Today we remember those Australians who served our nation in all theatres of conflict and particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Lest We Forget
(Click on the photo above for a replay of the service held today at the Melbourne Shrine 11/11/2021)
In keeping with a long tradition of high level humour (?) in Odd Bods newsletters, we are referencing these outdoor signs from the USA. The Indian Hills Community Centre in Colorado is famous for its funny puns signs which are apparently refreshed every few days. Enjoy!
Renee had been pivotal in the creation and maintenance of the memorial garden, in memory of the two Bomber Command Squadrons, 150 and 51, which were based at the airfield during the War.
Odd Bods who flew out of Snaith include Harvey Randell Nav B, Godfrey Flack DFC Pilot, Laurie Larmer Ch.L.H Pilot, Henry Shirley Nav, and Bert Tinning DFC Ch.L.H. Nav B.
Renee initially raised funds within the local community and from local businesses, as well as submitting bids for a number of funding grants. However, when these efforts fell short she started to write books about the air base and veterans’ memories of the war, donating all proceeds towards the garden.
At Friends of the Odd Bods we are often sent photos of modern military aircraft with all their stealth like qualities but to be honest they usually go in the desk drawer while we stick to WW2 related content. On this occasion we can combine stealth and WW2 in one amazing aircraft that many of our readers will not have heard about.
The story starts back to the 1940's with Herman Goering’s request for a light bomber and fighter that was fast enough to outrun allied aircraft. One result was the Horten Ho 229, a flying wing design aircraft that was in effect the forerunner to the B-2 bomber and F-117 stealth fighter. A prototype of this aircraft actually took to the air in February 1945.
There are a number of links online if you wish to investigate this interesting aircraft further. Our particular thanks go to the folks over at Hotcars.com who published a story this week.
https://www.hotcars.com/why-the-horten-ho-229-was-so-ahead-of-its-time/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229
And if you want a more detailed examination of the Horten including whether or not it was really a stealth fighter, this video might be of interest. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSrszi6ivyM
Some More
Candidates For Our Book List:
Tasmanians At War in the Air 1939 – 45 “This book tells the stories of Tasmanians, in their own words, who served in the RAAF & RAF during ww2. It's all here; the flak, the searchlights and night fighters over Germany, with Beaufighters in New Guinea, Spitfires over London during the Battle of Britain, Sunderlands over the Atlantic and life in POW camps when captured. This is a great read. Action and adventure on every page. At the end of each veteran's story is a brief post war biography. Additionally, there a brief potted biography of many Tasmanians who served in the RAAF, RAF”. Edited by Sue Johnson & Brian Winspear
Thanks
to member, Julian Jones, for adding to our list.
A fascinating
account of a multi-nation project to recover a Halifax off the coast of Sweden for
the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, who are restoring a Halifax bomber as an
international memorial aircraft using parts from all over the world. - https://www.nantonnews.com/news/local-news/halifax-bomber-recovery-efforts-to-continue-in-2022
Thanks to member, Bryan Wilcockson, for the link.
Spitfire Association Interview With Chief Of
Air Force
The Spitfire
Association was formed by pilots of the RAAF and they celebrate their 60th
anniversary in 2021. The video linked below includes an interview with Chief of
Air Force, Air Marshall Mel Hupfield AO DSC. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5EvgDG8A8M
Thanks to Jenny Hibbens for passing on this link.
“I’ll be back for breakfast” – by Di Websdale-Morissey. The life
of war hero Edgar Pickles.
And Peter Randell’s list of books continues
to impress:-
“Bomber” by Len Deighton gives a
fictionalised account of a Bomber Command squadron and raid during the height
of the bombing campaign. Deighton has served in the RAF so his knowledge and
research are quite spot on.
“Fighter” also by Len Deighton is a factual
and strategic, interspersed with personal stories, of the Battle of Britain,
presenting both the RAF and Luftwaffe perspectives.
“Goodbye Mickey Mouse” - Len Deighton again, is a
fictionalised story of a USAAF Mustang squadron flying missions over occupied
Europe and gives a good account from the American Fighter role.
“Special Ops Bomber” by Steve Darlow covers the wide
variety of specialised roles RAF and USAAF binning squadrons undertook,
including the Amiens prison break, Peenemunde, Dambusters, Berlin by day, and
invasion barges during the Battle of Britain.
“Bombers Over Berlin” by Alan W Cooper gives a raid by
raid description of the targeted campaign over the winter of 43-44 to bring
down Berlin and hopefully end the war. Chilling stats on bomber losses.
“The City That Wouldn’t
Die” by Richard
Collier takes us to London in May 41 and describes, through many personal
accounts, how Londoners toughed out the Luftwaffe night blitz and gave the
nation the inspiration to carry on.
“Target Daimler Benz” by Lawrence Cortesi describes the
USAAFs raids in 45 to smash the Daimler Benz complex and halt the last ditch by
Germany to throw more tanks and aircraft into the fray. It also describes the
use of jets against the allies and Adolf Galland’s attempts to use the Me 262
as a fighter and not a bomber.
“Mission Accomplished” by Frank Mares gives the author’s
personal account of escaping Czechoslovakia across Europe to join the RAF and
fight out the war as a fighter pilot, overcoming incredible obstacles to get to
fly.
“War in a Stringbag” by Charles Lamb tells the author’s
story of flying biplane Swordfish in the Fleet Air Arm off land and aircraft
carriers, mainly in the Mediterranean theatre, and describes a very different
kind of aircraft and circumstance we normally think of.
“Night Fighter” by C F Rawnsley and Robert Wright is
the RAF story from a personal account of the development of the night fighter
force and especially Beaufighters, detailing what it was like to track down and
engage in fighting the Luftwaffe at night. Riveting.
“Squadron Airborne” by Elliston Trevor is a fictional
account of a week in the life of a Spitfire Squadron in the heat of the action
during the Battle of Britain. Great descriptions of what it was like and how
heavy the losses were.
“Courage, Honor,
Victory” by Ian
Hawkins is the first person history of the 95th Bomb Group (H) USAAF 8th
Airforce, told by the many men who flew in daylight B17 raids throughout
Germany and Europe in their various recollections. Intense reading at times but
amazing stuff.
“Uncommon Valour” by Sqn Leader A G Goulding
DFM(Halifax from my dad’s 51 Squadron on the cover) tells the story of Bomber
Command throughout the war, with particular reference to the role and
strategies of Arthur Harris and the authors own missions and time on Halifaxes
in 51 Squadron.
“Sherlock’s Squadron” by Steve Holmes tells the story of
his father, John (Sherlock) Holmes and his time flying in Stirlings with 196 Squadron, wth particular focus on
the relationships formed with his crew and how they got through the war. Great insight
to the friendships and bonds developed amongst men who came from all walks of
life thrown together in extraordinary circumstances.
“Air War Against
Germany and Italy 1939 - 1943” and “Air Power Over Europe 1944- 1945”
both by John Harrington, an RAAF Catalina Pilot are very thorough books
describing the development and execution of the bombing campaign throughout the
war, including strategy, tactics, campaigns, stats, individual raids and
sections on POWs and the RAAF squadrons role in the overall outcome.
“Bomber Pilot” by Gp Capt Leonard Cheshire VC, DSO,
DFC, first published in 1943, is his autobiography of his earlier flying
missions in Whitleys and Halifaxes and gives a great insight to one of the most
highly regarded bomber pilots and leaders in the war and of the strong
relationship he had with his crew.
“The Right of The Line” by John Terraine is another excellent, comprehensive history of the RAF in Europe during WW2, covering all the theatres of ops our Odd Bods served in from the beginning to the end of the conflict. Multi award winning - brilliant reading.
Our list of Odd Bod related books is growing. The depth of writing about WW 2 aviation experiences is immense and we hope you can find something of interest to improve your knowledge of family connected experiences or simply to wile away the time during a covid lockdown.
Flyers Far Away - Australian Aircrew In Europe During World War II - Michael Enright (also recommended by Committee Member, Robyn Bell).
The Last Navigator - by Paul Goodwin. "From the Queensland Bush to Bomber Command and Pathfinders.... "
Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly At Night - by Group Captain Tom Sawyer DFC.
Odd Bods At War 1939-45 - published by Odd Bods UK Association NSW Branch. - A compendium of member's concise interviews about war experiences.
From Vice-President and Secretary Peter Randell:
“Bomber Harris” by Dudley Saward is an excellent biography of the Chief of Bomber Command, giving great insight to the man many of our guys called their boss- personal, political, strategic and his belief in how to end the war.
“Under a Bomber’s Moon” by Stephen Harris describes an actual crew’s tour in a Stirling cut short by being shot down by German night fighters - gives the story of the RAF crew and Luftwaffe crew as well - really interesting perspective from both sides.
“Hell Above Earth” by Stephen Frater tells the story of Hermann Goering’s nephew in the US piloting a B17 on bombing missions over Germany and the plan to not let him fall into German hands if he was shot down- full on descriptions of what the daylight raids were like and an amazing twist at the end- true story.
“Pathfinder” by Dennis Warner is Peter Isaacson’s biography and covers his time in the RAF, touring Australia including flying twice under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then his civilian life developing and running the Leader newspaper group. Peter was heavily involved in the Odd Bods and the Shrine.
“From Luftwaffe to RAAF” by Frank Kobl MBE is a riveting true story of the author’s flying with the Luftwaffe through WW2, surviving a never ending tour of ops, emigrating to Australia and then picking up a role with the RAAF in which he excelled, reaching senior rank and significant leadership roles.
“Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly At Night” by Gp Capt Tom Sawyer is all about Halifaxes!! Talks about the author’s experience of several 4 Group squadrons, including my dad’s - 51 RAF- flying out of Yorkshire in the latter stages of 43 - 45. Personal recollections of life and ops at this time from another less known aircraft.
“The Battle of Britain” by James Holland gives a much broader overview of this well known aerial contest, drawing on naval, army, hone defence, civilian, airforce and strategic sources to tell the full story behind what was happening in the air. Comprehensive and fascinating.
“War in the Air” a Freedoms Battle Compilation with multiple authors, tells, through linked personal accounts from all theatres of operations, the story of WW2 as fought in the skies.
“Full Circle” by AVM J E Johnnie Johnson CBE, DSO, DFC takes us from the air war in WW1 right through to present day via extensive stories from WW2, to Korea, covering aircraft, tactics, strategies and personal recollections.
“Lancaster Men” by Peter Rees is another account of RAAF aircrew serving in Bomber Command throughout the UK and their return home, being disregarded for the work they did and price they paid. Many personal accounts bring their experiences to full life.
“Beyond the Call” by Lee Trimble and Jeremy Dronfield is the true story of a USAAF B17 and B24 pilot, having survived a full tour of ops over Germany, taking on a special mission over Russian occupied territory to rescue allied POWs left for dead by the Russians. Riveting.
Availability of these books is unknown, but perhaps start with a google search. If you have trouble locating a book, please mention it in the comments or email us and we may be able to help.
Many of us are restricted in our activities because of Covid lockdown and amongst the recommended alternative activities is good old-fashioned book reading. For Odd Bods and Friends of Odd Bods there are plenty of book choices and a big shout out to those who responded to our last article and sent in their recommendations.
A special thank you to Secretary and Vice-President, Peter Randell, who has an amazing collection of books.
The stories about WW2 aviators cover a fascinating range of personalities, locations, and challenges. We are confident you will find something of interest in the lists we will publish over coming days. You may even find connections to your own war service or the war service of a relative (in fact there is a good chance of that).
Of course, if you have a recommendation we would love to hear of it, and if you read one of the books in this list, we would love to have your thoughts and perhaps a brief summary.
Availability of these books is unknown, but perhaps start with a google search. If you have trouble locating a book, please mention it in the comments or email us and we may be able to help.
Let’s get the book list started –
In the previous article we mentioned three books-
1. The Reich Intruders – RAF Light Bomber Raids In WW II – by Martin W. Bowman
2. Recollections – A Lancaster Bomber Crew 55 Years On – by Ron Fitch (past Odd Bod)
3. A Blue Orchid Cook’s Tour – The War Memories of John Ireland – (Odd Bod)
Two of those books were supplied by our President, Bruce Waxman, and he has also referenced this one
“Chadwick – A Man of Many Parts” – by Nick Richardson - a must for all Melbourne fans and a good read, with a touch of early military aviation history in Australia, and WWII RAAF at the MCG .Available from the MCG shop on line: https://mcgshop.com.au/
From Peter Randell’s list –
“No Moon Tonight” by our Odd Bod Don Charlewood is his personal account of his time in Bomber Command, including his trip over to the UK via Canada as many of our guys did.
“Chased by the Sun” by Hank Nelson gives a great account of RAAF aircrew in the UK in Bomber Command - it even has Halifaxes on the front cover!
“Flak”, “Fly” and “Heroes of the Skies” (three books) by Michael Veitch - featuring many of our Odd Bods, including George Smith, Walter Eacott, and Gerald McPherson.
“Rear Gunner” by John Beede gives a personal account of surviving the war in this role in a variety of aircraft and squadrons. Gives enormous insight to what Gerald McPherson and Joe Shuttleworth went through.
“Reach for the Sky” by Paul Brickhill is the biography of Douglas Bader, fighter ace who lost both legs pre war but still became one of the top scoring aces before ending up in Colditz as a POW.
“The Great Escape” also by Paul Brickhill tells the story of mainly RAF and RAAF aircrew organising the mass escape via an amazing scheme from their POW camp and the aftermath in which the Gestapo made an example of 50 of these brave souls.
“Escape or Die” also by Paul Brickhill is a compilation of RAF and RAAF POW escapes from all theatres of war.
“The Dambusters” by Paul Brickhill is the full story of 617 Sqn from inception to the end of the war.
“Enemy Coast Ahead” by Guy Gibson who led the Dambusters raid is his personal account of the whole raid and he talks a lot about Les Knight - Melbourne born pilot - in this.
“Bomber Boys” by Patrick Bishop gives many personalised accounts from mainly RAF aircrew if their experiences in Bomber Command throughout the war.
“Flames in the Sky” and “The Big Show” by Pierre Closterman are brilliant renditions of his time as a free French fighter pilot with the RAF throughout the war , including his time in Typhoons and Tempests on ground ops support.
“Bomber Command” by Max Hastings gives a concise but excellent overview of the ops, organisation, aircraft, and strategy of this major component of the RAF in WW2.
And believe it or not these books are just a start – we will have more to list in coming days.
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| Bristol Blenheim - photo by John Dibbs |
Odd Bod,
Gerald McPherson, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 27th
July 2021.
Service details: G.M. Gerald McPHERSON 430468 AG Ch.L.H.
186 Squadron.
Gerald
was 96 years of age and joined the Odd Bods in 1995, later serving as a
Committee Member. Gerald and his wife Faye have contributed significantly to
veteran activities over the years most recently through organising the EATS
Luncheons. (Empire Air Training Scheme).
Gerald
was a Chevalier De La Legion D’Honneur awarded by the French Government in 2015
for his war service.
Our
thoughts and best wishes to Faye and family on the passing of an Odd Bods
stalwart.
Comments Posted On Our Facebook Page:
Peter Smith
Rest In Peace Gerald , another brave Aussie Airman gone but not forgotten .đŸ‡¦đŸ‡ºđŸ‡¦đŸ‡ºđŸ‡¦đŸ‡º
Rosemaree Matta
Rest in Peace Gerald. Condolences to his family and friends.
Carol McCabe
Rest in Peace Gerald.
Friends of the Odd Bods continue an Odd Bods tradition of supporting disadvantaged children at the Raphael facility in Dehradun near the Himalayan foothills, and recently we issued a donation to assist with cyclone recovery at the Ryder Chesire facility in Timor.
We receive 6 monthly reports on our sponsored children at Dehradun, currently Sarthak, Abbas, and Asma (see below).
Covid has resulted in restricted schoolroom access for students, however we are pleased to hear that the connection with teachers continues.
Sarthak lives with his parents and elder brother on the outskirts of Dehradun.
He is part of the residential service, but has not been able to return to school yet. He is partially dependant for his daily living skills.
He has been attending regular online classes where the focus of his training is on daily living skills and household skills. According to his teachers, Sarthak has been doing well at home.
Under supervision, he helps his parents with the domestic and household chores. Sarthak misses his friends, and wants to come back to school as soon as possible.
Sarthak and his parents tested positive to Covid recently, but have recovered well.
Abbas lives with his parents, three elder brothers, and a younger sisiter in Rajasthan. His Father owns a firecracker shop and his Mother is a housewife.
He is part of the residential service, but has not been able to return to school yet. He attends regular online classes where the focus of his training has been on his academic and domestic skills. In math, he is able to do double digit addition and can count up to 30.
He helps his Mother with the domestic chores. Presently he is learning to work with his Father in the shop during the evenings. According to his Father, after he turns 18, Abbas will work in the shop and help his Father with the manufacturing aspect.
Asma is 12 years old now and has cerebral palsy. She lives in Dehradun with her family and they have remained safe and well during this time.
Her teacher has been in regular contact with her parents, and Asma attends online classes twice a week. Her training is currently focused on paper folding activities. She is also receiving physiotherapy sessions online. Her Physiotherapist suggested that she should indulge in bilateral activities *, which she is now implementing into her daily routine.
*Bilateral Activities can include things like squeezing a clothespin, playing with water squirt toys and pushing coins into the slot of a piggy bank.
Map showing location of Dehradun in Uttarakhand Province India.
G for George Disassembled For Nearby Move
G for George, the iconic WW2 Lancaster housed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, is to moved to a new area in the complex. The move requires substantial disassembly of this large aicraft and the full story can be found at this link - G for George Disassembly
Bruce Waxman was the subject of a recent article in the Caulfield Grammarians Newsletter and it makes for interesting reading. The story covers Bruce's school years, further education, medical career (military and civilian), and his passion for rowing. Here is the link - Bruce Waxman
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| Halifax at Breighton Airfield |
The presentation will include airfields likely to be familiar to some Odd Bods including Riccall, Breighton, and Elvington.
If you are interested in joining the meeting please contact the organiser Brian Elsey at nduffieldhistory@gmail.com so that numbers can be monitored.
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| Aircrew from 106 Squadron. |
The Indigenous Round is being celebrated in many Australian sports this week including AFL, NRL and Netball. We thought this might be good time to recognise an indigenous Odd Bod.
The Australian War Memorial completed a talk entitled "First Nation Flyers" in 2019. It was conducted by AWM Curator, Garth O'Connell, who was also the presenter of a talk about Odd Bods in the same year.
The "First Nation Flyers" talk covers a number of indigenous aviators including Lancaster Pilot Roy Hill. Roy was one of three brothers from the Wardandi nation in Western Australia. Roy Hill, who had enlisted in the RAAF, became a pilot and an officer in Bomber Command. Serving in Britain, he flew Lancaster bombers for No. 106 and No. 189 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force.
Squadron 106 was particularly active towards the end of the war and participated in the famous attack against the V-2 rocket research facility at PeenemĂ¼nde in 1945. No. 189 Squadron was among the 107 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No 5 Group which attacked the oil refinery in Tonsberg in Southern Norway on 25 April 1945 in the last raid of the war flown by heavy bombers of RAF Bomber Command.
Roy Hill was not a member of the Odd Bods Association but as an Australian serving in RAF squadrons was certainly an Odd Bod.
The "First Nation Flyers" talk can be found here - AWM First Nation Flyers.
POSTSCRIPT:
Ingram flew Lancasters towards the end of the war in day and night bombing missions, food drops, and repatriation of POW's.
One of our contacts sent us this wonderful photo of Sergeant Lincoln Orville Lynch DFM, a West Indian air gunner serving with RAF No 102 Squadron.
Sergeant Lynch's story is fascinating in its own right. He shot down a Junkers JU98 on his first mission and was awarded a DFM for his "high standard of determination and devotion to duty". You can read more in his Wikipedia entry.
But the photo caught our attention for other reasons as well. Most photographs from this era lack clarity but this one, with a bit of help from colourising, shows great detail in the aviator's kit, and that is before you get to those menacing Halifax rear guns.
We have assembled some more photos of the kit worn by bomber crews and with true impartiality included some aircraft other than the Halifax. We hope you enjoy them.
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| Odd Bod Bill Akers gets assistance with his gear. |
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| Flying kit of RAAF Pilot Francis Robertson. |
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| Lancaster Crew. |
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| Stirling Crew. |
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| Australian and NZ Aviators in front of Mitchell Bomber 180 Sqn. |
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| Wireless Operator In Flying Kit. |
Anne Jones and Willa Whitewolf write personal birthday cards to wives and widows each year on behalf of the association, and are regularly heartened by the replies they receive from recipients.
At the AGM this month, the Friends Committee passed on thanks to Anne and Willa for their part in “Pressing on....remembering.”
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| Your Committee for 2021/22 L to R Back - Greg Smith, Steve Trask, Sue Bennett, Gary Elliott, Peter Randell, Bruce Waxman. L to R Front - Robyn Bell, Jan Dimmick, Jenny Hibbens. Apology - Michael Rossiter. |
The seventh Annual General Meeting of Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc. was held on Sunday 23rd May at the Oakleigh Carnegie RSL Club, Drummond Rd. Oakleigh.
An election of officials was held with the return of President Bruce Waxman, Peter Randell was appointed Vice President/Secretary, and Gary Elliott as Treasurer. Terry Maher stepped down as Vice President and the committee would like to thank Terry for his contribution to the Odd Bods over a number of years. Terry continues as a member. We were pleased to welcome Sue Bennett on to the Committee. Sue is the daughter of past Odd Bod, Jack Ruby, 409598, W/O Nav.B, 44 Sqdn.
The committee was grateful that, despite the challenges of a Covid year, our list of activities showed we were able to maintain the intent of our Purpose Statement – “To keep alive the memory of the Odd Bods, the service they gave to King and Country and to keep the Nation mindful of its debt to those who made the Supreme Sacrifice.”
Here is the list of activities for 2020:
The Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc
Statement of Activities 2020
For the period January 1 2020 – December 31 2020 the Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc has undertaken the following –
1. Conducted an Annual General Meeting
2. Conducted 4 Committee meetings
3. Planned for attendance at the Melbourne Anzac Day March and the Annual Association Reunion in 2021
4. Maintained contact with Wesley College regarding arrangements for the Anzac Day Service 2021
5. Provided a wreath for the VE Day memorial service at The Shrine of Remembrance
6. Attended and contributed to The Kindred Organisations And Unit Associations meetings
7. Maintained an independent blog and website and provided regular updates to members via email
8. Maintained charitable donations to the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation
9. Maintained sponsorship of 3 children in India through Ryder-Cheshire
10. Provided practical help and support and contact to veteran members
11. Maintained communication with veteran’s widows through sending birthday cards
12. Adhered to the Association’s Purpose Statement whilst adhering to Covid 19 Restrictions
13. Continued a formal relationship with The Point Cook Airforce Museum to house and display relevant material and memorabilia from the Association and its members.
14. Attended the commemoration service and overseen placement of the memorial plaque for the Odd Bods Association in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.
Peter Randell – Secretary – Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc.
Longtime member of the Odd Bods, Ralph White, passed away on 3rd May 2021 at the age of 98 years.
WHITE, Ralph Robert, 427630, Pilot, 192 Sqn.
In recent years Ralph attended the Wesley College, Glen Waverley Campus, ANZAC Day commemoration services and is seen on the right in this photo taken in 2017.
Our condolences to Marie and the White family.
