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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Group of 31st Battalion Association at 108th Commemoration of Battle of Fromelles at RSL Honour Stone Ipswich, Qld, Australia.
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.
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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.
Grave Stone for William Brumby – One of the Missing 200 – Identified 2024 – Reinterred Pheasant Wood Cemetery, France – RIP – 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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108th Battlle of Fromelles Commemoration at Fromelles, France
Commemoration Ceremony Fromelles France 19th July 2024
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 andMembers ofthe
31stInfantryBattalionAssociation
andthe
42ndInfantryBattalionAssociation
havegreatpleasureinjointlyinviting
All Association Members and interested public citizens
Members, – OUR MAJOR EVENT OF THE YEAR – Your support is required. “THE BATTLE of FROMELLES” – Commemoration Service WHEN:- FRIDAY – 19th July 2024 at 1100 Hrs WHERE:- The Honour Stone – Soldiers Memorial Hall – Ipswich RSL Sub Branch – 63 Nicholas St, Ipswich DRESS:- Jacket & Tie – Beret, – Medals, – Name Tag
Special Guest:- Mr. Keith Payne VC AM – (Ex Member of 31st Bn & 42nd Bn) Other Guests:- BRIG Arran Hassell CSC Commander – 8th Brigade – (31st Bn was part of the 8th Brigade at the Battle of Fromelles – WW1) Members, – THIS IS NOW OUR MAIN EVENT FOR THE YEAR – PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ATTEND.
Wives/Partners are most welcome.
It is our intention to have a Lunch at the CSI Club after the event. (Your expense)
If you have a Transport Issue, – please contact me.
RSVP – By WED – 10th July – Email:- wadesonriver@aapt.net.au
Please advise (1) Attending the Service (2) Attending the Lunch at CSI Club.
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Lt James Danaher – One of the many Heroes of the Battle of Fromelles
Plaque produced by our Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier
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Map showing Parking in Central Ipswich, Qld and
available parking for Battle of Fromelles Commemoration
The Brisbane Branch Assoc Secretary, Tony Wadeson has passed on the very sad news that our 31st Battalion Brisbane Branch Founding President (in 2002), Ray Fogg, has passed away on Saturday 22 June after an extended illness.
– Ray has led the Brisbane Branch of the Association for 22 years since its inception. One of the highlights of Ray’s time as President was arranging the construction of the Billy Sing Memorial Plinth at Lutwyche Cemetery in 2015 with financial assistance from the Federal Govt. Photo below. Rest in Peace Ray.
President Ray Fogg at the Inauguration of the Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium) Memorial
Association executive member Mick James gives further information regarding Ray’s efforts to bring the Billy Sing Memorial to fruition.
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I mention that the 31st Battalion Association Brisbane Branch conducted Memorial Services at Billy’s grave side in 2012 & 2013 which influenced the Federal Govt to approve us to manage the construction of the Memorial. We also had another Commemoration in 2018 with Billy’s nephew in attendance
A list of Diggers from 31st Battalion from World War 1 is in the process of being compiled by Association Member Peter Nelson. This monumental work is an ongoing work in progress over a period of years.
The alphabetical lists have appeared on the “31st Battalion AIF Memorial Association” Facebook pages over a long period. The work thus far has been consolidated on this website page. A big thanks to Peter for this huge effort.
