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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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Lest we forget !

Catafalque Parties

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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.

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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.

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Lest We Forget.

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Walter Allen Grace – 31 Battalion

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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

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RSM WO1 Dave Harding Receiving OSM from Brig Mark Armstrong

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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

2/31^st Bn – WW2 Veteran

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

Gold Badge – Life Membership RSL

Life Member – 7^th Division AIF Association

Honorary Life Member – 31^st Infantry Battalion Association Inc.

The 31^st Bn Association first made contact with Keith Hearne during July 2010 when a group of WW2 Veterans of the 2/31^st 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 “31^st Bn Flag” to the North Queensland Military Museum. Keith who was, and had been, President of the 2/31^st & 2/25^th Bn’s Association Victoria as long as anyone could remember and one of the last operating in Australia, made contact with Committee Members of 31^st Bn Association to request that we might take over the job of “Remembrance of the 2/31^st 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 2/31^stwould “LIVE ON”. Twelve years on and that is work in progress with the Brisbane Branch joining with the Descendants of Veterans of 2/31^st 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 2/31^st at Balikpapan, took on the role of 2/31^st Bn co-ordinator, and has made contact with family members of past 2/31^st Bn Presidents or committee members from all Eastern States. The Victorian Branch of the 2/31^st Bn & 2/25^th 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 2/31^st Bn still alive today. (Refer Keith’s RSL Resume – here under).

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

25^th 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 31^st Infantry Battalion Association Inc. – WEBSITE:- Google – 31bnassn.org

The 31^st 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 31^st Bn originally the Kennedy Regiment, and 42^nd Bn, originally the Capricorn Regiment trace their history back to 1881. Most members of the 31^st Bn Association have served with the 31^st Bn. In North Queensland. The Association has Branch’s in Townsville, – Charters Towers, – Ingham, & Brisbane.

TONY WADESON (Secretary- 31^st 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 – 7^th Division Association

Life Membership – 31^st Battalion Association

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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.

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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.