Vetaffairs Noticeboard

Service may end, but the mateship doesn't. Stay connected, hit the greens and be part of the 18th National Diggers Bowls Tournament - a legendary 3-day event packed with camaraderie, competition and community spirit. Open to all current and former Defence Force personnel (just you service number is needed). To be held in Dubbo - Diggers Day: 7 Sept, Tournament: 9-11 Sept. Format: 3 Bowls Triples - Teams or singles. Send nominations to: National Diggers Bowls Carnival, PO Box 2686, NSW 2830.

Allan served with the RAAF during WWII. I spoke to Allan about his service a few years ago and now hope to find friends or family to speak to, as I'm writing a book.

Joyce served in WWII. Her service included time in Townsville and Brisbane. The information is for a book I'm writing on women in WWII.

On Saturday 31 May 2025, a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial will tell the story of an airman of Bomber Command recorded on the Roll of Honour. The next day, Sun 1 June 2025, at 11am, at the Memorial’s Bomber Command Memorial, a ceremony will be held to pay tribute to the 10,000 RAAF aircrew along with ground staff and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force members who served in and supported RAF Bomber Command from 1939 to 1945. The BCCDF also recognise the 4,149 RAAF members who made the supreme sacrifice while serving across 132 RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and RCAF operational squadrons and operational training units of Bomber Command. There will be a dinner on Saturday evening at the ADFA Officer’s Mess and lunch following the ceremony on Sunday at Poppy’s Café at the AWM. If you are interested in attending any of the social functions, please contact the Bomber Command Commemorative Day Foundation (BCCDF). Please visit the website for further details. Those attending the Last Post Ceremony will need to book a free ticket via the Memorial’s website: awm.gov.au/visit/plan

We are reaching out to all those who serve/have served in the RAAF, either Regular, Reserve or National Service to join in the camaraderie of the Association. This invitation is also extended to Army Aviation and Commonwealth Allied Forces. The Branch meets on the first Sunday of each month at Club Toowoomba, 331 Hume Street, Toowoomba, commencing at 10.00 am.

As an experienced Reiki practitioner, I offer Reiki treatments and I would like to extend my services to veterans. Reiki services are available pre and post procedures in Perth's Charlie Gardener Hospital, Fiona Stanley as well as day clinics. Reiki integrates and harmonises all body systems thus reduces stress, anxiety, acute chronic pain, insomnia enhancing quality of life with no side effects. Please follow this link about research to date http://www.centreforreikiresearch.com/

Cairns RSL Sub-Branch (in conjunction with British Ex-Serviceman's Association, QLD) has formed a group for ex members of the British Armed Forces within the region. Their goal is to promote social activities, welfare, commemoration events, military history and the memory of fallen friends. More information can be provided from the Sub-Branch Offices on 07 4249 3030 or from Graeme below.

Veterans who reside in Queensland in the Federal electorate of Lilley are invited to apply to Computers 4 Learning for a free desktop computer as part of the Diggers go Digital initiative. To take advantage of this offer, you will have to provide a copy of your valid and current Department of Veteran's Affairs card or other proof of service documentation. This initiative has been made possible due to grant funding from the Kedron-Wavell Community Grants. Although veterans over 65 are targeted, any ex-serving member is welcome to apply.

National Service 1969-71, B Company, 9th Platoon, Singleton. Seeking members for a get together. Contact Graham (below) or Bruce Barnell, 0417 750 256.

The No 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association is endeavouring to contact former personnel who participated in HQRIC Detachment ‘S’, the Hercules and Dakota deployment to Saigon 29 March - 29 April 1975. Please email contact details, and the information will be sent of the commemorative event at the AWM Canberra on Wednesday 23 July 2025.

We are a community group trying to have 3 WW2 local RAAF airman recognised with a plaque in a pocket park in Manly. All three were KIA - bodies and aircraft never recovered. We are trying to locate relatives of these airman:

Sgt 402114 David Ross Gale 250 Sqn RAAF Enlisted 27/01/1940 KIA 26/06/1941 Age 24.
Cause of Death – Flying Battle. Memorial Column 246 El Alamein Egypt. Active June-November 1941: Sidi Haneish South. April 1941-April 1942: Curtiss Tomahawk IIB D.O.B. 09/09/1919 Bronze Medallion 11625 – 09/02/1936 Manly (South Steyne) LSC

Sgt 402893 Frank Webster Tregear 260 Sqn RAAF Enlisted Army - Manly, 28/05/1940 – 19/09/1940 T/F RAAF 11/11/1940 KIA 24/04/1942 Age 20. Aircraft – Curtiss Kittyhawk
Cause of Death – Flying Battle. Memorial Column 266 El Alamein Egypt.
D.O.B. 20/06/1921 Bronze Medallion 16246 – 10/11/1940 Manly (South Steyne) LSC

F/O 403262 Alan Howard Durrell 459 Sqn RAAF Enlisted 05/01/1941 KIA 15/06/1942 48 Rosedale Street Manly Age 21. Aircraft: Lockheed Hudson V9022
Cause of Death – Flying Battle. Memorial Column 264 El Alamein Egypt.
D.O.B. 18/08/1920 Bronze Medallion 14022 – 20/10/1938 North Steyne SLSC

Seeking information from family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of the 23 victims of the Archerfield Air Tragedy of 27 March 1943 for the purposes of a book. The RAAF C-47 Dakota VH-CTB (A30-16) crashed shortly after take-off from Archerfield resulting in the death of all on board. I'm seeking any eye-witness accounts, photographs, stories or reports which would assist in piecing the accident together. I'm particularly interested in hearing from loved ones and families of the accident victims to narrate the story of their lives and their careers leading up to the crash. Thank you.

The Dudley War Memorial is looking to add names to the new memorial for those that fought in the Gulf War and lived in Dudley NSW 2290. Hope you can help us.

Seeking descendants of the five Airmen killed near Kingston SE, South Australia - 23964 SGT. WILLIAM NATHANIEL HIGHAM FLEMING, AGED 20 OF ALDERNY, QLD; 405197 SGT. JOHN EDWARD MOOREHOUSE, AGED 27 OF BUNDABERG, QLD; 416804 SGT. MALCOM ALBERT THIELE, AGED 20 OF MOUNT TORRENS, SA (one known descendant is Mr Dean Thiele of Tantanoola, SA); 410473 LAC WILLIAM ROSS BREMNER FENTON, AGED 20 OF MITCHAM, VIC; 410476 LAC CHARLES THOMAS FLETCHER, AGED 28 OF WARBURTON, VIC. Robe RSL and Kingston SE RSL held a joint commemorative service on 11 August 2024 attended by Mr Thiele. Kingston SE RSL is reaching out in order to advise descendants of a similar commemoration to be held in 2025. Please contact the Secretary, RSL Kingston SE Sub-Branch, 40 James Street, Kingston SE SA 5275.

The 'Allies of War' performance coincides with 80 years since the end of Australia's involvement in WWII. The concert will include a tribute to the entertainers and radio legends of the ‘Concert Parties’ who performed during WWII and also songs from WWI, in the effort of boosting the troops’ morale. A variety of music will be heard, from WW2 sing-along medleys to the songs of Vera Lyn and Marlene Dietrich, to the Big Band sounds of Glen Miller and the Andrews Sisters. Guest artists include international recording vocalist Maggie Britton along with Coffs Coast Pipes & Drums.

Performed by the Clarence Valley Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Artistic Director Dr Greg Butcher, the concert is one not to be missed, and is a ‘Salute to all Australians who have served in the Defence Force’. This concert is supported by the Woolgoolga RSL sub-Branch Members.

‘Allies of War’ will be held on Saturday 26th April 2025, commencing at 2:00pm at the Woolgoolga Sports Complex. Tickets are available now online at https://events.humanitix.com/anzac-80th-anniversary-charity-concert

I am a history student at the University of Rouen in Normandy, France. I'm passionate about the Second World War and especially about the paths of the soldiers who fought for our freedom. This year we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. 80 years have passed, but the memory is intact, and it is necessary that this lasts. On the occasion of the end of the year, I would like to write a letter to veterans to wish them a happy holiday and above all to show them that the younger generations do not forget them. Please make contact with me if you would like to receive a letter.

I am hoping to buy a copy of the book, 'Purple and Blue. The History of the 2/10th Battalion, A.I.F.' - any Edition 2nd to 4th. Please make contact if you or your family have one that you are prepared to sell to me.

Are you a TPI looking for social interaction? Come and join us. We are always seeking new members. We hold our meetings at the Shoalhaven Veteran and Family Hub at 124 Wallace Street, Nowra on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11.00am, but every few months we have a luncheon, so we won’t be at the regular meeting place. If you are interested in coming along, please contact Leanne beforehand to find out where we will be gathering on that particular day. Spouses and partners are very welcome to come along.

1954 Intake Flinders 12/7/1954. Writers and Stewards from Dorm 5+. Seeking the following - Joe Bradford, Nev White, Jim Walsh, Jim Black, Tony Bennett, Dave Taylor, Bill Pitt, Jerry Barker, Kev Barry, Ces Webster and others whose names have escaped me.

Advising Veterans of the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation and past and potential donors that the establishing of a Memorial in the Australian War Memorial Sculpture Garden, Canberra, is entering the design phase. We are seeking further donations towards this end and also seeking expressions of interests from veterans or their family members, particularly in the Canberra region, to work with the Foundation to move the project forward. For details on making a donation visit our website.