58/32 Infantry Battalion Association Inc. A0059554F February 2016 ( Edition 8 ) 100 Years to the hour A proud Daughter Judith Storey (left) looks on as her fathers plaque is unveiled at his graveside, along with Grandson Danny Keane (centre) and two great-grandsons (left) Andy Keane (right) Brendan Keane The Hon. Tony Smith Speaker of the House of Representatives addresses the gathering. The 58th Battalion is honoured to have had Major William Charles Scurry as one of its finest members, enabling over 10,000 lives to be saved in the Gallipoli evacuation, due to his slow water–drip/delayed rifle fire invention. (pictured below) Bill Higgins who was responsible for the idea and making of our banner. Bill, the 58/32 thanks you so much for your efforts. How proud our Association was, to have its own banner displayed for the first time at MVCC Remembrance Day 2015 The windy day saw MVCC speaker Susan De Prost pictured above with Lt. Col. Don Blanksby, address the gathering by speaking about her Our Vice President and grandfather who enlisted in the 58th Bn. Historian Maj. Bob Prewett also involved with the precision of Andrew Guest above layed a wreath on the banners colour work was behalf of his grand uncle also present and the smile Lt. Eric Chinner who fought with the shows that he was very pleased nd 32 Battalion WW1. with the result. Annual Pompey Elliott Memorial Luncheon th March 11 2016 Invitation Page 5. Remembrance Day continued: Our thanks go to Michael & Susan Phillips for laying the 58th/32nd wreath at the Keilor East RSL. Presidents Report Let me say firstly, happy new year to everyone and may 2016 be both a healthy and good one to you all. Our Association has had a very busy and successful year, and thanks must go to our Don Blanksby hard working committee who excelled in preparing both the Pompey Elliott Memorial Luncheon, the Lone Pine Project, Anzac Day and Remembrance day. We thank also the Keilor East RSL (Bill Laker, Gavin Comport and Leanne Parker for providing us with superb facilities for our meetings and social functions. Also the great effort of the Higgins family in the planning and designing and construction of our new Banner and thanks also on the project to our historian Bob Prewett for his input on Army technicalities regarding banner compliance. ................................ Our sincere thanks to the Moonee Valley City Council for assistance and advice at all events during the year, particularly in the conduct of the Lone Pine dedication ................................ The Annual “Pompey” luncheon was proudly supported by Penleigh Essendon Grammar where their staff and students again did a superlative job. Tony Larkin, Brigid Cooper and David Hall, thank-you from the bottom of our hearts. ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2016 will commence with our Annual Luncheon, which this year will be held for the first time at our new home at the Keilor East RSL where we are most fortunate to have Dr Robin Droogleever who is the President of The Anglo-Boer War study group of Australasia. Robin will be speaking on the 4th Victorian (Imperial) Bushmen. This Unit was the most decorated Victorian unit that served in the Boer War. Our Leader Pompey Elliott served in this unit whilst gaining both his commission and DCM ( distinguished conduct medal ) OUR MOST IMPORTANT EVENT THIS YEAR WILL BE THE DEDICATION AND UNVEILING OF THE 58TH BATTALION WW1 MONUMENT ON SATURDAY THE 8TH OCTOBER 2016 IN QUEENS PARK. This monument will list all the Battle Honours of the 58th Battalion. A Vietnam Story: John Haward June 1968 - March 1969 Supplied by www.susangordonbrown.com.au We were out on operations in the jungle with the Infantry and their 2 forward scouts moved on. We heard 2 explosions and realised our claymore mines, stolen by the VC, had gone off. The first scout was blown apart, the second lost half his face and arm. He was screaming. My orders were to move in.... I could see a semi circular bunker system and they were firing at us. I started firing both the 30calibre and 50 calibre machine guns into the bunker, but they jammed. In the split second I stopped shooting, a Viet Cong soldier jumped out of the bunker. I did not see him. There had to be one on either side firing RPGs from only about 20 yards away. Tank Gunner First Armoured Regiment 1968-69 The first grenade blew up in front of me and I saw this big flash and got some shrapnel and oil in my face. The next one John Haward came through the side and hit my crew commander's seat and blew his legs away. The next round came through on the other side which took the loader's knee cap off. Our driver was There is another incident that I unconscious so we couldn't back off. The message went out to the Infantry that we had been hit. will never forget. I said to Len the crew Commander, “we have to get out” so he We surrounded this Viet Cong village. lifted himself on his elbows onto the turret and just rolled off. It was like it was deserted. Suddenly this little kid came running out. Jacko the loader, was going out his side …..and I climbed up. Through the interpreter he was told to Somehow I was able to roll off and we crawled underneath the STOP “ don't come any closer, or we will tank. We could see the Viet Cong trying to shoot us. Len had shoot you ” and they shot him. his head on my chest and said tell my wife I love her, I will He went boom ! The Viet Cong had him never see her again – and we said, don't be stupid. loaded up with explosives With that, the medics came up behind us and dragged us back and they were going to detonate him as into the clearing. Len survived his wounds. soon as he came to our lines. People say the Viet Cong were nice people,...... they weren't. For a long long time I could not get this out of my mind. I am ok now, but it does not go away. ! After I got out of hospital, I had some leave. So I went to see one of my mates Steve. We welcome Before I joined, I used to be at his house our Guest Speaker regularly – I was like one of the family. Dr. Robin Droogleever His father said Steve isn't in..... I said.... to our 2016 “'aren't you going to invite me in ?” Pompey Elliott He stood there for a minute and then the Luncheon. mother came out and said, “ Well John you are no longer welcome Robin will be speaking here. on the Boer War and We don't allow baby and women killers in will also have his book this house. entitled I never did set foot in my mates house Colonel Tom's Boys again. for sale on the day Left: Front cover of COLONEL TOM'S BOYS – a must read ! 58/32 Infantry Battalion Association Incorporated Invitation Major General H. E.“Pompey” Elliott CB CMG DSO DCM 2016 Annual Reunion Memorial Service & Luncheon Date: 11th March 2016 Place: Keilor East RSL – Parking available Address: 12-22 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon Vic 3040 The Memorial Service will feature the participation of students from PENLEIGH ESSENDON GRAMMAR Plus our GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Robin Droogleever President : Anglo Boer War Study Group of Australasia who will speak on the 4th Victorian (Imperial) Bushmen in the Boer War [Learn how 'Pompey' Elliott won the Distinguished Conduct Medal during The South African War.] Cost $55 per head Extra drinks at the bar at individual expense. Assembly 11am sharp at the Keilor East RSL Cenotaph (directly opposite RSL) Medals to be worn, also private floral tributes welcome. At the conclusion of the service our Luncheon will commence with pre drinks, followed by our Guest Speaker (20 minutes duration) then lunch. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – NO PAYMENTS ON THE DAY R.S.V.P. 4th March 2016 Reply to Secretary: Ev Reynolds Ph: 9379 7482 Email: [email protected] Chqs: payable to 58/32 Infantry Battalion Association Incorporated. Mail to: 318 Pascoe Vale Rd, Essendon. 3040 Military old songs live with the Retro- Girls Prizes Military Display Battalions Parade together for the first time since the 1950s The Colours of 1RAR, 2RAR, and 3RAR are simultaneously marched off the parade ground during their 70th Anniversary Parade at Lavarack Barracks Townsville. The Power of the RAR is not in the machines it has, it is in the collective and in the individual soldier. I am sure all those on parade, and indeed the spectators, walked away with a sense of that power. General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor General of Australia. Historically the Colours were escorted into battle by a Colour Party, which was expected to fight to the death to defend the Colours. This tradition continues today. When Colours are retired from active use/laid up, they are preserved in a Church or Public Building. Colours are not restored, disposed of, or destroyed when their appearance has deteriorated beyond recognition: they are left to turn to dust like the bodies of the fallen soldiers who served them. Our 58th/32nd Battalion Colours are laid up in the Mayoral Chambers in the Moonee Valley Civic Centre and you can see them on our Website or advertisement in this edition. ( page 9. ) Colours are the Spirit of a Regiment, for on them are borne the battle honours and badges granted to the unit in commemoration of gallant deeds performed by members of the unit from the time their unit was raised.