CHANGI FOOTBALL – BROWNLOW & AUSTRALIAN RULES 1942-43

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL & THE CHANGI BROWNLOW – 8^TH DIVISION AIF WW2

Sporting interests and competitions began with soccer and cricket followed by rugby, basketball, volleyball, golf, even swimming, etc and finally Australian rules football which of course excluded the British who greatly outnumbered Australian POWs at Changi. It was an opportunity for the Australians to show that they were more rugged and agile than their British counterparts.

With most of the sporting codes already underway at Changi, 8^th Division Australian Rules ‘heavies’ knew they could not afford any mishaps or slapdash events with 36 disgruntled, incarcerated and possibly out of control young men trampling the footy field, with a chance of all-in brawls both on and off the fields (which happened back ‘home’) Their greatest concern was an all-out brawl occurring with guards intervening with weapons.

Four prisoners with top sporting experience got together – 1933 Brownlow Medallist Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn, Ben Barnett (former Test cricketer), Pte ‘Les’ Green 2/9^th Field Ambulance and Roy Charles Fox , 13^th AGH and footballer Peter Chitty was a consultant. The men knew Australian Rules to be a fierce contact sport with each state playing at different levels – Victorians players rugged in muddy conditions and Western Australians played fast on dry fields. Rules would have to be modified and enforced.

Below: ‘Chicken’ Shorthorn – 1933 Brownow Medallist. Played for Fitzroy. Please read further about his career.

Above: Former Test Cricketer Ben Barnett at Changi. Barnett was a wicket keeper and left-handed batsman. He was prominent in organising Cricket Test Matches and advised the 8th Div. Australian Rules Committee.

Please read further about Barnett’s cricket career

More than 600 men registered interest and teams were formed with the names of Melbourne clubs – Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, St Kilda, Melbourne & Richmond would come from the hospitals. The rest from Selarang. Each team would have 30 players with 20 men in reserve making total of 200 registered players with each team fielding 18 players with one reserve.

Three matches were to be played every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays with two games being played on one of the days. Being a former British Military Barracks there were only cricket and rugby fields. The Australians had to work hard to create a ‘footy’ oval which they carved out of area of no man’s land between Selarang and the Roberts hospital. The goals and points posts were made from rubber trees. They made their football from balls purchased from Chinese traders, modified with old boot leather and used wild boar bladders. The game required footballs which would respond to being bounced on the run and umpires bouncing the balls. For the uniforms they commissioned a local Singapore seamstress to sew 250 pairs of shorts and tops in the six team colours.

The matches were played and taken very seriously and in consideration of the conditions, the standard of play was to be commended. It was run like the VFL with umpires given control and charges reported and heard by an independent three-man tribunal. There were rules for player ‘transfers’ from club to club – payment and inducements were usually food.

Please read further about WA Football

Above Lou Daily in his Geelong uniform.

2/4^th soldier Lou Daley would play for Geelong and keen to win the season. With a few other Geelong players they approached Peter Chitty to transfer from the hospital teams of Melbourne or Richmond to Geelong. It took some time the change Chitty’s stand – three bowls of rice and the offer to Captain the team which meant Lou Daley had to stand down.

This was Changi style Aussie Rules.

The first match on Sat 15 August 1942 between Essendon and Carlton drew a crowd of 3,000 men which included amputees and sick from the hospital. The Japanese increased the number of guards because the game was outside the perimeter and set up a machine gun. ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn was the umpire and would need to keep a tight rein on the game. A Carlton player was concussed in the first minute of the game and had to be carried off.

It was a hard fought, close match which Carlton won. At the end of the game bets were settled – the bookies had been busy.

Two footy match days per week assisted in establishing a routine in the camp and it gave the players a focus. Champions Peter Chitty and Lou Daley instilled into teams the importance of team work. This team work and selflessness was not lost on the spectators in their day to day routines as POWs and misery of prison life and ever increasing diseases.

Geelong with players Chitty and Daley made their first appearance playing Melbourne on Wed 19^th August when the crowd was estimated to be 5,000. Chitty who had been in strict training for weeks was outstanding and would have earned himself three Brownlow points.

The Grand Final between Carlton and Richmond was held on Wednesday 17 Oct 1942 attended by a large and noisy crowd including the usual hecklers with the majority of bets on Carlton. The level of seriousness of this game was recorded by the reporter for Australian rules, Corp. Alexander Cyril Arthurson, 13^th AGH – in his account of the game he reported it ‘was played like a battle with considerable aggression from both sides with co-ordinated attacks resulting in aggressive counterattacks with players using all their physical strength’.

The lead changed several times until Richmond finally won 10-9-69 to Carlton’s 6-8-44.

This Grand Final had been played with the level of aggression and tenacity the Australian troops had been unable to use in battle because their commanders ordered retreat after retreat when facing Japanese attempts to outflank them. Australians felt they had no real chance to prove their worth during the battles – perhaps proving if they had been better led they would have been better fighting men.

With the game proving so popular amongst the POWs, games continued on after the Grand Final. It was vital in keeping up morale. But on 19 Jan 1943 footy was banned because of the alarming number of injuries. The level of rough play resulted in Australian Rules joining rugby union and rugby league being banned by the Hospital authorities for the level of violent play.

The POW diet was having a huge effect on the men’s physical condition and bones. The lack of nutrition was depleting muscle strength, with bones less protected and more brittle.

Chitty with his rare make -up was one of the few players who did not sustain injury or lose weight. He was running every evening.

Below: Corporal Peter Allen Chitty. Please read further about his football career

Australian officers discussed the physical issue with all football codes. Rugby and soccer had stopped, Australian Rules went on but finished by end of 42 long before the end of season was planned. Geelong was undefeated with one more win than Richmond and was announced the premiership winner in an anticlimax.

The Football Association had an emergency meeting acknowledging the competition was over and unresolved. They emerged with a proposal to play two ‘representative’ games in January 1943 to end Australian Rules at Changi forever. After long deliberation, the Australian officers agreed to their proposal. There would be a 15 man-a-side game between AGH staff and Selarang POWs on Friday 22 January. Two days later the biggest game of the season played between Victoria and ‘The Rest of Australia’ ie players from every other state and territory.

Every fit player who wanted to play the last match registered with the Changi Australian Football Association. Two panels sat down all day on 15 Jan 1943 to make selections.

Chitty was selected as captain of Victoria and Lou Daley who had played for Geelong in the VFL and Subiaco was made skipper of The Rest.

Chitty who remained super-fit played in both final games. He paced himself well with Selarang team against AGH team in front of 5,000 spectators. AGH team won 9-5-59 against Selarang 8-8-56. It was the first Changi Rules game Chitty wasn’t named amongst the best players.

On the evening of 23 January 1943 Smallhorn and Fox counted the Brownlow votes in a barracks room behind closed doors. Lou Daley polled well and consistently with 13 votes and Chitty with 24 votes was the clear winner of the Changi Brownlow Medal. Smallhorn soon after fell ill and was hospitalised. Staff advised him not to be running around in the heat the following day to umpire the big game. Fox himself had not felt the greatest after the first game. Both men had run long distances up and down the footy field. Fox would have to stand in for Smallhorn.

Sunday 24 January saw a slight breeze arrive an hour before the match started, but not nearly enough to provide relief to the thousands of spectators who began to show. A band played a welcome to spectators and bookies worked their way through the crowd shouting out their odds, picking up bets on the winning team and winners of Best and Fairest of the match, The Little (Bore Hole) trophy, the Best and Fairest for Victoria, the Doug McQueen Trophy. There were also wagers on who would kick the first and last goals. The big money was on The Brownlow and the bookies were sweating. The gambling currency included clothes, daily rice rations, money, wallets and watches.

Smallhorn defied the doctors, took painkillers and turned up for the match dressed in white. He walked out onto the hard surface flanked by the boundary and goal umpires to a cheering crowd.

The Victorians wore dark blue tops with white ’V’ and white trousers and ‘The Rest ‘ wore white singlets with red ‘V’.

Daley captained ‘The Rest’ and the team included several 2/4^th men:

Above: Cliff Spackman

WX7715 Cliff Spackman – formerly Goldields, Western Australia

WX9268 Joe Pearce – Swan Districts

Below: Joe Pearce – former Swan Districts Footballer. Pearce was one of only a handful of sportsmen able to return to top competition following his POW incarceration. Please read further about Joe Pearce’s career with Swan Districts

Possibly:

Clarke – Country League, WA

The game between the two teams was intense with the lead seasawing until finally the Victorians won, 14-9-93 against ‘The Rest’ 10-5-65.

The Doug McQueen Trophy for Best and Fairest for Victoria donated by Lt. Douglas McDonald McQueen 2/29^th Btn former Victorian Football Association player for Coburg (he was also player in the Victorian team)

Awarded to 26 year old Warrant Officer 2^nd Class John Thomas ‘Jack’ Haig, 2/29^th Btn

The Little (Bore Hole) Trophy donated by Corporal J. Little, Australian Army Corps for Best and Fairest player for ‘The Rest – Awarded to Lou Dailey.

This was the last Australian Rules match played at Changi. Many of the POWs were about to be sent from Singapore on work parties. Their health and stamina would never be the same whilst they were POWs. By far Australian Rules was the most popular sport amongst the Australian POWs. It was a means of asserting their masculinity and their nationalism.

2/4TH SOCIAL CIRCLES for WOMEN – Perth and Bassendean

2/4TH WOMEN’S SOCAL CIRCLE GROUPS- PERTH & BASSENDEAN 1941-1947

Social Circles were established for wives, mothers, girlfriends sisters during WW2. As Mrs Green (wife of Lt Charles Green) wrote, members met by a common bond –

to cheer and support each other and exchange what valuable and meagre news was to hand.

The 2/4th appeared to have two groups – Bassendean and one in the city.

There were social groups for other Battalions such as 2/3rd, 2/28th and 2/11th. No doubt there were groups in country centres.

Remember there were strict sanctiona on war time news – these women were really left in the dark and isolated not knowing if there loved one was dead, sick nor did they know where the POWs were located.

WHAT DID THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN KNOW OF POWS AND THEIR LIVES?

Many would not have had the luxury of telephones in their homes and certainly most did not have vehicles, they travelled with and relied entirely on public transport.

Below: In 1947 a reunion was planned.

Below: 1941 in the ‘Mary Ferber’ Daily Newspaper Women’s column the following was printed.

Below: Gordonb Bennett is invited to Social Circle card Party

Below: Funds raised for Red Cross 1943.

Below: In 1944 the Social Circle held a children’s party.

Below: we found this single notice for 2/4th Women’ Circle of South Perth in Nov 1942. Perhaps they amalgamated.

2/4TH BASSENDEAN SOCIAL CIRCLE

The families from Bassendean who were very likely members of this social circle would have included mothers of Tiny Lear, Maconachie, Wally Holding, Archie McIntosh.

Midland Born Tiny Lear who grew up at Bassendean was with ‘A’Coy. He died at Sandakan March 1945.

Scottish families who settled at Bassendean include Maconachie – who also died Sandakan June 1945 and Archie McIntosh with ‘F’ Force who died of illness Tanbaya Hospital Camp, Burma.

Below: Town Hall.

Below: it is not known who had the following placed in the West Australian.

THE ROYAL ORDER of BUFFALOES – Changi Lodge

ROYAL ORDER of BUFFALOES – CHANGI LODGE, SINGAPORE WW2

There were 38 members at this Lodge from the 2/4^th – originally members of Lodges in WA – often found in more remote mining/rural towns.

So what is a Buffaloe or Buff and what did they do?

‘The order started in 1822, and known as “The Buffs” to members. The Order provides aid to its members, their families, dependents of former members, and other charitable organisations.’

‘R.A.O.B. is a fraternal organisation raising funds to help charities and their own members in a time of need.’

‘Our aims are to come together for entertainment, whilst raising money and other benefits for charity. The only obligations on our members are to respect each other and to respect our traditions.’

Most country towns and older Perth suburbs could say they had a FREMASONS OR RAOB Lodge which in today’s world is no longer being used for Lodge Meetings – some have become community halls and many sold.

Membership of such clubs is no longer popular as it was before WW2 and for the few decades after.

Please go to this website for an overview of various types of Lodges

The RAOB at Sons of Gwalia created a WW2 Honour Board.

Please read further about the 2/4th men honoured on this board.

Below: Wiluna, 1938

Below: Sons of Gwalia 1938

Below: Mt Magnet 1934

Below: Norseman 1938

Below: Koorda 1938

Below: Midland RAOB now used for new purposes.

The Grand United Order of Free Gardeners was first established in Western Australia in 1898. WX4934 Ronald Arthur Page, known as Ron or Darkie was a member of the Wattle Branch, Victoria Park.

Ron lost his life on the first Sandakan March having reached Ranau, he died of starvation and illness on 17 Feb 1845 aged 26 years.

Image result for is The Grand United Order of Free Gardeners similar to Lodge?

The Grand United Order of Free Gardeners Friendly Society provided medical, funeral benefits, and loans for educational or housing expenses as well as providing a Fraternal Lodge for like minded men.

‘The Grand United Order of Free Gardeners & Other “Free” Orders

It may surprise many Freemasons to know that they are not the only “Free” Order based on old trades and guilds. Over the centuries we have seen the Free Shepherds, Free Gardeners, Free Colliers, and Free Carpenters among many others. Of these, the only one which seems to have survived the ravages of time are the Free Gardeners. Among all the major Orders on this page, this is the only one which seems to pre-date Freemasonry, and one of the most difficult to gain information about. The earliest records of the Free Gardeners go back to a “Fraternite of the Gairdener’s of East Lothian” in 1676. This original Fraternity was to be joined by another “Fraternite” at Dunfermline in the early eighteenth century. Like Masonic Lodges, the Free Gardeners lodges began as operative bodies but soon began to accept nonoperatives. It was not until the late eighteenth century that the Gardeners began to take off as independent lodges. In the mid-19th century there were various attempts to form a national Grand Lodge, resulting in an Eastern and a Western Grand Lodge being formed but with many lodges remaining without the authority of either. The Free Gardeners spread into England and across the sea to the United States and Australia. In the early 1980’s the Curator of the Museum & Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Robert Cooper, noticed that much of the regalia stored for the museum did not appear to be Masonic at all. After much research into the matter he wrote a book entitled “A History of the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners” which is taken as the authoritative work on this Order. Today, the Free Gardeners operate in Australia as a Friendly Society in Western Australia.’

Official information taken from the only existing group remaining in Australia today, in Victoria:

https://www.historyatwork.com.au/blog/2014/10/8/the-grand-united-order-of-free-gardeners

‘The Free Gardeners originated thousands of year ago in the vineyards and gardens of King Solomon’s newly built temple on Mount Zion. As they gradually broke away from bondage and went searching for work they were often helped by colleagues encountered on their travels. Over time a bonded fellowship developed that enabled members to rely on other members for protection, assistance and benevolence. They became the Order of Free Gardeners.

In the 19th century bonded fellowship morphed into a concept known as mutual aid and was regulated by the Friendly Societies Act. They provided medical and funeral benefits, and loans for educational or housing expenses. They were able to help thousands of families throughout the turn of the century, the Great Depression, two world wars and into the 21st century. In 2006 the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority removed all of their financial responsibilities and with that, the majority of their members.

This group remain the only Free Gardeners in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only a handful around the world. In their 150th year in Victoria, they are still seeking opportunities to serve the community and continue their history of benevolence, friendship, belonging and community service.’

Anketell Cup – Perth Dinghy Club

Dinghy Club Event 17 Feb 1951 Anketell Cup – West Australian Newspaper

Above: Lt-Colonel Michael Joseph ANKETELL,

Commanding Officer 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion 8th Division WW2 – DOW 13 Feb 1942, during Battle for Singapore aged 52 years. Anketell was a WW1 Veteran.

We have successfully contacted Perth Dinghy Club who have kindly confirmed they continue to hold the Anketell Cup annually, usually during first weeks of February. We have also requested their assistance in researching the ‘beginnings’ of this event.

Initially it was thought an Anketell family member may have been a PDC member, however the club assure us this is not so and further research confirms this.

The early 2/4th Committee Meetings were held at the Perth Dinghy Club which was then located at the river end of Barrack Street. (I am positive the 2/4th found the Dinghy Club most conducive for meetings – there was a bar to enjoy a drink. A most convenient location. It was the decision of the then Executive Committee to negotiate with PDC and present an annual trophy in memory of Anketell.

During the relevant years 1950-1952 2/4th President was Ray Lander with Vice President Ken Tucker, Secretary W.J. ‘Pop’ Davey and Treasurer ‘Trader’ Douglas Horn.

As recorded above, 1951 was ninth anniversary of the death of 2/4th C.O. Lt. Colonel Mick Anketell. His widow, Mrs Anketell and members of 2/4th Committee were present at the race. Mrs Anketell presented the winner with the ‘Anketell’ Cup.

We also confirm there was much socialising between the two clubs. Several Dinghy Club members confirmed they attended 2/4th cabarets and social events and the Dinghy club extended invitations to the 2/4th.

Anketell Cup displayed at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club.

The Anketell Cup stands about 45cm tall, quite significant. The first year winner’s name is inscribed in 1952.

Saturday 15 February 2020 2/4th MGB President Bernie Dorizzi, his wife Pam, Secretary Sylvia Norton and Historian Cheryl Mellor accepted an invitation to attend ‘Life Members & Legends Day’ of which one of the racing highlights is the Anketell Cup race.

It is more than 10 years since the 2/4th attended the Club.

We were warmly welcomed by the lady members of the Club – their husbands all out sailing! The Club membership stands at about 100 persons plus an extensive number of junior members. The PDS Club has several generations of family members with grandparents through to grandchildren.

The Club has a magnificent location on the Swan River at Crawley, opposite UWA. The Club relocated here in 1963 from Barrack Street. They have a bar and a ‘Tuck shop’ – which provides the most important income for the Club.

It was while the Dinghy Club was located on the Swan River at Barrack Street, Perth, opposite Repatriation Department, Riverside Drive that the 2/4th Association held their monthly meetings at their facility, this would have been about 1946 or 1947.

While the PDS Club which commenced in 1903 has a magnificent Historical Collection at the current premises, however they have no record of how the 2/4th came to use their Barrack Street facilities.

But we are fortunate to locate in Sept 2022 the following:

‘After the war Ken Tucker devoted some of his time to Committee of 2/4th ex-Members Assoc, during 1950 and 1951. It was at this time the Committee made the decision to approach and succeeded in arranging for the ‘Anketell’ Cup to be held at Perth Dinghy Club beginning in 1951. ‘ Please read further.

We discovered many 2/4th connections with Club members during the afternoon!

Below: L-R Jo-Anne McVee with her mother Lesley Devine who is a niece to WX9357 Leslie Robert ‘Les’ Rayner, of ‘A’ Company who DOW 27 February 1942 aged 24 years.

Lesley’s grandmother Emily Rayner (Les Rayner’s mother) and her husband Henry R. Rayner operated the ‘Newcastle’ Hotel at Toodyay for many years.

Emily was known far and wide as ‘Ma’ and she ran a well-behaved hotel! Bernie Dorizzi knew of ‘Ma’s reputation – no doubt his Uncles Gordon, Bert and Tom Dorizzi would have known ‘Ma’.

Prior to Toodyay, Emily and Henry were hoteliers in Marble Bar for several years.

Above: Our gracious hostesses Jo-Anne McVee and her mother Lesley Devine.

A former competitive sailor and now retired member of the Club who resides in Albany, John Erwin introduced himself. He flies from Albany once or twice a year to attend race days. His sister Beverley married Murray Cheyne in1964. WX9388 John ‘Murray’ Colville Cheyne enlisted November 1945, he was attached to Australian Army Postal Corp. Cheyne worked on Burma end of Railwaay with Green Force and was selected with ‘Rakuyo’ Maru Party for Japan. Cheyne was fortunate to be removed from draft in Singapore!

Cheyne died in 1995, however John assured me his sister Beverley lives in Mandurah and keeps good health.

Please read further about Murray Cheyne

During the Presentation of Pennants at the end of the day, Bernie Dorrizi was invited to present the Anketell Cup to the 2020 winner and thanked PDS Club for their warm hospitality and the most amazing afternoon tea in the southern hemisphere!

Below: PDC at the Esplanade – courtesy Perth Dinghy Club

______________

We believe it may have been George Gwynne who was the connection between PDC and 2/4th- he had been a keen dinghy sailor pre war.

We wish members of Perth Dinghy Club safe and successful sailing!

2/4th Cricket Team, Northam

2/4th Cricket Team – Property of Geoff MacDonald, nephew of Lindsay Murray MacDonald who is standing 2nd from left amongst those in whites. MacDonald was KIA at Singapore 9 February 1942.

The team above L-R (as per October 1990 Borehole Bulletin)

N. Outrim, L. MacDonald, T. Beard, J. Treasure, G. Arthur WA State Wicket Keeper, Capt. Anderson, V. Warhurst, E. Hunt, C. Farley (did not remain with 2/4th)

Front L-R . C. Spackman, S. Gorringe, Bowe Stubbs, H. Scadden, R. Matthews, N. Fraser.

Many of the above players were also members of the 2/4th Football team: Treasure, Spackman, Edgar Hunt.

According to Les Cody the team included Sid Gorringe (first Captain), Major (Granny) Saggers, Vic Warhurst, Cliff Spackman, Roy Matthews, Edgar Hunt, Alex Minchin, Bert Fidge, Cec Farley, Bowe Stubbs, Neil Outtrim, Harry Scadden, Gerry Arthur, Lin McDonald, Jack Treasure, Norm Fraser and Tom Beard.

WX9031 Gerald ‘Gerry’ Arthur played for WA Cricket. He was the star wicket keeper for Subiaco prior to enlisting. Gerry was included in the above team.

WX13562 Peter Moate was regarded as a talented cricketer from Merredin, however as he did not enlist until May 1941 and missed the cricket season.

Another soldier who was a talented cricketer is Jack Leahy WX9312 from Pithara.

The team played in Country Week Cricket in 1941. Syd Gorringe was the recipient of an award for taking 21 wickets and Gerry Arthur received an award for making total of 205 runs. Below: Gorringe

West Australian Tuesday 11 Feb 1941

“An interesting innovation is the inclusion of a team from ‘the men who have enlisted in the A.I.F. and are at present in camp at Northam. That the soldiers are pleased to be able to play again in a cricket competition is indicated by an arrangement for the members of the team to have practice early this morning. The list of players registered includes Major Saggers, Scaddon, G. Arthur and C. Farley, (formerly of Subiaco), Haddon, MacDonald, Matthews, Gorringe, Minchn, Hunt, Fleay, Treasure, Stubbs (formerly prominent in Country Week cricket), Fraser, Beard and Spackman.”

Fleay, Saggers, Hadden and Minchin did not actually appear in the team.

Bert Saggers – ex Fremantle, Subiaco and Claremont wicketkeeper and batsman 1923/24 to 1933/34

Pte Harry Wright Scaddan – Hockey and Cricket player. Scadden is evident playing cricket for Boyanup in 1937/37. He played cricket for Elgin-Statham (‘Elgin’) as an opener in the Vasse CA in 1939/40. They lost to St Mary’s in the final at the end of April 1940. In late Nov 1940, H Scaddan is evident playing for Elgin again (1940/41). He played football for Elgin in 1938 and in 1940 at least. Elgin just 10 km from Boyanup, both about 15 km S of Bunbury, all 200 km S of Perth.

Lloyd Foster Hadden WX9139 – A couple of possible matches in 2/4 MG Battalion, but from Pingaring WA was a POW (survivor). He played Country Week cricket for Lake Grace (close by Pingaring, and his parents’ location) in 1934/35. Both Lloyd and his brother Ron (RAAF) were prisoners of the Japanese. Ron escaped from a gaol in Rangoon in mid-1945 just before the British captured the city (Perth Mirror Sat 23 Jun 1945, Western Mail Thu 26 Feb 1946). He was a Driver in B Company. He was held in Singapore in various places, and in Thailand as part of “D” Force, Captain Harris Party. Died Jan 1967.

Lin MACDONALD – Quairading batsman and four-time Country week centurian.

Lance Corporal Roy (‘Scotty’) Matthews – No record of his playing.

Warhurst – He may be the V Warhurst at Norwood HS in 1932 as under-15. V and R Warhurst are evident for East Torrens Colts in Adelaide Turf CA in 1933/34 and 1934/35. In late 1936/37 and through 1937/38, V and W Warhurst played cricket for University C team in Students grade (opening the batting). Was KIA Singapore 11 Feb 1942 with ‘E’ Company SRB

Sydney (‘Sid’) Gorringe – Evidently a bowler, he took 7/37 vs Eastern Goldfields and 6/25 vs Bruce Rock. 23 year old farmhand on enlistment at Hyden.

His older brother John (Jack, ‘Cocky’) Gorringe – he played Country Week in 1949/50 and 1950/51 for Kalgarin-Hyden.

Of the original 15 named players, Farley did not continue with 2/4th, eight of the 14 remaining soldiers did not return to Australia and Syd Gorringe had his left leg amputated below the knee:

WX10366 Norman Wilson FRASER born Claremont 1913 was a former Scotch College student. Enlisted AIF 18 Dec 1940 and joined 2/4th’s ‘C’ Coy 11 Platoon under CO Lt Boyle.

He departed for the Burma end of the Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion (as was Harry Scaddan).

Fraser died of cholera at Aungganaung 105 km Camp, Burma 4 June 1943 aged 29 years. He was married and father to two young children.

WX9327 Edgar Harold HUNT Corporal born 1914 Beverley and enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 and later 2/4th’s ‘D’ Company.

Edgar departed Singapore with ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion to work on the Burma-Thai Railway. He died of bacillary dysentery at Hindaine Camp, Thailand on 10 August 1943. He was 29 years of age.

Hunt had been working at Jacobs Well near Beverley and Dangin when he enlisted.

WX10802 Corp. Noel James OUTTRIM was a Glen Forrest boy who was a Rangetaker with ‘B’ Coy, 8 Platoon. He worked on the Burma-Thai Railway with Capt Fred Harris Party. Almost all POWs had been evacuated out of Burma & Thailand’s railway by end of 1943. Please read further

Outtrim was obviously part of a maintenance party which was sent back up the line.

Noel, a former ‘letter carrier’ died of cerebral malaria at Kinsaiyok Camp on 22 November 1944. He was just 24 years old.

Noel’s name is included on the Mundaring WWII Memorial, along with Arnold Vivian Cousins and Alex A.J. Colquhoun. Please read further.

WX9279 Lindsay (Lin) Murray MacDONALD

Was with ‘D’ Coy 13 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt Wankey. They were located on the very front line when the Japanese landed on 8 Feb 1942.

13 Platoon were overrun by the Japanese and evacuated from the front line.

‘Lin’ was KIA 9 Feb 1942 at Lim Chau Kang Road. He was 27 years old.

Prior to his enlistment he was farming on the family farm at Quairading.

He was also with the 10th Light Horse before joining 2/4th.

WX7617 Harry Wright SCADDAN born Ashington, England in 1914 Harry came to Pinjarra as a young boy to attend Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School.

Harry excelled in most sports. He was sent to work on farms from the age of 14 (as all Fairbridge kids were) however was able to maintain his keen interest and played cricket and hockey for local teams.

Scaddan was included the first work party out of Singapore in May 1942 – ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion. They sailed first to south west Burma and repaired and enlarged 3 airfields before making their way to the most northern end of the railway. Harry die of cerebral malaria at Tamarkan Hospital Camp on 22 April 1944, aged 29 years.

Towards the end of 1943 when the railway was completed, the Japanese began moving all the POWs in Burma south to one of 3 or 4 very large camps where the fit were selected to send to work in Japan. Prior to Harry travelling south, he was at Khonkan 55km Camp from 4 July to 19 Oct 1943 – a long period of time and where sick were sent in Burma.

Please read about 55km Khonkan Camp

Scadden seated centre front in the Boyanup Cricket Team.

WX9332 John ‘Bowe’ STUBBS born Narrogin he lived his formative years at Kondinin. Bowe was the youngest of 7 children. With his two older brothers Len and ‘Bill’, Bowe played for both local cricket and football teams and was mentioned regularly for his talent.

Bowe enlisted 30 Oct 1940 aged 20 years and was drafted into ‘B’ Coy 8 Platoon under CO Lt Penrod Dean – same Platoon as Noel Outtrim who died of illness Thailand in 1944. He was KIA on second day of fighting trying to protect Tengah Aerodrome – but the Commonwealth Forces were soon overrun.

Bowe’s body was never recovered and he is remembered on a Singapore Memorial Epitaph Column 36 at Kranji War Memorial, Singapore, he was just 23 years old.

His family were notified of his death within weeks – many families did not learn of their loved one’s death until after the war – they spent years praying and hoping they were alive.

In July 1942 his brother ‘Bill’ who had joined Australian Air Force was killed during a training flight in NSW. Bill was two years older than Bowe.

WX9351 John (Jack) TREASURE was another talented football and cricket player (from the south west) who played in the 2/4th teams. He spent his formative years around Broomehill. His brothers, fathers and uncles were all keen cricket players. He was the eldest son of Leo and Victoria Treasure and born 1919.

He enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 and later joined Headquarters No. 3 Administrative Coy as a driver under Quartermasters Capt Phelps and Lt. B. O’Sullivan

As a POW in Singapore Jack left to work on the Burma-Thai Railway about May 1943 with ‘D’ Force V Battalion. He died of cerebral malaria at a dreadful camp known Kuii. He was 24 years old. V Battalion suffered a horrific 50% death rate on the railway. Subjected to tropical illnesses, bashings and spiteful guards.

Please read about V Battalion.

NX70433 Victor Ingleby (Bunny) WARHURST LT born 1918 Adelaide, SA. Enlisted 30 Oct 1940. Was a regular officer and Graduate of Duntroon. He was KIA with ‘E’ Company Special Reserve Battalion when they ran into Japanese ambush at south west Bukit Timah on 11 Feb 1942. Almost half the Company were wounded or KIA.

It was later confirmed Warhurst had been wounded by mortar fire shattering his thigh. Unable to move five Japanese soldiers killed him with his own rifle and bayonet.

The Japanese would not allow the Australians to recover any of their dead until later in the year – 10 months after the battle. It was far too late to recover or recognise most of those who had died who were uncovered and exposed to the elements and wild animals. The Japanese buried their own dead amongst and nearby their enemy. This created much anger and grief amongst the POWs. His death left his wife widowed in Adelaide with a young daughter whom Warhurst had never seen.

Those fortunate to return to Australia at the end of the war included:

WX9335 Sydney GORRINGE b. 1916 Perth enlisted 30 Oct 1940 with his older brother John WX9336. Both boys survived to return home, however Syd had his left leg amputated on 30 Sep 1943 below the knee due to a tropical ulcer. He worked on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand ‘S’ Battalion at the Hellfire Pass Cutting region.

Sadly Syd would never play cricket again.

Below: a scheduled cricket match with Northam March 1941 – unfortunately there are no names of players.

Football team – 2/4th (Central Story)

2/4th FOOTBALL TEAM NORTHAM 1941

The football team was formed at Northam Camp in November 1940. The team was formed and managed by WX8407 A.S. ‘Snow’ Hewby former WW1 Veteran. Snow had a significant personal history in WA Football playing for Perth from 1920 to 1929.

Snow Hewby had fought in WW1 as well as enlisting in WW2. He was a member of the WA State Football team in 1921 and played in the carnival that year.

WX8778 Lou Joseph Daily, a Sandover Medallist was the team captain. He had played at Subiaco and Geelong. His very successful sporting team included several League players and talented players from around the country and metropolitan area. The team played and defeated South Australian combined A.I.F. team at the curtain raiser to a finals game held at the Adelaide Oval. The team played in WA, SA and Darwin prior to sailing overseas.

Daily enjoyed a very fine football career playing in several State football Clubs. Please read an official account of his playing days.

Please read further about the 2/4th players

BACK ROW: WX8374 Con Ryan – Norseman, WX3440 Frank McCaffrey (NSW), WX 8778 Lou Daily played Subiaco, Collingwood and Geelong, WX8407 Snow Hewby was Manager WA State team 1921, WX9327 E. Hunt Quairading, W9289 R. Anderson – Swan Districts, WX7714 F. Clarke,WX7996 T. Tompkins – Toodyay.

MIDDLE ROW: WX8638 Clive Hellmrich – Swan Districts, WX8729 Ron Badock – Norseman, WX9268 Joe Pearce – Swan Districts, WX8952 R. Riebe – Metropolitan, WX7715 C. Spackman – Kalgoorlie, WX8617 J. Dore – Perth also State Footballer.

(Dore switched to playing baseball at State Level after the war)

FRONT ROW: WX9129 J. Ovens, WX6441 Smith Alexander Julian ‘John’ Smith, Fremantle, WX8753 J. Wheelock – Norseman, WX9552 W. Innes – East Perth and Cyclist, WX1002 H. White – Swan Districts, WX9887 A. Mussman – East Perth.

According to the football results of 4 July 1941, WX9351 John (Jack) Treasure enjoyed a cracker of a game with leading goal kicks!

Surviving members: Con Ryan, Frank McCaffrey, T. Tompkins, Ron Anderson, Ron Badock, J. Smith, Joe Pearce, R Riebe, Jim Dore, Cliff Spackman, Jack Wheelock, Harry White.

2/4th players not included in above team but known to have played include:

Jack Treasure, Sanderson.

WX9002 WHITE Henry Charles Frederick known as HARRY played 13 games for Swans during the 1938-1939 season. Harry worked on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D Force Capt Fred Harris Party. he was recovered from Ubon, Thailand at the end of the war. He died in 1977 aged 69 years.

Below: Mussman, Dore, Badock, Spackman

Those who did not Return to Australia included:

WX9327 Edgar Harold Hunt of Quairading, worked on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force, Thailand, V Battalion. Hunt died at Hindaine Camp of bacillary dysentery 10 August 1943, 29 years.

Edgar was employed as farmhand at Jacob’s Well near Beverley and moved to Dangin to work prior to enlisting. In 1937 his father was a grocer in Beverley where Edgar spent his formative years.

Parents Percy and Alice Hunt sadly lost both their sons to Australia’s war effort. Edgar’s younger brother Campbell also died and the community of Beverley lost two fine young men.

Edgar was a talented footy player and played for Swan Districts Football Club prior to enlisting. (We have not been able to confirm Hunt ever played with Swan Districts – it is conceivable he ‘tried out’ however, was unsuccessful). He also played for the 2/4th footy team with Clive Hellmrich, a former Swan Districts player.

WX7714 Francis Denis John Clark died Kuii Camp, Burma-Thai Railway, malaria/cardiac beri-beri 10 October 1943, aged 30 years

Major Alf Gough, Commanding officer of ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion said Clark would cook dishes for him when he was ill with beri-beri. Clark himself became exhausted and ill.

Clark had earlier looked after his mate Forrie Lee Steere who had been diagnosed and was very ill with cholera , and confined to the isolation tent. Lee Steere amazingly rallied at one point, but his too weakened body was exhausted and he was unable to hold on and he died a week later.

One night in October, Clark came into the tent, climbed into his bunk saying he was very, very tired. The next morning, Cough wrote ‘Clark remained in his bunk, too tired to go on, he was exhausted.’ Cough wrote he recognised the look in his eyes. Clark’s body now too weak to hold his indomitable spirit.

WX8638 Clive Hellmrich died Kanchanaburi malaria/beri-beri/dysentery 22 December 1943 aged 33 years.

‘Clive’ Hellmrich was a talented sportsman, in particular Australian Rules Football. He was a left footer and prior to enlisting in October 1940 he played 10 games for Swan Districts Football Club 1934 and 1935; scoring total of 11 goals and 2 points. Clive shared roving duties with Ron Badock in the 2/4th footy team. Read further about 2/4th Football team.

WX9129 Ernest ‘Jesse’ Ovens KIA Ulu Pandan, Singapore, 12 February 1942 aged 24 years.

WX9552 William ‘Bill’ Leonard Innes KIA Hill 200, Ulu Pandan, 12 February 1942, aged 22 years.

Bill was a talented all-round sportsman. He excelled in cycling, cricket and football.

Innes first played football with Mt. Lawley in 1932 and then transferring to live in Kalgoorlie. He distinguished himself for his all-round sporting ability. In 1937 he won the junior professional cycling championship of Kalgoorlie, both for the road and track. He also had a good season with North Kalgoorlie cricket club and was a keen swimmer. Returning to Perth in July of that year he linked up with his old club – Mt. Lawley and played consistently for the remainder of the season. Due to his brilliant form in 1939 he was awarded the Strempel medal, which was awarded to the fairest and best player for the season in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association. (Other East Perth players who won this award included Eric Sweet and Jack Clayton.) Innes played his first league game for East Perth on the 25th May 1940 and completed a total of 12 games for the season.

http://www.eastperthfc.com.au/news/12198/royals-in-the-battle-of-singapore

WX9887 Alfred ‘Alf’ or Snook Mussman of East Perth, KIA Reformatory Road, Ulu Pandan, 11 February 1942 aged 30 years.

WX9351 John Treasure died Kuii Camp,Thailand of cerebral malaria13 September 1943 aged 24 years.

In the West Australian newspaper of 4 July 1941, Treasure kicked 4 goals for 2/4th, achieving the highest number of goals for the team.

2/4th Football Players

There were a large number of talented football players who enlisted with the 2/4th including Lou Daily and Joe Pearce who returned home as well as Con Ryan, McCafferty and White. Many talented players lived in the Goldfields such as Ron Badock, Halligan, etc. as well other towns with a concentrated population like Collie, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton where players such as Annersley and Wheelock lived.

We know Wheelock (played Kalgoorlie) and Badock resided and worked at Norseman. WX9332 Stubbs John ( Bowe) was another footballer and cricketer.

Those team players who did not return include Alf Mussman and Bill Innes who played for East Perth, John William (Jack) Sanderson played for West Perth and Ron Burchell and Hellmrich played for Swan Districts.

Football was an unpaid career then. Most certainly young men and boys could not concentrate entirely on their sporting career. They had to work to support themselves. Most would not have had a car, nor would their parents and certainly not a vehicle with which their son could drive himself to training and footy! These were the years of depression and to have a job often was a blessing.

2/4 Football results played 4 July 1941.

Above: Sanderson

Please read John William (Jack) Sanderson who played 19 games for West Perth 1930/31.

The following has been taken from East Perth Football Club’s Royal Anzacs Please go to

Alfred Charles Mussman
Games played: 103 (1935-40)
Premierships: 1936
After being a member of the 1936 premiership team under Jerry Dolan, Alf Mussman enlisted in the AIF in 1940 and served overseas with the 2/4th Machinegun Regiment. He was killed in action in Singapore on February 12, 1942, with another East Perth player in William Leonard Innes dying on the same day.

Mussman’s last game was the first semi-final of 1940 when East Fremantle beat East Perth and the Football Budget of the next week had this to say: “Alf Mussman was just about the pick of the losing team. He gave a solid aid to the defence and when not placed in that division, continued his useful play. It was difficult to fault his effort in any way.”

Read also about Mussman, who originally played for Sturt, South Australia and transferred to East Perth. (Can we say Ben Cousins took up a few hints from Mussman?! ) He played in the 1936 premiership team; playing a total of 103 games, kicking a total of 102 goals. He last played for East Perth in 1940 in the first semi-final. They were defeated by East Fremantle.

Please read his official football details

Above: Bill Innes

WX9552 William (Bill) Innes enlisted a few days before Mussman on 4 December 1940. According to information obtained from the East Perth Football Club history.

Innes was not only a talented footballer but had distinguished himself in several sports including cricket and cycling. He played his first league game with East Perth on 25 May 1940 and competed in 12 games until the end of the season and prior to his enlistment. Please read further about Bill Innes.

Below: Con Ryan played football at Norseman