VE Day - Sunday May 8th

Victory in Europe Day marked the end of  WWII in Europe and was celebrated across the globe on the day that the German surrender was signed in Berlin - 8th May 1945.

The day was particularly significant to many Odd Bods and each year we mark the occasion with a service at The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. A short service will be held at the Odd Bods tree adjacent to the Shrine commencing at 11:00am on Sunday 8th May 2016. All are welcome.

Odd Bods Tree.

ANZAC Day - More Photos

Our patron AVM Peter Scully (Retired) presents to the luncheon
complete with Odd Bods hat produced especially for ANZAC Day.

Walter Eacott pays tribute to George Smith.

Sue Parry manages to get the bus up close
and handy once again and explains to the
impatient traffic wardens that 90+ year
veterans just couldn't walk any further.

And of course no Odd Bods luncheon would be
complete without Walter Eacott's brilliant
one-liners, and carefully teased out jokes.

The Matta girls proudly support our banner.

A wreath is about to be laid at the Odd Bods tree in the
grounds of the Shrine of Remembrance.

Friends of Odd Bods March in Melbourne 2016 - Video

ANZAC Day First Photos

A wonderful day, beautiful weather, no march delays, a great new venue, very good food, lots of reminiscing, and Walter Eacott's jokes get better - What more can we ask for?
Here are a few photos. More to come tomorrow plus a video.
Please send us your comments. Were you at the shrine? Did you see the Odd Bods on TV? What were your thoughts on the day?

COMMENTS:
25/4/2016 - Thanks for posting the photos. I am sure you all would have enjoyed the lunch. It was a privilege to be able to march with the Odd Bods today proudly wearing my fathers service medals.
Robert Jackson.  
Thanks for your comments Robert - Ed.

Spotter Hats For ANZAC Day

If you have booked on the bus to go from The Shrine to the Friends of the Odd Bods Luncheon at the Riverwalk Amora Hotel on ANZAC Day you won't have any trouble finding your FOB marshals because they will be wearing these bright red hats. 
Things can get a little chaotic after the march but just to confirm that we will be meeting at the Odd Bods Tree adjacent to the Shrine before boarding the bus and if you are having trouble just look out for the red spotter hats.

Allan McDonald DFC

Odd Bod Allan McDonald passed away on the 19^th December 2015. Following is an extract from the Geelong Advertiser about Allan’s wartime service.

Allan McDonald Jnr served with Royal Air Force Bomber Command 158 Squadron, the only Australian in his seven-strong crew in a Halifax Mark III christened Blondie.

He was navigator for 37 missions — 19 guided by the stars, 18 guided by the sun — and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage and clarity following a hit over Duisburg which took out an engine and sent a propeller carving a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.

His citation read: “This officer went to the assistance of the wounded wire operator and gave valuable aid to his captain. This efficiency and determination did much to extract the crew from the desperate situation.

“Flight officer McDonald’s courage and keenness to fly against the enemy have always been outstanding.”

He reflected on his war experiences for the Geelong Advertiser in 2013.

“It’s hard to believe it all when you look back now, to think you went through all that and survived,” he said.

Our sympathy goes out to the McDonald family.

Letters Received

Dear Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc.

          Yesterday I received our magazine for which I am grateful.

          Thanks to Bruce Waxman and Walter Eacott for their record of George V. Smith. I was sorry to hear of his passing. I don’t get the Age so I was able to read the article that was the basis for the obituary on Friday 18^th. March 2016.

          My late husband Colin T. Akers D.F.C. (Bill) was a Tail Gunner in a Lancaster of 101 Squadron where he, RAAF, was asked to join an English crew.

          Bill had respect and regard for George Smith and was happy to be associated with the Odd Bods, enjoying the reunions, the ANZAC marches, until ill health prevented him. George Smith was in touch with me after Bill passed away. Another Odd Bod sent flowers during the short time Bill was in hospital following a stroke.

          Thank you for Pressing on Remembering.

          After he retired from work, Bill looked up those who began training at Somers Camp and he was able to contact a few of them. He enlisted 6/12/1941. I didn’t meet him until 1954. I am thankful to him for my family (5 children) and home.

          Like George Smith he was a good man.

          I appreciate each year receiving a card on my birthday from the Odd Bods and now the Friends.

Best wishes – Janet Akers.

1/4/2016