The Magazine Summer02.Cdr

Army Museum of Western Australia the magazine Artillery Barracks Burt Street, Fremantle, WA 6160 Phone: (08) 9430 2535 Email: [email protected] Open 11 am - 4 pm Fax: (08) 9430 2519 Web: www.armymuseumwa.com.au Wednesday - Sunday Autumn 2012

Museum volunteer Wes Olson’s latest book was launched at the Army IN THIS EDITION Museum, before a large crowd of veterans, family and friends. Pictured above left are 2/11th Battalion veteran Gordon Williams (centre), his wife Ÿ Ron “Specs” Fuller retires - Joy and fellow veteran Gordon Arthur Leggett (right). Page 2. Story and more pictures Page 3. Ÿ AMWA contributes to special WA Museum MUSEUM FOUNDERS LOOKING FORWARD exhibition commemorating TO YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT AT AMWA East Timorese help to Australian diggers in Ww2 - Page 8. he founder of the Army museum moved to Fremantle in Ÿ TMuseum of WA, Brigadier Bill 1995 and was reopened in August of Film honouring WRAAC Jamieson, and his wife Norma, who that year. The upgrades taking place and RAANC members founded the museum’s women’s this year are outlined by AMWA scheduled for premiere at auxiliary, are looking forward to Foundation Chairman George Sulc Campbell Barracks in April - seeing the result of the current on Page 6. Page 5. development work at the Artillery Pictured left: Bill and Norma Barracks. Bill retired as Jamieson in the garden of their Commander, 5th Military District, in Dalkeith home this week and, What is that? 1978, but not before he had set the below, in 1994 with Norma’s wheels in motion for the commendation from the Chief of establishment of the museum, the General Staff for her dedicated originally at Dilhorn, in Perth. The service to the women’s auxiliary, which provided much-needed funding for the establishment of the museum. There’ll be a detailed account of their work in the next edition of The Magazine.

Clue: It’s the pointy end of the modern version of an ancient weapon, in our Post-45 Gallery. Answer: Back page. “We take the King's shilling, Birds of a feather . . . oops . . . plume! we do the King's bidding!” Former cavalrymen farewell “Specs” OLD MAXIM CATALYSES WORK ON HISTORY OF THE 2/11th BATTALION

line from an old Scottish folk sale. song was the catalyst needed for Wes and his wife Dale, the Amuseum volunteer Wes Olson to museum's administration manager, bite the bullet and start work on a acquired three old books at an SCF project he'd been planning for some sale. time. “People used to put money in Author Wes Olson, above right, with Wes, who has now written three books books, so I decided to have a quick Willagee MLA Peter Tinley, who on Australian military history, including look through these,” Wes said, launched the book. a substantial tome on Gallipoli that was “and in one of them was a 1966- published last year, had long mintage £10 note – the Queen's Independent Rifle Company at contemplated a definitive history of the shilling!” Karrakatta. 2/11th Battalion - “Battalion into Battle The book was previously owned by “It had links with the 11th Battalion of - the history of the 2/11th Australian a 2/11th veteran, Jack Mott. WW1, as well as the 2/11th in WW2,” Infantry Battalion 1939 - 1945". It was enough to inspire him to he said. The 2/11th was the first Western action and he threw himself into Wes paid tribute to the help he Australian battalion raised for service the task of researching and writing received from a range of organisations overseas during the Second World War. the battalion history. and individuals, including the Australian Army History Unit, eteran QuarterMaster Ron appreciate it running your life Its formation began with the “The book provides a much fuller Department of Veterans Affairs, the “Specs” Fuller has retired from again,” he said. “I want to enjoy appointment of its first commanding framework, from the time the Army Museum of WA, fellow military theV Army Museum, after seven years myself.” officer on 13 October 1939 and by 7 battalion was formed to the time it November it was assembling at the broke up,” Wes said. historians Neville Browning and Ian Army Museum of Western running the museum QM store and Above: Ron Fuller (left) with Northam Camp to begin training. “My story - and the reason for the Gill and Steve Little, of Quality Press. Australia Foundation inventory. AMWA Manager Maj It formed part of the 6th Australian book - starts in the Army Reserve The book is available from the Army Ron (aged 71) spent 35 years in the HenryFijolek, Assistant Management Division of the Second Australian as a 17-year-old in the 11th Museum Shop. Australian Army, mostly in the Manager Capt Wayne Gardiner Imperial Force and saw action in Libya, armoured corps, and served overseas and volunteer Monte Museum Manager Greece and Crete in 1941. in Vietnam and Singapore. His last Montefiusco and the Major Henry Fijolek A large number of the battalion's posting was as QM of the 10 Light museum’s Leopard tank. The Museum Assistant Manager personnel were killed or captured on Horse Regiment at Irwin Barracks. Captain Wayne Gardiner four were members of the 10th Crete and and it was rebuilt in Palestine The King's shilling His QM qualifications and experience Museum Curator Light Horse Regiment. at the end of 1941, before returning to Oh my love has left me wi' bairnies served him well when he joined the Mr Robert Mitchell Below: Foundation Chairman Australia in 1942 to help fight the Army museum, which was restricted twa George Sulc and Graham Japanese. For a time the battalion was in its access to the Australian Army's AMWA Foundation Board McLure after a farewell assigned to the 2nd Brigade, a formation And that's the last o' him I ever inventory and stores system. Ron set Chairman presentation to “Specs”. made up largely of soldiers from the saw up the museum's own Mr George Sulc Militia, carrying out defensive duties in system, which earned He's joined the army and he Deputy Chairman Western Australia, however, it was later him the thanks and Mr Ken Walker transferred to the 19th Brigade in marched awa' respect of the museum Treasurer Queensland and in 1944–45 it took part He took the shillin' manager, Maj Henry Mr Alan Jennings in the Aitape-Wewak campaign before Fijolek, as well as that He took the shillin' and he Directors being disbanded at Puckapunyal on 7 of the staff and Mr Joe McKenna December 1941. marched awa' volunteers. Changes to Mrs Carole Temple At the launch of Wes's book, he spoke of Come laddies come, hear the the Army's system of Mr Tom Goode the immense amount of research needed ordering and indenting cannons roar Company Secretary: to gather facts for this and his other stores, which now must Mrs Dale Olson books. He found that old military books Take the King's shilling an' be done through were often a source of information that we're off tae war Above: author Wes Olson Canberra, helped Ron Editor, The Magazine supported his research in more and the “Queen’s shillin’” to decide it was time Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar Graeme Hunt prominent repositories, such as the for him to pursue other hank you for passing this Australian War Memorial and the Army Take the King's shilling an' we're off tae war interests. Please send all letters and Museum of WA's library and archives. “When you've spent 35 years in the edition of The Magazine contributions to the editor, T And one of the sources of such books is From an old Scottish folk song. [email protected] army and you get out, you don't to your family, friends and neighbours. the Save the Children's Fund old book Page 2 Page 3 BUILDING AND DEVELOPING A FORMER WRAAC AND FILM MAKER JOIN D Coy 11/28th FORCES TO CAPTURE “FASCINATING STORIES” Battalion RWAR tours CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE OF WOMEN IN WARTIME AND PEACE Army Museum locally-made documentary, "Lady Soldiers", which was inspired by By Robert Mitchell, Curator Athe 60th Anniversary of WRAAC and RAANC members last year. is wenty members of D Company, scheduled to premiere at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, in April. n the hustle and bustle of our daily education team, support materials and 11/28th Battalion, led by their and convey that understanding in a the great adventure for West T routine as museum volunteers, we programs have been developed to add Former WRAAC and teller of Officer Commanding, Major Gary I way that excites or challenges. The “ordinary people's” stories, Lyn Kane Australians of flying all the way to sometimes overlook just how much value to learning and school visits. Bailey, visited the AMWA in ongoing curatorial work of our Dale, and Samantha Bergersen, Sydney from Perth, the difficulties things have changed over the past Working with the Research Centre, December. keepers focuses on just that and cinematographer, are making the of adjusting to army life and year. As we near the end of a well reference documentation has been Museum Assistant Manager, Captain records the information through documentary. homesickness in the early days. selected to provide a direct interaction Wayne Gardiner, and AMWA deserved break over the holiday object data sheets and our Australian In February this year Lyn was one of They talk of doing jobs that they season, it is perhaps timely to reflect with the themes and individual stories Foundation Board director and gallery Army History Unit supplied EMU 450 former WRAAC and RAANC loved, learning to live in barracks guide, Graham McEwan took their on what has been achieved in the presented in the galleries. Our collections management software members who attended the 60th with complete strangers, making Army Reserve visitors on a two and a vision of the Army anniversary, at the former WRAAC great friendships, many of which half hour tour. Museum of Western School in Sydney, commemorating endure today, and being given Most had never been to the museum Australia as a centre of the founding of the Women's Royal responsibility at a very young age, before and were unanimous in their excellence for Army Australian Army Corps. Lyn made a which they appreciated. A nurse praise of the quality of the displays, history. quilt to mark the anniversary and tells of her experience working especially the new Post 1945 Gallery. In November, I attended presented it to the WRAAC with medevac patients during the They also appreciated the opportunity a dinner at which the Association of NSW. Hundreds of Vietnam War, another young to see the current World War Two Museums Australian women signed it on the back to mark woman worked in Signals in Gallery before it closed in preparation G a l l e r y N a t i o n a l the occasion. Singapore in the 1970s. Others for the new gallery to be opened in Awards (MAGNA) Lyn handed out flyers asking women were scattered all around Australia August. were announced. The to contact her and tell their army and they tell of interesting, funny At the end of the tour, Capt. Gardiner, Army Museum of stories. More than 30 responded and and sometimes sad times. One on behalf of the AMWA and the Western Australia's Post eventually she recorded the memories young woman's husband died of Australian Army History Unit 1945 Gallery was a of 16 women whose army stories will malaria in Vietnam without ever (AAHU) presented Maj. Bailey with a short listed finalist. be told in the film with their voices in seeing his baby daughter who was set of the AAHU Campaign series A m o n g t h e o t h e r the background, and, on the screen, born 2 days after he left Australia. publications for the 11/28th Battalion institutions nominated photographs and other memorabilia His 24 year old widow was left to and each member who visited also for the awards were the interspersed with some film taken at bring up their child on her own. received the AAHU publication “The She has never remarried. The Australian National the reunion in Sydney in February. Australian Army – A Brief History.” women talk of romances and Maritime Museum, the The stories are fascinating. The marriages and sadness at having to Powerhouse Museum, which is currently being updated. In CORRECTION education and learning programs women tell of the excitement at being leave the army when they wanted the Art Gallery of NSW, the n our Christmas edition, we have credibility because they are the this way the Army Museum is keeping away from home for the first time and to marry. Some tell of being army referred to the launch of the book Australian War Memorial and the “real thing” and meet the needs of current with evolving standards for wives and going on overseas I “Gallipoli to Tripoli - the unit history Jewish Holocaust Centre – teachers and students, as the recent museums and collection care. postings with husbands and of the 10th Light Horse”. honourable company indeed. This attendance of more than 30 teachers at Improving the experience children to Malaysia, problems The book was launched by Major reflects the standard of achievement an in-service program demonstrates. On arrival at the Museum, visitors are being married to Vietnam veterans, Geoff Craggs the Officer of the Army Museum when its efforts Behind the scenes in the Conservation given an orientation with an up to date marriage breakups and life after Commanding A Squadron 10th Light are judged at a national level. Workshop, our large technology brochure and guide. On departure they the army. The common thread Horse and not by Captain Wayne The Post 1945 Gallery does not stand objects are being conserved through a are able to purchase memorabilia and running through their stories is that Gardiner. Capt Gardiner's role was as alone as a curatorial exercise. The planned program. New additions like they had to stand on their own two publications relevant to their gallery the Master of Ceremonies for the Gallery would not work without the Leopard tank continue to expand feet. All express gratitude that the experiences. All of these elements launch. attendants and guides to animate the the collection. One of the papers training and experience they had in reflect a coordinated approach to Captain Gardiner has not acted as a exhibits through stories, insights and the army led them to much better presented at the recent Museums providing the best experience possible consultant to the 10th Light Horse commentary. As a Museum team we jobs after their discharges. Australia National Conference for our visitors. It is an experience that Unit History Collection (UHC) as can be justly proud of the fact that our outlined how large technology items continues to improve as new galleries this collection is not part of the Of the 16 women Lyn interviewed training programs have kept pace added a dimension of scope and scale are planned and brought on line and Australian Army History Unit, 14 will be flying in from all over with gallery development. A to the gallery presentations. existing support and services are however both Major Henry Fijolek Australia for the April premiere of standardised course has ensured a Provenance and significance are key upgraded. It is something in which we and Capt Gardiner have offered “their” film. consistent and accurate presentation to our understanding of collection all can participate and add to the guidance and advice to the UHC As one commented “Who'd have across all of the galleries. objects and the stories associated with achievement. over the years when asked by 10 thought we would be film stars at Support programs add value them. If our objects are to engage with Light Horse to do so. Above: Lyn Kane Dale, with a our age!” With the establishment of an visitors, we must understand them WRAAC quilt she made to We regret the error and apologise to By Dale Olson celebrate the 60th anniversary. those involved. BUILDING AND DEVELOPING A FORMER WRAAC AND FILM MAKER JOIN D Coy 11/28th FORCES TO CAPTURE “FASCINATING STORIES” Battalion RWAR tours CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE OF WOMEN IN WARTIME AND PEACE Army Museum locally-made documentary, "Lady Soldiers", which was inspired by By Robert Mitchell, Curator Athe 60th Anniversary of WRAAC and RAANC members last year. is wenty members of D Company, scheduled to premiere at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, in April. n the hustle and bustle of our daily education team, support materials and 11/28th Battalion, led by their and convey that understanding in a the great adventure for West T routine as museum volunteers, we programs have been developed to add Former WRAAC and teller of Officer Commanding, Major Gary I way that excites or challenges. The “ordinary people's” stories, Lyn Kane Australians of flying all the way to sometimes overlook just how much value to learning and school visits. Bailey, visited the AMWA in ongoing curatorial work of our Dale, and Samantha Bergersen, Sydney from Perth, the difficulties things have changed over the past Working with the Research Centre, December. keepers focuses on just that and cinematographer, are making the of adjusting to army life and year. As we near the end of a well reference documentation has been Museum Assistant Manager, Captain records the information through documentary. homesickness in the early days. selected to provide a direct interaction Wayne Gardiner, and AMWA deserved break over the holiday object data sheets and our Australian In February this year Lyn was one of They talk of doing jobs that they season, it is perhaps timely to reflect with the themes and individual stories Foundation Board director and gallery Army History Unit supplied EMU 450 former WRAAC and RAANC loved, learning to live in barracks guide, Graham McEwan took their on what has been achieved in the presented in the galleries. Our collections management software members who attended the 60th with complete strangers, making Army Reserve visitors on a two and a vision of the Army anniversary, at the former WRAAC great friendships, many of which half hour tour. Museum of Western School in Sydney, commemorating endure today, and being given Most had never been to the museum Australia as a centre of the founding of the Women's Royal responsibility at a very young age, before and were unanimous in their excellence for Army Australian Army Corps. Lyn made a which they appreciated. A nurse praise of the quality of the displays, history. quilt to mark the anniversary and tells of her experience working especially the new Post 1945 Gallery. In November, I attended presented it to the WRAAC with medevac patients during the They also appreciated the opportunity a dinner at which the Association of NSW. Hundreds of Vietnam War, another young to see the current World War Two Museums Australian women signed it on the back to mark woman worked in Signals in Gallery before it closed in preparation G a l l e r y N a t i o n a l the occasion. Singapore in the 1970s. Others for the new gallery to be opened in Awards (MAGNA) Lyn handed out flyers asking women were scattered all around Australia August. were announced. The to contact her and tell their army and they tell of interesting, funny At the end of the tour, Capt. Gardiner, Army Museum of stories. More than 30 responded and and sometimes sad times. One on behalf of the AMWA and the Western Australia's Post eventually she recorded the memories young woman's husband died of Australian Army History Unit 1945 Gallery was a of 16 women whose army stories will malaria in Vietnam without ever (AAHU) presented Maj. Bailey with a short listed finalist. be told in the film with their voices in seeing his baby daughter who was set of the AAHU Campaign series A m o n g t h e o t h e r the background, and, on the screen, born 2 days after he left Australia. publications for the 11/28th Battalion institutions nominated photographs and other memorabilia His 24 year old widow was left to and each member who visited also for the awards were the interspersed with some film taken at bring up their child on her own. received the AAHU publication “The She has never remarried. The Australian National the reunion in Sydney in February. Australian Army – A Brief History.” women talk of romances and Maritime Museum, the The stories are fascinating. The marriages and sadness at having to Powerhouse Museum, which is currently being updated. In CORRECTION education and learning programs women tell of the excitement at being leave the army when they wanted the Art Gallery of NSW, the n our Christmas edition, we have credibility because they are the this way the Army Museum is keeping away from home for the first time and to marry. Some tell of being army referred to the launch of the book Australian War Memorial and the “real thing” and meet the needs of current with evolving standards for wives and going on overseas I “Gallipoli to Tripoli - the unit history Jewish Holocaust Centre – teachers and students, as the recent museums and collection care. postings with husbands and of the 10th Light Horse”. honourable company indeed. This attendance of more than 30 teachers at Improving the experience children to Malaysia, problems The book was launched by Major reflects the standard of achievement an in-service program demonstrates. On arrival at the Museum, visitors are being married to Vietnam veterans, Geoff Craggs the Officer of the Army Museum when its efforts Behind the scenes in the Conservation given an orientation with an up to date marriage breakups and life after Commanding A Squadron 10th Light are judged at a national level. Workshop, our large technology brochure and guide. On departure they the army. The common thread Horse and not by Captain Wayne The Post 1945 Gallery does not stand objects are being conserved through a are able to purchase memorabilia and running through their stories is that Gardiner. Capt Gardiner's role was as alone as a curatorial exercise. The planned program. New additions like they had to stand on their own two publications relevant to their gallery the Master of Ceremonies for the Gallery would not work without the Leopard tank continue to expand feet. All express gratitude that the experiences. All of these elements launch. attendants and guides to animate the the collection. One of the papers training and experience they had in reflect a coordinated approach to Captain Gardiner has not acted as a exhibits through stories, insights and the army led them to much better presented at the recent Museums providing the best experience possible consultant to the 10th Light Horse commentary. As a Museum team we jobs after their discharges. Australia National Conference for our visitors. It is an experience that Unit History Collection (UHC) as can be justly proud of the fact that our outlined how large technology items continues to improve as new galleries this collection is not part of the Of the 16 women Lyn interviewed training programs have kept pace added a dimension of scope and scale are planned and brought on line and Australian Army History Unit, 14 will be flying in from all over with gallery development. A to the gallery presentations. existing support and services are however both Major Henry Fijolek Australia for the April premiere of standardised course has ensured a Provenance and significance are key upgraded. It is something in which we and Capt Gardiner have offered “their” film. consistent and accurate presentation to our understanding of collection all can participate and add to the guidance and advice to the UHC As one commented “Who'd have across all of the galleries. objects and the stories associated with achievement. over the years when asked by 10 thought we would be film stars at Support programs add value them. If our objects are to engage with Light Horse to do so. Above: Lyn Kane Dale, with a our age!” With the establishment of an visitors, we must understand them WRAAC quilt she made to We regret the error and apologise to By Dale Olson celebrate the 60th anniversary. those involved. Tenders called for next With special thanks to: THEN AND NOW phase of upgrade Our supporter Our Community Pictured anti-clockwise from below: By George Sulc, Chairman Veterans of the 2/28th There have been several advances Battalion, Peter Salmon in the past few weeks. (left) and J.J. Wade, at a Firstly, tenders for phase three of ceremony marking the 70th the museum upgrade, the anniversary of the Siege of redevelopment of the colonial, Tobruk at the Australian War POW and WWI gallery, have been Memorial in Canberra; the called. The closing date for tenders same duo ready for is 5 April 2012 and we are looking embarkation for the Middle for quality tenders that will further East in 1941; J.J. Wade, enhance our standing as a world And our sponsors president of the 2/28th Bn class facility. Association, presents a copy of “Tobruk to Borneo”, the A meeting has been held with association’s newsletter, to senior representatives of War memorial historian, Dr Karl Search for pictures, memoirs and Lotterywest to view progress of the James; and a captured German Braun WWII gallery and to outline to 50mm cannon, restored and on display them the concept plan for the phase at the War Memorial. artefacts as veterans prepare for three redevelopment. Our patrons and members of the new edition of unit history board viewed the concept plan embers of the 2/28th updated and revitalised book. He said developed by BKAY Design and Battalion and 24th Anti-Tank a sub-committee had been established outlined future plans for the CompanyM Association are seeking to take on the task of assembling museum. We hope Lotterywest will donations of old photographs and material for the new edition and to consider further funding for the other memorabilia and official or check the text for accuracy and museum. personal letters and documents in anomalies that had come to light over Mr Graham McEwan the lead-up to a rewrite and reprint the years. A meeting has recently been held of the 2/28th unit history. One of the committee’s first tasks is with representatives of the In a plea to members and families to review and complete the unit’s Fremantle Dockers to make association president J. J. Wade said nominal roll. arrangements for the Len Hall the original history, “The Second It would also investigate the football match. This year the game 28th”, written by Brigadier Phil availability of better-quality images will be held on Friday 27 April Masel, an original officer of the and previously unpublished images 2012, not ANZAC Day as it was battalion, was first published in and accounts of the unit before last year . We will be calling on 1961 and had been reprinted twice. embarkation and in the Middle East. volunteers to assist with fund “It has served us well as a definitive “I can assure all contributors their raising prior to the game. Each history written by a soldier who submissions will be treated with volunteer assisting will receive free was in the thick of battle in both respect and returned to them after the entry to the game. Last year the Tobruk and Borneo,” Mr Wade book is published,” Mr Wade said. proceeds of fundraising were over said. Anyone who wishes to contribute $5,000 and we hope do better this “Phil Masel led 30 daylight and 15 should contact the association year. night patrols, all in carriers, in secretary, David Warren Tobruk, which must have been a ([email protected]), or Planning for this year's concert is record for the siege. well under way. The Concert Hall “”He served as the has been booked and a meeting has battalion’s adjutant at El been held with the bandmaster. Alamein, and an instructor James Morrison has also been at LHQ Tactical School in booked for what will be another Beenleigh, Qld, before successful concert. We hope that as rejoining the unit in Borneo,” many volunteers Mr Wade said. as possible will He said the original history attend what had been popular and the last promises to be edition, in January 2000, had another sellout been sold out long ago and it event. was time to look at an Page 8 Tenders called for next With special thanks to: THEN AND NOW phase of upgrade Our supporter Our Community Pictured anti-clockwise from below: By George Sulc, Chairman Veterans of the 2/28th There have been several advances Battalion, Peter Salmon in the past few weeks. (left) and J.J. Wade, at a Firstly, tenders for phase three of ceremony marking the 70th the museum upgrade, the anniversary of the Siege of redevelopment of the colonial, Tobruk at the Australian War POW and WWI gallery, have been Memorial in Canberra; the called. The closing date for tenders same duo ready for is 5 April 2012 and we are looking embarkation for the Middle for quality tenders that will further East in 1941; J.J. Wade, enhance our standing as a world And our sponsors president of the 2/28th Bn class facility. Association, presents a copy of “Tobruk to Borneo”, the A meeting has been held with association’s newsletter, to senior representatives of War memorial historian, Dr Karl Search for pictures, memoirs and Lotterywest to view progress of the James; and a captured German Braun WWII gallery and to outline to 50mm cannon, restored and on display them the concept plan for the phase at the War Memorial. artefacts as veterans prepare for three redevelopment. Our patrons and members of the new edition of unit history board viewed the concept plan embers of the 2/28th updated and revitalised book. He said developed by BKAY Design and Battalion and 24th Anti-Tank a sub-committee had been established outlined future plans for the CompanyM Association are seeking to take on the task of assembling museum. We hope Lotterywest will donations of old photographs and material for the new edition and to consider further funding for the other memorabilia and official or check the text for accuracy and museum. personal letters and documents in anomalies that had come to light over Mr Graham McEwan the lead-up to a rewrite and reprint the years. A meeting has recently been held of the 2/28th unit history. One of the committee’s first tasks is with representatives of the In a plea to members and families to review and complete the unit’s Fremantle Dockers to make association president J. J. Wade said nominal roll. arrangements for the Len Hall the original history, “The Second It would also investigate the football match. This year the game 28th”, written by Brigadier Phil availability of better-quality images will be held on Friday 27 April Masel, an original officer of the and previously unpublished images 2012, not ANZAC Day as it was battalion, was first published in and accounts of the unit before last year . We will be calling on 1961 and had been reprinted twice. embarkation and in the Middle East. volunteers to assist with fund “It has served us well as a definitive “I can assure all contributors their raising prior to the game. Each history written by a soldier who submissions will be treated with volunteer assisting will receive free was in the thick of battle in both respect and returned to them after the entry to the game. Last year the Tobruk and Borneo,” Mr Wade book is published,” Mr Wade said. proceeds of fundraising were over said. Anyone who wishes to contribute $5,000 and we hope do better this “Phil Masel led 30 daylight and 15 should contact the association year. night patrols, all in carriers, in secretary, David Warren Tobruk, which must have been a ([email protected]), or Planning for this year's concert is record for the siege. well under way. The Concert Hall “”He served as the has been booked and a meeting has battalion’s adjutant at El been held with the bandmaster. Alamein, and an instructor James Morrison has also been at LHQ Tactical School in booked for what will be another Beenleigh, Qld, before successful concert. We hope that as rejoining the unit in Borneo,” many volunteers Mr Wade said. as possible will He said the original history attend what had been popular and the last promises to be edition, in January 2000, had another sellout been sold out long ago and it event. was time to look at an Page 8 Special exhibition marks 70th anniversary of exploits of commando forces in little-known East Timor campaign

he Western Australian TMuseum’s new exhibition Debt of Honour: Australia’s First Your museum Commandos and East Timor, is open at the Perth Cultural Centre needs YOU! until May 20. he annual Len Hall football Culture and Arts Minister John Day match, hosted by our community said the exhibition detailed the T Timor and many dedicated their post partners, The Dockers, will be played extraordinary efforts of the 2/2nd war years to repaying this ‘debt of on April 27 this year, two days after Independent Company in East Timor honour’ Mr Day said. ANZAC Day. We need volunteers to during World War II and the enduring He said this commitment to the collect donations (rattle the tin!) at friendships between the soldiers, their people of East Timor had become an Fremantle Ova to boost the museum families and the people of East Timor. enduring legacy for many of the funds. If you can spare a couple fo “This year marks the 70th soldiers and their relatives who hours pre-match to help s out, you’ll anniversary since the campaign was continued to provide assistance and receiove in retun complimentary spearheaded by 270 Australian maintain the friendships forged tickets to the match. soldiers, mostly recruited from WA,” during the war. Please contact us on 9430 2535 if he said. “This is a remarkable group of men you can help. “Against all the odds, this courageous and this fascinating exhibition is a group of men undertook a hit and run fitting tribute to their remarkable campaign that successfully diverted story,” he said. more than 10,000 enemy troops from The Army Museum the Kokoda and Guadalcanal battles.” of Western Australia Lacking supplies the soldiers relied contributed part of its on support from the people of East collections and Timor who risked their lives to help advice to the WA the Australians, providing food, Museum for this shelter and information. One soldier exhibition. said if it wasn’t for this assistance the After the Perth 2/2nd would not have lasted a week season, the exhibition against the more numerous Japanese will tour museums forces. The relationship between the throughout Australia. soldiers and the local youths was one Pictured Above: of enduring mateship and respect and Director of Public the soldiers of the 2/2nd felt they and Regional Museum, James Dexter, kneeling owed their lives to the people of East Services at the Western Australian beside an exhibition panel of his father, David Dexter. David Dexter served in the 2/2nd Independent Company. Left: The Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day with (from left to right) Alec Coles, CEO of Western Australian Museum, Paul Bridges, exhibition co-curator, Stephen Anstey and James Dexter, Director of Public © Images courtesy of Western Australian Museum.

What is that? It’s the business end of an 81mm mortar, part of our Post- 45 Gallery collection.

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