R.A.A.F Airfield Defence Guard |
This site "Proudly" Sponsered and supported by Waratah-Mayfield RSL News .............Top Stories.................Our History The Electronic Blue Beret ADG News and Notice Board Have you got a story, photo's or an experiance that you would like to see on next weeks page Then send them to the Pom ( the webmaster ) Email to the Webmaster |
May 2008 |
"The Pom" |
Melbourne 2009 ................ Anzac Day |
ADG Anzac day contacts. [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] UNCLASSIFIED ANZAC DAY 2009 Gents for next year lets see if we can organize a ADG Melbourne function post march, as there are a few of us around and it will be great to mix tales and involve the young fella's. CPL PETER .D. MADIGAN NCO GDTS ADG 3 RAAF WILLAIMS POINT COOK VIC 3027 PH: 03 925 61644 MOB: 0410 336 234 PETE.MADIGAN@DEFENCE.GOV.AU PETE_UNIT82@HOTMAIL.COM |
To the only city that has 4 seasons to the hour. |
Hi All, We are back on internet again but will be off the phone till early next week sometime. Can be contacted still on our mobile phones. Our email address remains the same as before , so send away. Regards - Eric & Lesley |
Ladies and Gentlemen, We are passing on this information in the interests of members who may be able to utilise the assistance either for themselves, their spouses or friends. \"The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, officially launched At Ease, an initiative designed to raise awareness and improve mental health in the veteran and service community. \"Mental health for our veterans and serving Australian Defence Force members is a high priority for this Government. We want everyone to recognise the importance of mental health and its effect on people's overall health,\" Mr Griffin said. \"At Ease provides simple and relevant self-help information for veterans and serving members, their families, mates and carers. It encourages them to recognise the signs and take the initiative to maintain and build their mental health and wellbeing. At Ease has been developed with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and endorsed by the National Veterans' Health and Wellbeing Forum, representing Australia's peak ex-service organisations. The At Ease website can be found at www.at-ease.dva.gov.au. I have had a look at the web site and found it to be very easy to navigate and to find information and help. I would recommend everyone take a look. regards Steve Hartigan Assistant National Secretary 9 Sqn |
Gday Pom. Back in NZ again after a month in Qld and SA. Went on the Adelaide march for Anzac and forgot to take the camera, as you do ........... However, my wife Betty managed to take one of the motley crew , even if we had almost galloped past before she spotted us. Caught up with a few blokes I had not seen for almost 35 years, good stuff. I will send you some pictures of these fellas. ( 3 batches ) The March : Rear Rank. Far R is Les ( Jazza ) O'Gorman. 3rd from R is Chester. 4th from R is Wayne ( Cliffy ) Sheer. FL / LT. Steve Russell ( retired ) in uniform and shirt, next to the Group Captain. Martin ( Blue ) Campbell, red head with sunglasses behind yellow sign. Other photos: Trevor ( Muncie ) Munce and Blue campbell. Muncie and Chester. Big Johnny Scott. Scotty pointing out a secret Snapper fishing spot. Draw a line from his 2 fore fingers and his pinky, next draw a line 038 degrees true from the top of the shadow of his head at midnight on a full moon and travel for 13. 4 nautical miles, and X marks the spot. Its all really quite simple after a few beers .................. Yep, we did get a load of Blue Swimmers in the pots. The Big Bloke in front of a Boat with the callsign " ADGIE " Cheers Mate Captain Kookaburra. |
This Flag is flying proudly at a tiny little place called Tiddy Widdy Beach in South
Australia. |
Bob Allan Dare's 60th birthday party, L to R, Bob Loftus, Dunk Dowling, Allan Dare, Red Forbes. Red |
Well George it's taken only about seven years to get even after i posted yourself
Sluggo and Paul Tuck knockin' off all my stale biscuits mmm thanks George at least
you's were fresh. Well fellas i popped in to see my old mate uncle George Schubert on the weekend of the 17th and 18th for a bit of a yap and a yarn both he and Irene both look well with both George and Irene coming to watch the Pom do his thing at the chainsaw races held at Kew on the Sunday. Thanks George for the hospitality and a bed for the night and of cause your company. P.S I have just purchased another packet of out of date biscuits and popped the seal so they will be ready for your next visit down here. The Pom. |
Thanks George |
R.I.P Old Mate Pom Some of the older fellows might remember John "Curly" Williams, he was an FSGT ADI, who retired from the Airforce after 21 years service in the early 1970's. Also, Gilli and I (CPLS) served with John at Defence Section Laverton in the "70's. Jason (son) informed me that Curly sarcomed to cancer after a difficult battle and passed away on Saturday 17/5 in the Newcastle region NSW, I believe. I was pleased to see a photo of ye 'old Mooka Dent looking well in Melbourne on Anzac Day as I haven't seen him since 1989. I bet the BB was hiding his bald !!!! as they do for the old farts. Furthermore, I enjoyed pursuing the photos from the other localities regarding Anzac activities. Take care mate, your service reference this site is outstanding, Regards Peter Wattie |
Hi there, We have changed our email address; please make the appropriate changes to your address book. All other contact details remain the same. We trust that you remain in good health. For all enquirers, email for the master via 101FM remains petert@101fm.asn.au. Cheers, Win & Peter Taylor |
Jim Edwards. SERGEANT JIM EDWARDS WELFARE OFFICER ACT POLICING Tel +61(0) 2 62567317 Mob +61(0) 412488925 www.afp.gov.au Jim, I've recently been given the task of creating a Former Members Network for the AFP. The contact list is growing strongly and I find that part of the job is reuniting former AFP members throughout Australia. I have been contacted by Barry Boyce who retired in the early 80s and he has read in the current issue of Blue Beret, the peacekeepers magazine, that Wayne Robinson is ill and would welcome calls from colleagues, but no phone number is provided in the article. Barry wants to ring Wayne, who I believe is recently resigned from ACT P. I do not know Wayne, but have his home address (no phone number) on one of the many lists I have collected since coming into the job. Maintaining the privacy is paramount in my dealings with former members. Can you suggest how Barry might make contact with Wayne? Cheers Terry TERRY BROWNE TEAM LEADER CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS CHIEF OF STAFF PORTFOLIO AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE |
This is a request i have just recieved maybe one of you fellas can help out The Pom. |
Ladies and Gentlemen, Does anyone know of a person by the name of Norman Phillips? I have been informed that a person by this name is making a claim to being a crewman/ gunner and has claimed to have spent three years in Vietnam. He says that he is also known as "Stormin Norman". My nominal role and the 9 Squadron Nominal role does not show a person directly by that name nor does he appear on the Veterans Affairs role. Perhaps he has a different Christian name. If anyone can assist in this matter please contact me. Regards Steve Hartigan |
Subject: L/Cpl John Gillespie, official memorial in Vietnam Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour in passing on this wonderful piece of news from Roy Zegers. \"For your information. I have completed the task and done the following, An official memorial has now been erected by the Vietnamese government in memory of JF Gillespie through official channels approved by Hanoi. It is the only one now besides the Long Tan Cross. I will supply pictures and full video in my return. Please convey to all members. 9 Sqn can be very proud as it is official and the memorial was approved by Hanoi. The Australian government is not aware of this at the moment. You are the first one. God Bless. Kind regards Roy Zegers\" We congratulate and thank all those members involved in this honour to L/Cpl Gillespie and can only wonder at the huge degree of skillful negotiations that have taken place in order for this to occur. Well done to all parties involved on both sides of the equator. Regards Steve Hartigan. |
Stormin Norman Ladies and Gentlemen, At this early stage I have recieved a huge response from a wide variety of people with good knowledge of who served and when, no one so far has any information on what appears to be someone passing themselves off as a Veteran or more to the point one of our members. I have requested from the source that passed the information to me in the first place to try and ascertain more information on our \"Ghost\" crewman/ gunner. This may not easily be achieved for the imitator may get cold feet and not show his face again. As the information is coming to me third hand we are not aware of the full circumstances of the claim to be a Crewman/ Gunner with three years in Vietnam and need to be cautious on our response. Should more information come forward that can clearly identify the person we can then look at taking the appropriate action for the level of transgression. This may simply be a warning or if he is not a veteran but is saying he is then perhaps legal action through a supportive organisation. These or any other steps would only be taken after carefull consideration by the National Council and endorsement by our members. I shall keep you all informed. Regards Steve Hartigan |
Tribute 08 Gday Pom. Next week I am off to Welliington to join in the Tribute 08 celebrations here in NZ. ( and i'm taking the camera too ,,,,, ) I have received an invitation from the representative of the RNZAF, for myself and any members of my Family that wish, to celebrate the occasion with their group and spend the long weekend with them. Members' of sub units representing the RNZAF to date are, 41 Sqn ( 12 ), 40 Sqn ( 5 ), I think these were Transport Sqn's. Probably the biggie as far as our guys are concerned, is 9 Sqn ( 14 ). I beleive that these guys were all Kiwi Pilots who were attached at some stage, and all flew Hueys. If there is anybody out there, Adgies or 9 Sqn, ( or anyone else for that matter ) that would like me to pass on a message to anybody over here, just send the details and I will be only too happy to help out in any way I can. This is a very well organised event, so, if anybody has a name and a unit ( year etc ), and the people in question are in Welliington, I should be able to make contact for them. ( Airforce, Navy or Army ) Cheers, Chester. |
Gday Pom. Just in case anybody is coming over, this is the RNZAF sub unit sitrep up to Saturday evening. There is also a free concert at the Basin Reserve for ex Vietnam blokes and their Families, Sat night. Sunday morning another memorial service and I then have 7 hour drive home. Chester. LAST SITREP Hi everybody I do apologise to the lateness of this final sitrep but I have had difficulties in finalising some of the detail - in part because restaurant owners have been out of town and in part your own tardy responses have made totalling up attendances a challenge. All the details for Tribute08 are of course on the website and you will be making up your menu of events to attend but the following are details for our own 'sub group' arrangements. SUB GROUP LOCATION. Tribute08 never really allocated the Air Force a facility although they had the Wellington Club on the list. But the Wellington Club didn't know about it plus the need to bring a suit just to satisfy their dress regs didn't quite fit our concept. Fortunately, when I approached the SAS for an invite to make a small presentation they quickly swept us up under their wings and their facility is now ours also for the weekend. So if you are ever lonely or miss placed pop into the conference room of the Loaded Hog pub and you are likely to find a warm welcome. RALLY POINT FOR FRIDAY EVENING. The Air Force Museum is making a number of 'banners' that should be available as a focus or rally point for the Civic welcome at the Wellington town hall on late Friday afternoon. Will try and get some more details to help with recognition early next week. Failing all that, I suggest that we shuffle up at the northern entrance to the Town Hall. If you are still lost or just can't find any friends, try my cellphone 0210549334. FRIDAY EVENING MEAL 6.45pm LEUVEN BELGIAN CAFE 135 FEATHERSON ST. Started off with an original booking for 23 but has since extended to 40. Was a push to start with but have really needed to bend the arm of the proprietor to accommodate us all. We may have to be a little patient as a group and congregate at their bar from 1845hrs onwards at which time the staff will seat us in groups of eight as tables become available. So far I have "confirmed" bookings for - Phil Crip[2], Graham Derby[2], John Pendreigh[4], Tommy Mills?[1], Dennis Searle[2], Gordon Thompson[1], Ken Wells[2], Rodger Barson[2], Rod Bracefield[2], Terry Knight[2], Brian Senn[1], Hugh Francis[1], Ian Clark[2], Ted Creelman[2], Huey Warner[2], Chris Peters[1], Trev Butler[2], Peter Waller[2], Graham Thomson[2], Robin Klitscher[2], Bob Andrews[2], Ian Brunton[1] and Gordon Wood[2] Still to confirm or otherwise are Jock Hannaford, Ian Brunton [for Sue], Ralph Dyer and Stoney Burke. If you disagree with the data recorded against your name and want it changed or you are a late entrant, then PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. SATURDAY PARADE Timings as per Tribute08 instructions. With my wonky leg I may not be able to walk the full distance with you all and am planning on joining up midway to Parliament. Can I suggest that Terry Knight act as marshallar and general whistle blower to get everyone in line. Currently we have 60+ marching. May have the AF Museum banners available. While there are no 'rules' regarding the march dress, can I suggest that we look at a jacket and tie and full parade medals for all the vets. There may be some informal opportunities after the march and Parliament activities for people to pop off for small group luncheons in Wellington. Suggest that we just decide on these arrangements on the morning. SAS PRESENTATION On Saturday afternoon the 4 Troop NZSAS lads are having a 1400 hrs Roll Call at their venue in the Loaded Hog and have invited us to attend. After the roll call Robin is going to make a small presentation in recognition of the special relationship that SAS have with airborne units. The presentation is a mounted SPH4 helicopter helmet facing backways - which is the only part of us that the SAS often ever saw. I would strongly encourage all helo chappies to attend this fairly short event. SATURDAY EVENING MEAL 8.00pm SHED5 QUEENS WHARF. This event has proven to be a problem for very few have indicated a yes or no to their invite and in the meantime we have missed out on Whitby's. However, I have booked a table for 14 at the Shed5 restaurant on the water front for 8.00pm. So far I have "confirmed bookings for - Rodger Barson[2], Hugh Francis[1], Ted Creelman[2], Huey Warner[2], Peter Waller[2], Fred Thomson[2], Chris Peters[1] and Terry Knight[2]. Probables but yet to confirm are - Phil Crip, Gordon Thompson, Rod Bracefield, Robin Klitscher and Bob Andrews. We may have a little more room to move with this booking so if you wish to be a late entrant then an early call to me may well get you a seat at the table. The booking is in the name Creelman. So there you go team - enough info to get started on? In true aircrew fashion we will "patch it as we go" for the remainder. |
Please update the adg com centre page with the following details.. Ben Kuchel : psymin_says@hotmail.com phone number: 0429 419496. Thanks. |
"Lookin and Lookin" for Mick Bergin G'day Pom, Sorry I can't use your real name, I can't find it on your fantastic web site. Hope you don't mind the informality. I'm Bill Halliwell, ex-RAAF and used to be one of the sad and sorry civvies Mick trained up good enough to do my bit in the RAAF. I tried sending Mick an email from your list but it bounced back saying the address was invalid. So I'm writing to you. Here's the letter couldn't get to Mick, hope you can forward it some how. I just wanted to thank him, after all these years, for being one of the RAAF people who made me a better person than I was before I joined the RAAF. POM: Please see below my letter to Mick, there's another matter I want to mention to you. Cheers, Bill Halliwell 60 Astor Drive Geilston Bay TAS 7015 halliwellmedia@bigpond.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- G'day Mick, You won't remember me (Bill Halliwell), but I was one of the recruits you trained at 1RTU. I forget our Course Number, sorry, it was around 1070 something. Anyway what I've always remembered was our DI... You. I just wanted to say thanks for your work on training us sorry lot of civvies up to be good enough to be in the RAAF. A branch of the ADF I am extremely proud of to this day. You used to have trouble with my surname, and called me 'wheelbarrow' a couple of times before you called me "HALL-EE-WELL". I remember you had much more trouble with young Fazackerly's name, another on our course from Tassie. I think he got 'wheelbarrow' a lot more than I did. I recall our course pennant, or banner, we named it "The Bergin Soldiers" because of the film, and we were a right lot of hopeless virgins in every sense of the word. Sadly, I lost my Course Banner in one of our many house moves. Hope it's still hanging somewhere in the 'recruits' Piss Shack at Edinborough, but that was probably bulldozed years ago, it was a dump. I did my six years and had a great time, spent mostly at 2SD, Richmond and HQSC, far from a distinguished career but they were the happiest days of my life for many years. Linton Dixon, the only smart one our Course, ended up as a G.S. Officer and I last ran into him at the recruiting office in Melbourne, many years ago, as bright and shiny Pilot Officer. I just had a messy divorce and tried to reinlist and he, very rightly, knocked me back. He later made it to Wing Commander, no less. So there's one of us on that Course you can be proud of. (ha) I'm making contact for another reason, I ran into a yank mate of mine who's brother served with an ADG named Ted Jones. My mate is trying to do a history of his brother's service in Vietnam. Apparently he and Ted Jones were good mates because he was the equivalent mustering in the USAF and he was very impressed by the Aussie ADGs. I know you served in Ubon and I seem to recall you had the Vietnam medal when you trained us, although I could be wrong, and I was wondering if you knew a Ted Jones, apparently he was attached to 2 Squadron over there at Phan Rang. If you have any info on him I'd appreciate it. I also looked at the very impressive ADG website (where I got your email address [hope it's yours [or I'm talking to a stranger]. While there I saw that press clipping of the 4 ADGs who were left behind in Saigon in '75. One of them was John Hanson. I'm pretty sure there was a Hanson or Hansen was that other DI that used to look after us when you were not around. A big fella with a pommie accent, (great 'parade voice'). Was that the same John Hanson? We raw recruits thought John Hanson/sen was big and scary, we were glad we had you for our DI. And I still am. Anyway, Mick, (geeze I could never call you that back at RTU) I hope you and your family are well and that you are enjoying life. (Looks like you are because I saw a recent pic on the website... we have matching waistlines ha ha!) You gave me a right royal bollicking for not climbing a rope properly once... Reckon neither of us could now, but I wouldn't bet on me beating you! All the very best and thanks again for making me good enough to get through in the RAAF. Bill Halliwell 60 Astor Drive Geilston Bay TAS 7015 halliwellmedia@bigpond.com Cheers, 'Horribill" Bill Halliwell ----------------------------------------------- POM: This chap in the US is trying to sell 'Ted Jone' hat, fur felt on Ebay. It has the right pugaree and RAAF badge of the time but it has a 'slouch clip' on it, like Army hats. You can look at it, and a picture of this TED JONES on Ebay if you do a search on item number: 220237428473. (look quick, it goes off sale in about a day). Also, A bloke at my local RSL reckons he was an ADG attached to 9 Sqn but I don't reckon he was... Isn't the type. His name is Aiden Jenkins, did you ever know anyone by that name? I can't find his name on your website. If' he's an imposter I'd like to take the matter further. Anyway, I truly enjoyed your website and I will recommend it to all RAAF types down here in Hobart, sadly Hobart is an Army town and we have little representation. The local RAAF Association is slowly dying out. Cheers and thanks again. 'Horribill" Bill Halliwell ==================================================================================== |
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have recieved an enquiry requesting the details of the flight crew for a medivac of sapper John (Jethro) Thompson, it is as follows. \"I was wondering if you could help out with some information or be able to give me contact details of someone who may be able to provide details of an incident in Nui Dat in May 1967 please. My neighbour, John (Jethro) Thompson, was a sapper working in laying the mindfield at Nui Dat during the early part of 1967 when, on the 9 May 67, another sapper tripped a relaid (VC) mine. A few were killed but Jethro was badly wounded. He was medivaced down to Vung Tau to the American Hospital where he remained for 3 months before he was stabilised enough to be brought home by Herc. He lost a leg, half an arm and all but 2 fingers on his left hand. Also he had shrapnel punctures all over his body. After a lengthy period in Heidelberg hospital, he became a public servant and is now retired. There is much more in the way of hardships and family deaths to his life but he soldiers on. Several books have included segments about Jethro and he is now writing his own memoirs. While he has most facts available, particularly Army matters, he cannot source any details on the RAAF. What he is after specifically are the details of the 9 Sqn chopper, the captain and crew that medivaced him down to Vung Tau on 9 May 67. If possible, he would like to make contact with any of the crew to help fill in blank spaces and no doubt, to thank them for their efforts and gain permission to use the details in his book.\" This request came from a Peter Cameron through Charles Walford. If you feel you are able to assist or require more details please email Peter Cameron at the following address: pjcmmc@bigpond.com Regards Steve Hartigan |
Gday Pom. Just quickly, if Mr Halliwell was to look up ADG course photos on the web site, in particular No 14 course ......... However, as to the person in questions' attachment to 9 Sqn and his discharge arrangements, maybe somebody else would like to elaborate............. Captain Kookaburra. |
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have recieved the following from Ray Townsend; \"I have just this minute received a phone call from Dave Potter advising me that Greg Currie has passed away after long illness. Greg was an Engine Fitter and served with 2 Squadron at Phan Rang. I served with Greg in 10 Sqn Townsville and I know he was well known to many 9 and 35 Sqn members. He also served in Malaya. His funeral will be conducted at the Tweed Heads Crematorium at 11.00 am this coming Friday 30th May. It would be very much appreciated if you could redeirect this message through your network. Many Thanks Ray Townsend Regards Steve Hartigan |