Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Had 1st medical checkup in Port Lincoln by our family doctor (Dr. Piper I think.) Said I would not be fit for service but would give me a free trip to Adelaide anyway. The Medical Officer at Wayville passed me fit. He admitted I was deaf in the left ear that said I could be deaf in both ears by the end of the war.
Ha ha.

My memory of Wayville. Coffee made in copper tubs. I can still smell the so called coffee. It was not Nescafe.

Spent the winter ‘42 training near Geelong Vic. The coldest winter I have spent. Lived in tents, three blankets each, the greatcoat came in handy. Sundays were spent chasing rabbits amongst the bracken for warmth and food. The final training at Tenterfield Queensland. Six weeks of hard slog 6:30 a.m. to 8
p.m. every day. Very fit at the finish.

Reached Port Moresby in November 42 as reinforcement to 2/27 Battalion. On standby to drop into battle by parachute at Gona. No training for the jump, just showed how to land. Could have been my first and last. Luckily the start was called off after two weeks on standby.

Met my young brother there who asked why so long in coming. Cheeky beggar.

Back to Atherton, Cairns Feb, ’43. Trained for six months.

Back to Moresby August 43. Spent my 21st at sea. Ramu Valley, plenty of walking, rivers, kunai grass and sickness. Sent out with stomach cramps to Field Ambulance. Operating on for hernia, I was told. Now they ask what was the operation for.

Next I remember being back in Moresby at 107 A. G. H. with a bout of Scrub Typhus. Lucky I was in Hospital. When I recovered I was classified B2, Unfit for active duty.

Finish the war in Darwin working in a laundry unit attached to the Navy hospital. When finished duty usually by midday spent the afternoons sailing in a V.J. yacht in the harbour. Lucky.

Just before being discharged in Adelaide a cousin Max Agars said as I was classified B2 I should apply for a pension. Lucky.

Altogether we were lucky at Oaklands. Rob, myself and Andy returned home while at Chickerloo two went away, Tom and Jim, and did not return.

I must say the word of thanks to my mother. God Bless her. She never failed to write every week or so. I lost count of the number of parcels I received.

Story taken from The Oaklands Story - written by Cam and his siblings