THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE QUILT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE QUILT

Congratulations to the following recipients

Graham Leach - Hornsby

As you know all our quilts are special but Graham’s quilt is just a bit more so, let me explain, this quilt was made by in secret by Graham’s wife Jenny, who was a little sneaky and not only incorporated three cloth army badges, ( 2RAR, Australian Coat of Arms & his Infantry badge) she actually cut up one of his green army shirts from Vietnam and popped that in.

George Main President Hornsby sub-Branch

Ann Garland OAM

Major General Howard AO MC (Retired)

Shirley McLaren Narrabeen War Veterans

In 1951, Shirley was one of 50 women accepted into the first intake of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) and moved onto Base Richmond NSW for four weeks training.

As a qualified drill instructor Shirley trained approximately 270 WRAAF recruits.

Shirley became the senior NCO in charge of the WRAAF stationed at RAAF Fairbairn in Canberra, but also spent time at Williamtown (NSW), Point Cook (VIC), RAAF Base Amberly (Qld) and Glenbrook (NSW).

Shirley has many happy memories of her time in the women’s services. She loved the comradeship and lifetime friendships she formed. As Patron of the Sydney WRAAF Shirley regularly attends the NSW State ex-WRAAF reunions and has proudly led the e-WRAAF in every Anzac Day March in Sydney for more than 30 years.

Fight for the Australian Defence Medal

Aside from social gatherings, Shirley has kept loyal to her fellow servicewomen by fighting for the Australian Defence Medal recognising their service to the country.

“A very big milestone for me came in 2006 when we were awarded the Australian Defence Medal after a long, hard battle,” Shirley said.

“It was a battle to have the federal government recognise our service to Australia. In March 2004 the government announced they were awarding the ADM to all ex-servicemen and women if they had served for six years.

“I was totally outraged at this. Our service was for four years and WRAAF, WRAAC (Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps) and WRANS (Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service) would have been denied the recognition I felt we deserved.”

Shirley spent a great deal of time writing to ministers, newspapers, defence members, WRAAF husbands, federal and local members of parliament to take up the fight.

In June 2006 all ex-servicewomen who had completed their four-year service were awarded the ADF Medal.”

Shirley now wears her ADF Medal with pride.

Ivan Brisot - Hornsby

Keith Wood - Gundagai

Leonard Sicard was in the Australian Air Force during World War Two , believe it or not Leonard is 100 years old, isn’t he sensational?

David Gardiner - Wagga Wagga

Morrie Gallina - Corrimal

In a previous newsletter we introduced you to the third member of our little committee, Bronte Pollard. Bronte is the RSL NSW Liaison Officer at the National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare (NCVH) at Concord Hospital. This position is an initiative of the RSL NSW Strategic Plan 2021-26, which helps connect veterans with services and support at the National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare and at their local sub-Branch. A vital role.

In the last edition of the Reveille, there was a wonderful article regarding Bronte’s work and for those who haven’t had a chance to read it. Just click on the article link

Bronte Pollard RSLNSW Liaison Officer

As mentioned in our March Newsletter, unfortunately when Pauline & Ray attended the AGM of New England District Council of sub-Branches, 2 recipients were not at the meeting to receive their Thank You For Your Service Quilts, they were given to Sandra Lambkin, President of the New England District Council who has sinc presented them.

Kenneth Hilton Michell JP – Glen Innes sub-Branch

Ken is an Army Veteran. He served overseas and at home with the 7th Signal Regiment and reached the rank of WO2. He joined the RSL in QLD in 1986 and became a member at Glen Innes in 2001. He was an active member from the start and in the last 2 decades has been a committee member, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, President, funeral celebrant, pension and welfare officer, MC at commemorations and DC and State Congress delegate. He has also served as a District Council vice-president and DC Secretary/ Treasurer. In 2018 Ken was awarded Life Membership of the RSL in recognition of his service.

William Gregson Thurtell – Manilla sub-Branch

Bill is a Navy Veteran. He has been a member of Manilla sub-Branch since February 1981. He has been an active member, serving as a funeral celebrant, committee member and MC at commemorations. He has also acted as DC and State Congress delegate. Bill became President of the sub-Branch in 2017 and will be retiring this year.

Florence Rodger an Auxiliary member of Bass Hill and sub-Branch member of Bankstown

Florence’s story

Written by Florence “Lorrie” Rodger

The year was 1941 and I was home thinking I should be doing something for the war effort.

My two brothers were in the Forces, one in the Army (The Royal Engineers) and the other in the Royal Air Force, and I was at home looking after my father. My mother had died early in 1939.

I decided I would apply to the Womens’ Auxiliary Air Force as my father had met a village girl and employed her as a live-in housekeeper And I didn’t get along with her.

I got a reply to my application and was asked to go to the recruiting office in Oxford. I went and filled in forms and had a medical exam. I wasn’t old enough but hoped they wouldn’t say anything. 18 was the age for women to join at that time. Came home and waited for my papers to arrive. When they came they told me to report to Innsworth Training Camp in Gloucestershire, and what to take with me. I was to report on the 19th March. I would not be 18 until 24th April.

When I went to Innsworth the officer asked me what I could do? I had no idea as I had been at home since I left school. She suggested I become a parachute packer as it was a new trade for females. So I became a parachute packer and was paid one pound two shillings per fortnight. A few weeks later the pay went to One pound eight shillings.

When I left Innsworth I was 18 and posted to Marham in Norfolk, a bomber station. There were 45 other WAAF on the station and when I left there in November the numbers had risen to 200. Maybe because the age limit was put down to 17 ½. It was at Marham I saw my first German. He had been shot down and was brought as a prisoner to the guardroom.

I learned to pack parachutes but still needed to be trained for safety equipment so I was sent to Melksham in Wiltshire. I spent my first Christmas as a WRAF there and then posted to a training station. There were 14 of us and we had no idea of what was in store for us.

This was Bridgenorth, a WAAF training camp for new recruits I couldn’t understand why we were there. The WAAF officer told us 14 girls that our new station was not yet ready for us. By this time I had been for nearly a year in the WAAF and thought I knew everything. The other girls with me had gone to the course

WAAF parachute packers of WW2

These two photos show the parachute shop at Burtonwood, England, Depot Hundreds of parachutes can be seen in the photos. Seat-pack, back-pack and Quick Attachable Chest parachutes are present. In the foreground a drop test dummy with an OD A-3 harness is present. On the tables parachutes can be seen in various states of packing