CIRCULAR
TUNNELLERS OLD COMRADES ASSOCIATION
BW. 629512 Castlereagh Street,
SYDNEY.
20th June, 1950.
Dear Tunnellers,
We have to report that the Annual Dinner was as usual a great success. It was much appreciated being back in the Imperial Service Club where the dinner had been held fairly regularly until 1941, after which the catering became a problem. Since then, until Saturday 10th June, we had held our dinners at the Legacy Rooms in George Street, with the ladies of the Junior Red Cross catering for us. We were always well looked after but the place did not have the atmosphere of the Imperial Service Club.
Your Secretary, too, appreciated the change as he no longer had to scrounge the district looking for beer and other liquor.
The practice of the last three years of inviting ex-service sons to be our guests was continued and seven of the younger generation turned up.
Our official guests were:
Brigadier (Black Jack) Galleghan, D.S.O., O.B.E., E.D., and Lt/Col. Ted Olding.
The Tunnellers and Alphabets who attended were:-
Don YatesEric Dean and son
John Royle and SonPonty Seale
Jack ArmstrongRoy Nilsson
Bill MantonAub. Law and son
Fred Phippard and two sonsSam Cox
James RobertsonBig Bill David
C.H.J. ClaytonCol Morris
Doug. BrigstockeFrank Hooper
Dave RobertsonTaffy Owen
H.D. HillW.T. Anderson
Dad Adcock and sonOssie Ochs
Pat Close and son.
This made 32 in all including the official guests. In the absence of General Fewtrell, Dad Adcock presided while Jack Armstrong looked after the toast list. As usual a purple T was provided and placed on the Cenotaph.
Our guest gave a wonderful address on the conditions in Germany and on the Continent, and everyone was so interested that no one realised that he addressed us for an hour. The only objection to this was that we missed about four rounds of rum punch and consequently everybody went home moderately sober.
The following donations were received to the finances – E.M. Tooth - £2/2/-, Geo, Hindmarsh - £1/1/-, Bart Carrol - £1, for which we all give thanks.
Please accept this as a receipt.
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The following extracts are from letters received:-
“My best wishes and kind remembrances to everybody I know”, E. Sleeman Anderson.
Johnnie Dow writes that he has just been through the Valley of the Shadow and his weight was down to 6st 11lbs, but thanks to the efforts of a young Adelaide surgeon who removed half of his breathing apparatus he is now well and about. He especially wishes to be remembered to Clay, Ponty and others of the old Third Company.
General Fewtrell had an accident and broke some ribs some months ago. His doctor advises him not to go out at nights. He finishes :-
“Will you please express an apology for my absence, but I do desire to wish the evening every success”. (Thanks, Sir, it was.)
Sawyer, who has retired from “not” mining coal, cables from Keswick in the old Dart:-
“Greetings to all old comrades. Coalies sink a special from me. Still going strong.” Good on you, Bunny.
K. Byron Moore writes from 11 Mona Place, South Yarra, Melbourne:-
“Will you please give my best wishes to any members of the 3rd Company that may be present and please accept my kindest regards to yourself and many thanks too for all your good work. If you are in need of funds please let me know.” No, my good friend, we are not in need of funds, and we appreciate your good wishes.
J.B. Justice writes that he has not been too well with a bit of blood pressure which “tended” to keep him quiet. He adds :- “ I hope Bill Manton will be there in all his pristine glory. Give him my regards as well as the other old cobbers’. Yes, Bill is still going strong. His “string halt” is no better but he can drink rum as well as usual.
L.G. Wilkins telegraphs from Drake, which is Woodie’s old home town:-
“Unable be present annual reunion. Best wishes old comrades”. Thanks, Bull Ant, we missed you.
Ralph Justice also wires:-
“Regret cannot attend dinner Saturday. Kindest regards all old brigade.” Thanks, Ralph.
George Hindmarsh sends an apology which is greased with a cheque. Thanks, old boy.
P.J. McShane has not been well and finished his letter:-
“With kindest regards and remembrances and trusting that you will all have a happy and cheerful evening as usual.” Yes, sir, we did.
H.P. Wallman writes:-
“Remember me to all old mates and tell them to at least be careful, they are not quite as young as they were last time I saw them.” Glad to have your message, H.P., even with a split infinitive.
Jack Armstrong’s brother Jim, who has been coming to our reunions as Jack’s guest for years, has been having a bit of “engine” trouble. He has had some months in New Zealand and has returned much better. He sends a telegram of remembrance. Good old Jim.
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Charlie Saunders has been under the weather for some time and is hobbling round on crutches. He sends his best to all.
K.B. Lewis writes from Maude and Y.G. Mine, Omeo, and regrets he cannot attend.
Old Plum (P,C, Plummer) writes:-
“It is impossible to attend as only yesterday I started treatment under a Collins Street, bloke and have to go daily. My head has been awful lately. As you knit it’s solid from the neck up and you wouldn’t think there was anything to go wrong. Give my affectionate greetings and best wishes to all the boys. In sequence to your remarks:- Yes, Plum. No, you wouldn’t. Thanks, Plum, we did.
H.H. Carrol sends his best to all. Thanks, Bert, but we haven’t seen you since 1937. Hope you will come again soon.
Kellie McCallum writes:
“Once again I much regret not being able to attend, but wish the function all the best.”
Woodie sends his best and adds:-
“Considering that this year will mark a third of a century since the Battle of Messines, it is not to be wondered at that Tunnellers find it difficult to leave their base.”
‘STAWELL NEWS. April 29th, 1950.
BATE – On the 28th April, 1950, at his residence, 7 Fisher Street, Stawell, John Henry Bate”.
Twice John Bate made the trip over to attend our meetings. A telegram has been sent to Mrs Bate, who replied:-
“Please convey to Tunnellers my thanks for their sympathy, especially Mr Clayton who also sent me a telegram but I do not know his address to thank him.”
Vale, John Bate !
Phil Caro (Gabo) has just telephoned to apologise for his absence at the dinner. He has had a lot of trouble with his eye due to an old war wound. He also has a boy in hospital. Bad luck, Gabo. Let’s hope the eye clears up and the boy is soon alright.
Well, there are a lot of you still left, and we would love to see you. If you don’t come along soon you won’t find too many left here, so make up your mind to come next year. Accommodation will be booked for any who care to come along and conveyance will meet you at the airport, station or wharf, whichever you choose.
On the Sunday following next year’s dinner a party will be held on the shores of Broken Bay at my new home. Transport will be provided from your hotels and residences and you will be taken down the Bay on my auxiliary yacht. All Tunnellers are invited to attend with their wives (or girl (?) friends) and sons (who attend the dinner).
In the meantime we all who attended can assure you it was a really good reunion and we all send our very best to all of you wherever you may be.
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.)J. MacD. ROYLE.
Hon. Secretary.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
June 1st.Balance in Bank£11. 12. 1
Receipts from Dinner:
30 at £1/5/-37. 10. 0.
3 donations 4. 3. 0£41. 13. 0.
Disbursements:
Dinner expenses26. 19. 6
Floral T. 1. 7. 6
Petty Cash, postage
and telegrams. 3. 10. 6
Usual honorarium,
Robin Royle 3. 3. 0£35. 0. 0
Paid into Bank. 6. 12. 6£ 6. 12. 6
June 20th.Balance in Bank.£18. 4. 7
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