plaque dedication
 

yesterday we went to the war memorial in Canberra for a plaque deciation of the 2/2 battilion in which father served. There were quite a few of the old diggers there for the ceremony including Sir Federick Chilton who is now 101 years old and General Paul Cullen who is now 97 years old. These two men were original company commanders of the battilion when it was being formed in October 1939 in Sydney.

The plaques are laid in the grounds of the War Memeorial beside the foot path, the Canberra Times had a good article on the front page today.

Max

when Em's comes back I'll try and post a photo.

Modern Diggers
 

"Poster Girl", by Beccy Cole....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BZ6aqgvdFI

:salute:

Re: Modern Diggers
 

Jeez,JIf..that really got to me...Not only the words and the message ,but that girl has a beautiful voice..
Not to mention not too shabby in the looks department..
That is a keeper..

Re: Re: Modern Diggers
 

Well, maybe not a Keeper, but I wonder if she's for rent? :D :D :D :devil: :devil: :devil:

Re: Re: Re: Modern Diggers
 

Jif...
You have a warped mind....
I don't know if Beccy Cole is available but here's one I'm sure will accomodate you...

http://www.funnyclicks.com/pictures35/amicool.jpg

But if you wanted to rent Beccy Cole for her musical ability and she wasn't available I can line you up with this honey...

http://www.funnyclicks.com/pictures26/verycutebabe.jpg

....and alex says that i have a sick mind....pot calling the kettle black??? all that freon must have finally caught up with the lad :smoker: mike

You paying attention....
 

Mike...
You been putting the electrode in your mouth and turning on your arc welder again..haven't you....!!!
Must be a slow day in "da Bay",bye....
If you are eyeing up the ladies I am lining up for Jif ,and the missus finds out ...Tanya will Tan ya....
Do it right and come up for a visit so we can get you to Gracies Bar and Grill so we can introduce you to the Tatooed ladies...

mates
 

Alex your a real fair dinkum mate of Jiff's to find those two lovely ladies for him
Max

Re: Modern Diggers
 

Wow. I just love her voice/singing!!!! But I'm sure you already would have guessed that. And yes ... the song lyrics were really moving as well. (yep, a real looker too ... the lady has it all, a good song likely reflects a good heart, a good voice, and good looks to boot :D )

Re: mates
 

Max
I'm saving a couple of my friends for you if you come to Ottawa for a visit..

This one definately would be a great help as a jack if you had a flat.....

http://www.funnyclicks.com/pictures13/lousymechanic.jpg


Speaking of flat....

http://www.funnyclicks.com/pictures1...sexytshirt.jpg

And a cool one...

http://www.funnyclicks.com/pictures3...untitled46.jpg

Beats Maple syrup...although second place is ok too..

the photo at last
 

the old diggers are from the left Sir Frederick Chilton and father then Paul Cullen also the younger soldier who is a colonel of the battalion that wears the colours of fathers battalion

Max

Re: the photo at last
 

Well he certainly spruces up well.
Here we see: "NX231 Major Frederick Oliver Chilton, Officer Commanding, 2/2nd Battalion, has a quick shave between busy moments during the action at Bardia. 26 Dec 1940."
Source AWM 005927

Re: the photo at last
 

While both Major Chilton and Capt Cohen (later Cullen) joined the 2/2Bn in Nov '39, Paul Cullen was to have much more influence in the post-war Army.
Here we see: "c 1955. Group portrait of, from left, Brigadier John W. Main CBE ED, 14th Infantry Brigade; unidentified Brigadier wearing a 2nd Infantry Division patch; and Brigadier Paul Alfred Cullen DSO and bar ED. This is possibly at the occasion of Brigadier Cullen taking over as commanding officer of the 14th Infantry Brigade."
Source: AWM PO2475.004

address
 

Paul Cullen gave an address to the crowd gathered for the ceremony on courage. Partr of this address was on the disaplined courage of the German soldiers marching down a gentle slope in their sections which were in a straight line accross each soldier 3 metres apart with the next section about 10 metres behind. They were marching to the causeway guarded by the australians on the Pinross river at tempe gorge. He said he admired their courage as they marched into the Australian machine guns.

Then Paul said there was individual courage of soldiers, once the German tanks crossed the river and approached the australian positions two tanks were in a small field beside our position. One Aussie soldier rushed out with a tin of petrol jumped on the first tank splashed petrol all over it but then his cigarette lighter failed and he couldn't light the fuel, the tank eventuallly managed to through him off the back and the second tank came and ran over him. Paul Cullen and others rushed out to him and dragged him to safety fearing that his leg was broken. Then everyone managed to out run the advancing german army.

Max

Sad, sad news
 

As these two fine Gentlemen Citizen-Soldiers had so often shared much history in the past, it is perhaps appropriate that both Paul Cullen and Sir Frederick Chilton have recently passed away, within a fortnight of each other (Cullen 19 Sep 07 and Sir Frederick 02 Oct 07). Both Paul Cullen and Sir Frederick Chilton are owed a great debt of gratitude for their lifelong commitment to soldiering.
Remarkably for two infantry combat officers who joined up in 1939 and saw action in all theatres of Australia's war, and as two of the last surviving AIF Battalion Commanders (Cullen 2/1 AIF Bn and Chilton 2/2 AIF Bn), they not only escaped unscathed, but survived to the ripe ages of 98 and 102 respectively.

Emoticons are never enough, but:
:remember :salute: :remember :salute: :remember