Welcome to the first edition of the Newsletter for 2015.
1. Presentation of 1PIR Colours in 1971
In September 2014, the Association received the following email from member Geoffrey Stooke, OAM, in WA. Geoffrey was an Assault Pioneer Platoon Commander with 1PIR from 1969-71. He has some great photos (with names) of the presentation of the 1PIR Colours event and some background information which I’m sure will stir some memories. During a visit to Taurama Barracks in 2011, some of our Members found the chapel at Taurama to be the best preserved building at 1PIR.
I have only recently joined the Association but in that short time a number of names of people I served with in 1PIR have popped up in various communications. Some appeared in photos at the dedication at Broadbeach and others helped identify the 1967 officers attending a New Guinea Pidgin Course.
Last year I provided this article (including attachments) to another magazine in response to an earlier article in the magazine regarding the PIR Colours. It may be of interest to some members so I have presented it below:
“When I marched into 1PIR in 1969, Lt Col Maurie Pears was the CO and when I marched out in 1971 Lt Col Ron Lange was the CO. As many would know, Colonel Pears was a veteran of the Korean War and was awarded the MC during his service in that conflict. Colonel Lange was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was Mentioned in Despatches during his service in that conflict. Colonel Lange was also a graduate of the first OCS class (Jun 1952) and when he took over command of 1PIR he was the first OCS graduate to command an infantry battalion.
In March 1971, 1PIR was presented with new Colours. They were presented by the CGS, Lt General Sir Thomas Daly KBE, CB, DSO, on the parade ground at Taurama Barracks, Port Moresby. General Daly was an outstanding soldier and leader who at the time of the presentation of Colours had only just dealt with a number of political issues in relation to the use of the army in PNG. The issues included communications by politicians in relation to ‘aid to the civil power’ in PNG and the subsequent resignation of the Defence Minister, Malcolm Fraser, and the eventual downfall of the then Prime Minister, John Gorton. General Daly was close to retirement and rumours existed at the time that he was to become the Governor of Queensland after retirement from the army.
Significantly, the new Colours included the Queen’s Colour with the Australian flag replacing the Union Jack. 1PIR was only the second unit in Australia to receive new Colours with the Australian flag replacing the Union Jack on the Queen’s Colour. The first was RMC in 1970.
I was very fortunate to carry the new Queen’s Colour at the presentation and 2Lt Joe Bau carried the Regimental Colour.
A week or so after the presentation of new Colours the old Colours were laid up in the Chapel at Taurama Barracks. Again, I carried the Queen’s Colour & Joe carried the Regimental Colour.
It is over forty years since the new Colours were presented and the old Colours were laid up. I am not sure where the Colours are today; however, I suspect they could be laid up in the Chapel.
Attached are a number of photos (including the presentation & laying up).”
2. Brisbane ANZAC Day 2015
ANZAC DAY 2015 is significant for two reasons for our Association this year. Firstly it is the 100th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli and it will be a major event for that reason. More significant for our Association is the fact that we will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the PIB, in Port Moresby on June 1st 1940. In Brisbane, it will be rather nostalgic as it will also be the first year that we will not be led by Sgt Frank Wust (PIB, NGIB) the former Association President who passed away in September 2014 at 92 years. His smiling face and stories will be missed.
All members are welcome and encouraged to take part in the March, especially this Anniversary year. Frank’s sons, Ian and Noel, have agreed to again be Banner bearers in his honour and Major Don Graham, as acting President, will lead our group. The ANZAC Day Parade committee reps will attend the planning meeting for the March on 10 February and final details will be sent to members by e-mail after that. The line-up for our marchers will be similar to previous years with all meeting at approximately 0900 hours in George Street and the March beginning at 1000. We will receive our Parade order number from the organizers and this will be advised to members.
Before the March, you are invited to join the Wreath Laying ceremony at the Kokoda Statue in ANZAC Square. This takes place at 0915 (or slightly later if the train is late). As usual, partners and family members are invited to meet at “Sugar and Spice” café in Adelaide Street to photograph the March passing by and enjoy a coffee. After the March, we will adjourn for a get-together, lunch and a yarn at a venue to be advised later.
For those intending to march behind the Association Banner in Sydney, please contact Peter Porteous at pporteous@optusnet.com.au for arrangements there. Those members marching in other States are invited to share those arrangements through this Newsletter by contacting the Editor.
Below is a copy of the Media Release aimed to help the television coverage on ANZAC Day 2015.
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Papuan Infantry Battalion –The ‘PIB’ – formed in June 1940.
These forces were not the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ but were the all but forgotten ‘barefoot Papuan and New Guinean soldiers’ who fought alongside the Australian troops to help throw the Japanese invaders out of New Guinea.
The New Guinea Infantry Battalions (NGIB) were formed from 1944. Battalions 1 and 2 operated from 1944 to 1946 while Battalion 3 operated from 1945 to 1947.
Throughout the existence of these various fighting units there were approximately 500 Australians and 3 850 Papua New Guineans.
The Papua New Guinea army evolved from the combining of these Battalions to form the Pacific Island Regiments or ‘PIR’ trained by Australian soldiers until Independence in 1975.
In Brisbane, former Australian members of the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) have marched with the PIB and NGIB veterans for ten years on ANZAC Day. The last Australian PIB survivor from the Brisbane area, Sgt Frank Wust, passed away in September 2014, one year after the last Papua New Guinean PIB soldier, Sergeant Ben Moide, passed away in Port Moresby.
The PIB and NGIB veterans deserve the highest respect for the crucial role they and their fellow Diggers played in saving PNG and Australia from the Japanese forces in 1942. They provided the experience of the land, military intelligence and tactical skills which enabled the Australian troops to eventually gain the upper hand. They became known as the Ryokuin (Green Shadows). The average age of these Papuan men, mainly recruited from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, was 19 years.
The Australian members marching here today, who served in the PIR post WWII, march to demonstrate their support for the PIB and NGIB veterans. They also march to demonstrate their post-War role in developing the modern PIR which continues to respect democratic processes and defend Papua New Guinea.
(They enjoy a few beers and a yarn or two together afterwards as well.)
Contact Person: Kev Horton (Sgt 1PIR Taurama Barracks – 1970-71)
Hon. Secretary/Treasurer PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn
Ph 0418 750 189 Email: lindyhorton@hotmail.com
3. 75th Anniversary of the formation of the PIB (June 1st 1940)
Our Acting president, Major Don Graham (Ret’d) has indicated his willingness to attend and represent the Association, at his own expense, at any celebrations that occur in Port Moresby for the 75th Anniversary of the Papuan Infantry Battalion. Historical references show that PIB recruiting took place at Konedobu and training took place at the under-construction site of Murray Barracks. Several Army sources note 1st June 1940 as the official Formation Date.
Letters and e-mails have been sent to PNG and the Embassy in Canberra about a possible Service and Commemoration event in early June. A few other members have indicated an interest in traveling to Port Moresby for such an event so we will keep all members up to date with developments.
Also in the planning stage is a Commemoration Service in mid-June at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial at Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach Qld where our plaques recognizing the PIB, NGIB and PIR were dedicated last year. The date is not finalized but our intention is to hold the event on a Saturday in mid-June so members from distant places can spend the weekend on the Gold Coast. The intention is to combine this Service with a luncheon and guest speaker at the RSL afterwards (followed by a short AGM). For those spending Saturday night on the Gold Coast, a Reunion Dinner is planned at a near by RSL Club for members and partners. Once again we will keep all members informed of developments through this newsletter.
4. Lt Col Richard (Dick) Battersby MID
Sadly, past Member Dick Battersby passed away recently. Dick served in the Army for 32 years in Australia and New Guinea (Second World War) Japan, Korea and TPNG (1952-56 at Taurama and Vanimo). He served in WWII from 1943 -46 as a Lt in the 37th and 52nd Btns as well as Adjutant at the POW Compound at Kokopo and as a Capt in 1PIR (RA Inf) from 1952-56.
Dick was awarded the honour “Mentioned in Dispatches” for bravery as a Lieutenant serving with the 3rd Battalion, RAR, in Korea.
On 13 January, Colonel Ron Lange OAM (Ret’d) and Greg Ivey represented the Association at the family funeral for Richard Henry Battersby in Brisbane.
At the funeral, we heard tributes from son Mark and from his fly-fishing club, and his Service Record was read by a representative of Bray Park RSL. Mention was made of Dick’s love of golf, cooking with pumpkin, and his devotion to grandchildren/great grandchildren. After the Service, Dick’s wife Miriam and their three children hosted a gathering of friends at a nearby hotel. His two older children were born in Port Moresby in the 1950s.
As mentioned in an email to members after his death, Dick was a long-term member and donor who enjoyed the Newsletter and was active until his health recently declined. Dick attended a couple of our get-togethers at the Geebung Zillmere RSL after the ANZAC Day Parade and was guest speaker on one occasion where he gave a very different insight into the early years of the PIR. Our thoughts go out to his wife and family.
Lest We Forget.
5. Membership / Car stickers
Many members have paid the Association’s annual dues for 2015 (and later) already. Our Secretary/Treasurer, Kev Horton will send out a reminder in March by e-mail for those whose fees are due. If you don’t receive a reminder you can assume that you are up to date.
Car stickers are $2 for one (to cover postage) and $1 for each extra sticker in the same envelope.
The image of a car sticker is seen earlier in this newsletter in the Media Release.
Dues or money for car stickers can be paid directly in to the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn Account – BSB 064153 – Account number 10090747. Please put your name on the Description line so that Kev knows who the money is from. Alternatively, you may post the money as cash or if you are sending a cheque, please make cheques out to PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn and post to – The Secretary, PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn, Kev Horton, 11 Kanooka Ave, Coolum Beach, 4573.
We look forward to meeting up with members on ANZAC Day or at the 75th Anniversary Commemoration in June.
Cheers