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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Mick James and Johan Vandawalle
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Johan Vandawalle and Len Kelly at Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
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Johan Vandawalle at Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
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Johan Vandaville at Grave Site Lutwyche Cemetery
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Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium) Plaque
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Don Smith Nephew of Billy Sing
With President Ray Fogg
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This was our 1st Commemoration in 2012 at Billy Sing’s graveside
Our Brisbane Branch President, Ray Fogg at the lectern and
Former Senator, Bill O’Chee laying a Wreath.
Association Members are behind President Ray
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