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”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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LEST WE FORGET

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In September our Association Brisbane Branch Secretary, Tony Wadeson, visited Victoria where he presented the Association’s Honorary LIFE MEMBER to KEITH HEARNE – Past President of 2/31st & 2/25th Battalion Association Victoria. In an email to the President of the Frankston RSL Tony gives a brief of Kieth’s achievements over many years of RSL and community involvement.

For Attention President Kevin:- I refer to our Visit to your Club on Wednesday 7th Sept. for Lunch & to present an “Honorary Life Membership Tribute” to 97 Year old Keith Hearne WW2 Digger, & Past President of the 2/31st Bn & 2/25th Bn Association Victoria, who now resides in “Micare Avondrust Village.

As Requested I’m forwarding you:- (A) Details of Keith Hearne & his RSL Resume, – Details of the 31st Bn Association. (B) Photo of Presentation at Frankston RSL Names in Photo – from left to Right – Tony Wadeson Secretary 31st Bn Association Brisbane, – Keith Hearne WW2 Digger 2/31st Bn & Past President of 2/31st & 2/25th Bn’s Victoria, – Brian Mullarvey 31st Bn Assoc. Member. (Brian served with 42Bn as 2IC Biloela Company for a short period in the early 1970’s I believe? – He was The ARC Engineering P/L Manager of our Gladstone Factory at the time before being transferred to Manager/Tasmania.
Please refer to the Attached details & Photos.

Kevin, I would like to Congratulate you on Your Excellent Club, particularly your Staff who bent over backwoods to cater for our needs in the restaurant & where to take photos etc for the Presentation. It really made our visit enjoyable & successful.

KEITH HEARNE

2/31^st Bn – WW2 Veteran

President of the 2/31^st & 2/25^th Battalions Assoc. Victoria

Gold Badge – Life Membership RSL

Life Member – 7^th Division AIF Association

Honorary Life Member – 31^st Infantry Battalion Association Inc.

The 31^st Bn Association first made contact with Keith Hearne during July 2010 when a group of WW2 Veterans of the 2/31^st Bn AIF were touring their old pre battle training areas in North Q’ld. They called in to Kissing Point Townsville to present an old “31^st Bn Flag” to the North Queensland Military Museum. Keith who was, and had been, President of the 2/31^st & 2/25^th Bn’s Association Victoria as long as anyone could remember and one of the last operating in Australia, made contact with Committee Members of 31^st Bn Association to request that we might take over the job of “Remembrance of the 2/31^st Bn“ due to their Association’s dwindling Numbers. Our Committee members indicated that they would certainly be proud to take on the Caretaker role to ensure that such a famous Battalion as the 2/31^st would “LIVE ON”. Twelve years on and that is work in progress with the Brisbane Branch joining with the Descendants of Veterans of 2/31^st Bn in the Anzac Day Memorial Service at South Bank and the Brisbane Anzac Day March. Brisbane Branch member Tim Lewis, whose Father served with the 2/31^st at Balikpapan, took on the role of 2/31^st Bn co-ordinator, and has made contact with family members of past 2/31^st Bn Presidents or committee members from all Eastern States. The Victorian Branch of the 2/31^st Bn & 2/25^th Bn Association folded about 5 years ago as numbers dwindled. It was the last Branch to close in Australia. As far as we are aware Keith Hearne & his Secretary Walter Robertson are the only two WW2 members of the 2/31^st Bn still alive today. (Refer Keith’s RSL Resume – here under).

For your Info:- 2/31^st & 2/25^th Bn’s were sister Bn’s in the 25^th Brigade – 7^th Division- 2^nd AIF

25^th Brigade was formed in England & served in ENGLAND as part of the Defence Force of England. Then Served in SYRIA & Palestine. – NEW GUINEA:- – Kokoda Track, Ioribaiwa – Oivi Gorari – Buna, Gona. – Lae, Nadzab, – Ramu Valley. BORNEO:- Balikpapan

The 31^st Infantry Battalion Association Inc. – WEBSITE:- Google – 31bnassn.org

The 31^st Bn is the only Battalion from the WW1 – Fifth Division still on strength in the Australian Army’s Order of Battle today. It’s now known as 31/42 Bn RQR – HQ’d in Townsville, but drawing its Troops from Cairns down to Gladstone and west of those towns. Both the 31^st Bn originally the Kennedy Regiment, and 42^nd Bn, originally the Capricorn Regiment trace their history back to 1881. Most members of the 31^st Bn Association have served with the 31^st Bn. In North Queensland. The Association has Branch’s in Townsville, – Charters Towers, – Ingham, & Brisbane.

TONY WADESON (Secretary- 31^st Bn Assoc. Brisbane)

Email:- wadesonriver@aapt.net.au

Keith Hearne’s – R S L Service Resume as at – “2002”

Sub Branch:- Bairnsdale

Service in Years Member 55

Committee 7

Welfare 35

V/Affairs 35

Anzac Poppy Appeals 35

Land Settlement/Rural 5

Hospital Visiting 25

Blood Bank 18

Conference Delegate 8

DISTRICT – 10 – BOARD

Chairman 6

State Councillor 7

Delegate 8

SUB BRANCH

State Executive 5

Committees 5

STATE BRANCH COMMITTEES ANZAC HOUSE

Veteran’s Affairs Committee (Chairman)

Land Settlement/Rural – (Secretary)

Appeals

Future of League

Membership

V.J. Commemoration

Diaster Fund Coordinator

OTHER ACTIVITIES.

Gippsland Veterans Welfare Management Committee Sale.

Veterans Affairs Coordination Council at – Veterans Affairs

R.S.L. Disaster Fund Coordinator East Gippsland Floods 1998

R.S.L. Disaster Fund Coordinator East Gippsland Bush Fires 2003

HONOURS & AWARDS

50 years Service Award

Gold Badge Life Membership RSL – June 26 2002

Certificate of Appreciation RSL – June 26 2002

Life Membership – 7^th Division Association

Life Membership – 31^st Battalion Association

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Addendum

A story on Keith Hearne and his previous wartime and peacetime involvements appeared on this

website in September 2020 (Type Kieth Hearne into he search box on this website).

The story includes his travelling Papua New Guinea to attend the re-interment of 

2/31 Bn victims of a wartime aircraft crash, remains finally recovered in 2005.

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The following copies of letters, orders, diary extracts relate to the the part played by Lt Richard Aubrey Lewis (B Coy 2/31st battalion) in the surrender of the Japanese forces in the Banjarmasin/Kotawaringin areas of Kalimantan, Borneo in September 1945.

Note: For ease of reading some of the documents and hand written script a high resolution screen may be necessary. Older computer monitors may present some difficulties. Modern mobile phones or tablets are likely to have greater definition than older computer monitors allowing easier reading of the documents herein.

They were gathered and collated by his son, 31st Battalion Association member Tim Lewis.

From the diary of NX177993 Lt Richard Aubrey Lewis Recollection No9 Dated 11^th Dec 1945:

“On the 25^th of September I left Bandjamasin to proceed to Kotawaringin to accept the surrender of the Jap garrison. It was an interesting trip Lieut C Allan Hard and Sub-Lieut Col Gillespie were the naval officers of HMAL 1359 which carried portion of my party. The remainder under Sgt Hewston, travelled on a Jap coastal steamer.”

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Lt Lewis with Navy personnel on HMAML1359 moving to Kota Waringin to

accept the surrender of members of Japanese Forces 

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Above and Below – Lt Lewis meeting with the Sultan at Pangkalan Bun

This is the main administration centre of the Kota Waringin Area

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Chart of the Kalimantan Coastline East of Banjarmasin

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Warning Order given to Lt RA Lewis and key personnel on the day prior (22 Sep 1945). The order was for the move to Kota Waringin on 23 Sep 1945 to bring back Japanese 156 Soldiers and 18 Civilians.

With him was a Pl of B Coy (4 NCO plus 32 OR)

2 RAP Orderlies

1 Int Sect

1 Cook

Lt Hard and crew of  HMAML Q1359

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Tke Kotawaringin Region of Central Kalinantan, Borneo

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Below is an extract from the War Diary covering the period between 23 Sep 45 to 28 Sep 45.

It covers the move to Kota Waringin for the purpose of accepting the surrender and

Transporting of Japanese forces for processing at Banjarmasin.  

The Kota Waringin area is approx 450km to the west of Banjarmasin. The journey took just over 24 hrs to complete

Because of Navigation concerns they spent the night of 24/25 anchored (with the HAPGOAN, the coastal vessel that was to transport the Japanese) at the mouth of the river before going upstream to Kumai on 25 Sep. At Kumai, the village headman reported that majority of the Japanese had been assembled 1km north of Kumai.

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A number of Japanese Officars (4 Naval and 1 Army) presented themselves to Lt Lewis at the Kumai wharf. Lt IIzuka reported that 153 soldiers and 18 Civilians  were in their party north of Kumai, 9 of whom were hospital cases suffering from (2 x appendicitis, 6 Malaria and 1 a Violent Lunatic). Weapons were centralised and stored. The OC of their sub unit Sub-Lt Takare had previously committed Hari Kari. Lt Lewis was able to inspect and confirm these reported numbers.

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All Japanese were moved to the wharf and placed under guard. Lt Iizuka was given a warning order that they were to be moved to BANJARMASIN on 26 Sep. An English speaking Chinese was interrogated. Report shown below.

Arrangements were made for meeting with the Sultan in PANGKALAN BUN.

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Travelled to PANGKALAN BUN by car (approx 15KM via road) to Sultans palace.

Lt Lewis was received by the Sultan at a civic reception at his Palace. The civil administration was 

returned to the Sultan whose position had been eroded during the Japanese occupation.

The Sultan returned with Lt Lewis to Kumai to be briefed on the stores and supplies that were to be policed.

The Japanese and one of their local collaborators (Hadji Mochamad Kasim) were loaded on the vessels.

Both boats (the “HMAML Q 1359” and the coastal vessel “Hapgoan”) set sail for Banjarmasin on 26th Sep at1555hrs.

Arrival in Banjarmasin was two days later.

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The above list is the weapons and equipment handed over by the Japanese. A number of rifles and LMGs most of which were dumpted at sea. The Dutch captured weapons were returned to the Dutch.

The Japanese swords were returned to the Bn store. 

Equipment included Diesel and Petrol engines, Generators for lighting and radio equipment, workshop equipment (lathe drills, saws, grinding wheel, etc) and 10 vehicles of various types.

Most of this equipment was left to be policed by the Sultan’s men.

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This image was taken from either NAA or AWM footage.

This note is from Tim Lewis (the son of Lt RA Lewis)”I can only assume that my father accepted the garrison surrender from Captain Iizuka with WO Iwase by his side. ( These names appeared elsewhere in my father’s diaries)”.

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These are some of the handwritten notes written during the conduct of the operations at Kota Waringin

Covering note to the CO 2/31 Battalion 28 Sep 1945

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Below is a hand written description of the meeting between Lt Lewis and the Sultan

to discuss the restoration of the civil administration.

The Sultan expresses his concerns regarding his reduced status during the Japanese Occupation.

Lt Lewis held meetings with district headmen to re-establish the Sultan as the centre of Administration in the district

pending the arrival of the Dutch Administration. 

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Document F is a Patrol Report

The patrol was to ascertain whether and large numbers of Japanese were in the area and to locate any Japanese weapons.

It was determined that no large numbers of Japanese were in the area and that all former store houses were

searched but no weapons were found. Weapons previously founded were handed to a patrol from C Coy.

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Document C is an Interrogation Report

This report is from the interrogation of an English speaking Chinese concerning the man Hadji Mochamad Kalim who was brought back from Kumai to Banjarmasin on the Naval vessel. Kalim was named as a Japanese collaborator. He had lived in the Kumai area since 1936 There were two occasions where Kalim received a token punishment from the Japanese for trying to buy a radio and for fishing. The same offences perpetrated by others would result in much harsher punishment.

In 1942 There were 1000 British and Dutch troops in the area but these had subsequently been transferred to Banjarmasin. since then there were not many Japanese in the area until they built an airstrip 6 months before the end of the war. The factory and equipment at Kumai was used in the manufacture of swords and in support of the air strip operations.

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Below is the report from the Chinese person in his own handwriting.

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Keith is a prominent member of the 2/31st Battalion from Victoria. He has always been heavily involved in the Association and is now one of a diminishing band of old soldiers who served through WW2.

Keith was to have gone to Canberra this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2. The ceremony which was to have taken place on 15th August 2020 had to be cancelled because of restrictions in place to prevent the transmission of the Covid19 virus. Keith has of late been beset by illness but he received a letter from the Governor of Victoria in recognition of the occasion.

He has been a constant presence in the Victorian RSL as well as a past president of the 2/25 & 2/31st Association. The two Battalion associations voted to merge when numbers started to thin out.

Keith enlisted as soon as possible in 1943 and after various training postings, joined the 2/31 Battalion training on the Atherton Tableland prior to embarkation for Morotai then Balikpapan on the Island of Borneo.

During the landing at Balikpapan Keith recalls that the  landing craft had difficulties getting onto the beach so he and his sergeant were the first to wade  ashore to reconnoitre the enemy situation. Keith was crouched on the beach reconditioning the Owen Gun ensuring that it was free of sea water whilst the Sergeant stood to take a look around. In an instant the Sergeant fell mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper. Keith has spent his much life wondering about the fortunes of war. Why him and not me.

Letter of Appreciation from the Governor of Victoria

Keith has continued his service to the local community in good times or in bad. Amongst other things he has coordinated the East Gippsland RSL Disaster Fund for the floods in 1998 and the East Gippsland RSL Disaster Fund in the bush fires of 2003. In 2005 he flew to Papua New Guinea as a member of the party to reinter the remains of 2/31st Battalion comrades who perished when the aircraft carrying wounded from the battles of Balikpapan and Morotai crashed in the mountains of West Papua on September 18 1945. The service and reinterment took place at Bomana war Cemetery Papua New Guinea. In June 2015 he also visited the Labuan War Cemetery to pay his respects to his mates from the the Borneo Campaign.

Keith at the Reinterment of old 2/31st Battalion mates – Victims of the aircraft Crash Mentioned above

Keith in Papua New Guinea with old “Comrades in Arms”

One of Keith’s good mates, Trevor Jorgensen – killed in the Air Crash 

An old Mate, Trevor Jorgensen, (One of those killed in the Air crash) Finally laid to rest at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea

The Crash site in the mountains of West Papua 18th Sep 1945

the remains of the wounded soldiers and crew were recovered in May 2005

2/25th 2/31st/ Battalion Reunion including a visitor from WA Jim Gordon VC

The Battalion rightly honours Jim Gordon for his award of the Victoria Cross for his acts of courage in the battle for Jezzine during the Syrian campaign. At the same time Keith makes light of his own award (The Commander-In-Chief’s Card) for testing anti-Malarial therapies. No doubt it also took great courage to be on the receiving end of untried and unproven therapies for Malaria. This, the disease that had caused more casualties than enemy action for armies and for civilian populations for thousands of years past.

The battered old Hat with the colour patch of 2/31st Battalion- Keith calls it the “Real Thing” 

The Banner of the 2/31st Battalion being held in a stiff breeze by 31st Battalion Association Secretary Tony Wadeson.

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The Kokoda Commemoration Day was held at the Sherwood -Indooroopilly RSL on Sunday 9th August 2020. A large gathering was in attendance including a number of members of the 31st Battalion Association.  The 2/31st Bn Banner was on Display. A gallant effort was being sustained by our Brisbane Branch Secretary, Tony Wadeson, to hold the banner in place against the wild winds of the day. Guest Speaker for the occasion was Jay Hooper. 

Wreaths to be laid by:-

(1) Wreath to be Laid on Behalf of 2/31st Bn (Father – Veteran of 2/31st Bn)  – Mrs Elizabeth Timms

(2) Wreath to be laid on Behalf of 2/31st Bn (Father a Veteran of 2/31st Bn – Mr Tim Lewis 31st Bn Assoc.  Liaison Officer  for  2/31st Bn Veterans/Family/Friends

(3) Wreath to be laid on Behalf of the 31st Bn Assoc.  – Ray Fogg – President 31st Bn Assoc. (Brisbane)

(4) Wreath to be Laid on behalf of Her Father & Uncle both Veterans of 2/31st Bn. – Mrs Patricia Date 

 the 2/31st Bn Banner on Display, With your Approval of course. We will arrive about 10.15AM to erect it where you designate.

A number of photos of the day were posted on the Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL Facebook Page some of which are included below.

Ray Fogg Laying the Association wreath

Tim Lewis Laying the Wreath in honour of his father Lt Aub Lewis 2/31st Battalion

Mick James Laying wreath – Battle For Australia Committee

Mick James

The Papua NewGuinea Flag in Central Position

Ladies Laying Wreaths in Memory of relatives.

A Section of the assembled gathering for the Kokoda Commemoration Day

Tony Wadeson – Doing a briliant job of holding down the Banner of the 2/31st Battalion

which threatened to take off in the windy conditions.

Speaker for the occasion – Jay Hooper

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