The Good Guts - 39battalion.com

KOKODA PLATEAU MEMORIALS ONE TREE HILL

The Good Guts Official Newsletter of

39th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION (1941-43) ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

Publication Number 100018459

Views expressed in material submitted are not necessarily the views of this Association or the editor of the good guts. Responsibility for all comment is that of the author of the article. Information regarding member’s addresses may be published in the newsletter from time to time for fraternal purposes. Members not wishing this information to be disclosed must advise the editor accordingly. The Logo and Colour Patch may not be used without permission.

No. 193

February 2015

The Battalion Associations would like to thank:

His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC The Honourable Senator Michael Ronaldson, MP

Parks Victoria Victoria Police Belgrave and Olinda Police Stations

St John Ambulance Teachers and children of Belgrave South Primary School

Associated Mobile Cranes –Mr. Robert Clark Crawford’s Casting – Mr. Mathew Crawford

A1 Plaques – Mr. Dave Stenhouse Granite Works Pty Ltd – Mr. Jordan Taylor

Mapei Pty Ltd – Mr. Paul Buckley Graphic Design – Shane Westaway

Identisign Pty Ltd – Mr. Ian Ayre Everlast Stainless Steel – Mr. Grant Proudfoot

EOS Management – Mr. Roger Apte Unforgettable Adventures – Mr. Kevin Mansfield

Getaway Trekking – Mr. Wayne & Mrs. Sue Fitcher Mr. Bruce Taylor – Transport

Berwick Bus Lines

Official Opening of the Kokoda Plateau Memorials

One Tree Hill, Dandenong Ranges National Park,

Sunday, 14th December, 2014

by His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941-43) Association Good Guts: February 2015 Edition I would like to wish every member a very Happy New Year and hope that 2015 will bring us all together in fellowship honouring the distinguished name of the “39th Battalion”. There are many events planned for 2015 building on our successes in 2014 and you will find these in the events section of the ‘Good Guts’. I look forward to seeing many of you

at these events or reading about them in future copies of the ‘Good Guts’. You will notice in this edition of the ‘Good Guts’ and on our web-site, many excellent pictures and stories regarding the official opening of the Kokoda Plateau Memorial Cairns at One Tree Hill in the Dandenong Ranges National Park on Sunday, 14 December. This project was the inspiration of veterans John Akhurst and Alan Moore. It was realized through the herculean efforts of Committee members Alfred Mallia, Geoff Pledge and Malcolm Owen. Of course they were ably supported by many Association members who gave up many hours of the time labouring on the project. I would like to thank all concerned for the magnificent outcome. These memorials are world class and add so much to the other splendid Kokoda memorials within the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The Governor of Victoria, His Excellency, the Honourable Alex Chernov, officially opened the new memorials. It was fantastic to see twelve of our veterans, veterans’ wives and widows and so many Association members to witness the occasion. Those who attended will attest it was a wonderful day. The day concluded with a magnificent Christmas Luncheon, which was provided by the Association’s Social Committee. I would like to thank Merren Stockdale, Heather Horsburgh and Lorraine Cochrane (and their helpers) for their spectacular fare, and thank the boys and girls from Venturer Scouts who served us on the day. It was pleasing to see an increase in attendance at 39th Battalion Association events in 2014 and I hope we can continue that trend. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas on how we can improve our events and activities. I continue to be impressed with the number of members who have volunteered their time and ideas throughout 2014. This year sees a number of our current Committee members looking to take a back seat in the running of the Association. This provides an ideal opportunity for interested members to step up. I would encourage anyone with an interest to become a Committee member to step forward and let us know. Committee generally meets once per month. You are most welcome to come along to any Committee meeting to ‘test the waters’. The list of dates and locations is in the events section. It is one of my sad duties to note the passing of another of our great veterans, Eric Hodgetts, aged 101. On behalf of the Committee and members of the Association, I would like to offer my condolences and sympathies to his family on their loss. He was a remarkable man and will be missed by all. Again, I would like to remind members that they are always welcome to attend committee meetings and or communicate directly with any member of the committee on any topic. Working constructively together there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Finally I would like to commend Mary Holloway for another splendid edition and I hope you enjoy reading the ‘Good Guts’.

Factis non Verbis - Deeds not words.

(Signed) Daryl Clarke

.

39th Battalion Association Committee Proposed Calendar Dates for 2015. Official 39th Battalion events are printed in Bold

Month Date Event Location February Sun 8th

Wed 18th Ex-POW Memorial Service Committee Meeting

Ballarat Caulfield RSL (10.15) NB There will be no Ferntree Gully BBQ in 2015

March Wed 4th Sun 22nd Fri 27th

Geelong BBQ Committee Meeting Salute to 39th Dinner

Eastern Park (11.30) Camberwell City RSL (13.15) Queens Hall, Parliament House (18.30)

April Wed 15th

Sun 19th Sat 25th Sun 26th

Committee Meeting Kew RSL ANZAC DAY March ANZAC DAY March AGM Reunion Lunch

Caulfield RSL (10.15) Kew (13.15) Melb (9.30) Camberwell RSL (11/12noon)

May Wed 20th Committee Meeting Caulfield RSL (10.15) June Wed 17th

(tbc) Committee Meeting A Saturday night function

Caulfield RSL (10.15) (tbc)

July Wed 15th Committee Meeting Caulfield RSL (10.15) August Sat 8th

Sun 9th

Wed 19th Sun 23th Sun 30th

Kokoda Day Kokoda Day Kokoda Day Kokoda Day Committee Meeting Healing the Wounds of War Service

Service

PNG Cascade Gardens- Gold Coast[10.30] Shrine of Remembrance, Melb (14.00) Sherwood RSL, Queensland (11.00) Caulfield RSL (10.15) St Georges, East St Kilda (10.30)

Osborne House, Geelong (11.00)

September Sun 20th Committee Meeting Camberwell City RSL (13.15) October Sun 4th

Wed 14th Fri 23rd

Sun 25th

(tbc)

Formation Day BBQ Committee Meeting KTF Ralph Honnor Oration Dinner Kokoda Challenge

Darley Cricket Ground (11.30) Caulfield RSL (10.15) Sydney Dandenong Ranges NP

November (tbc)

Wed 11th Mon 16th

Wed 18th

The Southport School GraduationParade Remembrance Day Service Shrine Annual Dinner Committee Meeting

Southport, Queensland

Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Shrine of Remembrance, Melb (18.30) Caulfield RSL (10.15)

December Sun 6th Committee Meeting & Christmas Lunch

Camberwell RSL (10.15)

3-Jan-22 Joe DAWSON B

Glacia house, Flora Parade, TUNCURRY NSW 2428 [02] 6555 7452

6-Jan-22 MURRAY S.J. HQ

46,Sunnycove,344 San Mateo Av. MILDURA Vic 3500 [03] 5023 6159

19-Jan-21 George TURNER E

20/25 Ney Road CAPALABA Queensland 4157 07 3245 4411

24-Jan-21 William BRADFORD C

62 Pecham Street, GLENROY Vic 3046 [03]9306 7703

25-Jan-19 John AKHURST C

3/5 Tulip Street BLACK ROCK VIC 3193 [03] 9597 0989

22-Feb-22 Pat HANNAH A

Unit 12 Latrobe Village, Village Dve Reservoir Vic 3073 [03] 9471 9731

22-Feb-21 Len WALDRON HQ

2/15 Pryton Court BALWYN Victoria 3103 [03] 9898 5790

24-Feb-16 George HOVENDEN HQ

16 Thistle St BENDIGO VIC 3550 03 5443 2735

2-Mar-22 Max KIRK HQ

630 Lancaster-Mooroopna Rd GILLIESTON VIC 3616 [03] 5826 0287

To each of you, Birthday Wishes for a wonderful day.

OFFICE BEARERS - 39th Australian Infantry Battalion 1941-1943 Association Inc. PRESIDENT Lt.Col.Daryl CLARKE 26 Yongala Street, Balwyn. 3103

Mobile 0477 034 530 Email [email protected]

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Norman Stockdale Post Office Box 689, GISBORNE Vic. 3437 Telephone [03] [5428 8886 Mobile 0408 592 609 E-mail [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT & WELFARE OFFICER

Alan Jameson 47 Antibes Street PARKDALE Victoria 3194 Telephone: H [03] 9587 5365 E-mail [email protected]

HON.SECRETARY Malcolm Owen 3A Edwardes St, BERWICK Vic. 3782 Telephone: (03) 97693048 Mobile 0402 089 077 Email [email protected]

TREASURER Alfred Mallia PO Box 305 EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 Telephone [W] (03) 94174355 Email [email protected]

MEMBER John Akhurst 3/5 Tulip Street BLACK ROCK Vic. 3193 Telephone: [03] 9597 0989 E-mail [email protected]

MEMORABILIA OFFICER Lorraine Cochrane 76 Tarongo Drive ASPEN0DALE Vic. 3195 Telephone: [03] 9580 1947 E-mail [email protected]

NEWS LETTER EDITOR

Mary Holloway 55 French Road GREENVALE Victoria 3059 Telephone [03] 9333 1214 FAX [03] 9333 1536 Mobile: 0407 552 891 E-mail [email protected]

MEMBER David Howell 7 Balcombe Street, FRANKSTON SOUTH. Vic 3199 Telephone [03] Mobile: 0405 007 700 Email [email protected]

MEMBER Alan Moore 1/2 Spero Avenue MOUNT ELIZA Vic 3930 Telephone: [03] 9787 1657 E-mail [email protected]

MEMBER Merren Stockdale Post Office Box 689, GISBORNE Vic. 3437 Telephone [03] 5428 8886 Mobile 0408 592 608 E-mail [email protected]

MEMBER Wayne Rotherham 20 Perkins Street, JAMIESON. Vic 3723 Telephone [03] Mobile Email

MEMBER [Co-Opted] Rupert Dalley PO Box 247, KYNETON. Vic 3444 Mobile 0417016351 Email [email protected]

AUDITOR

1/39 BATTALION WW1 1916-1919

Tim Fitzgerald Telephone [03] 54477213 Email: bluesbrass@yahoo,com.au

BATTALION BUGLER Darcy Manks

BATTALION PIPER Ian Mckenzie

39th BATTALION WEBSITE www.39battalion.com INTERSTATE CONTACTS NSW Judith Matuschka 12 Fiona Avenue Wahroonga NSW 2076 Tel:

[02] 9489 0401 QLD George Palmer Unit 193, Ponciana, The Boulevard / 950

Gympie Road CHERMSIDE Qld 4032 Tel: [07] 3861 5181

Freedom is something we all cherish whether it be in our religious, political or personal life and it is a word heard so often used to describe our rights. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about freedom. The Collins English Dictionary defines ‘freedom’ as personal liberty- able to enjoy political and civil liberty. Liberty is the power to choose, to think and act for oneself. Liberty and freedom go hand in hand allowing us to live our lives according to our own religious beliefs, customs and culture. In Australia so often these freedoms and liberties are taken for granted. But freedom is something with which we all should be concerned especially remembering the freedoms of many groups lost during the 2nd World War, which included the freedom to live, to carry out their business and to live the lifestyle that they had chosen. So what are our concepts of freedom? Is it to let anyone or any organisation say what they like or persecute as they see fit? No! We have to respect other people and faiths and not decry them as seems to be the manner in which some seem to think is right thing to do. This only results in more hate and animosity along with retaliation. It is important that we respect and uphold freedom and liberty in our society. This is what our soldiers, sailors and airmen fought for in two world wars. These are the premises that underpin our society and in this centenary year of ANZAC it becomes even more important that we never forget the sacrifices, which have been made for our freedom and liberty.

Mrs Bev Farley called to say how excited she had been to have a phone call from Jack McLeod telling her he had known her uncle, Rexley William Curran, and had this photo of him taken at Darley. Rex Curran was killed in action on the 9th August 1942 and has no known grave.

Mrs Beryl Tucker wrote saying how pleased she had been to be able to attend the opening of the Kokoda Plateau Memorials. Her letter is reproduced later in the GG. She also sent some photos of the 1972 Battalion Association pilgrimage to PNG. T

Boort RSL have recently discovered an unmarked grave in the local cemetery. It was drawn to their attention by a man researching his family. They discovered it was the grave of Pte Ronald J Batty, V69508 of B Coy 39th Battalion. He was wounded in action on the 12th December 1942 during the Northern Beaches campaign. The Boort RSL are currently investigating ways to raise funds to put a headstone and acknowledgement of his service on the grave.

Eric George William Hodgetts V64555 who served his country with the 39th Battalion as a private soldier. He joined with the 3rd Reinforcements. Eric was wounded in the battle on the Northern Beaches and lost his arm. Eric passed away on the 27th January 2015 and his funeral service was held at the Mason Park Funeral Home on the 5th February. He was buried in the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery. The Battalion Association was represented at the service by Alan Jameson, Merren and Norman Stockdale and Mary Holloway.

Vincent[Vin] J Dalton V45711, VX131616, V45711, who served his part of country as a member of HQ passed away on Monday 9th February 2015.

Mrs Win Fry has not been well but is pleased to now be feeling much better. Members of the Holloway family have also been on the sick list. Michael Holloway and his wife Janis were

involved in a car accident which totally destroyed their Toyota Land Cruiser but fortunately left them only with minor injuries. Christopher Holloway had undergone major surgey in October and now has another appointment with the surgeon. We wish them all rapid a recovery.

Timothy Curwood Grandson of Alan Moore Lucy Brommeyer Granddaughter of Alan Moore Chris McCullough Recently completed Kokoda Track with Wayne Rotherham Dean Anderson current member of 5/6 RVR and recently walked the Kokoda trek Jim Drapes interested in the preservation of the Kokoda Track and the maintenance of the Kokoda story

A Sprig of Lantana The use of the 39 Bn. Logo, when inserting a Death Notice in a newspaper, for a 39th Bn. Veteran, helps draw attention to that notice. In Victoria The Herald Sun & The Age both have a copy on file. In other states newspapers in the same group MAY be able to access the logo if requested. It is not necessary to seek permission for its use on death notices for 39th Bn members. The Reference Numbers which must be quoted are: The Herald Sun - B004 The Age - A796 A metal replica of the 39th Bn Badge, for use on a gravestone, is available for purchase from the Memorabilia Officer

Sick Parade

!"#$%"&'"() $

OPENING OF THE KOKODA PLATEAU MEMORIAL

Sunday 14 December 2014

Good morning everyone. It is a pleasure for Elizabeth and me to be here this morning for the opening of the Kokoda Plateau Memorial Cairns. The importance of this event is underlined by the presence here of: Major General David McLachlan, The Victorian State President of The Returned & Services League Lieutenant Colonel Daryl Clarke, The President of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion Association Veterans of the Kokoda Campaign and their families Other members of the Association Mr Andrew Farley, Parks Victoria Board Member Students from Belgrave South Primary School And other Friends and supporters of the Memorial I also acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. This morning’s opening of the four Memorial Cairns that replicate those at the Kokoda Plateau marks a special occasion of remembrance of those who served during the Kokoda Campaign and their bravery in overcoming the terrible circumstances which they had to overcome in order to stop the Japanese reaching Port Moresby from the north. This campaign represented the first armed conflict in which our troops fought where Australia’s security was directly endangered. As most of you know, the Kokoda Trail saw some of the most desperate and vicious fighting experienced by our troops in the Second World War. In many respects Kokoda reflected the bravery and resilience of the 39th battalion and those that later joined them to that shown by the early ANZACs. You will recall that in mid-‐1942, the Japanese forces were desperate. The outcome of the Coral Sea Battle set them back in the Pacific and their attempt to take Port Moresby by a seaborne landing had failed. So they landed their troops on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea and saw the otherwise impenetrable Kokoda Trail as the route to its capture of Port Moresby in the south. Initially, the only forces that stood in their way were the Papuan Infantry Brigade and the 39th Battalion. The 39th was made up of young volunteers from Victoria with an average age of eighteen. They arrived at the Kokoda Plateau in early July 1942 on foot from Port Moresby. It was an eight day march after the attempt to airlift them to the forthcoming battlefield had failed. Not only were they exhausted, but they were also seriously underprepared for jungle combat, were significantly outnumbered by the Japanese by something like 5 to 1 and lacked proper supplies and essentials such as food, blankets and medicine. They were also at the end of a difficult supply line. Moreover, it was not long before many of them began to suffer from tropical diseases Despite their heroic efforts, initially our troops were not able to hold back the Japanese and had to withdraw along the Trail. Eventually, and as reinforcements arrived the Australians stood their ground at Imita Ridge in September 1942 and stalled the Japanese advance. They then began to push them back. The fighting became even more intense as the Japanese fought desperate delaying actions particularly around their beachheads on the north coast. In terms of casualties this fighting cost Australia dearly. Over 600 Australians were killed along the Kokoda Trail and over 1,000 were wounded. There were also many casualties due to sickness and many of our wounded died while being carried by their mates or, as was often the case, by the local Papuans,

affectionately known as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. The importance of the achievement in Kokoda of the 39th and those reinforcements cannot be overstated. Had the Japanese reached Port Moresby, the Australian bases in Northern Australia, which would come to play a significant part in the counter-‐offensive against the Japanese, would have been under serious The adversities with which our troops had to deal at the KokodaTrail are unimaginable to us today. Quite apart from having to grapple with a determined and desperate enemy, they had to meet the challenges of the extremely difficult terrain, humidity, rain, mud, lack of food and other supplies, as well as tropical diseases such that its battalion colour patch of brown and red, known as “Mud over Blood”, came to reflect the state of the threat by air attack from bases in Port Moresby.men. Importantly historic accounts of the Battalion attest that courage never left it. Although the battle for Kokoda took place over seventy years ago, the veterans’ scars of that war are still vividly with them, refusing to be diluted with the passage of time. For Australia, the experiences of our gallant troops in Kokoda are an integral part of our history as is the Anzac Story. They deserve to be remembered and thanked and it is through memorials like this that their brave deeds will be remembered and honoured. To engage in remembrance is not only the right thing to do morally but it is a positive attribute to our national character. To forget is to dishonour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all those that served, many of them returning but scarred forever. Just as a person is the poorer for not acknowledging those who helped him or her to achieve their goal, so is a nation the poorer if it does not keep remembering those who sacrificed their lives for it or heed the lessons from their sacrifices. As Governor of Victoria, I thank all of you whose contributions and donations have made the establishment of this memorial possible. I also commend the Association for its work of supporting the veterans and their families over many years, as well as for co-‐ordinating the opening today. I hope this place will be visited regularly by our community, including school children, their families and visitors, so they will learn of the brave deeds of our fighting forces in Kokoda and honour those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of our freedom. Thank you. Alex Chernov

Kokoda Plateau – Memorial Opening 14th

December, 2014

Your Excellency

Mrs Chernov

Senator the Honourable Michael Ronaldson

Veterans of Kokoda

Distinguished Guests

Ladies & Gentlemen

Girls & Boys

I am the treasurer of the 39th

Battalion however today I am

speaking on behalf of three battalions the 2/14th

, 2/16th

and

39th.

18 months ago we were given a task by two of our Veterans,

to complete the Kokoda Track at Ferntree Gully by

duplicating the monuments which currently stand at the

Kokoda Plateau in New Guinea.

These monuments were constructed to honour all those who

fought in the Kokoda campaign.

The three battalions met with Parks Victoria and were told

that whilst these monuments were in their planning for the

future, it would be some years before they would possibly be

constructed.

The Veterans decided that this time frame was not going to

allow them the opportunity to see these monuments

completed, so it was agreed that we would consider the

possibility of constructing them ourselves.

Plans were drawn up and costings were obtained but the task

also seemed beyond us as we too did not have sufficient

funds.

It was at this stage we decided to call upon the generosity of

the corporate world.

Once the companies that we approached were told of the

project, they did not hesitate to offer their assistance and

advice whether that be by way of fund raising, heavily

discounting the supply of their goods, or simply supplying

their goods or services free of charge.

The companies that sponsored this project are listed on the

back of your programme and we would be grateful if you

would take the time to read this list as an acknowledgement

of their contribution.

To these companies we thank you for your support and

generosity, for without your help this project would never

have gotten off the ground.

On the 4th

July, 2014 the Minister for Parks gave his approval

to the design and installation of the monuments, the project

suddenly became a reality.

On the 6th

September,2014 we received the first frame, of

what would be the four completed monuments that stand in

front of you here today.

The call for volunteers went out and within a short time we

had crew of volunteers who gave up their spare time and

slowly the monuments took shape.

I would like to take this opportunity to name these people

who volunteered and they are:

Malcolm Owen

Geoff Hardie

Elaine McCunn

Brent McCunn

Geoff Pledge

Danny Vanderzalm

Brendan Wright

Grant Proudfoot

Gavin Renyi

Chris Larson

Tom Sutherland

Matt Mansfield

Gary Richards

Jeremy Clarke

Darcy Manks

Lorraine James

Shane Mallia

Rhys Mallia

Josh Kelly

Jake Quinn

Kate Brommeyer

Daryl Clarke

James Clarke

Tom Clarke

Tim Curwood

Rosemary Moore

Andrew Pentland

Damian Vanhesswyk

Anthony Nimbs

Daniel Wesson

David Howell

To all our volunteers we cannot thank you enough for making

the wish of the Veterans of Kokoda come true.

You should be very proud of what you have collectively

achieved.

To Parks Victoria, thank you for the way you treat our

Veterans and their legacy here in the National Park.

All through this project your staff have been very

accommodating firstly by suppling a shed at short notice for

us to construct the monuments and secondly for taking such

an interest in the project which led to your staff calling in and

encouraging the volunteers every week.

We wish to thank the management and staff of Parks Victoria

for their support not only for this project but for all the

projects that they have been associated with on behalf of the

Veterans of Kokoda.

The motto of the 39th

Battalion is Factus non Verbus (Deeds

not Words) a motto which has been overwhelmingly

displayed in this project by the companies, volunteers and

parks victoria.

In finishing, to all our Veterans these monuments represent

another chapter in the history of Kokoda which we hope will

educate the public about the Courage and Sacrifice you

showed against all odds.

Your story will never be forgotten.

We hope that you are as proud of these monuments as we

are of you.

Thank you.

IN MEMORY OF LT R.F {BOB}ISKOV 2/14

The family of the late Lt. R. F (Bob) Iskov of the 2/14th Battalion are proud to announce a donation of $1000 to the 39th Battalion in Bob’s memory. Bob was a very proud 2/14th man but had a special affiliation with the men of the 39th Battalion. He saw action alongside the 39th on the Kokoda Trail and later was actively involved with them in the bloody battles at Gona. Bob had great passion for educating people about the threat that Australia faced in 1942. He gave many talks to schools, service clubs and trekking groups. He was very impressed with the development of the Ferntree Gully National Park site and wanted to assist in some way. He believed it was both a magnificent memorial and a significant asset in telling the story of the men that saved Australia. He was proud to be present at the opening of the original stages but sad to see the names of so many of his mates on the wall. This donation is a small token of the high esteem in which Bob held the men of the 39th Battalion.

Bob with some of his friends in the 39th. Cec Driscoll, Peter Holloway, Alan Moore, Bob with the Singing Porters John Akhurst and George Cops.

Bob’s son Craig laying the 2/14th Wreath at One Tree Hill

Kokoda Plateau Memorial

Eric George William Hodgetts June 26th 1913 - January 27th 2015

When Australian was under threat of invasion in 1941, by a rampaging Japanese Army, Eric and many other young men volunteered, so the 39th Battalion was formed. Eric was sent to the northern beaches region of Papua New Guinea, late in 1942, joining a badly depleted B Company as a reinforcement. Eric’s war was short, during his first action, a frontal attack on a heavily fortified enemy position at Gona, Eric was shot in the upper right arm. Those magnificent “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels “carried him though swamp and mud to a Field Hospital at Soputa. here the doctor, Major Ackland made the decision to amputate his arm, it had become badly infected the doctor said” if I don’t remove it you won’t see tomorrow”, he did promise to “leave as long a stump as possible “ about 4 inches.

Eric never forgot that very painful jeep trip, to Popendetta for evacuation. However Eric still considered himself fortunate, his best mate, was shot and killed beside him at Gona. Eric was brought back to Australia, rehabilitated and fitted with a prosthetic arm and discharged in August 1943. Since joining the 39th Committee in 2000, I have had the privilege of meeting many of these great men,” the men who saved Australia”. Sadly there are so few left, so I would encourage all our members to seek them out (through the Association) and meet those you can. Eric Hodgetts war was short, but his sacrifice has endured for over 70 years, Alan Jameson

The Eulogy delivered at the Funeral Service celebrating Eric’s life by his grandson Daryl Bennet

Thank you for coming today to help us celebrate the long life of Grandpa. How do you condense 101 years into a few minutes? Impossible, but we will try to tell you a bit about this remarkable man who was an inspiration to us and many other people. Eric George William Hodgetts was born on 26 June 1913 at Loxton, SA. He was the eldest child of William George and Edith Hodgetts. His 4 siblings were Doris, Rona, Robert all deceased and Myra who is now 94. In about 1916 the family moved to Mildura travelling there on a paddleboat called “the Gem” which many of you may have seen in Swan Hill. After a few years working on a property at Williamsville the family moved onto their own fruit salad block in Curlwaa. Curlwaa was the first government irrigation settlement in NSW. The Family worked very hard and paid for their block in 7 years which was a real achievement. Eric began schooling at the convent in Wentworth which he loved but wasn’t there for long before his parents transferred him to the Curlwaa school. He wasn’t happy about that as he said the teachers weren’t as nice as the old nuns.

When he changed schools the kids told him to watch out for Miss Crimmins because she will poke you in the belly with the mapstick. Eric replied if she does I will poke her back. Eventually that happened of course so Eric was marched off to get the cuts from the headmaster. How times have changed. But he never had nightmares about Miss Crimmins like some of the girls did. As a boy Eric and his mate Doug Taylor earned money doing various jobs for local blockees. These jobs included tuppence (which is 2 cents) for taking a bandage off the apple trees and tuppence for putting a new bandage on to prevent coddling moth. They also earnt 1 Shilling (about 10 cents) for each orange tree they pruned and One and

threepence (about 13 cents) for a pair of rabbits which they prepared very fastidiously even soaking them in salty water before drying them off and delivering them on their way to school. The best money Eric and Doug earned was one day when they were about 8 or 9, they were walking past the local pub when one of the local “identities” who was under the weather offered them 10 bob (about $1) if they could ride the cow they were taking to the common for Sid Taylor. One thing I should tell you is that Grandpa was very good with names. He always remembered the names of people when he was telling stories about his childhood. Anyway back to the cow. The boys always made pets of the house cows and so knew they could easily ride this cow and earn the 10 bob. At that time the average wage was about 3 pounds 10 shillings (about $7). So for the boys to earn 10 bob (or $1) was a fortune for them. Like other families in the district, the Hodgetts family didn’t have much money but unlike some city people they never went hungry. There was always plenty of fruit and Grandpa said the kids would only eat the biggest and best fruit from the trees. Vegetables were grown at home and when his mother told him she had almost run out of meat he would go off and shoot a couple of rabbits or go catch enough fish for them to eat. In those days they could depend on catching fish – I wish I could say that now. Eric left school at age 14 and worked on fruit blocks, did road work and also cut wood for 3 and threepence per ton for 3 foot lengths. When he first started that job his father told him to ease into the work. Of course he didn’t listen to that advice so ended up with bad blisters on his hands. The treatment then was “Pee on your hands in the morning and put methylated spirits on them at night to toughen the skin up”. Perhaps that is when his faith in metho began. As kids, we were often told “put some metho on it, that will fix it”. For 5 years before the war, Eric did the horse work on 2 blocks for Billy Brien in Curlwaa. Eric had a great love for and understanding of horses, so he really enjoyed those years. His love of horses continued and when Bruce got his first horse, Grandpa was quickly out to the farm to see Candy, the new horse. When he was in his 80’s, Grandpa got Bruce to help him up on Candy to have his last ride on a horse. Gran would have had a fit if she found out what had happened. Eric joined the Army in Wentworth in 1941 and after training in army camps he went to New Guinea on a boat called the “Manunda”. With Aussie soldiers on board, a Javanese crew and provisioned by Americans, Eric said it was “a League of Nations”. Eric’s company didn’t walk the Kokoda Track but were called in as reinforcements to join them to clean up the remnants of the Japanese over the Owen Stanley ranges. He was at Popondetta, The Ambogi River which is now called the West Gona River, Buna and Gona. When the Australian boys got there they found there was only 1 Australian to 4 or 5 Japanese. However the 39th Battalion did achieve what seemed impossible. During the fall of Gona Eric was shot in the arm by a Japanese sniper. The sniper was hiding in a palm tree. Grandpa never held a grudge against the Japanese, but he sure did hate palm trees. The fuzzy wuzzy angels carried Eric on a stretcher through swamps knee deep and sometimes shoulder deep in mud and water with the muddy water sloshing around Eric on the stretcher. No wonder that all our lives Grandpa said “If it wasn’t for the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels I wouldn’t be here”. They took him to a casualty station at Soputa where his arm was amputated in a tent by Army surgeon Major Ackland. Before he was moved on, the medical orderly went to give him some pain killers, but typical Eric, always thinking of others said “No save it for someone else.” But the orderly told him “No you will have this now cos believe me you will wish you had more later on”. Eric was brought back to Australia on the Centaur which was sunk by the Japanese on her return trip to New Guinea. Eric was discharged from the army in August 1943.

Eric with the Singing Porters during their visit to Wangaratta

Back in civilian life Eric wanted to just get on with life. Rona, one of his sisters told her Mum that his sisters were wanting to help him. You can imagine what he thought of that, so Auntie Rona was told very promptly that they were to treat him no differently then they had done before the war. Eric went back working on his Dad’s fruit block almost straight away. Where there is a will, there is a way to overcome obstacles and that is exactly how Grandpa lived the rest of his life. Here’s a challenge for all you 2-armed people out there. Try buttering toast or peeling a potato with only one hand. In 1946 Eric married Beth Langdon and the following year Margaret was born. When Eric’s Dad decided to retire and sell the block, Gran and Grandpa moved to Buronga. He had a couple of shortterm jobs until he became Groundsman at Mildura High School, where he worked for nearly 25 years. During his time there the school became well known for its beautiful gardens and excellent sports ovals.

Gran and Grandpa retired to Wangaratta in December 1974 to be closer to their growing family. Their grandchildren gave them much pleasure and they happily participated in their lives whenever possible. Later he welcomed 5 great grandchildren who Pa loved and watched with much interest as they grew. Eric’s knowledge of trees and plants soon became known in Wangaratta and he was often called to identify plants. Over the years he must have grown hundreds of trees from seed for many people. He was asked to be a judge for the Regional School Garden competition one year, which he really enjoyed doing. Other interests in his lifetime have been tennis, rowing, breeding show poultry, reading, dancing and of course football. He and Gran followed the Wang Rovers for many years and he has been a Geelong Cats Fan since he was a teenager. His mother and sister Myra were Collingwood fans but Eric chose Geelong as he said it was more of a country club. A few points you may be interested to hear about Eric:

• He saw wool transported into Wentworth by bullock team and camels. • His family travelled by buggy or jinker for many years until their first car was bought. • The family bought a chest of tea which had to last them 1 year. Only Griffiths Bros or Edwards tea was

available. • An Indian Hawker visited the area once a year in his covered wagon. Exactly the same wagon as the one Eric

saw in the Longreach Hall of Fame. • When Eric’s Dad bought a refrigerator his Mum was horrified saying she didn’t need that modern contraption.

But within a very short time, she thought otherwise.

Eric lost his wife in February 2003 and although Mum told him he was welcome to live with her and Dad, his fierce independence won out. He stayed living in his home in Wangaratta often going out to the farm for a few days or so and then returning home.

However on the 17th January 2011 Grandpa went to St Catherine’s Hostel. Naturally he found it hard for a while. One evening he rang Mum about 10 o’clock at night telling her “I don’t know about this place Margaret, there is no night life here, everyone is in bed”. However gradually he got used to it and it became home and he really loved the staff who in turn loved him and his lovely smile. Just before grandpa turned 100, Denise, one of the nurses told him that she was going to buy a crown so he could be King of St Caths for his special day. He didn’t agree but very surprisingly when Denise put it on his head that day, he wore it proudly. Have a look at the photo here and you can see he had a very happy 100th birthday. All the family wish to thank the staff at St Catherine’s for the dedication and care they have shown to us all, but ESPECIALLY to Grandpa as they really were

Eric and his daughter Margaret living angels to him. So the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels saved his life in New Guinea in the early days and the angels at St Catherine’s loved and cared for him at the end of his life here on earth, so we thank God for them all. Thank you. Daryl Bennet

As we go to press, to our knowledge,

We have 39 surviving 39th Battalion Veterans.

DISTRIBUTION - Victoria 26: Queensland 7: NSW 4: SA 1: Tas. 1

Photos from the 39th Battalion Association Pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea 1972 sent by Mrs Beryl Tucker

Kipling’s Korner

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels

Many a mother in Australia, When the busy day is done, Sends a prayer to the Almighty For the keeping of her son Asking that an Angel guide him And bring him safely back Now we see those prayers are answered On the Owen Stanley track, For they haven’t any halos Only holes slashed in the ears, And with faces worked by tattoos, With scratch pins in their hair, Bringing back the wounded, Just as steady as a hearse, Using leaves to keep the rain off And as gentle as a nurse. Slow and careful in bad places, On the awful mountain track, And the look upon their faces , Makes us think that Christ was black. Not a move to hurt the carried, As they treat him like a Saint, It’s a picture worth recording, That an Artist’s yet to paint. Many a lad will see his Mother, And the Husbands, Weans and Wives, Just because the Fuzzy Wuzzy Carried them to save their lives. From mortar or machine gun fire Or a chance surprise attack, To safety and the care of Doctors, At the bottom of the track. May the Mothers in Australia, they offer up a prayer, Mention those impromptu Angels, With the Fuzzy Wuzzy hair.

Sapper H "Bert" Beros NX 6925, 7th Div., RAE, AIF

Bert Beros served in both WW1 and WW2. He wrote this poem at 4 am one morning on the Kokoda Track after having been on stand-to. It may never have been printed but for the fact that an officer sent a copy home

to his mother and she was so impressed that she had it published in the Brisbane Courier-Mail.

Source: The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and Other Verses (Published in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of ANZAC)

This poem was read at Eric Hodgetts’ funeral in gratitude for the service given to Eric in 1942 during his time of need by the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels

Readers are invited to write letters to the editor for publication in The Good Guts. The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily the views of the Association or of the editor and the writer must accept all responsibility for any views expressed therein. As space is always a consideration the editor reserves the right to edit all submissions as may be seen fit.

Australia: An American's view

Interesting set of observations from a visitor from the other side of the Pacific. 'Value what you have and don't give it away.' There's a lot to admire about Australia, especially if you're a visiting American, says David Mason. More often than you might expect, Australian friends patiently listening to me enthuse about their country have said, ''We need outsiders like you to remind us what we have.'' So here it is - a small presumptuous list of what one foreigner admires in Oz. 1... Health care. I know the controversies, but basic national health care is a gift. In America, medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy. The drug companies dominate politics and advertising.Obama is being crucified for taking halting baby steps towards sanity. You can't turn on the telly without hours of drug advertisements - something I have never yet seen here. And your emphasis on prevention - making cigarettes less accessible, for one - is a model. 2.Food. Yes, we have great food in America too, especially in the big cities. But your bread is less sweet, your lamb is cheaper, and your supermarket vegetables and fruits are fresher than ours. Too often in my country an apple is a ball of pulp as big as your face.The dainty Pink Lady apples of Oz are the juiciest I've had. And don't get me started on coffee. American small towns it tastes like water flavoured with burnt dirt, but the smallest shop in the smallest town in Oz can make a first-rate latte. I love your ubiquitous bakeries, your hot-cross buns. Shall I go on? 3.Language. How do you do it? The rhyming slang and Aboriginal place names like magic spells. Words that seem vaguely English yet also resemble an argot from another planet. I love the way institutional names get turned into diminutives - Vinnie's and Salvos - and absolutely nothing's sacred. Everything's an opportunity for word games and everyone's a nickname. Lingo makes the world go round. It's the spontaneous wit of the people that tickles me most. Late one night at a barbie my new mate Suds remarked, ''Nothing's the same since 24-7.'' Amen. 4.Free-to-air TV. In Oz, you buy a TV, plug it in and watch some of the best programming I've ever seen - uncensored. In America, you can't get diddly-squat without paying a cable or satellite company heavy fees. In Oz a few channels make it hard to choose. In America, you've got 400 channels and nothing to watch. 5.Small shops. Outside the big cities in America corporations have nearly erased them. Identical malls with identical restaurants serving inferior food. Except for geography, it's hard to tell one American town from another. The ''take-away'' culture here is wonderful. Human encounters are real - stirring happens, stories get told. The curries are to die for. And you don't have to tip! 6... Free camping. We used to have this too, and I guess it's still free when you backpack miles away from the roads. But I love the fact that in Oz everyone owns the shore and in many places you can pull up a camper van and stare at the sea for weeks. I love the ''primitive'' and independent campgrounds, the life out of doors. The few idiots who leave their stubbies and rubbish behind in these pristine places ought to be transported in chains.

7. Religion. In America, it's everywhere - especially where it's not supposed to be, like politics. I imagine you have your Pharisees too, making a big public show of devotion, but I have yet to meet one here. 8. Roads. Peak hour aside, I've found travel on your roads pure heaven. My country's ''freeways'' are crowded, crumbling, insanely knotted with looping overpasses - it's like racing homicidal maniacs on fraying spaghetti. I've taken the Hume without stress, and I love the Princes Highway when it's two lanes. Ninety minutes south of Bateman's Bay I was sorry to see one billboard for a McDonald's. It's blocking a lovely paddock view. Someone should remove it. 9. Real multiculturalism. I know there are tensions, just like anywhere else, but I love the distinctiveness of your communities and the way you publicly acknowledge the Aboriginal past. Recently, too, I spent quality time with Melbourne Greeks, and was gratified both by their devotion to their own great language and culture and their openness to an Afghan lunch. 10. Fewer guns. You had Port Arthur in 1996 and got real in response. America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes. Why? Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream. Instead of mateship we have ''It's mine and nobody else's''. We talk a great game about freedom, but too often live in fear. There's more to say – your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches. These are just a few blessings that make Australia a rarity. Of course, it's not paradise - nowhere is - but I love it here. No need to wave flags like Americans and add to the world's windiness. Just value what you have and don't give it away. David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado.

TEXTING CODES FOR SENIORS

Since more and more seniors are texting and tweeting, there appears to be a need for a STC (Senior Texting Code). ATD: At The Doctor's BTW: Bring The Wheelchair BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth CBM: Covered By Medicare CUATSC: See You At The Senior Centre DWI: Driving While Incontinent FWB: Friend With Beta Blockers FWIW: Forgot Where I Was GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low! GHA: Got Heartburn Again IMHO: Is My Hearing-‐Aid On? LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out LOL: Living On Lipitor OMMR: On My Massage Recliner TYL: Talk To You Louder ROFLCGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing, Can't Get Up

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

There were a lot of questions asked when planning the Christmas lunch because the date that had been advertised would be so close to the unveiling of the cairns at One Tree Hill. Should we go ahead with two events, cancel the lunch or make one big day and combine them? Legitimate points were raised for and against all of these ideas and so the concerns were debated.

Eventually it was decided to have both functions on the same day at the Kokoda Plateau on One Tree Hill. We sat back and waited nervously to see if it was the right decision. To our utter amazement there was a record breaking response which meant we had to close bookings at 120 guests and create a waiting list. The other (but this time not so surprising) effect of changing the date and venue was that we were too late to book a commercial caterer and would have to do it all ourselves.

A further worry was the weather. Initially the long range weather forecast said fine but cloudy. However, a few days out, this was changed to a 40% probability of rain with wind! It caused a feeling of dread and sparked a search for a suitable nearby hall to hire.

Somehow, despite all the amendments and improvising the day came together, the sun shone, rain held off, and a large crowd of Veterans, members, friends and family were able to meet in the Ferny Creek Recreation Hall and celebrate Christmas and the end of another busy year for the Association. Photos in the GG and on the web page tell more than words can of the success of the day's events.

On the day I publicly and privately received thanks on behalf of the 'Team.' Through the pages of the Good Guts I would like to introduce these anonymous Team people to you. Without their help morning tea and lunch simply would not have happened:

Heather Horsburgh (daughter of veteran, the late Noel Hall) made the table decorations, collated the necessary lists, shopped, and prepared some of the salads to serve 120.

Kerry Sumbler (Noel Hall's grand-daughter) sourced equipment to borrow and worked tirelessly on the day setting up, serving, packing then cleaning the hall. David Sumbler, a Venturer leader and Kerry's husband, sourced the chairs and tables, collected, delivered and returned them. He also arranged for 9 Venturer Scouts and 2 other leaders to set, serve and pack up at both morning tea and lunch. The Venturers were energetic and eager to be of service to the Veterans and what the Association stood for. Erin Sumbler (Noel Hall's great grand daughter) set tables, served, packed and cleaned up. Lorraine Cochraine (daughter of the late JD McKay) was overseer of the morning tea, set out a memorabilia table for people to buy items, and helped serve lunch. Peter Cochraine (JDs son in-law) helped set up the morning tea, and did the heavy work putting out the chairs and tables for lunch then packing away afterwards. Caitlin and Mitchell (JDs great grandchildren) assisted setting up the hall and serving the desserts) Lyn Burch (daughter of the late Len Suckling) made, decorated and donated the Christmas Cake won by A Team to be proud of. Merren Stockdale (daughter of Veteran, the late Noel Hall)

GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA GREETS THE VETERANS

John Akhurst, Hannah,George Cops, Len Waldron,John Briscoe, Jack Mcleod, Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, Bill Stuart, Cec Driscoll, Arthur Grassby, Alan Moore. Seated. Jack {2/16} Keith Bellis

The Good Guts - 39battalion.com

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