Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of the Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc. website/newsletter. Friends of the Odd Bods have the honour of "Pressing On Remembering" in the footsteps of The Odd Bods and we are grateful for their assistance in compiling this publication.

Friends of the Odd Bods hope to continue many of the activities of the original Odd Bods U.K. Association as we recognise the important contribution of our airmen and the interest that the wider community is showing in their legacy.

If Carlsberg made museums they would be like this……

If you drive north from the lofty spires of Lincoln Cathedral, following the arrow straight route of the roman legions along the Fosse Way you will happen upon the village of Scampton in the midst of the leafy glades of Lincolnshire.

Close your eyes and you could easily believe that it is seventy or so years ago, for nothing much has changed to disrupt the life or look of this picture-postcard village.

Like many travellers before me, I called in to the village pub, but had it been seventy years ago I would have been sharing my pint with Guy Gibson and his intrepid airmen for RAF Scampton is the home of 617 squadron, the Dambusters!

Today the signpost announces the pub as the Dambuster’s Inn, which is filled with photographs and paintings of the pilots, their aircraft and other memorabilia of the famous squadron.

The entrance porch houses a sober and lasting memorial to those who returned and those who were not so lucky, but it isn’t until you step inside that the warmth of a roaring open fire greets you and a welcoming pint of ‘Hoppy Hopgood’ eases you back into those glory days and daydreams of the aircrews that went before.

You can rest your pint on the tyre of a Lancaster whist you take in the many photographs, drawings and the medals awarded to the squadron personnel.

Or savour a home cooked meal whilst taking in the numerous aircraft models that hang from the ceiling.

Maybe even read the visitors book, which is actually the wall of the pub, personally inscribed with the witty quips and signatures of the returning veterans.

There’s a lot to see and take in, I’m told that even the ladies powder room has some interesting décor, but I couldn’t sneak in for a look as I hadn’t dressed for the occasion.

It took me half a gallon of ale and a full helping of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding to make sure that I had captured the full ambience, but sacrifices have to be made in the pursuit of investigative journalism.

“If Carlsberg made museums they would be like this……” so a mission is already in ops-planning for a low-level return, for the other half gallon that is.

A big thank you to member, Bryan Wilcockson, for writing this story.

Reports On Our Raphael Wards In India

The Odd Bods have a long history of supporting charity groups including Raphael, the Ryder Cheshire International Centre at Dehradun, the capital of the state of Uttarakhand in India's northern region.
Raphael provides  a range of disability and rehabilitation services to the disadvantaged and was set up by ex RAF Group Captain, Leonard Cheshire (Baron Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC), and his wife, Sue Ryder (Margaret Susan Cheshire, Baroness Ryder of Warsaw and Baroness Cheshire, CMG, OBE). Shown in our photo are the three Odd Bods wards, Asma, Ankur, and Bhupinder. 

Little Asma has cerebal palsy and apparently eats her midday meal by herself. Ankur has been diagnosed with autism and attends the custodial group at Raphael. Bhupinder has been performing well in his school exams and is heading for Final Board Examinations in March 2016 (and finding time to play cricket). 
Friends of the Odd Bods will be continuing support for the Raphael Centre (click for more details).

Staying On Course

Ernest Wilson was a navigator with British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines after the war on DC 6 aircraft. He has passed on a number of stories to us and this one caught our fancy -  

A dear 80 year old lady was flying for the first time, and in the middle of the night was worried that we might get lost as we could not see where we were going. Neville was the Captain and he sat beside her and explained how we find our way.

“You see that flashing green light on the wingtip outside the window; that is on our starboard side, and on the other side there is a flashing red light on the port side. So long as those lights are flashing, we know that we are right on course.”

She complimented Neville in the morning because she had watched the flashing light during the night and we had been on course all the time. 

   

Michael Veitch's One Man Show

Reviews of Michael Veitch's one man show about WWII airmen have come from no lesser experts than Odd Bods members and those reviews have been very positive. Michael's brilliance as a writer and performer are highlighted in the show called Flak which is touring Australia this year.

"There are few storytellers in Australia like Michael Veitch. He puts humanity and wry observation into the terrible arithmetic of air warfare.  His personal mission to honour the memory and the memories of the last of a generation who bear a remarkable witness is a special kind of theatrical experience." Dr Mark Williams, Adjunct Professor, School of Art, RMIT University

Michael is on a very intensive tour of regional areas with around 20 opportunities to view his show during October in Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria. Details are available on the Regional Arts Victoria website.

From Walter Eacott, Retiring Odd Bods President.

Good-day to all my Odd Bod  mates. I can now report that the final meeting of  our illustrious organisation took place as arranged on 16 September 2015, when we passed a resolution to cease operations and cancel our incorporation. After 61 years as a recognised association, and 74 years in total since George Smith, Tich (Charles) Marshall and Hugh Niven decided to take the wonderful step of calling together all the Aussie aircrew members who had served in British RAF squadrons during WW2, we are now relying upon our relatives and friends to continue in our footsteps with the “Friends of the Odd Bods Association Incorporation”. All current financial Odd Bods are warmly welcomed to consider themselves as paid-up members of the new group. We thank President Bruce Waxman and his Committee for this generous invitation, and thank our kids, grandkids and supporters for this opportunity to be looked after at future social and commemorative events.

Heard this one?

People should always don their underwear, especially when they are working under their vehicle. There was an account from a newspaper in Brisbane, which told a story of a couple who drove in their car to a shopping centre only to have it break down in the car park. The man told his wife to continue shopping while he fixed the car.

A while later, his wife came back to find a small group of people gathered near their car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of hairy legs protruding from under the chassis.

Unfortunately, although the man was in shorts, his lack of underpants turned his private parts into glaringly public ones. Unable to stand the embarrassment any longer she dutifully stepped forward, quickly put her hand up his shorts and tucked everything back into place out of sight.

On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by watching.

The RACQ mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his head!

Editor's Note - In the column on the left of this page you will see a section marked Walter's Wisdom. Although retiring as President of the Odd Bods and Editor of Odds'n'Ends, Walter has been good enough to continue contributing to our website and you will find links to his articles and re-prints of some of his entertaining humour at that location.

Well The Time Has Come.....

Well The Time Has Come.....

So started the final speech by Secretary and Founder of the Odd Bods, George Smith, at a meeting on 16^th September at ANZAC House to wind up the Odd Bods.

George paid tribute to the guidance of three original “elder statesmen”, Padre David Beyer, Padre John McNamara, and Bob Way who was the representative of the YMCA embedded in the RAAF in the UK.

George recalled the original meeting of the Odd Bods in August 1954 when David Beyer was elected President and made the observation that – “In forming the Association as we have, we have sounded its death knell at its birth”. “We are here today to recognise that fact” said George.

The guidance from those early days was that the Association should be a responsible member of the community, just as each member should be. That was the beginning of the Associations charitable work. George recalled the days of association with the Berry St. Babies Home and the regular family outings at which the children and nurses were entertained by Odd Bods.

George went on to say that the Association had been successful because of the calibre of the men who served on its committee over the years. He said that there were differences of opinion at times but the participants would simply agree to disagree and move on. He found it very pleasing that the Odd Bods were held in such high esteem throughout the ex-service community in Melbourne and Victoria.

George paid tribute to the wives and families of Odd Bods. He said that their acceptance and understanding of the need to continue (Pressing on Remembering) had made the process so much easier.

In a playful dig at President Walter Eacott, George referred to the Odd Bods as a multi cultural group, even prepared to receive members of the Royal Air Force into “our colonial ranks”. And finally, on a more serious note, he paid special tribute to Walter – “We have benefited from his leadership, his loyalty, and hard work over many years.”

A round of applause greeted both George and Walter. The significance of this meeting had not been lost on any of the participants.

Odd Bods Meeting 16th September

Some photos from this very special meeting held at ANZAC House on Wednesday 16th September. Full report to follow.

 

Odd Bods Receive Legion d’Honneur

Gerald Mc Pherson is the latest Odd Bod to be awarded the French Legion of Honour. The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), is a French order established by Napolean Bonaparte on 19 May 1802. Napoleon believed France wanted a recognition of merit rather than a new system of nobility. 

The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees of distinction. A number of Australian Airmen have received the honour in recognition of outstanding services in the liberation of France during the Second World War.

Our congratulations go out to all the following Odd Bods who have received the honour. If we have missed your name, please let us know.

George Smith                        2005
Ron Cleaver (Deceased)       2015
Norm Goyen                          2015
Don Howard                           2015
Laurie Larmer                        2015
David Morland                        2015
Ron Pitt                                  2015
Bert Tinning                            2015
Gerald McPherson                 2015
Keith Schmerl                         2015

Australian Airman In Great Escape

An interesting story has been passed on to us concerning Australian airman, Paul Royle, who was involved in the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III in 1944.

Royle was an Odd Bod although, as far as we know, not a member of the Odd Bods Association. It would seem he kept his wartime exploits to himself and in fact his Son was 12 years old before he learned of his Dad's involvement after reading the book The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill.

Royle passed away on August 23rd aged 101. He was born in Perth and studied at the Royal School of Mines in London after the war, before returning to Australia, and spending most of his life on Civil Engineering projects including a hydroelectric plant in Tasmania.

His story has been syndicated in many publications around the world including The Times in London and the New York Times. They are worth googling if you have internet access or, closer to home you can read about Royle on the ABC - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-27/the-great-escape-survivor-paul-royle-dies-in-perth/6731078

Thanks to Terry Maher for passing on this story.

Historic Meeting Of The Odd Bods On 16th September 2015

On 16th September 2015 The Odd Bods intend winding up their association during a Special General Meeting at Anzac House.

Back in 1954 new President Chaplain Dave Beyer declared "In setting up the Association in the way we have, we are sounding its death knell at its birth." The Odd Bods will be keeping true to that declaration as they gather for the last time at an official association meeting.

Friends Of The Odd Bods will be following in the footsteps of the original association and ensuring a transition for all Odd Bods members and a continuation of many of the events, relationships and activities.

Our picture shows a gathering of Odd Bods back in 1956. It was the occasion of the Annual Reunion held at The Aircrew Club (Otto's Grotto), Market St Melbourne on 23rd April 1956. What  a happy looking bunch!

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.