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Angeles City Sub Branch

Philippines

www.rslangelescity.com

‘Lest We Forget’

Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel

President

Vice Presidents

Secretary

Treasurer

Editor

James Curtis-Smith Noel Roach Vic Meller Dallas Drake Bob Young Larry Smith

Email address’:

president@rslangelescity.com

secretary@rslangelescity.com

treasurer@rslangelescity.com

editor@rslangelescity.com

NEWSLETTER # 30 **

SEPTEMBER 2009

CAPT Vic Jones RAN,

Australian Defence Attache to the

Philippines, after placing the

Australian Embassy wreath at

Clark Cemetery on Vietnam

Veterans Day 18th of August

2009.

CAPT Jones was the keynote

speaker at the commemoration

ceremony.

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT September 2009 With us in the wet season full on, and for some time now, our membership continues still to be as active as ever. Vietnam Veteran’s Day this year was enhanced and I believe made more meaningful, by the large numbers of our allies (particularly the American vets) who attended and the very meaningful address given by Norman Macon, former USAF and who flew more than 2500 combat hours out of Clark Air Base during the Vietnam conflict. It is noteworthy that the US does not have a special day of remembrance for Vietnam Vets in their calendar, and I believe that the US vets who have retired here join with us in this very special day as part of their subjective remembrance of the fallen of the Vietnam conflict. The Australian Government was represented by Captain Vic Jones RAN, Defence Attache to the Australian Embassy, who emphasized the importance of remembrance to us all, of the sacrifice made by so many in the conflicts that have followed and sadly continuing since Vietnam. The following light lunch at Ponderosa, raffle and auction (thanks again to Ray Sauvola for being voice box and auctioneer) and the conviviality that followed the service went very well, and I again thank the Ponderosa for their assistance and organization. Last Saturday, September 12th, another medical mission was conducted, this time at Barangay Duquit at Dau and 626 children each received prescribed medication. Despite the very wet day the Barangay officials had us set up under a covered basket ball court and the local people and all of us who participated were kept dry and the mission flowed very smoothly. Both Vice Presidents of the Sub Branch, Vic Meller and Noel Roach are now very experienced in all the arrangements for our missions, and preparation of lay out, personnel, publicity etc well before the day guaranteed a hiccup free day. What amazes me is the cost of the medications, vitamins etc to us compared to the price of the same product from retail drug stores. In all cases medication purchased by us at less than 20 pesos a 60ml bottle costs retail 120 pesos ! Many thanks to the local doctors and the nurses from AUF for their assistance in examining each child and writing the prescriptions. The next mission is on October 24 at Pampang. Further details and a map of the location will appear soon on the web site. On a more sombre moment let me again remind members and visitors to this wonderful place to check and verify very carefully your immigration status. Overstaying will ultimately result in your arrest and detention, and although the Australian Embassy will assist in notifying next of kin, relatives etc, the Embassy cannot assist in legal matters and you are pretty much on your own in facing the prosecution, fines, detention and ultimate deportation from the Philippines. Your opportunity of future entry is very much jeopardized. If you wish to stay permanently please get advice as to how that can happen, and if only staying for a bit longer than the visitors visa of 21 days you get on entry, get advice as to how you can extend your stay. It is a very easy procedure and can be done at a branch office of the Dept of Immigration located on the Base. Whilst on these sorts of matters, again please be very careful in whom you entertain at your home or hotel. There are scams and set ups where you can be accused of very serious crimes against the person of another and held in detention for very long periods (sometimes years), even before your trial. Not always can you pay off your accusers. Many of our members have been long term residents of the Philippines and a chat with any one or numbers of us at our social days or individually will put you on the right track on these and other tricks of the trade of living and visiting here in the Philippines.

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Finally this month, I extend my condolences personally and on behalf of the Sub Branch to Eva and the family of the late Lionel Claydon, one of our long standing members who passed away last week at the age of 70 years. The Sub Branch conducted a brief funeral rite following a mass at the Holy Mary Memorial Chapel last Tuesday and a Vale appears elsewhere in this newsletter. That’s it for this edition. JAMES CURTIS-SMITH President

Our Sub Branch continues to enjoy increasing our membership with the following new members

coming on board in the past month. We therefore welcome: Scott Young (QLD) * Derek Goddard

(QLD) * Fredrick Long (NSW) * Thomas Coles (WA) * Donald Kelly (MNL) * Timothy Nolan

(NSW) * Peter Melhuish (A/C) * Richard Saywell (MNL) * Jason Goodwin (QLD) * Gary Kennedy

(NSW) * Daniel Sommerfeld (A/C * Paul Prendergast (NSW) *

Welcome back to: Raymond Kelly (A/C) * Frederick Cannova (A/C) *

Life Subscription: Larry Smith (DVO) * Eddie Smith (DTE) * Derek Goddard (QLD) *

Dale Pelham (SA) * Mike Brennan (NT) * Christopher Thompson (SA) *

NB. A/C = Angeles City * MNL = Manila * DVO = Davao City * DTE = Dumaguete

As can be seen above, some of us have taken out life subscriptions. That means we don‟t have to

worry about paying our yearly subs anymore. More of our members should consider doing what we

(yes I am one of the above) have done and get Dallas to calculate the fee. Last month, ACT Branch

approved at an extraordinary branch congress to raise membership fees from 1 Jan 2010. Not a

great rise but it will make a significant difference to Life Subscriptions.

Why not contact Dallas and get a quote. It will be cheaper now before the fee rise in January. Ed

VIETNAM VETERANS’ DAY

The Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today urged Australians to remember the service and sacrifice of

Vietnam veterans on 18 August.

“Vietnam was Australia‟s longest involvement in a war with around 60,000 personnel serving over 10 years from

1962 to 1972,” Mr Griffin said.

“Some 2,400 Australian service men and women were wounded in the conflict, and 521 paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Vietnam Veterans‟ Day is commemorated each year on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the best known

Australian action of the war.

“This year‟s commemorations will have a special significance, as it is the first where all our missing in action from

the Vietnam War have been located.

“The remains of Pilot Robert Carver and Flying Officer Michael Herbert were recently discovered and will shortly be

brought home to their families.”

Mr Griffin said it was also important to acknowledge the effects of war service on individuals and families.

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“Many Vietnam veterans have suffered long term health impacts from their service, and the effects still resonate

with them today. Often their families share this physical and emotional burden, and it is important to recognise their

contribution and support,” Mr Griffin said.

Minister Griffin will attend a commemorative service for Vietnam Veterans‟ Day at the Shrine of Remembrance in

Melbourne later today.

Vietnam Veteran‟s Day has been commemorated once again by members of Angeles City RSL

Sub Branch at the military cemetery at Clark. Our keynote speaker this year was CAPT Vic Jones

RAN, our Defence Attache at the Australian Embassy in Manila. There was a good roll-up from

local members, VFW, FRA, American Special Forces, American Legion to name a few.

CAPT Jones (photo left) spoke

about VV Day originally being called

Long Tan Day, but was renamed

Vietnam Veteran‟s Day in 1987 to

commemorate all Vietnam Veteran‟s.

He then went on to detail where

Australian troops are deployed

currently around the world, Timor-

Leste, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan,

Egypt, various places in the Middle

East, Sudan, performing either war

service, peacemaking or peace

keeping operations.

President Jim came up with a surprise

speaker in the form of Norman

Macon, a veteran of the distinguished

311 Air Commando‟s, then based at

Danang. Norm informed us that Jim asked him to address the gathering and told him he had only a

couple of hours to prepare. Norm spoke mainly about D Coy 6 RAR action at Long Tan. (Photo

below right)

CAPT Jones later placed the

Australian Embassy wreath at the

base of the Unknown Soldier.

At the completion of the

commemorative service, Pres Jim

invited all attendees to partake in

refreshments at the Ponderosa

Hotel. It was there that the rest of

the day was concluded in a more

convivial atmosphere.

Note 1. If you want to see if you

made it into the RSL rogues gallery

look at www.rslangelescity.com

and look under Image Gallery.

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There are dozens of pictures there.

Note 2. There was some conjecture that Vietnam Veteran‟s Day had been changed to Veteran‟s Day.

A quick email to the Minister for Veteran‟s Affairs, Alan Griffin cleared up the matter. He replied

that he was unaware of any such change. Ed.

Once again, our Sub Branch had the

pleasure of the presence of Reg Tulip, who

travelled from Sydney to conduct TIP training

for our Welfare and Pensions Officers.

Reg conducted the training over three and a

half days. He came fully prepared with his

training aids and seminar material for the

attendees. As per last year, NSW Branch paid

for his airfare to Manila and our Sub Branch

picked up his bill for his accommodation.

We thank Reg and NSW Branch for their

valuable assistance given to us conducting

this important training on our behalf.

(Reg conducts the training in RSL club room, above)

REMEMBER WHEN AUSTRALIA FACED ITS GRAVEST THREAT The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today marked Battle for Australia Day and encouraged Australians to reflect on the period in our wartime history when the enemy arrived on Australia’s doorstep. “Today is an opportunity for all Australians to honour the efforts of those who served our country during the Second World War, on the frontline and the home front, at a time when our country’s safety and freedom were threatened,” Mr Griffin said. Australia faced direct threat from Japanese forces from 1942 to 1943. Darwin experienced more than 60 attacks and Sydney Harbour was raided by midget submarines. Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Broome and Port Hedland were among those towns that also experienced Japanese air raids. The Australian Territory of Papua was invaded by the Japanese and parts of it were occupied for six months. “The mood of the nation at this time may never be truly understood by our generation, but we know that the men and women in our armed forces, as well as civilians, were fighting for their nation’s survival,” Mr Griffin said. In Europe for commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, Mr Griffin laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in London to mark Battle for Australia Day and announced that long-awaited repairs at the memorial had been completed.

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“I have inspected the repairs on the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park in London and am advised that we have fixed the problems which have plagued the memorial in recent years,” Mr Griffin said. “I encourage all Australians travelling to London to visit our memorial and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served us in both World Wars.”

Editorial. In the August issue of this newsletter, I did an article about the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. In

line with that, I have some articles concerning the Kokoda Track, its condition, the aspirations of

commanders, the desperation of the Australian troops defending it and some of the battles. I will

include an article in each newsletter until exhausted. The articles are to remind Australians how

close we (could have) became to being another rice eating nation. It will also (I hope) give our

foreign members an insight into another, but not widely known chapter of the Pacific Theatre of

the Second World War. There are conflicting interpretations of the name of the Kokoda Track,

some references call it the Kokoda Trail, but that is an American name for a track, so seeing as

Australians travelled and fought on it, I intend to keep calling it ‘track’. Ed

AN OVERVIEW OF THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN

JAPAN'S OBJECTIVES IN THE AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY OF PAPUA

The Japanese decide to capture Port Moresby by land

In May 1942, the Japanese began to establish a large military formation in the South-West Pacific to

implement the Navy General Staff plan to sever Australia's lifeline to the United States. This formation was

the Imperial 17th Army under the command of Lieutenant General Harukichi Hyakutake, and major

components of the formation were deployed at Japanese bases at Truk, Palau, and the port of Rabaul which

Japan had captured from Australia in January 1942.

By the end of June 1942, the Japanese plan to isolate Australia from the United States was well advanced.

Japan was establishing a major base at the port of Lae on the mainland coast of Australia's Territory of New

Guinea. Japanese naval landing forces had occupied Buka, Bougainville and Shortland, which are the three

northernmost islands of the Solomon Islands chain. Between May and July 1942, the Japanese progressively

occupied more of the islands comprising the Solomon Islands chain. As each island was occupied, the

Japanese built forward airstrips in pursuance of their plan to intercept military aid for Australia from the

United States. By the middle of July 1942, Japan had occupied the southern island of Guadalcanal in the

Solomons chain, and 2,000 Japanese troops and construction workers were engaged in building the airstrip

which would later be known as Henderson Field.

The next step in the Japanese plan to isolate Australia from the United States would be the capture of Port

Moresby on the southern coast of Australia's Territory of Papua. Port Moresby was of vital importance to

Japan. With the whole of the island of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands under Japanese control, Japan

could establish naval bases and forward airfields on these territories from which it could strike deeply into

the Australian mainland and intercept military support for Australia from the United States.

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Soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army thought they

were invincible until they met and fought Australians in

the rugged jungle-clad mountains of New Guinea.

Although outnumbered five to one by elite Japanese

troops on the Kokoda Track, the Australians blocked their

drive towards Australia and forced them to retreat.

The Japanese had initially intended to capture Port

Moresby in April 1942, but American carrier-launched

aircraft from USS Lexington and USS Yorktown had

crossed the Owen Stanley Range on 10 March 1942 and

smashed the invasion fleet that the Japanese were

assembling at Lae. The Japanese were forced to postpone the capture of Port Moresby until May 1942. When

the Japanese finally launched a powerful seaborne invasion force towards Port Moresby in the first week of

May 1942, their first attempt to capture Port Moresby was frustrated by a joint United States and Australian

naval task force at the Battle of the Coral

Sea. For the first time in the Pacific War, a

Japanese invasion fleet was forced to

withdraw, and Australia was saved from

more intensive aerial bombardment and a

grave threat to aid from the United States.

Despite these setbacks, the Japanese were

still determined to capture Port Moresby.

The Imperial Japanese Navy had operational

responsibility for Japanese military

operations in the South-West Pacific area,

but with the loss of four of its six best

aircraft carriers at Midway, and Shokaku

badly damaged at the Battle of the Coral

Sea, the Japanese Navy was no longer

capable of mounting a seaborne invasion of

Port Moresby. Faced with this dilemma,

Japan's admirals decided to pass the task of

capturing Port Moresby to the Japanese

Army.

Japan's military strategists developed a plan

for the capture of Port Moresby which

involved a two prong attack. Tough jungle-

trained troops of the Japanese South Seas

Detachment, under the command of Major

General Tomitaro Horii, would land near

the villages of Gona and Buna on the

northern coast of Papua, seize the airstrip at

Kokoda, and cross the Owen Stanley Range

by means of the Kokoda Track. Once over

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the mountains of the Owen Stanley Range, Port Moresby would lie open to attack and capture by the

Japanese troops. The second prong of the attack would involve a landing by Japanese marines at Milne Bay

on the eastern tip of Papua where Australians and Americans had been building a forward airbase since 28

June 1942. When captured, Milne Bay would provide Japan with an air and naval base from which Major

General Horii's attack on Port Moresby could be supported by Japanese aircraft and seaborne invasion

troops.

The task of crossing the Owen Stanley Range must have appeared deceptively simple to Japanese military

planners studying maps in Tokyo. They had never seen this massive, rugged central mountain feature of the

island of New Guinea which separates the northern coast of Papua from the southern coast.

VALE * LIONEL CLAYDON Angeles City Sub Branch has lost another long term member with the passing of Lionel

CLAYDON. Lionel passed away on 12 September 2009 after a long illness. He was 70 years.

Lionel has been around Angeles City for many years where he and his wife Eva ran a

commercial laundry in Pinatubo Street

Friendship.

Lionel started out as a Queensland police

officer and was nominated by the then police

commissioner Frank Bischoff to be one of

Queensland‟s nominated police officers to join

the ranks of the then Commonwealth, now

Federal Police. Lionel rose to the rank of

Chief Superintendant before his retirement.

Lionel somehow made his way to the

Philippines and originally lived in Baguio

City. In about 1993/4, he and wife Eva moved

to Angeles City when the opportunity to

purchase the laundry arose.

In years past, Lionel could be found oiling his tonsils after a day‟s work at the laundry in

Garfield‟s Last Stand. He also used to frequent „The Other Bar‟ a couple of doors down from

Garfield‟s.

In the picture above, Lionel (left) is talking to Wayne Rush at the commemoration of ANZAC

Day 2009 at Clark Cemetery.

A Mass for Lionel was held at 0900 hrs 15th Sep at the Holy Mary Chapel Angeles City with an

RSL service following at 0945 Hrs. President Jim asked for medals to be worn. (The RSL

Service is shown below. The service was conducted by President Jim)

RSL FUNERAL SERVICE We are assembled here today to pay our last tribute to Lionel Claydon who served with us, each in

our own way, in the service of Australia.

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How well he served will be known to his friends and associates some of whom are gathered here

today, while many will have shared his service and community responsibilities through our

association with the Returned & Services League of Australia and particularly the Angeles City Sub

Branch.

Lionel was a former Queensland police officer and later transferred to the Australian Federal Police

and attained the rank of Chief Superintendent.

Remembering his many qualities and the happy times we spent – we join in a silent pledge – to sink

all differences, one with the other- and extend the hand of comradeship to in need as Lionel would

have us do, and to carry on the RSL tradition of unselfish service – to the disabled and bereaved and

maintain the highest ideals of citizenship.

Recitation of the Ode.

As a token of our affection and proud remembrance, I place here a red poppy – the symbol of

sacrifice- and I invite all ex service personnel to join me in so doing.

Please stand and join with me, reverently in a silent tribute to Lionel Claydon

Last Post was played followed by Reveille.

Lest we forget

Here is an article that appeared in a publication

outlining benefits which came out of the recent

Australian Federal Budget. Could be of some

interest to many of our members………..Note

though the wording „with reliable banking

systems’ Australians living overseas

Up to 2000 Australian veterans and war widows who

live overseas will no longer have to maintain an

Australian bank account to receive their DVA

payments, saving them from paying ongoing fees for

international transfers. DVA will liaise with the Reserve Bank to have payments made directly into

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overseas accounts in countries with reliable banking systems. The government has committed

$0.5 million over four years to this initiative. The new arrangements will take effect from March

2010.

SANDAKAN PRISONERS OF WAR REMEMBERED AT

NEW CENTRE

Visitors to Sabah, Malaysia, can now learn more about one of the

worst atrocities experienced by Australian servicemen during the

Second World War with the new Australian Memorial Hall

opening today at the Kundasang Memorial Gardens.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin said more than 2400

Australian and British soldiers died at the Sandakan prisoner of war camp and on the 'death marches' from Sandakan

to Ranau in 1945.

"The Australian Government provided around $155,000 for the construction of the Australian Memorial Hall at the

Kundasang Memorial Gardens to house an audiovisual display as well as memorabilia and historical material," Mr

Griffin said. Additional funding was provided to assist with security at the site.

"Although not an official Australian Government memorial, the Kundasang Memorial Gardens honour our prisoners

of war and the local people killed trying to assist them."

Officially opened by Her Excellency Penny Williams, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, the new gallery

and audio-visual centre will add to visitors' understanding of the terrible events in the region during the Second World

War and honour the sacrifice of Australian prisoners of war at Sandakan.

"The Kundasang Memorial Gardens are regularly visited by locals and tourists including many Australians. Australia

and Sabah have a strong relationship and the new hall will give visitors an increased understanding of our shared

history," Mr Griffin said.

The funding is provided by the Australian Government's Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorial Restoration

Program, administered by the Office of Australian War Graves.

The Program provides funding to restore existing memorials outside Australian territory which directly commemorate

Australia's military involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and recognize the contribution of

Australian servicemen and women.

If you remember back a couple of newsletter ago, I mentioned that there were certain items available from chemists that were available to DVA Gold Card holders, with a prescription from a GP. Here is the latest list of Pharmacy Medications available to Gold Card Veterans - but let me say that when you go to your doctor make sure you take the list with you as he/she may not be aware of all these

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medications being available to Veterans and then when you get to your Chemist he/she may have to order them in.......Ed Skin Care

Sorbolene and Glycerine Cream, Calmurid Cream, Pinetarsol Solution

Hair Care

Sebitar Shampoo, Sebi Rinse Conditioner, Nizoral Shampoo,

Selsun

Sun Care

15+ Cream, Lotion, and Solarstick, Ego Sun Sense 30+, Aquasun.

Oral Hygiene

Savacol Aquae Spray for Dry mouth

Allergies

Telfast, Claratyne, Zyrtec, Phenergan, Drixine Nasal Spray,

Beconase Nasal Spray, Rhincort Nasal Spray, Sudafed, Demazin

Tablets

Cough Mixtures

Senagar & Ammonia, Durotuss

Fibre Supplements & Laxatives

Nucolox, Normacol, Metamucil, Coloxyl with Senna, Senokot, Glycerine Suppositories.

Dressings

Micropore Tape, Cutilfilm Plus Waterproof Dressings, Melolin Dressings, Handy Banages, Cotton Wool, Betadine

Antiseptic, Solugels, Barrier Creams, Disposable Gloves, Prantal Powder.

Antifungal Agents

Lamasil cream, Canesten Cream, Loceryl Nail Paint

Haemorroidal Treatments

Proctocedyl Ointment & Suppositories, Anusol.

Ear Preparations

Ear Clear for Wax, Waxsol, Ceromol Ear Drops

Vitamins & Minerals

Calcium sup Tablets, Caltrate), Vitamin B1 (Betamin), Magnesium Tablets (Mag-Min), Accomin Liquid Tonic

Joint Pain & Arthritis

Metsal Cream or Liniment, Arthro-Aid (Glucosamine).

Sexual Health

Viagra, Cialis, Caverject

Pain

Asprins - Cartia, Astrix Capsules, Cardiprin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen

Weight Loss

Optifast, Xenical.

Various

Nicorette Patches (Quit Smoking), Vermox Ural Sachets (Urinary Alkalinizer)

* Always check with your GP, as this list changes from time to time. (You could have been paying full price for any

of these items without realising you could have them on prescription. Remember after your 60 prescriptions per

annum, your prescriptions are free.)

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VC CORNER Rayene Simpson VC

Warrant Officer Class II Rayene Stewart SIMPSON DCM

Australian Army Training Team

6th and 11th May 1969, Kontum Province, South Vietnam

"On 6th May 1969, Warrant Officer Simpson was serving as Commander of 232nd

Mobile Strike Force of 5th Special Forces Group on a search and clear operation in

Kontum Province, near the Laotian border. When one of his platoons became

heavily engaged with the enemy, he led the remainder of his company to its

assistance. As the company moved forward, an Australian Warrant Officer

commanding one of the platoons was seriously wounded and the assault began to

falter. Warrant Officer Simpson, at great personal risk carried the Warrant Officer to

safety. He then returned to his company where, with complete disregard for his

safety, he crawled forward to within ten metres of the enemy and threw grenades

into their positions.

On 11 May 1969, in the same operation, Warrant Officer Simpson's Battalion

Commander was killed and an Australian Warrant Officer and several others

wounded. Warrant Officer Simpson quickly organised two platoons and led them to

the position of the contact. Warrant Officer Simpson came under heavy fire.

Disregarding his own safety, he moved forward in the face of accurate enemy

machine gun fire, in order to cover the initial evacuation of casualties. At the risk of

almost certain death he made several attempts to move further forward towards his

Battalion Commander's body but on each occasion he was stopped by heavy fire.

Realising the position was becoming untenable, Warrant Officer Simpson alone and still under enemy fire covered the withdrawal until the

wounded were removed from the immediate vicinity.

Warrant Officer Simpson's repeated acts of personal bravery in this operation were an inspiration to all Vietnamese, United States and

Australian soldiers who served with him. His conspicuous gallantry was in the highest tradition of the Australian Army."

Rayene SIMPSON was born on 16th February 1926 at Chippendale, New South Wales. He died at Tokyo, Japan on 18th October 1978 and

was buried at the Yokohama War Cemetary, Japan.

Supplementary notes on Ray Simpson (a real Australian Army character)

RAY SIMPSON was born at Chippendale, New South Wales, on 16 February 1926, the son of R.W. Simpson.

He joined the second AIF on 15 March 1944 and was sent to the 41st/2nd Infantry Battalion, a 'holding' unit for

young soldiers under nineteen years. On the morning of 5 August 1944, Simpson had his first taste of action when he

was part of a detachment sent to reinforce the garrison troops at Cowra NSW after the escape of several hundred

Japanese prisoners-of-war. One of his duties that day was to man number one Vickers machine-gun, identical to

number two gun which several hours earlier had been defended by to the death by Privates Hardy and Jones who were

both posthumously awarded the George Cross.

Demobilized in January 1947, Simpson for four years worked at various jobs - tram conductor, builder's labourer,

sugar canecutter, sailor around Papua New Guinea - before re-enlisting in 1951 for service in Korea with the 3rd

Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 30 November 1951 and promoted to

Corporal on 21 January 1953. During this period he married Shoko Sakai, a Japanese citizen, on 5 March 1952.

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He was posted to the 2nd Battalion in January 1954 and he served in Malaya with this unit for two years from

October 1955. Simpson was next posted to 1st Special Air Service Company in November 1957 and served with that

unit until selected as one of the initial group of advisers for the AATTV (Australian Army Training Team , Vietnam)

who left by air for Vietnam in July 1962.

A year later he returned to the Special Air Service unit in Australia for twelve month's service before his second tour

of duty with AATTV in Vietnam commenced in July 1964. During this second tour he was awarded the

Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions when a patrol was ambushed at Tako on 16 September. Simpson,

although severely wounded in the leg, held off the enemy while he called for assistance by radio. He and his men

repelled several enemy assaults until help arrived, and none too soon as their ammunition had almost gone and

Simpson was weak from loss of blood. He was evacuated by helicopter to the 6th Field Hospital at Nha Trang and he

later convalesced at Toyko.

Simpson had been promoted to Sergeant on 1 July 1955 and to temporary Warrant Officer Class 2 in July 1964, the

latter promotion being confirmed on 1 October the same year.

On 16 May 1966 Simpson left the army for a second time but re-enlisted in Saigon a year later for his third period of

service with the AATTV. When he performed the actions for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross he was

serving in Kontum province, near the Laotian border, as commander of a mobile strike force.

(The story goes that Simmo caught a US military aircraft from Japan to Saigon and presented himself there to re-

enlist in the Army. Such was his reputation that he was accepted and put back to work with the AATTV) Ed

www.beyondtheblackstump.com

Best Aussie Yarn. (for our non- Aussie members, ask an Aussie for interpretation)

The newspaper, "The Australian," over a period of weeks sought entries for The Great Australian

yarn.

This was the winner: Two cattle drovers were standing in an Outback bar. One asked

"What are ya up to, mate?"

"Ahh, I'm takin' a mob of 6000 from Goondiwindi to Gympie."

"Oh yeah .. and what route are you takin'?"

"Ah, prob'ly the Missus ... after all, she stuck by me durin' the

drought."

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There have been many news articles in all Australian newspapers and TV news networks

about the arrest of several men in Melbourne accused of plotting a terrorist attack on the big

Holsworthy Army Base in SW Sydney. There have been some concerns for many years about the

lack of adequate security at all military bases which are secured by unarmed private security

contractors.

Here is an apt but funny cartoon published in Australia about the incident. Putting aside political

correctness and religious beliefs, I find this quite funny. Ed

A couple aged in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the

doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to

help them remember.

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. 'Want anything while I'm in

the kitchen?' he asks.

'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?'

'Sure.'

'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks.

'No, I can remember it.'

'Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?'

He says, 'I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.'

'I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?' she asks.

Irritated, he says, 'I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and

whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!'

Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and

hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment. 'Where's my toast ?'

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Below is the proposed design of the Australia Day Fiesta shirts for 2010. Looks fairly

snappy doesn‟t it. Dallas has sent it out to out Sponsors/Supporters for final approval and

corrections. Looks pretty good to me. Hopefully stocks will be available from 6th of October.

Ed.

FRONT BACK

Here is an interesting site that has been around for awhile but not well known. Two blokes in

Brisbane, Terry Fogarty and John Howard (not that one) have put it together and John is updating

previous detail. It shows the mortality of Vietnam Veterans since service. Have a look, I guarantee

you will find names of blokes that you served with or knew. Go to: http://amvif.com/mortality/

and follow the trail. Try second last list from the bottom (in blue), members without units. Ed

SOME GOOD PENSION NEWS (for some)

From September 20th

, a new era in pension reform starts. There will be new laws introduced but more importantly, we

will get a rise in our pensions. I do not have those rates yet as the current rates are only available. After 20

September, go to: www.dva.gov.au and look for fact sheets showing pension rates (IS 30). If you look now at

FACTSHEET IS 171 it will give you the changes that will apply and it will tell you that a single service pensioner

will receive an additional $65.00 per fortnight above indexation and married couple will get an additional $20.20 per

fortnight.

Unfortunately, they are re-instating the old income test where you used to lose 40 cent in every dollar earned by other

income, back to the old rate of 50 cents. For married pensioners it will be 25 cents from each pension. (that means I

lose some of my current rate, oh well they are the pay masters).

While you are at www.dva.gov.au have a look at the following fact sheets:

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IS 01 Service Pension overview

IS 30 Pension rates, limits and allowances summary

IS 14 Income support allowances

IS 16 Utilities allowances

IS 07 Pension bonus scheme

Here is a picture (right) of some local

lads who rarely get the accolades

they deserve. They are the blokes

who keep Clark Cemetery looking

real good, (employed by VFW Post

2485), and prepare everything for us

when we use the cemetery for

services. They erect the tents and

clean up after us and if the tents are

required after the ceremony

elsewhere they again raise and lower.

Thanks lads.

A HEADS UP FROM SUBIC RSL SUB BRANCH

Thanks to all those attended the Bar Hop on Tues. Thanks for supporting the Subic

Bay R.S.L.

Special thanks to the regulars on the bar hop each week. Same faces each week.

Also thanks to those that weren't on the bar hop, but drinkers at bars, who bought raffle tickets

We attended Mosquito Bar, Doc's Hooyah, (Doc even had some food on), thanks Doc. And we

ended up at Voodoo Bar. Chris at Voodoo opened up an hr early for the R.S.L.

Thanks to Bob Belt who worked hard, selling the raffle Tickets. A lot of prizes were won at each

Bar we attended. ₱1,850 raised, ₱925 to the winner, Leo, drinker from Mosquito Bar ₱925 to the R.S.L.

This will assist in the funding of ₱6,000 that we give to Father Mike each month to assist

local children with medical care.

It will also assist in the funding of the R.S.L. FREE BBQ on Tues the 29th, at Downunder.

All R.S.L. members are welcome, especially the R.S.L. guys coming from Angeles for the

Day. Welcome guys !

Cheers Russell

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ANOTHER HEADS UP * FROM SECRETARY DALLAS We have another big commemorative ceremony coming up on Remembrance Day November 11th, at the HELLSHIPS memorial at the former US Navy Base, Subic Bay. We will be dedicating the RSL plaque on the marble wall at the memorial that day. However, the centrepoint of the ceremony will be the unveiling of a black granite slab which will be placed on the Central Podium. This is dedicated to the sinking of the Montevideo Maru with the loss of 1054 Australian lives. We have invited some Australian politicians for the unveiling and are awaiting their acceptance or otherwise. We also extend an invitation to anyone who lost relatives in those terrible ships. It should be a moving ceremony. For too long, that terrible episode of the Pacific Theatre of WW2 has been virtually forgotten. Any of our members who know of anyone who lost relatives to the Hellships, please pass on this notice. We will do an extended coverage of the day in this newsletter.

And finally, to round off this extra long

newsletter, I had to include a speech

made by an Australian Infantry soldier,

(Warry) George Mansford on the 18th

of

August in Cairns North Queensland.

Most Infantry soldiers know or knew of

George. Take note of what he says. Ed

George (Warry George) Mansford was an

outspoken man, very politically incorrect. But he

was a champion for the rights of those who

served; particularly their right to be respected and

looked after. Seems that he‟s still pushing the

barrow.

George Mansford enlisted in the Australian Army

in 1951. He served 40 years as an infantryman;

most of that time in the Royal Australian

Regiment. His service included Korea, the

Malayan Emergency, Thai Border, Vietnam, New

Guinea and Singapore. He was commissioned from the ranks in 1964. He raised and commanded the Army‟s Battle

School (which is now used by foreign military units including USA, and UK); 11 Infantry Brigade; and the

Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force in Far North Queensland. George was made a Member of the Order of

Australia in 1975 for outstanding services and retired in 1990 as a Brigadier. He is the author of two books;”Junior

Leadership on the Battlefield” and the bestselling novel, “The Mad Galahs".

LONG TAN VIETNAM DAY 2009 IN CAIRNS NQ

Address by 52028 BRIG (ret) George MANSFORD

It‟s been a long journey and for many of you it began when your birthday tumbled out of a barrel.

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By the time you arrived in Vietnam you were part of a highly disciplined force which confronted a tough,

determined and experienced enemy. On the battlefield you demonstrated immense professionalism in the best

traditions of the ANZACS, and like them, you were young, eager and seemingly bullet-proof, and like your fathers on

other historic fields of battle such as Tobruk, Kokoda and Kapyong, you enhanced the reputation of Australia‟s armed

forces in the Vietnam arena. Like those before, you were not without humour and indifference to official rules and

regulations. No matter where you came from, what you had been, your religion or the colour of your skin, you were

judged on the simple but demanding ethos of soldiering and where mastership was at the top of the list.

You would have fond memories of comrades no longer with us who were also

young, eager, full of mischief, and much humour. They too, like you, accepted

the task. They too wondered at the so called wisdom of the green machine,

and they too dreamed of going back to the land of Oz. The ghosts I speak of

shared their innermost secrets, as you did with them, in a trench, armoured vehicle, aircraft, gun position, chopper or a

warship or during that short time of rest between nursing casualties. .

You shared water, food, the dangers, the chores, the heavy loads, the humour, the boredom, the fear, the rumours and

the last of the tobacco. Above all was the daily count of so many days to go before the final wakey and then glorious

home and loved ones.

You can still see those grins of confidence during difficult and bad days and how many times do you recall when

although all were totally exhausted, there was always a willing hand, or even when knowing of the danger involved,

someone would say, “It‟s my turn. I‟ll do it”. You relied on your mates and they relied on you. It was total trust with

each other.

We stand here today to remember our fallen and those since gone.

The question is how best to honour them? I have said it before and have no

reluctance repeating it.

Perhaps they would say, “We are you and you are us. While you live, we

live. While you stand proud so do we. Fight for what is right. Fight for

those comrades less fortunate than you. Your tomorrow is our tomorrow

and your conduct in that tomorrow is how we too shall also be judged in

the pages of history yet to be written”.

I am sure they would agree that today is a time to catch up with old mates,

to enjoy the mateship and recall the good times, and above all, to stand tall.

It is a time once more to jolt the Government‟s conscience in regards

responsibilities and often repeated promises to the veteran community.

Prime Minister Rudd said, “Let us never forget our men and women in uniform.” Prime Minister, sir, I say to you and

those who will follow in your footsteps, STOP THE POLITICAL RHETORIC. WE WANT ACTION, NOT

WORDS.

Veterans want an end to the mockery of endless and fruitless inquiries by committee after committee into rapidly

eroding disability pensions and superannuation.

Where are the decisions from the report on military superannuation which was publicly released nearly two years

ago? Just how long do we have to wait?

DO POLITICIANS REALLY UNDERSTAND THE RIGOURS AND DEMANDS OF SERVICE LIFE? DO THEY

REALLY COMPREHEND THAT IT IS DUTY, HONOUR AND LOVE OF COUNTRY THAT COMPELS SUCH MEN

AND WOMEN TO OPERATE IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS, OFTEN COLD, WET, HUNGRY, EXHAUSTED, AND

UNCERTAIN IF THEY WILL BE ALIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY? DO POLITICIANS REALLY UNDERSTAND

THE FRUSTRATION AND ANGER OLD SOLDIERS FEEL THAT ALTHOUGH THEY MET THEIR SERVICE

OBLIGATIONS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE GOVERNMENTS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY SIMPLY HAVE

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NOT MET THEIRS?

Today our troops are once again deployed overseas including Afghanistan and

are experiencing similar hardships and dangers as did veterans from past wars,

and thus it is an appropriate time to REMIND OUR NATION OF SOME COLD

HARD FACTS:

Once committed to war, there are always the forgotten casualties including

young widows, fatherless children, separation, divorce and veterans with broken bodies and minds.

War is not precise and no one, but no one, can guarantee the safety of civilians in a war zone.

Despite the advantage of modern technology and science on today‟s battlefield, the ultimate decision to kill or be

killed, as in the past will often be decided in a split second by a tired weary apprehensive soldier. After such incidents

the soldier will need support-- not holier than thou distant observers demanding to know why OR SEEKING A

SACRIFICIAL LAMB.

ONCE COMMITTED TO WAR THE OBVIOUS AIM IS

TO WIN. Shakespeare wrote “LET SLIP THE DOGS OF

WAR”, it‟s true to say that if you cannot release the dogs of

war without muzzling them then don‟t get involved in the

first place.

Tomorrow we begin another phase of our long journey, and there is still much to be done.

Would the media and government departments please note that most casualties on operations are described as

WOUNDED or KILLED IN ACTION? Please save the term INJURED or HURT ON DUTY for officials

mishandling gym equipment or spilling hot water while making coffee.

We must ensure tomorrow‟s wounded on return to OZ are not forgotten after the initial hype and backslapping is

over.

We must be ready to actively and publicly support the young veterans of recent campaigns, particularly in regards

their future welfare and entitlements.

We must continue to encourage and emulate those from within our ranks who demonstrate sound leadership and

energy in pursuit of veteran entitlements and other interests. Individuals such as „Blue‟ Ryan, Jamieson, McGurgan,

Weekes, Graham and never forget Jim Bourke and his team who showed Australia how to do the impossible by

locating and recovering the remains of those missing in action in Vietnam.

There are hundreds of reasons why we should march united together into tomorrow and each reason represents a

warrior no longer with us or struggling in today‟s complex society, and even more reasons which embrace

camaraderie and obligation to those current serving and the generations yet to be born who one day will also wear the

nation‟s uniform. Perhaps by then politicians will remember them with just recognition and timely deeds and not

rhetoric?

Take care, old comrades, it is indeed an immense honour to be one of you.

(Good onya George. You haven’t lost any of your fire. Ed)

HAHA, I THOUGHT I HAD FINISHED BUT THERE IS ONE PAGE TO GO Ed

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I have just received some pictures from Dallas of

the last Medical mission, so I will top off this issue

with some pictures taken then and a bit about a visit

by Bob Green OAM, the VP of Ipswich RSL Sub

Branch in Queensland.

Here is an extract from the minutes from the last

Committee meeting held on 1 Sep 2009… Visitor Bob Green, OAM addressed the meeting and advised that subsequent to an earlier visit to the Philippines, he had returned to the Ipswich RSL and Incapacitated Servicemen’s Association and they had agreed to donate P8000 to Angeles City RSL to support the RSL Children’s Charity efforts. The President thanked Bob for the donation and, after further discussion proposed the motion: That the P8000 donation be used to purchase 4 nebulizers for donation to local Barangay medical

centres for their use. ( That was carried)

Pres Jim accepted the donation (See picture

above). Subsequently, Bob found out one of the

staff at the Ponderosa Hotel was suffering an

asthma attack, so he bought one of our nebulizers

and donated it to the Hotel. The picture left

shows Melvin and Bones accepting the nebulizer

from Bob. (That‟s the edge of Bob hat on the far

right)

The two pictures below are of the medical

mission, left is of the kids waiting to be seen

and the right shows the dispensary.

“THE PRICE OF LIBERTY IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE”