Vol. 50, No. 1 (New Series) AUTUMN 2020

THE GALLIPOLI GAZETTE

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB LTD

The Siege of Malta

Historically, the island of Malta, was a military and naval fortress, and in World War Two was the only Allied base between Gibraltar and Alexandria in .

The fight in World War Two for base for offenses against Axis pre-war conclusion that the island the control of the strategically shipping and land campaigns in was indefensible. The Italian and important island of Malta, then a the central Mediterranean. Due to British surface fleets were evenly British colony, saw the navies and its exposed position close to Italy, matched in the region, but the air forces of Italy and Germany the British had moved the Italians had far more submarines battle Britain’s Royal Navy and headquarters of the Royal Navy’s and aircraft. Only the 35-year old Royal Air Force (RAF) from June Mediterranean Fleet from the HMS Terror and a few British 1940 to November 1942. Maltese capital, Valetta to submarines were still based at the In peacetime, Malta, an island Alexandria in October 1939, and island. 27 kilometers long and 14 so removed the naval protection. The start of the North African kilometers wide, was a way This caused the Maltese campaign in June 1940 opened a station on the British trade route Government to question Britain’s new front in WW2 and increased to Egypt, the Suez Canal and the interest in protection of the Malta's already considerable ports of India and South East Asia. people from being overrun. strategic value, with Winston When the route was closed by There were hardly any Churchill calling the island “an war, Malta remained a forward defenses on Malta because of a unsinkable aircraft carrier”

Map of Malta

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Editorial………..

This edition has a diverse most decorated war hero who On a brighter note, we hear of offering of articles ranging from rose from to senior officer the considerate German pilot a changing of the guard at the within the four years of war. Franz Stigler whose honourable Australian War Memorial From World War Two we look action allowed American pilot following the retirement of the at the siege of Malta by Axis Charlie Brown to return to his tireless Dr Brendan Nelson to forces and the heroics of the British base and how decades linked articles by Bruce McEwan Maltese people, reinforced by a later Brown tracked Stigler down about Australia’s military prodigy personal recollection, and revisit in his new home in Canada. Douglas Marks and one of his the allegations leading to the Locally, its Gallipoli Art Prize superiors, Harry Murray VC. controversial Court Martial of time again with the exhibition Marks met an unfortunate but Coastwatcher John Joseph moving to the Merrylands RSL valiant end soon after the war Murphy after the Papua New Club. finished. Murray was Australia’s Guinea campaign.

The Gallipoli Memorial Club Creed We believe..

That within the community there exists an obligation for all to preserve the special qualities of loyalty, respect, love of country, courage and comradeship which were personified by the heroes of the and bequeathed to all humanity as a foundation for perpetual peace and universal freedom.

President’s Report

The club has not been trading now for over two years, and will not be doing so for perhaps another year. The Annual General Meeting will again be held at the Harbour View Hotel on 15 April 2020 commencing at 11:05. There will be the AGM of the Club and the Museum Fund as well as two Special General Meetings to deal with proposed changes to the Articles of Association of the Club and the Museum Fund. Refreshments and Food will be available following the meetings. I would like to especially thank Brian Perry and the staff at for their generous support. The Gallipoli Art Competition 2020 will be held in the Exhibition Space at Club Merrylands RSL with the official opening at lunchtime on 17 April 2020 and running until 4 May. Refreshments and Food will be available. All members are encouraged to attend the opening or support the exhibition. I would like to acknowledge and thank Bryn Miller, Jane Smith and the staff at Club Merrylands RSL for their generous and ongoing support. We continue to support the Gallipoli Scholarship and the Board will be proposing a new class of membership to this end at the AGM. The refurbishment of the club building at 12-14 Loftus St is proceeding and is on time. The new slate roof has been installed. The conservation works on the Eastern and Western facades is almost complete. The sandstone having been cleaned repaired/replaced where necessary has come up surprisingly well. The structural timber and steel work has been completed. The new internal staircase has been installed as have a number of the new timber windows. The Museum space under 2-10 Loftus St. is currently occupied by site offices of the builder. Both sites should be ready for occupation by September/October 2020, however Development Approvals would not see us completing the fit-out until early 2021. The Building Committee continues to meet regularly with AMP Capital and the builder for negotiations, progress reports and site inspections.

John Robertson President

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A Personal Reflection:

Maltese born Dr George Boffa of Sydney was a child at the time of the siege. He reflects on the Siege of Malta:

The Hotel Point de Vue, on the escarpment just outside the walls of Mdina, the old capital of Malta, was one of the messes of the fighter pilots. The other pilots' billet was at the Xaghra Palace inside the Mdina ramparts, the old city which well predated the arrival of the Knights of Malta in 1530. When the hotel was hit, pilots were killed. lt seemed to be a deliberate planned attack. Very accurate and deadly! Someone insisted that the enemy knew who lived there. Somebody told them! The damage to the front of the hotel and inside was very bad indeed. Several pilots were dead. One of them, severely mutilated, was dead at the piano with his head blown off. The pilots were not only our heroes, they were our friends. Their shoulder tabs denoted their origins; Australia, Canada, New Zealand...countries of the Empire. For a long time after the war ended, I sometimes wondered why they befriended us, boys of nine, ten, eleven. Many years later in Australia, particularly when meeting country people it dawned on me, the pilots looked upon us as substitutes of the kid brothers they had left behind...brothers who they would never see again! The young men who fought in the sky over Malta to protect us were held in high esteem by the local population; they were greeted warmly wherever they went. We prayed for their safety as the vibrating noise of aero-engines and the sound of unrelenting battle penetrated everywhere, even deep down into the shelters. Those daring and gallant pilots fought under conditions which taxed their stamina and morale and decimated their numbers. The stories are endless and the memories of those days remain sharp and haunting. There was an aura of fatality about Malta and its warriors. The recollections bring a realisation that what happened in our islands belongs to history. Young pilots, on both sides in the war, would die in the battle over our skies; some to be buried in our fair land, some to fall at sea and have no known grave like the young pilot who fell to the North West of Zonqor Point. I met his parents in an emotional moment ten years after his death. There was also Giuseppe Simonetto whose story we heard from his nephew, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, born the year after his death and named after him. What passing doleful bells would toll for them? Only the monstrous anger of the cannon, only the stuttering rapid rattle of machine guns would patter out their sudden, untimely deaths. Prayers and bells and the voices of mourning would mix with the choirs, the harsh demented choirs of wailing shells and the shrill, piercing whistle of falling bombs. Far, far away bugles would call to wounded hearts round empty graves. "The pallor of girls' brows will be their pall, and each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds." (Wilfred Owen). In the heart of boys like me, who saw and wept in stunned grief, a candle of memory was lit and stays alight, burning bright and warm for every Australian for several years on Remembrance Day and Anzac March …… until death comes.

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Continued from page 1.

as British air and sea forces on heavy casualties for both sides. El Alamein and the conflict Malta could attack Axis ships During the siege, the main port, refocused on the Vichy French held transporting vital supplies and Grand Harbour around which one- territory of Morocco and then reinforcements from Europe. fifth of Malta’s population lived, Algeria and Tunisia. German General Erwin Rommel, suffered 3,000 bombing raids as Immediately, Allied air and sea the operational head of Axis forces Germany longed to take the island forces operating from Malta went in North Africa, warned that to support an Axis amphibious on the offensive; 230 Axis ships "without Malta the Axis will end by landing. However, the Allies within six months thereby losing control of North Africa". prevailed and so reinforced Malta. underpinning Allied victory in the The Axis resolved to starve or The siege ended in November North Africa campaign. bomb Malta and its 250,000 1942 after a major convoy, code- The last Axis air raid over Malta inhabitants into submission. It named Operation Stoneage occurred on 20 July 1943. It was attacked cities, towns and ports, reached Malta from Alexandria the 3,340th alert since 11 June and any Allied ships heading to virtually unscathed. At this time 1940. resupply Malta which resulted in the Allies won the Second Battle of

HMS Terror

George Cross

The George Cross for civilian courage, the civilian equivalent to the Cross and the second highest award of the British honours, was awarded to the island of Malta by King George VI "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger”. The King wished to "bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people" during the siege.

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Matt Anderson is new War Memorial Director

Mr Matthew Anderson is the new Director of the Australian War Memorial, replacing the retiring Dr Brendan Nelson.

In announcing his replace- “For years to come Dr ment, Dr Nelson said Mr Nelson’s legacy will be seen as Anderson possesses all the the new building extension. requisite personal and prof- However, his underlying legacy essional qualities necessary to will be that he harnessed the lead the Memorial through its energy and the spirit of those development. who work at the Australian War “Beyond his sharp intellect, Memorial into a dedicated, strong work ethic and humility, efficient and highly motivated above all else he brings to our family that was responsible for nation’s most iconic and loved achieving the outcomes of the institution empathy for young visions that he set,” Mr Stokes veterans and the ability to tell said. their stories. He is the right “We will all miss him and his person for this role,” Dr Nelson enthusiasm but he has paved the Matthew Anderson said. way for the next Director to AWM Chairman, Kerry Stokes continue to evolve the Australian welcomed the appointment of War Memorial, as the guardian of Mr Anderson as Director. the values we hold dear as “At a critically important time, Australians — in this crucible that this appointment is what the is in fact a cathedral of the spirit Memorial, veterans, their families of the nation.” and Australians need. With a Mr Anderson has been Deputy military background and High Commissioner to the United extensive experience in Kingdom since 2016 with the leadership, management and Department of Foreign Affairs diplomacy, Mr Anderson brings and Trade (DFAT). He is also a empathy for young veterans and former Ambassador to the telling of their stories.” Mr Afghanistan and High Stokes said. Commissioner to the Solomon Mr Stokes praised Dr Nelson’s Islands and Samoa. Prior to Kerry Stokes personal dedication, joining DFAT he spent eight years distinguished leadership and as an Officer, strategic vision which have including three years as Troop played a pivotal role in the Commander, Royal Australian successful operation of the Engineers (1988–1991) and four Memorial. years as a Careers Adviser with “Throughout his tenure, the the Soldier Career Management Memorial has further advanced Agency in (1992– as a world-class institution, 1995). Mr Anderson was awarded significantly increasing public the Public Service Medal for his engagement and awareness of role in leading the humanitarian the service and sacrifice of and consular response to the current and former serving 2009 Pacific tsunami. members of the Australian Mr Anderson has a Bachelor Defence Force and their of Arts in International Relations families,” Mr Stokes said. and Strategic Studies from Deakin Dr Brendan Nelson

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University, and a Master’s Degree that Dr Brendan Nelson would with the selection advisory panel in Foreign Affairs and Trade from leave the Memorial at the end of unanimous in their recommen- Monash University. He is also a 2019, a nationwide search was dation of Mr Anderson. Graduate of the Royal Military conducted to find a suitable Dr Brendan Nelson is to College, Duntroon. replacement. A merit-based become the next President of Following the announcement selection process was undertaken Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

Australia’s shortest court martial deliberation

Probably the shortest court martial deliberation in Australian military history, of only 50 minutes, was that at Lae in 1946 of former Coastwatcher, Captain John Joseph Murphy.

As with many young volunteered in mid-1943 for Britain. Murphy, now promoted Australians in the 1930s, John service with the Allied to Captain, faced a walk of over Murphy trained in Sydney to Intelligence Bureau (AIB) and 100 kms through jungle. He become a Patrol Officer for the became one of these believed he had insufficient Administration of Papua and Coastwatchers. These men hid time, so opted to go as far as New Guinea. in the jungle, observed possible by sea. By the time the Japanese Japanese military movements By the time he arrived at his invaded PNG in early 1942, and radioed their observations designated post, his batteries Lieutenant John Joseph Murphy to a central AIB office as were flat. It was while engaged was a member of the New valuable military intelligence. in picking up the new batteries Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR). During the nights of that Murphy and his team were He was soon seconded by the September 28-29, 1943 an betrayed. Australian New Guinea American submarine landed A native sent to fetch Administrative Unit (ANGAU) as three coast watcher parties at a scout, guide, field intelligence carriers returned accompanied Cape Orford in New Britain with by Japanese soldiers. After a and native liaison officer. He orders to set by up the end of brief battle near Awul, Murphy played a vital role with Kanga November and be able to radio was captured and his men, Force in operations around Wau back warnings of Japanese air Lieutenant Francis Barrett and and Bulolo, and, was mentioned attacks on the American Sergeant Bert Carlson, and two in despatches for “gallant and military landings at Arawe and natives were killed. Murphy distinguished services South- Cape Gloucester in West New spent the rest of the war as a West Pacific Area”. He prisoner of the Japanese, participated in repulsing the first Japanese assault in including a year at the Tunnel Papua New Guinea at Mubo. Hill Camp in Rabaul that the As the Japanese took over, POWs had to dig out of the Murphy along with many volcanic pumice stone hillside. other Patrol Officers who, Murphy became the camp’s knowing the local geography, senior fit officer. Only seven of proved very useful by the original 63 prisoners in the returning to their former Tunnel Hill camp survived. By areas as Coastwatchers from the end, Murphy was the only 1942 onwards. Murphy Australian.

Murphy, pictured in August 1942 (far right), was mentioned in despatches for assisting Australian troops in campaigns near Wau. (Credit: AWM 013146)

Continued page 8.

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2020 GALLIPOLI ART PRIZE

The Gallipoli Art Prize Organising The Gallipoli Art Prize will be The Gallipoli ArtPrize Organizing Committee invites any eligible awarded to the artist who best Committee, C/-Merrylands RSL, artist to submit a painting for the depicts the spirit of the Gallipoli 8/12 Miller Street, Merrylands acquisitive Gallipoli Art Prize to Campaign as expressed in 2160, between the hours 10AM be administered by the Gallipoli theClub’s Creed. (See page 2) and 4PM on Sunday 15, Monday Memorial Club Limited. The submitted work must be 16, Tuesday 17, and Wednesday First prize money of $20,000 is original work and not have 18 March 2020. awarded to the artist of the previously entered in this or any It is intended that a selection of winning entry subject to the other competition and is not to finalists’ works, to a maximum of conditions on the entry form. exceed in size four square metres forty, will participate in a public Each competitor must either and being not smaller in size than exhibition at the Merrylands RSL have been born in Australia, New 38 cm by 30 cm. It should commencing Thursday 16, April Zealand or Turkey or hold preferably be produced on to end on Sunday 3, May 2020 Australian, New Zealand or canvas or similar material. between the hours of 10AM to Turkish citizenship. Artwork does not need to reflect 4PM every day. The Club’s acquisition of the work warfare or the Gallipoli conflict. For full details and entry form and its copyright will remain the The entry must be delivered at please see The Gallipoli Club property of the Gallipoli the competitor’s expense to: Website: Gallipoli Art Prize Memorial Club Museum Fund.

The 2019 Winner “War Pigeon Diaries” by Martin King

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Previous winners:

Winner 2019: “War Pigeon Diaries” by Martin King

Winner 2018: “Mont St Quentin” Steve Lopes

Winner 2017: “The Sphinx, Perpetual Peace” Amanda Penrose Hart

Winner 2016: “Yeah, Mate” Jiawei Shen with his painting

Winner 2015: “Boy Soldiers” by Sally Robinson.

Winner 2014: “Gallipoli evening 2013” by Idris Murphy.

Winner 2013: “Dog in a Gas Mask” by Wegner.

Winner 2012: “Trench Interment” by Geoff Harvey.

Winner 2011: “Sacrifice” by Hadyn Wilson.

Winner 2010: “The dead march here today” by Raymond Arnold.

Winner 2009: “Smoke/PinkLandscape/Shovel” by Euan Macleod.

Winner 2008: “Max Carment, War Veteran (The last portrait)” by Tom Carment.

Winner 2007: “Glorus Fallen” by Lianne Gough.

Winner 2006: “Ataturk’s Legacy” by Margaret Hadfield.

Continued from page 6.

In 1943 the Australian Army to recruit, Sydney barrister Eric self-taught basic Japanese, to found, among captured Japanese Miller QC, who was married to gain information about his papers, a document purported to his cousin. captors. He helped a local called be a record of Murphy's inter- Miller dominated the court Gundov to escape and supply rogation. The army filed it away martial. He requested the case be information to Australian troops for the end of the war. This, dismissed, as “the Royal Society in the west of New Britain. coupled with statements taken for the Prevention of Cruelty to Miller noted that the test- from Japanese soldiers by Allied Animals would not send a dog to imony of the main prosecution interrogators resulted in the the lethal chamber on evidence witness, Lieutenant Commander Army ordering Murphy’s court- such as that”. Fukute Yoshihiko, the local navy martial for having provided The court heard that Murphy commander at Gasmata who had intelligence to the Japanese. Of had often placed his own safety first interrogated Murphy, was the charges, two carried the at risk by standing up to the often vague and contradictory. death penalty, namely guards during his period of Fukute himself was later “treacherously giving intelligence captivity in Rabaul. One American convicted and executed for the to the enemy” and “conduct to airman, James McMurria said unlawful killing of Allied prisoners the prejudice of good order and Murphy would often sneak out of at Rabaul, so he may have been military discipline”. the prison to steal food and careful not to implicate himself in In the months before the medicine for his fellow captives. his testimony. court martial, Murphy was able He used his fluency in Pidgin and 8

By the second day the extent midway through the case for the From one point of view, the of Murphy’s bravery and his defence, the Judge Advocate, honourable acquittal left no reinforcing of his weakened Major V. Rees, closed the doubt or suspicion attached to fellow prisoners-of-war plus the proceedings, announcing that the Murphy’s name. From another, obvious translational errors in court had “certain matters to the discovery of a significant statements from his various discuss”. The court resumed 50 piece of intelligence on the minutes later, unwilling to hear battlefield led many, both from Japanese accusers - themselves further evidence. within the army and the general facing war crimes trials and likely Murphy was proclaimed not public, to believe at the time that to say anything to save guilty and handed an honourable he had indeed “squealed” and themselves - and the enormity of acquittal. What had gone on betrayed his comrades. the looming miscarriage of justice behind the closed door is unclear. Murphy and his family have became clear. His chief accuser, Perhaps the court was satisfied always felt he was poorly treated, Yoshishiko, claimed that on that Murphy’s defence had while there is division in legal October 5-6, 1943, Murphy told already done enough to discount circles over the result, although him of troops movements, when the evidence presented. More there is a general consensus that in fact the troops did not arrive tantalisingly, the court may have there should have been an been convinced that sufficient until December 1943. inquiry into the events that led to explanation had already been Also, Miller pointed out that the court martial that examined the Japanese were fully aware of given concerning the contents of the NIDS report and how it had the Japanese documents and the details of AIB operations on their translation more closely, New Britain from other sources: been produced. rather than a straight step to a local informants, monitoring of On regaining his fitness, court martial. Allied news reports, and captured Murphy returned to New Guinea documents, including Murphy’s after the war and continued his own code and log books. service to the territory, rising to Murphy’s “interrogations” had the post in Kerema of District taken the form of a series of Commissioner of the Gulf District. statements by his captors, each For many years, his lawyers of which was met with silence on made unsuccessful attempts to his part. The contents of the extract an apology from the interrogation report, while for government, to gain compen- the most part accurate, seem to sation for the injustice of his have been concocted by the treatment by the military court, Japanese from other sources, and and to achieve recognition in the not from Murphy’s interrogation. form of military decoration. On February 19, 1946, after a By the time of his death in month of deliberations and 1997, none of these had been forthcoming. Futute Yoshihiko

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Gallipoli Memorial Club Limited and The Gallipoli Memorial Club Museum Fund Incorporated

Meetings will be held on 15 April, 2020 at the Harbour View Hotel, 18 Lower Fort St, Dawes Point, Sydney Commencing at 11.00am

Candidates for positions on the Board of Directors year 2020 have been nominated unopposed, there will be no ballot. Therefore the candidates will be declared elected at the Annual General meeting

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A Positive War Story

American farmer Charlie Brown and German Franz Stigler met each other at high altitude and speed on opposite sides of World War Two while flying for their respective countries.

On December 20, 1943, after 40-percent power. In addition, African Campaign had been a successful bombing run over the electronics, oxygen system sternly told by a superior officer, Bremen the B-17 Flying Fortress and hydraulics were damaged Rödel, that if Rödel heard of 2nd Lt Charles "Charlie" Brown along with its rudder. of them shooting a man of the 379th Bombardment Group The outside temperature of descending in a parachute, he was severely damaged by Minus-60C froze some poorly would shoot the offending German fighters. maintained guns. The damaged German himself. The Allies’ target was the electronics meant heated "To me, it was just like they Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau aircraft uniforms were malfunctioning. were in a parachute. I saw them production facility in the Enter Franz Stigler, a German and I couldn't shoot them down," industrial city of Bremen. The ace with 27 victories, who was Stigler stated after the war. crews were informed in a pre- refueling and rearming at an Twice Stigler tried to get mission briefing to expect airfield when called into combat. Brown to land the B-17 on a probable encounters with He took off in his Messerschmitt German airfield and surrender, or hundreds of fighter aircraft. Also, Bf 109 G-6 and soon caught up divert to nearby neutral Sweden, they were warned that Bremen with Brown's plane as it where they would receive was guarded by 250 flak guns. On lumbered back westward to its medical treatment and be the flight to Germany, three base at Kimbolton, UK. interned for the rest of the war. bombers had to turn back Through the damaged B-17 The B-17 crew didn't understand because of mechanical problems, airframe Stigler saw the what Stigler was trying to mouth so Brown was told to move up to incapacitated crew members. and gesture to them and so the front of the flying formation As a younger pilot Stigler and continued westward. well before they reached their his associates in the North target. Before the B-17 started its ten-minute bomb run at 8,320 meters, accurate German flak shattered the Plexiglas nose, knocked out the second engine and damaged the fourth. These hits slowed the bomber causing it to fall behind its flying formation. As a straggler the B-17 became a target for enemy attack by a dozen fighters. The tail gunner was killed and another crew member critically injured and most other crew sustained some injury. Damage to the third engine meant Brown was flying with no more than . Franz Stigler (left) and Charlie Brown (right) at a reunion

Continued page 14. 10

Australia’s youngest Lt-Colonel died post-WWI saving a drowning woman

January 25, 2020 marked the centenary of the death of Douglas Gray Marks, the youngest Australian Lieutenant Colonel in World War One. The Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Pavilion on Sydney’s Northern Beaches was renamed in his honour on the centenary of this death. Bruce McEwan reviews the life of this forgotten hero.

Douglas Marks was born at A month later he sailed for Junee, New South Wales March Egypt. Four weeks before the 20 1895 to a local shopkeeping Gallipoli landing he was prom- family. oted to Lieutenant. After In his teens he was enrolled landing at Gallipoli on April 26 at Sydney’s Fort Street Boys' his battalion moved to Quinn's High School, and later became Post and Pope's Hill with orders a bank clerk. By night he to clear Russell's Top. studied mining engineering at In its first week of action the Sydney Technical College. Battalion suffered very heavy In June 1914 he was comm- casualties. On May 2, in the issioned as a attack on Baby 700, the in the 29th Infantry Australian battalion temporarily captured Rifles, transferring to the 13th the Chess Board and Dead Battalion of the Australian Man's Ridge. Marks' personal Imperial Force, known as the knowledge of the enemy 'Fighting Thirteenth’ in dispositions greatly assisted his Douglas Marks November. Commanding Officer Lt Col Burnage. Having been acting Adjutant, on 20 July he was promoted to temporary Captain. On August 7 he was wounded in the left foot and evacuated. The Serbian Government awarded Marks the Order of the White Eagle ‘for significant services rendered to the Crown, State and Nation’ for his outstanding service on Gallipoli. Marks was promoted to Captain in January 1916 and in February became Adjutant of his battalion prior to its sailing from Egypt to in June. Following the unit's two operations at Pozières in August, Marks was awarded the Military Cross for his consistent and energetic work as Adjutant; he had rendered 'conspicuously valuable service frequently under the heaviest shell fire'.

Map of the Gallipoli landing area

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Promotions continued, with In March 1918 Marks's Marks returned to Australia Marks becoming a Major on battalion led the via North America. November 11 and appointed advance to stop the German During his service in the A.I.F. second-in-command to breakthrough at Hébuterne. Marks was mentioned in Lieutenant-Colonel James They secured the town. dispatches four times. In his Durrant whom he assisted in The 4th Brigade planning he was consistent, planning the attack on Stormy Commander, Brigadier-General resourceful and thorough; under Trench near Gueudecourt in the Brand told Marks 'The Corps fire he was cool, capable and following February. Commander is afraid to let the courageous, and took every care At Bullecourt, Marks suffered defence of Hébuterne out of to ensure the safety of his men. a bad chest and lung wound your hands'. According to Durrant 'He was when a shell struck battalion After the April Villers- loyalty itself to his commanders, headquarters. He coughed up Bretonneux operations the batt- and he governed with universal blood while struggling through alion joined the battle at Monu- fairness and humanity'; and Lt. the snow to the casualty clearing ment Wood and then in the July Col H.W. Murray VC (see next station. Marks was evacuated to attack on Hamel where its article) said: 'We loved Douglas England for about six months to success owed much to Marks's Marks for his high indomitable recover. In late August he re- detailed planning and rehearsals. spirit, his dash and daring … no joined his unit. On December 5, In the August allied offen- truer comrade ever lived'. he was promoted to Lieutenant- sive the unit captured many Soon after was discharged in Colonel, replacing Durrant. prisoners near Morcourt, at February 1919., Marks was Aged 22 he was one of the Vauvillers and then in the Sep- accepted for law at the University youngest commanding officers in tember assault on the Hinden- of Sydney in the following year but the A.I.F. For his work from burg line. In these weeks deferred for twelve months, taking September 1917 to February 1918 Australian officers helped lead a position at the Continental Paper (including the Ypres Salient the 27th American Division Bag Co at Alexandria, Sydney. operations) he was awarded the through its first big battle of Distinguished Service Order. the war.

Malcolm Donaldson and Jan Webb with Major Michael Regan and Cr. Kylie Ferguson at the Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Marks DSO, Mc Pavilion Continued page 15.

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Harry Murray VC

Tasmanian born Henry William Murray received more fighting decorations than any other Allied infantryman

Henry William Murray was Murray as part of a ‘magnificent' Murray was awarded the born on December 1, 1880 at machine-gun section and Distinguished Service Order Evandale south of Launceston, 'possibly the finest unit that ever because, although twice . existed in the A.I.F.'. wounded, he had comm- When his father died when Murray had been promoted anded his company 'with the he was young, Harry left to Lance-Corporal on May 13. He greatest courage and init- school to help run the family was awarded the Distinguished iative'. Later when an enemy farm. He later joined Conduct Medal for 'exceptional bullet 'started a man's Launceston’s Australian Field courage, energy and skill' from equipment exploding he tore Artillery (Army Reserve) for six May 9-31. the equipment off (the years. In about 1900 he Murray was wounded again soldier) at great personal risk'. moved to Western Australia on August 8 when the machine- Evacuated with wounds, he and became a mail courier on gun section of the 4th Brigade re-joined his battalion on the goldfields. covered the withdrawal after October 19. In October 1914, Henry the attack on Hill 971. On February 4, 1917 Murray enlisted as a private in the He was promoted to led his company in a night attack Australian Imperial Force and Sergeant on August 13 and soon on Stormy Trench, near joined the 16th Battalion. He after commissioned as a Second Gueudecourt across frozen trained as a machine-gunner Lieutenant and transferred to snow. The group reached the along with his gold-miner the 13th Battalion. objective trench and set up a mate, Percy Black (1877-1917) 'Cool, determined and barricade. The Germans who was the Number 1 gunner. confident', Murray remained counter-attacked, shattering the They both landed at Gallipoli 'a compelling, ubiquitous barricade, and Murray fired an on 25 April 1915. The following figure' on Gallipoli, according S.O.S. signal, which brought day both gun-crews were on to Bean. artillery support. The enemy the rear slope of Pope's Hill In Egypt, Murray was continued attacking and were shooting at the Turks creeping promoted to Lieutenant in bombing heavily with hand onto Russell's Top. Historian January 1916 and captain on grenades when Murray then led recorded that March 1 prior to leaving for a brilliant charge by twenty 'The 16th Battalion machine- France where he took part in bombers that drove them away. guns were in charge of men of every major battle the 13th Fierce enemy bombing no ordinary determination'. battalion entered. continued for three hours from Both men, though wounded, At Mouquet Farm in August, midnight. Murray observed refused to leave their guns on with fewer than 100 men, he movement in an adjacent trench that day or during any of the stormed the remains of the and called again for artillery heavy fighting of the next farm, capturing his objective. support. By daylight his party week. Murray was evacuated After beating off four German had occupied the trench and due to wounds received on counter-attacks, Murray held it until relieved at 8 p.m. May 30 but re-joined his unit ordered his men to withdraw. For this, Murray was awarded on July 3. The farm was eventually the . Bean described Black and recaptured by a force of 3000 men.

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In April, in the 1st battle of In 1917-19 he was mentioned in after a Presbyterian service. Bullecourt, Murray's unit, dispatches four times. The historian of the 16th following the 16th Battalion, was At war end he toured Britain Battalion wrote of him: 'To caught against the wire in a studying agricultural methods as Murray belongs the honour of torrent of machine-gun fire. he planned a post-war life on a rising from a machine-gun 'Come on men', he shouted, sheep-grazing property. After private to the command of a 'the 16th are getting hell'. His discharge in March 1920 in machine-gun battalion of 64 mate, Percy Black, was killed Tasmania he moved to weapons, and of receiving more trying to find a gap in the wire. and became a fighting decorations than any Murray got through to the grazier at Muckadilla. He other infantry soldier in the German trenches and sent a married the following year, but British Army in the Great War'. message that the position could the marriage failed and Murray The 13th Battalion historian be held with artillery support moved to New Zealand. In noted: 'Not only was the 13th and more ammunition, but the November 1927 married Ellen proud of him but the whole artillery was not permitted to Purdon Cameron and returned brigade was, from general to fire. Under a heavy German to Queensland where in 1928 Digger. His unconscious barrage Murray withdrew his he bought Glenlyon station, modesty won him still greater men. Richmond, a 74,000-acre admiration. Murray’s For his part in the battle (29,947 ha) grazing property courage was not a reckless Murray received a Bar to his where he lived out his life. exposure to danger like that of D.S.O. In World War II he comm- Jacka or Sexton who didn't As that battle raged, anded the 26th Battalion in know fear'. He was a sensitive Murray was promoted temp- North Queensland until April man who believed in discipline orary Major (later confirmed). 1942, then became Lieutenant- and wrote that it transformed By year’s end he temporarily Colonel commanding his local thousands of men'—nervy and commanded his battalion. battalion of the Volunteer highly-strung like myself— Promoted to Lieutenant- Defence Corps. Murray retired enabling them to do the work Colonel in May 1918, he was from military service in February which, without discipline, they appointed to command the 4th 1944, aged 63. would have been quite Machine-Gun Battalion, a post He died in District Hospital, incapable of performing'. he held until the end of the war. Queensland in January 1966 The Australian historian In January 1919 he was awarded after a car accident, survived by Charles Bean called him 'the the French and his wife and their son and most distinguished fighting next May was appointed C.M.G. daughter. He was cremated officer in the A.I.F.'

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Stigler then flew near Brown's at Stigler, but not open fire, to Norwich, the most easterly plane in a formation on the warn him off. Understanding the airfield in that part of England. bomber's port side wing, so message and certain that the During the postflight German anti-aircraft units would bomber was out of German debriefing Brown informed his not target it, escorting them over airspace, Stigler departed with a officers about how a German the coast until they reached open salute. fighter pilot had let him go. He water. Brown, unsure of Stigler's The B-17 spluttered the was instructed to never repeat intentions at the time, ordered 400 km across the North Sea and this to the rest of the unit as it his dorsal turret gunner to point landed at RAF Seething in could build positive sentiment about enemy pilots.

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"Someone decided you can't Stigler moved to Canada in might shed some light on who be human and be flying in a 1953 and became a successful the other pilot was, Brown had German cockpit," Brown said businessman. come up with little, so he wrote after the War. In 1986, the retired Lt. Col. to a combat pilot association Stigler said nothing of the Brown was asked to speak at a newsletter. A few months later incident to his commanding combat pilot reunion event called he received a letter from Stigler, officers, knowing that a German a "Gathering of the Eagles" in who was now living in Canada. "I pilot who spared the enemy Alabama. Someone asked him if was the one," it said. When they while in combat risked execution. he had any memorable missions spoke on the phone, Stigler After the war, Brown returned during World War II; he thought described his plane, the escort home to West Virginia and for a minute and recalled the and salute, confirming everything serving in the US Airforce until story of Stigler's escort and that Brown needed to hear to 1965. Later, as a State salute. Afterwards, Brown know he was the German fighter Department Foreign Service decided he should try to find the pilot involved in the incident. Officer, he made numerous trips unknown German pilot. Between 1990 and 2008, to Laos and Vietnam. In 1972 he After four years of searching Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler retired from government service vainly in the records of the U.S. became close friends and and moved to Miami to become Army’s Air Force, U.S. Air Force remained so until their deaths an inventor. and West German Air Force that within several months of each other in 2008.

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Marks was not a strong swimmer. On January 25, 1920 he was picnicking at Palm Beach with friends and his fiancée, nephew and brother-in-law. He saw Miss Johanna Rogers, 32, enter the water north of Black Rock about 3pm. Within moments Miss Rogers got caught in a and was swept away from the beach. He saw her in distress and rushed into the water with a length of rope, threw off his coat and shoes and swam toward her but disappeared in the surf. Both drowned and Mark’s body was never found. A memorial service at St James' Church, Sydney, was attended by an overflow crowd, mainly of ex-members of his battalion.

Captain Douglas Gray Marks, Major General Granville Ryrie, Major William James Foster, and Captain Joseph Espie Dods of the 5th Light Horse Regiment (5ALH). (AWM C217261)

A book about the life of Lt-Col Marks, The Boy Colonel, by Will Davies, has been published by Vintage Books, of the Penguin Random House Group

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THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB LIMITED Patron: Major General Arthur Fittock AO

Board of Directors:

President: John Robertson Senior Vice President: David Ford Junior Vice President: Ted Codd Hon. Treasurer:John Brogan

Directors:

Stephen Ware, Glenn Tetley, Scott Heathwood, Marc Higgins, Greg Hanchard

Editor: Lawrence Secretary Manager: John Robertson

Club Ph: 9235 1533 Email: [email protected] www.gallipoli.com.au

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