Virtual
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Australia

03_Transcript_-_Part_03_Michael_von_Berg.pdf

04_Transcript_-_Part_04_Michael_von_Berg.pdf

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=689900&c=WW2#R

The Sun 6 May 1917 p 11 ENLISTED AT FOURTEEN BOY SOLDIER AT "MOOCOW FARM" “Gas Smells Like Fruit” PATROL'S DEVOTION Beside the fire at 8 Pine-street, Manly, there sits a boy of 16, who is gradually recovering from shell-shock contracted on the historic field of Mouquet Farm in France, He enlisted at the age of 14 and a few months, and his name is Cecil Thomas. He Is fair and slight, and serious-looking, and as he talks he stares into the fire, seeing, you hardly dare imagine what ghastly pictures in the glowing coals. He gave his age as 18 at the Town Hall recruiting depot, and as he was fairly tall, the white lie passed undetected. His parents' permission lie filled in himself, writing backhand to disguise his boyish penmanship. They put him into reinforcements;' and after a time spent in Egypt Cecil Thomas had his 15th birthday on a troopship' 'bound for France! "No, no one guessed how young I was," heasoys; "they all took me on as one of themselves, and It- was not until I returned that some of the officers found it out. There was another boy there a month older than me, but I never got a chance of talking with him. He is still in France, I believe." Private Thomas's father left with another battalion soon after the boy enlisted, and he is still fighting in France, but his son, hearing that the elder Thomas's battalion was quartered near his own, searched it out, and on two different occasions was able to have a chat with his father. Of the actual battlefield the boy is yet unable to speak fluently. There are phases of it, which touched upon ever so gently, set his lips trembling with memories — memories to be pushed hastily aside as part of an evil dream that is over. His mother says that a thunderstorm makes him "restless as a kitten," and that for weeks after his return he sat listlessly with his head in his hands, hardly speaking to anyone, and showing interest in nothing about him. THE MOTOR BIKE CURE For two months his anxious little mother hoard not one word from her boy's lips about | war or any of the experiences through' which he had, passed. His one desire, he told her, I was to get out into the country, away from I the noise and clatter of the city. So off she packed him to relatives on the North Coast, and here the thing that made him a boy again was — a motor bike! He laughs softly at the incongruity of seeking quiet and practically living on a snorting, shaking, fussy machine of that kind. But on the bike his mind rode back to normal. Talking of gas, Cecil Thomas gives a surprisingly novel description. "It smells like all the fruit you ever smelt — as if the breeze were blowing oft an orchard. It is so lovely that you could go on snifllng and snifllng it, and all tho time it would be killing you. As soon as the first whiff reaches you, though, you put on your gas helmet. Usually the word is sent along that a gas attack is expected, just the 'same as you get warning of the bombs that you have to put on tear goggles for. They have cayenne and stuff in them that makes your eyes sore for some time. The tear goggles are made of rubber, in sections to lit closely against the eye, and have bits of mica to look through." "The thing that always beat me was how our side got all the information they did. We'd get word seat along that at 9 o'clock the enemy was going to bombard us for five minutes, and sure enough it would be as true as if we had arranged it ourselves. "There was. one. officer: I can't remember his name, who belonged to the Intelligence Department. He had a German uniform and could speak German, so they said, and used to go into the enemy lines for hours at a time. He is in England now with one leg amputated. The Germans put out – papers and a bag in No Man's Land one day, and dared our side to get them. He and another officer took up the challenge. He got the papers, but the other chap was killed. Often the Germans would stick a flag, out and dare us to get it. Once or twice when fellows went out a mine went off as soon as they pulled the flag out of the ground." The boy soldier did not find listening-post duty as dreadful as he has heard others describe it. He pokes the fire and talks quietly ON LISTENING POST "The first night you go out on listening post your hair stands on end at every sound and you see faces in the dark! (That is the fifteen-year-old speaking!) "The second night out you scrag the new chum that goes with you for yelling out when he sees things. You have to stand stock-still and not even breathe louder than you can help! When the flares go up from the German lines any movement from the listening post would mean death, but standing still you look just like one of the stumps that are scattered about in dozens all over the ground at Mouquet Farm." He tells you that at first he used to take a delight in potting these stumps, until he found that it attracted the enemy's attention to his part of the trench and made things too hot for him. Patrol duty, which entails crawling under the enemy's barbed wire entanglements and staying near their trenches In the hope of hearing something, did not appeal to him at all. He was glad when that was over. But the mention of it brings to' his mind a story that fires his imagination and sets a light burning In his quiet eyes. The battalion was to make a raid, the artillery first cutting the enemy's wires. By some miscalculation it was our own wire that was cut, and as the men dashed on, the enemy's entanglements confronted them with certain death. It was then the patrol threw themselves across the wires and made a bridge by which the raiders were able to cross. The raid was successful and the patrol had not given their lives in vain. Cecil Thomas pokes the fire and stares into the coals for a space. When he is 18 ho hopes to go hack and finish up what he began as a fifteen-year-old. He returned to Sydney in December and celebrated his 16th birthday a week later. His mother's eyes have not yet forgotten their anxiety of it year ago, but she laughs us she says; "He was always serious, and even as a baby he took his pleasures seriously. He always used to say that when he grow up he would build me a nice house und then buy a yacht and go sailing round the world. But he did the sailing first instead of last!"

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2165025/ROBERT%20JOHN%20WORKMAN/

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=447299&c=WW2

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2164875/GORDON%20JAMES%20WATKINS/

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1025409&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8035184

In July, 1944, Flight Lieutenant Fopp was acting as instructor during a night flying test, when his aircraft collided with another aircraft, tearing away the whole of the starboard elevator and about one-third of the starboard tail' plane. In addition, the port tail plane was damaged and all but one foot of the port elevator torn away. The aircraft' became uncontrollable. Assuming command, Flight Lieutenant Fopp made preparations to abandon the aircraft but by careful piloting was able to regain control and fly it back to the airfield. He lowered the wheels and made preparations for landing but the aircraft went out of control again. With great skill and presence of mind, he raised the flaps and, regaining some degree of control, effected a landing, at the same time succeeding in preventing a blockage of the runway. It was then found' that the tail wheel had also been ripped away in the collision. Throughout the whole incident, this officer showed the greatest coolness and skill and his action was entirely responsible for the safe landing of the aircraft and its occupants."

Son of Sir David John Gordon and Lady Anna Louisa (nee PEEL) GORDON of Victoria Avenue, Unley Park, Adelaide South Australia. Sir David John Gordon (4 May 1865 – 12 February 1946) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1911 to 1913 and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council from 1913 to 1944. He was briefly Minister of Education and Minister of Repatriation under Archibald Peake in 1917. Husband of Annie Marjorie GORDON. Father of Heather Rutherford GORDON (born 2nd October 1925) John Llewellyn GORDON (born 27th July 1927) Richard Martin Peel GORDON (born 12th April 1932) Bruce Rutherford GORDON (born 16th August 1935) Brother of 845 Driver Douglas Peel GORDON - 4th Company Australan Army Service Corps, returned to Australia 25th November 1915 (born 1892) Ex - Wing Commander J.R. Gordon was presented with an Air Efficiency Award on 21st March 1968. The Air Efficiency Award, post-nominal letters AE for officers, was instituted in 1942. It could be awarded after ten years of meritorious service to part-time officers, airmen and airwomen in the Auxiliary and Volunteer Air Forces of the United Kingdom and the Territorial Air Forces and Air Force Reserves of the Dominions, the Indian Empire, Burma, the Colonies and Protectorates. The award of the decoration was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 1 April 1999, when it was superseded by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal. The decoration is still being awarded in New Zealand, but between 1951 and 1975 it was superseded by local awards in other Dominions. In Canada, the Air Efficiency Award was superseded by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1951. In South Africa, it was superseded by the John Chard Medal in 1952. In Australia, it was superseded by the National Medal in 1975. Daryl Jones

On 1 August 1943 while Flight Lieutenant Fry (No. 10) was cooperating with 2nd Escort Group in this same area he saw a U-boat travelling surfaced at ten knots in a very rough sea only six miles from the sloops. He swung immediately towards the enemy and flew overhead, then made a tight turn to port to attack from the U-boat’s starboard quarter against very accurate fire. His starboard-inner engine was hit, and when the Sunderland closed to 400 yards a shell exploded in the starboard main fuel tank and petrol flooded the bridge. All three pilots were probably seriously wounded at this point but Fry with supreme determination pressed home the attack. The tail gunner saw the U-boat enveloped in the explosion plumes and then sink bows first. The Sunderland maintained course for about six miles, turned towards the ships and plunged into the sea, bouncing twice before settling heavily into the 15-foot swell. Meanwhile HMS Wren turned immediately to help the crashed aircraft. When it arrived ten minutes later all that remained was a stump of the mainplane with five of the crew clinging to it while a sixth man was seen swimming a quarter of a mile away. It was too rough to launch a boat even after oil had been pumped into the sea, but five men were hauled aboard by lifebelt and a seaman dived overboard and supported the other who was near exhaustion. Fry himself, whose indomitable spirit and skill combined to make this attack under conditions which might well have daunted the bravest heart, did not survive; but those members of his crew rescued soon learned that U454 had been broken in two and had sunk within thirty seconds. Extract from Herington, J. (John) (406545) Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939-1943, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1954 – Page 443

Des Sheen was awarded his DFC by King George VI for "leading three Spitfires against a superior number of enemy aircraft, of which he forced one into the sea and inflicted serious damage on another. Later he led two British fighters against seven Heinkels, and although wounded in the leg and ear, he continued the attack until a leaking petrol tank forced him to withdraw from the engagement". These actions occurred on 21 October and 7 December 1939.

SKM_C36821042212570.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3511572

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1060032&c=WW2#R

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=67016

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=472712&c=WW2#R

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=263551

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8071539

Ohlstrom_MyMaps_-_Teacher_Resource.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=2018119

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great gallantry in the attack and set a fine example of determination and skill in reducing at least two enemy 'pill boxes'. He did excellent work in consolidating the final objective, and set a splendid example of courage and leadership.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 Date: 30 August 1918

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=728211&c=WW2#R

SKM_C36820112609020.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4861982

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8096962

Alex_Watson__245_9th_Battalion_and__1593-24th_Battalion.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3420978

https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141344230>.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1944064

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8206671

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5256458

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1078596

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Note on Red Cross File No 920705: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills, 10.10.19.'

3___3-14_AUS_FD_Ambulance__The_Unit_Guide__1939-45__Graham_McKenzie-Smith.pdf

SKM_C36821011814370.pdf

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a4c.htm

History_153_Sqn__Oct_44-Sept_45__1_.pdf

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/MSS1514/

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.pdf

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.docx

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8085863

Albert_Budd_CARTER_1877-1918_Ver_P2_FINAL_red_nP2.pdf

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8377213

Whilst on Malta We (Oxbury and Shipard) served as aircrew with 89 squadron's small detachment of Beaufighter Mk I's. This aircraft was a perfect flying platform for its fearsome armament which included four 20mm cannon and eight wing-mounted .303 machine guns. The punch from this monster could make short work of any enemy unfortunate enough to come within range of its devastating firepower. The Beaufighter's cannon were described by one pilot as being 'like hell's own hammers crashing upon some huge aerial anvil'. Suffice to say their cannon deafened our own crews - as well as silencing the enemy. On several occasions watching through the choking cordite fumes which quickly filled the fuselage - young Oxby would be horrified (but also secretly pleased) to see yet another enemy aircraft disintegrate in front of them. One time an enemy Junkers 88 just ahead exploded in a fireball - engulfing their own aircraft too. Now ablaze themselves Shipard saved the day - and their lives with some quick thinking. He put the Beau into a steep dive which quickly extinguished the 'flaming bonfire'. Merv wasn't too worried (or so he said at the time) because - 'it was just cheap 'n nasty German petrol'. At about this time Doug received his first DFM by selflessly giving up his oxygen supply to his pilot at 22000ft - knowing there was very little available left to him personally. Typically, Douggie made light of the episode and modestly denied his heroism. The truth was he had shown considerable courage on many occasions in life-threatening circumstances. There were often times he freely admitted to having been scared witless. One night Ship's airspeed indicator became u/s - the result of ice building-up in the wing pitot tube. Sensing the aircraft was flying too slowly and nearing a stall Ship pushed the stick forward to lower the nose and gain airspeed - but still, the knots indicated on the IAS dial remained static. Shipard pushed the control column further forward. The Beau responded dutifully and promptly entered a 'bunt' (a loop) before obliging Ship further by entering an uncontrollable inverted flat spin. Meanwhile, Oxby was being thrown about helplessly in the fuselage like a rag doll in a washing machine. He was terrified and not for the first time. In the end, Ship lost around 20,000ft of altitude before finally managing to regain control. Oxby had already been ordered to bail out. But somehow Doug had unintentionally caught his ripcord on an obstruction - causing his parachute to deploy whilst still inside the aircraft. Having struggled for several minutes now he was completely exhausted - and quite unable to effect an escape. Effectively trapped he lay back in the parachute silk - and prepared to meet his maker. In all, Merv and Doug walked away from no less than seven crashes - any one of which could easily have killed them. Several crashes resulted in the destruction of their aircraft. But they always seemed able to walk away from the wreckage - and the authorities in charge didn't seem to mind - so long as their tally of German aircraft remained greater than their losses of rather expensive Beaufighters. Whilst serving in the defence of Malta the squadron was re-equipped with new radar equipment. Doug explained 'Back then we were so short of juice that every operator was considered to be operational after just one twenty-minute practice'. Other crews spent weeks struggling with their unfamiliar equipment before becoming proficient. So it was surprising to find this crew seemed able to produce positive results after such a short practice period. Douggie laughed 'We did four sorties from Luqa (a key RAF airfield on Mata) on the same night' he said. Asked what luck he had had Doug replied 'One destroyed and one probable - both Heinkels. The probable was one of those annoying blighters that wouldn't burn. We chased it down from twelve to one thousand feet, and used all our ammo on it too'. It did not seem to strike him as anything of an achievement to get two visuals and combats straight off the reel with completely strange equipment. There was only a vague regret they hadn't properly fixed the probable. Doug Oxbury went on to fly with four more pilots and became the most successful radar operator / navigator of the war with a total of 22 confirmed kills; 13 with Merv Shipard. He was awarded the DSO, DFC and DFM. He passed away in 2009.

Eman_Alaboody_OLSH_Evelyn_Marguerita_Yeatman.pdf

Eman_Alaboody_OLSH_Evelyn_Marguerita_Yeatman.pdf

Emily_McPherson_Investigator_College_Irene_Gertrude_Hiller_Bonnin.pdf

Emily_McPherson_Investigator_College_Irene_Gertrude_Hiller_Bonnin.pdf