The ANZAC Spirit - Alive and Well

Following is the essay that was awarded the George V. Smith award for 2018 as the best essay by a year 10 Wesley College student about the ANZAC Spirit. Student, Sarah Gordon, is the author.

“The ANZAC Spirit was seen to be alive and well in the actions of Australians during World War II.”

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) spirit first surfaced in World War I during the Gallipoli campaign where ANZAC forces bravely fought against the Turkish in ghastly conditions. Ever since the war, ANZAC spirit has been defined by courage, endurance, initiative, discipline and most importantly, mateship. The first ANZAC day was in 1916, on the 25^th April and has been celebrated ever since^[2]. ANZAC spirit has been applied to locations (Gallipoli and Kokoda), military formations and people. One such person who displays the ANZAC spirit is Agnes ‘Betty’ Jeffrey, an Australian war nurse who was taken as a POW (Prisoner of War) in World War II. Jeffrey displays the desire for freedom, justice, and peace that are characteristic of ANZAC spirit. She displayed these characteristics during her service, captivity and after the war when she continued the ANZAC legacy through her actions^[1,3]. She is an example that the spirit of ANZAC was alive and thriving in WWII.

Agnes Jeffrey shows ANZAC spirit through her unwavering, courageous service as a nurse. Jeffrey was a nurse deployed to the Pacific front to work recovering ill and wounded soldiers. She was assigned to the 2/10^th AUS General Hospital in Malacca, Malaya in 1941 where she and 65other nurses worked in often half-built or makeshift hospitals^[4]. They nursed the men there until January 1942. The area was unsafe as the Japanese were advancing and so the hospital was moved to Singapore. They turned an abandoned school into a makeshift hospital where soldiers were nursed. The hospital was abandoned when the nurses were ordered to evacuate to Java on the 12^th February 1942. Initially, the nurses refused as Jeffrey later recalls “Our refusal was useless… we were ordered to leave and had to walk out… I have never felt worse about anything…”White Coolies p.2.^[7] Jeffrey displayed great courage and initiative but was forced to board the Vyner Brooke. Two days later, on the 14^th of February, the Vyner Brooke was sunk by Japanese aircraft bringing an end to Jeffrey’s nursing career^[4]. Jeffrey remained calm and strong throughout her service and displayed vital aspects of ANZAC spirit. She showed initiative and discipline during the evacuation and mateship throughout the course of her service. Jeffrey also endured many trialling tasks in her service such as working in poor conditions and in anticipation of an invasion, but she persisted and showed discipline, mateship, endurance, and courage.

Jeffrey’s ANZAC spirit can also be observed in her 3 ½ years as a POW in a Japanese camp. She displayed mateship, endurance, and courage during her capture with other nurses and women. After the Vyner Brooke sunk on the 14^th of February, Jeffrey spent 16 hours floating on some debris until she landed on Banka Island, which was occupied by the Japanese^[6]. She gave herself up to the Japanese, as she had no other options, and was escorted to Palembang where a camp of women greeted her. Jeffrey and the other prisoners suffered cruel conditions from lack of basic survival needs, tropical diseases, malnutrition, abuse and forms of torture^[5]. However, Jeffrey did not give in to despair; she strengthened her bonds with her fellow prisoners and kept a hidden journal of the conditions and occurrences of the camp. If the journal had been found, Jeffrey would have been cruelly punished or executed. Jeffrey was also a member of the ‘Vocal Orchestra’, a choir the women started to ease the boredom and raise their morale. This choir was vital as it made the women “…clean forgot where we were during those rehearsals and you see that was so important”, Margaret Dryburgh^[7], and it created an escape for Jeffrey and others to endure their cruel captivity. Throughout her 3 ½ years of imprisonment, Jeffrey displayed consideration of her friends, dauntless determination, and endurance which were extremely encouraging to others' spirits in those times of desperation.

Agnes Jeffrey did not stop her service after the war. After being liberated from the Palembang in Jeffrey was admitted to the hospital and suffered two years from severe malnutrition as she weighed 32 kilograms and suffered from tuberculosis in her lungs^[4]. Once she was discharged, she travelled the country with Vivian Bullwinkel, a close friend who had also been a POW at the Palembang camp. Together, the women visited hospitals and war centres to educate others, raise awareness and funds. The funds they gathered went towards the Nurse’s Memorial which was opened in 1949 and Jeffrey was the first administrator and continued her duties there until her death in 2000^[6]. Jeffrey continued to raise awareness to the ANZAC spirit and contribution from nurses to the war effort. Jeffrey didn’t stop there though; she wrote a book based on her journal from the prison camp. The book was called White Coolies and was published in 1954^[5]. Jeffrey’s recounts and knowledge was also incorporated into the movie, Paradise Road, a movie about the Vocal Orchestra the women ran. Her tales of hardship and persistence inspired thousands to learn and teach others about the events of World War II. Her post-war actions kept the legacy of the ANZAC spirit alive and well as the centre she opened is still running today, she educated hundreds and the film and book she created continue to inspire and educate thousands. Her actions reflect on the spirit of ANZAC from her persistence to teach others and open the nurse’s centre, endurance when dealing with her illness whilst assisting others and her strong desire to bring justice to the war nurses and have them be recognised like soldiers for their bravery.

 Agnes ‘Betty’ Jeffrey clearly displays all the qualities of the ANZAC spirit proving it has been carried on from WWI. She was brave when the situation was atrocious during her captivity and service in islands were the Japanese threat was high and persisted through these tough times with assistance from her friends and strong spirit. She also embodies the spirit of ANZAC through her desire for freedom for all and to help anyone and everyone she can; the reason why she became a nurse. Agnes Jeffrey is an inspiration to others, an icon among nurses and clearly displays the characteristics of ANZAC spirit, making her an example of how the ANZAC spirit lives on past World War I.

Bibliography

1.     ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee 2016, The Spirit of ANZAC, Australia, accessed 5 April 2018, <https://anzacday.org.au/the-spirit-of-anzac>.

2.         Australian War Memorial 2017, Anzac spirit, Australian Government, Australia, accessed 5 April 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/anzac/spirit>.

3.         Australian War Memorial n.d., Dawn of the Legend: The Anzac spirit, Australian Government, Australia, accessed 5 April 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/dawn/spirit>.

4.         Australian War Memorial n.d., Lieutenant Agnes Betty Jeffrey, Australian Government, Australia, accessed 29 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10676864>.

5.         Encyclopaedia of Australian Science 2012, Lieutenant Agnes Betty Jeffrey, Australia, accessed 29 March 2018, <http://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004118b.htm>.

6.         National Library of Australia 2001, Jeffrey, Agnes Betty, Australian Government, Australia, accessed 13 April 2018, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/people/1473722?c=people>.

7.         Ryde, N 1997, Betty Jeffrey, Australian War Memorial, pdf, accessed 29 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/sites/default/files/jeffrey.pdf>.

8.         Singing To Survive 2013, The Vocal Orchestra, Australia, accessed 16 April 2018, <https://singingtosurvive.com/the-vocal-orchestra-1943-44/>.

Professional Portraits of Odd Bods Available For Download

You might remember those wonderful portrait shots taken by photographer Rob Anderson at Leonda in 2015. He has kindly made the shots available for download to all members. Simply click on the link below.

Friends Of The Odd Bods

Anzac Day 2018 - The March Video

Tip: click on the little square icon to get the best full-screen effect from the video. 

Anzac Day 2018 - The March

Photos from today's Anzac Day march in Melbourne.

Gathering on Flinders Street prior to marching.

Our Patron flanked by the wonderful
banner bearers from Wesley.

Striding out in front of the iconic Shrine of Remembrance.

A big thank you to Vimal, Mohit, and the 13CABS organisation for providing such efficient transport. 
They are a very important part of our day.

Anzac Day 2018 - The Stars of the Reunion

Here we show some special photos of some very special people - our original Odd Bods.

Anzac Day 2018 - Reunion

Here are some more photos from our most enjoyable setting at Amora.

Bruce Waxman introduces proceedings.

Terry Maher regales us with High Flight.

Peter Scully addresss the gathering and here seems
 to be getting a handball from Peter Randell.

Anzac Day 2018

We are preparing photographs and a video of today's march and reunion but in the meantime you might like to go across to our Facebook page for a few shots and a video posted earlier in the day - https://www.facebook.com/friendsofoddbods/

From The Archives - Odd Bods Reunion 1963

This photo was taken at the Air Force Club in Melbourne during the 1963 Odd Bods reunion. How many faces do you recognise? Let us know some names in the comments below. "Tich" Marshall, Father Mac, and Tom Rossiter show up in the front row.

Request From The Shrine Of Remembrance

We have received a call from Mr. Neil Sharkey of the Shrine who is planning an exhibition at the Shrine mid July focussing on the Resistance movement throughout Europe in WW2.

He would be keen to hear from anyone who may have been involved from our group who may have done airdrops, special missions, pick-up and delivery of special agents etc.

He can be reached on 9661 8118 or via nsharkey@shrine.org.au

A Fine Collection

Thanks to Gary Elliott for this photo.

ANZAC Day 2018 - March & Reunion

Dear Friends,

                Anzac Day (Wednesday 25th April 2018) is not far away and we are pleased to send you an invitation to this year’s Anzac Day reunion which is being held at the same location as last year’s successful event -  The Riverwalk Amora Hotel on the banks of the Yarra in Richmond.

                Arrangements for this year’s march are similar to previous years. You will find details on a form sent out via email or hardcopy and you can also access the form by clicking on the Anzac Day 2018 tab at the top of this page. We ask you to complete the details as soon as possible particularly so that we can prepare transport arrangements for the day. Arrangements like car transport in the march, bus transport to the reunion and luncheon bookings, need to be organised well in advance.

                We look forward to seeing you on Anzac Day and in the meantime if you have any queries please direct them to Peter Randell (0410271941), Greg Smith (0406222020), or Michael Rossiter (0418324383).

Best Wishes

Bruce

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

FRIENDS OF THE ODD BODS ASSOCIATION INC.  - 2018

COMMENTS:
13/3/2018 2041hrs
From Bryan Wilcockson:

Thanks for the note, a seat on the bus suits me fine. Here’s some directions for the driver.

 Bry

 P.S. I hope all goes well with such a worthy endeavour and everyone has a great day.

14/3/2018 0708hrs

I will be thinking of you on ANZAC Day and also the other Odd Bods – please convey my kind regards to all.

LEST WE FORGET

Sincerely

Diane Wright (Rechter)

14/3/2018 1358hrs

I appreciate your emailed advice re Anzac Day's march and reunion, and thank you, but send my apologies.  Will be thinking of you all, you Odd Bods, especially, and my wonderful husband, Harl.

With my Best wishes, - GABRIELLE HOGAN

Tyabb Air Show

Our President, Bruce Waxman, and his Son, Tom, enjoyed a day out at the annual Tyabb Air Show yesterday (Sunday 11th March). They were good enough to send us some great photos of old aircraft, so enjoy.

Avenger

Kittyhawk

Mustang P51

T28 Trojan

Dambusters - The Last Storyteller

Following is a link to a BBC report on a fascinating documentary about this iconic WWII event.

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-42580442/dambuster-johnny-johnson-recalls-world-war-two-raid

Farewell Ron Fitch AM

Ron Fitch passed away on Saturday 27^th January 2018.

Ron was a past Vice-President of the Odd Bods and a regular attendee at Association functions. He is survived by his wife Lorna who maintained the Odd Bods birthday card register for many years.

Ron was a recipient of the Legion D’Honneur and a Member of the Order of Australia - In recognition of service to industrial relations, to commercial arbitration and to architecture.

Ron’s memoirs are published in a book “Recollections – A Lancaster Bomber Crew 55 Years On”.

Our sincere condolences to Lorna and family.

Funeral Arrangements:

Service Date: Saturday, 3 February 2018      

Service Time: 2:00 PM     

WD ROSE BRIGHTON CHAPEL

139 MARRIAGE ROAD, BRIGHTON, VIC

Ken Rechter Eulogy

Read the full eulogy of Ken Rechter by clicking here - Ken Rechter Eulogy

Passing Of Ken Rechter

Hathazari, Eastern Bengal, India. c. 21 February 1945. A home-made hammock supports 419410 Flight Sergeant A. K. Rechter, wireless air gunner of North Brighton, Vic, a RAAF member of No. 117 (Dakota) Squadron RAF in Burma.

Odd Bod, Alan Kenneth (Ken) Rechter, passed away in Colac on 8th January 2018 and will be remembered at a graveside service at Brighton Cemetery on Friday 12th January at 2:00pm.

Ken was known for his service to community and particularly a long association with Guide Dogs Victoria. Ken was a Wireless Air Gunner with 117 Squadron during WWII.

Recent News And Links - 10/1/2018

Ryder Cheshire - the November edition of the Raphael Newsletter can be found here - 
http://ryder-cheshire.org/migration/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Raphaels-Newsletter-November-2017.pdf

What Is On At The Shrine - details of events at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance - http://www.shrine.org.au/Shrine/Files/9b/9b8a1500-711f-4c66-af35-cbe765fc2592.pdf

Plurals In The English Language

Friend, Bryan Wilcockson, sent us this gem. You may have seen it before but it is good enough to repeat. 

 The English Plural according to....

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

 

 

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

 

 

 

Then one may be that, and there would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

 

 

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. 
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; 
Neither apple nor pine in pineapple. 
English muffins weren't invented in England .

 

 

 

 

We take English  for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, 
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, 
Grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

 

 Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them,
What do you call it?

 

 If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? 

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

 

 

 Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English

Should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

 

 We ship by truck but send cargo by ship...

We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
While a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

 

 You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language

In which your house can burn up as it burns down,
In which you fill in a form by filling it out,
And in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing..........

 

If Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop.????

Happy New Year To All

This wonderful photo of a Mosquito backdropped by a magnificent cloud formation seemed appropriate as we wish all our Friends a Happy New Year for 2018.

Life And Times Of Walter Eacott 1922-2017

In June 2004 Walter was asked to prepare a brief chronology of his life for fellow Odd Bod and friend, Jack Elliott, who was giving a talk. What follows is taken from Walters notes and includes his terminology and impressions.

Walter Alexander Eacott

1.    Born 28 August 1922 at Chingford, an historic town on the outskirts of London, famed for its associations with Queen Boadicea who fought the Romans there; for Queen Elizabeth 1 who had a hunting lodge on the edge of Epping Forest (the lodge is still there); for Winston Churchill who was its MP between wars 1 and 2.

2.    Joined the Air Force Defence Cadet Corps, (forerunner to the ATC) in 1938 and became very air-minded. When he was 18 he volunteered for the RAF and joined in December 1940 to be trained as a pilot. He got his wings in December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and was posted to 219 Squadron on the English south coast near Chichester. Didn’t last long; El Alamein was in the offing and at short notice he was sent with a number of other expensively-trained night fighters to the Middle East (Egypt) where they were remustered to day fighters after several months of kicking their heels doing nothing!

Walter (middle) with a couple of pals.

3.    Walter was posted to 603 Squadron in December 1942, flying Beaufighters on Coastal Command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting the Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N. African desert) then on Greek Island “armed rovers” until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a PoW the next day, 11 Nov.

4.    Transferred to Germany, Walter was in Stalag IVB for 3 months before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier, in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape.

5.    Post-war, Walter joined London’s Metropolitan Police in 1950 (looking for excitement) and was promoted through the ranks to Inspector in 1960. He became disenchanted and, in 1967, was appointed to the RAAF as an Administrative Officer, came to Australia, and served until 1979, retiring as a Squadron Leader.

6.    He served in local government circles as Director of the Western Region Commission (a Gough Whitlam/Tom Uren invention) until final retirement in 1986.

7.    Walter became “Citizen of the Year” in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community.

8.    In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired (Area Commissioner for Scouts, Probation Officer, Probus, Freemasonry, RAAF Association, U3A etc.)

9.    Walter joined the Odd Bods in 1983 and was elected President in 2001. “Still my favourite association!” wrote Walter in June 2004.