From The Secretary’s Desk
Once again I have had a fair bit of correspondence from members and relatives of members and so I will try to pass on some of the ‘happenings’.
Kevin Grey, secretary of the 2/3 Composite Regt based in Sydney, has found another 9th Bty member. Albert Bains is the name. Welcome Albert, you will now get our “Take Post ” each year.
From W.A. Reg Dickson (7) has sent me the new address of Cliff Ross (8). Thanks Reg, he has been on the missing list for a year or two. I have received a great letter from Stan Walker (9) Stan was one of those “bloody kids”, [his expression], who joined the unit on its return to Aussie from the Middle East. Stan had spoken to Bob McAndrew (9) on the phone some time before writing.
Elizabeth Egan, daughter of Roy Richards (7) has been in touch seeking particulars of her Dad’s service. Glen Harry (8) was Elizabeth’s mothers’ brother. John Harrison (l) writes that heart attacks and diabetes have slowed him down a lot. I hope that you are feeling better by now John.
Terry Gleeson (Sigs) was a Detective Sergeant and writes that he met Peter MacGeorge during that time. Peter was a crime reporter for the Sydney newspapers.
It’s a small world isn’t it! Bob Robson (9) marched in the Sydney Anzac Day March – he reports the banner was carried by Cliff Cullen (9) and a son of Bede McDougal (Sigs).
Phil Bishop (8) and his wife Nancy featured in the Colac Herald when they visited Apollo Bay to relive their honeymoon there in 1942. Phil recounted in that article that the Herald and Weekly Times gave them four cans of petrol for the car and that was as far as they could get, and return home.
Daphne Block wrote to tell me of the death of her husband Arthur Block (9) Arthur had been a very busy man, building hundreds of houses and commercial buildings, also building three boats. He also wrote his memoirs of his army life. Thanks Daphne, I hope that you are getting along OK.
Robert Harrison son of Frank Harrison (9) sent a copy of his eulogy given at the funeral of his dad. Frank had grown up on a farm in Leongatha and after his Army service continued farming in the area. Frank was obviously a very remarkable man.
I had a nice chat with Graeme, the son of Raleigh Hawkins (7) advising me of the death of Eric Allpress (7).
Alf Sutherland answered a request by Enid Hayes of WA in last years “Take Post “, for information about the Miller brothers (8). Alf had grown up with the Miller family and enlisted with three of the brothers. He was pleased to be able to communicate with Enid.
Frank Wallis (Sigs) has taken me to task for writing last year, that he lived at Tathra in NSW – just to set the record straight it is Glen Forrest W.A. I was a little bit out – only about 3000 km, just a good route march Frank! Joyce Ritchie, daughter of John Hipworth (RHQ) reported that Hippy’s grandson, having won a scholarship to the Military Academy in Canberra and now a Commissioned Officer in the Army was sent to Rwanda then had 12 months in Israel and Lebanon on border patrol. He is now at Rockhampton. Army life must be in the genes Joyce!
Roy McLaren (7) now 85, appreciates “Take Post” and wrote of his times on the Heraklion Aerodrome and the recognition he received by being presented with a Greek Honorable Service Medal. Well done Roy, just “keep on keeping on”.
Rex Emmett (7) sends his best wishes to all and hopes that he will get to a reunion. He only needs to get someone to conduct the service in Ouyen. It sounds as though you are doing a great job in that district Rex.
John Ballantine (9) must be a “devil for punishment”, he writes that in 1947 he joined the CMF and served as a Captain until 1964.
I received a nice letter from Jean Bell, widow of R.J. Bell (RHQ). Last Christmas Jean had a bad fall causing a broken leg and other injuries. I do hope that all is well now Jean. [Put more water with it next time!]
Once again a very nice letter from Bob Phillips (8) of Noosa. Bob’s letter was about mateship, and how Bob related to the mateship of our Army mates, which has extended throughout the last 6 decades. I enjoyed it greatly, thanks Bob.
Dan Hawkes (9) wrote wondering how many were transferred to other Units. I don’t have accurate figures Dan, but some 50 went to the 2/4th Lt AA in Palestine before we returned to Aussie. Another 50 or so went to the 116th Lt AA in WA. Probably about the same number went to the 109th Lt AA and I know a number went to 235 Heavy AA battery. So we did lose quite a few.
Eric Maxwell son of the late Vern Maxwell (8) and a great supporter of the Association has sent me a poem. No Eric, I cannot find any details of the source, or name of the author. Thank you for your interest and support.
Bob Westcott (9), Arthur Spiller (RHQ), David Carty (9) and Keith Fryer (8) and many others have sent greetings to their mates including the few I mention here.
I will close off now and hope that I have a better year than the last couple of months so that I can sit at this computer and rattle a few more keys for a year or two more.
With best wishes to you all.
John Campbell (8)
