Around the water cart.

In Blamey Crescent, Campbell, ACT, an area surrounding a group of memorial plaques in honour of Australian recipients of the George Cross has been officially named `George Cross Park'. Mr Michael Pratt, the only living Australian recipient of the award established by King George VI in 1940 for `acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger', attended the ceremony. (Canberra Times, 5 April 2001).

The Geelong Branch's Military Re-enactment Group received many plaudits for their `Defence Of Tobruk' display at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) Open Day in February, particularly from the ACT Inspector of Dangerous Goods for their safety precautions and from the AWM for their participation (Geelong Branch Newsletter, received March 2001)

A `History in Action' re-enactment convention is to be held in Canberra during the long weekend 28 September to 1 October (Labour Day) 2001. People interested in studying or re-enacting famous periods in military history will be interested. Contact David Green (Secretary ACT Branch) on 02 6257 3299. (The War Diary, Newsletter of the Western Australian Branch, 1st Quarter 2001.

Our member Jeffrey Hopkins-Weise of Brisbane has a long article `A History of the Colonial Defence Force (Cavalry) and the Australian Context' in the journal of our sister society in New Zealand. The Colonial Defence Force, a body of mounted troops, was raised in New Zealand in 1863. The article points out that although there is no evidence of any formal recruiting mission in the Australian colonies, by December 1863 a significant number of the total strength of 411 officers and men and 386 horses were of Australian origin. Tasmania had by then supplied 500 `short' rifles and a quantity of smoothbore pistols for the force; South Australia had shipped 150 `long' Enfield rifles; NSW sent 1000 rifles, 200 breech-loading carbines and 80 horses. Among the individuals who left for New Zealand was William Fraser (also known as Frazer), `late drill instructor to the Reedbeds Cavalry (South Australia)', with Captain Egerton and Serjeant-Major Hawke, `formerly of the Kapunda Rifles'. (The Volunteers, Journal of the NZMHS, July 2000).

As at December 2000, there were 77 officers and 74 other rank Vietnam veterans still serving in the Australian Regular Army (ARA), and 78 officers and 93 other ranks in the Reserves. There are also three Borneo veterans still serving. (Despatches, Victorian Branch Newsletter, March 2001; also Army 7 December 2000.)

The Victoria Cross for Australia, established in 1991 is the highest of all Australian gallantry decorations. It may be awarded to those individuals who `in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, daring, valour or self-sacrifice or display extreme devotion to duty'. It replaced the Imperial Victoria Cross, 96 of which have been awarded to Australians. To date no Victoria Cross for Australia has been awarded. (Army, 5 March 2001).

Members may have seen the ABC TV series `Australians at War'. Material from it is accessible on the Internet at www.australiansatwar.gov.au or www.brainwaave.com.au. The latter includes a downloadable education kit and a template that allows visitors to the site to document their own military family tree. (Sydney Morning Herald, 21-22 April 2001).

For those with a special interest in the 8th Division's POW confined in Borneo 1942-45, there is an article by Dr Kevin Smith in Despatch (Journal of the Military Historical Society of NSW, April-June 2000) describing the escapes from Sandakan and from the First and Second Death Marches as well as from Ranau Camp between July '42 and late '45. The article has a useful list of official files and earlier publications on the subject. (Joe says: Dr Kevin Smith's book Borneo: Australia's Proud but Tragic Heritage is now available in paperback).

The University of New South Wales is offering certificate courses in Community History and Managing Historical Documents. No formal tertiary qualifications are required for entry. The full-year course costs $670 and began in March 2001. Enquires to the School of History at UNSW on 02 9385 2343 or e-mail [e-mail] (Canberra and District Historical Society Newsletter, February-March 2001).

The AWM has installed within Bradbury Aircraft Hall a Mitsubishi A6m2 `Zero'. Australian soldiers at Gasmata in New Guinea captured this unique aircraft in 1943. It was restored during the 1980s by the RAAF. Saburo Sakai, the Japanese Naval ace (64 kills) came from Japan during the restoration to confirm the aircraft (V173) colour and authenticity. As the only living witness to the bravery of the pilot of a lone RAAF Hudson (A16-201 of No 32 Squadron), Sakai wrote a testimonial to the Australian Minister for Defence in 1997. He requested that the pilot (Pilot Officer W F Cowan, KIA 22 July 1942) and his crew be cited for bravery. This was refused. Cowan took on eight Zeros in the engagement and was eventually shot down. Sakai died in Japan in September 2000. Even with his 60+ kills, he considered the fact that he had never lost a `wingman' in over 200 dogfights his greatest wartime achievement. (Volunteers' Voice, AWM publication for Volunteers, Nov-Dec 2000).

Not far out of the tiny township of Lake Bathurst, east of Canberra, are several large concealed underground fuel and water storage tanks constructed in 1943 as a reserve against the possible loss of fuel to Japanese submarines around the Australian coast. Four members of the Canberra and District Historical Society visited them in August 2000. (Newsletter of the Canberra and District Historical Society, October-November 2000). Again, Joe says: I wonder how many now-forgotten WW II or earlier facilities there are in our own areas? There is a furphy (or is it?) that there is large underground storage (still full?) between the Sydney Botanic Gardens and the Boy Charlton swimming pool. Anything known?

The AWM's East Coast Travelling Exhibition `Out in the cold: Australia's involvement in the Korean War' will be in the following locations this year and early next year:

Venue                      Open                  Close
Townsville (Gallery?)      Sunday, 10 August     Sunday, 23
                                                   September
Shepparton Art Gallery     Monday, 10 October    Sunday, 18
                                                   November
Gosford City Arts Centre   Friday, 14 December   Sunday, 3
                                                   February 2002

Contact at AWM is Rebecca Barnett 02 6243 4567. (Duty First, RAR Journal, June 2000)

The Albury-Wodonga Branch's nominated Federal Councillor, Major Robert Morrison, is transferring to the ACT to take up a full-time appointment at ADFA, after 22 years in Albury and a long association with the Branch and with 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Robert is well known to ACT members and visitors as `the voice over' at many parades and other ceremonies at RMC of A and ADFA (Albury-Wodonga Branch Newsletter, 2/2001). The Albury-Wodonga Branch now meets monthly at the 8/13 VMR museum at Bandiana and continues to support the museum in its new location in many ways, from polishing display items to refurbishing uniform mannequins. Two Branch projects for this year are a display on 2/33rd Battalion (Albury's Own) and the restoration of a WWII Bren Gun Carrier. If heading north or south by the inland roads, have a look at the museum. Contact Nigel Horne 02 6056 7260 (ibid -- Just to show that Joe knows what it means).

Which Canadian Army unit has the battle honour `Gallipoli' on its colours? The Royal Newfoundland Regiment. (Intrep, Newsletter of the ACT Branch, October 2000).

The identities of a further 18 Australian servicemen buried in unmarked graves at the Labuan War Cemetery, Borneo have been determined more than 55 years after their deaths. Lynette Ramsay Silver uncovered information about the 18 graves while researching her book Sandakan -- A Conspiracy of Silence. The graves were previously inscribed `A soldier of the 1939-1945 War', except for one commemorating a member of the RAN. The Office of Australian War Graves launched a search for the families of the unnamed servicemen. Twelve of the 18 families have been located and new plaques incorporating a personal inscription chosen by each family are being made for the graves. The families of three other servicemen have not yet been located: NX32677 Private Evan David Davies: VX35037 Sergeant George Cummings: and QX17516 Gunner Roy Williams Walter. If you can assist, contact Penny Trainor at OAWG 02 6289 6527. (Vetaffairs, Newsletter of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, March 2001).

Noted as `recent accessions' in the library of the Society of Australian Genealogists are:

* The Army of the Sutlej 1845-1846 Casualty Roll. M8/21/Pam.5 (Pamphlet)

* The South Africa 1853 Medal: being the roll of the recipients and the story of the campaign medal issued for the frontier wars between 1834 and 1853. M8/21/22 (Book)

* The Second Afghan War 1878-1880 Casualty Roll. M8/21/20 (Book)

These publications and many others are housed at Rumsey Hall, 120 Kent Street, Sydney. Nonmembers of the SAG may be able to access them by contacting the Librarian 02 9247 3953. (Descent, Journal of the Society of Australian Genealogists, September 2000).

Looking for a helmet or a trench map from the Somme? You may find one on Speedbid, an UK website that specialises in military memorabilia. There are 16 categories from trench art to ammunition, www.speedbid.com Rated as 3/5 by `Icon', the Sydney Morning Herald Internet supplement, 28 November 2000.

Our indefatigable Federal Treasurer, Neville Foldi says `In Sabretache September 2000, Joe referred to the Rookwood Cemetery as having the only Stone of Remembrance in an Australian War Cemetery. Those gathered around the water cart may not know that this Stone is only placed in War Cemeteries and/or Memorials which honour at least 1000 Commonwealth war dead. The stone was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) and the inscription "Their Name Liveth for Evermore" (Ecclesiasticus 44.14) was suggested by Rudyard Kipling. He also chose the headstone inscription for unidentified burial "Known Unto God". A Cross of Sacrifice, designed by Sir Reginald Bloomfield, is found in all War Cemeteries.' Thank you, Neville.

On 14 August 2000, the first Australian Cadet Forces Medal was presented to SQNLDR (AIRTC) Peter Beilby of Goulburn, NSW. The ACFSM replaces the former Cadet Forces Medal; an Imperial award dropped by the Australian Government in 1975. The ACFSM is awarded for 15 years meritorious service in one of the arms of the Australian Services cadet scheme. (Intrep, Newsletter of the ACT Branch, October 2000).

And, as usual, some books for your consideration:

[check] Anzac Elite: The Airborne and Special Forces Insignia of Australia and New Zealand. Full colour, look-up reference source to the uniform insignia worn by Australian and New Zealand `elite troops' of WWII and the period since. Clifford and Julian Tennant. IPL Transpress (NZ) 2000. PO Box 10215 Wellington NZ 6000. NZ $90 or $US 40 (allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. (Advertising received).

[check] Men of Courage: The History of the 2/25 Australian Infantry Battalion WWII. Draydon A W. $49 plus postage. Secretary 2/25 Battalion Association, P O Box 2171, Chermside Centre, Queensland, 4032. Phone [phone].

[check] The Riflemen: The story of 3RAR's 1971 Vietnam Tour. Michael C English. Australian Military History Publications, 13 Veronica Place, Loftus, NSW 2232. $30 including postage.

[check] The Forgotten Women. Letters, diaries and other writings of Australian nurses in World War I. G. Robinson. Publisher not stated. $20 including postage. P O Box 593, Mt Gravatt, Q1d, 4122. Phone [phone]. (Three above from Vetaffairs, September 2000).

And from our Queensland Branch's John Irwin's BOOK PATROL (Branch Newsletter, March-April 2001):

[check] There to the Bitter End: Ted Serong in Vietnam. Anne Blair. Publisher not stated. $29.95

[check] Australia's War 1914-1918. Joan Beaumont (Ed.). Publisher not stated. $24.71. John says: Much information on enlistment, organization and the conscription row.

[check] Mutiny: Naval Insurrections in Australia and New Zealand. Tom Frame and Kevin Baker. Publisher not stated. $29.95 Joe says: What! Insurrections? The Navy? Surely Not? Seriously, Tom Frame, who has been Anglican rector of Bungendore for some years, has just been appointed Anglican Bishop to the Forces.

[check] The Australian Centenary History of Defence. Vol I: The Australian Army. Jeffrey Grey. Publisher not stated. Large format, hard cover, 300pp. $49.95. John says, `value for money'.