War casualites
 

My mother had mentioned to me over the years, she knew a chap who was killed in New Guinea during WW2. I only just found out the chaps name this week because I found this photo taken in 1940 when my mother was 16 .

Turns out this young chap was in Lark Force at Rabaul , his rank was gunner . He died as a POW when the ship Montevideo Maru was sunk by a US submarine.

There is more. Going through the naa files I found this chaps records . Well, his brother was in the 2/2 Pioneer battalion , this unit initially served in Syria. The 2/2 was at sea heading back home , but the ship was diverted to Java . The brother was captured, survived the Thai death railway and then he was shipped to Japan where he died in Sept. 1944.

Hi Mike
It was our parents generation that fought WW2 and I have clear memories of being surrounded by them and immersed in their culture as a child. They knew first hand the realities of war and sacrifice and understood what they had fought for. My mother in law had a school friend that was killed on the Prince of Wales and another who died at Dunkirk.
It was not an idyllic time but there was a basic decency, respect for others and lack of crime that is entirely missing from todays society and I really do miss that feeling of trust in your fellow citizens.
Some gave their all.
'We will remember them.'

David

Absolutely spot on David, :salute: Dennis

Yes David but you have to remember that today’s generations and society has so much more important things to worry about.

What sex will I embrace today?
Am I offended by something today?
What activist cause will I embrace today?.....ooh look something shiny...
Which religion offends me today?
Is the sky falling?
Who can I tell how to live their life today?
What can I take away from those who have worked hard all their lives today?
And how can I get them to give it to me?