ANZAC DAY LEST WE FORGET. 25 April HMAS Cessnock during World War II

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1 ANZAC DAY 25 April 2017 HMAS Cessnock during World War II LEST WE FORGET

2 ANZAC DAY 2017 In this Centenary of Anzac it is important that we reflect on the Anzac spirit of courage under fire, selfless and unwavering loyalty, tenacity and mateship that was forged in the battles at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. It is also important to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by men and women who served and continue to serve Australia in times of war and peace. This year we commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele where Australian forces suffered more than 38,000 casualties during the four month campaign to break through the strongly fortified German defences in Belgium is also important in our military history given that it marks 75 years since the Battle of El Alamein, the Kokoda campaign and the Fall of Singapore, which were all significant events that shaped Australia s involvement in World War II. In this year s brochure I hope to explore some individuals and events not publicly discussed during Anzac Day and to pay tribute to service men and women who have taken on the most significant challenges and succeeded under difficult circumstances. Clayton Barr MP State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock THE WAR DOG COVERMAN FROM KURRI Often when soldiers are deployed in war they are accompanied by military dogs. In recent times the contributions of dogs to the war effort have been recognised in Iraq and Afghanistan, however, during the height of the Vietnam War, dogs were a necessity on the battlefields. Small teams of trackers served in Vietnam from 1967 until the end of occupation. Private Brian Bower of Kurri Kurri was one such tracker. Brian was usually part of a small team of Officers, two dogs (always Labradors and usually black) and their loving handlers and always one or two trackers, known as covermen. The usual technique for deployment of Brian and his fellow trackers was by helicopter and sometimes on foot. On occasions the military dogs would by hoisted under the helicopter in order to reach unforgiving terrain. Private Brian Bower Brian was a National Serviceman who served with 2RAR/NZ ANZAC Battalion in He joined the Kurri Kurri RSL sub-branch in 1978 and in 2005 became the President of the Branch. He was also the President of Kurri Kurri Legacy. Brian was a well-liked and respected returned serviceman who passed away in 2007.

3 THE NURSES EXPERIENCE An often forgotten group in Australia s military history are the more than 8,000 civilian nurses who volunteered for active service. Their participation in the war effort ensured service men and women were cared for during times of conflict. When World War I broke out in September 1914 there were little opportunities for women to actively participate in the war effort. For some women, however, there was a growing desire to be more involved. The need for medical units to be deployed overseas to treat the ill and wounded service men resulted in many nurses deciding to offer their skills near the war front. Sister Minnie Crawford of Ellalong was one of a small Sister Minnie Crawford number of local nurses to serve overseas. After completing her training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sister Crawford travelled to Egypt where she provided much needed care and treatment to Australian troops serving. The memorial gates at Ellalong Public School commemorate Sister Crawford s service. Upon her return to Australia, Sister Crawford was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal in recognition of her contributions to the war effort. KURRI REMEMBERS HILL 60 The First Australian Tunnelling Company was responsible for a silent underground war that took place in Belgium during World War I. Made up of miners from across the country, including 131 Hunter Valley men, the Company spent months during 1917 tunnelling 30 metres below the surface of Hill 60 to secretly plant a number of underground mines filled with highexplosive material under the German lines. Many of these miners fought a lonely and dirty existence, often being required to fight hand-to-hand with bayonets against German tunnellers in complete darkness when their competing tunnels crossed. On 7 June, 1917, their efforts resulted in an explosion beneath the Germans, leaving close to 10,000 dead and traumatising thousands more. The blast was so loud it was heard as far away as London. Dedication to Hill 60 Thanks to the Kurri Kurri RSL sub-branch there is a permanent dedication in Kurri Kurri s Rotary Park to the 18 Hunter Valley men killed in action while tunnelling beneath the German lines. The inscription on the plaque reads A proud day for Australia no less one of the greatest days in our history.

4 PUTTY REMEMBERS THE FALLEN In cities, towns and villages across the nation, community members come together on 25 April each year to pay their respects to those who have been killed during times of conflict. These services are a special moment for individuals, and the broader community, to recognise and commemorate the sacrifices made by service men and women. For the past 13 years the small village of Putty has gathered at Putty Community Hall to reflect on the meaning of Anzac Day with a sense of humility, reverence and pride to honour the local men who served in World War I. Despite its small population, Putty and the surrounding villages of Howes Valley and Bulga maintain a significant link to World War I with 49 men enlisting to fight, and 39 of these soldiers serving overseas in numerous conflicts at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Of these thirty nine, twelve paid the ultimate price of being killed in action said Margaret Ferguson, a Putty resident who uncovered the records of the 49 men from Putty, Howes Valley and Bulga who enlisted to fight during the war. The local men who enlisted were ordinary young men. They were drawn from all walks of life. There were labourers, farmers, dairymen and teachers. Many of them knew each other since childhood, growing up and working in the same district, and as such shared a special bond. Some of these men were heavily involved in the Gallipoli campaign and the ensuing conflicts in France. One of these, Darrell Partridge of Bulga also served in Gallipoli and France and returned to Australia where he was awarded the Military Medal for his devotion to duty in aiding wounded soldiers while under enemy fire. It is history like this that has spurred a great sense of pride and interest in the sacrifices and contributions made by the 49 local men who enlisted to serve Australia during World War I. Mrs Ferguson s research has brought this history to the forefront of the community s shared memory and commemoration of World War I. My emotions as I read included admiration for the soldiers, dismay at what they were subjected to and incredible sadness when reading a soldiers service record which ended with killed in action said Mrs Ferguson. The Putty Anzac Day service will be held at 10am on 25 April, 2017 at Putty Community Hall, 408 Putty Valley Road, Putty Putty Service

5 CESSNOCK S FORGOTTEN HERO As Australia has marked the Centenary of Anzac in recent years, many stories have surfaced of the feats and accomplishments of Australian service men and women who have fought overseas. At times, however, the contributions of some have been forgotten. One of these forgotten heroes is George Rickwood, who served in the Boer War and World War I before becoming an active member of the Cessnock community. Born in England in 1876, George joined the British military in He went on to serve in various parts of the British Empire in the Boer War from 1899 to Whilst serving in the Boer War, George had the unusual experience of meeting with the enemy on two occasions under a flag of truce. In 1900 he met with General Christiaan de Wet outside Bethlehem and in 1902 General Ben Viljoen. Both of these men were high-ranking Boer Generals. After emigrating to Australia George joined the 1st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He was part of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and was wounded at Lone Pine. After returning from hospital he rejoined his unit in France but was severely gassed in 1917 and sent back to Australia. In the years following his return to Australia, George moved to Cessnock where he became an active member in the community. He took a keen interest in the welfare of Australian ex-service men and was chairman of the trustees of the Cessnock Memorial Hall. He was also the Editor of the Cessnock Eagle newspaper. THE WAKEMAN BOYS OF ABERMAIN Albert Norman Oliver William The three Wakeman brothers of Abermain answered the call of duty during World War I when they all served on the Western Front. Albert was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Norman was in the 9th Battalion and Oliver was a member of the 1st Pioneers. Their father William also enlisted to serve but was deemed too old for overseas duty. Despite this setback he attempted to board a ship going overseas on three occasions but was refused entry each time. All three brothers returned to Australia and resumed their life as coal miners.

6 BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE This year marks the Centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, where Australian troops were involved in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the Passchendaele Ridge from the Germans in Belgium. The campaign is best remembered because of the vicious fighting that took place in the most appalling of waterlogged conditions, which helped render the name Passchendaele as synonymous with slaughter. Private John Jock Neilson In the eight weeks of fighting, 38,000 Australian troops were injured or killed. Despite the ferocity of the fighting, no breakthrough was made through the German lines, with only the village of Passchendaele being captured from German forces. West Wallsend miner Private John Jock Neilson was one of the courageous Australian soldiers to be killed during the Battle. For close to a century his final resting place remained a mystery until his remains were discovered in an unmarked grave in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery in Belgium in KOKODA TRACK - 75 TH ANNIVERSARY The theatres of World War II were not just contained to parts of Europe. Australia s involvement in the War extended beyond the battlefields of rural France, into the islands and continents dotted throughout the Pacific Ocean. As the Nazi Party continued their march across Europe, their key ally Japan was also attempting to expand their influence in the Pacific region. The Japanese landed in New Guinea in July 1942 planning to seize Port Moresby, which would put Northern Australian within range of Japanese bomber aircraft. They attempted to advance south overland through the mountains of the Owen Stanley Range to reach Port Moresby. This was along the 96 kilometres of single file foot trail known as the Kokoda Track. Over the succeeding months, in the hope of preventing a Japanese invasion of mainland Australia, Australian troops fought in appalling jungle conditions on the Kokoda Track. The tide turned in September and the Japanese were pushed back to their north coast strongholds of Buna, Gona and Sanananda. By 18 November the battle for the Kokoda Track was over. Kokoda was not the first defeat of Japanese land forces, but it did mark the southern-most point of the invasion. Its symbolism to Australia and the Allies was enormous. More than 600 Australians were killed and some 1,680 wounded during one of the most significant battles fought by Australians in World War II.

7 HMAS CESSNOCK Located in the grounds of Cessnock TAFE, close to the Cenotaph, is a Bofors gun which is symbolic of the two Royal Australian Navy vessels named after the city of Cessnock. The gun is an ever present reminder of the sacrifices made by the many service men and women who served on both vessels during the twentieth century. Their journeys and experiences in times of conflict and peace has ensured Australia s continued freedom and prosperity. HMAS Cessnock (I) HMAS Cessnock, an Australian Minesweeper, was commissioned in January 1942, as part of the Federal Government s wartime shipbuilding program. Initially Cessnock was based in the Sydney region but later in 1942 she commenced duty as an escort vessel assigned to the forces engaged in protecting the flow of shipping between Townsville and New Guinea. By the end of 1942, Cessnock was located off the coast of Western Australia where she operated as And anti-submarine patrol vessel. Cessnock later joined the British Eastern Fleet and operated on escort and anti-submarine patrol duties in the Middle East. She returned to Australia in 1945 and undertook escort duties before proceeding to Japan following the end of hostilities in July to be present at Tokyo for the surrender ceremony. Cessnock was sold on 23 April 1947 for breaking up. HMAS Cessnock (II) HMAS Cessnock was commissioned in March 1983 as part of the Royal Australian Navy s Fremantle class patrol boats. Stationed in the Port of Darwin, Cessnock undertook a number of duties on the front line of Australia s security forces. Over the span of her career Cessnock encountered a number of cyclones that challenged the crew as they undertook their important work. In a career spanning more than 22 years Cessnock steamed over 589,000 nautical miles, made 28 overseas deployments and visited 19 countries. Cessnock s 40/60mm Bofors gun was installed near the Cessnock Cenotaph in the grounds of Cessnock TAFE and was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Cessnock, John Clarence OAM, on Remembrance Day 2005.

8 ANZAC DAY in CESSNOCK ABERMAIN 8:30AM - March from the corner of Bathurst Street and Cessnock Road to the Jeffries Park Cenotaph for the Service. BRANXTON 5:20AM - Service at the Branxton Rotunda, John Rose Avenue, Branxton. 11:15AM - March from the corner of the New England Highway and Elderslie Road to the Rotunda for the Service. BROKE 5:30AM - Service at Broke War Memorial, Broke Street, Broke. 10:00AM - Service at Broke War Memorial. BULGA 10:30AM - Gather at Bulga Recreation Ground, Inlet Road, Broke. 11:00AM - Service at the Recreation Ground. CAMERON PARK Closest Service is at West Wallsend. CESSNOCK 5:30AM - Service at the Cessnock Cenotaph which is located in the grounds of Cessnock TAFE, North Avenue, Cessnock. 9:30AM - Service at Veteran s Park, Aberdare Road, Aberdare. Main Service 11:15AM - March from Cessnock Ex-Services Club, along Vincent Street to the Cenotaph for the Service. EDGEWORTH Closest Service is at West Wallsend. GRETA 5:30AM - Service at Greta War Memorial Cenotaph, New England Highway, Greta. 9:30AM - March from the corner of Nelson Street and the New England Highway then march to the Cenotaph for the Service. HOLMESVILLE Closest Service is at West Wallsend. KEARSLEY 5:15AM - March from Kearsley Tennis Court to Kearsley Community Hall, Allandale Street, Kearsley. 5:30AM - Service at the War Memorial at the Hall. Breakfast will follow inside the Hall. KURRI KURRI 5:00AM - Service at the Cenotaph in Rotary Park, corner of Lang and Hampden Streets, Kurri Kurri. Breakfast will follow at Kurri Kurri Bowling Club. 9:45AM - March from Mitre 10 to the Cenotaph. 10:00AM - Service at the Cenotaph. NEATH 10:00AM - Lighting of the Miner s Lamp at Neath Hotel, Cessnock Road, Neath. MILLFIELD 5:15AM - Gather at St Luke s Anglican Church, Wollombi Road, Millfield and march to Millfield Public School for the Service. PAXTON 5:10AM - Meet at the corner of McDonald and Anderson Avenues and march to Paxton Public School for the Service. PUTTY 10:00AM - Service at Putty Community Hall, Putty Valley Road, Putty Valley. WESTON 9:00AM - March from Weston RSL sub-branch Hall, Cessnock Road, Weston to the Cenotaph in Weston Memorial Park. 9:20AM - Service at the Cenotaph. WEST WALLSEND 10:00AM - Service at West Wallsend Soldiers Memorial Park, corner of Carrington and Hydes Streets, West Wallsend. WOLLOMBI 5:45AM - Service at Wollombi Anzac Reserve, corner of Wollombi and Narone Creek Roads, Wollombi. Authorised by Clayton Barr MP, 118 Vincent Street, Cessnock Printed by Cessnock Print Place, Shop 1, North Avenue, Cessnock 2325 using Parliamentary entitlements. March 2017.