A Glimpse of 31 Battalion History From WW1

Association Member, Tim Lewis, has unearthed a newspaper clipping of the handover of the 31st Battalion Flag from WW1 to the Army Museum North Queensland . The article dates back to 2010 when president of the 2/31st Battalion Association,  Ken Gladstone and five other veterans of WWII travelled to Townsville to present the WW1, 31st Battalion Flag and the 2/31st Battalion Banner from WWII, to the Museum which is based at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville.

The 31st Battalion has served continuously in one form or another since 1886. In its current form is now known as:

The 31st/42nd Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment.

Vale – LtCol (Retd) Geoff Barlow

I regret to advise the passing of a good mate and a former proud member of the 31st Bn – Geoff Barlow. Geoff passed away yesterday at the Mater Hospital Townsville. Geoff had suffered from Cancer & had many Operations during the past couple of years.  

Geoff was a member of the 31st Bn during the late 50’s & early 60’s rising up through the Ranks to Sergeant prior having to transfer to Brisbane to complete his Pharmacy Degree at Q’ld University. 
He transferred from the 31st Bn to the 2/14th QMI. Brisbane. Whilst completing his Degree at Uni Geoff managed to transfer to Full time CMF with the Medical Corp. at – 1 Camp Military Hospital Yeronga. After Graduating as A Pharmacist Geoff then transferred to the ARA – RAMC  as a “Pharmacist”  an Officer Posting. 
During his Military Career Geoff served in Singapore & also an Extended posting to Vietnam  based at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau. 
Geoff rose to the rank of LTCOL in the RAMC before he retired from the Army. He and his wife Pam & family retired to Magnetic Island Where for a time he operated a Pharmacy. He was the President of the RSL Sub – Branch at Magnetic Isl.
Geoff Barlow – RIP
Regards TONY
The following pictures are some of a collection previously sent by Geoff Barlow.
Memories of Battalion Parades held in Townsville during the 50s and 60s.

Freedom of the City

Pre 60s Khaki Uniforms and Blanco’d belts and Gaters

ANZAC DAY TOWNSVILLE

60s Jungle Greens Black Belts and New Gaters

Pte Thomas Bubbers MM – 31st Battalion

The following information on Pte Thomas Bubbers has been compiled by Association Hon Life Member Peter Nelson.

Peter adds:  “I am doing some follow on research on 31st Bn members. Thought I could possibly share some of it somehow with members. Over coming months will post files of men in alphabetical groupings. These are and have been for a long time a ‘work in progress’ but may raise awareness of these men’s stories. If any queries, tips or corrections feel free to contact me. My intention originally was to try and place a face to each name of men in alphabetical groupings.

Thomas Bubbers

Service No 495
Rank Pte
Born 9th May 1896, Newington, England
NoK (f) Mr Thomas Bubbers, (m) Martha (Hannah) Bubbers, 162 Commercial Rd, Spalding, Lincolnshire, England
Enlistment 13th Jul 1915 Cooroy, NC Line, Qld
Age 19
Status & Religion Single, C.of E.
Occupation Labourer
Address Cooroy, North Coast Line, Queensland
Outcome RTA 8th Apr 1919
Notes Migrated to Australia in 1911
Original, ‘B’ Coy / HQ Signaller, 31st Bn
Embarked at Melbourne, on HMAT A62 “WANDILLA”, 9 Nov 1915.
Disembarked at Suez on 7th Dec 1915
Embarked to join BEF on HMT ‘Hororata’ at Alexandria on 16th Jun 1916
Disembarked at Marseilles on 23rd Jun 1916
WIA (GSW face) at Fromelles on 19th Jul 1916
Admitted 2nd CCS (GSW face) on 20th Jul 1916
Admitted 25th Gen Hospital (GSW face) on 21st Jul 1916
Discharged to Base Details on 25th Jul 1916
Transferred from Base Details, Boulogne to Etaples on 25th Jul 1916
Marched in to 5th ADBD, Etaples, ex wounded, on 26th Jul 1916
Proceeded to re-join unit ex 5th AIDBD, on 8th Aug 1916
Rejoined Battalion on 15th Aug 1916
On leave to England on 28th Nov 1916
Rejoined unit from leave on 13th Dec 1916
To hospital sick on 20th Jan 1917
Admitted 39th CCS (mumps) on 20th Jan 1917
To No 3 Amb Train on 21st Jan 1917
Admitted 11th Stat Hospital, Boulogne, on 21st Jan 1917
Transferred to 8th Stat Hospital, Wimereux, on 29th Jan 1917
Transferred to 1st Conv Depot, Boulogne on 9th Feb 1917
Discharged as fit to Base Depot, Boulogne, on 11th Feb 1917
Marched in to 5th AIDBD, Etaples, from hospital, on 18th Feb 1917
Marched out to unit on 24th Feb 1917
Rejoined unit on 26th Feb 1917
Battle of Polygon Wood 26th/27th Sep 1917
To UK on leave on 15th Dec 1917
Rejoined unit from leave on 31st Dec 1917
To 5th Div Signal School on 7th Jul 1918
Rejoined unit from School on 28th Jul 1917
Battle of Amiens – 8th Aug 1918

Awarded MM for actions: “On the 8/8/18, after the capture of the BLUE LINE this man acted as a linesman and did splendid work. He continued to work up and down the line for the next 48 hours, often under heavy fire. He showed great bravery and devotion to duty throughout the operation.”

Battle of Hindenberg Line – Bellicourt, Joncourt, Nauroy
Appointed L/Cpl on 1st Nov 1918
On leave to UK on 27th Dec 1918
Admin HQ, London, leave 31st Dec 1918 to 14th Jan 1919
Rejoined unit ex leave to UK on 21st Jan 1919
Marched out to Base Depot for RTA on 24th Jan 1919
Marched out from AIBD, Havre to England (1915 Personnel) on 1st Feb 1919
Disembarked to Weymouth and marched in to No 4 Comm Depot on 1st Feb 1919
Granted leave from 5th Mar to 14th Mar 1919 with pay and subsistence of £3. Reason: Stud Tour
RTA per ‘Trasos Montes’ on 7th Apr 1919
Disembarked 27th May 1919
Discharged at Brisbane on 19th Jul 1919

Sister: Mrs C Stratigo, Athens Café, Mary St, Gympie, Queensland

After his discharge Bubbers went farming in Tolga in North Queensland and after World War II he worked in New Guinea. In 1948 he was a Senior Groundsman with Dept of Civil Aviation, Madang, PNG. Had his medals stolen in Cairns Qld, in Dec 1958, whilst on holiday from being a mining prospector in New Guinea.

He retired to 104 Nectarine St, Fruitgrove, 4113, in Southern Queensland in 1969.

Thomas Bubbers died 26th Jul 1970.

Thomas Bubbers MM

31/42RQR Regimental Dinner – Mackay

The 31st Battalion Association has received a copy of an Administrative Instruction from the CO of The 31st/42nd Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment, LtCol David Gandy, advising details of the Regimental Dining Night to be held at Mackay show Grounds on evening of 10th Dec 2022

Members of the Battalion together with members of Battalion associations and selected guests have been invited.

The dinner will also provide the opportunity for interaction with senior Officers whilst at the same time provide for the Battalion, as a collective, to farewell members leaving the Unit in 2022/2023.

Association members have already been received prior notice of the Regimental Dinner and of the revised cost of Tickets to the function. Attendees should by now have individually received details of relevant timings, locations, etc contained in the Administrative Instruction. Indications are that it will be a well organized and memorable evening.

 –

Remembrance Day -2022

Yet another outstanding level of support to the NQ & Central QLD community by the men and women of the 31st/42nd Battalion along with strong cameos by 35 ENGR SQN in commemorating the 104th anniversary of Remembrance Day.


The Bn provided Catafalque parties at Gladstone, Gracemere and Rockhampton whilst others members provided key note addresses alongside regional mayors, laid a wreath, supported schools or attended ceremonies in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.


Great to see the Battalion life member and previous XO – MAJ Ian Reid playing the pipes in front of a large gathering at Townsville.


Well done to all who supported the community in remembering when the guns finally ceased to end the war of all wars 104 years ago.


Lest we forget !

 

Catafalque Parties

Battalion Life Member and previous XO Maj Retd Ian Reid 

New Identifications of Diggers – Fromelles and Zonnebeke

Vet Affairs Minister , Hon Matt Keogh announced today that 2 soldiers who fought at Fromelles have been identified.
They are:

No 1537 Walter Allen Grace of 31st Bn and

No 20 Edwin Charles Gray of 32nd Bn.

They will have new grave headstones next year at Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery at Fromelles.

Another digger who was one of 5 discovered in 2006 at Zonnebeke and reburied at the British Buttes Cemetery has also been named. He is Pte Thomas Allen Gibbens of 29th Bn.

Thanks to our friend and chief driving force behind the finding and identification of the lost diggers of Fromelles Lambis Englezos AM for the good news.


Lest We Forget.

Walter Allen Grace – 31 Battalion

Awards to Members of 31st/42nd Bn The Royal Queensland Regiment

Well done to CAPT Nick Crosbie who received COMD 11 BDE Bronze Commendation from BRIG Mark Armstrong for his outstanding performance as ADJT 31/42 RQR during his tenure at the Battalion.

In addition to receiving his commendation, Nick along with the RSM WO1 Dave Harding and the OPSO MAJ Jeff Martin received their OSM at the 11 BDE Dinner for their efforts on Operation Resolute earlier in the year.
Outstanding effort by these solid operators and great night for the Battalion.

Capt Nick Crosbie receiving Comd 11 Bde Bronze Commendation

from 11 Bde Comd Brig Mark Armstrong

RSM WO1 Dave Harding Receiving OSM from Brig Mark Armstrong

Awardees of the OSM with Bn CO (L to R) RSM WO1 Dave Harding,

OPSO Maj Jeff Martin, Capt Nick Crosbie, with CO LtCol David Gandy

Keith Hearne – Honorary Life Membership

In September our Association Brisbane Branch Secretary, Tony Wadeson, visited Victoria where he presented the Association’s Honorary LIFE MEMBER to KEITH HEARNE – Past President of 2/31st & 2/25th Battalion Association Victoria. In an email to the President of the Frankston RSL Tony gives a brief of Kieth’s achievements over many years of RSL and community involvement.

For Attention President Kevin:- I refer to our Visit to your Club on Wednesday 7th Sept. for Lunch & to present an “Honorary Life Membership Tribute” to 97 Year old Keith Hearne WW2 Digger, & Past President of the 2/31st Bn & 2/25th Bn Association Victoria, who now resides in “Micare Avondrust Village.

As Requested I’m forwarding you:- (A) Details of Keith Hearne & his RSL Resume, – Details of the 31st Bn Association. (B) Photo of Presentation at Frankston RSL Names in Photo – from left to Right – Tony Wadeson Secretary 31st Bn Association Brisbane, – Keith Hearne WW2 Digger 2/31st Bn & Past President of 2/31st & 2/25th Bn’s Victoria, – Brian Mullarvey 31st Bn Assoc. Member. (Brian served with 42Bn as 2IC Biloela Company for a short period in the early 1970’s I believe? – He was The ARC Engineering P/L Manager of our Gladstone Factory at the time before being transferred to Manager/Tasmania.
Please refer to the Attached details & Photos.

Kevin, I would like to Congratulate you on Your Excellent Club, particularly your Staff who bent over backwoods to cater for our needs in the restaurant & where to take photos etc for the Presentation. It really made our visit enjoyable & successful.

 
Kindest Regards, 
Tony Wadeson -Secretary – 31st Bn Assoc (Brisbane)

KEITH HEARNE

2/31st Bn – WW2 Veteran

President of the 2/31st & 2/25th Battalions Assoc. Victoria

Gold Badge – Life Membership RSL

Life Member – 7th Division AIF Association

Honorary Life Member – 31st Infantry Battalion Association Inc.

The 31st Bn Association first made contact with Keith Hearne during July 2010 when a group of WW2 Veterans of the 2/31st Bn AIF were touring their old pre battle training areas in North Q’ld. They called in to Kissing Point Townsville to present an old “31st Bn Flag” to the North Queensland Military Museum. Keith who was, and had been, President of the 2/31st & 2/25th Bn’s Association Victoria as long as anyone could remember and one of the last operating in Australia, made contact with Committee Members of 31st Bn Association to request that we might take over the job of “Remembrance of the 2/31st Bn“ due to their Association’s dwindling Numbers. Our Committee members indicated that they would certainly be proud to take on the Caretaker role to ensure that such a famous Battalion as the 2/31st would “LIVE ON”. Twelve years on and that is work in progress with the Brisbane Branch joining with the Descendants of Veterans of 2/31st Bn in the Anzac Day Memorial Service at South Bank and the Brisbane Anzac Day March. Brisbane Branch member Tim Lewis, whose Father served with the 2/31st at Balikpapan, took on the role of 2/31st Bn co-ordinator, and has made contact with family members of past 2/31st Bn Presidents or committee members from all Eastern States. The Victorian Branch of the 2/31st Bn & 2/25th Bn Association folded about 5 years ago as numbers dwindled. It was the last Branch to close in Australia. As far as we are aware Keith Hearne & his Secretary Walter Robertson are the only two WW2 members of the 2/31st Bn still alive today. (Refer Keith’s RSL Resume – here under).

For your Info:- 2/31st & 2/25th Bn’s were sister Bn’s in the 25th Brigade – 7th Division- 2nd AIF

25th Brigade was formed in England & served in ENGLAND as part of the Defence Force of England. Then Served in SYRIA & Palestine. – NEW GUINEA:- – Kokoda Track, Ioribaiwa – Oivi Gorari – Buna, Gona. – Lae, Nadzab, – Ramu Valley. BORNEO:- Balikpapan

The 31st Infantry Battalion Association Inc. – WEBSITE:- Google – 31bnassn.org

The 31st Bn is the only Battalion from the WW1 – Fifth Division still on strength in the Australian Army’s Order of Battle today. It’s now known as 31/42 Bn RQR – HQ’d in Townsville, but drawing its Troops from Cairns down to Gladstone and west of those towns. Both the 31st Bn originally the Kennedy Regiment, and 42nd Bn, originally the Capricorn Regiment trace their history back to 1881. Most members of the 31st Bn Association have served with the 31st Bn. In North Queensland. The Association has Branch’s in Townsville, – Charters Towers, – Ingham, & Brisbane.

TONY WADESON (Secretary- 31st Bn Assoc. Brisbane)

Email:- wadesonriver@aapt.net.au

 

Keith Hearne’s – R S L Service Resume as at – “2002”

Sub Branch:- Bairnsdale

Service in Years Member 55

Committee 7

Welfare 35

V/Affairs 35

Anzac Poppy Appeals 35

Land Settlement/Rural 5

Hospital Visiting 25

Blood Bank 18

Conference Delegate 8

DISTRICT – 10 – BOARD

Chairman 6

State Councillor 7

Delegate 8

SUB BRANCH

State Executive 5

Committees 5

STATE BRANCH COMMITTEES ANZAC HOUSE

Veteran’s Affairs Committee (Chairman)

Land Settlement/Rural – (Secretary)

Appeals

Future of League

Membership

V.J. Commemoration

Diaster Fund Coordinator

OTHER ACTIVITIES.

Gippsland Veterans Welfare Management Committee Sale.

Veterans Affairs Coordination Council at – Veterans Affairs

R.S.L. Disaster Fund Coordinator East Gippsland Floods 1998

R.S.L. Disaster Fund Coordinator East Gippsland Bush Fires 2003

HONOURS & AWARDS

50 years Service Award

Gold Badge Life Membership RSL – June 26 2002

Certificate of Appreciation RSL – June 26 2002

Life Membership – 7th Division Association

Life Membership – 31st Battalion Association

Addendum

A story on Keith Hearne and his previous wartime and peacetime involvements appeared on this

website in September 2020 (Type Kieth Hearne into he search box on this website).

The story includes his travelling Papua New Guinea to attend the re-interment of 

2/31 Bn victims of a wartime aircraft crash, remains finally recovered in 2005.

—o—

VC Awardees Attend Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Awardees of the Victoria Cross including past member of the 31st Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment, Keith Payne VC  joined a contingent of the Australian Defence Forces together with the Prime Minister and selected members of the Australian community to attend the Funeral Service for our late Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September 2022.

Australia’s oldest living Victoria Cross recipient, Keith Payne VC

has been given the medical all clear to travel to London for the Queen’s funeral.

Keith (standing in front beside wheelchair) with other VC and GC winners

outside Union Jack Club London

Another photo of Keith Payne VC AM entering Westminster Abbey for

the Queen’s funeral with fellow Aussie VC Awardee Mark Donaldson to the front left.

Keith is being pushed by serving British VC Awardee Johnson Beharry.

Thanks to Pierre Seillier (Association Honorary Member)  for the photo.

The Bearer Party. The real heroes of the day with the most responsibility, given

THE hardest job of the day bearing Her Majesty’s coffin time and time again with

perfect precision and control. Respect to these guys. 

Part of our Australian Contingent alongside Scots and Canadian Contingents

Our ADF Contingent at the Funeral of Her Majesty.

Lt R A Lewis – Japanese Surrender at Kotawaringin – Borneo

The following copies of letters, orders, diary extracts relate to the the part played by Lt Richard Aubrey Lewis (B Coy 2/31st battalion) in the surrender of the Japanese forces in the Banjarmasin/Kotawaringin areas of Kalimantan, Borneo in September 1945.

Note: For ease of reading some of the documents and hand written script a high resolution screen may be necessary. Older computer monitors may present some difficulties. Modern mobile phones or tablets are likely to have greater definition than older computer monitors allowing easier reading of the documents herein.

They were gathered and collated by his son, 31st Battalion Association member Tim Lewis.

From the diary of NX177993 Lt Richard Aubrey Lewis Recollection No9 Dated 11th Dec 1945:

“On the 25th of September I left Bandjamasin to proceed to Kotawaringin to accept the surrender of the Jap garrison. It was an interesting trip Lieut C Allan Hard and Sub-Lieut Col Gillespie were the naval officers of HMAL 1359 which carried portion of my party. The remainder under Sgt Hewston, travelled on a Jap coastal steamer.”

 

Lt Lewis with Navy personnel on HMAML1359 moving to Kota Waringin to

accept the surrender of members of Japanese Forces 

Above and Below – Lt Lewis meeting with the Sultan at Pangkalan Bun

This is the main administration centre of the Kota Waringin Area

Chart of the Kalimantan Coastline East of Banjarmasin

 

Warning Order given to Lt RA Lewis and key personnel on the day prior (22 Sep 1945). The order was for the move to Kota Waringin on 23 Sep 1945 to bring back Japanese 156 Soldiers and 18 Civilians.

With him was a Pl of B Coy (4 NCO plus 32 OR)

2 RAP Orderlies

1 Int Sect

1 Cook

Lt Hard and crew of  HMAML Q1359

Tke Kotawaringin Region of Central Kalinantan, Borneo

Below is an extract from the War Diary covering the period between 23 Sep 45 to 28 Sep 45.

It covers the move to Kota Waringin for the purpose of accepting the surrender and

Transporting of Japanese forces for processing at Banjarmasin.  

The Kota Waringin area is approx 450km to the west of Banjarmasin. The journey took just over 24 hrs to complete

Because of Navigation concerns they spent the night of 24/25 anchored (with the HAPGOAN, the coastal vessel that was to transport the Japanese) at the mouth of the river before going upstream to Kumai on 25 Sep. At Kumai, the village headman reported that majority of the Japanese had been assembled 1km north of Kumai.

 

A number of Japanese Officars (4 Naval and 1 Army) presented themselves to Lt Lewis at the Kumai wharf. Lt IIzuka reported that 153 soldiers and 18 Civilians  were in their party north of Kumai, 9 of whom were hospital cases suffering from (2 x appendicitis, 6 Malaria and 1 a Violent Lunatic). Weapons were centralised and stored. The OC of their sub unit Sub-Lt Takare had previously committed Hari Kari. Lt Lewis was able to inspect and confirm these reported numbers.

All Japanese were moved to the wharf and placed under guard. Lt Iizuka was given a warning order that they were to be moved to BANJARMASIN on 26 Sep. An English speaking Chinese was interrogated. Report shown below.

Arrangements were made for meeting with the Sultan in PANGKALAN BUN.

Travelled to PANGKALAN BUN by car (approx 15KM via road) to Sultans palace.

Lt Lewis was received by the Sultan at a civic reception at his Palace. The civil administration was 

returned to the Sultan whose position had been eroded during the Japanese occupation.

The Sultan returned with Lt Lewis to Kumai to be briefed on the stores and supplies that were to be policed.

The Japanese and one of their local collaborators (Hadji Mochamad Kasim) were loaded on the vessels.

Both boats (the “HMAML Q 1359” and the coastal vessel “Hapgoan”) set sail for Banjarmasin on 26th Sep at1555hrs.

Arrival in Banjarmasin was two days later.

The above list is the weapons and equipment handed over by the Japanese. A number of rifles and LMGs most of which were dumpted at sea. The Dutch captured weapons were returned to the Dutch.

The Japanese swords were returned to the Bn store. 

Equipment included Diesel and Petrol engines, Generators for lighting and radio equipment, workshop equipment (lathe drills, saws, grinding wheel, etc) and 10 vehicles of various types.

Most of this equipment was left to be policed by the Sultan’s men.

This image was taken from either NAA or AWM footage.

This note is from Tim Lewis (the son of Lt RA Lewis)”I can only assume that my father accepted the garrison surrender from Captain Iizuka with WO Iwase by his side. ( These names appeared elsewhere in my father’s diaries)”.

These are some of the handwritten notes written during the conduct of the operations at Kota Waringin

Covering note to the CO 2/31 Battalion 28 Sep 1945

Below is a hand written description of the meeting between Lt Lewis and the Sultan

to discuss the restoration of the civil administration.

The Sultan expresses his concerns regarding his reduced status during the Japanese Occupation.

Lt Lewis held meetings with district headmen to re-establish the Sultan as the centre of Administration in the district

pending the arrival of the Dutch Administration. 

Document F is a Patrol Report

The patrol was to ascertain whether and large numbers of Japanese were in the area and to locate any Japanese weapons.

It was determined that no large numbers of Japanese were in the area and that all former store houses were

searched but no weapons were found. Weapons previously founded were handed to a patrol from C Coy.

Document C is an Interrogation Report

This report is from the interrogation of an English speaking Chinese concerning the man Hadji Mochamad Kalim who was brought back from Kumai to Banjarmasin on the Naval vessel. Kalim was named as a Japanese collaborator. He had lived in the Kumai area since 1936 There were two occasions where Kalim received a token punishment from the Japanese for trying to buy a radio and for fishing. The same offences perpetrated by others would result in much harsher punishment.

In 1942 There were 1000 British and Dutch troops in the area but these had subsequently been transferred to Banjarmasin. since then there were not many Japanese in the area until they built an airstrip 6 months before the end of the war. The factory and equipment at Kumai was used in the manufacture of swords and in support of the air strip operations.

Below is the report from the Chinese person in his own handwriting.

—o—