Lest We Forget

 Past commemorations of ANZAC Day on Bribie

1950 - 1978

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1950 - ANZAC Day Memorial

ANZAC Day Memorial on Bribie, 1950
source: JJ01_001 Jean Jarmey nee Britnell collection

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1969 - Laying the Wreath

Bribie Star v7(21) 9 May 1969 p.9

1969 : "The commemoration of the 54th Anniversary of Anzac Day on Bribie Island was a credit to the community. The overcast skies which seemed to lend a solemnity to the occasion did not deter the large crowd that gathered for the service.

Thirty-two veterans of both wars lead the Anzac Day Parade, which commenced at the Bribie State School and marched to the roll of drums of the school band, resplendent in scarlet uniforms. Then followed the Bribie Island Boy Scout Troop with a vanguard of state school children.

Many veterans who did not march stood at attention whilst the Salute was taken by Lt. Commander G.L. Boyd, R.A.N.R. 

President of the Bribie Island Branch of the R.S.L., Mr F. Lacey thanked all present for their attendance of an occasion of significance to returned men and their families.  The First Loyalty Resolution was given by Mr Noel Young and the first address was presented by Father F.C. Ailwood, C. of E. The second resolution was presented by Cheryl Dyer and the third by Sandra Caird.

Wreaths were laid by Caboolture Shire Council, R.S.L. Bribie Island Sub-Branch and Ladies' Auxiliary, Toc H, C.W.A. and by other Island organisations as well as presenting books to the State School Library in honour of Anzac Day.

The Bugler played 'The Last Post', the flag was lowered and many choked with emotion as they remembered loved ones who did not return.

The veterans and friends and official guests retired to the Bribie Island Bowling Club where the combined R.S.L. Ladies Auxiliary, Toc H and the C.W.A. had set out a lavish morning tea. Mr G. Dyer thanked Lt. Comm. Boyd and Father F. Ailwood for their participation in the ceremony. Mr A. Thornely proposed a vote of thanks to "The Ladies", to which President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs D. Watkins responded. Cr Johnson proposed a vote of thanks to the Bribie Island Bowling Club for use of the premises to which Mr A. Loi responded.

Anzac Day celebrations concluded at an open house held in the afternoon at the Bongaree Bowling Club."

Excerpted from: Bribie honours fallen heroes. Bribie Star v7(21) Friday May 9th 1969, page 1.

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1975 - Anzac Day parade at Bribie Island

Anzac Day parade at Bribie Island in 1975
Photo: Stan Tutt. From MBRC Library collection P1798

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1978 - Anzac Day parade at Bribie Island

Veterans of the 1914 war at Anzac Parade on Bribie Island in 1978. The ceremony was held at the Anzac memorial, corner of Toorbul Street and First Avenue.
L to R: Eric Watson, Alf Duncanson, Ted Mawhinney, Roy Porter, Harold Braun.
Photo: Sam Hawkins. From MBRC Library collection P1803

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References:

Bribie honours fallen heroes. Bribie Star v7(21) Friday May 9th 1969, page 1, 9.

Anzac Day plans - Committee formed to organise and conduct the Anzac Day Memorial Service [on Bribie]. Bribie Star v7(19) 11 Apr 1969 p.1

They Answered the Call

THEY ANSWERED THE CALL

In November 2018 the Bribie Island Historical Society produced a book entitled They Answered the Call.

Click on the name to go to their page from the book They Answered the Call.

FIRST WORLD WAR
M A Bishop 366
W H Bonney 4681
R J Campbell 6477
A T Davis 2792
B Dux 6158
E H Freeman 2987
W Freeman 2809
G L Gollagher 4535
W Gosling 4728
G E Jacques 2188
A Layton 3388
J R Mills 2262
T J Mills 170
W H Mills 944
A W Storr 4891
C A Storr 4892 
H F Storr 653
T M Tripcony 1986


SECOND WORLD WAR
T E Adams Q187167
J M Band
R C Benson QX61294
G H Boothe Q187425
K V Boothe Q267346
W C Costin QX14502
C F Crouch QX27813
M J Darvall QF273914
J A Duke QX9594
W Freeman Q120090
E E I Grant QF268557
D J Heenan 6762
C R Jackson QX52029
W J Lindsay QX13785
A ONeill QX27819
T Shaw QX45157
G H Shields 78860
A Waterfield 76851
G B Wellauer QX30244
R G Wilson Q153131

A Waterfield 78651

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Alphonso WATERFIELD

Service number: 78651.  Age: 41 years. Enlisted: 21 Sep 1942.

Occupation: Lighthouse keeper, Bribie Island.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Annie Waterfield.

Address on enlistment:  Brisbane.

 1945: Consolidated Catalina aircraft moored at Royal Australian

Air Force (RAAF) Rathmines base.[1]

Photo from Alphonso Waterfield’s
service record.

Service Summary:

31 Aug 1943: Motor boat crew, R.A.A.F. Marine Section Served at Amberley, Sandgate, Maryborough and Rathmines.

26 Nov 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Alphonso Waterfield was born 18 Sep 1901 in London, a son of Alphonso Waterfield and Cecelia Salt.

By 1925 he was lighthouse keeper with the Department of Harbours and Marine, Brisbane and operated the light tower on North Bribie Island from 1929 till he enlisted in 1942. Alphonso Waterfield married Annie Emma Cowell (1909-1980) on 7 Feb 1931 and the couple made their home on North Bribie Island.[2]

Back lead light and Keepers house on
North Bribie Island circa 1930.[3]

By the early 1940s his wife and young family moved to Brisbane. Alphonso Waterfield died 10 Mar 1976 aged 74 and a memorial plaque at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens records his service with the R.A.A.F. Marine Section.[4]

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial P11290-001 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2073273

[2] Bridesmaids in Blue. Daily Standard Sat 28 Feb 1931 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180979163

[3] Photo: Bribie Island Historical Society WO9_888056

[4] https://www.heavenaddress.com/Alphonso-Waterfield/880590/

R G Wilson Q153131

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Robert George WILSON

Service number: Q153131.  Age: 42 years 7 months.  Enlisted: 20 Apr 1942.

Occupation: Motor truck driver.  Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Frances Steinbeck.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

19 Dec 1944, Toorbul Point. Works Company members participating 

in the march past. The salute was taken by Brigadier H. Wrigley,
Commander 1 Base Sub area. [1]

Service Summary:

20 Apr 1942: 9 Aust Works Company.

Did not proceed overseas. The 9 Aust Works Coy was employed along the Lines of Communication area of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

21 Feb 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Robert Wilson (1899-1971) was born 16 Sep 1899 in Brisbane, the only son of George Wilson (1860-1904) and Frances Williamson Johnstone (1872-1928). By 1926, Robert Wilson was living in the Bribie Island area and took up employment with local fishermen Cec Campbell and Reg Campbell. After Reg Campbell opened his store on South Esplanade in 1932, Robert Wilson (as he had his own truck) made deliveries for Campbell’s store.[2]

After his military service, Robert Wilson returned to Bribie Island and was employed by the Council. Robert Wilson married Bridget Catherine Ryan and by 1968 the couple were living at the Pensioner’s Reserve on Bribie Island. 

Robert Wilson had been associated with Bribie Island for over 50 years when he died 22 Jul 1971, aged 71. He was buried at Toowong Cemetery.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 084373 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C82930

[2] Link with Past – obituary for Robert Wilson. The Star (Bribie) v.10(8) 20 Aug 1971, p. 1.

G B Wellauer QX30244

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

George Benjamin WELLAUER

Service number: QX30244.  Age: 33 years 9 months.  Enlisted: 27 Feb 1942.

Occupation: Carpenter and Fisherman.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Amy Lena Wellauer.

Address on enlistment: Toorbul.

 Photo from George Wellauer’s Service record.

Service Summary:

11 Mar 1942: 2 reinforcement 6 Aust Field Company RAE, 7 Division.

22 Jul 1943: Embarked on Tarooma from Cairns for Port Moresby.

“After the victory in Syria, where they remained until early 1942, the Company returned to Australia for training, before service in New Guinea in 1943.”[1]

12 Dec 1943, Bebei, New Guinea: Engineers of the 2/6^th Australian
Field Company using a tractor to haul sheer logs into position during
the initial stages of building a bridge over the Faria River.[2]

12 Feb 1944: Returned to Australia from Port Moresby on Orizaba for Brisbane.

11 May 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

George Wellauer (1908-1986) was born 15 May 1908 in Brisbane, a son of Benjamin Wellauer (1877-1942) and Florence Lee (1877-1925). In 1931 he married Amy Lena Turner (1908-1995) at Bulimba (Amy was a granddaughter of Fred Turner and Alma Turner (Kalmakuta) of Toorbul Point).  

After his military service, George Wellauer and his family settled in the Toorbul / Bribie Island area where he worked as an oysterman. He died 13 Jan 1986, aged 77.

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[1] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1281706

[2] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 062673 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C281978 

G H Shields 78860

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Gordon Henderson SHIELDS

Service number: 78860.  Age: 35 years 9 months.  Enlisted: 5 Oct 1942.

Occupation: Launch proprietor.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs May Shields.

Address on enlistment: Bribie Island.

 1945, Rathmines, N.S.W. An aerial view of RAAF Rathmines showing 

the hangars on shore with Catalina aircraft moored in the lake.[1]

Service Summary:

5 Oct 1942: Motor Boat Crew, No. 11 Squadron, R.A.A.F. Served at Evans Head, Rathmines and Sandgate. Gordon Shields was restricted to these areas as he was unfit for tropical service.

“No. 11 Squadron was formed as a general reconnaissance squadron at Richmond in New South Wales on 21 Sep 1939.[2]  In February 1942 No. 11 Squadron was withdrawn to RAAF Base Rathmines following the Japanese air attacks on Port Moresby. Due to the Catalina’s ability to travel large distances it continued to carry out patrols in the waters around New Guinea.[3]  Towards the end of 1942 the unit relocated to Cairns and commenced night raids against enemy shipping and submarines attempting to land supplies around Lae, Salamaua, and Finschafen. Unit Catalinas mined enemy harbours and dropped supplies to coastwatchers in the Solomons, New Britain, and New Ireland between April and July 1943.”[4]

4 Dec 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Gordon Henderson Shields (1907-1972) born 28 Jan 1907 in Brisbane was the youngest son of Alfred Henderson Shields (1862-1953) and Harriet Dunn (1866-1934). He attended Bribie Island school in 1925. At age 18, he was a seaman with the Royal Australian Navy Reserve. Gordon Shields married May Weise in Sydney in 1943 (May Shields service number 94009) and their daughter Roslyn May Shields was born 17 Nov 1944.

After his military service, he started a barge service between Toorbul Point and Bribie Island, was a foundation member of the Bongaree Bowls Club and managed the Greenwood Tree Flats for two years. His boat shed at Bongaree was a landmark for many years.

Gordon Shields’ boat shed at Bongaree, 1946.[5]

Gordon Shields had been associated with Bribie Island for almost three decades when he moved to Victoria in the mid-1950s. He died in Melbourne on 25 May 1972, aged 65.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial P0092.008 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C70364

[2] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59376

[3] History of the Rathmines RAAF Flying Boat Base http://www.friendsofrathmines.com.au/no-11-squadron

[4] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59376

[5] Photo: Bribie Island Historical Society BBLM01_00 Betty LaMacchia photo collection

T Shaw QX45157

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Thomas SHAW 

Service number: QX45157.  Age: 35 years 2 months.  Enlisted: 7 Jul 1941.

Occupation: Carpenter.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Elsie Rose Shaw.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

 Photo from Thomas Shaw’s service record.

Service Summary:

7 Jul 1941: 12 Army Troops Company, Royal Australian Engineers.

Served at Brisbane, Grovely, Townsville, Sellheim, Charters Towers, Chermside and Cairns.

29 Jan 1944: Embarked on LM Garrison for Lae, New Guinea.

Served at Rabaul and New Britain.

“The Royal Australian Engineers provides combat engineering, construction and other technical support to the Australian Defence Force. One of the main roles of the Corps is to provide mobility and counter mobility capabilities to the Australian Army and its allies. The Corps also performs the majority of the Australian Army's demolition tasks and is trained to fight as infantry if needed.”[1]

30 Nov 1943, Atherton. Mess parade at the 12 Australian Army Troop
Company, Royal Australian Engineers.[2]

8 Dec 1945: Returned to Australia on Westralia from Rabaul for Brisbane.

20 Dec 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Thomas Shaw (1906-1987) was born 22 Apr 1906 in Toowoomba and died 9 Sep 1987, aged 81, his next of kin was his niece, Mrs. I. Harris of Park Ridge, Brisbane.

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[1] https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww2/display/92358-12th-army-troops-company

[2] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 061340 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C85036

A ONeill QX27819

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Arthur O’NEILL

Service number: QX27819.  Age: 27 years 10 months.  Enlisted: 24 Feb 1942.

Occupation: Fisherman.  Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Mary O’Neill.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

26 Nov 1944, Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. The Dutch troopship 

Van Heutz at anchor after bringing troops into the area.[1]

Service Summary:

23 Aug 19442: Embarked on US 16 HT P3 for Middle East.

2 Jan 1943: 2/15 Infantry Battalion.

27 Feb 1943: Unit returned from Middle East to Sydney for training in Queensland.

28 Jul 1943: Embarked on Van Heutz for Milne Bay where he was wounded.

6 Jul 1945: Returned to Australia.

20 Jun 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Arthur O’Neill (1914-1987) was born 6 May 1914 in Brisbane, the only son of William O’Neill (1860-1938) and Mary Jane Hazeldine (1871-1942).

When he enlisted he was carrying his shoes because, as he explained to a journalist, working as a fisherman on Bribie Island for 11 years he had not worn shoes.[2]

After his service, Arthur O’Neill returned to fishing and lived at Toorbul Point until the early 1960s when he moved to Woorim. He had been associated with Bribie Island for over 50 years when he died 18 Apr 1987, aged 73.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 0771990 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C77542

[2] Ready to try army boots. The Sun (Sydney) Sat 28 Feb 1942 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231766410

W J Lindsay QX13785

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

William John LINDSAY 

Service number: QX13785.  Age: 32 years 5 months.  Enlisted: 2 Jul 1940.

Occupation: Carpenter.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Muriel Lindsay.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

 13 Oct 1945, Sydney. Aircraft carrier HMS Formidable transporting 

members of 1 Coy AASC from POW camps.[1]

Service Summary:

 2 Jul 1940: 1 Company Australian Army Service Corps. [2]

2 Feb 1941: Embarked on HMT QX1 for Singapore.

27 Feb 1941: Disembarked for Naval Barracks, Singapore. Served in Malacca and Malaya.

15 Feb 1942: Prisoner of War, held at Changi Prison following the Fall of Singapore.

18 Mar 1943: Entrained Singapore D Force.

18 Jun 1944: Prisoner of War #7519, Omuta – Fukuoka 17, Japan.[3]

6 and 9 Aug 1945: Atomic bombs devastate Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

13 Sep 1945: Recovered from Japanese at Omuta by American Recovery Team.

Sep 1945, Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan: Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) at
Fukuoka Camp 17 at Omuta, lining up to collect their tickets home, after being
liberated by an American Recovery Team at the end of the Second World War.[4]

14 Oct 1945: Returned to Australia on HMS Formidable from Malaya to Sydney.

25 Jan 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

William John Lindsay (1908-1972) was born 29 Jan 1908 at Pomona, the eldest son of David Reed Lindsay (1874-1946) and Lavinia Howell (1881-1961). On 16 Nov 1935 William Lindsay married Muriel Cotterill at the Methodist Church on Bribie Island. The Lindsay family had purchased the Mountain View property on Bribie Island from the Landell family in 1933.

William Lindsay returned to Australia from a prisoner of war camp in Malaya on the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable which arrived in Sydney on 14 Oct 1945. Photos of his welcome home from his wife and family were published in the local Brisbane paper.

14 Oct 1945: The man to whom the greetings on the banners were directed was
Cpl. Lindsay, with his wife and family, of Bribie Island.[5]

                                          

14 Oct 1945: Bill, Muriel, 

Graham (9) and Owen (6).

After his military service, William Lindsay returned to Bribie Island and his family. Later moving to Morningside and Camp Hill where he worked as an assessor.

William Lindsay died 2 Oct 1972 aged 64 and is remembered on the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial[6] at Ballarat, Victoria and with a memorial plaque at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens. [7]

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 122108 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C47542

[2] 1 Transport Company https://www.raasc.org.au/content/1%20COY.html

[3] Australian POWs http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/fukuoka/fuku_17/fuku_17_aussie_roster.html

[4] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial P01662.010 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C252442

[5] Brisbane welcomes large number of returnees. The Telegraph, Mon 15 Oct 1945, p. 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188755953

[6] Listed at http://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/world-war-2-j-l.php

[7] https://www.heavenaddress.com/restingplace/mtthompsonmemorialgardens/w-j-lindsay/429724