TO ENLIST and serve in the Army, to fight for our great country, and do this unselfishly at a young age, would be the greatest achievement one could imagine.
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Returning to loved ones that have hoped and prayed for their safe return is a blessing on its own.
Last week six of Crookwell’s World War II Veterans were joined with their family members to receive their service records from the National Archives.
Mr Kevin King and Mr Chris Fenton organised the lunch and handed out the records.
Mr King spoke about the Veterans service and said “It’s a great day to honour the old fellas.”
“Our soldiers will never die, they are remembered every Anzac Day and will be respected for their services forevermore.”
“These records will be great for the families and future family members as keepsakes and to read.”
The service records were sourced from the Archives by Crookwell RSL Sub Branch members for distribution to the Veterans at a special luncheon.
Mr Jack Druett, Mr Merv Corcoran, Mr Arthur Benson DFM, Mr Ken Anderson, Mr Maurice Woods and Mr Ray Clements were recognised for their enlistment and service during WWII.
The Sub Branch acquired their records as a way of saying thanks and to let the families share the accomplishments of their fathers, brothers and grandfathers while away fighting for this country.
In the records you find information like; enlistment dates, personal details, civil trade or trade appointments, education records, promotions or reductions of rank and miscellaneous information like whether they have been good or not.
Also included are leave records, honour decorations or awards and regimental conduct awards.
There were some offences shared with the families about the Veterans.
On one instance one of the Veterans failed to appear at a ‘place of parade’ and was confined to his barracks for 14 days.
Another time a soldier was found absent without leave and received a two pound fine. We can say he “had a good New Year,” according to the date of absence.
The service records were well received by the Veterans and will no doubt bring back many memories.
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one'. C.S. Lewis