Pom
Just thought I would let the readers know that one of the great entertainers
of the GRDEF Category, Squadron Leader Paul Folvig, retires from the Air
Force on 11 July 2003. Paul served the Category for 27 years. We held a
farewell function for him at the Australian Defence College a couple of
weeks ago. It was great to see a lot of old faces there. By old, I mean
blokes like Ken Carswell, Niel Marxen, Doug Gale, Bob Coopes and Dennis
Anderson. Bernie Farley made the trip especially from his Warnambool Motel.
Those who know Folves have long been entertained by his eccentric
behaviour. To others, he is a bit of a myth. Dennis Anderson led an
inquisition of the old and bold to find the truth, or otherwise, behind some
of the Folve's legendary deeds. The truth behind tales such as the headless
horseman, knifing the doctor at Wagga, the fireproof flying suit, the head
through the Toyota windscreen were established by actual witnesses to the
events. Needless to say, a great time was had by all.
Folves is a real character who will be remembered long after his departure.
But above that, he is a great bloke and a good friend to many. We wish he
and Pat well for the future.
Bob
RCooper
R.F. COOPER
GPCAPT
DIRECTOR MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
R8-3-023
(02) 6265 4724
Mobile: 0438280274
ps: Everyone wishes him the best in his retirement.
The Pom and the fellas.
SGT HAZEL ADG 321CSS
WOFF MEARS ADG 2AFDS
Well fellas thanks for your service, and may retirement be kind to you.
The Pic's below were submitted by Graham Thompson.
Gee you boy's don't scrub up to bad.
Just an update for you of ex's that live in Adelaide.
The few I know of are:
L. Peditte
D. Connor
G. Thompson
pass it on to Russ Abbey thanks.
Graham Thompson
thomson@arcom.com.au
G'Day Pom,
Tough about that camera,the warranty ran out just the other year. Time to get with it and get a digital anyway. Its good to hear from you and if you wish to contact me about anything (blank,signed cheques) send direct to bubbles@hypermax.net.au. Cheers mate.
Jack Horwood
VA67
Thursday 3 July 2003
Australia farewells last survivor of Sandakan Death Marches
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today expressed deep sorrow
at the passing of Owen Campbell, the last survivor of the Sandakan death
marches of World War II.
Mr Campbell died at Modbury Hospital in Adelaide this morning at the age of
87.
"Owen Campbell was one of the true survivors. He overcame tremendous odds
to become one of only six men to escape from the Sandakan death marches
alive," Mrs Vale said.
"He, like so many young Australians, put his life on the line in the defence
of nation and paid a heavy price. For that we owe him our gratitude," she
said.
Born on 27 March 1916, Owen Campbell enlisted in Queensland on 9 July 1940
and was posted as an artilleryman to the 2/10th Field Regiment. He trained
and fought with the unit in Malaya and Singapore until he was taken prisoner
following the Fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942.
Mr Campbell was allotted to various work parties and forced to work on the
Singapore wharves before being sent to Borneo with E Force in March 1943,
joining more than 2000 other Australian and British prisoners there.
At first held on Berhala Island, Mr Campbell was transferred to Sandakan in
June 1943. He and the other prisoners endured forced labour, beatings and
torture, a starvation diet and illness. Late in January 1945, about 500 of
the fittest prisoners were marched out of the camp, beginning the first
infamous death march to Ranau. Mr Campbell left in a second group of 536 men
at the end of May 1945.
Like most of the prisoners, Mr Campbell was ill and starving and doubted he
could make it. Men soon began dying of disease and exhaustion or were
murdered. About six days into the march, when Allied aircraft strafed his
group, Campbell and four others took a chance and escaped into the jungle.
One man died and three others were killed after reaching the coast.
Campbell, sick and near death, was saved by a local guerrilla leader, Orang
Tua Kolong, who fed and hid him from the Japanese. In late July, weak and
ill, he was taken through enemy lines and was rescued on 24 July 1945.
"The Sandakan death marches were among the darkest moments in our nation's
history. Mr Campbell and the other survivors represented the best of the
Australian spirit in the worst of times.
"With the passing of Owen Campbell we have lost an important living link to
a time in our history which must never be forgotten," the Minister said.
Mr Campbell returned to Sandakan in 1999 as part of an Australian
commemorative mission to dedicate a new memorial to the prisoners of war who
died there.
Mr Campbell is survived by his wife, Evelyn, four children and 14
grandchildren.
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
VA68 Thursday 3 July 2003
PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF CHANGI
"The Australian Government is aware of the significant sensitivities
associated with the redevelopment of Changi prison. We welcome Singapore's
willingness to consult on preserving unique elements of the Changi prison
complex", the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
"We are talking, through the Australian High Commission in Singapore, to the
Singapore Government about its plans for the prison. The site for
redevelopment forms part of the larger Changi prisoner of war camp area in
which some 15,000 Australian PoWs were held between February 1942 and
September 1945.
"The name Changi has become synonymous for Australians with the suffering of
our PoWs at the hands of the Japanese during World War II," Mrs Vale said.
"Thousands of Australians lived and died at Changi, many of them in the
prison building itself. Thousands more passed through the Changi camp on
their way to other places, such as the infamous Burma-Thailand Railway, but
Changi remains a vital part of the memories and history of Australian PoWs
in the Pacific.
"It must also be remembered that many Singaporeans and people of other
nationalities suffered at Changi. No-one can question the commitment of the
people and Government of Singapore to remembering their wartime history and
those who fought and suffered in the defence of Singapore," Mrs Vale said.
The Minister said Singapore's wartime history remained an important and
respected part of the modern nation's culture.
"During last year's 60th anniversary commemorations of the Fall of
Singapore, I had the opportunity to visit a number of sites that have been
preserved in memory of the experience of the people of Singapore and
Australian and Allied personnel.
"The Changi precinct is a moving tribute to the prisoners of war and the
Kranji War Cemetery is maintained in honour of the thousands buried there
and those who have no known grave.
"I have also had the privilege of joining the people of Singapore for their
annual ceremony of peace, in memory of the suffering of the civilian
population during the Japanese occupation.
"We look forward to the continuing discussions with the Government of
Singapore."
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289