31st Battalion – Personnel WW1 – Alphabetical List

31st Battalion Association Honorary Member Peter Nelson has revised his list of 31st Battalion Personnel who fought in World War 1. This has been a monumental and ongoing project over some years. The revision features additional stories and photos uncovered by Peter’s continual research efforts. A big thankyou to Peter.

A new page has been established on this website to containing the Personnel lists.

See Menu Item: Unit Matters > 31st Battalion > 31st Battalion – WW1 Personnel Lists

Charters Towers Branch – Tunnelers Graves Project

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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31st Battalion Assoc – Education Bursaries for – 2025

If you are a financial ex-31^st Battalion Association member or a Widow or widower of an ex-31^st Battalion member, or a current financial supporter or a current serving member of the 31/42 Battalion and you have a child, grand child or great grandchild who has just completed year ten or eleven, please consider having them apply for our bursary. If you are a serving member of 31/42 Battalion who is undertaking trade training or tertiary studies, you could also consider seeking the support of this bursary.

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Two/three Bursaries valued at $300 each, will be awarded on the results obtained in Education and training in Queensland to support continuing education or training. The Bursaries, valued at $300 each, will be awarded to entrants, in order of Merit, as decided by the Executive Committee of the 31^st Battalion Association, Townsville Branch.

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To be eligible you must be:

A descendant or a person under guardianship of a current Financial Member of the 31^st Battalion Association or of a Widow of a former member of the 31^st Battalion Association or,

A current serving member of the 31/42 Battalion and is a financial member of our Association.

The selection criteria will include:

Results in grades 10, 11 or 12, or tertiary education results or, trade training.

Activities undertaken within the community such as sporting or charities or social club work.

A 200 word essay on your aspirations for life and within the community.

And finally, there may be a personal interview with the applicants and their sponsor.

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APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON THE 30^th OCTOBER , 2024.

Gregory Stokie
President
31^st Inf Bn RQR Assoc Inc.

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BURSARY APPLICATION

FULL NAME OF APPLICANT:………………………………………….………………………………….

ADDRESS:……………………………………………………………………….……………………………….

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EMAIL ADDRESS: ……………………………………………..…PH NO: ………………………………

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION/S :……………………………………………………………….………

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EDUCATIONAL LEVEL:……………………………………………………………………..……………….

FULL NAME OF SPONSOR (PARENT OR GRAND-PARENT OR SERVING MEMBER):

……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………..

SERVICE NO:…………………………..BRANCH OF SERVICE:……………………………………..

SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT:

………………………………………..………. DATE:……………………………………….

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Please attach supporting documents and return the application and the essay to the Postal Address below or electronically to the Email Address.

31^st Battalion RQR (The Kennedy Battalion) Assoc. Inc.

PO Box 684

TOWNSVILLE.

QLD. 4810

EMAIL: pellems@gmail.com

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Link to Application Below

2024.09.27. 31st Bn RQR Bursary Application

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Colonel Commandant – Royal Queensland Regiment

The following information regarding changes to the the leadership position of Colonel Commandant of the Royal Queensland Regiment have recently been passed on from the Headquarters of 31/42 RQR.

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Brigadier Bruce Scott CSC, ADC (Ret’d) finishes his appointment as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Queensland Regiment this year. During his appointment, Brigadier Scott, showed steadfast leadership in advocating for the Regiment and its members, ensured that the long history of the Regiment is acknowledged, and championed its future.
31/42 RQR thanks Brigadier Scott and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.

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Major General Stephen Porter AO, AM takes on the role of Colonel Commandant this year. 31/42 RQR welcomes him and looks forward to the upcoming years under his leadership. There are challenges ahead but the Royal Queensland Regiment is in a strong position to take them on.

31/42 RQR thanks Brigadier Scott and welcomes Major General Porter.

Brig Bruce Scott CSCADC

Brig Stephen Porter AO AM

Battle For Australia – 2024 Commemoration

The Battle For Australia Commemoration was held on Wednesday 4th Septemberis. This year the Commemorative address was given by Group Captain Denis Tan on behalf of the Chief of the Air Force.

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Our Association executive Member Mick James has submitted a copy of this excellent address which is reproduced -below.

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Also mentioned at the Commemoration is that Pat O’Keeffe OAM (pictured at the head of this page) is stepping down as President of the Battle for Australia Commemoration Committee after being the founding and only President since 2000. His successor is former CO of 9 RQR Col. Mark Plath (Retd). Mark is also a member of 31st Battalion Association & a Descendant of 31st Bn WW1 CO Col Fred Toll DSO & Bar MBE VD.

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31st Battalion Association Brisbane members Tim Lewis and Sec Tony Wadeson

laying a Wreath at the Battle for Australia Commemoration on Wed 4th Sept 2024 at Chermside.

Tim’s father, Lt Aub Lewis served in the 2/31st Battalion in the Battle of Balikpapan

Borneo in July/August 1945.

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Group Captain Dennis Tan – Battle for Australia 2024 Speech

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Below is the link to the Video of the Battle for Australia Commemoration for 2024

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Vale – WO1 Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM MID

Dear Members & Friends of the 31st Bn Assoc. It is my sad duty to advise you of the passing of our Oldest Member, – Soldier Hero, – Our Mentor in all things Army, – Our Great Mate, – Great Family Man, – True Blue Aussie. – WO1 Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM MID. Dasher died peacefully, surrounded by Family, in the aftrnoon of Thursday 19th Sept.

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If you wish to post a Card to the Family – Post it to – “The Family”of WO1 Ray Deed BEM MID (Retd), 11 Hassall St. Corinda Q’ld 4075.

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I have been advised that the Funeral service will be held at St Josephs Church Clewley St. Corinda on Friday 27th Sept at 11am.

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For those members who live Cabooture north to the Sunshine Coast, who wish to attend the Service, you can catch an Ipswich or Springfield Train to CORINDA Station. It is a short walk to the Church just past the RSL Sub Branch on the Other side of Oxley Rd. For those unable to walk I will arrange transport from the Station to the Church.

However as there are Rail line Upgrades taking place, on the north side of Brisbane you may wish to check prior to planing your trip.

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For those travelling by car please Note, – the Indooroopilly Bridge is Closed, so it would be necessary to travel via Ipswich Rd.

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DRESS:- Jacket & Tie, Beret, Medals, Name Tag.

Please RSP to me by Wed 25th if you will be attending

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Tony Wadeson

Secretary (Brisbane Branch) 31st Bn Assn

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Further information from Tony:

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Members, & friends – 97 year old Ray “Dasher” Deed, – 3RAR, & one of the few surviving “Battle of Kapyong” Veterans. – Vietnam Vet – AATTV. – Our oldest 31st Bn member, (Regular WO2 Cadre attachment) Townsville in the 60’s – WO1 -RSM, 51st Bn, Cairns.

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In the fortnight before his passing he had been seriously ill in the PA Hospital Brisbane (Intensive care).

Age has now caught up with our great mate, and a week before his passing he was transferred to Canossa Private Hospital (Pallative Care) Magdalene Wing- OXLEY.

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Dasher’s son Michael contacted me and advised that family members visited him, & Dasher was his normal self, – asking Questions & issuing instructions almost up to the end.

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Recent Photos of Dasher. First with Keith Payne VC & others, Taken at our 31st Bn (Brisbane Brch) – Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service on 19th July at Ipswich RSL

Photo of Members of the AATV & Korean War Veterans on receipt of their Second – US – Presidential Citation (Dasher second on left)

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Regards To all.

Tony.

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“Dasher”with Keith Payne VC & others, Taken at our 31st Bn (Brisbane Brch) –

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service on 19th July at Ipswich RSL

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Members of the AATV & Korean War Veterans on receipt of their

Second – US – Presidential Citation (Dasher second on left)

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Tony has received the following email from Assn Member Warren Gunder who has fond memories of his service with Dasher:

Hi Tony, I am saddened by the passing of Dasher and hope that you will pass on my condolences to the family. Dasher was a significant person in my time as an officer. He was there when I was first commissioned and cadre WO of the coy. When posted to 51RQR on FTD he arrived as the RSM and of course later we both served in the Trg Team. Since then I have been involved with him to some degree on a social level. He was a very special soldier, always calm and collected and very wise with his advice. He is one person from my army career of whom I will have very fond memories. Vale Dasher.

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Final Tribute to “Dasher”

By Our Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier

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Memorial Service Cover

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Ray’s Family Gathering for his 90th

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Olympians of 31st Battalion

In this Olympic games year we are grateful to Honorary Member Peter Nelson for discovering two members of 31st Battalion who participated in the 1906 games. Thanks also to our tireless Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier for his efforts in creating the plaques for the members concerned.

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Peter, who has done so much research in producing alphabetical listing of members of the 31st Battalion of WW I, wrote up the story of these two members on the “31stBattalion AIF Memorial” Facebook Page. Peter, in commenting on Pierre’s memorial plaques for the men fills out the story. Over to Peter:

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Thanks Pierre you have correctly identified the symbol of the Athens “Intercalated Olympic Games” of 1906, which were to be held every four years between the Olympiads, and were at the time referred to as “Olympics”. Greg ‘Dad’ Wheatley competed in the 1906 Athens “Intercalated Olympic Games”. Both men were to represent Australia in the 1910 Athens “Intercalated Olympic Games” which did not eventuate as an international

event as envisaged. Both men at the time were referred to as Olympians.

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Both were well known sportsmen in the running events, along with many others who enlisted.

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Lieut Andrew Sime, is credited as the first Australian to win the ‘Marathon’ over the recognised distance of 42.195km (26 miles 385 yards). He achieved this in 1909. “Australians Victor Aitken, George Blake and Joseph Lynch started in the very first 42.195 km marathon in London, 1908, but none finished. Sydneysider Andrew Sime was the first Australian to finish a 42.195 km marathon in Athens, 1910.” He embarked as OC 2nd Rfts, 31st Bn.

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Lieut Greg ‘Dad’ Wheatley enlisted and embarked with the 29th Bn, serving at Fromelles, before transferring to 31st Bn. He was selected to compete in the 8th Bde Sports Unit for an AIF Sports event in Mar 1918.

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2lt Andrew Sime

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Lt Greg Alfred Wheatley

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Vale – Ron Springer RFM ED

Sad News of the passing of one of our long term Members – Ron Springer who passed away 17th June, surrounded by his Family in Hospital.
Ron joined the Regular Army – RAR, with an intention to fight in Korea. That was not to be, but was sent out to “Maralinga” – Woomera Area as part of an Australian Army Contribution to run the Camp set up for the British Gov. – Atomic Bomb Tests between 1956 – 1962. There were many Military & Civilian casualties resulting from these Tests.
After Ron left the Regular Army he rejoined the CMF – 31st Bn, – ended up as CSM of Charlie Company Ingham. The family then moved to Mackay in 1977 where Ron continued his Service with 42 Bn. The family eventually retired to Brisbane, & Ron then became a very active & long term member of the Centenary Suburbs RSL Sub Branch.
Ron was one of our original 31st Bn Assoc. Brisbane Branch Members accompanied by John Gardner his old OC Charlie Company..
RIP – Ron Springer – Great Family Man, – Great Soldier, – Great Aussie & Great Mate.
A Memorial Service for Ron was held Tuesday 25th June at 2.00PM – Centenary Memorial Gardens Federation Chapel – 353 Wacol Station Rd, Sumner. Refreshments later at Centenary Suburbs RSL Sub Branch – Jindalee Bowls Club.
Dress:- Jacket, Beret, Medals, Name Tag.

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – Ipswich, Australia and Fromelles, France

A very moving 108th Anniversary Commemoration (19th July 2024) held at the Ipswich RSL Honour Stone by the Ipswich RSL in conjunction with the 31st Infantry Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch). Honoured Special Guest was Mr Keith Payne VC AM,, a former member of both the 31st Battalion (1951) & 42nd Battalion (1975).

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Other honoured Guests were Brig Arran Hassell CSC, Commander of 8th Brigade Aust Army, Duputy RSL Qld President, Ms Wendy Taylor, Group Capt Dennis Tan, Senior Officer RAAF Base Amberley . Her Worship the Mayor of Ipswich Cr Teresa Harding, Mr Alain Etchegaray Hon Consul representing the French Ambassador to Australia, Maj Ed Dalheimer, Company Commander 31st/42nd Battalion RQR, The Hon Shayne Neumann MP, Member for Blair, Senator Paul Scarr ,Jennifer Howard MP, State Member for Ipswich.

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We were honoured to have the following Descendants of Soldiers who fought in the Battle of Fromelles –
Col Mark Plath Retd – representing– Lt Col Fred Toll DSO & Bar MBE VD, CO of 31st Battalion
Mr Keith Beardsmore – representing– Lt Col Henry Breardsmore DSO , 30th Battalion –
Ms Ann Kirby – representing – Sgt Cyril Kirby MM 31st Battalion
Lt Col Russell Linwood ASM Retd – representing – Pte Issac Linwood 31stBattalion
Mr Leo Rawlings – representing– Pte Frederick Rawlings 31st Battalion
Mr Bernie Delaney, Ms Siobhan Bouma & James Danaher 3rd – representing – Lt James Danaher 31st Battalion
Robert Doncaster- representing – Charles Christopher Doncaster 53rdBattalion
Additional we had Ms Deborah Gower representing the Mayor of Fromelles & the Fromelles Community lay a Wreath
Some photos of the Descendants at the Honour Stone after the Service. More to follow
We also mention the Service was live streamed on Ipswich RSL Facebook & can be viewed here – https://www.facebook.com/ipswichrsl/videos/1455856535298547

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Brig Arran Hassell CSC – Comd 8th Bde – Delivering Welcoming Address

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Members of the 31st Battalion Assoc with Keith Payne VC AM (Centre Front)

Maj Ed Dalheimer, Coy Commander 31st/42nd Battalion, (In Uniform).

After the 108th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles at Ipswich.

Lt Col Russell Linwood ASM Retd (on the left of Keith) renewed their acquaintance & stories from when Russell was a Cadet at Duntroon & Keith was an Instructor there.

Wreaths Laid at the Fromelles Commemoration in Ipswich

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Keith engaged in conversation with fellow Vet.

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Overhead photo of 31st Battalion Assoc Battle of Fromelles 108th Anniversary Commemoration held at the Honour Stone at Ipswich RSL Memorial Hall, in conjunction with the Ipswich RSL sub branch.

A great attendance of over 100.

Newly identified 31st Battalion Digger at Pheasant Wood Cemetery

Unveiled on 19th July 2024 – LEST WE FORGET

BRUMBY , William Christopher S/N 585 Pte
Born -Cones Homley, England
NOK (m) Mrs Eliza Rowle, South Someroakes, Lincolnshire, England

Enlistment Date 12-Jul-15 Melbourne, Victoria
Age 28 yrs Single C.of E. Labourer Address Sorrento, Victoria

Outcome KIA 2 0th Jul 1916 at Fromelles.

Remembered at Villers Bretonneux – France

Original, ‘C’ Coy, 31st Bn

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Pte William Christopher Brumby

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Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery Fromelles France 19th uly 2024

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31st Battalion Association Wreath placed during the Ceremony

Fromelles France 19th July 2024

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Commemoration Ceremony Fromelles France 19th July 2024

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Also From the Gallery

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The 2024 Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Service

The 2024 Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Service was held at St James Cathedral, Townsville on Sunday 18th August 2024. Members of 31st Bn and 42nd Bn Assoc from Townsville, Charters Towers, Ingham and other centres around North Queensland joined with Serving and Past members of 31/42 RQR and 11Bde.

Members Attending the Service

Members and partners

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Above Pictures 31Bn Assn Members and Wives/Partners At Assn Commemorative

Church Service at St James Cathedral, Townsville

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Darryl Walker, Lindsay Elmore and Andrew Gill 31Bn Assn Members

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Neville Homes and Darryl Walker 31Bn Assoc. and National Service Assoc.

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Rob Donkin (LTCOL Retd) Delivering Reflections Address

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11Bde Officers (L to R) Maj Daniel Farrands, Lt Alexander de Camp, Cpl Kenton Harvie,

RSM 31/42RQR WO1 David Nicholas, COMD 11Bde BRIG Richard Pearce,

A/RSM WO1 Ryan Snell, Lt Joshua Borquin, Cpl Jackson Pearson, Pte Hugo Boyd (Bugler)

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Service Notification:

Presidents and Members of the

31st Infantry Battalion Association

and the

42nd Infantry Battalion Association

have great pleasure in jointly inviting

All Association Members and interested public citizens

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to attend the

2024 Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Service

to be held in

ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL

36 Cleveland Terrace, North Ward, Townsville on

Sunday, 18th August, 2024

at 9.00 a.m.

The Service will be conducted by the

The Very Reverend Dr Kenneth Lay

Dress:

Servicing Personnel: Ceremonial Dress Polyester

Civilians: Smart Casual (with Medals)

Coat and tie for participants

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The service will be followed by

Refreshments in the Cathedral Hall