Remembrance Day 2023

For Odd Bods there is a special place where we observe Remembrance Day and that is the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg, Melbourne. An Odd Bods plaque is located in the memorial gardens of the hospital. 

One of the original Odd Bods banners was made at the Austin/Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital by a seamstress in the hospital laundry. That banner served many good years at Odd Bods events including the Anzac Day March and is now on display in the hospital chapel. Links to Odd Bods co-founder and past Secretary, George Smith and past President, Walter Eacott ,can be found on the walls. 

FOTOBAI Committee Members Gary Elliott and Peter Randell stand in front of the Odd Bods banner at Heidelberg.

In our lead photo we show Peter Randell kneeling beside the Odd Bods plaque with a wreath. In front, and to the left is another plaque commemorating Odd Bod Joe Shuttleworth who passed in 2019. Joe was a rear gunner on Lancasters during the war, and a regular attendee at Odd Bods functions. And Joe had a strong connection with Heidelberg Hospital, being their Director of Administrative Services on his retirement.

An IBCC interview about Joe Shuttleworths war service can be found here -https://somethingverybig.com/2016/01/19/ibcc-interview-5-joe-shuttleworth-50-squadron-rear-gunner/

Thank you to Gary Elliot for our photos of today's memorial service. More photos are shown below.

 

FOTOBAI Immediate Past President, Bruce Waxman, joined AnneMarie Hermans, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, and Group Captain Annette Holian, RAAF Specialists Reserves, and Shrine Commissioner, at the Melbourne Shrine on Remembrance Day 2023.

Catapault Launching of WW2 Bombers

We might be familiar with catapault launching of fighter aircraft from aircraft carriers but what about launching WW2 bombers from the ground using a catapault?

Archeologists have uncovered the first aircraft catapult at the original site of the WW2 Harwell Airfield in Oxfordshire UK. The idea was to launch bomber aircraft from shorter runways and with heavier fuel loads.

 

A turntable directed the aircraft to the correct runway and a pneumatic ram powered by high pressure air launched it in to the air. Well, that was the idea, but mechanical problems meant that no aircraft was actually launched, and the project was abandoned. However the technology led to the development of Catapult Armed Merchant (CAM) ships, which launched Hawker Hurricanes at sea via rocket-propelled catapults.

More details can be found here - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-67052782

Incoming Mail - Lots of Aircraft Photos, Bruce Waxman Meets an Author, USAAF Photo Release.....

US Air Force Photos from WW2 - This year a large number of photos taken by the USAAF were released, giving a never before seen overhead view of parts of WW2 England. Students of WW2 aviation will find lots of period features on film and an interactive map of locations can be found by going to the following link - https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/collections/photographs/usaaf-collection/

Bruce Waxman Meets Author - Our Immediate Past-President was delighted to catch up with author Betty Matthews to discuss her book "Challenging Times" about the Number 7 Service Flying School at Deniliquin, NSW as Bruce researches details of his Father's war service.

Aviation History, Hawaii - Peter Randell was good enough to provide us with photos from his recent trip to Hawaii which is home to many WW2 aircraft. A feast for fans of old aircraft.

Aviation playing cards, featuring the Halifax and a Norden Bombsight.

Zero and Kittyhawk.

Mitchell B-25 and Douglas Dauntless.

USS Arizona remnant and Grumman Wildcat.

Winner of our Photograph Competition

Congratulations to Margaret McNeill whose photo of her Father, A.J.McNeill, has won our photograph competition. 

Her Father is shown feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square during WW2. Particular mention was made of the contrast between the relaxed environment depictedin the photo, and the contrast with the significant sacrifices made by our Odd Bods in WW2. 

McNeill served as a WAG in 90 Squadron RAF which flew Stirlings and later Lancasters up until the end of the war.

A big thank you to Margaret for sending us the photo, and of course to all those who sent us their photographs during the course of the competition. Your photographs will form part of an archive that features at our Annual Reunion on ANZAC Day. Margaret receives an Odd Bods enamel badge as her prize.

Odd Bods Congratulate Raphael Student Asma

Friends of the Odd Bods continue the Odd Bods tradition of supporting disadvantaged young students at the Ryder-Cheshire Raphael Centre in Northern India. 

We have sponsored many students over the years and it is extremely gratifying when a student achieves independance after their schooling. 

One such student is Asma who recently withdrew from Raphael and receives a small government pension and a small income from her craft skills. Friends of the Odd Bods pass on their congratulations to Asma. Following is her last report from the school and some photographs from previous years.

Odd Bods Sponsored Students Update - Raphael, India

Ryder-Cheshire have sent us reports on the progress of the four students we sponsor at their Raphael Centre in Northern India.

Each have made good progress, and we are delighted to report that Asma has just recently been withdraw from the centre as she gains independance meaning she no longer requires support (see separate article). 

A replacement student will be advised in due course.

WW2 Aerodrome Recreation - Dunsfold

 

Peter Smith, Son of Odd Bod George Smith, has taken on a project to recreate the WW2 Dunsfold Aerodrome in model form, and it is progressing well, although he has struck a few hurdles along the way.

Dunsfold was located a few miles south-east of Guildford in Surrey. It was built as a Class A Bomber Airfield in the 1940's and accommodated three squadrons during WW2 operating B25 Mitchell Bombers - 180 Squadron (George Smith's squadron), 98 Squadron, 320 Squadron.

The Aerodrome had a number of buildings including the Watch Office (these were later called Control Towers), an underground Battle Headquarters, various aircraft hangars, machine shops, and accomodation facilities. 

Watch Office with newly installed top level 1952

Watch Office model ready for paint.

The hurdles came about because of war time restrictions on taking photographs, the practice of camouflaging facilities, and post war modifications. The aerodrome continued in operation after the war, notably used by Hawker Siddeley (later to become British Aerospace) including development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first VTOL (vertical take off and landing) jet fighter bomber.

Dunsfold Battle Headquarters - underground.

Dunsfold Battle Headquarters internal.

Peter has exhaustively researched early photos and descriptions in an attempt to find out exactly how the aerodrome would have looked when his father served there. Simple things like the colour of the Watch Office have yet to be confirmed. It is unlikely it would have been painted white as post war photographs show.

More than 15 facilities have been constructed so far and we have featured three in this article. Peter might need a bigger dining table as he progresses his project.

Aircrew Tent Accomodation

Incoming Mail - Doug Parry, ANZAC Service On A Cruise Ship, WW2 RAAF Schools, New Book

Doug Parry’s Memoir – Veteran, Doug Parry, passed on 25^th May 2023 and his family have been good enough to present us with his memoir of wartime service. Doug has written a very readable story filled with interesting detail and personal anecdotes. Doug’s memoir has been added to our list of Stories of Odd Bods (see left margin). Click here to go straight to the story – Doug Parry Memoir

 

Immediate Past President, Bruce Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd), has been active during rehabilitation and sent us a few items this week. Back in April, Bruce was on a cruise ship off the WA coast and contributed to an ANZAC service on board ship. He wrote a speech for the service, but unfortunately was quarantined in his cabin with Covid on the day. The Ship’s Master presented the speech and we now have a video of the event which has been added to an article written at the time. Here is the link – ANZAC March Onboard Ship.

 

List of RAAF Schools & Courses 1939-45:  This handy list also came from Bruce and may help identify some of the acronyms found in veterans records. Click here - List of RAAF Schools & Courses 1939-45

 

New Entry to our Booklist – a book by Richard Munro about his Father’s wartime aviation experiences has the most unlikely title “Holidaying On The Continent”. Jim Munro wasn’t an Odd Bod, having served in RAAF 460 Squadron, but his story is relevant to the period. More details can be found by clicking the permanent Odd Bods Booklist TAB at the top of this page. 

Photographs Roll In For Our Competition

 

Back in May we asked members to comb through their collections and send us their favourite Odd Bods photos. Keeping an archive of photos is just one part of “Pressing on …..remembering”.

We are pleased to advise that some great entries have been received and we thought we would publish a few with a reminder that there is still time to get your photos in. See our May article for more information – Odd Bods Photo Competition.

Our lead photo could be titled “Happy Marchers”. Here are some more.

Fond memories of ANZAC Day marches.

Shrine's Inner Sanctum

Aircrew - Leo Bange (R)

Vale Odd Bod Doug Parry

Phillip Douglas (Doug) Parry 428505 WAG 172 Sqdn.

In our Association there is immense respect for Odd Bods who contributed so much to the Australian effort in WW2 and then returned to civilian life for the long journey to build families and business careers.   Few did it with such dignity, strength and good humour as Doug Parry, who passed away on 25th May 2023 at the age of 98.

Doug served as a Wireless Air Gunner in 172 Squadron, operating Vickers Wellingtons in anti-submarine duties out of Limivady, Northern Ireland. He was Treasurer of the Odd Bods for around 10 years and a regular participant at Odd Bods events. He claimed to be “the youngest Odd Bod” and would often remind his “older” compatriots of that fact.

In more recent years Doug was restricted by the symptoms of MND and his attendance at this year’s ANZAC Day Reunion was a highlight for all members. 

We celebrate the life of Odd Bod Doug Parry and his outstanding contribution to our Association. Our condolences and best wishes to his family. 

            **********************************************************************************

14/7/2023 - Doug Parry's memoir of his wartime experiences is now available. It is a good read, and can be found by clicking here - Doug Parry Memoir.

 ************************************************************

L-R: Jack Elliott, Doug Parry, Walter Eacott.

Doug with Son Greg VE Day 2021

COMMENTS:

26 May 2023 at 21:15

God bless you Doug you and Mabel together again ,another brave airman passes on . Your friend Peter Smith.

Ed: Thanks Peter.

10 November 2023 at 19:50

Not sure if I fit into the category of Friendsofoddbods.com

I helped look after Doug while he was residing at Lynden Aged Care, I always found Doug very good to sit n talk with, he was very knowledgeable n inspiring, Doug put with a lot n rarely complained, he was always a pleasure to be around,

I hope him n Mable are kicking back enjoying yourselves

Regards

Danny

Ed: Thanks for your kind words Danny.

Vale Odd Bod John Ireland

John William IRELAND 430173 WAG. C.St.J.   Ch.L.H. 575 Squadron. DOB - 9/10/1924

Odd Bod, John Ireland, passed away on 25/4/2023. His passing on ANZAC Day has a certain symmetry. Like all Odd Bods, John's commitment to service in the RAAF, and the Australian war effort in WW2, displayed essential ingredients of the ANZAC spirit. And there is another connection with ANZAC Day in the form of an uplifting email he wrote to us back in 2020 (details below).

John Ireland was one of three WW2 Odd Bod veterans who headlined our celebrations at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 14/3/2020 following acquisition of a bronze plaque in the museum's grounds (see below). 

(L - R) FOTOBAI President Bruce Waxman, Geoffrey Conacher, John Ireland, Dr Edward Fleming.

John was a recipient of the Chevalier De La Legion D'Honneur, awarded by the President of France for service to the French people during WW2. He served in No.575 Squadron RAF, an airborne forces squadron that took part in the D-Day landings, the battle of Arnhem and the crossing of the Rhine (see more below). 

Interestingly, John was author of a book entitled "A Blue Orchid Cook's Tour : the War Memories of John Ireland", and John's book was a point of reference during Bruce Waxman's VE Day speech at the Melbourne Shrine on 8/5/2023.

In 2020 John Ireland wrote to FOTOBAI to give us some ANZAC Day thoughts and here is his email: "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."

We celebrate the life of an Odd Bod, and pass on our best wishes to John's family.

575 Squadron: from Wikipedia.

The squadron was formed at RAF Hendon on 1 February 1944 from elements of 512 Squadron. Just two weeks later it moved to RAF Broadwell to work-up as a tactical transport squadron with the Douglas Dakota, the military transport version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner. The squadron's first operations were leaflet raids on France, on the eve of D-Day it dropped the 5th Para brigade into the invasion drop zone (Operation Tonga). On 6 June it towed 21 gliders into France. In the next few weeks it started a casualty evacuation service from France back to England. In September 1944 it was heavily involved in operations at Arnhem, suffering casualties.

Odd Bods Photo Competition

 At the Committee Meeting following last Sundays AGM we decided to invite all members to submit their favourite Odd Bod related photo for inclusion in our historical photo collection and to make a competition of it.

A highlight of this year’s ANZAC Day reunion was a slide show of photos ranging from WW2 service to more recent events. We will be looking to include your photos in future showings. 

Your favourite Odd Bods photo might be of a veteran,  perhaps from WW2, or perhaps contemporary. It might be of a march, or social event, including the annual ladies luncheon. This would be a good opportunity to have your loved ones recorded in our archives and viewed on special occasions.

How To Send - please scan, and either email your photo to friendsofoddbods@gmail.com, or send as an MMS to Greg Smith on 0406222020. Don’t have a scanner? No problem - see next.

How To Scan - photographs may be scanned on a dedicated desktop scanner, scanned by a photography or copying shop, or you can get excellent results using a mobile phone.

Scanning By Mobile Phone - 

1. Place the photo on a flat service. Use small weights to keep corners down on curled photos.

2. Ensure adequate lighting. Natural light through a window is usually ideal. Avoid strong harsh lighting.

3. Position the mobile phone camera directly above the photo.

4. If reflections are evident through the view-finder, move or tilt the phone very slightly until reflections disappear. 

5. Don’t be concerned about what surrounds the photo - your webmaster can remove the surrounds. It is not necessary to completely fill the screen with the photo, although postage stamp size photos should  be avoided.

Details - any details you can send about the subject matter of your photo are most helpful - names, places, dates, etc.

The best photo will earn the member a very rare, and valuable (?), Odd Bods Affiliate badge. We look forward to your entries.

Indigenous Odd Bods

Aircrew from 106 Squadron

The Indigenous Round is being celebrated in many Australian sports this week including AFL, NRL and Netball. The Melbourne Shrine is also conducting a Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service on Wednesday 31st May 2023. We thought this might be good time to recognise  indigenous Odd Bods.

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 Peenemünde 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:

We have amended the title of this article to read Indigenous Odd Bod(s) because Garth O'Connell from AWM has informed us of another Aboriginal Odd Bod  - 424587 Flying Officer Errol James “Blue” INGRAM, 622 Squadron RAF (1924-1990).

Ingram flew Lancasters towards the end of the war in day and night bombing missions, food drops, and repatriation of POW's.

We should also note that there were reportedly 16,000 Odd Bods in WW2 so the chance of more indigenous aviators is quite high.

* Note: this article has been re-printed from one in 2021. We have updated the lead photograph to a colour version, and added some content.

Spotlight On Odd Bods Aircraft & Squadrons - Part 4

 

Spotlight on Odd Bods Aircraft and Squadrons

Part 4

 Handley Page Halifax

Following on from the100 year anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 2021, the Friends of the Odd Bods Association would like to take a look back at where our fore-fathers served in World War II and why it is so important to ensure that this information is not lost, but preserved and recognised by the coming generations. The Friends of the Odd Bods Association hope you enjoy this series dedicated to these men as we “Press On Remembering”.

Part 4– The aircraft we will learn a little about in this part is the Handley Page Halifax and the RAF Squadron 51 where our Odd Bods served. The aircraft also served with the following RAAF Squadrons 460, 463 and 466.

The Halifax Getting Ready For a Mission

What was a Handley Page Halifax Bomber? – It was a four engine heavy bomber of World War II. The Halifax had its origins back to the mid 1930’s and first flew on the 25^th of October 1939.  There were 6176 aircraft manufactured plus two prototypes. The standard aircraft was operated by 7 flight crew. Their positions were;

1)     1.    Pilot;

2)     2.    Flight Engineer;

3)     3.    Navigator;

4)     4.    Wireless Operator;

5)    5.     Bomb aimer;

6)     6.    Mid Upper gunner; and

7)    7.     Rear gunner.

 There were 8 variants of the Halifax made, however there were over 30 sub-variants made. As the numbers suggest, the aircraft went through significant improvements in the development of the bomber. They were manufactured in five locations across the British Isles due to the sizeable production. At the peak, 41 separate factories dispersed components supported by 600 subcontractors and 51,000 employees. This resulted in one Halifax completed every hour. (That’s an amazing statistic !!!)

 What was the big difference between the Halifax and the more well know Avro Lancaster?

Ø  The Lancaster had one large unobstructed bomb bay, enabling it to carry a single 12,000 pound bomb.  Saying this, the Halifax had one important advantage over the Lancaster. What was this?

Ø  In an emergency, the roomier Halifax was easier to abandon which resulted in a superior survival rate of Halifax crews compared to those in Lancasters.

 Specifications of the Halifax B Mk III

What was the aircraft powered by? – Four Bristol Hercules radial engines each producing 1615 horsepower.

 Dimensions – Wing Span – 31.75 m

 Length – 21.82 m

 Height – 6.32m

 Maximum Weight Loaded – 24,675Kg

 Maximum Speed – 454 km/h

 Rate of Climb – 3.80 m/s

 Normal Range – 1860 km

 

What was special about the Halifax? – Nicknamed the ‘Halibag’, the Handley Page Halifax would serve with distinction until the end of the Second World War, and post war would play a role in the Berlin Airlift.

Does the Halifax still fly? – Unfortunately, No. The Halifax spent its last days with the Pakistan Air Force which had inherited a number of bombers from the RAF and last flew in 1961.

Are there any Halifax’s still around? – There are 2, one at Yorkshire Air Museum in the UK, and the other at the Canadian Memorial Museum in Ontario.

(Information Source – Classicwarbirds.Co.Uk, Google Search Wikipedia May 2023)

RAF Squadron 51 – Motto is “Swift and Sure”

 Did our OddBods serve in this Squadron? – Yes.

 When was the Squadron formed originally? – 15 May 1916 and disbanded 1^stApril 1918;

 When was the Squadron reformed? - (1^st Time) – 1^st April till 13^th June 1919; (2^nd Time) – 5^th March 1937 till 30^th October 1950; and (3^rd Time) –21^stAugust 1958 to present.

 Is the Squadron still active? – Yes;

 What type of aircraft did the Squadron fly in WWII? –Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and Handley Page Halifax aircraft.

 What was unique about the Squadron? – 51 Squadron dropped leaflets over Germany on the very first night of the WWII. The squadron carried Para troops and a skilled RAF Flight Sergeant to France. These men carried out a very successful raid on a German radar installation removing parts of a new type and took the items back to Britain.  A brief period saw the Squadron carrying Coastal Command patrol against U-Boats in the Bay of Biscay.

 How many types of Halifax aircraft did 51 Squadron operate in WWII? – The Halifax type II and type III.

 (Information Source – Wikipedia and Google -May 2023)

 

RAAF Squadron 466 – Motto is “ –Brave and True”

 Did our Odd Bods serve in this Squadron – Yes.

 When was the Squadron formed originally? – 10^th of October 1942 till 26^th October 1945

 Is the Squadron still active? – No, disbanded.

 What type of aircraft did the Squadron fly in WWII? – Vickers Wellington, Handley Page Halifax and Consolidated Liberator

 What was unique about the Squadron?  – It was formed as an Australian squadron but was primarily staffed by British Commonwealth air forces only gaining it’s true Australian character by the end of the war.

 Statistics – 466 Squadron flew 3,326 sorties against 269 targets and lost 81 aircraft with 184 RAAF personnel serving with the squadron were killed.

(Information Source – Wikipedia and Wartimememoriesproject.com - May 2023)

 

The last of the 710 Halifax Bombers built by the London Aircraft Production Group PN640 (one of five factories) makes a low pass at Leavesden on April 16^th 1945.

 

Article by Michael Rossiter - May 2023.

COMMENTS:

RE: Spotlight On Odd Bods Aircraft & Squadrons - Part 4 – Here’s a photograph of a real life Halifax (so the youngsters can get a grasp on the size of the beast being flown by their Grandad’s ( all by brute strength, no power steering on this!) - Bryan Wilcockson - 23/5/2023.