Odd Bods Mentioned on VP Day

 The 75^th Anniversary of Victory In Pacific Day was the subject of a livestream from The Shrine today and the Odd Bods got a mention courtesy of Frank Sims and Jack Bell.

Under Covid restrictions there wasn’t much live content in the broadcast but lots of fascinating WW2 stories including those of our Odd Bod veterans. (see photos below)

A young Jack Bell shows up in the broadcast from the Shrine

One In A Million – Wall Of Respect - Recognising WW2 Veterans On A Special Day

The Federal Government has launched a One In A Million campaign to coincide with the 75^th anniversary of Victory In The Pacific Day on 15^th August 2020.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the campaign is a way for every generation of Australians to learn about our veterans and also about their own family history.

 “From the declaration of war in 1939, to the long awaited words of Prime Minister Ben Chifley, “the war is over” on 15 August 1945, almost one million Australians served in the Second World War,” Mr Morrison said.

 “This service was at a time when our national population was only seven million people, making their story truly remarkable, and their service and sacrifice something we should never forget.”

 Australians can participate in the #OneInAMillion: Wall of Respect project by posting to their social media an image of them holding a photo of a family member who served in the Second World War, with the hashtag #OneInAMillion.

 Friends of the Odd Bods who don’t have a social media connection can send photos direct to us and we will post on the association’s Facebook page. Please include the name of the veteran and the name of the holder with the photo.

 Shrine of Remembrance Service – VP Day

The Melbourne Shrine will be conducting a commemorative broadcast on Saturday 15^th August at 11:20am. The service will not be open to public attendance but it will be live streamed from the Shrine via their website and facebook page. The broadcast commences at 11:20 and continues until 12 noon.

Odd Bods Support For Disadvantaged Children In India

 Friends of the Odd Bods support three children at the Raphael Ryder Cheshire centre in India and staff have sent us their best wishes along with the latest reports on Asma, Sarthak and Abbas.

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

Our charges are certainly growing quickly as the additional photo of Asma (taken just two years ago) shows.

Asma Today

Activities of Friends of the Odd Bods

Friends of the Odd Bods engage in a number of activities throughout the year and we report on most of them through this website. But sometimes it helps to see these activities all in one place so we can get an overview of  what we do.

Here is the official Activities Statement presented at the AGM in May 2020.  

 The Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc

Statement of Activities 2019

For the period January 1 2019 – December 31 2019 the Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc has undertaken the following – 

1. Conducted an Annual General Meeting

2. Conducted 4 Committee meetings

3. Attended the Melbourne Anzac Day March and held the Annual Association Reunion

4. Maintained contact with Wesley College including having students carry the Association banner on Anzac Day

5. Attended the VE Day memorial service at The Shrine of Remembrance

6. Attended the Bomber Command Association Memorial Service at The Shrine of Remembrance

7. Attended the Battle of Britain Memorial Service in Hobart

8. Attended and contributed to The Kindred Organisations And Unit Associations meetings

9. Maintained an independent blog and website, as well as a hard copy newsletter

10. Maintained charitable donations to the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation

11. Maintained sponsorship of 3 children in India through Ryder-Cheshire

12. Provided practical help and support to veteran members

13. Maintained communication with veteran’s widows through sending birthday cards 

14. Adhered to the Association’s Purpose Statement

15. Commenced a formal relationship with The Point Cook Airforce Museum to house and display relevant material and memorabilia from the Association and its members.

16. Attended the Odd Bods memorial and banner at The Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital on Remembrance Day.

17. Obtained approval for the placement of a memorial plaque in the grounds of the Australian war memorial; commissioned forging of the plaque and initiated the Order Of Service for its dedication

 Peter Randell – Secretary – Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc.

              

                

New Medallion To Celebrate 75th Anniversary of War Ending

On 1st July this year the Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced it will produce a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration to acknowledge the significance of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The medallion and certificate will be made available to every living veteran of the Second World War.

Full details can be found here -  COMMEMORATIVE MEDALLION

PS - One of our members has praised the introduction of this medal to celebrate a significant anniversary but wonders why it only applies to living veterans. They argue that the service of deceased veterans was just as relevant and many families would like to honour the occasion.

Maybe the certificate component at least could be extended to all veterans, past and present? What do you think? - Ed

COMMENTS: From our Facebook page - 28/7/2020

Peter Smith

Dead or alive they did their service, they all earned this medal

Rosemaree Matta

I would love to have one in honour of my Dad's service.

Murray Trigg

Me too Cath X

Victory In The Pacific Day (VP Day) To Be Livestreamed From Shrine

The 75th anniversary of Victory In The Pacific Day (VP Day) will be celebrated at the Melbourne Shrine on Saturday 15th August 2020.

The RSL had intended to invite 25 veterans to the service and display 48 WWII banners normally brought out for ANZAC Day. 
Unfortunately the lockdown measures re-introduced yesterday in Victoria have put an end to any public attendance however the service will go ahead and be livestreamed on Facebook. Put this link in your diary for Saturday 15th - https://www.facebook.com/rslvic/

The livestream was originally starting at 10:50 before the official service at 11:00. You may need to check those times closer to the date.

Handley Page Halifax Rescue Group

The Handley Page Halifax played a significant role in WW2 with examples being flown by the RAF, RAAF, and RCAF. A Canadian group (Halifax 57 Rescue Canada) has dedicated itself to recovering and restoring the aircraft.

To their merit, the Canadian group set a record for a heavy bomber underwater recovery with the lift of submerged RAF Halifax NA337, which rested 240 meters deep in Lake Mjosa, Norway. The organization also recovered RCAF Halifax LW682 in Belgium with the remains of her missing crew still aboard. Efforts are ongoing to bring a second Halifax to Canada, which will be displayed at the affiliated Bomber Command Museum of Canada (BCMC). 

Yet another initiative in process involves the effort to retrieve Halifax HR980 and her crew of Canadians and Australians from a swamp north of Berlin, Germany.

An article in the Military Aviation Chronicles claims that the Handley Page Halifax was arguably more significant to the war effort than the revered Avro Lancaster - “The Halifax . . . was to score over the Lancaster in its multi-role capability, for in addition to its deployment as a night-bomber, it was equally at home when employed as an ambulance, freighter, glider tug, personnel transport, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.”

You can read more here

Thank you to Bryan Wilcockson for referring this link.

Odd Bods Plaque Dedication Features In RAAFA Wings Magazine

The Winter 2020 edition of the RAAFA "Wings" magazine contains the usual variety of fascinating RAAF related articles including the complete transcript of Friends Patron, AVM (Rtd) Peter Scully's address at the Australian War Memorial Plaque Dedication last year.

The article can be seen below. Click on the photo if you would like to see more.

Dame Vera Lynn Well Remembered

Dame Vera Lynn passed away in England on Thursday at the age of 103. Just a few weeks ago we published a rousing video about Dame Vera and her endearing influence particularly during WW2 with songs like The White Cliffs Of Dover, and We Shall Meet Again (see below).

In reference to separation caused by Covid 19 the Queen recently told the nation: "We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again", in obvious reference to the lyrics of one of Dame Vera’s songs.

Dame Vera will be well remembered by many of our veterans and their families.

Dame Vera Lynn Sings A Couple of Classics

Veterans and many of their family members will know the words to these classics from WW2 - "The White Cliffs of Dover" and "We'll Meet Again".
Get out the tissues, tune up the vocal cords, and click on the photo for a nostalgic treat. 



Postscript: A verse in the song "The White Cliffs of Dover", which is not always heard in recordings, contains the following reference to Airmen - 
"I'll never forget the people I met braving those angry skies.
I remember well as the shadows fell, the light of hope in their eyes.
And tho' I'm far away, I can still hear them say "Thumbs Up!"
for when the dawn comes up,... There'll be blue birds over..."

VE Day Service 2020 Livestreamed From Shrine

Friends of theOdd Bods Wreath (right) laid in the Inner Sanctum of the Shrine today 8/5/2020

VE Day commemorates a very special day for Odd Bods and their families.


The RSL held a State Remembrance Service, in conjunction with the Friends of the Odd Bods Association, at the Shrine of Remembrance on Friday, 8th May 2020, commencing at 11:00am,  to commemorate the Second World War Victory in Europe. There was no public attendance at the service but a special livestream was accessible from the Shrine's facebook page.

Here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/shrineofremembrance/videos/2932313203518946/

You might also like to check out this story sent to us by Terry Maher on how different countries around the world reacted to VE Day. - https://www.history.com/news/v-e-day-around-the-world

From today's VE Day service in the Inner Sanctum of the Shrine - 8/5/2020

President Bruce Waxman pictured at the Odd Bods Tree in the grounds of the Shrine prior to todays VE Day service. - 8/5/2020

Thank you Jan - a big thank you to Jan Dimmick who produced that beautiful wreath you see in these photos.

ANZAC Commemorations In Isolation

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly changed aspects of our lives but the challenges of isolation have been successfully addressed by many when it comes to commemorating ANZAC Day.

A social media campaign encouraged participants to stand at the end of their driveways, in their front yards, or on their balconies at dawn on 25th April 2020.

Our lead photo shows FOTOBAI President Bruce Waxman and family standing at the end of their driveway in Merricks North Vic this morning as part of the #StandTo initiative set up by the RSL. It certainly helps to have a trumpeter in the family.

Australian War Memorial Canberra

Traditional centres of ANZAC Day gatherings like the Shrine of Rememberance and Australian War Memorial were eerily devoid of crowds this morning but there is a sense that individual commemorations like the one shown above have maintained the very strong association that Australians (and New Zealanders) hold with the ANZAC story. 

We are already receiving messages from members of the Odd Bod family in Australia and across the globe about their participation on this special day. Feel free to send us your experiences.

And just a note that the photo of the eternal flame at the Australian War Memorial was posted by the ABC this morning from the same courtyard that houses our Odd Bods bronze plaque.

Frank Sims With His Family In The Driveway Of Their Home On ANZAC Day 2020

Frank Sims has once again featured in the media with an interview from his driveway at dawn this morning. Frank talked about the way he normally celebrates ANZAC Day and although it is not the same this year he believes this is a very good way of commemorating the event.
You can see the full interview by going to this link - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-25/melbourne-anzac-day-wwii-vet-frank-sims-celebrates-in-driveway/12184530

POSTSCRIPT:
25/4/2020 A message from Bryan Wilcockson in UK this morning: "My thoughts are with you all on this ‘virtual’ ANZAC day. Maybe the first time in history that social distancing means there cannot be a parade, hopefully the last, but that does not mean that we cannot remember.
I’ll be wearing my ANZAC badges (tomorrow for me, today for you) around forgotten airfields. Maybe nobody will see them, but heroes don’t have to be seen to be remembered.
Enjoy the day! - Wombat"

Posted By Carol McCabe on Facebook - "Fantastic ODDBODS. Well done. I was outside my house high up in Toowoomba with views to the east. My dad was a longterm ODDBODS member in Victoria and made the banner which is at Heidelberg Repat. Dad and mum came up to Toowoomba to be with me in the 90s and dad passed away peacefully at the local RSL nursing home some years later."

Last Post ANZAC Initiative - Even More Posts From Members

 ANZAC Day 2020 is taking place without the usual social get together, and we are inviting readers to post their stories as a way of celebrating this very special day in a slightly different way. 
The response has been wonderful and this is now the third article to include posts from members.
Details of how to become involved can be found here - ANZAC Day Initiative - The Last Post Award - Inviting Your Contributions  The deadline is this Friday.

From Fay & Gerald McPherson - 

This is a photo of the three McPherson Brothers, who all served in the RAAF in World War 2.  They all became Commissioned Officers, so this photo is very precious to Gerald, now the last surviving brother.

From left to right  -   Cyril McPherson, Vultee Vengeance pilot, based at Batchelor NT and also the islands north of Australia.  Harry McPherson, Halifax rear gunner and Gerald McPherson, Lancaster rear gunner, both in Bomber Command. 

Some Photos from David Davine - 

Anzac Day 2005

ANZAC Day 2008

ANZAC Day 2008

ANZAC Day 2014

Friends of the Odd Bods President Bruce Waxman tells us he will be joining his Daughter, Amelia Bicknell, paramedic with AV and trumpeter with the Stonnington Brass Band, both in uniform, as she plays the Last Post and he salutes, candle in hand, for #Standto at the front gate of his property at Merricks North on ANZAC Day 25 April 2020 at 0600 hrs.

ANZAC Day 2015

In a previous article we posted a photo from John Eacott of Odd Bods lining up in Flinders St. one fine ANZAC morning and we weren't too sure whether it was 2014 or 2015. Well, Gary Elliot has confirmed that photo was 2014 because this one was 2015 and the weather was quite different.







Georgina Akers sent us these photos of her Father, Colin (Bill) Akers DFC, and included a story published in a Wonthaggi newspaper on his return to Australia in April 1945. You will find a link to that story in the "Stories of Odd Bods" column on the left of this page.

Is This The Best Aircraft Sound Ever - (Turn up the volume)

Last Post ANZAC Initiative - More Contributions from Members

ANZAC Day 2020 is taking place without the usual social get together, and we are inviting readers to post their stories as a way of celebrating this very special day in a slightly different way. 
Details can be found here - ANZAC Day Initiative - The Last Post Award - Inviting Your Contributions

Here are some more posts - 

From FOTOBAI Member and regular contributor to these pages, Bryan Wilcockson, direct from UK - 

"Before COVID-19, ANZAC day meant the Bluebells were out, the Daffodils were on the wane and it was time for some fatigue duties for LAC ‘Wombat’ Wilcockson (gardener second class, acting, unpaid) on a certain Rowan Tree that acts as a Gate Guardian at the former RAF Elvington, dedicated to a certain ‘Odd Bod’ who cannot be there.

Social exclusion measures currently mean a walk along the deserted runways of the former RAF Burn and RAF Riccall, scanning east into the rising sun on the look-out for the spectres of Handley Page  Halifax Bombers limping back to their ghostly dispersal points.

For those Odd Bods that didn’t know they had Wombats in Yorkshire, they do. Specially bred for being a Waste Of Money Brains And Time.

 I hope that raises a laugh in these troubled times.

 Stay Safe - Wombat"

Editors note: For an explanation of the Rowan Tree and the Odd Bod dedication please read this article - https://friendsofoddbods.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-tree-two-brass-plaques-and-two.html

From Karin Watts, Daughter of Odd Bod Mervyn Kurts (25/12/1924 to 5/8/2017) a photo and a poem written by Mervyn - 

        ANZAC MORNING

On Anzac morn we gather round,    

To greet the dawn of day,

To pay respect to all our mates,

Old friends that passed away.

The bugler calls for those on hand,

Old soldiers of the nation,

To stand united as a band,

In solemn dedication.

A muffled cough, a heartfelt sigh,

A hankies sudden motion,

To dry a tear from lowered eye’s,

All hide a deep emotion.

They glory not in deeds of war,

And all its implications,

But can recall the part they played,

In service of our nation.

Their lives they offered cross the sea

In jungles dank and putrid,

On desert sands and oceans deep,

And in the skies of Europe.

They sacrificed that we might live,

In liberty and freedom,

Giving all they had to give,

Not asking rhyme nor reason.

But freedom comes at dreadful cost,

So many men and women,

The flower of our nation’s youth

Were taken from our bosoms.

So let’s ensure their suffering

Was not endured in vain,

Let’s fight to keep our liberties

With all our might and main.

And when we gather round,

Next April twenty five,

Let’s all express our gratitude;

That we are still alive.

From FOTOBAI Member Malcolm Gibson - 
ANZAC DAY 2020 - REFLECTIONS OF TWO GENERATIONS AT WAR                                     

Private William B. COCHRAN 

Private William Bennie COCHRAN 2147 from Beaufort in Victoria, served with the 21^st Battalion AIF, in the major trench battles of World War 1. He survived being wounded at the Battle of Pozieres only to be killed at the Third Battle of Ypres( known as 'Passchendaele') in October 1917. He has no known grave. 

Twenty five years later, his nephew, Flying Officer Eric William GIBSON 410049, from Yallourn, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. After completing pilot training, he was assigned to two Royal Air Force bomber squadrons, 623 Sqn. flying Stirlings and 115 Sqn. flying Lancasters. He completed his tour of 30 sorties and then became a flying instructor for the duration. He was lucky to survive his tour of operations having been attacked by enemy aircraft on several occasions and being hit by a bomb dropped from an aircraft above. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and after the war returned to his pre-war occupation in the power industry.

Private COCHRAN, who unfortunately never lived to relate his wartime experiences personally, is remembered in family retained letters sent to his mother. These letters contain details of his, and his compatriots, exploits in the trenches but also described the misery and suffering of his fellow soldiers. His loyalty to his home country and Great Britain were manifest, not unlike many of those who returned from that conflict,  

F/O GIBSON (my father), for many years, rarely spoke of his wartime experiences. However, during his working life in Yallourn, he formed a long lasting friendship with a workmate only to learn that this friend’s brother-in-law had also flown with 115 Squadron and had been killed over Duisberg, Germany on a raid which F/O GIBSON also flew on.

Initially, Dad joined an organization known as the ‘Tasker H. Bliss Association’ which was named after the ship on which he and other airmen (including Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell) were conveyed to Great Britain and Anzac Day was observed with a luncheon at the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club. In later years, Dad joined the Odd Bods Association and although not able to participate in marches, enjoyed hearing stories and reading the various articles put out by them. Our family, and that of Frank SIMS, were well known to each other and lived in close proximity.

We, his family, remember with immense pride and sorrow, the service and sacrifice of these two family members. Lest we forget.

From Sqn Ldr Bruce Philip Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd), President, FOTOBAI

Pressing on … remembering the NZ in the Anzac spirit

When we Australians talk about the Anzac spirit the focus is on aussie mateship, the A in Anzac and rarely the close ties with our kiwi mates ’across the ditch’, that form the important NZ in Anzac.

My Anzac story is about my dad, F/O Joseph Herbert Waxman DFC RAAF (Rtd) Halifax pilot with 466 Squadron RAAF, an Odd Bod and his New Zealand mate, and in retirement next door neighbour,Flt Lt James Blane Paton RNZAF (Rtd). Jim was seconded with the RAF and flew Spitfires and Hurricanes in the Middle East. At one time he landed his damaged Spitfire behind allied lines and often later recalled: ‘There I was, no oil pressure, no altitude and the mighty Rolls Royce kept running’.

They are pictured, after marching at Hastings RSL on Anzac Day 1985, on my dad’s farm in Merricks North, Victoria, Jim proudly wearing the RNZAF officers’ dress uniform with decorations.

The farm is not far from where dad’s RAAF career commenced in 1942 at No. 1 Initial Training School, Somers.https://www.ozatwar.com/raaf/1its.htm

Jim was very fond of the Odd Bods and before my parents moved next door Jim marched each Anzac Day with Flt Lt Norman Smithells RAAF (Rtd), fellow spitfire pilot.

Norm was initially seconded to 131Squadron RAF in the UK and later to 79 Squadron RAAF in Morotai (pictured there in 1945 with a Mk VIII Spitfire), and later President of the Odd Bods (UK) Association.

Dad had lost many of his close RAAF mates in WWII, a void Jim was able to fill.Indeed, if it wasn’t for Jim dad would not have marched on Anzac Day.

Now that is the Anzac spirit!

We should install Flt LtJames Blane Paton RNZAF (Rtd) as a posthumous honorary Odd Bod member, pressing on … remembering the NZ in Anzac.

I wish to acknowledge the information provided by Blane Paton, Jim’s son, and Betty Smithells, Norm’s widow.

From Odd Bod John Ireland recalling ANZAC Day 1945 - 

I was stationed at Broadwell on 575 Squadron in Transport Command using Dakota Aircraft.

Looking at my log book an entry on Anzac Day 1945 shows off we went from base to a place called Diepholz in Germany – never been there before but off we went.

We arrived safely and upon arrival we were informed that we were to pick up some prisoners of war – and eventually out they came with excitement because they were free and so glad to see us and the plane that was to bring them back home to  the U.K. In we loaded the 28 of them and gave our instructions for the journey home and be seated at all times.

Off we went – up. up and away we went – then with time to for them to settle down the different reactions you could see from them, some chatted, some just stared into space, some cried to themselves, some asked how long we will be in the air, where were we taking them and so on – but they were so happy all over because they had the absolute trust and faith in our crew of 3, because we belonged to them.

On and on we flew, some were air sick, some sang songs, others asked where we were and we had one Australian soldier who somehow knew that it was our Anzac Day, yes this was our day something special just for the two of us. Yes the other 2 crew members we both English.

It was a good day for flying at about 7,000 or so feet and just smooth and visibility was good.

Now as we approached the French coast we had to cross from Cape Gris Nez to Dover, as this was a 2 mile air channel and then I pointed out to them that this was your home that you fought for. As we neared the White Cliffs of Dover a burst of singing was heard, hands clapping, tears in eyes and some shouting ‘Were Home – Were Home”

Yes RAF Wing was not too far away, so on and settle down because your excitement was about to begin very soon.

RAF Wing in Buckinghamshire was specially set out for all these prisoners of war coming home – bands, streamers, people singing, next of kin looking for the men and of course plenty of tucker for them and so on. What a sight to behold for we 3 crew.

Yes on 575 Squadron I did some 83 trips to the Continent and various landings included but not all as joyous and heartfelt as this and other similar trips, because these made up for the difficult ones. 

Yes for this trip we were away from our base about 10 or so hours.

Last Post Initiative - Cheers To Bomb Aimers

The Friends of the Odd Bods Last Post initiative invites contributions about ANZAC Day from members and we are pleased to announce that an offer has been added to the mix.

Suppliers of Bomb Aimers Bitter have offered us a free case of their product to be added to the prize pool which already includes a $100 Shrine Online Gift Voucher. And this is more than a simple product offer because the men behind Bomb Aimers Bitter, Nayland Aldridge and Paul Giles, are very much connected to WWII veterans and Bomber Command. Naylands Father, Jim Aldridge, was a pilot in 576 Squadron, and Paul’s Uncle, Ron Giles, was an Aussie in his crew. Flight Sergeant (Arthur) Ron Giles RAAF was killed in Action on 12 September 1944.

Bomb Aimers Bitter is brewed in South Australia by Ashley Heath Estate (https://www.facebook.com/AshleyHillsEstate/ ) Ashley Hills Estate donates a portion of every bottle sold to the charity Soldier On.

We are very grateful for the offer from Nayland & Paul who will be delivering a case of their Bitter, free of charge, to our nominated recipient.