Help Aussie Veterans to Commemorate
Donation protected
My name is Daniel, Secretary for Small Ships Section Chapter, Transportation Corps Regimental Association and U.S. Army Small Ships Association Inc. Our Committee is seeking funds to assist our Veterans to commemorate the 75th Anniversaries of their Service. Most Australians are still unaware of the vital role played by Small Ships Section during WWII as the Members were not officially recognised by the Australian Government until 2009. Fortunately we have highly motivated Veterans who are making up for the ‘forgotten years’. This year we will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the formation of Small Ships Section and the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.
During the desperate days of 1942 the Australian Government approved the employment of over 3,000 civilians by the U.S. Army. Most Australian Members were unfit for military Service due to age or disability; the ages of the crews ranged from 15 to 80 years. These men supplied allied troops serving throughout the South West Pacific Area between 1942 and 1947. Most of our surviving Members were teenagers when their Small Ships Service commenced and now aged in their 90’s, the opportunity to actively commemorate their youthful Service means a great deal to them.
Several surviving Veterans declared their final wish was to ‘go to sea again’ and return to New Guinea. In respect of the 75th Anniversary of Small Ships Section and All Seaman Who Died in WWII, our Committee has organised a Memorial Service to be conducted in Milne Bay during September. This is a very special opportunity for Small Ships Members, relatives of deceased Members and Veterans of other Branches of Service to commemorate together. This will be one of the last opportunities for our Veterans to actively commemorate their Service; definitely their last sea voyage.
As you can imagine our surviving Members suffer from a range of health and mobility issues, requiring assistance from family members or carers to actively commemorate their Service. For several Members, participation is only possible if financial assistance can be offered towards personal care, transport or accommodation. Even the smallest contribution will help to assure assistance for those Members who would otherwise be unable to participate. Our Association relies solely on membership fees and donations for all operational expenses. Our Committee works voluntarily. All contributions are very much appreciated by our Members.
Today it is almost inconceivable for Australians to comprehend the sense of desperation that pervaded their country in 1942. To learn more about the Service of Small Ships Section please visit our website usarmysmallships.asn.au
Our Members include 91 year old Clarence Dawes. Clarence is the last surviving WWII Veteran in Ceduna South Australia, and the last surviving Small Ships Member who served at the Battle of Buna. Clarence was only 15 years old when he first experienced Japanese bombing raids in New Guinea and is enthusiastic about commemorating his Service. Also 91 year old Jim Gadd who first sailed with the Merchant Navy at 15 years of age on Queen Elizabeth; 90 year old John Bird who is the last surviving member of S.S. Fingal which was torpedoed off Nambucca Heads during May 1943; and 94 year old Don Campbell who was serving aboard Australian Merchant Vessel Macdhui when she was bombed in New Guinea during June 1942. These are just a few of our surviving Members.
Our Members are among the last- standing Australian WWII Veterans. They are a great bunch of blokes who have also served variously with U.S. Army Transport Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Australian Merchant Navy, Army, Navy or Air Force. Some of our Veterans have finally received medallic recognition for their Small Ships Service during 2016, more than 70 years after their Service ended.
For each of our surviving Veterans the chance to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of their Service together is a very special opportunity. For many years they were “the forgotten fleet”, denied recognition and commemorative opportunity.
Please give what you can, to support these men who gave what they could in distinguished Service to the U.S. Army and indispensable contribution to the defence of Australia.
Lest We Forget
During the desperate days of 1942 the Australian Government approved the employment of over 3,000 civilians by the U.S. Army. Most Australian Members were unfit for military Service due to age or disability; the ages of the crews ranged from 15 to 80 years. These men supplied allied troops serving throughout the South West Pacific Area between 1942 and 1947. Most of our surviving Members were teenagers when their Small Ships Service commenced and now aged in their 90’s, the opportunity to actively commemorate their youthful Service means a great deal to them.
Several surviving Veterans declared their final wish was to ‘go to sea again’ and return to New Guinea. In respect of the 75th Anniversary of Small Ships Section and All Seaman Who Died in WWII, our Committee has organised a Memorial Service to be conducted in Milne Bay during September. This is a very special opportunity for Small Ships Members, relatives of deceased Members and Veterans of other Branches of Service to commemorate together. This will be one of the last opportunities for our Veterans to actively commemorate their Service; definitely their last sea voyage.
As you can imagine our surviving Members suffer from a range of health and mobility issues, requiring assistance from family members or carers to actively commemorate their Service. For several Members, participation is only possible if financial assistance can be offered towards personal care, transport or accommodation. Even the smallest contribution will help to assure assistance for those Members who would otherwise be unable to participate. Our Association relies solely on membership fees and donations for all operational expenses. Our Committee works voluntarily. All contributions are very much appreciated by our Members.
Today it is almost inconceivable for Australians to comprehend the sense of desperation that pervaded their country in 1942. To learn more about the Service of Small Ships Section please visit our website usarmysmallships.asn.au
Our Members include 91 year old Clarence Dawes. Clarence is the last surviving WWII Veteran in Ceduna South Australia, and the last surviving Small Ships Member who served at the Battle of Buna. Clarence was only 15 years old when he first experienced Japanese bombing raids in New Guinea and is enthusiastic about commemorating his Service. Also 91 year old Jim Gadd who first sailed with the Merchant Navy at 15 years of age on Queen Elizabeth; 90 year old John Bird who is the last surviving member of S.S. Fingal which was torpedoed off Nambucca Heads during May 1943; and 94 year old Don Campbell who was serving aboard Australian Merchant Vessel Macdhui when she was bombed in New Guinea during June 1942. These are just a few of our surviving Members.
Our Members are among the last- standing Australian WWII Veterans. They are a great bunch of blokes who have also served variously with U.S. Army Transport Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Australian Merchant Navy, Army, Navy or Air Force. Some of our Veterans have finally received medallic recognition for their Small Ships Service during 2016, more than 70 years after their Service ended.
For each of our surviving Veterans the chance to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of their Service together is a very special opportunity. For many years they were “the forgotten fleet”, denied recognition and commemorative opportunity.
Please give what you can, to support these men who gave what they could in distinguished Service to the U.S. Army and indispensable contribution to the defence of Australia.
Lest We Forget
Organizer
Daniel O’Brien
Organizer
Haymarket NSW
