RSL Members attend overseas Remembrance and Evacuation Day Services

Transcription

1 Sub Branch Hours Monday 9am to 12noon Wednesday 9.30am to pm Join us for a cuppa Other times by appointment please. Inside This Issue President s Pen 2 Membership 3 Living History Records 4 Happy Birthday 6 Schedule of Events 7 Thank Puzzles 8 Issue 26 JANUARY 2016 Official Newsletter of the Victoria Park RSL Sub Branch RSL Members attend overseas Remembrance and Evacuation Day Services D u r i n g N o v e m b e r a n d December 2015 Ron and Tina Baker attended Remembrance Day services at the Horse Guards Parade in London as well as Sutton Veny, St John s Churchyard. They also attended the Evacuation Day Private Commemoration at ANZAC Cove on 20th December At all these services they laid tributes on behalf of the Victoria Park Sub Branch Committee and Members. Thank you both. Pictures of Events 9 Interpretative Centre 10 Contacting Us 12

2 PAGE 2 PRESIDENT S PEN Another year has passed and what an eventful year it was. All members of the Sub Branch along with family and friends should be very proud of our contribution and presentation of our Centenary participation. Just to recap how we were involved. Firstly our ANZAC Eve Service was a resounding success with our Memorial Wall, dedicated initially to the WW1 servicemen/women, being the focal point. Secondly we were successful with our grant applications enabling us to upgrade and replace necessary items for the Sub Branch. The new outdoor kitchen has seen BBQ facilities elevated to first class, as has our new photocopier. The new round tables and outdoor chairs are a welcome addition to the Sub Branch. We were able to donate our older outdoor chairs to other Sub Branches for their use. Our AGM was well attended with the majority of Committee being reappointed and a couple of new faces coming on board. The Remembrance Day service held in concert with the Seniors recreational Council at Burswood Park proved to be a major success with the Sub Branch being at the forefront of the service. We also participated with attendance overseas at services. Sundowners continue to be held and were well attended by members, relatives and friends. We have more coming up this year and we are looking at some theme ideas, dart nights, card nights and the like. Come along and join us for the fun. Sadly some of our members passed away this year and we expressed our deepest sympathy to families and attended those funerals in an official capacity when asked. As usual at this time of the year (December) our annual major maintenance project this time was to have the exterior of the building painted and refreshed. This is in the final stages of completion and is looking very good. Our final function for the year was held on 18th December which was extremely well attended and a great success. Thanks to all those who attended and helped on the night. This year, 2016, will once again focus our Centenary events with the main RSL activity being the 100 years since the RSL was formed. This will be in the form of a formal dinner/ball to be held at Crown Burswood in June It is expected to be quite a large event for the RSL community and members as a whole. Till next time stay well and safe... Condolences to Family Friends and Members Those who mean the most to us are never really gone, in our thoughts and our hearts the memory still lives on. Deepest sympathy to family and friends on the passing of George Farrell (101) and L E (Betty) Garrett From the President, Committee and Members of the Victoria Park Sub Branch

3 PAGE 3 MEMBERSHIP is a great way for the Sub Branch to update you on events or other items of interest whereby we don t have the time to mail out. Please contact the Memberships Officer OR us at info@victoriaparkrsl.org.au to change or update your details. OUR NEW COMMITTEE FOR 2015/2016: Kelvin D Liddiard President Trevor Freestone Vice President Jacquie Liddiard Secretary/Treasurer Ted Lawrence Warden Jack Matthews Warden Steve Dean Committee Lorraine Patrick Committee Kevin Duckworth Committee Jürgen Kahlfeld Committee Dick Garrett Committee Darrell Nelson Committee (Bar) To all of our Members, come along and join us for morning tea on Wednesday mornings. Great chance to get to know your Sub Branch. WW2 AND OTHER CONFLICTS We are researching those names for other conflicts such as WW2 (we have started the gathering of these details), Malaya, Korea, Vietnam, etc, so if you have information we need, please send it in to us. The guidelines will be the same as for WW1, those who were born or living in the district of Victoria Park at the time of enlistment for the said conflict. WA AGED RETURNED SAILORS, SOLDIERS & AIRMEN S RELIEF TRUST FUND Ready to Assist Veterans and Dependants in Need or Necessitous Circumstances Apply: Welfare Officer (08) Contact Editor Newsletter: info@victoriaparkrsl.org.au Phone: (08) Deadline for contributions/articles next issue is 01/03/2016

4 PAGE 4 LIVING MEMORIES HISTORY of our servicemen from Victoria Park Full Name : Douglas COLLINS Service #: 3354 Rank: Private Corps: Army - 5th Australian Pioneers Born: 1882 Service: 8th November 1916 to 15 th March Home Port: Fremantle (Arthur) Douglas COLLINS, was born in 1882 at Penn Fields, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England to parents Henry & Caroline Collins nee Boell). His birth was registered in June quarter 1882 in the district of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. Henry & Caroline Collins & their 5 children arrived in Western Australia aboard the Chollerton on 25th March, Arthur Douglas was aged 5 years. (Arthur) Douglas Collins was a 33 year old, single, Nurseryman from Ferndale, Burswood, Western Australia when he enlisted on 8th November, 1916 with the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 8th Reinforcements of the Australian Army (A.I.F.). His service number was 3354 & his religion was Presbyterian. His next of kin was listed as his father Mr Henry Collins of Ferndale, Burswood, Western Australia. In his Attestation Papers, Douglas Collins had stated that he had previously been rejected for Service. Pte Douglas Collins embarked from Fremantle on HMAT Berrima (A35) on 23rd December, 1916 & disembarked at Devonport, England on 16th February, Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire. Pte Douglas Collins was marched in to Training Battalion at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire on 18th February, 1917 from Australia. Pte Douglas Collins was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital, Wiltshire on 13th March, 1917 from Larkhill Camp seriously ill with bronchitis. Pte Douglas Collins died of broncho-pneumonia at 8.15 a.m. on 15th March, 1917 at Fargo Military Hospital. From the Red Cross Wounded & Missing File on Pte Douglas Collins a letter written by The Matron of Fargo Hospital, Salisbury Plain, dated 20th April, 1917: Died Bronchitis He was admitted to hospital and died He was buried in Durrington Cemetery grave number 222 on right hand side of path. He was desperately ill when sent in from the camp every care and attention was given but with no avail. The winter has been very severe and the Australian troops have suffered terribly. The sister of the Ward always writes to the relatives if possible so I hope by now they would have heard from her. A death for Douglas Collins, aged 35, was registered in the March quarter, 1917 in the district of Amesbury, Wiltshire. Pte Douglas Collins was buried in Durrington Cemetery on 17th March, 1917 plot number 222 He was given a funeral with full military honours, with a Band, Firing Party, mourners & a Bugler. Private D. Collins is commemorated in the Hall of Memory Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia on Panel 174.

5 PAGE 5 WW1 LIVING DATABASE CUNNINGHAM, Edward Joseph CUNNINGHAM, John Mortimer CUNNINGHAM, Frederick Service no 2461 Lance Corporal 10th Light Horse Regiment Service no Gunner 10th Field Artillery Brigade Service no 4291 Battery Sergeant Major 12th Field Artillery Brigade Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Husband of Esther Louisa CUNNINGHAM Of 389 Oxford Street, Leederville, WA Occupation prior to enlistment Signalman Enlisted 13 March 1916 Returned to Australia 19 February 1919 CUNNINGHAM, James Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Husband of F M CUNNINGHAM Of 971 Wellington Street, West Perth, WA Occupation prior to enlistment Carriage Builder Enlisted 26 February 1916 Returned to Australia 29 May 1919 CUNNINGHAM, William Thomas Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Occupation prior to enlistment Hewer Enlisted 16 March 1915 Returned to Australia 17 June 1918 CUNNINGHAM, Alexander Joseph Service no Gunner 14th Field Artillery Brigade Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Husband of Florence Marian CUNNING- HAM Of 357 Vincent Street, Leederville, WA Occupation prior to enlistment Printer Enlisted 04 January 1917 Returned to Australia 31 March 1919 Service no Gunner 5th Divisional Ammunition Column Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Husband of L M CUNNINGHAM Of 19 Monger St., Victoria Park, SA Occupation prior to enlistment Railway Guard Enlisted 23 April 1917 Returned to Australia 09 February 1919 Sunday Times 10 February 1918 page 3S Service no 8597 Bombadier Australian General Base Depot Son of George CUNNINGHAM Of Government House Lodge, St. George's Terrace, Perth, WA Occupation prior to enlistment Mechanic Enlisted 17 September 1915 Returned to Australia 13 August 1918

6 PAGE 6 HAPPY BIRTHDAY The committee and members of the Sub Branch wish you the very best for your day with much happiness and health for the future. Happy Birthday to one who shines with happiness and so readily shares it. May your day be as happy as you make others. January Egan Vermeulen Neville Stratton Frank O Connor Bev McGhie Leo Muncaster Lance Dungate Allan Manton Kirstina Miller Graeme Piggott Darrell Nelson Julie Gartrell Bob Devereux Trevor Smart George Nelson 3rd 5th 6th 8th 9th 11th 12th 13th 15th 16th 20th 23rd 26th 30th February John Latto Warren Everett Dick Garrett J Robinson Phil Quartermaine Michael Edwards Lindsay Woods P Jasper K Ferris 2nd 5th 11th 16th 19th 21st 22nd 26th 28th March R Ledger Alison Rushack Tony Whiting Bill Hofert-Smith Dee Sanders K Morrison Rod Labrooy 8th 8th 20th 22nd 24th 24th 30th SUB BRANCH DVDS ON SALE THE SPIRIT LIVES ON Our ANZAC DVD has been completed and arrived for those Members wishing to purchase a copy. We would like to thank Gerald from Stories To Be Told for the excellent presentation and work that he has done in producing the DVD for us as a lasting memory of our journey in the recognition of our WW1 servicemen/women. The DVD is in three parts, firstly the ANZAC Eve service for 2015 and dedication of the Memorial Wall, secondly the building of the wall itself and thirdly the stories from descendants and others. regarding the Memorial Wall and its journey. SPIRIT OF THE PARK Our Stories DVD has been completed and arrived at the Sub Branch. We would like to again thank Gerald from Stories To Be Told for the excellent presentation and work that he has done in producing the DVD for us as a lasting memory of our journey in the recognition of our citizens and service people of the Town of Victoria Park. Lots of history and anecdotes in the stories. Cost of both are $15 per copy posted (+$3) or picked up. Great gift. Please contact us.

7 PAGE 7 SCHEDULE OF HAPPENINGS Please find below the meeting dates for the 2016 Committee: am Monday 25th January 22nd February 28th March 25th April General AGM 10am Sunday 13th March 12th June 10.00am Sunday 23rd October 2016 check your diary in case of changes Next Social Event: Get in Touch Phone: Sundowner: TBA Meet for Lunch Tuesday 9th February at ANZAC House - 12noon Our next luncheon event for all members, family and friends will be on the second Tuesday 9th February at the ANZAC Club in Perth. We choose this as it is easy for public transport should you wish to use it. We look forward to seeing you join us. Time : 12 noon for 12.15pm. Change of Address If your Address has changed or is incorrect please return this sheet to VICTORIA PARK RSL SUB BRANCH Po Box 5444, EAST VICTORIA PARK, 6981 Name: Address: Postcode

8 PAGE 8 FUN PAGE - PUZZLES Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions. Words may overlap but do not share letters. Find the SECRET message with the letters leftover!

9 PAGE 9 OVERSEAS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES Remembrance Day, (Sunday 8 th November) Horse Guards Parade, London We got to Horseguards for Remembrance Day Service, lots of security with scanners and bag searches, it was very busy, stood three deep next to nice chatty people. Service didn't start till 11 and couldn't see a thing, guards and bands came past from about 10:20, 2 mins silence started on the first chime of 11, then service and music then service men marched past, took about an hour. We walked towards Trafalgar Square but couldn't move the crowd was so thick, eventually we got close to the cenotaph and a police man took our little wooden cross (with Bob and Snow s details) from us and laid it on the cenotaph just below the Queen s wreath. Walked down to the river and on to the Tattershall Castle Ship, It was very busy with ex servicemen and women, got a seat down stairs and a Guinness and Cider. Back up to Whitehall and got great photos of the cross on the Cenotaph, then onto Westminster Abbey where there were more than 150 plots dedicated to regiments, battalions or Countries. Each plot had a field of crosses (each dedicated to a service person), we found the Aussie plot and put the Vic Park RSL, poppy, cross and notes to front of the plot, it was very moving. Saint Margaret's Church was open so we went in. Remembrance Day (Wednesday 11 th November) Sutton Veny, St Johns church yard Drove to Sutton Veny, where in St. John's church yard, 140 Australians are buried there, most died from Spanish flu in 1918, after WW1. Went through church yard, it was very cold windy day. In one corner of the church there was a dedication to the Australians buried in the yard. The vicar, a very nice young lady turned up and said the Remembrance service was about to start at eleven. Children from school next to the church came in quietly and stood at each grave in total silence. Their behaviour was exemplary and after the last post each pupil put a poppy on each grave stone. In harmony and without speaking they walked out of the Church yard back to the school. A very special Remembrance Day service. Evacuation Days, Private Commemoration (Sunday 20 th December 2015) ANZAC COVE Gallipoli We left our accommodation at 5:30 and were driven straight to ANZAC Cove. It was pitch black, lots of stars and cold. There were 7 Australians, Ray, Malcolm and his son Declan of NSW, Ellie and Jake, Tina and myself standing in quiet remembrance for what seemed a long time. From there, a very short distance is North Beach where there are several Head Stones of fallen Australian, NZ and other soldiers, so close to the stony beach. The sun was just rising over the hills in front of us. We went further up the peninsula to Walker s Ridge and could see Shrapnel Valley, and it s getting lighter as we went to a hill to try and see sun rise over the land but now it s too cloudy. Back to hotel by 7:45 for breakfast. Another younger man from NZ, Gary joined us and we left at 8:30 to go back to south of the peninsula and had great views of the land where the fighting took place. Turkish Monument although very impressive seemed smaller without the crowds that were there in Our RSL Gallipoli Tour guide was excellent; he gave a very balanced description and account of the conflict and his knowledge of the places where the actions occurred was admirable.

10 PAGE 10 Education & Interpretative Centre Members may be aware that following the work for the Memorial Wall project we floated the idea, after the Secretary s research of our WW1 servicemen/women from the Victoria Park area, and the follow up with Ron & Tina Baker s help on the WW2 research, it was decided to set up an Interpretative Centre for the Sub Branch and the history for Victoria Park area. Just to clarify the meaning An interpretation centre, interpretive centre, or visitor interpretive centre is an institution for dissemination of knowledge of natural or cultural heritage. Interpretation centres are a kind of new-style museum, often associated with visitor centres or ecomuseums, and located in connection to cultural, historic or natural sites. [1] Interpretation centres use different means of communication to enhance the understanding of heritage. To aid and stimulate the discovery process and the visitor's intellectual and emotional connection to heritage, the main presentation strategy tends to be user-friendly and interactive, and often use scenographic exhibitions and multimedia programs. Many interpretation centres have temporary exhibitions related to a specific aspect of the site. An interpretation centre can be a viable solution for effective communication of heritage information in municipalities and rural areas where resources may not exist to establish a traditional, fullscale museum, and where heritage can be an important factor for tourism development. Unlike traditional museums, interpretation centres do not usually aim to collect, conserve and study objects; they are specialized institutions for communicating the significance and meaning of heritage. They work to educate and raise awareness. December and January has been a period in which quite a few of our ongoing efforts have begun to bear fruit. Examples include: School visit materials have been prepared and are ready for trialling in early A laptop has been secured to allow delivery of PowerPoint and other similar presentations to school groups visiting the Sub Branch and also when we visit schools. With help from Diana Wilson of the Town of Victoria Park, we have set up a display cabinet promoting the sub branch and Australia s military history in the entrance foyer of the Victoria Park Library. We will monitor feedback to establish what positive publicity effects this display generates. The following things are about to be tackled: Internet access is being set up for the Interpretative Centre to assist the presentations to school groups. We will shortly begin talking with our contacts in each of the schools in the local area to promote the schools visit program and get this underway.

11 PAGE 11 PHOTOS

12 PAGE 10 The Gurney Club (Inc) VICTORIA PARK RSL SUB BRANCH HALL FOR HIRE THE RSL HALL IN FRED BELL PARADE, VICTORIA PARK IS AVAILABLE FOR LONG TERM OR CASUAL HIRE AT VERY ATTRACTIVE RATES SOCIALS / LUNCHES / DINNERS / MEETINGS END OF YEAR WINDUPS FOR INQUIRIES Phone: or or check our website at for more information DOING BUSINESS WITH RSL State Branch: 8:30am - 4:30pm ANZAC HOUSE 28 St Georges Terrace, Perth Website: rslwahq@iinet.net.au Telephone: (08) Fax: (08) Country Callers : RECEPTION Monday to Friday - General Enquiries PO Box 3023 Perth Adelaide Tce,WA 6832 Tel: adminassist@rslwahq.org.au EDITORS NOTE If you have any information or contributions for the next edition of the Stand Easy or any upcoming editions please send it to the Editor info@victoriaparkrsl.org.au SUB BRANCH CONTACT INFORMATION: PHONE / FAX: (08) MOBILE: STREET ADDRESS: 1 FRED BELL PARADE, EAST VICTORIA PARK WA 6101 POSTAL ADDRESS: PO BOX 5444, EAST VICTORIA PARK WA info@victoriparkrsl.org.au WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: Disclaimer The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. The Victoria Park RSL Sub Branch does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein. The Editor of the Victoria Park RSL Sub Branch reserves the right to print or reject any articles submitted without reflection. All articles submitted must be signed and have the name and address of the writer appended thereto, this information will not be printed if requested.