December - RAAMC Assn. Home Page

(Michael is a noted historian for the RAAMC and is a
well-respected member and Life Member of our
Association.)
(I have not had the opportunity to read either of these books to
date but they are available through “Big Sky Publishing”—for
info contact Sharon 0410.332.789)
Ian also commented on Dr. James Roche’s ‘Profile’
(SPRING Issue 2011), which he enjoyed reading. He wrote
that James was a very good help to him when he was
writing a biography on Dr. Sam Stening.
Ian said he was happy to return the favour some time
later, in assisting James regarding an article about the
medical personnel on HMAS Sydney.
Ian said he enjoyed those brief moments with James
and would like to sit down with him for a day for a
more engaging ‘talk’.
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(6) RESERVE FORCES DAY ‘LAUNCH”
(Saturday 26th November)
What a “Bummer”! It was held on the same date and
time as our Annual “Mixed” Reunion.
Last year was the same except it was held in Victoria
Barracks (Sydney) but it was finished by noon and we
were able to walk across the road to our Reunion
Function Room in the Paddington RSL Club.
This year the ‘Launch’ will have the theme… The 110th
Anniversary of the end of the Boer War and the Reservists
serving overseas since then”.
I was informed by Mr. Peter Coleman (he carried our
Standard) that everyone gathered at Parliament House
at 10am in absolute pouring rain. He said the RFD
Committee decided to revert to “PLAN B”, due to the
weather and we rehearsed for about an hour inside
Parliament House, but fortunately by 11am the
weather cleared and the sun came out—so it was back
to PLAN “A”.
We proceeded back to Hyde Park to take up our
positions and were ready to MARCH OFF at 1pm (as
arranged).
The 1/15 RNSWL Brass Band was magnificent in the
front, as about 25 Standards marched behind the
band, from Hyde Park down Macquarie Street and into
Parliament House. The onlookers who were around at
the time gave everyone a rousing round of applause.
Peter also said the Naval College cadets and the
Barkley College cadets were represented.
There were wonderful speeches given by Sir Laurence
Street, Air Marshall Binskin and Mr Barry O’Farrell MP,
Premier of NSW.
Later, Afternoon Tea was served. A “highlight” was
having the poem “Reveille” (written in 1899 by A.B.
“Banjo” Patterson) recited beautifully by Mr. Keith
Anderson.
Although we couldn’t be present, our thoughts and
good wishes were with all the participants on the day.
(We wish to thank CAP Ken Duncan, the CO of 202 Cadet
Unit, Blacktown, for his endeavours in trying to secure a
senior cadet to carry our Standard.)
We sincerely thank John Moore for then seeking the
assistance of the National Servicemen’s Association by
arranging with the President of the Sydney South
Western Sub Branch, Mr Alan Drinkwater, to seek a
‘volunteer’ from his ranks.
Alan, in turn, received the voluntary assistance of a
fellow member, Mr Peter Coleman. Peter gladly
represented our Association, both at the “Rehearsal”
and, on the day, by carrying our Standard.
The RFD Committee ‘struck’ a special lapel pin as a
‘Thank You’ to all the Standard Bearers for taking part
in this year’s ‘Launch’.
I sent a general email to our members on the internet,
advising them of the RFD “Launch” details.
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(7) MEDIA RELEASES: (With kind permission of the Dept. of
Defence—edited for space and in no particular date order)
(i) RAAF’s FOUR SQUADRONS CELEBRATE their 95th
ANNIVERSARY
The 23rd September marked a day of wonderful celebra -
tion at the Williamtown Airbase (NSW) for 2, 3 and 4
Squadron. Number1 Squadron is based in Amberley (QLD).
These squadrons were raised during September and
October 1916. They were then sent to England to train as
Royal Flying Corps units where they were later deployed in
France, in 1917, under the banner “The Australian Flying
Corps” (AFC).
Four AFC Squadrons joined the British during WWI. No: 1
Sqn. flew against the Turks and Germans in the Middle East
and 2, 3 and 4 flew on the western front in France—all with
great distinction.
They carried out photographic reconnaissance, artillery
spotting, strafing and bombing raids on enemy troops and
positions and air to air combat with German aircraft.
One of the many heroes was a 24-year-old, Captain Harry
Cobby, from No: 4 Squadron, who was credited with 29
aerial victories. He was awarded the DFC with two bars and
a “Mention in Dispatches”.
Over the past 95 years these units have served with
distinction in times of peace and conflict. This includes
Operational Service in The Pacific, Middle East, North
Africa, Southern Europe, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Today, No:4 Squadron is performing enduring Combat
Control duties with the Special Operations Task Group in
Afghanistan.
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(ii) COURTS MARTIAL CLEARS ADF MEMBERS.
Members may recall that three soldiers were ‘Charged’
over an incident that occurred in the Uruzgan Province
of Afghanistan on the 12th February 2009.
The soldiers were members of the SOTG (Special
Operations Task Group) and were taking part in a
compound clearance operation in which 6 Afghans were
killed and 4 were injured.
After all legal processes were completed, the Director of
Military Prosecutions applied formally to withdraw the
charges before the Judge Advocate.
The Judge Advocate ordered that the Charge Sheet be
withdrawn.
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(iii) AFGHANISTAN — LARGE NARCOTICS ‘FIND’
DESTROYED.
A combined operation, in mid-September, involving the
Afghan National Security Forces and the SOTG un -
covered, and destroyed, a narcotics laboratory in the
Baghran District of the Helmand Province.
It is said to have ‘housed’ enough ingredients to
manufacture drugs worth around US$150 Million.
Several weapons and ammunition were also seized in
the operation.
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