PIB NGIB HQ PIR ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

This edition of the newsletter is dedicated to our recently deceased Association President, QX 52785 Sergeant Francis (Frank) George Wust who died on 23 September 2014 at Caboolture, Qld.

Frank’s health declined in recent weeks and his family provided him with constant care.

President Frank (born 21/1/1922) served bravely in the 9th Battalion at the Battle of Milne Bay then he joined the Papuan Infantry Battalion, serving with great credit on the TPNG mainland and in the Islands until his discharge (as Acting Warrant Officer) in late October 1945.

Frank settled in Caboolture, married Shirley in 1956, and raised a family there. He supported the Unit Association and marched with his mates in Brisbane on many ANZAC Days. Frank encouraged his sons and daughters to actively support the ANZAC Day March so that his wife and children joined him at many Commemoration Services and marches.

Frank was elected as Foundation President of our re-formed Association in 2007 and was re-elected unanimously every subsequent year.

Frank’s wife Shirley died in January 2013 and he is survived by his nine children and many grandchildren.

1. Frank Wust Obituary

QX52785 Sergeant F. G. Wust (9th Battalion, PIB, NGIB)
by Greg Ivey

Francis (Frank) George Wust enlisted in the 9/49th Australian Infantry Battalion (Militia) at Eumundi on 21st January 1939, his 17th birthday, and continued his work on the family farm. After Australia formally declared war on Japan, Frank was called-up for full-time CMF duty with the 9th Australian Infantry Battalion in Brisbane from 17 December 1941. Then in early 1942, Frank was sent to the Army Camp at Rollingstone north of Townsville for 3-4 months jungle training.

In May 1942 at Townsville, Frank and his Battalion embarked for Milne Bay on a Dutch ship. From May onwards, Lance Corporal Frank and 9th Battalion were based at Milne Bay and Frank fought in the landmark Battle of Milne Bay in August – September 1942. Frank was presented with the 70th Anniversary Battle of Milne Bay Medallion by the Governor of Qld in 2012.

On 22 February 1943, aged 21, he transferred voluntarily to the Papuan Infantry Battalion at Bisiatabu, about 70km from Port Moresby, and in this Battalion he made his mark. In June 1943, Frank and most of B Coy, PIB were flown by DC-3 to Wau and then they patrolled through the Bulolo Valley. Other patrols took them towards Lae and along the Markham River.

In September 1943 Frank volunteered to lead an important patrol across the Markham River to Nadzab. A change of patrol leadership and limited swimmers meant that only Frank and two of his soldiers swam across the crocodile-infested Markham River on the afternoon of 3 September. Under a full moon, they patrolled the northern bank tracks looking for Japanese soldiers. After more patrolling the following morning, they swam back across the river. They lost equipment and clothing in the fast-flowing river but, regardless, Frank was rushed to report to the Brigadier and senior staff about his patrol. As a result of Frank’s report, and other reports, Captain John Chalk sent the signal to Major General George Vasey clearing the way for paratroopers to land spectacularly at Nadzab the following day, 5 September 1943. Frank witnessed about 100 planes dropping soldiers in white or yellow or green parachutes before his section again crossed the river, this time with the help of a rope, and finally reached a deserted village near Boana.

The strategic importance of these PIB patrols at Nadzab can be seen in this text by the Australian War Memorial: “One of the most spectacular features of the Lae-Salamaua campaign was the parachute drop, personally supervised by General Douglas MacArthur from a Flying Fortress, of Australian artillery and American troops in the Markham Valley at Nadzab, which opened the way for airborne troops to advance on Lae, and later into the Ramu Valley. Finschhafen was captured, and the enemy cleared from the Huon Peninsula…”

Frank’s platoon then moved to a camp at Kaiapit Mission Village. His soldiers patrolled in the North East Kaiapit district as far as Dumpu. After a break back at Bisiatabu, Frank and other PIB soldiers were flown back to Dumpu and then flown further north to Faita. Here, the soldiers built rafts with 44-gallon drums and floated down the Ramu River over three days to Annenberg Mission Station. While stationed at the elevated Mission village, Frank’s patrols, usually with three soldiers and the adopted man from Chungriba village called “Snake”, ranged across the Ramu Valley. Frank’s longest patrol of fifteen days, with Sgt Bill Culvert, took them towards the Sepik River region.

In January 1944 Frank and B Coy went back to Bisiatabu for training. Next month, Frank was flown to Nadzab before resuming patrols across the northern districts throughout 1944. He was transferred temporarily to the PIR Depot Battalion in March 1945 then to the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion in the same month. The NGIB was sent to Bougainville Island to confront Japanese troops holding the middle and southern sectors of the island. Frank and his section patrolled first around Torokina and then they were the first patrol to reach southwards to the Hongorai River.

Frank was next posted, in June 1945, to New Britain Island where he served at Jacquinot Bay and later at Wide Bay. It was here that he was promoted to Acting Warrant Officer from mid 1945 to 30 September 1945.

In October 1945, with the war concluded, Frank embarked from TPNG for Townsville and then Brisbane. He had experienced several bouts of malaria, mumps and tropical illness in TPNG but said that he felt well on his return to Australia. Frank was discharged from the Army and returned to Eumundi where he worked on banana and pineapple farms. He gained employment with the Department of Railways in 1954, married Shirley in 1956, moved to Caboolture, and they raised their nine children there. Frank and Shirley devoted themselves to their children and their local Church with Frank successfully putting the experience of war behind him. Frank retired in 1982 and remained physically active in home and family activities despite heart surgery in his late seventies.

Frank regained contact with his mates from the PIB and NGIB after his retirement and attended Reunions of the Unit Association in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. From the late 1980s, Frank marched in the Brisbane ANZAC Day March with his Battalion mates. They marched behind the blue Unit Banner which displays their official Battle Honours from World War II. In recent years, Frank and Shirley were the proud custodians of the Qld Unit Banner at their home. When asked in 2013 why he marched each ANZAC Day, Frank replied, “It is the deep sense of pride in being an Australian and wearing the Australian Army uniform, along with the honour of marching with and for those I stood shoulder to shoulder with on the battlefield, which motivates me to join the ANZAC Day March each year.”

When the number of marchers declined because of death or illness, Frank continued to march and the banner was carried by his sons with other family members joining Frank. It was at this time, about 2004, that National Servicemen who had served in TPNG started marching with Frank in Brisbane. They have continued to march, and they joined the re-formed Association, inspired by the leadership of Frank. In 2014, there were 9 marchers following Frank, who was seated in a golf cart, and sons Noel and Ian carrying the Unit banner. After the March each year, these younger servicemen proudly posed for photographs with Frank and his family.

When the World War II Unit Association re-formed in 2007, Frank was elected as the Foundation President. He was re-elected each year as the number of members increased across Australia. Frank was a constant advocate for the PIB and NGIB. He took advantage of every opportunity, and created opportunities, to increase awareness of the vital role played by these Battalions in the successful defence of war-time Papua New Guinea. Daughter Sharyn became Frank’s loyal email correspondent with members.

Frank was a very active President of the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association in many ways. He represented the Association at Kokoda Commemoration services in Sydney several times, on the Gold Coast and frequently at Corinda in Brisbane. Frank and Shirley made the effort to attend many Army reunions related to Papua New Guinea and to represent the PIB/NGIB. VP50 prompted Frank and Shirley to re-visit Townsville for the anniversary activities. Importantly, they participated in Remembrance Day services in Caboolture each year and in 2009 Frank travelled to the Townsville service to participate with Lt Jack McIntosh (PIB) and Olive McIntosh. “Remembrance Day is one of the most important days of my life” Frank explained to his local newspaper.

Photos of Frank wearing his characteristic slouch hat appeared on the front page of the Brisbane Sunday Mail and inside local newspapers in Caboolture, Townsville and Sydney. Frank used each newspaper feature to promote the story of the PIB and NGIB during World War II. As well as public newspapers, Frank’s stories and photos have been published in newsletters for several Army associations and even in a newsletter for hospital staff. Tribute needs to be paid also to Frank’s sons and daughters who supported his participation in many services and reunions in recent years. Frank included his grandchildren in Army commemorations and this was consistent with his objective to tell the story of Australian and indigenous soldiers in war-time PNG to younger generations.

In his position as President of the Association, Frank was always someone members looked up to. He exhibited a quiet, humble demeanour however a wicked sense of humour always bubbled just below the surface. As well as being a true ‘family’ man, Frank was a ‘man’s man’. One such example was on ANZAC Day in Brisbane in 2013. He had waited in the golf buggy for well over an hour for the march to begin and appeared to be in considerable discomfort, but when asked if he was okay, Frank replied, “With a pretty lass (the Driver) by my side and a sunny morning, what is there to complain about?” An example of Frank keeping things ‘low key’ was when he received his Honorary Life Membership Certificate on Kokoda Day 2014. The occasion was quite emotional for him, and some present shed a tear or two, but all was put in perspective by his quiet aside to his daughter, Trish – “Ah well, another bloody nail in the wall” followed by a shared chuckle. It was this sort of understated comment which helped endear him to all who knew him.

2. Speech by Kev Horton, Sec/Treas, when presenting Honorary Life Membership Award to PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn President, Sgt Frank Wust, on Kokoda Day, 8 August 2014 at the Gold Coast.

“Today is a special day for the Association with the further recognition of the role of the PIB and NGIB in New Guinea during WWII and also the recognition of the role that the PIR has played post WWII and in the lead up to Independence in 1975.

The Committee thought that it was very fitting that we recognize our President, Sgt Frank Wust, for his active support and membership of our precursor Association and this Association since WWII up to and including today.
Since his WWII service in New Guinea, Frank has been an enthusiastic and vital supporter of the PIB, NGIB and PIR in activities such as being a leader and participant in RSL, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, Victory in the Pacific and Kokoda Day Activities.

He has flown the flag at home in Caboolture in schools, in the church and the community in general. He’s had articles in the local paper and starred in the ‘Courier Mail’. He has been our President since the current Association’s inception in 2007 and is an inspiration to me and many others. He is one of the major reasons I turn up each year on ANZAC Day in Brisbane. Frank and his late wife, Shirley, have always had the support of their wonderful family of nine who now ensure he is able to get to all activities, so thanks go to them as well.
Within the Association we have ‘Financial Life Members’ who receive that status by paying the prescribed fee. Frank has earned the title of ‘Honorary Life Member’ by his deeds which were officially recognized at an AGM of the Association. Committee members have designed an Honorary Life Membership Certificate incorporating an original design by Ted Middleton from W.A.(Signal Corps in PNG in the 70’s) and also the Red and Green PIR colours.

So congratulations, Frank, you are a worthy recipient of this Award. Thanks for all you have done over the years.”

May he rest in peace.[