FRANK WUST TO BE HONOURED
Secretary/Treasurer, Kev Horton, has just advised your Committee that a major bridge in Caboolture will be named after our founding President, the late Sergeant Frank Wust. Kev’s long and tortuous effort to advocate for this honour has been finally realised and we salute Kev for his efforts here. Kev’s letter regarding this is set out below.
I have great pleasure in letting you know that final approval for the naming of the bridge on the D’Aguilar Highway on the outskirts of Caboolture to honour the late Sergeant Frank Wust has been received from Neil Scales, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Qld. As most of you know, Sergeant Frank Wust was a serving member of the PIB and NGIB in World War 2 and was the initial president of our Association, serving in this capacity until he passed away. His smiling face, quiet humour and presence at the ANZAC Day marches is missed by all. Frank was a well-known resident of Caboolture since the early 1950s raising his family of nine, most of whom still have businesses, work or reside around Caboolture. There could not be a more worthy citizen to have the name Wust remembered in perpetuity in this way than Sergeant Wust.
Seargent Frank Wust
In consultation with the Wust family, it has taken over 18 months to wade through the red tape involved. Consultation with Federal, State and Local Government members, RSL, Historical Society, Progress Association and the Traditional Owners of the land to name a few, has been painstakingly slow but written support from all stakeholders was finally obtained last October and sent to the Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads.
When a date is obtained, it is hoped that there will be a number of our Association members who will attend the ceremony. Information regarding the date and time will be sent to all members of the Association when it is finalised by the Department.
PAVERS PROJECT – KOKODA WALL UPDATE
by Kev Horton (Secretary/Treasurer)
Over the last three months following an initiative from our retired Patron, LTCOL Maurie Pears MC, an idea to extend the recognition for several decorated indigenous members of the PIB and NGIB has been pursued. Promoting and supporting the recognition of PNG and Australian personnel who served in the former Territories of Papua and New Guinea during WWII is one of the core aims of our Association.
Maurie wished to recognize the contribution of six PIB and NGIB soldiers who received decorations for their contribution to the war effort in PNG. The six soldiers are: Sgt John Ehava DCM (PIB), Cpl Geai DCM (PIB), WO2 William Matpi DCM (PIB), WO1 Yauwiga DCM (POLICE seconded to M SPECIAL UNIT), Cpl Diti GM (2 NGIB), Sgt Iaking Iwagu GM (POLICE seconded to PIB)
After several discussions, involving the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall trustees, Association committee members, and sculptor of the Wall David Yardley, it was decided to add two large pavers (PIB and NGIB) to complement the existing large PIR paver at the Kokoda Wall and to place individual pavers under their respective large pavers hence highlighting the indigenous soldiers’ contributions.
Research by Peter Jesser and Greg Ivey resulted in the correct Battalion Colours being displayed for the large pavers and the names and ranks of the indigenous soldiers being confirmed.
Many thanks go to Maurie Pears who has funded a large part of the project with the Association contributing one large paver, an individual paver for WO1 Osi Ivaraoa (PIB and PIR) and all GST and freight costs.
I have placed the order with ‘Talkingstones’ and it is hoped to have the pavers laid by ANZAC Day. For your information I have included a copy of the final art work.
These pavers will complement the existing individual pavers which honour our Veterans: Frank Wust, Alan Hooper, Harold Jesser, Ian McDonald and Hector Rogers.
As a reminder of the ‘PAVER PROJECT’ and for those new members who may not be aware of the ‘Honour Roll’ Pavers laid behind the Memorial Wall at Cascade Gardens, I have attached the article from our Website which explains the concept.
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A LASTING TRIBUTE TO PNG VETERANS
Veterans of the Papua – New Guinea battles can be remembered in a lasting tribute at the wonderful Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall at Cascade Gardens in Broadbeach, Qld. Through a partnership with 39 Battalion Association and Gold Coast Council, you can honour a family member or friend with their name inscribed on a paver, laid under the Battalion insignia (2/14, 2/16, 39Btn, PIB NGIB PIR).
There are two types of pavers, the first is placed in the Honour Roll for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the PNG campaigns. Their surnames are in capitals on the paver.
The other type is for veterans of the PNG campaigns. The lettering of their names is in lower case. The cost per paver is Approx $70 including laying.
Orders can be placed by completing the order form (with payment details). See our website.
Orders will close on 30 June each year and will be part of the Kokoda Day Ceremony at Broadbeach on August 8 each year. General enquiries can be made to Kev Horton 0418 750 189 or kevhorton49@gmail.com
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| (Photo courtesy of member Geoff Stooke OAM, Cit WA) | Family members and some Assn Executive near pavers at back of Kokoda Wall on Kokoda Day, 2015 |
PRESIDENT DON ATTENDS TSS CADET ANNUAL GRADUATION PARADE
Association President Don Graham
On the 18 October 2017, as President of our Association I was privileged to attend these activities with my wife, Barbara, at the TSS 2017 Cadet Graduation Parade and Formal Dinner.
TSS, founded in 1901 in Southport, Queensland, is an Anglican Boys School, comprising 1200 students, of whom 8 are PNG Nationals. Graduates have served in all Campaigns since WW1, including current military operations in the Middle East. The Honourable Stuart Robert M.P. is both an Old Boy and an RMC Graduate and is the current Federal Member for Fadden on the Gold Coast.
Despite the prevailing inclement weather, the Parade, consisting of some 440 Cadets, (300 Army, 115 RAN and 15 RAAF, together with 5 Mounted Light Horse Troopers) took place on the grass school oval. The Parade was indeed a most impressive one, which was reviewed by Commander McConnell, RAN Reserve, Commander of HMAS MORETON.
Two Army Cadets from PNG participated. They were Solomon Kasokason, from Port Moresby, and Kandi Undi, from Ialian, Southern Highlands. After the Parade concluded I was able to meet and speak with these “WANTOKS”.
President Don with PNG Cadets Solomon Kasokason from Port Moresby and Kandi Undi from Ialian Southern Highlands, after the Parade.
Of significance, participating on the Parade were five mounted Light Horse Troopers in full WW1 uniforms and equipment. Two troopers were TSS students. Their inclusion was to commemorate the 100th Anniversary (31 October 1917) of the historic and successful BEERSHEBA Light Horse Charge, which included TSS Old Boys. Regrettably, one was killed in this action.
In the evening, a Seniors mixed formal “dining in” night was conducted in the school gymnasium. It was a most impressive and enjoyable dinner, with over 250 guests attending. The port was passed most enthusiastically!!
During the dinner, Major Conan Bland, Director of TSS Cadets delivered a most detailed presentation on the 1917 Beersheba Campaign, which was enhanced by both video and slides.
Barbara and I are most grateful for all the generous hospitality and friendship which was extended to us as representatives of our PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Association.
EM TASOL!
‘GUARDING THE PERIPHERY- The Australian Army in Papua New Guinea, 1951-75’
By Dr Tristan Moss
Association members will be interested in this new book by academic and researcher Tristan Moss. This is a well-researched and detailed account of the role of the Australian Army in PNG up till independence in 1975. This book gives the ‘big picture’ of what many of us were doing in PNG during this period. A detailed review of this book is pending but in the meantime, it would be a rewarding and informative experience for all to obtain this book.
2018 ANZAC DAY MARCHES
Anzac Day approaches and members should be alert for notifications of the organisational details for the marches in the various locations, especially Sydney and Brisbane.
Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, Kev Horton has been to the most recent planning meeting for the Brisbane march and is available to respond to questions about that march.
Final details will be sent to all soon by Email. Members are asked to consider marching on Anzac Day to ensure an appropriate presence for our Association and to honour our deceased comrades.
Editor: Ian Ogston (ozoggies2@gmail.com)