December 2024 – 31st Infantry Battalion Association

MEMBERS of the 31^st Infantry Battalion Association and Ingham community members paid their annual tribute to the 12 United States airmen who died on December 18, 1942, when their B24D Liberator bomber crashed on Hinchinbrook Island. The aircraft, code-named the “Texas Terror,” was heading to Iron Range on Cape York when it crashed.

Also in attendance were visitors from Townsville, and Charters Towers.

The Ingham community erected a memorial plaque in 1999, and a local committee has worked earnestly over the years to ensure this part of Ingham’s military history will not be forgotten.

3st Battalion Assn Ingham Branch President, Felix Reitano has arranged a video of this year’s Commemoration Ceremony Sunday 15th December 2024 here:-

Also, photo taken with Peter Maltby’s camera also attached.

Regards,

Felix Reitano

Gathering of Assn Members with Ingham Community members at the

“Texas Terror” Commemoration Sun 15th December

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Part of the Wreckage on Hinchinbrook Island showing the “Texas Terror” Code Name

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Identification Marks on the Wreckage on Hinchinbrook Island.

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Cross with the Crewmens names

Association Member Mick James has contributed this interesting story after meeting up earlier this month up with Johan Vandewalle who is one of the main proponents of the Brothers In Arms Memorial Park project. Mick takes up the story: –

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A very interesting morning today. After advice from Lambis (Lambis Englezos AM Search this Website for his remarkable story), I met up with Johan Vandewalle and his Brisbane host, Len Kelly at Len’s residence. Johan was mainly responsible for the Brothers in Arms Memorial Park in Zonnebeke Belgium, including the Statue of the two brothers – see [Story | Brothers In Arms Memorial Park] (https://www.brothersinarmsmemorial.info/story)

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Johan is in Australia to thank one of the main contributors to the Brothers in Arms Project, Bill Gibbins AM, who is also the instigator of the Jericho Cup Race Day at Warrnambool Vic since 2018- Johan is also meeting with relatives of the “Brothers in Arms’” around Queensland.

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We had a lively discussion about the Brothers In Arms Project & the 31stBattalion AIF, particularly in the Battle of Fromelles & the Battle of Polygon Wood. Johan’s Café/Museum is adjacent to the Polygon Wood Battlefield. We discussed various men of the 31st in that Battle including Lt Col Fred Toll who received his Bar to the DSO for actions in this Battle, Pte Paddy Bugden whose VC was posthumously awarded for actions in this Battle, Lt James Danaher who was KIA in the Battle, and Pte WE “Billy” Sing DCM, who was awarded a Belgian Croix de Guerre for actions immediately after the Battle, leading a patrol out to locate & dispose of German snipers who were causing further casualties as the Battalion was digging in. Billy Sing’s Citation reads in part – “By his dash and success in dealing with these (enemy snipers), our front line was secured and consolidation continued. During his whole operation his skill in picking out and dealing with snipers was uncanny”.

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I mentioned that Billy died a pauper in Brisbane in 1943 and is buried in Lutwyche Cemetery. In 2015 our 31st Battalion Association, with a Federal Govt Grant, erected a granite Plinth adjacent to his grave in his Honour. At a subsequent Commemoration Billy’s Nephew was in attendance.

Johan was particularly interested in Billy and later today he visited Billy’s grave and the Memorial with Len. I should add that Johan has joined our 31st Battalionn Association & has been confirmed by Secretary, Tony Wadeson Some photos below–

LEST WE FORGET

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