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Battle of Fromelles – 2021 – Commemoration

MONDAY the 19th of July 2021, – IS A SPECIAL DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE 31st BATTALION. – The 105th Anniversary of the Day the 31st Infantry Battalion AIF went into action, for the first time on the Western Front at Fromelles, as part of the 8th Brigade, – 5th Division AIF.  It ended in a Disaster, resulting in the Highest casualties sustained by a Division in 24 hours in a Australian Military History.

You are Cordially invited to attend The Commemoration Service of the Battle to be held at the Ipswich General Cemetery on Monday 19th July at 1100 Hrs. (REFER ATTACHED) We ask you as members and Friends  to make a special effort to attend. This year we have Students and Teachers from three Ipswich High Schools attending. The Mayor of Ipswich, Mayor Teresa Harding, and the Federal Member for Blair The Hon Shayne Neumann have requested invitations to attend.

PLEASE ADVISE ME IF YOU WISH TO LAY A WREATH.

DRESS:- Anzac Day Attire. Jacket, and Tie, Medals, Beret, and Name Tag.

ASSEMBLY:- No later than 1045 Hours – Cenotaph – Ipswich General Cemetery – Warwick Rd Ipswich. Service will take approx. 1 Hour. You may require a Hat or an Umbrella.

If you require a seat. PLEASE BRING A FOLDING CHAIR.

We will be adjourning to the CSI Club Ipswich for refreshments & a Light Lunch (Own Expense) after the Service. You are most welcome to join us.

RSVP:- by 5.00PM – WEDNESDAY 14th JULY  – (A) If you are attending the Service. (B) If you intend to join us for a light lunch at the CSI Club in Ipswich. Contact TONY WADESON by email.

If you wish to attend but are concerned about Transport. Please advise me & I’ll see what can be done.

Regards TONY

Cpl Edward Kent MM – Old Boy of Ipswich Grammar School

Battle of Fromelles 19th/20th July 1916 – “Brief”

  • The 19th July 2021 will be the 105th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles on the Western Front. Fromelles is situated in France near the Belgian Border just south of Ypres & west of Lille.
  • It was the First battle undertaken by Australian Troops on the Western Front – WW1.
  • It was carried out by the, 8th – 14th & 15th Brigade’s of the Aust 5th Division & on their Right, the British 61st Div. – (raw Territorial troops)

(The 31st Bn led by LTCOL Fred Toll was part of the 8th Bde.)

  • Fromelles was planned by the British as a Diversionary Attack to convince the Germans not to move troops south to the Somme where the British & French had started a major push on the 1st July. 11 Divisions of the British 4th Army had sustained massive Casualties exceeding 80K, on the Somme around the Pozieres area with little to show for it.
  • A British General, LTGEN Richard Haking planned the attack at Fromelles. This was unfortunate for the Australians, as he had previously been involved with planning an attack 14 Months earlier with British troops, over exactly the same ground with absolutely no gain & very heavy Casualties.
  • After the previous attack, the Germans spent the period improving & fortifying their Defences around Fromelles with underground Concrete Bunkers, & O/Head protective cover from Artillery. They had a clear view of the Australian Front line and an excellent observation of the battlefield from the Church Spire in the Village of Fromelles. The Germans also had the Australian Front line & supporting areas well ranged by their Artillery & Mortars. They had a year to practice their ranging.
  • The attack started with Artillery Bombardments at 11.00 AM & at 6.00 PM (in broad daylight) the troops advanced, with the 8th Bde – 31st & 32nd Bn’s leading the attack on the left, with the 14th Brigade’s 54th & 53rd Bn’s on their right. These two Brigades had to cross about 100 yds of clear open ground of No Mans Land in front, of the 31st & 32nd Bns, & up to 200 yds in front of the 54th & 53rd Bns. But, the 15th Bde on the extreme Right, had to cross about 350 yds of clear open ground to reach the German Front Lines. The 15th Brigade’s two leading Battalions were almost wiped out in “No Mans Land” by heavy machine gun fire, from the “Sugarloaf position” & very few Diggers managed to reach the German Front Line, let alone penetrate it.
  • The 31st& 32nd – & 54th& 53rd Bns although, taking heavy casualties, over ran the German front line. The 31st Bn CO, LTCOL Fred Toll proceeded forward Approx. 400 M looking for the proposed 3rd & 4th Line German Trenches, but found only muddy ditches. They returned back to a dry Ditch about 200 m behind the main German Front Line& started to dig in as their defensive line. They managed to hold it against Heavy German Artillery Barrages, & overwhelming German Counter Attacks, but at about 2.00AM, LTCOL Toll decided to move back to the Main German line.They held out until about 6.30 AM on the following morning, when they were forced to retreat back over No Man’s Land to their own lines, due to lack of ammunition & reinforcements, sustaining further heavy casualties in the process.
  • The Attack was over in 18 Hours but wounded were still trying to crawl back & diggers going out to try to rescue them for many hours after.
  • The Battle achieved nothing, and was a disaster. There were no more attacks at Fromelles for the rest of the war. The bodies of the dead Australians lay in No Man’s Land, until after the War, and many who were killed behind the German Lines, remained as missing. After the war the 410 unidentified remains in NO Mans Land were buried in Groups of 10 at “VC Corner” Cemetery at Fromelles. Those who were killed behind the German Lines remained as missing & would remain unheard of for about 80 Years. That’s another story. (Refer Below)
  • Roll call after the Battle recorded a total of 5533 Casualties by the 5th Division. This was the highest casualties sustained by any Div. within a 24hr period in Australian Military History.
  • However, due to the high casualties, the Battle was basically kept a secret, by the high authority, and as the Aust. 1st – 2nd & 4th Divisions entered the Battle of the Somme on the 23rd July capturing Poziers & the high ground of the “Windmill” behind it, with a Casualty high of 23,000 over the following weeks, the Battle of Fromelles was forgotten, & became part of the British Somme offensive. The British never ever recorded Fromelles as a Battle & it is not recognised as such to this Day. We Australians regard it as a Battle, & the 31st Bn being the only Unit of the 5th Div. WW1, still operational & on strength in the ADF, will continue to recognise it & commemorate the Diggers who fought & died there.

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LAMBIS ENGLEZOS  AM

  • In the late 1990’s a Greek born, Arts Teacher & amateur War Historian from Melbourne started taking an interest in the Battle of Fromelles as he had interviewed old WW1 Diggers of the Victorian 15th Brigade living nearby in Melbourne. He became convinced after checking records and reading Corfield’s Book on Fromelles “Don’t forget me Cobber” that there were approx. 250 missing Diggers unaccounted for. Lambis was on a mission. After research of German Aerial Photographs & a visit to Germany to inspect German War records, he identified that a probable Burial site, was an area astride “Pheasant Wood” which was behind the German front Line. Lambis requested authorities to investigate the site, but they weren’t interested. However, due to his drive & persistence, it wasn’t until 2007, that an Archaeological team found evidence of Australian & British Badges on the site. This proved to be enough evidence to make a dig. It wasn’t until 2009 that the dig was made & the bodies recovered.
  • Due to modern DNA, Bodies were identified. All remains were reinterred in a New Cemetery named “Pheasant Wood Cemetery”. As remains were identified new Headstones with their Names & Units etc replaced the Blank ones. Due to modern DNA, remains have continued to be identified each year & their Graves noted, including quite a few 31st Bn men. It was due to the publicity of the find of the Bodies at Fromelles that knowledge of the Battle became more widespread.
  • DUE TO THE COVID-19 SERIOUS SITUATION IN FRANCE – IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE NORMAL ANNUAL COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY AT FROMELLES WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR, (it will be a smaller closed Ceremony). – OUR SERVICE & SERVICES held in MELBOURNE & SYDNEY MAY BE THE ONLY ONES TO BE HELD WORLDWIDE.
  • Since Lambis’s discovery, new Books have been written, a new Cemetery Established, & a new Museum Built in Fromelles. In 2009, Lambis Englezos was recognised for his outstanding Service and exceptional Achievement, and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, AM. Lambis is continuing his search for burial grounds of unaccounted missing Soldiers, in various WW1 Battle Fields. Australia owes a great deal to this man.

TONY WADESON (Secretary 31st Bn Association – Brisbane Branch)

 

 

 

Battle of Fromelles – Commemoration

Members & Friends, Our “Battle of Fromelles” Commemoration Service will be held again this year, at the Ipswich General Cemetery, on Monday 19th July at 1100 Hrs. Please note your Diaries. Further Details will be advised, when arrangements are finalised.

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This is the only Commemoration of this Most Historic Battle, held in Queensland. Undertaken by the Australian 5th Division, It was a disaster resulting in the largest List of Casualties (5533) sustained within a 24 Hour period in Australia’s Military History.
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As it was the first Battle undertaken by Australia on the Western Front, the disastrous details were withheld & casualties hidden within the Somme casualties which Australian participation started a few days later. As the 31st Bn took a major role in the Battle & is the only Bn from the 5th Division still on strength in the Australian Defence Force today, we feel it is our duty to ensure the Battle & the Men who fought & died are not forgotten. It was a Melbourne School Teacher of Greek ancestry – Lambis Englezos AM who in recent years has made Australians more aware of the Battle.
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Mick James, our Coordinating Officer, has ascertained that 11 members of the 31st Bn during WW1, were Old Boys of the – Ipswich Grammar School.  Mick   is contacting Ipswich Grammar School, plus other High Schools in Ipswich inviting them, to attended the Ceremony. Mick has selected an Old Boy of Ipswich Grammar, – Cpl. Edward Kent MM, who participated in the battle, & who is buried in the Cemetery, to be the person honoured on that Day. It is hoped a Student will give the address to commemorate that Soldier. It should be noted that the 31st Bn, – 2IC Major Percy Eckersley & the Adjutant (1918) Capt. Vaux Morisset were Old Boys of Ipswich Grammar School.  Mick is being assisted by the Ipswich RSL Sub Branch.

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Mick recently spent a few days with Lambis Englezos AM in Melbourne & was informed that the Project on The Battle of Fromelles undertaken by students of St Clare’s College Waverley in Sydney  had been completed and a Video was now available. Mick has listed the link to the Video in his letters to the Schools. This is an excellent Project which took 3 years to produce by the Students who Graduate this year.
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Below is the Link to launch of the Lost Diggers of Fromelles video. Students of St. Clare’s College , Waverley , NSW were assisted in the project by Patrick Lindsay, well known Producer, and Lambis Englezos, who was instrumental in finding the lost diggers of Fromelles in 2008. This is a great project carried out by some of the Students over a three year period. 

 

Vale – Capt. Brian Jones

 Associate Member Ross Konowalenko has passed on the sad news of the passing of fellow member Brian Jones on 24/5/2021:

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It is with sadness that I inform you that our fellow 31st Battalion Association member (and RSL Life Member) Brian Jones of Beachmere, Qld, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 0730hrs this morning in Townsville, after a long and courageous fight with cancer.

Brian was a very active RSL and community member for many years and as you may recall, when in better health he volunteered his time to help others through Legacy. His father’s plaque is on his local Beachmere RSL sub branch memorial and Brian was a very proud ‘sapper’, graduate from the Army Apprentices School and saw ‘local service’ during his time in PNG.

As more information comes to hand and with the permission of his family, I will keep you informed accordingly.

My prayers are with his family and each of you at this time.

Yours in service,

Ross Konowalenko

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Note from Martin O’Sullivan

Brian and I served together both in Papua New Guinea in PNGVR in the 60s and again in 31RQR in the 70s and 80’s. Brian had started as at the Army Apprentice Centre at Balcombe Vic and subsequently served as a Sapper prior to moving back to civilian  life and heading for PNG in the early 1960s.

He joined up with PNGVR shortly afterward. Like many of us who had prior service in the Army in Australia, we were issued with new service numbers upon joining PNGVR. It was only later when we were both serving with 31RQR that I discovered that our service numbers were not that far apart meaning that we both joined around the same time.

I arrived back in Australia and took up a position in Townsville in 1971 and Brian was subsequently transferred to Charters Towers. Both of us were then posted to 31RQR Brian as a WO2 and I as a Lt. Brian subsequently applied for and was granted a Commission.

After the damaging Miller report reduced the Battalion to 31 Indep Rifle Coy in 1976 we spent 10 years in various staff postings and postings with other units. With a huge effort on the part of many of us at the time, we managed to boost our numbers back to Battalion level.

By 1986 with the unit back to a Battalion again I was appointed as OC Admin Coy with Brian, who by that time was a Captain as 2IC Admin. We held those positions until we both retired in 1989

Some years later Brian and I met up again when we both retired, he to Beechmere and I to the Sunshine Coast.

In more recent times Brian had courageously battled against Cancer over a period of years. He moved to Townsville after his wife Nancy’s tragic death, to be close to his son Richard, who is serving at Lavarack Barracks.

Brian was a fine soldier, a good practical hand and a great mate. My thoughts and prayers are for him and his family.

Well done mate, RIP.

Martin O’Sullivan 

 

Vale – John Gardner MBE

Members, It is my sad duty to advise you of the passing of Association Life Member, – John Gardner MBE. –  John passed away last Saturday night – 8th May after a long illness.

John Gardner was born in Ingham in 1932, educated at Ingham State Primary School & then as a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School. John’s father was the well established local Pharmacist. John, following his Fathers footsteps studied Pharmacy at The Central Technical College Brisbane, graduating in 1954. Prior to Graduation, John was selected as the Central Technical College’s Student Representative to attend “The Royal Ball” at the Brisbane City Hall. His partner that Night was Patricia Gent, who later became his wife of 62 years.

John then had to complete his deferred National Service Training. His introduction to Military Life showed his future potential as he was chosen as the Servicemen’s OC  at the 11th National Service Training Battalion’s Leadership Parade.

John then returned  to Ingham, to take over the Family Pharmacy formerly owned by his late father, & became very involved in local activities, Apex, Jaycees, Ingham Little Theatre, Archery, & Golf Clubs to name just a few. Invited onto the Ingham Ambulance Committee, he served in various Positions & finally Chairman, he was the longest serving Committee Member in the history of the Ambulance in Ingham. He was involved with many more community Service activities, far to many to list here.

John joined the CMF in Ingham in 1957 as a Private Soldier – C  Company, of the 31st Infantry Bn. He rose through the ranks, and eventually, as a Major, promoted to, OC, – C Company in 1968. John retired from the CMF, with rank of Major in 1971.  John remained in close contact with the Regiment, as Chairman of the Ingham Recruitment Committee for a period, and was the Anzac Day Parade Marshall in Ingham, for many years. John was awarded an MBE (Military Division) in 1970 for service to the Citizen Military Forces. John was the Editor of “The Whispering Boomerang” the  Association Bulletin from 1994 to 2008.  He was made a “Life Member” of the Ingham Branch of the Association in 2006, and in 2019, “Life Member” of the 31st Infantry Bn Association Inc..

John, also was the Editor of the Series “Lives and Times Volumes 1 to 4. – Editor of the Book “Detoured to War” & collator of a collection of Poems titled “Voices in Verse”.

John Gardner was still involved with the 31st Bn Association even whilst he was ill. Providing support, congratulating and encouraging Committee Members in all of our activities. He was a great Soldier, a great Leader and a true friend. John will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him, – But Never Forgotten.

In a final act of Community Service, John bequeathed his body to the Department of Anatomical Services at the University of Queensland.

Johns wife for 62 years Patricia, predeceased him in 2019, his ashes will eventually be laid to rest with Patricia’s at St Andrews Anglican Church, South Brisbane, where he and Patricia met as choristers in 1955, and where they were married in 1957.

John Gardner R.I.P.

Our deepest Sympathy goes to Johns Daughters, Paula, Jocelyn & Hilary & their families.

TONY

Further information has just been received from Association Secretary – Brisbane Branch – Tony Wadeson – regarding a Memorial for John:

Members,  I have been advised by John Gardner’s Daughters, Hilary, Jocelyn, & Paula, that a Memorial Service will be held for John at 10.30 AM, next Wednesday 19th May

VENUE:- Salvation Army Hall, – Sugar Bag Rd,  Little Mountain, – Caloundra. (same Place as Patricia Gardner’s Service was held).

Transport:- Anyone who requires Transport please advise me & I will investigate the courses open. That includes anyone flying down from the North, & requires a lift from the Airport.

Dress:- Jacket & Tie. – Medals, – Beret, – Name Tag.

 

 

-ooo-

31st Battalion – Brisbane Branch – Anzac Day 2021

The Brisbane branch of the 31st Battalion Assoc continued their tradition of Commemorating ANZAC Day with members attending the 2nd 31st Bn Commemoration at the Memorial at Southbank and our march through the Brisbane CBD, this year behind all 3 of our Banners. We thank all or Banner bearers and they are included in our photos at the end of the march. Most of us adjourned to the Grand Central for lunch and a few ales. We also enjoyed the entertainment of the Irish Assoc Pipe Band.
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The 2nd photo has Capt Henderson’s photo, cap, jacket & WW2 record. He was a Company Commander with 2/31st Bn.
Southbank 2/31st Battalion Memorial -Anzac Day 2021
Capt George Henderson
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From L to R 31st/51stBn – 31st Bn  & 2/31st Bn Banners paraded together – Anzac Day 2021
31st Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch) – Anzac Day 2021
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Anzac Days – In Times Past – Townsville

Here are a few reminders of Anzac Days past. It may be stretching the memory cells a little but the days of Khaki uniforms and Blanco belts and gaters are still seared into the minds of some of us. All of this finally gave way (circa 1960) to Jungle Greens , Black Belt and Gaters. At the same time the old tried and tested .303 was finally retired in favour of the 7.62mm SLR. It cannot be denied that the old hobnail Boots AB (Ankle Black) gave a well defined “crump” on the asphalt as we marched along.  I wouldn’t mind betting that some of our modern troops miss that well defined sound when marching along in their soft soled modern day counterparts.

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ooo

 

 

AGM & Award to Brisbane Branch President – Ray Fogg

Yesterday (9th March 2021) the 31st Infantry Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch) Ltd held its 2021 AGM at Corinda Tavern. We welcomed guests including Association President, Col. Greg Stokie (Ret’d) from Townsville, members of 49th Bn Assoc and Elizabeth & Lindsay Timms from the 2/31st Bn descendants group. Additionally we welcomed a new member David McMaugh, whose father, Bruce McMaugh, served in the 2/31st Battalion in England in 1940 through to Balikpapan in late 1945. David also served in various Units in both the Reserve and Full Time Army.
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One of Greg Stokie’s pleasant tasks at the AGM was to present Brisbane President, Ray Fogg with Life Membership of the Association. This had been approved last year, but for many reasons including COVID-19, the presentation had been delayed until now. As the Tribute notes, Ray served with both the 31st and 51st Battalions and was awarded the Efficiency Decoration. He instigated the formation and approval of a Brisbane Branch of the Association and has been its only President over 17 years.
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During this time the Brisbane Branch has been very active. Since its formation, the Brisbane Branch has marched in most ANZAC Day Marches through the city. We have attended the 2017,18,& 19 2/31st Battalion ANZAC Day Commemorations at the Southbank Memorial. We coordinated with other Organisations and conducted Commemorations for Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgian) in 2012, 2013 & 2018. Additionally, in 2015 again with other organisations incl Kedron Wavell RSL, we arranged the construction and dedication of a Granite Plinth at Lutwyche Cemetery in honour of Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgian) with a Cwealth Govt Grant. Further, in 2019 & 2020 we organised and conducted, with assistance of Rosewood & Ipswich RSLs Commemorations of the Battle of Fromelles at the grave of Lt Arthur Adams DCM, who fought in the Battle.
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The Brisbane Branch has also attended many of the yearly Commemorations of the Boer War conducted by Sherwood/I’pilly RSL and laid a wreath. The 31st Battalion AIF CO, Lt Col Fred Toll completed 2 tours to the Boer War. We also attended many of the Kokoda Day Commemorations also held by Sherwood/I’pilly RSL and laid wreaths on behalf of the 2/31st Bn and our Association. Ray has had support from many members but none so much as Secretary, Tony Wadeson, who has been Secretary since formation of the Branch.
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Congratulations and well done, Ray Fogg
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Also, we had a very interesting talk by our member, Lt Col Mick Byrne, who for a number of years has been a Liaison Officer with the Singapore Army during their extended Training at Shoalwater Bay Training Area and spoke about his role. Mick is in the photos with Greg and Ray.
Most office Bearers were re elected with Paul Bertini elected the new Treasurer.
Descriptions with each photo.

 

Life Membership Award to Brisbane Branch President by Association President Greg Stokie

 

 

Tribute presented to Ray.

Tribute was produced by Association Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier.

 

Below is a message from Tony Wadeson, Secretary of the Brisbane Branch of the Association fleshing out other aspects of the AGM:

Members, Our AGM meeting held on the 9th march at the Corinda Tavern was held with a total number of 26 Members & Guests attending the meeting & 23 remaining for lunch after the meeting. President Greg Stokie made a special trip down from Townsville to attend. We welcomed two new members David McMaugh (ex 9RQR & attachments to British Units) – the son of Lt Bruce McMaugh – WW2 veteran (one the Originals) of the 2/31st Bn. Also Elizabeth Timms daughter of WW2 Veteran of the 2/31st Bn – Jack (Strangler) Lewis. Also Evan Jenkins eldest son of WW2 Veteran of 2/31st Bn Sgt Albert Jenkins. Guests included our good friends from kindred Associations:-  Phil Ainsworth, President of NGVR/PNGVR, & 49 Bn Assoc. Members, Ray Davidson, Peter Grogan, & Ray Knight, & Lindsey Timms, Convener of the 2/31st Bn Relatives, & Friends Group

The Committee members re-elected unopposed – President Ray Fogg, Vice Pres. Colin Jackson, Secretary Tony Wadeson, & Committee members Mick James & George Stanger. Our inaugural Treasurer, Eugene Farrell, (who could not attend the meeting due to ill health) has decided to retire, from his post after 18 years of First Class service. President Ray thanked Eugene for his devoted & professional service over the years.  Paul Bertini, volunteered to take on the post & was elected accordingly.

As a Surprise to our President Ray Fogg, Association President Greg Stokie, presented Ray with Honorary Life Membership of the Association. Refer photos attached. Our French Honorary Life Member, Pierre Sellier, produced one his famous Tributes covering Ray’s Military Service, also for presentation to Ray. Ray Fogg, started the Brisbane Branch by arranging a Meeting of Eight known ex 31st Bn Members at the Breakfast Creek Hotel in 2002. He has been the driving force behind the Brisbane branch ever since. The award was scheduled to be done prior to last Christmas but due Covid-19 Travel restrictions, it had to be rescheduled to the AGM. Ray received a rousing applause of appreciation from all those present.

Our very own, LTCOL Mick Byrne, ex CO of 42Bn RQR, was our Guest Speaker, providing a most interesting & informative insight on his association as a Liaison Officer with the Singapore Army during the past few years, during Exerciser’s at Shoalwater Bay. It was an eye opener to say the least.

Regards Tony

31st Inf. Bn Association -Brisbane Branch – AGM Lunch – Tue 9th March 2021

Members and Friends

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CHANGE THE VENUE OF OUR AGM/Meeting – LUNCH ON TUESDAY 9th March. REFER TO THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS. (1) New AMENDED Notice.  (2) MAP  (3) Menu  (4) Agenda

We will NOT be at our previous Venue – Sherwood Services Club now called Westside HQ

NEW VENUE:- Close by at the CORINDA TAVERN – 651 Oxley Rd. CORINDA.   REFER ATTACHED MAP If coming from the Railway station walk down the Laneway thru to Oxley Rd then turn Right and walk to the Tavern. (Its about the same distance you would have had to walk to the Services Club)

REGISTRATION:- Will be from 11.15AM – MEETING WILL START at 12.00 Midday.

LUNCH:-  PLEASE SELECT YOUR MEAL FROM THE ATTACHED MENU & advise me when you RSVP. Cost for the Lunch including Wine, Beer & Soft  Drinks at the Table during Lunch will be the standard $25 Per Head. All Drinks prior to lunch being Served & after Lunch will be at your expense.

GUEST SPEAKER:- will be our very own LTCOL Mick Byrne. Mick has been a Liaison Officer attached to the Singaporian Army during the last couple of years during Exercises at Shoalwater Bay. (Pre Covid-19) His address will be on his experiences whilst attached to the Singaporians.

Association President Greg Stokie will be traveling down from Townsville, to attend the Meeting. Greg will bring us up to date on this Years planed Programme in Townsvil

Please RSVP  re your attendance NO LATER THAN WED 3rd March & Also advise me your Lunch Choice. by Email or Ph/Text – 0427 337 177

Regards TONY

 

 

31st Bn Assoc. AGM AGENDA 9th Mar 2021

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31st Bn AGM Minutes 20th Aug 2020

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31st Bn Presidents Report 2020

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31st Bn AGM 2021 Treasures Report 2020

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31st Bn 2021 AGM Battle for Australia Commemoration 2020 Report by Mick James

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Battle for Australia – 78th Anniversary – Commemorative Address – BRIG Jason Blain

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31st Bn 2021 AGM Mick James Report 104th Battle of Fromelles Service Ipswich

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2/31st Bn Veterans,Families & Friends Report by Tim Lewis

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31st Bn AGM 2021 Report Lindsey Timms on 2nd 31st Bn Facebook Page

Australian War Memorial – VC Awardees Display

The following story was uncovered by Association member Mick James. Having just returned from a visit to the AWM, I totally agree that this new display is a fitting addition to the Hall of Valour. At its centre it features our most recent posthumous awardee – Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean VC – 78 years after his selfless act of bravery (description below).
Martin O’Sullivan
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Mick takes up the story:
I’ve just come across this new AWM display of V C awardees. See photo.
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While it doesn’t say so, it is the 1st occasion where the AWM  could mount a VC Display including the 3 Services. All VCs were in WW2.
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We have (from left to right) John Edmondson VC, for actions at Tobruk, our own 2/31st Battalion Jimmy Gordon VC, Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE, Teddy Sheean VC,  Sir Hughie Edwards VC KCMG CB DSO OBE DFC, Flt Sgt Rawdon Middleton VC, and Flt Lieut William Newton VC.
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The RAAF Victoria Crosses are probably less well known. This is an outline of them-
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Wing Commander Sir Hughie Edwards VC Citation reads – “On 4th July 1941 over Bremen Germany: Wing Commander Edwards led a formation of bombers, in daylight, at a height of about 50 feet through telephone wires and high-tension cables to attack the heavily defended port. The bombers successfully penetrated fierce anti-aircraft fire and a dense balloon barrage. Further fire over the port itself resulted in the loss of 4 aircraft. His task completed, Wing Commander Edwards brought his remaining aircraft safely back to base although all of them had been damaged.”
The Bust in the right corner of the display is that of Sir Hughie.
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Flt Sgt Middleton was awarded his VC for a raid over Turin, Italy on 28-29  November 1942.he was in command of a Stirling Bomber which was hit by anti-aircraft fire over the target. One shell burst into the cockpit destroying his right eye & wounding the co,pilot and Wireless Operator. Although there was heavy flack, he released his bombs on the target and continued his return journey over the Alps in a heavily damaged aircraft. He managed to cross the Channel and ordered his crew to bail out over land with only 5 mins fuel left. Five landed safely while 2 remained with him.
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He then turned the aircraft out to sea to avoid crashing into civilians. The 2 crew parachuted into the sea but drowned. He did not survive the crash. His VC was awarded posthumously. In Feb 1943 his body was washed ashore at Dover and he was buried with full Air Force Honours.
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Flt Lieut Newton was awarded his VC for completing 52 operational sorties  over the Salamana isthmus, New Guinea from May 1942 to 16 March 1943.
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On 17 March 1943 he returned to the same target and at a low level successfully bombed a single building, but his aircraft burst into flames. With great difficulty, he turned the aircraft  towards the sea to give the crew a chance to survive. Two members of his crew swan to shore.
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Although his cockpit didn’t open initially, he also managed to swim to shore. However he and his Flt Sgt were captured by the Japs and later executed. The brutal beheadings on 29 March 43 were described in a captured Jap Diary in October 1943. The VC Award was posthumous.
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The No. 4 airfield at Nadzab New Guinea, was named in his honour. This airfield played an important part in landing the 25th Brigade (including the 2/31st Battalion) in their push down the Markham Valley to capture Lae in September 1943. It was later a major Allied Airfield for the remainder of the War.
LEST WE FORGET
Mick James
The new Display in the Hall of Valour
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It is also appropriate to include the story of Teddy Sheean
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Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean was born on 28 December 1923 at Lower Barrington, Tasmania, fourteenth child of James Sheean, labourer, and his wife Mary Jane, née Broomhall. Soon afterwards the family moved to Latrobe. Teddy was educated at the local Catholic school. Five foot 8½ inches (174cm) tall and well built, he took casual work on farms between Latrobe and Merseylea. In Hobart on 21 April 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve as an Ordinary Seaman, following in the steps of five of his brothers who had joined the armed forces (four of them were in the Army and one in the Navy). On completing his initial training, he was sent to Flinders Naval Depot, Westernport, Victoria, in February 1942 for further instruction.

In May Sheean was posted to Sydney where he was billeted at Garden Island in the requisitioned ferry Kuttabul, prior to joining his first ship as an Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun loader. Granted home leave, he was not on board Kuttabul when Japanese midget submarines raided the harbour and sank her on 31 May. Eleven days later he returned to Sydney to help commission the new corvette HMAS Armidale (I), which carried out escort duties along the eastern Australian coast and in New Guinea waters. Ordered to sail for Darwin in October, Armidale arrived there early next month.

On 29 November Armidale sailed for Japanese-occupied Timor, in company with the corvette HMAS Castlemaine, to withdraw the exhausted Australian 2/2 Independent Company, evacuate about 150 Portuguese civilians and 190 Dutch troops, and land soldiers to reinforce Dutch guerrillas on the island. Arriving off Betano before dawn on 1 December, the ships rendezvoused with the naval tender HMAS Kuru, which had already taken the civilians on board. When these people were transferred to Castlemaine, she sailed for Darwin, leaving the other two vessels to carry out the rest of the operation. From 12:28 Armidale and Kuru came under repeated attack from Japanese aircraft. Despite requests, no air cover was received.

The Loss of HMAS Armidale (I)

Shortly before 14:00 on 1 December 1942, Armidale, by then separated from Kuru, was attacked by no less than thirteen aircraft. The corvette manoeuvred frantically. At 15:15 a torpedo struck her port side and another hit the engineering spaces; finally a bomb struck aft. As the vessel listed heavily to port, the order was given to abandon ship. The survivors leapt into the sea and were machine-gunned by the Japanese aircraft. Once he had helped to free a life raft, Sheean scrambled back to his gun on the sinking ship. Although wounded in the chest and back, the 18-year-old sailor shot down one bomber and kept other aircraft away from his comrades in the water. He was seen still firing his gun as Armidale slipped below the waves. Only 49 of the 149 men who had been on board survived the sinking and the ensuing days in life rafts.

Recognition

Sheean was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery and in 1999 HMAS Sheean, a Collins Class submarine, was named after him – the only ship in the RAN to bear the name of a sailor.

In 2020, following a sustained public campaign to have Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s selfless actions appropriately recognised, an expert panel recommended to the Australian Government that he be considered for the the award of a Victoria Cross.

On 12 August 2020 His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had approved a posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Ordinary Seaman Sheean.

In doing so, Ordinary Seaman Sheean became the first member of the Royal Australian Navy to be awarded Australia’s highest honour for valour.

On 1 December 2020, 78 years to the day since the death of Ordinary Seaman Sheean and the loss of HMAS Armidale (I), the Governor-General presented the insignia of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Teddy Sheean’s family at a ceremony held at Government House in Canberra, ACT.

Source: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sheean-edward-11671.

Vale – Ron Costabeber

Please find the undermentioned notification from Association President Greg Stokie, concerning the passing of long time stalwart of the Association – Ron Costabeber.

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Ron Costabeber – RIP

Tony
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Sadly Ron Costabeber passed away on Tuesday morning (2nd February2021). He was a long time supporter of the Association and the Treasurer of Townsville Branch for many years. He will be missed by all.
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There will be no funeral as per Ron’s wishes.
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Greg