Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – 2023

The annual Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles was held yesterday (Wednesday 19th July 2023). Executive Member of the 31st Infantry Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch) Mick James describes the Commemorative event held on the lawn at the RSL in Nicholas Street Ipswich.

–

Wednesday 19th July 2023, the 31stInfantry Battalion Assoc (Brisbane Branch) conducted a Commemoration on the 107th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, in partnership with the Ipswich RSL sub branch. This year the Commemoration was held at the Honour Stone adjacent to the Ipswich RSL Memorial Hall at 63 Nicholas St Ipswich.

–

The Commemoration was hosted by Mr Paul Rogers, President of the Ipswich RSL sub branch & Mr Greg Stokie , President of the 31st Infantry Battalion Assoc in Townsville. Unfortunately our Brisbane President, Mr Ray Fogg, was unable to attend due to illness.

–
Distinguished Guests were Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Brigadier Arran Hassell CSC, Commander of the 8th Brigade Aust Army, M Alain Etchegaray, Honaire Consul representing the French Ambassador to Australia, Ms Teresa Harding, Mayor of Ipswich, Group Captain Dennis Tan, Senior Aust Defence Force Officer RAAF Base Amberley, The Honourable Shayne Neumann MP Federal Member for Blair, Jennifer Howard MP State member for Ipswich, Jim Madden MP State member for Ipswich West.

–
The following relatives of diggers who fought in the Battle of Fromelles were also present and laid wreaths in memory of their relatives-
Jon & Lukas Kent, Great & Great Great nephews of Cpl ER Kent MM
Sean Kirby, Great Grandson of Sgt Cyril Kirby MM
James Danaher 3rd, Great nephew of Lt James Danaher
Mr & Mrs Graham Trimble Grandson of Edgar Williams MM

–

After a welcome address by Mr Greg Stokie, Padre Rev Dr Peter Woodward gave prayers followed by Address of Commemoration-

–

Mr Alain Etchegaray spoke of the gratitude of the French people for the Australian Diggers who sacrificed so much in the defence of France.

–

Brigadier Arran Hassell CSC gave a moving Address on the Battle and its disastrous aftermath.

–
Students from Ripley State Secondary College gave an Address on Lt George Still MC of 31stBn and his actions in the Battle. (The story of Lt George Still MC was told on this website on December 2020. (Search this website – GEORGE STILL or alternatively from the list of Archives December 2020).

–

Wreaths were then laid. Then the Ode was recited followed by the Last Post by Brad Strong for the 5th year in succession.

–

A Minute’s Silence then the Rouse followed by the closing prayers and both the French & Australian National Anthems.

–

A Catafalque Party from the 26 Transport Sqn- 9 FSB RAAF Base Amberley had been mounted on the Honour Stone. It was then dismounted, and the Commemoration was then completed.

Some photos are included below. I have included a map of the Battlefield for those newer members who may not have seen it before

–

An additional Note from Brisbane Branch Secretary Tony Wadeson

Peter Nelson & wife Barbara had driven up from Victoria. He has Visited Fromelles France, many times & was there in 2010 at the time Dame Quentin as GG, with Prince, now King Charles III, – Officiated at the Dedication and Opening of the New Pheasant Wood Cemetery where the 250 Missing Bodies were found by Lambis Englezos AM in 2008. Thats a stirring Story – LAMBIS ENGLEZOS (search this website – LAMBIS ENGLEZOS – for the story of the missing 250 diggers of Fromelles)

Peter a retired Airline Pilot, is our Historian on the 31st Bn. His grandfather fought at the Battle of Fromelles. He has handed over to our local historian Mick James & to the IPSWICH RSL Archives, – 30 years of Research on 31st Bn since it was raised at Enoggera 1915. He has every Digger listed (& some Photos) Who Died, – was Captured, & Listed Missing. Plus other Battle Info.

—

Fromelles – VC Corner Military Cemetery

In recent years attention has been directed towards the Pheasant Wood Cemetery where the there is an ongoing story of identification of the missing soldiers from the battle of Fromelles in Northern France (Search this website – Lambis Englezos AM – for the story of the missing 250 soldiers).
–
Just 2km towards the north west of the Pheasant Wood Cemetery is the VC Corner Military Cemetery where many of the dead were re-interred shortly after the battle on 19 July 1916.
–
Below are a number of photos depicting VC Corner Cemetery during the Centenary Commemorations (July 2016) of the Battle of Fromelles posted by Richard Hope -Hawkins . The Colours of the 31st Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment, were paraded both at VC Corner Cemetery and at Pheasant Wood Cemetery at Fromelles during the commemoration.

Vale – Darryl Somerville

Emails were received from Tony Wadeson Association Secretary (Brisbane Branch).

6/7/2023

Members, I refer to the email (below) from John Tannock President of 2/25th Bn Association, advising of the passing of Member Darryl Somerville.
Darryl was the son of – CPL Ray Somerville 2/31st Bn who was – WIA – 27/11/42 at Gorari in New Guinea.
RIP Darryl Somerville

A Funeral Service held on 7th July 2023 at 10.30AM at All Saints Anglican Church – 501 Hamilton Rd Chermside.

Tony

–

9/7/2023

Members, I refer to the above mentioned email regarding the Passing of our member Darryl Somerville. I wish to advise that Mick James attended the Funeral Service last Friday on behalf of the 31st Bn Assoc. & the Veterans, Families, & Friends of the 2/31st Bn. I have also forwarded a Condolence Card to Darryl’s family on behalf of us all.

Darryl Somerville RIP

Regards TONY

–

The following background to Darryl’s story and that of his father( 2/31st Bn member) Roy comes from our Association member Mick James:

Darryl was the son of a 2/31st Bn digger who visited Gorari on the Kokoda Track, where his father was wounded and others from 2/25th & 2/31st Bns were KIA during the battle of Oivi – Gorari (4 – 11 Nov 1942). In 2018 Darryl unveiled a Memorial with members of 2/25th Bn Assoc in honour of those who died.
Pte Roy Somerville served with 2/31st Battalion in the Middle East and New Guinea on the Kokoda Track. While on the Kokoda Track he was promoted Cpl & subsequently to A/Sgt on 1st Oct 1942. On 11th Nov 1942 Roy was wounded at Gorari, north of Kokoda, during the Battle of Oivi – Gorari where members of both 2/25thBn & 2/31st Bn were KIA. Roy was subsequently evacuated to Australia where he was later discharged.

–
Roy’s son, Darryl, in honour of his father’s service, travelled to Gorari with relatives of 2/25th Bn members on 11thNov 2017. They also returned in Nov 2018 and unveiled a monument in memory of the Battle and those who died there.

–
I met Darryl after his second trip to Gorari and he was very interested in the history of the 2/31st Bn. He subsequently attended an Anzac Service at the 2/31st Bn Memorial at South Bank and joined our 31st Infantry Battalion Association. I only learned of his death on Thursday and attended his funeral on Friday.

–
Darryl lived a full life and achieved much with his wife and 3 sons. He was Managing Partner of Accountants Coopers & Lybrands for 10 years until his retirement in 2005. From 2005 until 2011 he was Chairman of Brisbane Broncos Football Club and loved to remind friends & relatives that he was the last Chairman to win a Premiership.

–
The funeral was held at All Saints Anglican Church, Hamilton Rd Chermside, and was overflowing with mourners. The Church played a large role in the Somerville Family life. Darryl’s father, Roy, helped build the Church, Darryl was baptised, confirmed and married there. There was much mirth during the Eulogy, given by his 3 sons, David, Paul & Craig, which Darryl had requested.
Rest In Peace, Darryl.

FUNERAL NOTICE
SOMERVILLE Darryl Craig
Aged 74 years.
Late of Everton Hills.
Passed away peacefully on 2nd July 2023.
Much loved husband of Elizabeth. Adored by his sons Craig, Paul and David, Daughter in-laws, Grand daughters and his entire family.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Darryl’s funeral service to be held at the All Saints Anglican Church, Chermside. Service commencing at 10.30am on Friday 7th July, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, relatives and friends are asked to please donate to Dementia Australia via their website.
ALEX GOW FUNERALS

–

Cliick on the Link Below for the ABC’s story of the Oivi – Gorari Battle and the Monument.

Oivi – Gorari Battle and The Memorial

–
The following tribute is from 2/25th Bn Association John Tannock:

I have a number of issues to update everyone on, but I thought I would get a quick update out to advise of the passing of my good mate Darryl Somerville.

–

Many of you would remember Darrryl from our trips to Gorari, firstly to discuss the possibility of installing a monument with the villagers of Gorari and secondly for the unveiling of the monument. Our connection was that our fathers were both wounded in the Oivi/Gorari Battle near the village of Waju. In fact, we often used to muse about the similarities between the war experiences of our fathers ……… both were from the bush and joined up at the same time. Although they were in different battalions (2/25 th & 2/31st), the two battalion supported each other through the Middle East and New Guinea campaigns. Both were wounded at Waju in the Oivi/Gorari Battle, both spent several days lying on the floor of the Kokoda Hospital before being flown to Port Moresby. They were then transported back to Brisbane on the same ship before spending several months recuperating in the Warwick Hospital…….and both had devilishly good-looking sons (Daryl loved that bit).

–

I found Daryl to be great company with an infectious laugh and the ability to see the humour where others saw disaster. I remember one night in Gorari when a couple of dogs barked for hours on end. Everyone was lying in their tents unsuccessfully trying to sleep. Finally, around 3:30am, the dogs stopped barking. A collective sigh of relief went around the tents until about a minute later when a rooster started crowing amongst the tents. Suddenly Daryl roared laughing with the laughter spreading around the whole camp.

–

Through the project to erect the monument at Gorari, Daryl was my go-to person when I needed advice. He advice was always practical and full of commonsense……….and we would have a lot of laughs at the same time.

–

From John Tannock:

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – Info and Venue Map

31st Bn Assoc. Members, & Friends. We ask you all to join us, – 31st Bn Association, in conjunction with the Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch to the 107th Anniversary of -The Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service. (Please refer to the attachments below.)

–

This a BIG DAY of Commemoration for the 31st Bn Association. – As the 31st Bn (now 31/42 Bn RQR) is the only Battalion out of the 5th Div AIF which took part in the Battle of Fromelles in WW1 – still on strength in the ADF today We therefore ask you to join us at our Commemoration Service on Wednesday 19th July.

–

We are Honoured this year to have Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO as our Special Guest.

On the 19th July 2010 the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, together with Dame Quentin Bryce the then Governor General of Australia, were the Guests of Honour at the Official Opening and Dedication of the new Fromelles – Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery. This Cemetery was specially built by the CWGC to house the 250 Bodies of mainly Australian and some British soldiers discovered buried at Pheasant Wood in 2008 – 92 years after the Battle. Many of these bodies have since been identified by DNA as soldiers of the 8th BDE (Many of 31st Bn)

–

We are also honoured to have – BRIG Arran Hassell CSC, Commander 8th BDE, as the Principal Guest Speaker. (31st Bn was part of the 8th BDE at the Battle of Fromelles.)

DATE/TIME: – Wednesday 19th July at 11.00 AM

LOCATION:- Honour Stone, – Soldiers Memorial Hall. – 63 Nicholas St. Ipswich Q’ld

DRESS:- Jacket & Tie with Medals/Service Dress

RSVP:- Secretary 31st Bn Assoc. – Tony Wadeson – wadesonriver@aapt.net.au or Phone/Text – 0427 337 177

—

–

–

–

Fromelles Commemoration – Ipswich Venue and Parking Information

–

—-

Battle of Fromelles 19^th/20^th July 1916 – “Brief”

The 19^th July 2023 will be the 107^th Anniversary of the “Battle of Fromelles” on the Western Front – WW1. Fromelles is situated in France near the Belgian Border just south of Ypres & west of Lille.

It was the First battle undertaken by Australian Troops on the Western Front.

It was carried out by the, 8^th – 14^th & 15^thBrigade’s of the Aust 5^th Division & on their Right, the British 61^st Div. – (Territorial troops)

(The 31^st Bn led by LTCOL Fred Toll was part of the 8^th Brigade)

Fromelles was planned by the British as a Diversionary Attack to convince the Germans not to move troops south to the Somme, where the British & French had started a major push on the 1^st July. 11 Divisions of the British 4th Army had sustained massive casualties exceeding eighty thousand, on the Somme around the Pozieres area, up to the time of 19^th July, with little to show for it.

A British General, LTGEN Richard Haking planned the attack at Fromelles. This was unfortunate for the Australians, as he had previously been involved with planning an attack 14 Months earlier with British troops, over exactly the same ground, with absolutely no gain & very heavy casualties. His plan for the Australian 5^th Division was basically the same plan with less Troops & less experienced Australian Artillery, against a now improved, fortified in-trenched enemy.

After the previous attack, the Germans spent the period improving & fortifying their Defences around Fromelles with Concrete Bunkers, & O/head protective cover of their trenches from Artillery. They had a clear view of the Australian Front line and an excellent observation of the battlefield from the Church Spire in the village of Fromelles. The Germans also had the Australian Front Line & supporting areas well ranged by their Artillery & Mortars. They had a year to practice their ranging.

The Battle of Fromelles attack started with Artillery Bombardments at 11.00 AM & at 6.00 PM (in broad daylight) the troops advanced, with the 8^th Bde – 31^st & 32^nd Bn’s leading the attack on the left, with the 14th Brigade’s 54^th & 53^rd Bn’s on their right. These two Brigades had to cross about 100 yds of clear open ground of No Mans Land in front of the 31^st & 32^ndBns, & up to 200 yds in front of the 54^th & 53^rd Bns. But, the 15^th Bde on the extreme right, had to cross about 350 yds of clear open ground to reach the German Front Lines. The 15^th Brigade’s two leading Battalions were almost wiped out in “No Mans Land” by heavy machine gun fire, from the “Sugarloaf position” & very few Diggers managed to reach the German Front Line, let alone penetrate it.

The 31^st& 32^nd – & 54^th& 53^rd Bns although, taking heavy casualties, over ran the German front line. The 31^st Bn CO, LTCOL Fred Toll proceeded forward Approx. 400 yards looking for the proposed 3^rd & 4^th Lines of German Trenches, but found only muddy ditches. They returned back to a dry Ditch about 200 yards behind the main German Front Line & started to dig in as their defensive line. They managed to hold it against heavy German Artillery Barrages, & overwhelming German counter attacks, but at about 2.00AM, LTCOL Toll decided to move back to the Main German line.They held out until about 6.30 AM on the following morning, when they were forced to retreat back over No Man’s Land to their own lines due to lack of ammunition & reinforcements, sustaining further heavy casualties in the process.

The Attack was over in 18 Hours but wounded were still trying to crawl back & diggers going out to try to rescue them for many hours after.

The Battle achieved nothing, and was a disaster. There were no more attacks at Fromelles for the rest of the war. The bodies of the dead Australians lay in No Man’s Land, until after the War, and many who were killed behind the German Lines, remained as missing. After the war the 410 unidentified remains, in NO Mans Land were buried in Groups of 10 at “VC Corner” Cemetery at Fromelles. Those who were killed behind the German Lines remained as missing & would remain unheard of for about 80 Years. That’s another story. (Refer Below)

Roll call after the Battle recorded a total of 5533 Casualties by the 5^th Division (Including almost 2000 Dead). This was the highest casualties sustained by any Div. within a 24hr period in Australian Military History.

However, due to the high casualties, the Battle was basically kept a secret, by high authority, and as the Aust. 1^st – 2^nd & 4^th Divisions entered the Battle of the Somme on the 23^rd July capturing Poziers & the high ground of the “Windmill” behind it, with a Casualty high of 23,000 over the following weeks, the Battle of Fromelles was forgotten & the casualties conveniently became part of the Somme offensive. The British never ever recorded Fromelles as a separate Battle & it is not recognised as such to this Day. We Australians regard it as a Battle, & the 31^st Bn being the only Unit of the 5^th Div. WW1, still operational & on strength in the ADF, will continue to recognise it & commemorate the Diggers who fought & died there.

LAMBIS ENGLEZOS AM

In the late 1990’s a Greek born, Arts Teacher & amateur War Historian from Melbourne started taking an interest in the Battle of Fromelles as he had interviewed old WW1 Diggers of the Victorian 15^th Brigade living nearby in Melbourne. He became convinced after checking Casualty records, and reading Corfield’s Book on Fromelles “Don’t forget me Cobber” that there were approx. 250 missing Diggers unaccounted for. Lambis was on a mission. After research of German Aerial Photographs & a visit to Germany to inspect German War records, he identified that a probable Burial site, was an area astride “Pheasant Wood” which was behind the original German front Line. Lambis requested authorities to investigate the site, but they weren’t interested. However, due to his drive & persistence, it wasn’t until 2007, that authorities allowed an Archaeological team to investigate the Site. They found evidence of Australian & British Badges on the site, almost immediately, and with the lay of the Ground etc it proved to be enough evidence of a burial site, to make a dig. It wasn’t until 2009 that the dig was made & the bodies recovered.

All remains were reinterred in a New Cemetery named “Pheasant Wood Cemetery” with Blank Headstones. DNA was taken of each Body. As remains were identified by DNA, new Headstones with their Names & Units etc replaced the Blank ones. Due to modern DNA, remains have continued to be identified each year, & their Graves noted, including quite a few 31^st Bn men. It was due to the publicity of the find of the Bodies at Fromelles that knowledge of the Battle became more widespread.

Since Lambis’s discovery, new Books have been written, a new Cemetery established, & a new Museum Built in Fromelles. In 2009, Lambis Englezos was recognised for his outstanding Service and exceptional Achievement, and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, AM. Lambis is continuing his search for burial grounds of unaccounted missing Soldiers, in various WW1 Battle Fields. Australia owes a great deal to this man.

TONY WADESON (Secretary 31^st Bn Association – Brisbane Branch)

—-

Annual Commemorative Church Service – Townsville – 2023

Members Please find the attached invitation to our Members from the 31st Bn Association President Greg Stokie Townsville to attend the Annual Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Church Service in Townsville on 20th August. Please note this invitation is extended to both 31st Bn & 42nd Bn old Boys. Anyone interested in attending please advise me. We usually have a few of us attending. Regards Tony

–

–

Invitation Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Church Service -2023

VietNam Vet Receives Medal

Capricornia Company members of 31/42 Battalion, Pte Spencer & SGT Boyd engaged within the local Gladstone community recently. They were asked to present John Russel, Vietnam Veteran, The 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War Medallion and Certificate of thanks. A number of our 31st Battalion Association Members will also be entitled to receive their Commemorative Medals and Certificates. Congratulations to those members for a job well done.

Seven More Missing Diggers of Battle of Fromelles To Be Commemorated

Association Member, and regular contributor Mick James reports that seven more diggers have been identified and as a result of the untiring efforts Lambis Englazos AM (Search this website – Lambis Englezos AM – for the story of the missing 250 soldiers) will have newly named Headstones unveiled at the 107th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles to be held at the Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery at Fromelles on 19th July 2023. Special mention is made of No 1537 Pte Walter Allen GRACE who was a member of our own 31st Battalion.

Our Honorary Association member in France, Pierre Seillier has created the plaques shown below and has included information from the CWGC website on the location of the graves of 6 of the 7 new soldiers identified in the Fromelles Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery:

–

OSCAR ERIC BAUMANN Sergeant Service Number: 10 – 32nd Bn .II. E. 11

–
WILLIAM JOHN STEPHEN Corporal Service Number: 2772 – 55th Bn .II. E. 5

–
ALEXANDER RUSSELL ROBERT PAGE Private Service Number: 1082 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 3

–
MAURICE JAMES CLAXTON PrivateService Number: 1239 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 11

–
WALTER ALLEN GRACE PrivateService Number: 1537 – 31st Bn .II. F. 15

–
EDWIN CHARLES GRAY Private Service Number: 20 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 8

–

RICHARD JAMES McGUARR Private Service Number: 3873 – 55th Bn

Richard McGuarr’s information is yet to be updated and is still listed as commemorated in .V.C. CORNER AUSTRALIAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL, FROMELLES Panel 13.

LEST WE FORGET.

—

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – 2023

Over the past few years the 31st Battalion Association commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles has been held at Ipswich Cemetery. This year it will be held at the Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall in the centre of Ipswich on 19th July at 11am.

–

Our Honoured Special Guest for the occasion will be Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO

–

The Soldiers Memorial Hall is at 63 Nicholas St Ipswich Queensland.

The Ipswich City Council 3 hr free Car Park is 800M away.

31st Battalion Association – Brisbane Branch – AGM

Members, Due to unforeseen Circumstances, we were unable to hold our AGM in March as per usual. This year the AGM is going to be a more casual arrangement. We will still distribute The President’s, Treasurer’s & Mick James Report on the Battle of Fromelles, as well as hold an Election of Office Bearers as per our Constitution. However we won’t be having a guest speaker, & the lunch arrangements will be different from previous meetings as follows:-

(1) VENUE:- We will be holding the lunch this year at the “Caboolture Sports Club” Station Rd Morayfield, close by the Morayfield Railway Station. So those coming by train

from the Sunshine Coast , Nambour & Brisbane have about the same distance to walk from the train as they did at Sherwood Services Club.

(2) MENU:- The Club has excellent facilities & the choice of food from a couple of different sources. So this year you have the option of BYO (ie Buy Your Own) of your choice of the Various menus.

Google Caboolture Sports Club & Check out the Menu’s from the different Outlets You will also be able to BYO (as per above) Drinks. Therefore there WILL BE NO REGISTRATION CHARGE

for the lunch on entry. YOU WILL ALSO NOTE That Prices for meals & drinks are a Lot less if You are a Member. We suggest you become a Member on line before you attend

or Join when you arrive, to gain the cheaper Meal & Drink Prices. You will save more by doing so. – (Seniors Card Concession Membership $3.30 Per/Year)

(3) MEETING ARRANGEMENTS:- The Club will provide us with a Table in an area to ourselves to enable us to conduct our meeting. We will still have a Registration Table to

allow you the Opportunity to Pay your Annual Subs for 2023 which we have normally collected in March at previous AGM’s. A Separate Notice is being sent out to you regarding SUBs.

(4) DATE & TIME – Tuesday – 13th June 2023. Meet at 11.00AM for Fellowship & Meeting Start at 11.30 AM – Complete by 12.00. – Order Meals.

(5) DRESS: Good Casual, – Wear NAME TAGS

(6) RSVP:- To Secretary – Tony Wadeson no later than SUNDAY 11th June at 6.00 PM. by Email or Ph/Text – 0427 337 177

REGARDS TONY

‘

Pte Buddy Williams – Country Music Star – 2/31 Battalion Service

Mick James, a regular contributor to this website, has passed on some research by members of the Remembrance Army on country and western singer Buddy Williams.

Mick continues, “More great research from Australian Remembrance Army (thanks Katrina) of a 2/31st Battalion digger and Country Music Legend, Buddy Williams. I believe some senior members of our Association even saw Buddy perform. He had a sad life in many ways but brought joy to many.

LEST WE FORGET”

–

Service No: NX202295
Rank: Private
Unit: 2/31 Australian Infantry Battalion
Harold “Buddy” Williams was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 5 September 1918 as Harry Taylor, and was placed in the Glebe Point Orphanage. He was adopted from the orphanage at the age of seven by a couple who worked a farm in Dorrigo, NSW. Buddy did not have a happy childhood with the McFarlane’s, and was reportedly subjected to regular beltings by his new family, and made to sleep on a bed made from straw with a couple of coats used as blankets. It soon became apparent to Buddy that his adoption was a means for the family to secure cheap labour.

–
At 15 years of age, one night after receiving a beating, Buddy ran away from the McFarlane’s farm and never returned. He remained in the district of Dorrigo and found work and shelter wherever he was able, working at timber mills, as a bullock driver and boundary rider. He made his way from Dorrigo down the coast of New South Wales -working and busking for money along the way.

–

On 9 January 1940, at the age of 21 years, Buddy married Bernice Perring (known as Bernie Burnett during her singing career). Bernice was eight days shy of her 17th birthday. The couple had met in 1935 at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival when Bernice was 13 and Buddy 17. Bernie joined Buddy in several duets, including the recording of “Stockmen in Uniform” and “Let’s Grow Old Together”. The union lasted seven years before the couple divorced in 1947.

–

Buddy signed up for service during the second world war, enlisting at Paddington, New South Wales on 14 September 1943. He marched out from Sydney on 21 September, joining the 15 Infantry Training Brigade in Warwick, Queensland. Three months later, on 25 November, Buddy marched out to 33 Infantry Training Battalion. He was reported absent without leave at Warwick on 11 February 1944, with a warrant for arrest issued two days later. On 22 March he marched out to the Land Headquarters Training Centre (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra, marching in to the training centre on 24 March. This centre was where the soldiers were taught bushcraft and survival techniques.
Buddy was absent without leave a few times between 11 February 1944 and 9 April 1945, being find a total of 13 pounds 10 pence and auto forfeit of 65 days. Buddy reportedly conducted recording sessions during the war years while he was on leave. As no official leave is recorded in his service record, perhaps the times he was absent without leave is when he was recording his music – but just speculation.

–

On 3 July 1944, Buddy joined the 2/31 Australian Infantry Battalion. The following year on 9 June 1945, he embarked at Townsville per “Howell Lykes”, disembarking at Morotai on 18 June. A week later, Buddy embarked from Morotai, travelling for service at Balikpapan, Borneo. On 3 July, Buddy was wounded in action, seriously injured during the battle of Balikpapan and was not expected to live. He was unconscious in hospital for nine days following an ambush in which he received serious wounds to his arms, back and stomach. He was evacuated to 2/2 Casualty Clearing Station on 12 July, and transferred to X-List.

–

“Buddy Williams/Percy Ruff/Keith Hearne were on the same Jeep that brought us back to Casualty

Clearing Station, Perce and Buddy were on stretchers, I was sitting up. I saw Perce for years after the war till he

died.”

Keith Hearne AM 90. (February 8, 2016)

–

Buddy was transported to the Australian Hospital Ship on 19 July before being evacuated to 2/9 Australian General Hospital five days later. On 28 July, he embarked at Morotai per 2/2 Australian Hospital Ship for return to Australia. He disembarked in New South Wales, Australia on 10 August 1945 and was admitted to 114 Australian General Hospital. Buddy discharged from service medically unfit for military service on 13 October 1945.

–

On 31 January 1947, Buddy married Grace Mary (nee Maidment) in Brisbane. The couple had four children: Donita, Harold, Kay and Karen. Grace shared Buddy’s dream of life on the road, traveling from town to town, taking music to the people. Tragically, their daughter Donita was accidentally killed at the Scottsdale showground on 29 November 1948. She was hit by a truck being driven by one of the rodeo riders while he was backing up after unloading his show equipment. She was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery in Brisbane four days later. Following Donita’s death, Buddy wrote “Little Red Bonnet” in memory of his daughter, which he sang at the close of every show.

–

After recovering from his injuries from the war, Buddy formed a rodeo tent show that travelled for many years before touring with the Buddy Williams Variety Show for 11 months of each year. Buddy, Grace and their three children travelled to country towns and outback communities throughout Australia, and once did an eight-week stint at Brisbane’s Theatre Royal. The group travelled up to 56,000 km a year for about 40 years to take their show to the people of the Australian outback.

–

Buddy has been the recipient of many awards, including being the first person in Australia to receive the Australasian Country Music Award, presented to “the person contributing the most to Country Music”. He is an inductee of the “Australian Roll of Renown”, won a Heritage Award for “What a Dreary Old World it Would Be” at the Country Music Awards of Australia, and awarded a Special Award and Songmaker Award at the Tamworth Songwriters Awards. Along with Tex Morton and Smoky Dawson, Buddy was one of the first three to be inducted into Country Music Capital’s Hands of Fame at Tamworth.

–

Harold “Buddy” Williams died in Brisbane on 12 December 1986, aged 68. His funeral was conducted at St Andrews Church of England, Lutwyche and he was buried with daughter Donita at Lutwyche Cemetery. Buddy’s funeral was televised and among those present were Slim Dusty, John McSweeney and Shorty Ranger. Nick Erby read the eulogy, and members of the 2/31 Battalion formed a guard of honour.

–

LEST WE FORGET

–

—