Texas Terror Commemoration – 2021

Our Ingham Branch President, Felix Reitano, sent us some pictures from the “The Texas Terror” commemoration on 18th Dec 2021. The Commemoration Ceremony – Anniversary of “The Texas Terror” Crash – WW2 of a USAAF – B24 Liberator Bomber known as the “Texas Terror” which crashed onto the summit of Mt Straloch on Hinchinbrook Island 18th Dec 1942, during a fierce tropical Storm. It was on its way to Iron Range. It had just departed Garbutt Airbase Townsville after picking up passengers, & probably still climbing through the Storm when it hit the Mountain.

This Ceremony is organised each year by Felix & the Ingham Branch of the 31st Bn Assoc. often attracting relatives & friends from the USA of those who perished in the crash. –

Refer photos attached.

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Commemoration – Ingham – 2021

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Commemoration – Ingham – 2021

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Part of Fuselage – At Crash Site – Hinchinbrook Is.

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Tail of Liberator At Crash Site

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Memorial at Crash Site

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Crash Victims Names on Memorial Cross

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Commander 11th Brigade – Brig Mark Armstrong

Biography –

Brig Mark Armstrong has served in the Army Reserve for over 29 years and has operational experience on Operation Catalyst (Iraq 2007), Operation QLD Flood Assist (Brisbane 2011) and as Commander Joint Task Group 629.3 on Operation COVID-19 Assist (Brisbane 2020). He is a full-time Command and Staff Course graduate and was the Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor of the Queensland University Regiment. He is currently posted as the Deputy Commander of 11 Brigade.

His academic qualifications include a Master of Arts (Strategy and Management), Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management), Master of Human Resource Management and a Master of International Security Studies. In his civilian career as a supply chain professional COL Armstrong has worked for multi-national corporations including Coca-Cola Amatil and Mayne Group. Most recently he was the National Manager Supply Chain Optimisation for Symbion (Australia’s largest pharmacy wholesaler).

COL Armstrong is undertaking a PhD as part of a Defence endorsed ‘PhD by Portfolio’ program through Deakin University. His topic is “One or two Armies? Ready or not? Relevant or not? – An analytical history of institutional reviews into the Australian Army Reserve since 1999”.

Vale Capt Merv Hazell

Members, I regret to advise that Our fellow Member & Mate, Merv Hazell passed

away this afternoon 30th Nov 2021.

May he Rest in Peace.

In a further message Branch Secretary Tony Wadeson added:

Merv had been fighting a battle with Cancer for a few years. He has still been attending

meetings and services despite being quite ill. His wife Kay has been by his side fighting

the battle with him all the way. She has been truly marvelous.

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Member Mick James called on him at the nursing home on the Friday prior to his

passing. Merv recognised Mick & showed he was pleased to see him although he

had difficulty communicating.

Mick again visited Merv on Sunday 28th Nov.

Mick continues,”Kay phoned me on Monday night 29th Nov to advise that Merv

had deteriorated markedly that day. She then phoned gain on Tuesday to say

he had passed.”

Merv in the centre of the Reserve Forces Day 2015 group

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Merv (fourth from Left) Reserve Forces Commemoration 2018

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The Battle for Australia Commemoration Committee with the Queensland Governor

and his wife at the 2018 Commemoration at Chermside (Merv on the right of the group).

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31st Battalion Assoc members at Battle for Australia Commemoration in 2015 at George St Brisbane.

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Anzac Day Brisbane – Prior to the March – 2013

Merv and Mick James Scouting out a meeting Venue in better times.

RIP – Merv