A Grand Day For Odd Bods

Photo courtesy of Gail Tregear

 The Commemorative Plaque Dedication Ceremony for the Odd Bods at the Australian War Memorial on Saturday 14th March 2020 was indeed a grand day with a comprehensive tribute to Odd Bods, and a wonderful  turnout of dignitaries, officials, veterans and families.

Canberra turned on a touch of winter for the day, so the Captain Reg Saunders Gallery, rather than the courtyard, proved an ideal location to formally recognise the service of Odd Bods in WW2.

Welcome - Major General Brian Dawson, The Assistant Director, National Collection, AWM, opened proceedings with a welcome to all and a special tribute to Odd Bod Edward Fleming, an ex-guide at the Memorial, who is credited with stimulating then Director, Brendan Nelson’s interest in a plaque for Odd Bods.

RAAF Address - Then we had an address from Air Commodore David Hombsch of the RAAF who admitted to initially not being sure of what the service was all about, but with 2 uncles in the air force not surviving WW2, he was quickly able to place his family’s connection with Odd Bods, and understand the importance of the occasion.

Prayer - Chaplin Haydn Lea led us in prayer followed by a hymn sung to music from the “Dam Busters March”.

Commemorative Address by
AVM Peter Scully AO RAAF (Rtd)

 Commemorative Address - AVM Peter Scully AO RAAF (Rtd), Patron of Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc. gave the Commemorative Address. He detailed the history of the Odd Bods and the immense importance of their often over looked contribution to the war effort. He highlighted the contribution of co-founder of the Odd Bods, George Smith, and the continuing efforts of Friends of the Odd Bods to keep “Pressing on Remembering.”

Peter Scully ended his address with a proposal that the records of Australian Odd Bods be systematically updated with their war service records in foreign (usually RAF) squadrons so as to truly reflect their war contribution.
(Click here for complete text of the Commemorative Address - COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS)

The Unveiling - veteran Odd Bods Wing Commander Edward Fleming RFD RAAF (Rtd), Warrant Officer John Ireland CStJ Ld’H RAAF (Rtd), Flying Officer Geoffrey Conacher RAAF (Rtd), and Squadron Leader Bruce Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd) performed the delicate task of unveiling the magnificent bronze plaque that is to be installed in the grounds of the AWM.

The unveiling performed by Bruce Waxman, Geoff Conacher, John Ireland, and Edward Fleming.

 The Ode - Terry Maher gave us an impeccable rendition of Ode To The Fallen Airmen - “They shall grow not old.....”

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF ( Rtd)
gives Farewell address.

Thanks & Farewell - Our President, Bruce Waxman, acknowledged the many contributions to the day’s events particularly from the Odd Bods themselves over decades since the mid 1950’s. He referred to the  Odd Bods who were not able to make it to Canberra including Doug Parry, Maurie Smith, Gerald McPherson, Alan Couper, Jack Bell, Arthur Atkins, Frank Sims, Bill Cavanagh, and Bill Kilsby. Bruce went on to thank the professional assistance from AWM staff and all who helped make this a very special day.
(Click here for complete text of the THANK YOU & FAREWELL ADDRESS)

Special Mentions - The presence of so many family members, friends, and associates of Odd Bods contributed immensely to a successful dedication ceremony. - David McKenna representing Wesley College, Geoff Clark, Phillip Moss, Rosemaree Matta, Alistair Bridges and his guides who arranged tours of the AWM, members of the FOTOBAI Committee, and others. Thank you all.

A sad postscript received from Alastair Bridges of AWM on 19/4/2020 - "Sad news. Some may remember after the dedication ceremony two of my mates took some Odd Bods on a tour. One of those was Doctor Gordon Adler, a cancer specialist. He died unexpectedly a few days ago. Those on his tour will remember a fairly old, slightly stooped gentleman with hearing aids. He told me after the tour that he had learnt so much from the Odd Bods. He will be sadly missed as a volunteer guide when our doors open again."


(Click here for complete text of the Commemorative Address - COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS)

(Click here for complete text of the THANK YOU & FAREWELL ADDRESS)

(Click here for a link to a VIDEO of the complete commemoration.)

FOTOBAI Committee Members and Patron enjoy the occasion.

The Ode presented by Terry Maher

From our Facebook page -

Air Force Band Our members reported that they were honoured to be able to contribute to this moving service. Congratulations on a successful event.

Rosemaree Matta Thank you to all those who made this well deserved occasion take place. My regret is Dad (Owen Matta) did not live to see this happen. It was wonderful to be there. Thank you.

Video of AWM Commemoration Service

Friends of the Odd Bods retained a videographer to record the commemoration service at the Australian War Memorial on Saturday 14th March 2020. Click below.

VIDEO LINK

Canberra Commemoration Service - 14th March

This is a quick photo update from Saturday's Odd Bods service at the Australian War Memorial.
We expect to have a video link to the complete service in the next 2 days and a full report on the event.
Let's just say that some comments include - "Wonderful event", "An amazing effort", "An incredibly moving and fitting tribute".

Odd Bods Dedication Ceremony AWM – Covid-19 Update

We confirmed with the Australian War Memorial today that they are open to visitors and the dedication ceremony will go ahead on Saturday 14^th March with a negligible risk of Covid-19 infection.

Nevertheless, we suggest that all participants take precautions as recommended by the Department of Health, Victoria here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Odd Bods Plaque Dedication Ceremony – On The Day

The Odd Bods plaque dedication will take place at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra at 10am on Saturday 14^th March 2020.

The location is the Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard adjacent to the main memorial building. We are anticipating a number of veterans attending along with officials from the AWM, Air Force, kindred organisations, and Friends of the Odd Bods.

The service will include an address from our patron AVM Peter Scully AO RAAF (Rtd) and a formal dedication of the Odd Bods plaque. A videographer has been organised to record the event and we expect to have photographs up on our website within a few days.

It has been suggested that Poppy’s café at the Memorial would be a good place to meet before the service for a coffee and catch-up. The café opens from 0830.

We have also been kindly offered a tour of the Memorial on the day and if you would like to participate please let us know in advance.

Dress Code and medals - Business attire and full medals with your aircrew relatives on the right, yours on the left of your chest in line with AWM protocol.

We look forward to seeing participants on the day and in the meantime please direct any queries to FOTOBAI committee members.

Date Set For Odd Bods Plaque Dedication Canberra

Plaque in its wrapping, soon to be unveiled.

As previously advised, Odd Bods are to get their own bronze plaque in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and we now have a date - the dedication ceremony is happening at 10:00am on Saturday 14^th March 2020 in the Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard.

The Guest List includes representatives from RAAF including Chief of Air Force, representatives from AWM including Dr. Brendan Nelson, representatives from RAAFA, Bomber Command Association, the RSL, and of course a contingent from Friends of the Odd Bods including veterans. The RAAF Band will attend.

Recognition of the Odd Bods at Australia’s National War Memorial follows a campaign over many years.  FOTOBAI members and their families are invited to attend this very special occasion and encouraged to contact committee members if they have any questions or need assistance.

Commemorative Plaque Dedication Ceremony

in recognition of the service and sacrifice of members of the

Odd Bods Association - RAAF

10.00 hrs Saturday 14 March 2020

Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard

Australian War Memorial - Canberra ACT

Odd Bods Support For Disadvantaged Children

Friends of the Odd Bods financially support 3 students receiving special help from the Ryder Cheshire organisation in India. This continues a tradition set up by the founders of the Odd Bods (UK) Association.
Ryder Cheshire keep us informed of the students progress and here are the latest reports.

Dear Odd Bods (UK) Association, 

From us all here at Raphael, we wish you a very

happy and peaceful Christmas. Thank you again for

your much appreciated support of Abbas Asma and

Sarthak. The following are their six monthly reports 

which we hope you will find of interest.

Abbas reads and writes short words and can answer questions by pointing to a chart. He can now write numbers up to 70 from memory. He counts objects (for example, beads) up to 50 and can group them into Tens, which helps him understand numbers and maths in a conceptual way. He can identify English alphabet letters from A to M. He writes his name from memory and copies his father’s name. Abbas is currently being trained in domestic activities.

9-year-old Asma goes to the local primary                    school. She enjoys being in class and the teacher

says she has shown improvement both

academically and cognitively. The teacher helps

her maintain her posture and keeps reminding

her to sit straight.

Sarthak is learning to throw waste-paper or

wrappers in the dustbin. He can identify

kitchen items. He is also extending his social

skills and now greets others. He loves to sit in

the sun during the winter season. He never

says no to food and occasionally takes out a

lunchbox from a classmate’s bag and finishes it

before they realise! He loves to dance and sing

in music class.

Lancasters In Flight

Nice view of between the two airworthy Lancasters flying in Europe.

Some Famous Churchill Quotes

War time British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had a way with words and here are just a few of his more telling observations.

Selby UK’s Unique Way of Remembering

Under the heading “Selby Rocks” our esteemed correspondent and Friend Of The Odd Bods, Bryan Wilcockson, sent us these photos showing the unique way the town of Selby in North Yorkshire celebrated Remembrance Day.

Odd Bods At Battle of Britain Commemorations Hobart

The National Battle of Britain Commemorations (Gathering of Eagles) are being held in Hobart 13 -15 September 2019. Our Patron, AVM Peter Scully (Rtd) has been joined by FOTOBAI President Bruce Waxman, and Committee Member Jennifer Hibbens.

President Bruce Waxman,
and Jennifer Hibbens

Jennifer Hibbens, Air Marshall Mel Hapfield
 AO, DSC, Chief of Air Force, Marjorie
Fitzpatrick and AVM Peter Scully (Rtd)

Following the commemorations an exhibition is being staged at the RAAF Museum, 61 Davey St. Hobart with the theme “Australian Airmen in the European theatre WW2”. If you happen to be in Hobart in the near future, make sure you check it out.

SNAP-SHOTS OF AIR FORCE HISTORY

From fragile beginnings to the War in Europe

Over 30% of all the battle fatalities in the Second World War,

across the Army, Navy and Air Force were Australian Airmen in Europe.

What was behind this frightening statistic??

In this exhibition, selected objects and their associated stories from the Royal Australian Air Force Museum (Tasmania),aim to provide some insight into this question…

Some more photos -

Peter Scully presents prologue.

Fly over Hobart

More Than A Bronze Plaque

Back in 1946 three young survivors of WW2 met to work out how they could avoid having their war service marginalised and 73 years later a humble bronze plaque at the Australian War Memorial will go a long way to achieving their dream.

The Australian War Memorial has agreed to the laying of a Pavement Memorial Plaque dedicated to “Odd Bods” the name given to Airmen who served on foreign squadrons (usually RAF) in WW2.

When these Airmen returned after the war there was no Australian squadron banner to march behind on ANZAC Day. They were marginalised, and with typical Aussie spirit, set about ensuring that the sacrifices made by their comrades would never be forgotten.

Like their Australian squadron counterparts, losses in the air had been horrendous. Chances of completing a tour in Europe or the Middle East were very poor and many of their fellow service men and women failed to come home.

Odd Bods Reunion 1956

 After a number of early meetings the Odd Bods Association was formalised in 1954 and the task of creating an awareness of this group’s role in WW2 began. The Odd Bods numbers grew and participation in various memorial events including ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day created an awareness and influence that continues today. There were attendances at conferences, liaison with educational bodies ( Odd Bods have an affiliation with Wesley College in Melbourne) and countless requests for information and advice.

Bronze plaques recognising Odd Bods were laid at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, the Repatriation Hospital at Heidelberg, and the RAAF Memorial Grove just out of Canberra. Much to the delight of veterans, Friends of the Odd Bods Association was formed in 2015 to carry on the good work and the next generation started to get involved.

But there was one box that hadn’t been ticked - one lingering issue that had not been resolved. It might be a bit theatrical to call this the “Holy Grail” but Odd Bod veterans like Co-founder George Smith and immediate Past President, Walter Eacott, keenly lobbied for Odd Bods recognition at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra over a number of years. A plaque in the grounds of this revered place was denied for technical reasons (the Odd Bods were not a military unit).

Like all good causes, and through the work of some very good people, an Odd Bods plaque in the grounds of the AWM was finally approved this week and will be processed over coming weeks. This has been a long journey with many involved, but particular thanks at this time go to Dr. Brendan Nelson Director of the Australian War Memorial, Odd Bod Edward Fleming, and President of the Friends of the Odd Bods Sqn. Ldr. Bruce Waxman (Rtd).

“Pressing On Remembering” has particular relevance this week.

Great News For Odd Bods

It is fascinating how a sequence of simple events can come together to create a very important result and that is certainly what happened this week for Odd Bods.

To cut to the chase - the Australian War Memorial in Canberra has approved an Odd Bods Pavement Memorial Plaque in its grounds. A memorial at the AWM has long been sought by Odd Bods past and present, although extensive lobbying had failed to achieve approval. This latest decision will delight members and their families.

Members will remember that a public talk was recently presented at the Australian War Memorial on the subject of Odd Bods in WW2. Odd Bods were in the spotlight. A couple of weeks later Veteran Odd Bod, Edward Fleming apparently bumped into AWM Director Brendan Nelson in Canberra. Dr. Nelson had recently visited the International Bomber Command Centre in the UK. It was suggested that Friends of the Odd Bods should once again make a formal application for a plaque at AWM. A quick response from our President, Bruce Waxman, and now we have approval.

The more spiritual amongst you may imagine a few gentlemen and ladies upstairs perhaps sharing a beer and echoing “a job well done”. Further details to come.

Odd Bods In WW2 - Speech At Australian War Memorial - 15/8/2019

The video for the public talk about the contribution of Odd Bods in WW2 can be found below. This discussion took place at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 15th August.

Flypast At RAAF Museum Point Cook

Here are some more photos and a video taken after the Friends Of The Odd Bods Committee Meeting at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook on Sunday 18th August. A big thank you to David Gardner and staff for their hospitality.

Friends Committee Meeting At RAAF Museum Point Cook Celebrates 65 Years of Odd Bods

The first official Odd Bods meeting was held on 24th August 1954 and 65 years later Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc. celebrated the occasion at the RAAF Museum Point Cook.

Museum Director, David Gardner OAM, graciously provided our meeting room, a light lunch, and then treated committee members to a fly past of historic aircraft.

The location was significant for a number of reasons, and particularly because one of the agenda items at this meeting was the treatment of historic memorabilia. The museum is in the process of setting up displays for Fighter Command, Bomber Command, Coastal Command, and Odd Bods.

A number of items of Odd Bods memorabilia have already been presented to the museum and David Gardner has asked us for historic information about the Odd Bods (UK) Association and Friends Of The Odd Bods which will be passed on in due course.

Greg Smith taking this selfie with L-R Robyn Bell, Jenny Hibbens,
Jan Dimmick, Bruce Waxman, Peter Randell, David Gardner (Museum Director), Terry Maher, Stephen Trask.

Odd Bod Sacrifices In WW2

A stirring address by FOTOBAI Patron, AVM Peter Scully (Rtd), at our reunion luncheon on ANZAC Day 2019, is recorded below. The address sets a challenge for members and indeed all Australians to remember the sacrifices made by RAAF personnel in WW2.

ANZAC  DAY  2019

ADDRESS TO ‘FRIENDS OF THE ODDBODS’

Mr President, Oddbods and Friends of the Oddbods.   It is both a great privilege and a pleasure to be with you once again this year.   Thank you for your kind invitation to give a short address….but Bruce, how long is a piece of string?

However, I would like to say a few words on why I think you are one of the most important of the many ex-service organisations in our country – and I mean that most sincerely.

At the beginning of World War Two, all realised that this would be a war in which airpower would play a major and dominent role.   So much so that Britain and the old Dominions, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and later on South Africa entered into an agreement:  The Empire Air Training Plan, or more usually called the Empire Air Training Scheme – EATS.   Britain, despite its small size would be able to manufacture the necessary aircraft – and nearly all aircraft involved were in fact manufactured in that country – but would be unable to produce the numbers of aircrew required.  So, the dominions agreed to develop a training programme to supply the necessary aircrew.    The RAAF’s responsibility was an immense and daunting one, tasked with producing over 27,000 aircrew in Australia plus an additional 10,000 in Canada and 700 in Rhodesia.

The RAAF grew from 27 to 3037 operational aircraft plus another 2808 training aircraft.   38 new flying schools were established, the number of Qualified Flying Instructors grew from 27 to 3061.  The force grew from 10 officers in 1939 to 20,000.  Airmen increased from 3179 to 144,000 together with 18,000 airwomen:an absolutely incredible undertaking.

The RAAF served in every theatre of that war, including Russia.  5036 were killed in action in Europe and the ME alone – and another one third were killed in training accidents.  Indeed, of the total Australian battle fatalities, Army, Navy, Airforce, in all theatres of that war, over 30 percent were RAAF in Europe and the ME alone.  3 percent of the RAAF served in Europe but suffered30 percent of casualties.

At the end of the war, the Australian War Memorial produced and film, ‘Sons of ANZACS’.  It lasted 124 minutes, the RAAF coverage lasted just 10 minutes and the RAAF’s contribution to bomber/fighter/Coastal Commands received NO mention at all.

The then Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, referring to the RAAF in Europe stated: “They did not realise that most of their achievements were not recorded in Australian history.”

Even to this day, the great majority of our population is totally unaware of these great RAAF efforts and sacrifices; awareness made less likely by the current ‘political correctness’ which denies our British heritage. 

I’d like to give another example of how our RAAF history has been lost.   Some years ago I was asked by the Australia National University to write an entry for the Australian Dictionary of Biography on an RAAF airman, a Russell Foskett.   I accepted thinking that the task would be pretty simple and as I had many contacts with WW2 aircrew (most of my early instructors were pilots who had served in Europe).   No-one had ever heard of him.   So, I applied to the National Archives for his file.  It contained but two entries; his enlistment documents and his discharge documents.  There was no record of his overseas service in Australia.   It seemed I’d reached a dead end.

However, from his enlistment details at least I knew where he used to live.   So, I armed myself with a Sydney map and phone directory and wrote to everyone by that name within a 10 mile radius of his home address.  What luck – I managed to get in touch with his two spinster sisters.  Unfortunately, one had just entered a nursing home and had thrown out his log book and associated documents.  Nevertheless, we established good friendships and I learned much about his early life.

Next, I wrote to some RAF contacts I’d made during my time as Airforce Advisor at the Australian High Commission in London.  This produced some useful information.  Foskett had an impressive record with the RAF.  He’d earned an OBE and DFC and flew Hurricans and Spitfires in the Med, Greece and Yugoslavia.  He’d become a flight commander on No 80 Squadron RAF and then Commanding Officer on No 94 Squadron RAF.  He lost his life following an engine failure at low level preventing his parachute from opening properly.  His body was recovered by a Royal Navy warship.   He died just eight months after his younger brother who was a navigator on a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft shot down over Berlin.  They were both ‘Oddbods’.

I hope this might give you a better understanding of why your organisation is so important.   You have the opportunity to keep alive the memories of these Australian airmen who served their country so selflessly and at such a tragic cost.   Please spread the word because there seems to be  no-one else to do so.

COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN HOME BY

FLYING OFFICER BRUCE W. FOSKETT, (413755), RAAF

     Since I have last written we have started what we have for so long been training.   We've a few trips in now, all to the Ruhr, and oh boy is that one hot place.   No one who has ever seen a target in there, as we go to work and blow it all to hell, could ever believe what it is like.   It is fantastic almost and how on earth we can go through it and come out unscathed as we have done so far, is beyond me.   The amount of hate Jerry throws up at us, everything but the kitchen sink, and even that at times I think, is amazing.   And I don't blame him, for, although they are Germans and all that that entails, I sometimes feel sorry for those people that we give such an awful plastering to.   There was never a closer thing to a living hell I don't think, than one of our raids at its height I know I'd sooner be up where we are than down on the ground under us, catching all the stuff we let fly at them.

     The first thing of course is the searchlights.   The feeling of security you have in all the enveloping darkness of the night as we scream across enemy territory on the way in, goes west the moment those light get cracking.   We've only been caught once so far, and then only for a couple of minutes, but I thought we'd had it.   Up there with something between 20 and 30 lights on us, I felt as though I was standing naked on the stage of a full theatre and it appeared we'd never get out of that blinding, dazzling glare.   We must have been living right though, for somehow one moment there we were lit up like a Christmas tree just waiting for it and the next moment we were out in the clear and we were back in the darkness again.   Boy, did I have my fingers crossed, especially when  I could see they had us bracketed with flak, six bursts on each side every few seconds, right at our height and gradually creeping in on us, closer every salvo.  

     Next thing to the lights is the flak.   All over the sky you see the pin pricks of bursting flak, everywhere it seems, but when they cone a kite they just pour everything up those beams till they either get the kite or the kite beats them and gets out of the cone.   All over the place you see aircraft coned.   All around these targets for miles you see these cones, 20 and 30 and often more lights to a cone, and away up where the beams cross is an aircraft looking just like a moth and absolutely surrounded by flak burstsThis light stuff is green and red and blue and silver and its an awesome sight to see it pouring up.   Then there are the hundreds of flares, theirs and ours, all colours and types bursting all over the sky in great showers of fire spreading out and gradually falling like a giant coloured blanket.   There's some kind of stuff they put up that's silvery in colour and breaks out like tinsel, shimmering and shivering in the sky, amongst all the other strange lights and flares.   Maybe you'll see a kite go for a burton and murmur a silent prayer for the boys with her who are not having the luck you are.   But that part of it is not a nice sight.   And then there is the target, its terrific, just one great area burning and smoking like hell, even from the height we bomb we can see the ugly dark red flames as the incendiaries we drop get a hold and the building start to burn

    

          I hope you haven't minded me telling you about the work over here.   My only wish is that you don't let it worry you.   We've been through it a few times now and can do it again as many times as we have to.   There's nothing else I can tell you of what we do without perhaps overstepping the censor.   I thought perhaps you'd want to know how it impressed me and what our job is like.

Vale Joe Shuttleworth MBE

We wish to inform you all of the death of Joe Shuttleworth on Saturday 10th August 2019. 
Joe was one of our Odd Bod veteran members and was present at the Anzac Day Reunion this year.
He was always at the Remembrance Day Service at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital having worked there for most of his career.
Joe was a rear gunner on Lancasters during the war.
His funeral will be held on Monday August 22nd at 10:30 am at the chapel at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

Link: IBCC Interview #5: Joe Shuttleworth, 50 Squadron Rear Gunner



COMMENTS:

On 19/08/2019 1:16 pm, Peter Randell wrote:

I attended Joe Shuttleworth’s funeral today and represented the Association at that.        

I checked on our banner - still looking good with George and Walters signatures on the order of service documents next to it

For Joe, they did a great service including the Ode and Last Post as well as particular reference to his war service and time on Lancs

Very well done indeed 

And, for all you Carlton supporters, note that Joe was a big Hawks fan, so that was the song played as we walked him out, the Hawthorn Footy Club song!

Cheers 

Peter