1 Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines www.rslangelescity.com ‘Lest We Forget’ Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel President Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer Editor James Curtis-Smith Rob Cairns Vivian Hart Dallas Drake Bob Young Larry Smith Email address’: [email protected][email protected][email protected][email protected]NEWSLETTER # 48** MARCH 2011 PRESIDENTS REPORT – March 2011 We are three months into the year and enter our Annual General Meeting this March 15 th . I will reflect on the calendar year of 2010 in my President‟s Report to the AGM and in this monthly report will confine myself to the goings on of the Sub Branch over the last month. We have followed our regular program of events, starting with the Committee meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, general meeting of members on the third Tuesday and our regular social Tuesday afternoon on the other Tuesdays. The Sub Branch has a primary obligation under its Charter to maintain welfare officers and pension officers to assist those members who have a problem in either or both of these areas. We have had the privilege of visits from Reg Tulip, a qualified officer of the NSW Branch to visit Angeles City, and train volunteer members of this Sub Branch, and at one stage we had in excess of seven of our members appropriately trained and certified. For one reason or another, this number has dropped to one, and hopefully Reg will be back again in the latter part of this year to conduct further training sessions. If you are a member who has a little time available to help in this regard please contact
Transcript
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Angeles City Sub Branch
Philippines
www.rslangelescity.com
‘Lest We Forget’
Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel
President
Vice Presidents
Secretary
Treasurer
Editor
James Curtis-Smith Rob Cairns Vivian Hart Dallas Drake Bob Young Larry Smith
We are three months into the year and enter our Annual General Meeting this March 15th
. I will reflect on the calendar year of 2010 in my
President‟s Report to the AGM and in this monthly report will confine myself to the goings on of the Sub Branch over the last month. We have followed our regular program of events, starting with the Committee meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, general meeting of members on the
third Tuesday and our regular social Tuesday afternoon on the other Tuesdays. The Sub Branch has a primary obligation under its Charter to maintain welfare officers and pension officers to assist those members who have a problem in either or both of these areas. We have had the privilege of visits from Reg Tulip, a qualified officer of the NSW Branch to visit Angeles City, and train volunteer members of this Sub Branch, and at one stage we had in excess of seven of our members appropriately trained and certified. For one reason or another, this number has dropped to one, and hopefully Reg will be back again in the latter part of this year to conduct further training sessions. If you are a member who has a little time available to help in this regard please contact
Dallas Drake to obtain further detail. I would earnestly plea with members, both Service and Affiliate to respond to this request. Most of you will be aware of the Blood Register we maintain at the Sub Branch. So far this year we have had three requests of which I am aware, to assist members and other who were in urgent need of blood, and have been able to refer requests to members on our register to respond to the requests. Two of the requests came from the Australian Embassy in Manila and one of those requests was on Christmas Day just past. We are anxious to add to the Blood Register and if you know your blood type or are prepared to be tested and be added to the register please contact me or any of the executive members and we will arrange for you to be accommodated. One of the benefits aside from having blood available in an emergency (there is no blood bank as we know it in Australia, in the Philippines) is that we know your blood type in the event that you are unfortunately a patient in need of blood yourself.
On the 5th March, we conducted our monthly Children‟s Medical Mission at Barangay Sta. Trinidad, located behind the Pampang market. The Barangay were excellent in their cooperation with us in the preparation of the site, marshalls and crowd control and provision of tables and chairs, barricades etc required, and we had an excellent turn out of members to assist in the dispensing of the prescribed medicines. Again we had sufficient nurses from Holy Angel University and Angeles University Foundation to assist in the examination of children and Barangay Medical Center personnel to register the children. A total of 1450 children were examined and received prescribed medicines from the Sub Branch. Many thanks to all and also to those who support our weekly raffles to raise the funds applied for the purchase of the medicines. The Committee has now returned to a medical mission timetable of every two months rather than monthly until we can replenish our funds in the Charity account. JAMES E. CURTIS-SMITH President
WELCOME TO the following new members: Guy Walklake (A/C) * Brett Mitchell (NSW) * James Heumann (A/C) * Richard Curi (A/C) * Mark Venning (WA) * Lance Hart (NSW) * Wayne MacIntosh (A/C) * Dirk Van Straalen (Subic) * Peter Mull (QLD) * Anthony Otway (A/C) * Rupert Donohue (QLD) Gloria Batad (QLD) *
There was a large queue to get the kids in to see the doctors
and to get their medicines. Everything was very orderly.
TIP Training will commence April 20-23 (This is now not confirmed, could be August 2011)
This is for SERVICE Members
WELFARE OFFICERS Open to all members.
Training will be 23rd April (As per TIP training above, could also be August)
NB. Welfare officers would do Hospital visitation should we have any member in hospital (maybe no family)
Bereavement Visitation, looking at general needs of member families, assistance with documentation, travel, pensions (other than Service)
Once again Head Trainer Reg Tulip will come from the RSL Head Office NSW to conduct the training
sessions. NOMINATIONS TO DALLAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
***** ***** ***** *****
Dew Drop Inn has joined our places to show your Card and get discount. Look
for the RSL sign at the entryway, go inside and start saving on refreshments.
ANOTHER DISCOUNT OFFER
John Power, who runs a business assisting attaining VISA’s is now offering a 10% discount for RSL members. His advertisement appears on page 6 of this newsletter.
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ANZAC DAY IS ALMOST HERE AGAIN, 25TH APRIL 2011. WE WILL BE CONDUCTING OUR ANNUAL COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY AT THE CLARK CEMETERY AND AFTER REFRESHMENTS. FINITE DETAILS IN APRIL NEWSLETTER
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Member Lindsay Drury, currently enjoying the tropical climate in Townsville, balmy North Queensland has passed on a message he saw advertised there in the local paper. Here is what he sent:
I was just reading the local paper here in Townsville and there is an article there saying the Australian National Serviceman's Association is
having their 60th Anniversary celebrations here in September 2011. Please check out their web site at www.nashos.org.au for more information. Thanks for that Lindsay. We presume we have a few members who were National Servicemen and they may be interested in attending. Ed
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Photo Release – Australian Embassy Manila
On Saturday 5 February,
twenty eight 3rd year nursing
students from Deakin
University, Melbourne,
Australia, together with
Philippine nursing students
from Angeles University
Foundation and Holy Angel
University, participated in a
medical mission for children
at Barangay Balibago, which
saw 967 children examined
and prescribed free medicines
(pictured).
This medical mission was the
18th in a monthly series,
facilitated by the Angeles City Returned Services League (RSL), a group of Australian veterans
and expatriates resident in Angeles City. During the RSL’s previous 17 missions, 16,698
Filipino children have been the beneficiaries of free medicines donated by the RSL.
The student nurses from Australia’s Deakin University visited the Philippines between 29
January and 17 February 2011 to take part in a nursing study tour. They were accompanied by
Professor Catherine Nagle (Senior Lecturer, School of Midwifery and Nursing). The trip was
the second in an annual study tour organised by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin
University and Angeles University Foundation and GradNurse Options, an Angeles-based
training facility. Professor Nagle says there is great potential for development of the
relationship and plans are underway to undertake further education and research work.
CITATION FOR VICTORIA CROSS FOR AUSTRALIA CPL BEN ROBERTS-SMITH VC, MG
Last month, we included the occasion where CPL Ben Roberts-Smith
VC, MG received the Victoria Cross for Australia. Here is his citation: Australian Army
Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG
Citation
For the most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril as Patrol Second-in-Command, Special Operations
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Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.
Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1996. After completing the requisite courses, he was posted the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian
Regiment where he saw active service in East Timor. In January 2003, he successfully completed
the Australian Special Air Service Regiment Selection Course.
During his tenure with the Regiment, he deployed on Operation VALIANT, SLATE, SLIPPER,
CATALYST and SLIPPER II. Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in Afghanistan in 2006.
On the 11th June 2010, a troop of the Special Operations Task Group conducted a helicopter assault into Tizak, Kandahar Province, in order to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander.
Immediately upon the helicopter insertion, the troop was engaged by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from multiple, dominating positions. Two soldiers were wounded in action
and the troop was pinned down by fire from three machine guns in an elevated fortified position to the south of the village. Under the cover of close air support, suppressive small arms and
machine gun fire, Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of the enemy position in order to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions and regain the initiative.
Upon commencement of the assault, the patrol drew very heavy, intense, effective and sustained fire from the enemy position. Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol members fought
towards the enemy position until, at a range of 40 metres, the weight of fire prevented further movement forward. At this point, he identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by
a small structure. As he approached the structure, Corporal Roberts-Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the
throes of engaging his patrol. Corporal Roberts-Smith instinctively engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still
pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy. His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns.
Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Roberts-Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy
position killing the two remaining machine gunners.
His act of valour enabled his patrol to break-in to the enemy position and to lift the weight of fire
from the remainder of the troop who had been pinned down by the machine gun fire. On seizing the fortified gun position, Corporal Roberts-Smith then took the initiative again and continued to assault enemy positions in depth during which he and another patrol member engaged and killed
further enemy. His acts of selfless valour directly enabled his troop to go on and clear the village of Tizak of Taliban. This decisive engagement subsequently caused the remainder of the Taliban
in Shah Wali Kot District to retreat from the area. Corporal Roberts-Smith’s most conspicuous gallantry in a circumstance of extreme peril was
instrumental to the seizure of the initiative and the success of the troop against a numerically superior enemy force. His valour was an inspiration to the soldiers with whom he fought
alongside and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
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Minister for Veterans' Affairs Media Release Monday, 14 February 2011 VA008
HONOURING OUR NASHOS ON NATIONAL SERVICE DAY – 14 FEBRUARY
Today the Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, encouraged Australians to honour the more than 280,000 young men who were conscripted for military service between 1951 and 1972. “Today is National Service Day, and every year, on the 14th of February we honour the role of the young men known as „Nashos‟, who were called up in two different service schemes. “In particular, we honour the more than 200 conscripts who gave their lives while serving Australia in Borneo
and in Vietnam, in battles such as Long Tan and the Battle of Coral and Balmoral.
“National Servicemen were not volunteers, but when called on they performed their duties with courage and commitment. The Servicemen could request not to be sent overseas, but most chose to deploy with their mates when their units were sent to Borneo or Vietnam. Australia owes them a great debt of gratitude,” Mr Snowdon said. In September last year, Australia formally recognised the contribution of national servicemen when the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, dedicated the new National Service Memorial at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Some 4,000 former national servicemen and their families attended the opening of the memorial fountain. The Government contributed $250,000 towards the cost of the memorial and the dedication reception at Parliament House. The National Servicemen‟s Association of Australia conducts services in capital cities and regional centres on National Service Day, 14 February, or on the closest weekend to that date.
***** ***** ***** Minister for Veterans' Affairs mailing list Monday, 14 February 2011 VA009
REVIEW DELIVERS POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY
The Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, today welcomed the release of the Review of Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)–Funded Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) Advocacy and Welfare Services Report. Minister Snowdon said the Government would implement all 45 recommendations from the Review which offered many positives outcomes for Australia‟s ex-service community and prescribed a framework to ensure veterans, war widow/ers and their families have access to quality advocacy, welfare and support services. “The Review recommended important changes to help standardise ESO advocacy and welfare
services and improve transparency and accountability in the way funds are distributed to the ex-service organisations that support Australia‟s veteran and defence communities,” he said. The Review covered the Building Excellence in Support and Training Program (BEST), Training Information Program (TIP), and the Veteran and Community Grants (V&C) program. “As the needs of the veteran and defence communities change, so must these support programs. The Review delivers on the Government‟s commitment to move to a more evidence-based decision-making process and an equitable distribution of funds.
“The Review has also taken into account the valuable contribution of the volunteer workforce which always has the welfare and interests of the veteran community as its priority,” Mr Snowdon said. ESOs will be encouraged to work closely together to ensure that appropriate advice and support is provided to veterans and defence members. Support for the Training Information Program will be strengthened by ensuring that advocates, and pension and welfare officers are provided with the standard of training and support they require to undertake their important role. “The ongoing involvement of the ESO community throughout the consultation process has been the key to the success of the Review and I am confident that the recommendations will receive broad support,” Mr Snowdon said. BEST Round 13 applications open today and close on 11 March 2011. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the new guidelines before submitting an application. The full Review report, including all the recommendations and more information on BEST grants can be accessed at www.dva.gov.au/grants.
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Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List Saturday, 19 February 2011 VA011
COMMEMORATING THE BOMBING OF DARWIN 69 YEARS ON
On the 69th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, and
Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin encouraged Australians to take time to reflect on the moment in history when war came to Australian soil. Mr Snowdon said the events of 19 February 1942 and the months that followed are an important part of Australia‟s history which should not be forgotten. “The morning attacks by 242 Japanese aircraft caused death and destruction across Darwin. Many sites including the harbour, RAAF base, aerodromes, aircraft, post office, administration building and the Army
hospital were destroyed. Eight ships were sunk in Darwin harbour and another two near Bathurst Island and a number of military aircraft were destroyed. “The loss of life was significant, with some 250 people killed and hundreds injured, including service personnel and civilians. Australians should pay tribute to those who died in the Bombing of Darwin and in the defence of Australia,” Mr Snowdon said. From the time of this first raid until the last on 12 November 1943, Darwin and other northern Australian sites endured more than 90 air raids carried out by the Japanese. Attending a commemorative service at the Cenotaph in Darwin on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Veterans Affairs‟, Ms Crossin said the attacks confirmed for many Australians that they were now fighting a war in direct defence of their own country. “While Australians began the war fighting the Italians and Germans in North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Japan‟s entry into the war in December 1941 brought the conflict into our own region. “Japan‟s rapid advance through Southeast Asia made the threat of war reaching Australia a reality for many. On 19 February 1942, only four days after the Fall of Singapore, Darwin came under attack twice in one day,” Ms Crossin said. Services are held across the country to mark the anniversary of the bombing. The anniversary is also commemorated on the Battle for Australia Day on the first Wednesday of September each year. Editor’s note: Images of the Bombing of Darwin are available for download from the DVA Media centre at www.dva.gov.au/media. Audio files and films of the Bombing of Darwin can be requested from the Australian War Memorial’s Collections web page at www.awm.gov.au/search/collections/
Commendation for Gallantry Awards for WWII Prisoners of War Senator David Feeney, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, today announced that twenty servicemen who were killed while escaping from Japanese forces during World War II will be posthumously awarded the Commendation for Gallantry. Senator Feeney accepted the unanimous recommendations of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal and called on the next of kin of those honoured to come forward and receive the Commendation for Gallantry.
9 The Tribunal inquired into recognition of Australian prisoners of war who were killed while escaping from Japanese forces during World War II. Among the twenty servicemen are the ‘Tavoy Eight’, members of the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment who were executed by firing squad in Burma on 6 June 1942. “The Commendation for Gallantry recognises the bravery and courage of these World War II servicemen. “Each has his own story. Some were killed while trying to escape, others executed after being recaptured. But what is common to all twenty men is the Australian spirit that they showed before their deaths. “Gunner Cleary was one of approximately two thousand Allied prisoners of war held in the Sandakan POW camp. The retribution he experienced after an attempted escape was brutal. The ‘Tavoy Eight’ were refused last rites and final messages to their families before their execution in Burma,” Senator Feeney said. “Today, we recognise and remember these heroic escape attempts. “I am calling on the next-of-kin of these twenty men to come forward and register their details with the Government. They will be invited to accept the Commendation for Gallantry on behalf of the servicemen. We are keen to hear from family members who currently possess the campaign medals of these men,” Senator Feeney said. The Tribunal recommended that the Commendation for Gallantry should be presented to the family member in possession of the deceased’s World War II medals. The Directorate may be contacted by calling 1800 111 321 or writing to: Directorate of Honours and Awards Department of Defence PO Box 7952 CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE ACT 2610 The Tribunal’s full report is available at: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au. Further information on Defence honours and awards is available at: www.defence.gov.au/medals/
The twenty members are shown in the table below. Name Number Date Executed Execution Location Private Alexander John Bell VX73838 Mar 43 Thambyujayat, Burma Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Bell VX3463716 Sep 42 Kuala Lumpur Private Joseph Bell VX50944 & VX1815618 Jun 42 Malaya Gunner Albert Neil Cleary (aka: Gunner Albert Neale Cleary) VX5212820 Mar 45 Ranau, Borneo Gunner Thomas Stephen Cumming VX316706 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Sergeant Clifford Edmund Danaher VX319466 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Warrant Officer Class II Leslie George Davies NX6644722 Mar 42 Sumatra Gunner Keith Johnson Dickinson VX571672 Mar 43 Thambyujayat, Burma Lance Bombardier Aubrey Alfred Emmett VX384446 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Private Victor Lawrence Gale VX622892 Sep 42 Changi Gunner Alan William Glover VX570436 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Signalman Howard Frederick Harvey NX4941911 May 43 Sandakan Lance Bombardier Arthur Henry Jones VX468356 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Sergeant Caryle Benjamin Jones NX4592022 Mar 42 Djambi Camp, Sumatra Signalman Theodore Rutland Brydon Mackay (aka: Private Daniel Seaforth McKenzie) QX1565611 May 43 Sandakan Major Alan Mull NX1224310 Mar 43 Thambyujayat, Burma Warrant Officer Class II Matthew Wallace Quittenton VX453446 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Gunner Arthur Reeve VX272926 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma Private William Forges Schuberth (aka: Private William Forbes Schuberth) NX256730 Jul 42 Malaya Gunner James Alexander Thomas Wilson VX479036 Jun 42 Tavoy, Burma
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ANOTHER BIT OF FEEDBACK RE-ARTICLE IN NEWSLETTER
This concerns the article I did about JETSTAR airlines starting services from Darwin to Manila. The
article basically said it was designed to cater for the Filipino community living in Darwin to give
them a more direct route between Darwin and Manila. Here is an example of one of our members
who tried to purchase a ticket for Qantas (mother company of Jetstar) one way trip Manila to
Brisbane through an Australian based travel agent. Here is an edited copy of what he said:
The article referred to above concerned my experience when purchasing a ticket on line with
QANTAS. As JETSTAR is part of QANTAS I assume that the following equally applies. I don't know
if it applies to other airlines. Last September I tried to book a Qantas one way MNL-BNE ticket for my partner. I contacted
Harvey World Travel, Flight Centre and Qantas to name a couple of companies to find the best
deal.
All stated that six months earlier the Philippine Government had decreed that such a ticket could
ONLY be purchased for a Filipina only in person through QANTAS in Makati. When I asked why the
change to procedure the answer was 'so that the Philippine Government could get the taxes they
had been missing out on'.
Apart from the hassle of going to MAKATI there is no dealing on the fare. However, in my partners
case, there was a small saving of P2.000 because she was emigrating. She also got a 40 kilo
baggage limit for the same reason.
So here is another example of why you cannot purchase a ticket for a flight out of the Philippines
in another country. I thank our member for his feedback. If anyone else has a contrary experience
to this, please let me know. Ed
$3.3M FOR WORLD FIRST VIETNAM VETERAN EDUCATION CENTRE IN US Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, today launched the Australian Government’s commitment of $3.3 million towards a world-first education centre in Washington DC honouring Vietnam veterans. The Prime Minister said the Vietnam Veterans Education Centre will be a state of the art digital education and exhibit facility located on the Mall in Washington, dedicated to educating visitors about the Vietnam War. The project was initially announced last year as part of a Labor election commitment. Our participation in this project is a powerful opportunity to explain the Australian contribution to the Vietnam War to the American people and to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with the United States. Australia’s funding commitment currently comprises: · $1 million to ensure Australia’s input in shaping the plans for the Centre including Australia’s footprint within the facility; · $0.52 million for a ‘Wall of Faces’ – a photographic image display of 520 Australian War Dead from the Vietnam War alongside their US comrades; · $1.5 million for interpretive material for permanent display and development of displays for special occasions such as Anzac Day, Long Tan Day and other commemorations.
11 The Government is pleased to supporting this unique opportunity to honour the 60,000 Australian servicemen and women who served in the Vietnam War, more than 35 years ago. In time the Centre will become a place of quiet pilgrimage for our veterans and their families, and for any Australian who wants to pay their respects. To mark the announcement, three Vietnam veterans accompanied the Prime Minister and Minister Snowdon to Washington DC to visit the site of the Centre: Mrs Terrie Ross, the Hon Graham Edwards, and Mr Arthur Francis, CSC, OAM. We cannot thank our Vietnam veterans enough for their courage and sacrifice. This remarkable undertaking will be a source of pride to them, and their families, and represent our ongoing commitment to recognising their service to Australia. The Vietnam Veterans Education Centre is expected to cost US $80 million. While the project is currently in its infancy, as it is developed Ex Service Organisations and the Australian War Memorial will be consulted. Construction is planned to commence in 2012. For more information on the centre including a virtual tour, visit www.buildthecenter.org. Artists’ concepts of the Centre and images of the veterans travelling to Washington are available on the DVA Media Centre.
WAR MEMORIAL DARWIN (a continuing series)
Today, this obelisk overlooks the Darwin Harbour
Wharf area, from where all men from the Territory left
during the First World War. The high cliffs would have
been one of the last familiar sights those men would
have seen as they sailed off to war. It overlooks the
harbour where so many died in the Japanese air attack
on 19 February 1942.
Most significant of all, it is sited on the spot from which
guns of the 14th Anti-Aircraft Battery went into action,
firing, arguably, the first shots ever in defence of
Australia on Australian soil.
This memorial was the first official monument of any
kind erected in the Northern Territory and funds were
subscribed by various organisations and committees
throughout the Territory during 1920. The initial chosen
site for the memorial was Liberty Square, the area in
front of the Administrator’s residence.
Following a brief and solemn dedication service on 24
April 1921, the monument was entrusted to the keeping
of the Mayor by the secretary of the Soldiers’
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Monument Committee, Mr Percy Kelsey who said:
I now place in your keeping as Mayor of this town, this token of the people’s appreciation and regard and
I trust that the memories of what our men have done for us may inspire your and successive councils with
a true appreciation of the seriousness of your trust and that it may enable them to tend this monument
with reverential and affectionate care.
The monument has survived the 1937 cyclone, 63 bombing raids by the Japanese during which bombs landed
within its close vicinity, earth tremors and cyclone Tracy. In 1966 the monument required repairs to severe
damage caused by an earth tremor.
In 1971 the monument was dismantled and re-erected in the Civic Centre Gardens as the site at Liberty Square
had become too crowded by Government office blocks to hold commemorative services. In 1989 it again
became necessary to re-locate the monument due to insufficient space for ceremonies.
The present location on the old Darwin oval is perhaps the most fitting of them all.
VICTORIA CROSS CORNER Hughie Edwards VC
39005 Acting Wing Commander
Hughie Idwal EDWARDS DFC
No. 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
4th July 1941, in raid on Bremen, Germany
Wing Commander Edwards, although handicapped by a physical disability
resulting from a flying accident, repeatedly displayed gallantry of the highest
order in pressing home bombing attacks from very low heights against
strongly defended objectives. On 4th July, 1941, he led an important attack on
the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany His
attack had to be made in daylight and there were no clouds to afford
concealment. During the approach to the German coast several enemy ships
were sighted and Wing Commander Edwards knew that his aircraft would be
reported and that the defences would be in a state of readiness. Undaunted by
this misfortune he brought his formation 50 miles overland to the target, flying
at a height of little more than 50 feet, passing under high-tension cables,
carrying away telegraph wires, and finally passing through a formidable
balloon barrage. On reaching Bremen he was met with a hail of fire, all aircraft
were hit and four destroyed. Nevertheless he led a most successful attack, and then with the greatest skill and coolness withdrew the
surviving aircraft without further loss.
"Throughout the execution of this operation, which he had planned personally with full knowledge of the risks entailed, Wing
Commander Edwards displayed the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination."
[London Gazette: 22nd July 1941]
Hughie EDWARDS was born at Fremantle, Western Australia, on 1 August 1914. He died in Sydney on 5 August 1982 and was buried
in the Northern Suburbs Cemetery, Sydney, New South Wales.
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VETERAN PENSION RATES TO INCREASE ON 20 MARCH
More than 330,000 veterans, partners and war widows/widowers will receive increased pensions and income
support payments from 20 March 2011, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon said today.
“This Government is committed to the support for our veterans and their families, and I welcome this increase
and the assistance it will provide to those who need it most.
“This increase sees single service pensioners receive an extra $13.20 a fortnight, since the last indexation in
September.
“Couples on the service pension now receive an extra $19.80 a fortnight, bringing the combined pension to
$1099.40,” Mr Snowdon said.
Veterans will begin to benefit from the increased pension rates from 20 March this year and veterans should be
aware that their payments will change in coming weeks. The payment on the pension payday on 24 March 2011
will be a combination of the old rates and the new rates. Therefore, the first full payment at the new rates will be
on the pension payday 7 April 2011.
The table below highlights the changes to some of the key rates per fortnight.
Pension Old Rate New Rate 20 March Increase Service Pension – single $716.10 $729.30 $13.20
Service Pension – couples $1,079.60 $1,099.40 couple$19.80
$539.80 each $549.70 each $9.90
War Widow Pension $725.10 $738.70 $13.60
Income Support Supplement $216.60 $220.80 $4.20
Special Rate (TPI) Pension $1,092.90 $1,113.70 $20.80
1. We remind members who are on the internet about our BLOG site. Our Blog Master posts plenty of current information (ie hot off the press) and it is all interesting. To get automatic notification, just register on line and you will get it immediately.
2. We still have some outstanding annual membership dues. We need your contributions to stay active. We cannot afford to provide services to non-payers. If you wish not to remain a member of our Sub Branch, please contact Secretary Dallas and advise him. Payments can be made through our advertised bank accounts or can be paid in cash to: Dallas Drake, Bob Young, Rob Cairns or Viv Hart. A receipt will be issued.
www.beyondtheblackstump.com
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An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the
wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, 'Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.' The other man said, 'What is the name of the restaurant?' The first man thought and thought and finally said, 'What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know.... The one that's red and has thorns.' 'Do you mean a rose?' 'Yes, that's the one,' replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, 'Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?'
“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”
DISCLAIMER The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R&SLA, the Committee and the Editor take no responsibilities for any errors, omissions
or inaccuracies contained in this newsletter. Nor do they accept any liability for loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly
for use of information contained in this newsletter. Nor do they warrant that articles or opinions published in this newsletter
are necessarily the opinions held by the Sub-branch, the Committee or the Editor
