Jimmy Gordon VC – Portrait

The William Dargie portrait of Jimmy Gordon VC holds pride of place alongside of the picture of Patrick BugdenVC on the home page of the 31st Battalion website. Last week marked the start of the what became known as the Syrian CampaignIn in 1941. Almost a month after that Jimmy Gordon, a member of 2/31st Battalion distinguished himself against forces of the Vichy French. The details of the battle are contained in the <Archive February 2019> of this website.

William Dargie was commissioned to paint the portrait ‘Corporal Jim Gordon’ [5900231 (WX2437)], shortly after Gordon was awarded the Victoria Cross. Born in Western Australia in 1909, James Gordon, a private in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, received his VC for his actions at Greenhill, near Jezzine, Lebanon, on 10 July 1941. Under intense machine gun fire, Gordon approached an enemy machine gun post, and charged and killed four machine gunners with a bayonet. This action demoralised the enemy and allowed Gordon’s company to advance, taking the position. Gordon was greatly admired for the courage demonstrated by these actions.

Gordon’s portrait served a dual purpose: it was a realistic likeness of a distinguished individual and it was also a deliberately constructed image of an Australian ‘type’. Facing the viewer, his eyes slightly averted from directness, with an expression of seriousness and reserve, Gordon is presented as a modest soldier yet he is also the heroic embodiment and glorification of the bronzed ANZAC. The figure, close to the picture plane, dominates the hastily sketched landscape. His rolled up sleeves suggest both the heat of the Middle East and the pragmatism of a man of action. Gordon’s face and forearms, ruddy from the exposure to the sun, have been painted in a detailed manner. By contrast, his uniform and the background sky have been applied rapidly in broad expressive brushstrokes. This work won the Archibald prize in 1942 and was extremely popular due to patriotic sentiment combined with a high public regard for the depiction of the typical digger.

Dargie noted his experience of painting the portrait that Gordon was, “Not the smiling, happy-go-lucky “Digger” of legend, but the slightly older-than-young man with a very definite sense of responsibility. A farmer from Western Australia, he had all the countryman’s modesty and reticience of speech. He rather deprecated heroism as such, and said “No-one likes wars. It’s just a matter sticking with your friends.” As I was painting this portrait, and was discussing with him the action at Merjayoun, in which he won his V.C., I noticed he was trembling. Thinking he was feeling the strain of the pose, I said, “Have a rest. I’ve had you sitting too long.” “No, that’s alright.” he said, “but I always get like this when I think of that action.” I felt sorry I had reminded him of it, and said so. He replied: “My cobber and myself often talk about it.” ”

 

Place Middle East: French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, Lebanon
Accession Number: ART26993
Collection type: Art
Measurement framed: 100 x 80 cm; unframed: 76.2 x 55.8 cm
Object type: Painting
Physical description: oil on canvas
Location Main Bld: Hall of Valour: Main Hall: Western Art Wall
Maker: Dargie, William
Place made Syria
Date made 1941
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial

 

 

 

Kieth Payne VC AM – Coming Documentary

Members PLEASE NOTE:-  Mick James has advised of this item of Interest about one of our National Treasures and a past Member of the 31st Bn from Ingham  – KEITH PAYNE VC AM.  (Keith was a member for a brief Period prior to joining the Regular Army)  A Documentary on Keith will be broadcast on SBS at 8.30 PM on WED 27th May. The action for which Keith Payne was awarded the Victoria Cross occurred 51 years ago on the 24/5/1969. Keith is our oldest living Victoria Cross recipient. 

Mark your Diary’s to tune in.  Regards Tony

Major Percy Black DCM Croix de Guerre (France)

Association Member Mick James, a regular contributor of articles for our website has provided this interesting piece of history:  –
 In line with one of the suggestions from the CO of 31st/42nd Battalion RQR, Lt Col Damien Green (see the previous post on this website and also 31st Battalion AIF Memorial Association Facebook page), in his ANZAC Day message, I offer this story on an original ANZAC. I have recently also posted it on Facebook page “100 Years of ANZAC”.
Percy Black was born in Beremboke, near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria on 12th Dec 1877, the eleventh child of William and Anne (née Longmore), farmers originally from AntrimIreland. He trained as a carpenter before moving to Western Australia as a prospector in the Western Australian gold rush.
He joined the Army in Perth (16th Inf Battalion) on  8th Sept 1914 and was promoted L/Cpl on 16th Oct. He trained on the Maxim Machine Gun with Harry Murray and they became firm friends. They initially trained at Blackboy Hill Camp outside Perth and then travelled to Broadmeadows in Melbourne where 2 Companies from South Australia joined them to complete their strength.
Percy shipped out with the 16th Battalion in late December 1914 and arrived in Egypt in early February 1915. After further training there they  landed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. He was awarded a DCM for his actions on 2nd/3rd May 15  . His citation reads –
On the night of 2nd-3rd May, 1915, during operations near Gaba Tepe, for exceptional gallantry. After all his comrades in his machine-gun section had been killed or wounded, and although surrounded by the enemy, he fired all available ammunition and finally brought his gun out of action.”
Harry Murray was with Percy and also was awarded a DCM. Harry Murray was promoted 2nd Lieut on 13 Aug 15 and transferred to 13th Battalion. Harry was still in the same Brigade as Percy (Brig Commander was Col. John Monash) and was involved in some of the same future Battles.
Percy was commissioned as a 2nd Lieut on 7th May and promoted Temp Capt  on 9th Aug 15 . He was made substantive Lieut on 1st Jan 16 and then  Capt on 20th Jan 1916. He returned from Gallipoli to Egypt at the end of 2015 and subsequently moved to France in June 2016 with 16th Battalion. Percy had been promoted to Major on 27th April 1916. So, after 1 year and 2 days in action Percy had risen from L/Cpl to Major. No doubt being awarded the DCM at Gallipoli played a part in his promotions. He was also mentioned in Despatches while at Gallipoli and again while on the Western Front.
He was in the Battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. At Mouquet Farm, which the Germans had turned into a fortress, Black and the 16th Battalion battled through dugouts and cellars. The Australians were unable to hold the fortress, a determined counter-attack threw the Australians back to their start lines. Black was wounded—shot in the neck—and the severity of wound required specialist treatment in London.
While recovering in the 4th General Hospital in London, Percy shared his ward with Albert Jacka who was recovering from wounds received at Pozieres, and his old mate, Harry Murray who was also wounded at Mouquet Farm. Both Harry and Percy subsequently received DSO awards for actions in which they received wounds that they were now recovering from. Percy also was awarded the French Coix de Guerre for actions at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.  Percy rejoined his Battalion on 25th November 1916.
Percy’s DSO citation reads –
“Maj. Percy Black, Inf. For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He led his company over “No Man’s Land” against an enemy’s [sic] strong point, which he captured and consolidated under very difficult circumstances, and under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On a subsequent occasion he did similar fine work.”
Percy remained with the 16th Battalion and in April 1917 they were south east of Arras with the 4th Division AIF. 2 Brigades  (4th & 12th) were committed to the first Battle of Bullecourt together with the British 62nd Division to attack the strong German position. This description is from the Sir John Monash Centre –

The Battles of Bullecourt, on 11 April 1917 and 3 May 1917, involved huge losses and invoked a sense of distrust between Australian troops and British commanders.

Some of the heaviest criticism came from General John Monash who wrote:

‘Our men are being put into the hottest fighting and are being sacrificed in hair-brained ventures, like Bullecourt and Passchendaele …’

In 1917, the village in northern France was heavily fortified by the Germans and absorbed into the Hindenburg Line, with machine guns, belts of barbed wire, and frontline trenches.

Australian commanders were apprehensive about the British level of planning for the attack, believing it would leave their men hemmed in and vulnerable on three sides. They were also concerned there was not enough ammunition for artillery, which was still an experimental technology.

The attack was planned for 10 April but the Australians did not proceed because their 12 tanks did not arrive on time.

Communication within the Allied forces broke down and the British 62nd Division began the attack as planned, but were not told until later that the Australians had been stood down. Nonetheless, the British managed to get through the first belt of entanglements and close to the Hindenburg Line.

The next day, the Australian troops were subjected to withering machine-gun fire, and nearly a third were killed or wounded.

They broke through the German line but at terrible cost, and they fought ferociously until – as suspected – they were hemmed in and forced to retreat.

In addition, the tanks failed to be a decisive breakthrough weapon and left many bitterly disappointed. Despite this, they had sown confusion and terror among many German defenders, with the German 124th Regiment record noting:

‘The men in the trench stood there, defenceless, not knowing how they could beat the monster back. It was completely impossible to attack it from the trench …’

The 16th Battalion was one of the two 4th Brigade Battalions in the attacking waves and took the first line of German trenches. However they were ahead of the few remaining tanks . Before they breached the first line of trenches, Percy, leading his men on, is reputed to have said “Come on boys. Bugger the tanks”.
The barbed wire in front of the second line of trenches was largely in tact and the attack had to file through the Sally Ports (gaps for movement between the trenches). It was at one of these where Maj Percy Black was reputedly shot in the head and killed instantly as depicted in the painting.
While Black was renowned for his courage, Murray claimed that “Percy never went berserk and never sought death” and “had all the fear of the unknown”. He was described by the Australian war historian C. E. W Bean as “the greatest fighting soldier in the A.I.F.”, while Murray, himself a recipient of the Victoria Cross, called Black “the bravest and coolest of all the brave men I know”.
The 1923 painting “The Death of Major Black” by Charles Wheeler highlights the snow covered land on which they fought. It is held at the Australian War Memorial. The artist, Charles Wheeler is an interesting character himself. A New Zealander born in 1880, he developed his skill as a painter in Melbourne and held exhibitions until 1912 when he travelled to Europe. Based in London he travelled on the Continent and exhibited in Paris. Returning to London just prior to the outbreak of WW1 he joined the Royal Fusiliers  and was awarded a DCM in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1916 as a Sgt. He returned to Melbourne after WW1 and was one of Australia’s distinguished Painters, winning a number of prizes including the 1933 Archibald Prize. He would have certainly experienced conditions such as he painted here.
As we approach ANZAC Day this year, we should pause and remember Percy Black, a brave Digger who landed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, fought with distinction for almost 2 years, and gave his life on 11th April 1917
LEST WE FORGET
Percy Black has no known grave. He is commemorated on the wall at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
A group of researchers including Lambis Englezos  have been researching the location of Maj Percy Black’s grave for more than a decade.
They have uncovered a statement of an Allied POW captured during the the Battle of Bullecourt on 11th April 1917 who was forced by his captors to bury Allied bodies in mass graves in shell holes behind the German front line. While they emptied pockets, they didn’t remove dogtags.
The group have done further research and believe they have located the grave. They have forwarded their research to the Australian Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties Unit last year and await their response,
For those unaware, Lambis and a group of friends with various skills researched and discovered what they thought was a mass grave (5 pits each holding 50 bodies) dug by the Germans for Allied bodies KIA in German trenches during the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.
They battled the Government and the Army from 2002 before any action was undertaken in 2007. Evidence was found early in the non invasive check of the ground and a full dig was authorised in 2008. The result was 250 soldiers’ bodies were recovered in 2009  and were all buried, in the new War Cemetery “Pheasant Wood” at Fromelles with DNA taken, in 2010.
To date, 166 of those have been identified as Aussie diggers and now have named headstones.
Research into identification of those remaining unnamed continues. Lambis was awarded an “AM” in the 2009 Honours List for his efforts in discovering the missing diggers. Many of the graves of the 1900 odd Aussies who died in the battle remain unknown.

Anzac Day 2020

Dawn service at home was the most unusual feature of Anzac Day 2020. Like so many others, the old digger in the picture started the day listening to the service from Canberra courtesy of ABC radio whilst watching the dawn rising over Lake Magellan, Pelican Waters, Caloundra. A local bugler added some realism to the scene by playing the Last Post at 6am and later by playing Reveille at different points around the lakeside. Many of the local residents, like those in Cities and Towns all over Australia, gathered at the ends of their driveways to commemorate the dawn service.

Lest We Forget

 

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Tribute by the Coomera Anglican College

Members, Peter Grogan, our good mate from the 49th Bn Assoc., has passed this tribute on to us, as quite a few diggers of the 31st Bn,  41st Bn, & his 49th Bn, get mentioned. A moving tribute, produced by the Students of the Coomera Anglican College to pay homage to those Diggers from the Northern Gold Coast Area – KIA.  This was produced by the students as they were unable to attend their Normal Anzac Day Service this year.

Most of Our Members will Parade at 0600 Hrs tomorrow morning, in front of our Homes, or on our Balconies in high rise Units, dressed in Jackets, Ties, Berets & Medals, to observe the Silence & remember the fallen. Radio 4BC will be playing the Last Post at 0600 hrs so if you can have your Radio blaring, it will be almost real. –

Our Thoughts however will be. – LEST WE FORGET.

Click on the link below:

CommeraAnglicanCollege

CommeraAnglicanCollege

or

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3vul7dbhl0mdzir/ANZAC%20Day%202020%20final.mp4?dl=0

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Cancellation AGM – Brisbane Branch

Notification received on Saturday 21 Mar 2020 from the Secretary of Association (Brisbane Branch) Secretary Tony Wadeson:

ALL members & Friends to note:- Due to yesterday’s COVID – 19, – Govt. announcement, that a 4SqMetre spacing between individuals, must be adhered to, in an enclosed  Area.

It has been decided to CANCEL the AGM – LUNCH  MEETING scheduled for Friday 27th Mar. at the Sherwood Services Club. The Lunch will be re-scheduled to a later date determined by the Covid -19 situation in a few months time. We apologise for any inconvenience, but we must adhere to the Safety instructions of the Day.

Regards Tony 

Anzac Day Cancellation

The following message has been passed on by Association Brisbane Branch Secretary, Tony Wadeson:

Members Please find the attached Press Release re the cancellation of the Brisbane Anzac Day March. It is to be noted that this is the first time since its inception in 1916 that there will be NO ANZAC DAY MARCH IN BRISBANE.

Its not only the Older Diggers who would be at high risk – but the many thousands of spectators lining the streets, about 5 deep, would be unacceptable to Govt. authorities.

We may still hold our small service at the 2/31st Bn Memorial at Southbank if the 2/31st Bn descendants are still willing. We will keep you posted, on that one.

anzacNotice2020

Historic Photo – Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM

Association member Mick James came across a photo on a Facebook page entitled “On This Day”

The explanatory preamble is as follows:

On 30th Sept. 1970, – Members of the Aust. Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) were presented with a – “United States Meritorious Unit Citation” for its outstanding performance in Vietnam.   For 5 Members of the Training Team this was a special Occasion as previously in 1951, whilst serving with 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), they received a United States – “Presidential Unit Citation” for holding & repelling an Overwhelming Force of the Chinese Army at the Battle of Kapyong. Thus saving the the Capital of Seoul from certain capture.

Brisbane Branch Association Secretary, Tony Wadeson, gives us a brief background:

The second Man from the Left in the Photo, – is our very own  – WO1 Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM, – quite a handsome bloke, who scrubbed up pretty well, for the occasion. Dasher has had a few Health issues of late,  but is still going strong at 93 Years, living at Corinda, & conveniently close to the Sherwood Services Club. He is still an active Member of the 31st Bn Assoc. Brisbane Branch. And as you can all appreciate, we are extremely honoured, to have such a distinguished soldier as our Member.  At one stage of his career, Dasher was a Regular WO2 Cadre Staff attached to 31st Bn Townsville, & later  the RSM of 51Bn – Cairns. After retirement as RSM Northern Command, Dasher was seconded by one of Brisbane’s most prestigious Colleges – “The Anglican Church Grammer School – (Churchie), as a Disciplinary Master for many years. They still bring him back each year to Churchie for their ANZAC Day Service.

Mick continues the story:  On 30 September 1970 Five soldiers of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) are now entitled to wear two United States Unit Citations. They are seen here enjoying a drink after being presented at a parade. All were with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), at the Battle of Kapyong where it won the United States Presidential Unit Citation which they wear above the Meritorious Unit Citation presented to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), at Vung Tau on 30 September.
Left to Right :- Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Brian Lawrance, 43, working in Quang Tri;
WO1 Ray Deed, 43, Phuoc Tuy Province;  WO1 Bill Eade, 44, Hue;  Captain Len Opie, 46, Phuoc Tuy Province, and WO1 Reg Bandy, 46, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 7RAR at Nui Dat, who is drinking a can of Victoria Bitter (VB) beer.
Heroes all. Ray Deed was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for his service in Korea as a Sgt Platoon Commander during the Battle of Kapyong. He finished his service as RSM of Northern Command. As his birthday is on ANZAC Day, he didn’t celebrate in 1951 as he was still in the thick of the Battle of Kapyong, 22-25 April 1951.
(As an addendum Mick has pointed out:- The Presidential Citation was worn above the Meritorious award, & at that time it was worn on the sleeve at the shoulder, (refer Photo). Now its worn on Right Front Breast.)

Help from Cobbers School Fromelles, France

Pierre Seillier our Honorary Member from Fromelles, kindly sent a copy of the News item produced by Channel 7 European correspondent Sarah Greenhalgh. An edited version was shown on Australian TV on Saturday 22nd February 2020.

The news item tells the story of the help being offered by the children of the “Cobbers School”, Fromelles in Northern France after they had heard of the devastating fires in Australia and their effect on the wildlife. Pierre features in the Documentary.

Our thanks go to Pierre, who, by the way, instigated an appeal in Fromelles for Australian Bush Fire Victims. The Cobbers School was part of the this magnificent gesture by this small Town in France. The pupils of the school have each adopted a Grave of the fallen & their donations are being allocated to the areas of where some of these WW1 soldiers KIA at Fromelles in 1916. The battle of Fromelles was the first battle involving the AIF on the Western Front. Casualties in this battle were the highest (5513), experienced in a 24 Hour period in Australia’s history.

Each year on 19th July, the Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, Pierre represents the 31st Bn Association, wearing the 31st Battalion Association Beret. He lays a wreath on our behalf, at the Remembrance Ceremony held at Fromelles.

Pierre has produced thousands of tributes to Australian soldiers over the years. One of the many he has supplied for families of Australian soldiers is shown below. This one covers one of our own – Kev Thomas MM)

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Pierre and the People of Fromelles – France

The following message was passed on by the Secretary of the 31st Battalion Association Tony Wadeson:

Our Honorary Member resident in France, Pierre Seillier of Fromelles,  – A True Blue Aussie Mate, who, over many years, has helped out Thousands of Aussie Families with uncovering details of their loved ones, lost during WW1, –  Instigated an Appeal in Fromelles to help out their Aussie friends who have been effected by the recent Bush Fires around the country.

The Mayor, The Local “Cobbers School”, The Gymnastic Club, The March Club, The Remembrance -FWTN 14-18, & other local Associations, created events & made Donations towards the Bush Fire Appeal. The Local Cobbers School also sewed pouches for “Baby Joey’s”, & they wrote & drew messages of support to Aussie kids who lost their Schools to Bush Fires.

Remember Fromelles is a small Village in Northern France. However they have never forgotten how young Australian Diggers died in France over 100 years ago. In Pierre’s own words on his Face Book Notification:- Because I Love, – They Love Australia. 

This should appear in our local Newspapers throughout Australia to tell our communities about this small Village in France who have not forgotten Australia & are now contributing to help Aussies in their Hour of Need.

That’s True Blue Mateship, for you.   

Tony