From The Archives - The Odd Bods Banner

Please excuse all the nostalgia, but as the Odd Bods prepare to vote on the voluntary cancellation of their Association we feel it is appropriate to look at some of  the history behind the Association and their first banner is a significant component.

The painted banner in our photo was from around 1956. It was painted by De Neefe & Co. for Odd Bod, Father John McNamara. Apparently this banner was fairly quickly replaced by the banner made at the Austin/Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital by a seamstress in the hospital laundry. That later banner served many good years at Odd Bods events including the Anzac Day March and is now on display in the hospital chapel.

George Smith Features In New Book

Michael Veitch's new book "Heroes of the Skies" features Odd Bod Secretary George Smith as he recounts stories of his service in WWII.

"Our trips were much shorter than [those of] the heavy bombers – one or two hours mostly – but much of their flying time was over friendly territory. We could be over the enemy in 20 minutes."
The only Australian among his crew of four Englishmen – pilot Ted Burn, navigator/bomb aimer Dave Kirk and fellow air gunner Jim Freeman – George began his eventful tour in early August 1944, as the war approached the terrible crescendo of the Battle of Normandy; the German armies were gradually being encircled, worn down and destroyed, prior to the Allied breakout from north-west France.

George's logbook catalogues his trips, beginning with, "August 4, Ops 1 – Bombing. Marshalling yards at Montfort-sur-Risle; August 6, Ops 2 – Bombing. Ammunition dump at Livarot."

Other Odd Bods also feature including David Moreland and Laurie Larmer. The book, Heroes of the Skies, by Michael Veitch is published by Viking, $34.99, and is available as an e-book.

PS: Odd Bods President Walter Eacott has purchased the audio version of this book and recommends it to sight challenged members.