Former Head Quarters, 1st Australian Task Force Personnel from all over Australia supplied Eddie Tricker with replies to his question, "How did you spend your Anzac Day?"
The biggest gathering of former Head Quarters Company and D&E platoon personnel was in Sydney where some 20 to 25 diggers turned up to march behind the D&E platoon banner, a couple of photographs of which are present on the HQ Company 1st Australian Task Force web site photo gallery.
Eddie Tricker, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia reported as follows:
It teemed down buckets of rain here in Melbourne but despite this the Dawn Ceremony was one of the biggest on record. But even with the rain, crowd numbers were pretty good for the Melbourne Anzac Day march.
I went around and spent a couple of hours or so with Neil McEachern, former HQ Coy Carpenter, and the closest former HQ Company bloke living near me. He's got his right arm in a metal frame where a winch handle from a trailer smashed his arm and broke it badly. Helping his neighbour out, he was. The winch was faulty. Latest is he will have to have bone grafts.
We spun a few stories over a drink and he was telling me that he was the bloke that worked out all the plumbing for the Other Rank's shower in 1969/70, (our shower), down behind the left hand end of the boozer, the Doug Plain Club (as you look at it) and had tried to get a Huey to drop the water tank in but the Engineers had a truck and crane that did it in the end.
I then went down to Oakleigh RSL where I met up with one of the blokes that I was in Rookies with (12 Field Regiment in SVN) and 4 or 5 of us sunk a couple of rounds of drinks or so. One of the group was a RNZA bloke from 161 Battery (1970), so we had some very useful discussions. So I had a pretty decent day without becoming a drowned rat.
Brian Cossar from Yarrawonga reports:
"A heart starter of overproof rum at 5.30 am commenced the days proceedings, which certainly got the adrenelin going at top speed.
Record crowds estimated at around 2,500 attended Anzac Day Services in Yarrawonga/Mulwala. Yarrawonga has a population of 4,500 (Vic side of the Murray River) and Mulwala a population of 1,500 (NSW side of the Murray River). Special significance was the excellent turn out of 500 at the dawn service held at the forecourt of the Mulwala Services Club. It was specially delightful to see an increasing number of children who are honouring the tradition of "ANZAC" where a record number of children who were anxious to accompany family members who served in various theatres of war. All were served free breakfast at the Club following the dawn service consisting of cereal, steak, tomatoes, bacon, srambled eggs, toast, tea/coffee. The diggers really get looked after around here.
At 9.30 am we had the Mulwala service where record crowds once again witnessed the march which included children from Mulwala Public School. The march was led by the Wangaratta Pipe Band, who have officiated at our Anzac Day services for the past 30 years.
The 11.00 am service at Yarrawonga saw some 200 diggers, along with the Pipe Band, Venturers, Scouts, Guides and local school children, march in front of a record crowd to the war memorial in the centre of town. The old diggers hearts were very proud, and also the not so old, and their heads were high as they were loudly applauded by the very large crowd in attendance. The numbers of WWII diggers had thinned a little since the previous year, but numbers were bolstered by those who served in other campaigns such as Borneo, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and East Timor.
And the sun shone brilliantly for us - different to Melbourne weather with its rain. We are lucky living north of the divide and along the beautiful Murray River where we experience more sunshine that the Gold Coast - who needs Queensland - not us.
After the march it was back to the Services Club where we were looked after with an open ticket to the bars until late in the afternoon, which was quite long enough for the old diggers and the not so old diggers. Two up was the order of the day with plenty of money changing hands.
To sum up, it was yet again a very moving and significant honour to be part of the annual Anzac Day celebrations where our education of the true meaning of the spirit of ANZAC is fast being acknowledged by young and old alike, which we are confident of keeping and upholding the tradition that has been with us for 76 years and hopefully for many years to come".
David Chitty from Beechworth, Victoria said:
I marched at Beechworth with my 12 year old son, who wore his grandfather’s medals. It did not rain up here much so that was OK.
I then had to drive to Melbourne to work next day so I called a lady named Elle Ellis who had contacted me last Anzac Day and who was a friend of both myself and Lieutenant Rob Pothof (7RAR 1970) and who was killed in action. I dropped in for a cupper and chatted about comrades past.
George Udvardy from Torquay, Victoria says:
Had a very quiet Anzac day this year. I attended the dawn service at Torquay this year with Anne and then spent the rest of the day at home
John Eller, who attended the Sydney, New South Wales march reported:
The ANZAC Day morning started well, locating the D&E Banner at the corner of George and Hunter Streets in Sydney, with Neal Cremen and Co in attendance. Beers were enjoyed at the nearby hotel before moving further up Hunter Street to form up for the march.
During the wait, intense negotiations were carried out to determine which of the D&E banners would head the march, but cooler heads prevailed and both D&E, HQ Coy, 1ATF and D&E/1ARU groups marched side by side.
An encouraging roll up, including Neal Cremen, Geoff Smith, Phill Moscatt, Norm Austin, Mike Ball, Geoff Williams (who came over from Perth to march) and John Eller to name just a few. An unexpected "guest" joined us in the form of Gus Merzi. Gus was a well known entertainer (The Gus Merzi Trio) in the 1950's and '60's, who toured Vietnam as an artist and was also responsible for organising many of the other entertainment shows we all enjoyed over the years. Gus visited Vietnam over 20 times. Lorrae Desmond, Dig Richards and the "Big Pretzel" were some of his guest artists. Gus proudly wears an OAM. Gus’s first visit to Vietnam, according to the Nominal Roll, was with the ABC Dance Band Concert Party on 2 March 1967 and his last visit was with the New South Wales Concert Party on 9 December 1971.
He saw the D&E Platoon, HQ 1 ATF Banner, knew of D&E and was proud to be able to march with the "men". His company was enjoyed by all.
The march was carried out in sunny, warm and wonderful conditions. It was one of the biggest crowd turnouts seen for may years, and it was nice to see so many younger people enthusiastically waving their Aussie flags and displaying wonderful signs and banners such as "Thank You" .. "Our Heroes" and so much more.
At the conclusion of the march we adjourned to the New Windsor Hotel where Neal had everything arranged perfectly. Food quickly arrived at our tables, beer flowed like .. well .. beer ... and the camaraderie born some 30 years earlier quickly regenerated itself. Laughter, back slapping, exchange of details and life stories filled the air. We were later joined by Jeff Foster, who was in the first ever D&E Platoon that arrived in SVN in May 1966. Jeff was eventually transferred to 6RAR, but still seeks out his D&E mates.
All too quickly the day drew to a close, and we all headed off on our separate ways, vowing to return again next year .. same time .. same place .. same pub. It was one of the most memorable days I have ever experienced.
I will be at the same place, at the same time, and in the same pub next year. Hope to see you all again.
Len Riches attended the Sydney Parade and marched with the D&E/1 ARU Group, he reported:
In Sydney, the two D&E Platoons formed up and marched together behind both banners. The weather in Sydney was glorious, as usual, with a beautiful blue sky and the sunshine glinting off our medals, a great and very proud day was had by all.
Neal Cremen from Sydney way, who organised the D&E platoon/HQ Company 1 ATF group reports that:
John Eller, Graham Hawkins, Mike Allen, Mick McCarthey, John Verhelst and Geoff Smith are just some of the names who attended, but we had about 20-25 blokes behind the D&E Platoon banner. I received an email from Geoff Smith stating that it was, quote, " a great day and it made an old D&E platooner very proud to march behind our banner" unquote. It seems like the start of a new era. I hope so.
Geoffrey Smith also marched at Sydney and confirms:
I went to my first Anzac Day march in Sydney and I must say it felt good to march behind the D&E Platoon banner, with a group of blokes that made me feel very welcome, on an absolutely superb day with a huge crowd cheering us on. Drinks afterward capped off a good day for me. Thanks to Neal Cremen for giving us the opportunity on the day, and to you and all involved in the organisation of the association.
John Verhelst, also marched in Sydney and said:
Yes I did march and it was a bit weird. Got there early and watched and listened to the guys who really still live in that era. As I spoke to various D and E platoon people it seems that there are 2 distinct lines. Those that stay in 1966/71 and those that have got on with their lives. I am of the latter group. As we all met and remincinsed about Nui Dat and what it held for us the memories came flooding back. I remembered the good times as well as the scary bits and although some guys remembered me, sadly my mind was blank. ................
So yes it was, all in all, a great day and we'll stay in touch. One bloke emailed me after the event and in his closing line said, "perhaps I'll see you again in 20 years". I responded, "See you next 25 April". He came back and said, "Most likely".
It surprised me that so many of us marching had not been into it before 2002. Anyway to cut it short, yes I will be back next year. Will also go to the NSW AGM next Saturday at Merrylands RSL. For those of us who have it together pretty well, I feel we should help the other guys and those who came back emotionally and physically hurt.
Met Peter Cosgrove, the other month, sat at a table with him at a Rugby Union dinner for my beloved Waratahs. Don't mention their name this week, the poor buggers. Went and watched them get slaughtered in Christchurch last Saturday. That's all and a great credit to you for keeping the guys all together.
Geoff Bateman from Old Bonalbo, New South Wales said:
ANZAC Day at Old Bonalbo is something special. The Country Women’s Association (CWA) put on the service at the village hall, (one of the few Soldiers Memorial Halls left in NSW) at 9.30 am. About five years ago they came to me and asked if I would run the service and I have been doing it ever since. It is a simple and moving service, attended by around 50 people. The bugle is on tape and the flagpole stands alone. A small group of veterans and a couple of children wearing the medals of deceased fathers/grandfathers pay homage. A few old ladies put floral wreaths at the base of the flagpole in memory, very moving. Such is ANZAC Day.
Harry Cislowski from Nanango, Queensland reports:
My ANZAC day was great as usual better each year I'd say. Nanango is a small town near another small town Kingaroy (Joh Bjelke-Petersen's hometown). We had a smaller than usual dawn parade. The main parade made up for it. I restore WW2 jeeps and one of my boys drove the one I've finished. I have five more to go. So our parade will only get better. JTC (Joint Telle Communications), Army, Navy and Air Force always turn up too. They really make our parade. Still reckon SLR's look better on parades. About three of there number fainted and one of our Vietnam guys got a bit wobbly. It was unusually warm. After a few quiet ones I was home (no two-up this year) by 3.30 pm in reasonably good shape.
Nigel James, Adelaide, South Australia says:
I went to Warooka on the York Peninsular, South Australia for ANZAC DAY. Normally I go to Adelaide but because we have a shack over there we decided to give Warooka a go . Not a bad morning, but not as good as with your mates in Adelaide. By the way there is only 3 or 4 of us from D&E Platoon of 1968/69 in Adelaide.
Colin Norris, Adelaide, South Australia says:
The weather in Adelaide was overcast but fine a little drizzle after the march, I marched with the Royal Australian Engineers from Viet-Nam. I know quite a few from Rookie and Corp Training. Eddie, I was Company Carpenter from 1968/69 along with Mick Love who was there 68/69 so I reckon Neil (McEachern) took over from us, would be interested to find out. Mick and I constructed the Officer’s mess and bar area. Eddie would be nice to hear from anyone in SA who would like to march under the HQ 1 ATF banner in future Anzac Day marches.
Clarrie Hair from Wanneroo City, (outer suburb of Perth), Western Australia reports:
Attended my first ever ANZAC Day, starting with the Dawn service and followed by a march through Wanneroo City (actually an outer area of Perth), couldn't quite bring myself to attend the major parades, maybe next year. Although the actual march was only 500 metres at least 600 odd people lined the road way and clapped, including my family, quite enjoyed it. Had a few drinks at the end of the day.
John Burrows from Perth, Western Australia reports:
Anzac Day was really enjoyable here. Eight from HQ Company Group marched as a separate identity behind the Cavalry/Armoured Corp reunion group. Afterwards we retired to a local for several "hundred" beers, many stories told, didn't realise the cooks got up to soooo much! Black market, betting books etc while we were out in the scrub!
Ken Bourke from Humpty Doo, Northern Territory said:
ANZAC day in the busy metropolis of Humpty Doo was a march made up of about 12 Veterans and one young lad wearing his grandfathers medals on the right side of his chest. Ours is only a very small service as a lot of people go into Darwin or Palmerston to the services there which are much larger.
The march also had the scouts, army cadets and St John’s ambulance cadets marching. We had one politician as well and I don't know where the hell he came from. We had a few families and a turnout of some older people to commemorate the day. The service was a short march then a service. The sin bosun that gave the service was a bit long winded but aside from that the service was quite good. A local politician gave a speech then the normal ode, the last post, 2 minutes silence (and it was 2 minutes, not 30 seconds) then the flags where raised to the bugle and it was over. It was followed by a few beers at the village green then off to the pub for a couple.
Two things stand out in my mind of this ANZAC day, on the sad side I think I ran into an impostor wearing medals (Vietnam). Couldn't get much info from him except he had been in SVN in 1962, then near Long Tan and then had been a Captain. He didn't know what the little silver tag on the Vietnamese Government medal was (and didn't have one on the medals he was wearing) or what the 1960- meant.
Didn't get a chance to find out any more details about him then but I will see what I can find out and report him to that web site that Outs Wannabes.
On the good side, for the first time since I came back from SVN somebody said 'thank you' to me. I was surprised as hell. When the Welcome Home march was on in, was it 87/88?, I was in Cooktown as a nursing officer during Kangaroo whatever. A couple were going through a door at the pub and when I stood back to let the woman through the door she said to me 'please go first it’s your day and thank you' her husband said the same. I nearly cried.
All in all a good day here at the sharp end on Aust.
Harry Benson, Alice Springs, Northern Territory said:
I was up at five for the dawn service, which is held atop ANZAC Hill here in Alice Springs. There was a huge turnout, so many in fact that there was an over flow to the car park below. The service was, as usual, very moving as the sun crept up over the distant ranges as the Last Post rang out, more than a few tears in the eyes of those there. The parade was good , it was also well attended with many people lining the route to cheer us on.
Up on the hill again and another capacity crowd. A good service and speech's then down to the RSL. Things got a vague about 4 PM, as I recall..... . Met up with some fellows I knew from 3 Battalion. I think that was the down fall!
Bud Cramer from Saigon, Vietnam tells us:
What can I tell you about Anzac Day that would be fit for the site??
First, a dawn service, at 5:15 am, was held at the Norfolk Mansions hotel and apartment block, Saigon. This year it was the Kiwis turn to organise the service and the following light breakfast. I can't give you any names of the people involved but I believe it was well received.
Some veterans and others went to the Long Tan cross but I'm not sure if a service was held. About 20 veterans, other Aussies, Kiwis and some Brits went to K J’s 626 cafe in Vung Tau for a short service and then the traditional 2- up school.
Veterans were ex 9, 8, 6 and 3RAR, SAS Regiment, Artillery and 3 ex D&E platoon members, (including me ). There was another ex-D&E member in town at the time but he didn't attend. There you have it, nothing really worth a mention except that the Day was observed with appropriate remembrance.
Warren Handley from Newcastle, New South Wales says:
I thought I 'd add my Anzac Day experience. I would have loved to have gone to Sydney especially now that I've learnt "Hawkeye" (Graham Hawkins) was there. Unfortunately duty kept me in Newcastle. I am currently President of Newcastle Legacy. My wife and I had the honour of leading the Dawn Service march carrying the torch. I also took part in the service. It was a very moving service in the half light of dawn especially with the sounds of the waves rolling softly in on Nobby's Beach behind us. It is estimated about 5000 turned up. That was a great turnout.
From there it was off to Stockton where I had to give the Anzac Day oration. My daughter turned up unexpectedly to watch me march and here me speak and my wife was there with me. That meant loads to me. Most of the rest of the day was spent in my official capacity as President of Legacy. One of the great things was the wonderful reception Legacy received. Legacy, if anyone doesn't know, is an organisation which looks after the families of returned servicemen who have passed on. It is rewarding service. The crowd at the Stockton service were very generous and I left with a cheque of $1500 to help in our work.
It was a memorable day. I hope to make Sydney in the near future. I might even be able to drag "Blue"(Max Lantry) away from his beloved Morpeth and Hinton.
Paul Penno from Eaglehawk (Bendigo), Victoria reflected upon Anzac Day 2002 and says:
Went to the Dawn Service at Eaglehawk, only four W.W.2 Veterans present, down from the one hundred and fifty diggers that attended 35 years ago! I felt very sad about this, as the Eaglehawk RSL Sub Branch was very supportive of returning Vietnam Vets in 1968.
Another reason for sadness was that one of my best mates, Sam Wall, from the Transport Unit, HQ Coy, 1 ATF, died suddenly this year as the result of a bloody bee sting! Lived through the 1968 TET offensive in South Vietnam, and died from a bloody bee sting in his own backyard.
Sam was an active Legatee for the RSL in the Loxton District, (near Renmark, South Australia) and was Treasurer. He is survived by his wife Marlene, and three children, Hayden Fiona and Jason, and their families. Sam died on 15th January 2002.
So for me this Anzac Day was very different.
