It is only a few days until two very special commemoration ceremonies that relate to the very strong heart of our island community, and to your RSL Sub branch. We need you on Tuesday 11 July.
The 80th Remembrance Ceremony of the crash of Beaufort Bomber A9-352 will commence at 11am in the King Island Cemetery. This commemorative event has created national interest and will include senior Airforce Officers and a RAAF fly over (subject to weather). We need you!
The descendants of Pilot Officers Bill Edwards, John Kildea and Harold Snell are honouring the island and travelling from the mainland for this commemoration. The relatives of Clarence Leesue, from South Australia, are unable to attend but will be represented by an RSL member. The Lancaster family will be speaking about relatives Buff Cheese and Jack Lancaster, and an RSL member will speak about Nancy Morrison.
The discussion with the families has resulted in two copyright photographs, from the Edwards family collection, that have not been seen since the 1940s. They depict the 1943 funeral, and show how islanders quickly responded to the tragedy.
Jim and Dick Chitts were cartage contractors and their truck became the makeshift hearse. Mr Athol Hill, who knew the brothers well, confirmed that it was their Fargo truck. The photo, showing the four coffins draped in Australian flags, we believe was taken at the King Island aerodrome.
The second photograph was taken at the cemetery during the final benediction by Chaplain Victor Deakin from the RAAF Base, East Sale. When first viewed something was wrong – the graves in the background were outside the boundary. When the image was flipped, all was well but it appeared that the RAAF Honour Guard was saluting with their left hands. In fact they were in the process of removing their hats, and this is probably what confused the photographic developer all those years ago.
The community is strongly encouraged to attend and should arrive at the John Street Currie cemetery by 10.50 am. You are welcome to bring a seat and a lay a wreath, just let Margaret Bennett know so you can be included in the Order of Service. In the case of poor weather an adjacent venue will be used for the main service and this will be announced on the day.
We ask is that you do not stand on any grave and have your phone on silent.
The RSL subbranch will have a second function in the Town Hall commencing at 7.30 pm. This is focussed on the World War 2 King Island Comforts Fund. The list of letter writers is extensive and includes King Islanders who enlisted in the Services, family members, islanders who made donations and service personnel who were not from here.
Ann Ghazarian and her team have spent countless hours cataloguing and transcribing over 600 documents. The following is a list of the majority of the writers. They are in alphabetical order, showing surname first. A number of writers have the same surname and they are listed together. This does not mean they are necessarily related.
Archie Loris and Lorna, Arkley-Smith John, Ayton John, Baker M, Barlow Ken, Barnes Eric, Jeff and Len, Barr Harold, Batten Lewis, Bertram Barbara and Tom, Birch Graham, Birrell Hayden, Blain Jack, Blight Mervyn, Bowling Bruce, Bramich Alfred, Barth Cecil, Mrs O, Broderick Norman, Brooks Claude, Tom and Victor, Brown Keith, Burkett Charles, Burns Frank, Cheese W.(Buff), Clemons Richard, Conley Albert, Connors Stanley, Cooper Freda and Ian, Cornelius Walter, Cox William, Curbishley Ted, Davies Desmond and N, Denby Jessie, Dobson Albert, Drake Harry, Enniss Dick, Farrell John, Philip and Tom, Fisher A and W, French Reg.
Goldsworthy Lindsay, Graham Jack and Jim, Groom Reg, Gunter Colin, Haines John, Harris Bernard, Hays Darcy and William, Heddle J, Robert and Walter, Heinrich Ray, Hill L (Mrs), Holmes Joseph, Hooley John, Hooper Richard, Ibbott Charles, Ims Ron, Jackson Alice, Allan, Ernest and Jim, Jaynes Robert, Johnstone Easton, Joyce Joseph, Keating Jack, Kee Gordon and Joyce, Khyatt Ray, Lacey Keith, Lancaster Jack and Peter, Last A and Harold, Littlejohn Frank, Lonongan H, Lott Dorothy, Fred and Harry, Lynch Kelvin and Les, Mallett James, Manson John, Marshall John, McArthur Robert, McHugh Linda and Max, Milgate Stan, Miller Jean and Sydney.
Milsom Frank, Nance and Ruby, Misson Bert, Monger Roulston, Moon George, Morrison Code, Paterson Donal and Dudley, Percy Royce, Phelps William, Phillips Max, Punshon Eric, Reading Leslie, Ross Len, Rowe Don, Russell Ern, Sadleir Joseph, Scott Mick, Shea Reg, Smith Earl and Raymond, Stansfield Les, Stillman Ron and Stella, Stuart Jock, Stubbs John, Sullivan Jack and Richard, Summers Eliz, Jack and Lil, Tatham George, Tattersall Murray, Thompson Mick, Thow Charlie, Towns Gordon. Viney Alf, Walsh Ambrose, Walters Victor, Watson Carrie, Whitty John, Wilshire John and Tom, Wilson Stan and Victor, Yeomans Monty, Youl Beryl and William.
Some Service files include a photograph of the veteran and these have been recently added to a person’s dossier. If you have a photograph of a person named please let Margaret Bennett know – margiejbenn51@protonmail.com
The collection will remain on King Island and will take pride of place in the RSL Sub branch in a controlled atmosphere. The intention is to eventually have online access so all can view the collection.
Don’t miss out, so attend the Community Presentation in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 11 July.
All the records will be there for viewing only (due to conservation and preservation requirements) and there will be a unique 45 minute visual presentation, followed by a question session. Again, don’t let the weather keep you away, come and learn how this small island truly united when times were really tough and batted way above the national average.
Hot drinks and snacks will be provided and we ask for a gold coin donation per family.