Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ronald Frank Butler (Dad) joined up in Adelaide in 1943.
They were possibly camped at Sandy Creek, near Gawler. He mentioned that he had been - but I don’t know when. He seemed to be very fond of the local town of Greenock … possibly the pub there, but also the cricket ground. He did love to play cricket.

When signed up, he was tested on skills that would be useful in the Army.

As he had grown up a “farm boy” in Western Australia, - shooting rabbits, kangaroos; - he knew his way around firearms. (303’s ?) And so he tested very competently on the firearms test.
Then it was the driving test: once again, being a “farm boy”, he had been driving since he was twelve years old. (When old enough to legally get his driver’s licence, the local policeman passed him on the spot - “I’ve seen you driving around town for a few years already”).
The Army driving test was in an old truck, with non-syncronised (“crash”) gearbox. No problems for Dad! He got easily into second gear, and the Testing Officer put him forward to be a Driver.
And so, because he was also very adept with a gun, (protection) and with his driving skills, he was selected to be a Driver for Officers.

At one point he was in New Guinea, and driving an Officer, and witnessed the bombing of Rabaul. I don’t think they got within conflict range though.. He never mentioned needing to use his shooting skills.

Back in South Australia (or before Rabaul?), he was driving a Captain on a very hot day. This Captain wanted to stop at a pub for a beer, and instructed Dad to wait in the car. Dad, being thirsty and fond of beer, disobeyed and went in the back door of the pub for a beer. When the Captain found out, he berated him - but Dad said he retorted “If it’s good enough for you Sir, it’s good enough for Me”. Later that afternoon Dad was called into the Major’s office. He expected a real dressing down. The Major did tell him it was an unacceptable way to speak to a Captain … “And by the way, I’m promoting you to Corporal”.

There was the time they were in Clare, mid north South Australia.
There was a General who needed to get back to Adelaide in a hurry and The Major recommended Dad for the job.
The General said to Dad, “The best time to Adelaide so far has been two hours. See what you can do”. Dad said: “Certainly Sir. Will you fill out this Green form (a waiver of sorts!) and I’ll see what I can do.”
The General went to sleep in the back of the car, and when they reached the Adelaide G.P.O. the Major woke him. The General looked at his watch and exclaimed: “Good Lord. And Hour and a half!!”

Dad never missed an Anzac Day. Dawn Service, and he always marched - until latter years when old age caught up with him. He used to love catching up with his old Army buddies, The Major included, who as it turned out like to home brew his own beer. Dad was into that too, as was my brother Malcolm. Malcolm says he got a letter from The Major, with his own special home brew recipe! (photo….).

His Grandchildren loved to see their Grandpa march in the Anzac Parade.

Malcolm has Dad’s medals, and beret. I have my mother’s medals, and have marched in the Anzac parades wearing them, on my right breast, here in New Zealand where I now live.