Community & Business
25 April, 2024
Men’s Shed remember the service of our troops
The Pittsworth Men’s Shed gathered with the RSL and representatives from the 19th Australian Cadet Unit (ACU) on April 18 for an ANZAC Day memorial ceremony at the Pioneer Village, in front of the Little Digger statue.
In past years, the ceremony has always been held on ANZAC Day.
However, only a handful of people had been attending, so it was decided to combine the ceremony with the Men’s Shed gathering on the Thursday morning before ANZAC Day.
Allan Petersen, President of the Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch, and former ‘Nasho’ opened the ceremony with a welcome, and asked member Mal Norris to say a prayer.
Mervyn Whittaker was then asked to come forward and lay a wreath on the Little Digger statue.
Mr Petersen recited The Ode, and Cadet Ashford McEwan performed The Last Post.
A minute of silent meditation ended when Cadet McEwan played the Rouse.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was Mike Vogler.
He spoke about the ANZAC Legend, which was forged from one of the worst military disasters, 109 years ago in Gallipoli.
“We talk about bravery and sacrifice but at the present time, Gallipoli, with the white crosses and manicured lawns, does not tell the story of a hopeless situation of needless pain and suffering,” he said.
Mr Vogler conveyed his family’s link to Gallipoli, in the story of his mother’s uncle, John “Jock” Lawlor, an Irishman.
“Jock told the story of being in a charge up one of the gullies, he was wounded in the leg and could not move,” Mr Vogler began.
“A man unknown to him stopped and administered first aid.
“He rolled Jock into a depression he had scraped out with his bayonet, and then continued up the hill.”
His mother’s uncle was then evacuated to a hospital ship, where his leg had to be removed.
Mr Vogler explained that after the war, Jock was walking up the street in Toogoolawah, on his new leg, and walked in to meet the new proprietors of the local grocery store.
And who would appear around the corner, as the new owner?
The very man who had stopped and saved his life!
Mr Vogler also spoke about the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War.
This battle, which is mostly forgotten, took place on 23-25 April, 1951.
April 24 marks the commemoration of the battle and is known as Kapyong Day.
Thirty-two Australian soldiers were killed, more than 50 were injured, and three became prisoners of war.
“In my time in the army, I served with men who were Korean veterans, and they told stories of the enemy forming down the hill from them without weapons, and it was known that they would pick up weapons from their dead comrades on the way up the hill,” Mr Vogler said.
This forgotten war had a profound affect on some of the men involved, as is the case in many other conflicts.
Even some within the RSL did not recognise their service.
“One such case I encountered while I was working at Beauaraba Lodge.
“A veteran from the Occupying Force in Japan, who later served in Korea, was in palliative care.
“As ANZAC Day was approaching, I was organising an ANZAC Day service for the residents, and asked him if he would like to participate in the service.
“His response was rather scathing, and he spoke about the way he and his mates were treated.
“In the following conversations, I told him that no matter where you served, we were all ‘Brothers in Arms’.
“Tears came to his eyes, and he said that no one had said that before.
“He agreed to come to the service, but sadly passed away before ANZAC Day,” Mr Vogler said.
“Perhaps if those words had been said to him years before, he would have lived a different life.
“I ask you this ANZAC Day to remember not only the original ANZACs, but all those who have contributed to the defence of this wonderful country we call Australia,” said Mr Vogler, ending his speech.
The New Zealand and Australian anthems were sung by Cadet McEwan.
Mr Petersen concluded by announcing the ANZAC Day service times for April 25.
