian INMAN (Cheque $20) for Subs $15 and Donation $5. Chris O’REILLY (EFT $20) for Subs $15 and Donation $5. Tom PRITCHARD (EFT $100) for Donation. Barry SAINSBURY (Cash $15) for new Associate Member Subs. SMITHFIELD RSL Sub Branch (EFT $250) for renewal of Ad for 12 months. Paul TERAWSKYJ (EFT $15) for Subs. Rhys VAUGHN (EFT $100) for Life Membership. Don WALKER (Cheque $25) for 25 X $1 Raffle Tickets. Darren WATERSON (EFT $70) for Centenary Polo Shirt. 31 ACTIVITY SHEET (Please advise your choice/s. Any item ordered includes postage) Please find enclosed my Subs for 2018 ($15) (cover from January to December) or LIFE
MEMBERSHIP ($100) or Donation (See my details below). I would like to pay for ____$1 Raffle Ticket/s in our Yearly Fund-Raiser
Please post me a “Surplus” Newsletter @ $7 each. (If available) Please send me____”Special Edition” 2015 Centenary Calendar/s @ $7 each.
Please order me a Centenary “POLO” Shirt (with pocket) @ $70 each. SIZE______.
Please order me____copies of the DVD of our 50th AND/OR 100th Anniversary Parade @
$20 ea. (The 50th also includes a brief history of the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance) Please send me____ RAAMC Centenary “Coin and Token” set/s @ $30 each. Please send me a RAAMC coat/jacket Lapel Pin for $15.
Please send me a RAAMC Red Cross Arm-Band @ $10 each. (7 left)
Please send me a 5 Field Ambulance RAAMC KEY RING ($20). (With my membership number on it, if possible.) Please ORDER me a NAME BADGE ($20)
Please ORDER me a (XL/Large/Medium/Small) BERET ($40),*BERET BADGE ($23),*LAPEL
BADGE ($7), *CORPS TIE ($50) ---please indicate size of Beret & whether Badges/Ties are to be RAAMC, RACT or RAEME.
Please send me a copy of “Little by Little”--- A Centenary History of the RAAMC by Dr. Michael
Tyquin (Army Historian). @ $70. (1 left)
(Please make any Cheques/Money Orders etc payable to:- “5 Field Ambulance Association” and post to either:- Alan Curry OAM (Hon Sec) 35/1a Gordon Cl., ANNA BAY NSW 2316 OR Brian Tams (Hon Treas.), 453/1 Scaysbrook Dve., KINCUMBER NSW 2251—All acknowledgements will be in our next issue.
Our EFT details are: BSB: 637000, Account Number: 717253825, Account Name: 5th Field Ambulance
Association, BANK: Greater. (Please Identify your name) COMMENTS/ORDERS ETC: FROM:______CONTACT No:______MONEY ENCLOSED $______
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A proud supporter of 5 Field Ambulance Association