Raphael Sponsor Reports - Supporting Disadvantaged Children.

Friends of the Odd Bods support three children at the Raphael Ryder Cheshire centre in India and here are the latest reports on Asma, Sarthak and Abbas.

The Friends contribute to the upkeep of these children from Association funds and a number of members supplement with additional contributions.

Remembrance Day At Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital

Friends of the Odd Bods attended the service held on Friday 9th November at the Austin Hospital/Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and rekindled our strong association with this site. 

An Odd Bods plaque is located in the memorial gardens of the hospital while the old Odd Bods banner is proudly displayed in the foyer. Links to Odd Bods co-founder and past Secretary, George Smith and past President, Walter Eacott ,can be found on the walls.

Current President, Bruce Waxman, and Treasurer, Gary Elliott, attended this years service and we thank them for these photos.

Artistic Tribute On Remembrance Day

The end of WW1 is celebrated on Remembrance Day 11th November in many ways including the Friends of the Odd Bods participation in a service at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital last Friday.

But an English artist has created a display in a Slimbridge Churchyard that has emotions running around the globe for its stunning portrayal of soldiers standing at their graves. The life-size figures of 11 men have been placed in Slimbridge churchyard in Gloucestershire. 

Friends Contribute To Ryder Cheshire Organisation

Friends of the Odd Bods continue a long association with Ryder Cheshire and their excellent support work in third world countries. Our latest donation of $750 comes from Association funds and specific contributions from members.

Link to Ryder Cheshire website.

A Great Lancaster Photo

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for this shot.

Annual Subscriptions Now Due

Dear Friends,

It is time for Friends Of The Odd Bods Inc. to attend to its financial needs and collect subscriptions for the year 2018.

At the last committee meeting, the Association decided to leave its Annual Subscription at $25.00.  Cost increases in some areas of operation have been partially offset by the gradual transition from hard copy newsletters to emails and the consequent savings in printing and postage.

As previously announced, we have dispensed with subscriptions for former veteran members of the Odd Bods (UK) Association who have been automatically transferred to Friends Of The Odd Bods Association as have widows of members.

Please complete the subscription form (click here) and send your fee at the earliest opportunity so that we can continue the work of Pressing On... Remembering.

It would be appreciated if you could complete payment by 19th October 2018.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

FRIENDS OF THE ODD BODS ASSOCIATION INC.
1/10/2018

Members with an email address will have received this advice via email.

Bomber Command Winter Get Together

Spitfire (2018) A New Documentary

A new documentary on the legendary Spitfire is receiving acclaim for its combination of modern and historical footage as well as the interviews with veterans. Click on the photo for a view of the official trailer.


We thought that one of the online comments about the trailer deserved repeating -

"If the Spitfire was a woman, she'd be Miss World - it's that beautiful!"

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for the link.

Some Other WWII Aircraft

One of our members commented recently that some of our famous WWII aircraft just don't get enough exposure so here are a few shots to help redress the balance.

Short Stirling

Handley Page Halifax MK111

Mitchell B-25

Vickers Wellington

Any others you would like us to show?

Bomber Command Commemorative Service 2018

Jack Bell, Robyn Bell, Jan Dimmick, and Gerald & Faye McPherson were among attendees at this year’s commemorative service at the Shrine.

The Aircraft shown in the top graphic is a Short Stirling 1 of No149 (East India) Squadron RAF at Mildenhall, Suffolk, England circa 1942. A posthumous Victoria Cross was awarded to Flight Sergeant R.H.Middleton, RAAF for his part on a raid by 149 Squadron Stirlings on the night of 28^th-29^th November 1942.

New Movie - Lancaster Skies

Michael Rossiter has sent us this link to a trailer for an upcoming movie that will likely interest all members.

Ryder Cheshire Newsletter

Friends of The Odd Bods Association Inc are proud supporters of The Ryder Cheshire Foundation and the great work it does in India Australia and Timor-Leste to reduce suffering for the disadvantaged. The May edition of their Red Feather Newsletter can be found by clicking on the graphic above.

Aviation Themed Condiments

Mustang Dijon Mustard, Lancaster Seeded Mustard, Hurricane Horseradish, and Spitfire Hot English Mustard are all real-life award-winning condiments made right here in Australia.

They came to our attention when President, Bruce Waxman, brought some samples for us to try at the recent AGM. They weren’t on the agenda but they did receive compliments from attendees after the meeting.

The manufacturer, The Regimental Condiment Company, is a family business located in Daylesford, Victoria, and they have a broad range of military themed chutneys and relishes, jams and jellies, and sauces. We love the line about their mustards and horseradish – “This range pays tribute to the fearless aviators and their famous aircraft.”

If you are interested in any of their products you can order online at www.regimental.com.au

Memphis Belle Placed On Public Display

The famed B-17F “Memphis Belle” has been put on public display at the WWII Gallery of the National museum of the US Air Force in Dayton Ohio.

The “Memphis Belle” and its crew became iconic symbols of the heavy bomber crews and support personnel who helped defeat Nazi Germany. The Memphis Belle was the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to return to the United States after completing 25 combat missions over Europe during World War II. The USAAF chose the aircraft for a highly-publicized war bond tour from June-August 1943, and its crew was celebrated as national heroes. The aircraft and crew were also the subject of two widely-seen Hollywood movies (one in 1944 and another in 1990).

Thanks to Terry Maher for this story.

Activities of The Friends

At our AGM held on 20/5/2018 the following Statement of Activities was presented by Secretary Peter Randell for the year 2017.

Last Dambuster Flies In Lancaster.

Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, the last British Dambuster, recently flew on board the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) Lancaster for a historic flight to mark the raid’s 75th anniversary.

Here is the link to the video - https://www.facebook.com/thelincolnite/videos/1783001945072590/

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for the link.

VE Day 2018 At The Shrine Of Remembrance

Victory in Europe Day has been celebrated at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance with a strong showing from Friends Of The Odd Bods Association and the key address by Odd Bod Jack Bell.

Jack is shown with the heads of the armed forces in our lead photo. The service was held in bright sunshine on The Shrine forecourt and enhanced by the military precision of the Shrine Guard, and the Navy Band. Special guests included military personnel, the French Consul, and representatives of the RSL and various associations.

Jack Bell at The Eternal Flame

Jack Bell's speech was heavy on fascinating detail from his war experiences, including his time as a POW, and his emphasis on the importance of compassion even in association with the enemy. Jack commented on the high level of interest shown by young Australian during his recent attendance at school services including the Wesley ANZAC service.

Representatives from Friends of the Odd Bods included Faye & Gerald McPherson, Maurie Smith, Jan Dimmick, Gary Elliot, and Greg Smith. Jan Dimmick once again prepared the Odd Bods wreath to be laid at the Eternal Flame. Jan selects flowers to match the colours of our banner which is a nice touch.

     

Wreaths for Bomber Command (On left)
and Friends of the Odd Bods at the Eternal Flame.

It was generally agreed that Shrine staff excelled in presenting a wonderful service on the day.

VE Day at St. Pauls Cathedral London 8th May 1945

Stories of Odd Bods

In the column on the left of this page you will find a new entry under Stories of Odd Bods- Service Life of John Wilson Bourchier. Click on that link to go to John's story. 

His family have been good enough to send us information for publishing on this website and you may have a similar story of an Odd Bod, or your own story, that we can treat the same way. 

Stories tucked away in family drawers are fine but sharing with others, and recording for future generations, can make a lot of sense.

All we need is a story in some sort of digital format, perhaps a Word.doc, and preferably some photos. Feel free to contact Greg Smith if you would like to discuss further.
Greg Smith 0406222020 or email gregandsuesmith@iinet.net.au

2018 Battle Of Britain Commemoration – Hobart

Our Patron, AVM Peter Scully (ret) has sent us details of the Battle of Britain Commemoration program to be conducted in Hobart 14^th -16^th September 2018. 

This comprehensive list of activities will no doubt be well supported by participants from all around Australia and details are available below.

Articles Worth A Read

Assembling the Mighty Eighth (Assembling an aerial armada) - http://www.indyrcsouth.org/forum/index.php?topic=439.0

Thanks to Ken Broomhead for this link.

The Imperial War Museum’s Battle of Britain Airshow – September 2017

http://vintageaviationecho.com/duxford-battle-of-britain-2017/

Another link from Ken Broomhead.

International Bomber Command Centre – this is a link to the website and the fascinating stories of people and places associated with Bomber Command - https://internationalbcc.co.uk/

Thanks to Wendy Dean for the link.