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Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines www.rslangelescity.com ‘Lest We Forget’ President Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer
James Curtis-Smith Noel Roach Vic Meller Dallas Drake Bob Young
Editor
Larry Smith
Email address’:
Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel president@rslangelescity.com
secretary@rslangelescity.com treasurer@rslangelescity.com
editor@rslangelescity.com
NEWSLETTER # 30 ** SEPTEMBER 2009 CAPT Vic Jones RAN, Australian Defence Attache to the Philippines, after placing the Australian Embassy wreath at Clark Cemetery on Vietnam Veterans Day 18th of August 2009. CAPT Jones was the keynote speaker at the commemoration ceremony.
2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
September 2009
With us in the wet season full on, and for some time now, our membership continues still to be as active as ever. Vietnam Veteran’s Day this year was enhanced and I believe made more meaningful, by the large numbers of our allies (particularly the American vets) who attended and the very meaningful address given by Norman Macon, former USAF and who flew more than 2500 combat hours out of Clark Air Base during the Vietnam conflict. It is noteworthy that the US does not have a special day of remembrance for Vietnam Vets in their calendar, and I believe that the US vets who have retired here join with us in this very special day as part of their subjective remembrance of the fallen of the Vietnam conflict. The Australian Government was represented by Captain Vic Jones RAN, Defence Attache to the Australian Embassy, who emphasized the importance of remembrance to us all, of the sacrifice made by so many in the conflicts that have followed and sadly continuing since Vietnam. The following light lunch at Ponderosa, raffle and auction (thanks again to Ray Sauvola for being voice box and auctioneer) and the conviviality that followed the service went very well, and I again thank the Ponderosa for their assistance and organization. Last Saturday, September 12th, another medical mission was conducted, this time at Barangay Duquit at Dau and 626 children each received prescribed medication. Despite the very wet day the Barangay officials had us set up under a covered basket ball court and the local people and all of us who participated were kept dry and the mission flowed very smoothly. Both Vice Presidents of the Sub Branch, Vic Meller and Noel Roach are now very experienced in all the arrangements for our missions, and preparation of lay out, personnel, publicity etc well before the day guaranteed a hiccup free day. What amazes me is the cost of the medications, vitamins etc to us compared to the price of the same product from retail drug stores. In all cases medication purchased by us at less than 20 pesos a 60ml bottle costs retail 120 pesos ! Many thanks to the local doctors and the nurses from AUF for their assistance in examining each child and writing the prescriptions. The next mission is on October 24 at Pampang. Further details and a map of the location will appear soon on the web site. On a more sombre moment let me again remind members and visitors to this wonderful place to check and verify very carefully your immigration status. Overstaying will ultimately result in your arrest and detention, and although the Australian Embassy will assist in notifying next of kin, relatives etc, the Embassy cannot assist in legal matters and you are pretty much on your own in facing the prosecution, fines, detention and ultimate deportation from the Philippines. Your opportunity of future entry is very much jeopardized. If you wish to stay permanently please get advice as to how that can happen, and if only staying for a bit longer than the visitors visa of 21 days you get on entry, get advice as to how you can extend your stay. It is a very easy procedure and can be done at a branch office of the Dept of Immigration located on the Base. Whilst on these sorts of matters, again please be very careful in whom you entertain at your home or hotel. There are scams and set ups where you can be accused of very serious crimes against the person of another and held in detention for very long periods (sometimes years), even before your trial. Not always can you pay off your accusers. Many of our members have been long term residents of the Philippines and a chat with any one or numbers of us at our social days or individually will put you on the right track on these and other tricks of the trade of living and visiting here in the Philippines.
3 Finally this month, I extend my condolences personally and on behalf of the Sub Branch to Eva and the family of the late Lionel Claydon, one of our long standing members who passed away last week at the age of 70 years. The Sub Branch conducted a brief funeral rite following a mass at the Holy Mary Memorial Chapel last Tuesday and a Vale appears elsewhere in this newsletter. That’s it for this edition. JAMES CURTIS-SMITH President
Our Sub Branch continues to enjoy increasing our membership with the following new members coming on board in the past month. We therefore welcome: Scott Young (QLD) * Derek Goddard (QLD) * Fredrick Long (NSW) * Thomas Coles (WA) * Donald Kelly (MNL) * Timothy Nolan (NSW) * Peter Melhuish (A/C) * Richard Saywell (MNL) * Jason Goodwin (QLD) * Gary Kennedy (NSW) * Daniel Sommerfeld (A/C * Paul Prendergast (NSW) * Welcome back to: Raymond Kelly (A/C) * Frederick Cannova (A/C) * Life Subscription: Larry Smith (DVO) * Eddie Smith (DTE) * Derek Goddard (QLD) * Dale Pelham (SA) * Mike Brennan (NT) * Christopher Thompson (SA) * NB. A/C = Angeles City * MNL = Manila * DVO = Davao City * DTE = Dumaguete As can be seen above, some of us have taken out life subscriptions. That means we don‟t have to worry about paying our yearly subs anymore. More of our members should consider doing what we (yes I am one of the above) have done and get Dallas to calculate the fee. Last month, ACT Branch approved at an extraordinary branch congress to raise membership fees from 1 Jan 2010. Not a great rise but it will make a significant difference to Life Subscriptions. Why not contact Dallas and get a quote. It will be cheaper now before the fee rise in January. Ed VIETNAM VETERANS’ DAY The Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today urged Australians to remember the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans on 18 August. “Vietnam was Australia‟s longest involvement in a war with around 60,000 personnel serving over 10 years from 1962 to 1972,” Mr Griffin said. “Some 2,400 Australian service men and women were wounded in the conflict, and 521 paid the ultimate sacrifice.” Vietnam Veterans‟ Day is commemorated each year on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the best known Australian action of the war. “This year‟s commemorations will have a special significance, as it is the first where all our missing in action from the Vietnam War have been located. “The remains of Pilot Robert Carver and Flying Officer Michael Herbert were recently discovered and will shortly be brought home to their families.” Mr Griffin said it was also important to acknowledge the effects of war service on individuals and families.
4 “Many Vietnam veterans have suffered long term health impacts from their service, and the effects still resonate with them today. Often their families share this physical and emotional burden, and it is important to recognise their contribution and support,” Mr Griffin said. Minister Griffin will attend a commemorative service for Vietnam Veterans‟ Day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne later today.
Vietnam Veteran‟s Day has been commemorated once again by members of Angeles City RSL Sub Branch at the military cemetery at Clark. Our keynote speaker this year was CAPT Vic Jones RAN, our Defence Attache at the Australian Embassy in Manila. There was a good roll-up from local members, VFW, FRA, American Special Forces, American Legion to name a few. CAPT Jones (photo left) spoke about VV Day originally being called Long Tan Day, but was renamed Vietnam Veteran‟s Day in 1987 to commemorate all Vietnam Veteran‟s. He then went on to detail where Australian troops are deployed currently around the world, TimorLeste, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan, Egypt, various places in the Middle East, Sudan, performing either war service, peacemaking or peace keeping operations. President Jim came up with a surprise speaker in the form of Norman Macon, a veteran of the distinguished 311 Air Commando‟s, then based at Danang. Norm informed us that Jim asked him to address the gathering and told him he had only a couple of hours to prepare. Norm spoke mainly about D Coy 6 RAR action at Long Tan. (Photo below right) CAPT Jones later placed the Australian Embassy wreath at the base of the Unknown Soldier. At the completion of the commemorative service, Pres Jim invited all attendees to partake in refreshments at the Ponderosa Hotel. It was there that the rest of the day was concluded in a more convivial atmosphere. Note 1. If you want to see if you made it into the RSL rogues gallery look at www.rslangelescity.com and look under Image Gallery.
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There are dozens of pictures there. Note 2. There was some conjecture that Vietnam Veteran‟s Day had been changed to Veteran‟s Day. A quick email to the Minister for Veteran‟s Affairs, Alan Griffin cleared up the matter. He replied that he was unaware of any such change. Ed.
Once
again, our Sub Branch had the pleasure of the presence of Reg Tulip, who travelled from Sydney to conduct TIP training for our Welfare and Pensions Officers. Reg conducted the training over three and a half days. He came fully prepared with his training aids and seminar material for the attendees. As per last year, NSW Branch paid for his airfare to Manila and our Sub Branch picked up his bill for his accommodation. We thank Reg and NSW Branch for their valuable assistance given to us conducting this important training on our behalf. (Reg conducts the training in RSL club room, above) REMEMBER WHEN AUSTRALIA FACED ITS GRAVEST THREAT The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today marked Battle for Australia Day and encouraged Australians to reflect on the period in our wartime history when the enemy arrived on Australia’s doorstep. “Today is an opportunity for all Australians to honour the efforts of those who served our country during the Second World War, on the frontline and the home front, at a time when our country’s safety and freedom were threatened,” Mr Griffin said. Australia faced direct threat from Japanese forces from 1942 to 1943. Darwin experienced more than 60 attacks and Sydney Harbour was raided by midget submarines. Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Broome and Port Hedland were among those towns that also experienced Japanese air raids. The Australian Territory of Papua was invaded by the Japanese and parts of it were occupied for six months. “The mood of the nation at this time may never be truly understood by our generation, but we know that the men and women in our armed forces, as well as civilians, were fighting for their nation’s survival,” Mr Griffin said. In Europe for commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, Mr Griffin laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in London to mark Battle for Australia Day and announced that long-awaited repairs at the memorial had been completed.
6 “I have inspected the repairs on the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park in London and am advised that we have fixed the problems which have plagued the memorial in recent years,” Mr Griffin said. “I encourage all Australians travelling to London to visit our memorial and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served us in both World Wars.”
Editorial. In the August issue of this newsletter, I did an article about the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. In line with that, I have some articles concerning the Kokoda Track, its condition, the aspirations of commanders, the desperation of the Australian troops defending it and some of the battles. I will include an article in each newsletter until exhausted. The articles are to remind Australians how close we (could have) became to being another rice eating nation. It will also (I hope) give our foreign members an insight into another, but not widely known chapter of the Pacific Theatre of the Second World War. There are conflicting interpretations of the name of the Kokoda Track, some references call it the Kokoda Trail, but that is an American name for a track, so seeing as Australians travelled and fought on it, I intend to keep calling it ‘track’. Ed
AN OVERVIEW OF THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN JAPAN'S OBJECTIVES IN THE AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY OF PAPUA The Japanese decide to capture Port Moresby by land In May 1942, the Japanese began to establish a large military formation in the South-West Pacific to implement the Navy General Staff plan to sever Australia's lifeline to the United States. This formation was the Imperial 17th Army under the command of Lieutenant General Harukichi Hyakutake, and major components of the formation were deployed at Japanese bases at Truk, Palau, and the port of Rabaul which Japan had captured from Australia in January 1942. By the end of June 1942, the Japanese plan to isolate Australia from the United States was well advanced. Japan was establishing a major base at the port of Lae on the mainland coast of Australia's Territory of New Guinea. Japanese naval landing forces had occupied Buka, Bougainville and Shortland, which are the three northernmost islands of the Solomon Islands chain. Between May and July 1942, the Japanese progressively occupied more of the islands comprising the Solomon Islands chain. As each island was occupied, the Japanese built forward airstrips in pursuance of their plan to intercept military aid for Australia from the United States. By the middle of July 1942, Japan had occupied the southern island of Guadalcanal in the Solomons chain, and 2,000 Japanese troops and construction workers were engaged in building the airstrip which would later be known as Henderson Field. The next step in the Japanese plan to isolate Australia from the United States would be the capture of Port Moresby on the southern coast of Australia's Territory of Papua. Port Moresby was of vital importance to Japan. With the whole of the island of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands under Japanese control, Japan could establish naval bases and forward airfields on these territories from which it could strike deeply into the Australian mainland and intercept military support for Australia from the United States.
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Soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army thought they were invincible until they met and fought Australians in the rugged jungle-clad mountains of New Guinea. Although outnumbered five to one by elite Japanese troops on the Kokoda Track, the Australians blocked their drive towards Australia and forced them to retreat. The Japanese had initially intended to capture Port Moresby in April 1942, but American carrier-launched aircraft from USS Lexington and USS Yorktown had crossed the Owen Stanley Range on 10 March 1942 and smashed the invasion fleet that the Japanese were assembling at Lae. The Japanese were forced to postpone the capture of Port Moresby until May 1942. When the Japanese finally launched a powerful seaborne invasion force towards Port Moresby in the first week of May 1942, their first attempt to capture Port Moresby was frustrated by a joint United States and Australian naval task force at the Battle of the Coral Sea. For the first time in the Pacific War, a Japanese invasion fleet was forced to withdraw, and Australia was saved from more intensive aerial bombardment and a grave threat to aid from the United States. Despite these setbacks, the Japanese were still determined to capture Port Moresby. The Imperial Japanese Navy had operational responsibility for Japanese military operations in the South-West Pacific area, but with the loss of four of its six best aircraft carriers at Midway, and Shokaku badly damaged at the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese Navy was no longer capable of mounting a seaborne invasion of Port Moresby. Faced with this dilemma, Japan's admirals decided to pass the task of capturing Port Moresby to the Japanese Army. Japan's military strategists developed a plan for the capture of Port Moresby which involved a two prong attack. Tough jungletrained troops of the Japanese South Seas Detachment, under the command of Major General Tomitaro Horii, would land near the villages of Gona and Buna on the northern coast of Papua, seize the airstrip at Kokoda, and cross the Owen Stanley Range by means of the Kokoda Track. Once over
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the mountains of the Owen Stanley Range, Port Moresby would lie open to attack and capture by the Japanese troops. The second prong of the attack would involve a landing by Japanese marines at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of Papua where Australians and Americans had been building a forward airbase since 28 June 1942. When captured, Milne Bay would provide Japan with an air and naval base from which Major General Horii's attack on Port Moresby could be supported by Japanese aircraft and seaborne invasion troops. The task of crossing the Owen Stanley Range must have appeared deceptively simple to Japanese military planners studying maps in Tokyo. They had never seen this massive, rugged central mountain feature of the island of New Guinea which separates the northern coast of Papua from the southern coast.
VALE * LIONEL CLAYDON Angeles City Sub Branch has lost another long term member with the passing of Lionel CLAYDON. Lionel passed away on 12 September 2009 after a long illness. He was 70 years. Lionel has been around Angeles City for many years where he and his wife Eva ran a commercial laundry in Pinatubo Street Friendship. Lionel started out as a Queensland police officer and was nominated by the then police commissioner Frank Bischoff to be one of Queensland‟s nominated police officers to join the ranks of the then Commonwealth, now Federal Police. Lionel rose to the rank of Chief Superintendant before his retirement. Lionel somehow made his way to the Philippines and originally lived in Baguio City. In about 1993/4, he and wife Eva moved to Angeles City when the opportunity to purchase the laundry arose. In years past, Lionel could be found oiling his tonsils after a day‟s work at the laundry in Garfield‟s Last Stand. He also used to frequent „The Other Bar‟ a couple of doors down from Garfield‟s. In the picture above, Lionel (left) is talking to Wayne Rush at the commemoration of ANZAC Day 2009 at Clark Cemetery. A Mass for Lionel was held at 0900 hrs 15th Sep at the Holy Mary Chapel Angeles City with an RSL service following at 0945 Hrs. President Jim asked for medals to be worn. (The RSL Service is shown below. The service was conducted by President Jim)
RSL FUNERAL SERVICE We are assembled here today to pay our last tribute to Lionel Claydon who served with us, each in our own way, in the service of Australia.
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How well he served will be known to his friends and associates some of whom are gathered here today, while many will have shared his service and community responsibilities through our association with the Returned & Services League of Australia and particularly the Angeles City Sub Branch. Lionel was a former Queensland police officer and later transferred to the Australian Federal Police and attained the rank of Chief Superintendent. Remembering his many qualities and the happy times we spent – we join in a silent pledge – to sink all differences, one with the other- and extend the hand of comradeship to in need as Lionel would have us do, and to carry on the RSL tradition of unselfish service – to the disabled and bereaved and maintain the highest ideals of citizenship. Recitation of the Ode. As a token of our affection and proud remembrance, I place here a red poppy – the symbol of sacrifice- and I invite all ex service personnel to join me in so doing. Please stand and join with me, reverently in a silent tribute to Lionel Claydon Last Post was played followed by Reveille. Lest we forget
Here is an article that appeared in a publication outlining benefits which came out of the recent Australian Federal Budget. Could be of some interest to many of our members………..Note though the wording „with reliable banking systems’ Australians living overseas Up to 2000 Australian veterans and war widows who live overseas will no longer have to maintain an Australian bank account to receive their DVA payments, saving them from paying ongoing fees for international transfers. DVA will liaise with the Reserve Bank to have payments made directly into
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overseas accounts in countries with reliable banking systems. The government has committed $0.5 million over four years to this initiative. The new arrangements will take effect from March 2010.
SANDAKAN PRISONERS OF WAR REMEMBERED AT NEW CENTRE Visitors to Sabah, Malaysia, can now learn more about one of the worst atrocities experienced by Australian servicemen during the Second World War with the new Australian Memorial Hall opening today at the Kundasang Memorial Gardens. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin said more than 2400 Australian and British soldiers died at the Sandakan prisoner of war camp and on the 'death marches' from Sandakan to Ranau in 1945. "The Australian Government provided around $155,000 for the construction of the Australian Memorial Hall at the Kundasang Memorial Gardens to house an audiovisual display as well as memorabilia and historical material," Mr Griffin said. Additional funding was provided to assist with security at the site. "Although not an official Australian Government memorial, the Kundasang Memorial Gardens honour our prisoners of war and the local people killed trying to assist them." Officially opened by Her Excellency Penny Williams, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, the new gallery and audio-visual centre will add to visitors' understanding of the terrible events in the region during the Second World War and honour the sacrifice of Australian prisoners of war at Sandakan. "The Kundasang Memorial Gardens are regularly visited by locals and tourists including many Australians. Australia and Sabah have a strong relationship and the new hall will give visitors an increased understanding of our shared history," Mr Griffin said. The funding is provided by the Australian Government's Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorial Restoration Program, administered by the Office of Australian War Graves. The Program provides funding to restore existing memorials outside Australian territory which directly commemorate Australia's military involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and recognize the contribution of Australian servicemen and women.
If you remember back a couple of newsletter ago, I mentioned that there were certain items available from chemists that were available to DVA Gold Card holders, with a prescription from a GP. Here is the latest list of Pharmacy Medications available to Gold Card Veterans - but let me say that when you go to your doctor make sure you take the list with you as he/she may not be aware of all these
11 medications being available to Veterans and then when you get to your Chemist he/she may have to order them in.......Ed Skin Care Sorbolene and Glycerine Cream, Calmurid Cream, Pinetarsol Solution Hair Care Sebitar Shampoo, Sebi Rinse Conditioner, Nizoral Shampoo, Selsun Sun Care 15+ Cream, Lotion, and Solarstick, Ego Sun Sense 30+, Aquasun. Oral Hygiene Savacol Aquae Spray for Dry mouth Allergies Telfast, Claratyne, Zyrtec, Phenergan, Drixine Nasal Spray, Beconase Nasal Spray, Rhincort Nasal Spray, Sudafed, Demazin Tablets Cough Mixtures Senagar & Ammonia, Durotuss Fibre Supplements & Laxatives Nucolox, Normacol, Metamucil, Coloxyl with Senna, Senokot, Glycerine Suppositories. Dressings Micropore Tape, Cutilfilm Plus Waterproof Dressings, Melolin Dressings, Handy Banages, Cotton Wool, Betadine Antiseptic, Solugels, Barrier Creams, Disposable Gloves, Prantal Powder. Antifungal Agents Lamasil cream, Canesten Cream, Loceryl Nail Paint Haemorroidal Treatments Proctocedyl Ointment & Suppositories, Anusol. Ear Preparations Ear Clear for Wax, Waxsol, Ceromol Ear Drops Vitamins & Minerals Calcium sup Tablets, Caltrate), Vitamin B1 (Betamin), Magnesium Tablets (Mag-Min), Accomin Liquid Tonic Joint Pain & Arthritis Metsal Cream or Liniment, Arthro-Aid (Glucosamine). Sexual Health Viagra, Cialis, Caverject Pain Asprins - Cartia, Astrix Capsules, Cardiprin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen Weight Loss Optifast, Xenical. Various Nicorette Patches (Quit Smoking), Vermox Ural Sachets (Urinary Alkalinizer) * Always check with your GP, as this list changes from time to time. (You could have been paying full price for any of these items without realising you could have them on prescription. Remember after your 60 prescriptions per annum, your prescriptions are free.)
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VC CORNER Rayene Simpson VC Warrant Officer Class II Rayene Stewart SIMPSON DCM Australian Army Training Team 6th and 11th May 1969, Kontum Province, South Vietnam "On 6th May 1969, Warrant Officer Simpson was serving as Commander of 232nd Mobile Strike Force of 5th Special Forces Group on a search and clear operation in Kontum Province, near the Laotian border. When one of his platoons became heavily engaged with the enemy, he led the remainder of his company to its assistance. As the company moved forward, an Australian Warrant Officer commanding one of the platoons was seriously wounded and the assault began to falter. Warrant Officer Simpson, at great personal risk carried the Warrant Officer to safety. He then returned to his company where, with complete disregard for his safety, he crawled forward to within ten metres of the enemy and threw grenades into their positions. On 11 May 1969, in the same operation, Warrant Officer Simpson's Battalion Commander was killed and an Australian Warrant Officer and several others wounded. Warrant Officer Simpson quickly organised two platoons and led them to the position of the contact. Warrant Officer Simpson came under heavy fire. Disregarding his own safety, he moved forward in the face of accurate enemy machine gun fire, in order to cover the initial evacuation of casualties. At the risk of almost certain death he made several attempts to move further forward towards his Battalion Commander's body but on each occasion he was stopped by heavy fire. Realising the position was becoming untenable, Warrant Officer Simpson alone and still under enemy fire covered the withdrawal until the wounded were removed from the immediate vicinity. Warrant Officer Simpson's repeated acts of personal bravery in this operation were an inspiration to all Vietnamese, United States and Australian soldiers who served with him. His conspicuous gallantry was in the highest tradition of the Australian Army." Rayene SIMPSON was born on 16th February 1926 at Chippendale, New South Wales. He died at Tokyo, Japan on 18th October 1978 and was buried at the Yokohama War Cemetary, Japan.
Supplementary notes on Ray Simpson (a real Australian Army character) RAY SIMPSON was born at Chippendale, New South Wales, on 16 February 1926, the son of R.W. Simpson. He joined the second AIF on 15 March 1944 and was sent to the 41st/2nd Infantry Battalion, a 'holding' unit for young soldiers under nineteen years. On the morning of 5 August 1944, Simpson had his first taste of action when he was part of a detachment sent to reinforce the garrison troops at Cowra NSW after the escape of several hundred Japanese prisoners-of-war. One of his duties that day was to man number one Vickers machine-gun, identical to number two gun which several hours earlier had been defended by to the death by Privates Hardy and Jones who were both posthumously awarded the George Cross. Demobilized in January 1947, Simpson for four years worked at various jobs - tram conductor, builder's labourer, sugar canecutter, sailor around Papua New Guinea - before re-enlisting in 1951 for service in Korea with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 30 November 1951 and promoted to Corporal on 21 January 1953. During this period he married Shoko Sakai, a Japanese citizen, on 5 March 1952.
13 He was posted to the 2nd Battalion in January 1954 and he served in Malaya with this unit for two years from October 1955. Simpson was next posted to 1st Special Air Service Company in November 1957 and served with that unit until selected as one of the initial group of advisers for the AATTV (Australian Army Training Team , Vietnam) who left by air for Vietnam in July 1962. A year later he returned to the Special Air Service unit in Australia for twelve month's service before his second tour of duty with AATTV in Vietnam commenced in July 1964. During this second tour he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions when a patrol was ambushed at Tako on 16 September. Simpson, although severely wounded in the leg, held off the enemy while he called for assistance by radio. He and his men repelled several enemy assaults until help arrived, and none too soon as their ammunition had almost gone and Simpson was weak from loss of blood. He was evacuated by helicopter to the 6th Field Hospital at Nha Trang and he later convalesced at Toyko. Simpson had been promoted to Sergeant on 1 July 1955 and to temporary Warrant Officer Class 2 in July 1964, the latter promotion being confirmed on 1 October the same year. On 16 May 1966 Simpson left the army for a second time but re-enlisted in Saigon a year later for his third period of service with the AATTV. When he performed the actions for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross he was serving in Kontum province, near the Laotian border, as commander of a mobile strike force. (The story goes that Simmo caught a US military aircraft from Japan to Saigon and presented himself there to reenlist in the Army. Such was his reputation that he was accepted and put back to work with the AATTV) Ed
www.beyondtheblackstump.com
Best Aussie Yarn. (for our non- Aussie members, ask an Aussie for interpretation) The newspaper, "The Australian," over a period of weeks sought entries for The Great Australian yarn. This was the winner: Two cattle drovers were standing in an Outback bar. One asked "What are ya up to, mate?" "Ahh, I'm takin' a mob of 6000 from Goondiwindi to Gympie." "Oh yeah .. and what route are you takin'?" "Ah, prob'ly the Missus ... after all, she stuck by me durin' the drought."
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There have been many news articles in all Australian newspapers and TV news networks about the arrest of several men in Melbourne accused of plotting a terrorist attack on the big Holsworthy Army Base in SW Sydney. There have been some concerns for many years about the lack of adequate security at all military bases which are secured by unarmed private security contractors. Here is an apt but funny cartoon published in Australia about the incident. Putting aside political correctness and religious beliefs, I find this quite funny. Ed
A couple aged in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. 'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks. 'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?' 'Sure.' 'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks. 'No, I can remember it.' 'Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?' He says, 'I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.' 'I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?' she asks. Irritated, he says, 'I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!' Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment. 'Where's my toast ?'
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Below is the proposed design of the Australia Day Fiesta shirts for 2010. Looks fairly snappy doesnâ€&#x;t it. Dallas has sent it out to out Sponsors/Supporters for final approval and corrections. Looks pretty good to me. Hopefully stocks will be available from 6th of October. Ed.
FRONT
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Here is an interesting site that has been around for awhile but not well known. Two blokes in Brisbane, Terry Fogarty and John Howard (not that one) have put it together and John is updating previous detail. It shows the mortality of Vietnam Veterans since service. Have a look, I guarantee you will find names of blokes that you served with or knew. Go to: http://amvif.com/mortality/ and follow the trail. Try second last list from the bottom (in blue), members without units. Ed
SOME GOOD PENSION NEWS (for some) th
From September 20 , a new era in pension reform starts. There will be new laws introduced but more importantly, we will get a rise in our pensions. I do not have those rates yet as the current rates are only available. After 20 September, go to: www.dva.gov.au and look for fact sheets showing pension rates (IS 30). If you look now at FACTSHEET IS 171 it will give you the changes that will apply and it will tell you that a single service pensioner will receive an additional $65.00 per fortnight above indexation and married couple will get an additional $20.20 per fortnight. Unfortunately, they are re-instating the old income test where you used to lose 40 cent in every dollar earned by other income, back to the old rate of 50 cents. For married pensioners it will be 25 cents from each pension. (that means I lose some of my current rate, oh well they are the pay masters). While you are at www.dva.gov.au have a look at the following fact sheets:
16 IS 01 IS 30 IS 14 IS 16 IS 07
Service Pension overview Pension rates, limits and allowances summary Income support allowances Utilities allowances Pension bonus scheme
Here is a picture (right) of some local lads who rarely get the accolades they deserve. They are the blokes who keep Clark Cemetery looking real good, (employed by VFW Post 2485), and prepare everything for us when we use the cemetery for services. They erect the tents and clean up after us and if the tents are required after the ceremony elsewhere they again raise and lower. Thanks lads. A HEADS UP FROM SUBIC RSL SUB BRANCH Thanks to all those attended the Bar Hop on Tues. Thanks for supporting the Subic Bay R.S.L. Special thanks to the regulars on the bar hop each week. Same faces each week. Also thanks to those that weren't on the bar hop, but drinkers at bars, who bought raffle tickets We attended Mosquito Bar, Doc's Hooyah, (Doc even had some food on), thanks Doc. And we ended up at Voodoo Bar. Chris at Voodoo opened up an hr early for the R.S.L. Thanks to Bob Belt who worked hard, selling the raffle Tickets. A lot of prizes were won at each Bar we attended. ₱1,850 raised, ₱925 to the winner, Leo, drinker from Mosquito Bar
₱925 to the R.S.L.
This will assist in the funding of ₱6,000 that we give to Father Mike each month to assist local children with medical care. It will also assist in the funding of the R.S.L. FREE BBQ on Tues the 29th, at Downunder. All R.S.L. members are welcome, especially the R.S.L. guys coming from Angeles for the Day. Welcome guys ! Cheers Russell
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ANOTHER HEADS UP * FROM SECRETARY DALLAS We have another big commemorative ceremony coming up on Remembrance Day November 11th, at the HELLSHIPS memorial at the former US Navy Base, Subic Bay. We will be dedicating the RSL plaque on the marble wall at the memorial that day. However, the centrepoint of the ceremony will be the unveiling of a black granite slab which will be placed on the Central Podium. This is dedicated to the sinking of the Montevideo Maru with the loss of 1054 Australian lives. We have invited some Australian politicians for the unveiling and are awaiting their acceptance or otherwise. We also extend an invitation to anyone who lost relatives in those terrible ships. It should be a moving ceremony. For too long, that terrible episode of the Pacific Theatre of WW2 has been virtually forgotten. Any of our members who know of anyone who lost relatives to the Hellships, please pass on this notice. We will do an extended coverage of the day in this newsletter.
And finally, to round off this extra long newsletter, I had to include a speech made by an Australian Infantry soldier, (Warry) George Mansford on the 18th of August in Cairns North Queensland. Most Infantry soldiers know or knew of George. Take note of what he says. Ed George (Warry George) Mansford was an outspoken man, very politically incorrect. But he was a champion for the rights of those who served; particularly their right to be respected and looked after. Seems that he‟s still pushing the barrow. George Mansford enlisted in the Australian Army in 1951. He served 40 years as an infantryman; most of that time in the Royal Australian Regiment. His service included Korea, the Malayan Emergency, Thai Border, Vietnam, New Guinea and Singapore. He was commissioned from the ranks in 1964. He raised and commanded the Army‟s Battle School (which is now used by foreign military units including USA, and UK); 11 Infantry Brigade; and the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force in Far North Queensland. George was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1975 for outstanding services and retired in 1990 as a Brigadier. He is the author of two books;”Junior Leadership on the Battlefield” and the bestselling novel, “The Mad Galahs". LONG TAN VIETNAM DAY 2009 IN CAIRNS NQ Address by 52028 BRIG (ret) George MANSFORD It‟s been a long journey and for many of you it began when your birthday tumbled out of a barrel.
18 By the time you arrived in Vietnam you were part of a highly disciplined force which confronted a tough, determined and experienced enemy. On the battlefield you demonstrated immense professionalism in the best traditions of the ANZACS, and like them, you were young, eager and seemingly bullet-proof, and like your fathers on other historic fields of battle such as Tobruk, Kokoda and Kapyong, you enhanced the reputation of Australia‟s armed forces in the Vietnam arena. Like those before, you were not without humour and indifference to official rules and regulations. No matter where you came from, what you had been, your religion or the colour of your skin, you were judged on the simple but demanding ethos of soldiering and where mastership was at the top of the list. You would have fond memories of comrades no longer with us who were also young, eager, full of mischief, and much humour. They too, like you, accepted the task. They too wondered at the so called wisdom of the green machine, and they too dreamed of going back to the land of Oz. The ghosts I speak of shared their innermost secrets, as you did with them, in a trench, armoured vehicle, aircraft, gun position, chopper or a warship or during that short time of rest between nursing casualties. . You shared water, food, the dangers, the chores, the heavy loads, the humour, the boredom, the fear, the rumours and the last of the tobacco. Above all was the daily count of so many days to go before the final wakey and then glorious home and loved ones. You can still see those grins of confidence during difficult and bad days and how many times do you recall when although all were totally exhausted, there was always a willing hand, or even when knowing of the danger involved, someone would say, “It‟s my turn. I‟ll do it”. You relied on your mates and they relied on you. It was total trust with each other. We stand here today to remember our fallen and those since gone. The question is how best to honour them? I have said it before and have no reluctance repeating it. Perhaps they would say, “We are you and you are us. While you live, we live. While you stand proud so do we. Fight for what is right. Fight for those comrades less fortunate than you. Your tomorrow is our tomorrow and your conduct in that tomorrow is how we too shall also be judged in the pages of history yet to be written”. I am sure they would agree that today is a time to catch up with old mates, to enjoy the mateship and recall the good times, and above all, to stand tall. It is a time once more to jolt the Government‟s conscience in regards responsibilities and often repeated promises to the veteran community. Prime Minister Rudd said, “Let us never forget our men and women in uniform.” Prime Minister, sir, I say to you and those who will follow in your footsteps, STOP THE POLITICAL RHETORIC. WE WANT ACTION, NOT WORDS. Veterans want an end to the mockery of endless and fruitless inquiries by committee after committee into rapidly eroding disability pensions and superannuation. Where are the decisions from the report on military superannuation which was publicly released nearly two years ago? Just how long do we have to wait? DO POLITICIANS REALLY UNDERSTAND THE RIGOURS AND DEMANDS OF SERVICE LIFE? DO THEY REALLY COMPREHEND THAT IT IS DUTY, HONOUR AND LOVE OF COUNTRY THAT COMPELS SUCH MEN AND WOMEN TO OPERATE IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS, OFTEN COLD, WET, HUNGRY, EXHAUSTED, AND UNCERTAIN IF THEY WILL BE ALIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY? DO POLITICIANS REALLY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION AND ANGER OLD SOLDIERS FEEL THAT ALTHOUGH THEY MET THEIR SERVICE OBLIGATIONS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE GOVERNMENTS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY SIMPLY HAVE
19 NOT MET THEIRS? Today our troops are once again deployed overseas including Afghanistan and are experiencing similar hardships and dangers as did veterans from past wars, and thus it is an appropriate time to REMIND OUR NATION OF SOME COLD HARD FACTS: Once committed to war, there are always the forgotten casualties including young widows, fatherless children, separation, divorce and veterans with broken bodies and minds. War is not precise and no one, but no one, can guarantee the safety of civilians in a war zone. Despite the advantage of modern technology and science on today‟s battlefield, the ultimate decision to kill or be killed, as in the past will often be decided in a split second by a tired weary apprehensive soldier. After such incidents the soldier will need support-- not holier than thou distant observers demanding to know why OR SEEKING A SACRIFICIAL LAMB. ONCE COMMITTED TO WAR THE OBVIOUS AIM IS TO WIN. Shakespeare wrote “LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR”, it‟s true to say that if you cannot release the dogs of war without muzzling them then don‟t get involved in the first place. Tomorrow we begin another phase of our long journey, and there is still much to be done. Would the media and government departments please note that most casualties on operations are described as WOUNDED or KILLED IN ACTION? Please save the term INJURED or HURT ON DUTY for officials mishandling gym equipment or spilling hot water while making coffee. We must ensure tomorrow‟s wounded on return to OZ are not forgotten after the initial hype and backslapping is over. We must be ready to actively and publicly support the young veterans of recent campaigns, particularly in regards their future welfare and entitlements. We must continue to encourage and emulate those from within our ranks who demonstrate sound leadership and energy in pursuit of veteran entitlements and other interests. Individuals such as „Blue‟ Ryan, Jamieson, McGurgan, Weekes, Graham and never forget Jim Bourke and his team who showed Australia how to do the impossible by locating and recovering the remains of those missing in action in Vietnam. There are hundreds of reasons why we should march united together into tomorrow and each reason represents a warrior no longer with us or struggling in today‟s complex society, and even more reasons which embrace camaraderie and obligation to those current serving and the generations yet to be born who one day will also wear the nation‟s uniform. Perhaps by then politicians will remember them with just recognition and timely deeds and not rhetoric? Take care, old comrades, it is indeed an immense honour to be one of you. (Good onya George. You haven’t lost any of your fire. Ed)
HAHA, I THOUGHT I HAD FINISHED BUT THERE IS ONE PAGE TO GO
Ed
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I have just received some pictures from Dallas of the last Medical mission, so I will top off this issue with some pictures taken then and a bit about a visit by Bob Green OAM, the VP of Ipswich RSL Sub Branch in Queensland. Here is an extract from the minutes from the last Committee meeting held on 1 Sep 2009… Visitor Bob Green, OAM addressed the meeting and advised that subsequent to an earlier visit to the Philippines, he had returned to the Ipswich RSL and Incapacitated Servicemen’s Association and they had agreed to donate P8000 to Angeles City RSL to support the RSL Children’s Charity efforts. The President thanked Bob for the donation and, after further discussion proposed the motion: That the P8000 donation be used to purchase 4 nebulizers for donation to local Barangay medical centres for their use. ( That was carried)
Pres Jim accepted the donation (See picture above). Subsequently, Bob found out one of the staff at the Ponderosa Hotel was suffering an asthma attack, so he bought one of our nebulizers and donated it to the Hotel. The picture left shows Melvin and Bones accepting the nebulizer from Bob. (That‟s the edge of Bob hat on the far right) The two pictures below are of the medical mission, left is of the kids waiting to be seen and the right shows the dispensary.
“ T H E PR IC E O F LIB ER TY IS ET ER N A L V IG ILA N C E”