Towards the end of the service for Battle of Fromelles Commemoration on 19th July was a final highlight in the awarding of Association Life Membership to our hard working President of the Brisbane Branch Tony Wadeson.

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The award which had been kept a close secret from Tony was presented by Brigadier Bill Date. Tony had been the  Secretary of the Brisbane Branch of the 31st Battalion Association since its inception and only took over as President at the AGM, after the passing, last year, of the Branch’s initial President  Ray Fogg. In his acceptance speech expressed his thanks to members of the Associatuion and paid tribute particularly to his good friend, the late Ray Fogg for all his years of work for the Association.

Congratulations Tony. Well Done!

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BRIG Bill Date Presenting Tony Wadeson with Life Membership Award

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Tony Wadeson with Life Membership Award

Hearty Congratulations to hard working President of the Ingham Branch of our Association Felix Reitano who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division of the recent Kings Birthday Honours List for 2025. The notification of the award to Felix was passed on by the Regional Convenor FNQ – Order of Australia Association and 31st Bn Assn Associate Member John Hardy OAM

John wrote

Felix

Congratulations on being awarded in the King’s Birthday Honours and Awards 2025, a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.

This is certainly well deserved and like many of these awards well overdue with recognition.

The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List recognised 830 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represents an increase of awardees of almost 30% since the Australia Day 2025 List.

John Hardy

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Brisbane Branch President Tony Wadeson added:

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Two 31st Bn Assn Members  – Awardees

(L to R) John Hardy OAM anf Felix Reitano OAM

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Felix with Wife Judy at 2024 Battalion Church Service

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Felix Conducting Anzac Service 2025

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Post 2025 Anzac Service

Family Group Photo Post 2025 Anzac Day Service

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Judy and Felix OAM

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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

31st Battalion Association members gathered at the Ayr RSL ANZAC Club on Saturday 9th November for a lunch time get together. President of the Association’s Townsville Branch Paul Ellems together with other Townsville members joined with members from the Ayr/Home Hill area to share stories of good times at the Ayr Depot. Photos Below:

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Charters Towers branch had a luncheon in March where long time and hard working Charters Towers Branch Secretary/Treasurer Vic Nicol was presented with the, 31st Battalion Association “Life Membership” Award.  Association President Greg Stokie presented the award at the luncheon in the presence of members of the Charters Towers Branch. Also present for the occasion was Townsville Branch President Paul Ellems. Congratulations on a well deserved award Vic.

Life Membership Award presented to Vic Nichol

L to R Vic Nichol, Greg Stokie (Association President), Raymond Barrett (President Charters Towers Branch)

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Members of the Charters Towers Branch of the 31st Battalion Association hosted a luncheon to commemorate the placement of Plaques on the graves of Wartime Tunnelers who are now buried in the Charters Towers Cemetery.  The project was an initiative of the Charters Towers Branch of the Association. The luncheon was attended by  members of the Association with wives and partners. Also present were Association President Col (Retd) Greg Stokie, Towvsville Branch President LtCol (Retd) Paul Ellems, Ingham Branch President Capt  (Retd) Felix Reitano. 

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The project which has been ongoing, has been steered by branch executive members President Raymond Barrett and facilitated by a grant arranged by Secretary/Treasurer and Honorary Association Life Member Vic Nichol.

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Felix Reitano, Vic Nichol, Greg Stokie, Paul Ellems, Raymond Barrett

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Tunnelers Grave

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Memberl 21 is Our oldest Member – Korean War (“Battle of Kapyong”) and Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, (AATTV) Veteran –

Ray “Dasher” Deed, – turns 97 Years old this ANZAC Day – 25th April. I’ve attached 2 Photos of RAY (One of them with Doug Angus RIP) at the age of 90Y. Photos were taken at ALSTONVILLE in 2017, when a few of us went down to attend the Commemoration Service of the Death of Paddy Bugden VC – 100 years previously in 1917. The Third photo is of a younger Dasher Deed taken in Vietnam (2nd on Left) where these five ex 3RAR “Battle of Kapyong” Veterans, had just received their “Second” US PRESIDENTIAL Unit Citation Award (AATTV). Ray hasn’t been very well of late, but he told me yesterday he is definitely going to make it until after ANZAC DAY.

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Ray will be holding his own Dawn Service at his residence again this year. There will be Tents erected in his Front yard, in case it rains. There will be about 60 people attending & he has a Guest Speaker from the RSL arranged. I will be attending, representing 31st Bn Assoc. – unfortunately President Ray Fogg is not well enough to attend this year.
Dasher spent some years as a Regular Army WO2 Cadre attached to 31st Bn in the late 1950’s & was WO1 – RSM of 51 Bn prior to Joining the AATTV in Vietnam.

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Above is a new Tribute to Ray “Dasher” Deed, produced by our French “Life Member Pierre Seillier OAM”. I will have this printed & framed & present it to Dasher on Anzac Day – his 97th Birthday. I forgot to mention in my previous email That on retirement Dasher was immediately contacted by Brisbane GPS College, – Church of England Grammar School, – referred to as “CHURCHIE” to join their staff as The Discipline Master? (or a term Similar) he remained there for 15 years. He redeveloped the School Army Cadet Corps, had them doing drills, no one thought possible & as well as the Royal Military College Duntroon Cadets, . On retirement the College used to arrange to have him back at the College for their Anzac Day Ceremony each year, prior to the Brisbane Parade.

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Our thanks to Pierre who produced this Tribute immediately after receiving my email below & emailed it back to me within a couple of hours. Pierre is a legend.
Regards Tony

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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