President Frank Wust extends greetings to all members and families in the Association.
The TPNG Chalkies Reunion held in Brisbane on 6th October was a great success for the National Servicemen in our Association. The function was well attended and all reports are that a most enjoyable day was had by all. Ian Ogston has circulated a newsletter about the event separately to Chalkie members.
Note from our Secretary/Treasurer
A warm welcome goes out to new members from Queensland and Interstate who have joined the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association since ANZAC Day this year. The interview done on the ABC Sunday morning show, ‘MACCA on a Sunday Morning”, by Terry Edwinsmith plus the ‘Chalkies Reunion’ have been the catalyst for several of the membership applications. Their names will be added to the list to receive newsletters and other relevant correspondence.
Welcome to Jim Connolly, Goldie River 72/74 and Igam Bks 77/78 — Frank Cordingley, Murray Bks 67/68 – Glen Hall, Goldie River 71/72 – Ian Mackay, 1PIR 69/70 – Brendan Chris Nolan, Murray Bks 69/70 – Laurence Quinlivan PIR 60/62 HQ PNG 65/66 – Ian Warlters 2PIR 67/70 – Peter Suna 2PIR 66/67. It is good to see a mixture of Infantry, Armoured Corps and RAAEC over a span of years. We look forward to perhaps receiving a short article about their time in PNG and the exploits/duties/mischief they got up to during their time with the Pacific Island Regiment. These could be added to the PIB NGIB…. tab in the nashospng.com segment of our shared website to help fill in some of the gaps of the Australian Army input into PNG montage. Thanks again to Frank Cordingley for his efforts in setting up the website www.nashospng.com and including the tab PIB NGIB HQ PIR ASSN for our input.
Kev Horton
Given that this is the 70th anniversary year of the Kokoda campaign, the rest of this newsletter will be devoted to that topic.
Courier-Mail photo of one of our oldest supporters Alan Hooper, holding his latest book “Kokoda”, at the 2012 Kokoda Day commemorations on the Gold Coast. (Note background sculpture of PIB soldiers.)
President Frank Wust (left) at 2012 Kokoda Day commemorations in Brisbane.
The following is a very interesting article by Committee Member, W.O. Peter Jesser. I think everyone will appreciate reading about the historic role of the PIB in 1942.
“The PIB in the Kokoda Campaign” by W.O. Peter Jesser
(click article heading to read it)
(Editor: Peter Jesser would appreciate readers’ feedback, additional information or relevant photos.)
Best wishes to all members and their families for Christmas and the coming year.
Phil Adam, Editor