Susan Parker
NOW & THEN TOGETHER TO REMEMBER Now and Then will every now and then relate something from the Club Archives to current events and activities.
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NZAC DAY 25 APRIL 2022 was once again acknowledged at dawn in front of the flagpole on the lawns of the Club. After two years of COVID-related home-based dawn services, it was reassuring to return to the Club to continue this tradition. The sombre occasion contrasted with the stunning sunrise as a kaleidoscope of pinks and oranges spread across the distant Darling Range and was reflected in the calm waters of the Swan River. The skirl of the bagpiper, PLC Pipe Major Saskia Boquest, keened out across Freshwater Bay as the Australian flag was hoisted and then lowered to half-mast by the Junior Club Committee and the St Hilda’s Cadets. Club members Susan Parker and Natasha Williams read letters from family archives. Natasha’s grandfather was Major Alfred Lipman Rogers. He was with the AIF and served in the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942 following which he wrote to the mother of one of his fellow servicemen to notify her of the details of the death of her beloved son. A truly remarkable letter was received by Major Rogers from the mother of this brave young man (image top left, facing page). She wrote “I cannot thank you enough for your letter, so full of all I wished to know of my beloved son’s death, and l mourn with mingled feelings of pain and pride. I read your letter telling me how bravely he died and how unselfishly they all fought, through these desperate 8 days”.
Hubert Parker, Susan’s grandfather, wrote many letters to his father and sisters throughout his service in WW1. Excerpts from these letters painted a picture of life at war from landing at Gallipoli to an imminent home coming. The Wreath Laying that followed recognised the Services of the Australian Navy, Airforce and Army, as well as Women in the Forces, the New Zealand Forces, RFBYC participation and our Sovereign. Vice Patrons John Barron-Hay, Geoff Totterdell, Tony Parker, Vice Commodore Peter Chalmers, member Julie Herron and Past Commodore Basil Twine laid the wreaths. Pauline Foster recited the soul-stirring Ode: They went with songs to battle, they were young, straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end, against odds uncounted. They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age will not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We Will Remember Them As PLC Bugler Amelia Corbett played the Last Post, the Junior Committee and the St Hilda’s Cadets performed the solemn duty of hoisting the flag to the masthead and then lowering to half-mast. 43
