These are the real Heroes: Anzac Day. Lest we forget.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,976
Received 104 Likes
on
59 Posts
These are the real Heroes: Anzac Day. Lest we forget.
The term Hero is much misused these days! I get quite irate when I see so called sportsmen described as heroes by an ignorant media and a just as ignorant public.
Well, these are my Heroes. The Men, and occasionally Women who when their Country called, volunteered in their thousands to fight in sometimes shocking conditions, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice.
[/IMG]
Back Row. A Shaw;Gunner. Paddy Kelly;2nd Engineer. B Dickenson;1st W/Op. R Linnett;WOp.
Front Row. J Robinson; Gunner. R Duddleston;Navigator. L Gilmore; Captain. R Baum; Pilot. N Thomson; WOp.
Absent. W Kingsley; 1st Engineer.
In memory of 39814 WO1. Baum; Ronald Wilhelm. Pilot 461 Sqn (Coastal Command. Sunderland Flying Boats) RAAF. Based Pembroke Dock. Wales UK.
He was my Dad, and I miss him!
Well, these are my Heroes. The Men, and occasionally Women who when their Country called, volunteered in their thousands to fight in sometimes shocking conditions, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice.
[/IMG]Back Row. A Shaw;Gunner. Paddy Kelly;2nd Engineer. B Dickenson;1st W/Op. R Linnett;WOp.
Front Row. J Robinson; Gunner. R Duddleston;Navigator. L Gilmore; Captain. R Baum; Pilot. N Thomson; WOp.
Absent. W Kingsley; 1st Engineer.
In memory of 39814 WO1. Baum; Ronald Wilhelm. Pilot 461 Sqn (Coastal Command. Sunderland Flying Boats) RAAF. Based Pembroke Dock. Wales UK.
He was my Dad, and I miss him!
Last edited by Pinky the pilot; 20th Apr 2008 at 01:42. Reason: Added details.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pinky yr dad hasn't really gone, he lives on in yr heart & the many thousands that he & others indirectly saved, even if they don't know it !
Heros don't know they are, sports people think they are!
Terrific photo, reminds me of my ATC (Air Training Corps in 4th flight nth Melb) days when I was just 14! Was told by a flt sergent one night whilst on parade with most of us standing there freezing with our arms folded that only pregnant women & prostitues fold their arms, to this day I can still remember that statement & to 14 yr olds it was a shock!
CW
Heros don't know they are, sports people think they are!
Terrific photo, reminds me of my ATC (Air Training Corps in 4th flight nth Melb) days when I was just 14! Was told by a flt sergent one night whilst on parade with most of us standing there freezing with our arms folded that only pregnant women & prostitues fold their arms, to this day I can still remember that statement & to 14 yr olds it was a shock!
CW
Wotmesir?
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Darkest Scotland
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year I had the privilege of visiting Gallipoli and spent a few days walking the beaches and trench lines. Anzac cove was a very poignant place to visit. The cemeteries are very well tended and peaceful.
More power to you all.
More power to you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Oz
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let us also remember there are men and women of the ADF currently doing their stuff on our behalf and often in dangerous situations.
Thanks fellas and girls
tipsy
ex green machine
Thanks fellas and girls
tipsy
ex green machine
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Qld Troppo
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great post Pinky!
My father (on the far right) was 19 when he joined 459 Squadron in the Middle East, as a wireless operator/air gunner. He saw service in Hudsons, Venturas and Baltimores on maritime surveillance and bombing operations around the Mediteranean.
Dr
PS: Reading some of the notations in his logbook make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
My father (on the far right) was 19 when he joined 459 Squadron in the Middle East, as a wireless operator/air gunner. He saw service in Hudsons, Venturas and Baltimores on maritime surveillance and bombing operations around the Mediteranean.
Dr
PS: Reading some of the notations in his logbook make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
Last edited by StrutlessDrKiller; 21st Apr 2008 at 06:02.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
It's really funny, in the UK they seem to push these things aside. They do have Poppy day which is Nov 11. Personally, calling it "Poppy Day" demeans it. It's Remembrance Day!! Anzac Day is remembered by a march through London to the Cenotaph. However, not much is mentioned on tv.
The Turks and the French are amazed at how the Aussies and Kiwis trek to Gallipoli and to the sites in France and Belgium (Flanders) to pay respects. The Turkish people that I have met respect and honour those who fell and who are buried on their soil.
There are towns in France that have never forgotten what the Anzacs did in WW1 and WW2 in liberating them from their unwelcome invaders.
For an incredible story of courage and bravery, read about Nancy Wake
Lest we forget.
The Turks and the French are amazed at how the Aussies and Kiwis trek to Gallipoli and to the sites in France and Belgium (Flanders) to pay respects. The Turkish people that I have met respect and honour those who fell and who are buried on their soil.
There are towns in France that have never forgotten what the Anzacs did in WW1 and WW2 in liberating them from their unwelcome invaders.
For an incredible story of courage and bravery, read about Nancy Wake
Lest we forget.
Last edited by redsnail; 19th Apr 2008 at 12:41.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: YBBN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anzac Day
This year it will be extra special for me. I'll give thanks that my significant other is here and healthy after being over there last year, and may in fact be sent back in a few months.
I'll remember and give my silent thanks to those from years ago who gave their all so that I could have the life I do.
LEST WE FORGET ..
I'll remember and give my silent thanks to those from years ago who gave their all so that I could have the life I do.
LEST WE FORGET ..
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good posts all,
LOL Capt Wally, that reminded me of my Army days during radio training when we had to learn to use the Phonetic alphabet when using Mil Radio, a very pissed of Corporal would come up to a student and below "Don't so oh....say bloody Zero!.....only Fag*&s and Sailors say oh!"
Well said Pinky the Pilot regarding currant media and sports stars!
Your not alone for those that miss their dads.
LOL Capt Wally, that reminded me of my Army days during radio training when we had to learn to use the Phonetic alphabet when using Mil Radio, a very pissed of Corporal would come up to a student and below "Don't so oh....say bloody Zero!.....only Fag*&s and Sailors say oh!"
Well said Pinky the Pilot regarding currant media and sports stars!
Your not alone for those that miss their dads.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good stuff - & thanks
My Dad is still around, although now well retired to the task of fishing from tinny -
He's decided to take part in the march this year for the very first time
- and after decades under lock and key, never opened - he actually pulled the old trunk out of his garage loft the other day. Apparently it's full of photos, film reels and other stuff he shot while flying - Hope I get to sit down with him one day and see and hear the stories -
PS: He likes the edge of the zone on Botany Bay - (probably more for the plane spotting than fishing I suspect) - If you're inbound give him a wave!
My Dad is still around, although now well retired to the task of fishing from tinny -
He's decided to take part in the march this year for the very first time
- and after decades under lock and key, never opened - he actually pulled the old trunk out of his garage loft the other day. Apparently it's full of photos, film reels and other stuff he shot while flying - Hope I get to sit down with him one day and see and hear the stories -
PS: He likes the edge of the zone on Botany Bay - (probably more for the plane spotting than fishing I suspect) - If you're inbound give him a wave!
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: New Zealand
Age: 64
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's a f*cking brilliant thread, Pinky. Even got me slightly teary-eyed.
Various cloth-eared dickheads crap on about "societal norms", blah, blah, blah - as if these guys never appreciated that they might die. What a load of complete f*cking b*llocks!! They all knew they might die. Putting the sacrifice those guys made down to some sort of delusion is, in my opinion, completely outrageous.
Various cloth-eared dickheads crap on about "societal norms", blah, blah, blah - as if these guys never appreciated that they might die. What a load of complete f*cking b*llocks!! They all knew they might die. Putting the sacrifice those guys made down to some sort of delusion is, in my opinion, completely outrageous.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,976
Received 104 Likes
on
59 Posts
Thank you all who have responded in this thread.
Capt Wally, You nailed it perfectly! And thanks for your kind words.
Fellow Ppruners may be interested to know that I have been contacted by a Pprune member whose Grandfather thinks he is one of the Men in the photograph of my Dad's crew! When we are certain of this, the appropriate information may be posted.
Any more photos out there?
And one thing about photographs of Aircrew in those days still amazes me....
They all look so bloody young!!!!
Maybe it's because they were!
Heros don't know they are, sports people think they are!
And thanks for your kind words.Fellow Ppruners may be interested to know that I have been contacted by a Pprune member whose Grandfather thinks he is one of the Men in the photograph of my Dad's crew! When we are certain of this, the appropriate information may be posted.
Any more photos out there?
And one thing about photographs of Aircrew in those days still amazes me....
They all look so bloody young!!!!
Maybe it's because they were!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Left of reality.
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hero,s
Dear Pinky
Truly great post. These were brave men, with responsibility beyond their years.
On Friday, I,ll be marching for my grandfather (ex Gallipolli).
Fortunately he came home.
Many didn,t
Congrats on a truely inspirational post
Regards
Multi
Truly great post. These were brave men, with responsibility beyond their years.
On Friday, I,ll be marching for my grandfather (ex Gallipolli).
Fortunately he came home.
Many didn,t
Congrats on a truely inspirational post
Regards
Multi
I have never worn a uniform - I consider this a freedom
I express my opinions freely and live my life without fear of oppression - yet another freedom.
I thank and remember the people who defended these freedoms - and my life.
I express my opinions freely and live my life without fear of oppression - yet another freedom.
I thank and remember the people who defended these freedoms - and my life.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dad (on right) going to sign up - 1941. 16y.o.
A few nasties his unit caught (New Guinea c.1944)
Sailing from Morotai to Kure (Japan) 1946
What they faced - Hiroshima 1946
Just prior to leaving Japan 1947
He and a lot of his mates did it pretty tough both while they were away, and in the years that followed. Anyone who grew up in an ex-WW2 serviceman household would appreciate what I mean.
Thanks to all the Vets
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ty 'Pinky' I bet yr dad was a great man, afterall he inspired you to start this great thread & yr heart/mind is an extension of him.
I feel so humble amongst the real heros that passed before me, ordinary folk who stood tall, proud & only went forth for one reason, their country, the country we live in now not for their personal gain. The people who run this country, pollies, CEO's & the likes (they like to think they do) could do well to take a leaf out of the 'pinky's dads of the past with courage & utter unselfishness.
'HJ' terrific addition, tnxs
CW
I feel so humble amongst the real heros that passed before me, ordinary folk who stood tall, proud & only went forth for one reason, their country, the country we live in now not for their personal gain. The people who run this country, pollies, CEO's & the likes (they like to think they do) could do well to take a leaf out of the 'pinky's dads of the past with courage & utter unselfishness.
'HJ' terrific addition, tnxs
CW
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South OZ
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Strutless
We will be joining my father at the dawn service and march on Friday. He is 83 and still going strong. He was in 454 squadron on Martin Baltimores. His last flight at Villaorba in Italy was a fitting tribute.
cheers
cheers
Brilliant!