WARD Lindsey Francis VX36843 D Coy Sing

No. VX 36843 PRIVATE LINDSEY FRANCIS WARD

I was never fortunate enough to meet my Uncle Lindsey. He was killed in action on Singapore Island on 11 th February 1942.

My only connection with him are his Service medals, photographs and the numerous letters he wrote to his parents from Malaya.

No. VX 36843 Private Lindsey Francis Ward enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 9 th July 1940 at Royal Park. He grew up on an orchard in Stanhope, Northern Victoria, the son of a 14 th Battalion AIF veteran and first President of the Stanhope RSL.

Known as “Tinny” because of his lucky streak, he became known around town as a bit of a larrikin, finding trouble wherever he could find it. He was 20 years old when he enlisted, being allocated to the 2/29 th Battalion, D Company. Within twelve months he was on the Transport Ship “EE” HMT Marnix heading for Malaya.

It wasn’t long before he was up on a charge receiving 21 days detention. The charge being “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he was taking part in a fight in a public place”

After his release he was sent north along the Malay Peninsula to the village of Segamat where he joined the rest of his mates. Throughout his time overseas he wrote constantly to his parents describing all the new sights he was witnessing, the exotic animals he had not seen before, the farming techniques and how a Rubber Plantation operated, the bargaining with the local traders trying to sell him fake watches and the humidity which he hadn’t experienced before. Lindsey always signed off with at least half a dozen kisses to his Mum and Dad.

He of course, like many of his mates, contracted dengue fever and was hospitalised for some days which “knocked him around. “In his letter dated 20 th October 1941 he wrote “According to the papers here now we look like being stuck into the Japs any tick of the clock. It won’t come quick enough for me though. I’m dying to see a bit of action.”

His parents sent him a mouth organ he requested and it arrived in late October. This was one of the few personal possessions passed on to me which I treasured. In amongst the letters from him are three Xmas cards with the 2/29 th colours. One to his parents and the others to his two sisters.

His sisters enlisted, one serving in the Royal Australian Airforce and my Mother as a Gunner on Bofors guns. By February 1942 the Battalion was well and truly back on Singapore Island.

Lindsey’s last letter was written on 4 th February “I have been to the front as I presume you have guessed and came out safe and sound. We were up there for about eleven days and was not sorry to get out for a bit of a spell believe me. ………… no one could image what it is like until they see it. We were under rifle fire, mortars, artillery but compared with dive bombing and machine gunning from the air it was a mere trifle.”

On the 11 th February 1942 “Tinny” and his close mate “Ossie” were sent out with a Bren gun. “We moved forward against the enemy at Bukit Timah with Captain Bowring M.I.D in command and he placed the Bren gun which the inseparable Tinny and Ossie worked out on a flank to cover the advance and a sniper got onto them and silenced the gun.” Lieut Bill Smith. They were both shot where they lay next to the gun. (refer to page 90. A History of the 2/29 Battalion. 8 th Australian Division AIF). Lindsey and Ossie were buried in Kranji War Cemetery and ironically an Officer Lieutenant Oldfield, 2/26 th, buried between them. I wonder what they would have thought of that?

Lieutenant Bill Smith wrote a touching letter to Lindsey’s parents on the 24 th November 1945 writing that “we found ourselves cut off and although the rest of the company retired I didn’t receive the order and was left behind with a few men. I might still have been there if Tinny and his mate Ossie Francis had not stayed behind to warn us what was going on and so we were able to get through the Jap lines and rejoin the unit on the next day. So there are fourteen men who owe their lives to the risk that Tinny was willing to take- you can imagine how deeply I regret his loss.”

It appears that Lindsey parents were not informed of his death until November 1944 however they would have been aware that he was missing in action. The anguish and sadness expressed by the residents of Stanhope is revealed through the many letters and cards of condolence to Maude and George Ward. Lindsey’s name is etched into the Stanhope War memorial and can be seen on the Wall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.  

My daughter’s middle name is Lindsey in honour of him and his great great nephew, her son, marched on Anzac Day 2023 proudly wearing his medals.  

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN

LEST WE FORGET

Contributed by his niece Kate Kirton

CHRISTIE Robert William VX48633 HQ Coy F Force (Ponds Party)

VALE ROBERT WILLIAM ‘BOB’ CHRISTIE OAM

VX48633, 2/29th Battalion AIF

‘Bob’ Christie, for that is how everyone knew him, passed away peacefully on 10th September 2014. He had reached the remarkable age of 97 years of ago. 

Bob leaves behind his much loved family and a great life of service to his country, his community, his ex-POW mates and his church.

I first met Bob Christie in 2006, when I was just about to embark on the writing of a book about ex-POWs of the Thai Burma Railway. Both Bob and Berris welcomed me into their home and at the instant I walked into Bob’s office, I knew I was in the heart of our history and the history of the 2/29th Battalion Association. Bob was ordered and he had kept anything and everything about the men he had fought with and survived with on the Thai Burma railway.  In their honour. As we were walking to the gate after our talk I mentioned how beautiful his house was and he said, ‘I was born in this house. In the front room, in fact.’ I came away from our meeting knowing I had met someone special. 

Bob Christie loved and honoured the men he served with and he was never going to forget them. The service to celebrate Bob’s life at Malvern Presbyterian Church was packed, as Andrew Coffey, the son of one of Bob’s 2/29th mates Jack Coffey, commented to me later. And in typical form, Bob had requested no flowers, rather donations be made to Legacy. 

When Bob was past 90 years of age he stood up on the dais of the Shrine of Remembrance, in front of a packed audience, to thank those for attending the launch of his book, ‘Surviving Captivity’.  Bob had managed, at his great age, to write an account of his life, the Malay campaign he had fought in and his diary notes from the Line.  The book was published in 2010 to wide acclaim. There is never any way to keep a good or a busy man down and Bob Christie was both.

Bob served in Singapore; he fought and men, his friends, fell by his side.  Survival turned to capture through the horrors of the Thai Burma railway.  Bob was a Signaller; he fought at the Battle for Muar, was captured and sent up the Line in Pond’s Party in F Force.   If there can be any Force you did it worse on the Line than others, I will cope the abuse by saying that Pond’s Party has that accolade. Bob Christie came home and took up the position of Association Secretary of the 2/29th Battalion Association for over 60 years in order to closely remember, and help others to know of those men he knew so well. Bob was awarded the OAM in 2003 for service to veterans and their families.  He cared for all until his death.

Throughout his life, Bob Christie loved his cricket and prior to the war he worked in the insurance industry.  At Bob’s funeral, his family recounted how their father’s first position was to light the fires in the city building fireplaces of that insurance company.  Post war he returned to work within the same company and moved into a very senior position within the firm. 

One of the sweetest things Bob ever said to me was during the launch of my book at the Shrine.  It was a staggering busy day, with people in every direction wanting to catch my attention, but Bob stood there with Berris until the coast was clear and he said, ‘Thank you Pattie. You have done a great thing for the POWs this day.’  I was honestly overwhelmed by his comment, and perhaps cannot even now put into words how I felt about his graciousness, but I knew Bob meant every word; and I have never forgotten it.   My comment to him then, as now, is ‘No….it’s not you who should thank me, rather the reverse.’  So thank you Bob Christie.  

The Association would like to extend their condolences to Berris, Robert, Janella, Shan, Sarah and Ashley at the loss of a terrific fellow. Please know that we will miss Bob at our functions.

Pattie Wright with thanks to Andrew Coffey – 2/29th Battalion Association

COOPER Jack (Frederick John) VX60136 C Coy A Force

Private Frederick John (Jack) Cooper 7.1.1923 – 28.8.2014

Jack was born in 1923 in Foster, Victoria, second child of Arthur and Julia Cooper. Brother Ray was 3 years old. His father had a farm at Dollar in South Gippsland where he grew potatoes. When Jack was 4 his mother died. His father sold the farm and they moved to Wakiti Creek near Nathalia.

Leaving school at 13 he worked on a farm and over the next few years had a variety of jobs in the area before joining the army in 1941. His brother Ray had joined 12 months earlier and was serving in Malaya.

Jack had never been to Melbourne before when came down and joined his unit – the Third Reinforcement for the 2/29th Battalion.

He left for Singapore on September 1941 and 20 days later landed in a hot steamy Singapore. Jack was there when Singapore fell, was taken  to Burma where he worked on aerodromes before starting work on the railway line and was at the Thai end when the bridges were bombed and then when the war finished.  The experiences of our men on the Thai Burma Railway have been well documented and Jack’s recollection of his time there has moved so many since he wrote his story.

Once home again Jack went back to Kyabram . The next few years were not easy. His brother was missing in Malaya  and he found it difficult settling back into life as it had been. Jack married Betty and they had   daughter, Roma, but it was all just too hard for him.  Feeling quite lost he came to Gippsland for a two week holiday – and he stayed. After a few years and a range of jobs he met and married Beryl.

Most of our generations of the Morrisons will have different memories of Uncle Jack over the years. When we were very young, we were, perhaps a little wary of him and we did get used to making sure that presents we gave were not ‘made in Japan’!  We did, however, develop a lot of respect for him and became very fond of him. Jack was such a patient carer of Beryl over many years and her loss left a big void in his life.

Moving down to Trafalgar gave Jack a new lease of life.  He had always been an active member of the community – but living in Trafalgar brought him right into the middle of the community. Sitting at his kitchen table, he enjoyed watching the world go by and someone was always knocking on his door. Jack was always ready for a cheerful chat and a joke and a cup of tea (or a beer)

One of Jack’s delights in recent times has been his own family and we have been so pleased to see and share in his enjoyment.

Friday sippers at Jack’s became a tradition until the RSL introduced their own happy hour.

Jack was one of the instigators and founding members of the Latrobe Valley Ex-Prisoners of War and Relatives branch in 1954 and was very actively involved ever since. He had seen many changes in the group over the years and rarely missed a meeting. I have been secretary for a number of years and Jack remained sharp on protocol – to the extent that he would pick me up on technicalities in the minutes. He will be truly missed by the group.

Jack cared about others – and they cared about him.

He has left us all with some wonderful shared memories – and much love.

Thank you Jack.

By Lynn Penrose (Jack’s Niece)