Odd Bods Link With Ex-Prisoners of War

 

Linking with other organisations has long been at the forefront of our association’s yearly activities. Like minded organisations get-together for instance when planning ANZAC Day or VE Day, and there are a number of organisations that we share committee members with. 

Susanne Bennett is an Odd Bods committee member and also on the committee of the Ex-Prisoners of War and Relatives Association (Victoria). Susanne recently attended the annual service at the Ex Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, and laid a wreath on behalf of the Odd Bods. 

Former Governor- General of Australia, General (Retired) The Honourable David  Hurley, presented a speech that included some harrowing detail of POW experiences (see transcript below).

A good crowd attended this years event and here are some more photos from the day - 1.General (Retired) The Honourable David  Hurley chats with an attendee. 2. Susanne Bennett points out her Father's entry on the list of POWs. 3. Sue prepares to lay the Odd Bods wreath.

The blue flowers at the centre of the photo belong to the Odd Bods wreath.

General (Retd) the Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC

Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial

8 February 2026

I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders gathered here today.

Acknowledgements

Hon Catherine King MP, Federal Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Local Government representing the Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister

Julianna Addison MP Member for Wendouree representing the Premier Hon. Jacinta Allan MP and Hon Natelie Suleyman

Councillor Tracey Hargreaves Mayor of the City of Ballarat

Captain Ben Esler RAN Senior Naval Officer Victoria representing Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN

Ms Michaela Settle MP Member for Eureka and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Sport 

Mr Tokuro Furuya - Consul-General of Japan

Commander Dean Uren RAN – HMAS Ballarat Commanding Officer

Mr Michael Harper -Deputy Commissioner Victoria-Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Delighted to be invited to become Patron of the Memorial and for Linda and I to return for today’s service.

Today we are honouring a very special group of Australians – those who sacrificed their lives, their liberty and their health in service of their country and fellow Australians. And equally as importantly we give our sincere thanks to the families who endured years of uncertainty when little or no news about loved ones was available and those families who lived with the consequences of captivity on their loved ones.

The experience of our EX POWs is a story that continues to reveal itself.  I recall during my last speech that I mentioned that in my family, my uncle on my father’s side had been a POW in Changi. I had memories of him as a child when we visited his home and, as children do, noticed something different in him, but could not understand what that might be and what had caused it.

I have since learned, in further conversation with my cousin, that Uncle Tup, as we called him, had not only been a POW in Changi but had slaved on the Burma railroad and that his captivity ended in Japan at the end of the war. He had also survived the submarine attacks on Japanese convoys sailing between Indochina and Japan– the convoys before and after his convoy were both successfully attacked – and he was sent into Nagasaki three days after the atomic bomb was dropped to participate in the clean-up. And I know that he would not be the only POW with this terrible set of experiences.

It is remarkable how widely the POW story extends in our society. I was mentioning to my nieces husband this week that I was coming to this service. His immediate response was that his grandfather, Phil Wynne, had been in Changi – his name is on this memorial. Similarly our driver, Tony Jones, was keen to tell his families POW story on our drive from Melbourne.

My thoughts on Uncle Tup led me to consider the experiences of two other Ex POWs that Linda and I have been fortunate to either meet or spend time with –Jock Cassells and Billy Young.

I met Jock at the presentation parade for the President of South Vietnam’s Presidential Unit Citation to 35 Sqn RAAF while I was the Governor of NSW. Some might say that the presentation was a bit late but apparently these things take time. I noticed Jock because of his medals. He wore a combination of World War 2 and Vietnam awards. Somewhat unusual. In discussion with him, Jock explained. As a young man he had been a Spitfire pilot in the RAF. He was shot down over Anzio, captured and sent to Stalag Luft, the main German camp for sir force POWs. Towards the end of the war, as the Russians advanced into Germany, he was forced marched to Berlin where at war’s end he was released. He returned to the UK and in time elected to continue his service with the RAF. In 1966 he saw a ‘wanted ad’ for pilots in the RAAF. A year or so later he found himself commanding the RAAF Caribou detachment in South Vietnam. Jock’s experience was different to his Australian brothers in Asia yet one that shared deprivation and the constant threat of death.

My memories of Billy Young will remain with me for life. I met Billy when I was asked to launch a book of his recollections of his time as a POW in Sandakan and as a prisoner in Outram Road Prison in Singapore. Billy’s book – ‘I was Teenage Prisoner of War’ – is a must read.

In the language of the day, Billy was a larrikin. Billy was orphaned at a young age and as a child and a teenager he lived by his wits and streetwise ways. In 1940, aged 14, he and a mate travelled to Melbourne by various means and stole some bicycles on which they intended to cycle around Australia. Their adventure ended on the Great Ocean Road when they were arrested. The following year Billy decided that the best way to avoid the consequences of his lifestyle, was to enlist in the Army. So at the age of 15 he joined up and was assigned to the 8th Division. After a short period of initial training, he found himself in Singapore three weeks before its fall. He was captured and shipped via Changi to Sandakan. Billy’s continuous mischief in that camp, driven I believe by a strong survival instinct, for example he would sneak out at night to steal food for his mates, lead him to repeated brutal beatings and finally to being declared by the Japanese to be a criminal thereby losing his status as a POW. At 16 years of age, he was shipped to Singapore and imprisoned in Outram Road Prison. 

Billy’s experiences in Outram Road have to be read to be believed. Such were the conditions he endured that he described his occasional visits for medical treatment to the Changi hospital as ‘going to a holiday camp’. That he survived I can only attribute to the tough character he developed in the streets of South Sydney.

Billy was the final speaker at the book launch. He walked slowly with his walking stick to the lectern, propped himself up, and spoke quietly without notes. He recounted many of his experiences and concluded with this story: We had had a good day at the airfield (the prisoners at Sandakan were building an airfield for the Japanese). In the evening everyone was resting on their hut verandas before our evening meal. A group of five of us stood out in front of the huts and practised the song that we intended to sing at the Christmas concert.

In a soft whisper Billy began singing the song, first in Bahasa Malay then English and again in Malay. With tears rolling down his face he said: and now I am the only one left. Being a thief had meant that Billy was spared the Sandakan Death March. At that time of his book launch, he was the only one left.

It’s difficult to describe silence . At that moment there was no sound but there was an almost physical sense of emotion. In time soft crying could be heard. We had been privileged to be present as another story had revealed itself. And not from a book but in flesh and blood before us. Another reminder of why this memorial and this annual service are so important to our understanding of ourselves as a country.

Your work to support this memorial and your attendance here today will allow these stories to continue to reveal themselves. This annual gathering continues the work of correcting past behaviours towards our ex-POWs and to reinforcing a pride in service that they all must be allowed to share. 

Our remaining ex POWs are very few in number. We, you, me, all carry the responsibility of revealing their stories to our fellow countrymen and women.

Lest we forget.

Progress Reports On Our Students At Raphael Centre India

 We have the latest reports on the students we sponsor at the Ryder-Cheshire Raphael School in Northern India. Ansh, Sarthack, Ishan and Vaishnavi are apparently performing well at school and learning the life skills necessary for their future.

A big thank you to Ryder-Cheshire for keeping us informed, and hearty congratulations to each student for their progress.

Vaishnavi
To our friends at the Odd Bods,

Warm greetings from all of us at Raphael!

We are pleased to share an update on Vaishnavi Gupta

Vaishnavi Gupta, who is 12 years old and is in Secondary 02 class. She expresses her needs and wants. She can make choices, answer social questions, and label verbs in pictures. Additionally, she can label objects by their function. She sits properly and maintains discipline in the classroom. She can state the names of the days in the correct sequence she identifies body parts. she can walk in a straight and a zigzag line, and she can throw and catch a basketball. She can also perform ball dribbling 5-6 times. In terms of fine motor skills, she can stack blocks, thread a needle (both small and large), and colour within a picture. When instructed, she puts her belongings in their proper place.

She attended the Janmashtami play, Independence Day, and Dusshera programme and also a fete at Raphael organised on the occasion of International Disability Day, which she enjoyed. She also participated race in sports day.

Vaishnavi’s progress and happiness are made possible because of your generous support.

Thank you for being an important part of her journey.

With gratitude,

The Raphael Family

Sarthak
 We’re delighted to share a brief update on Sarthak Belwal 22-year-old Sarthak continues in a prevocational class. He continued doing his daily tasks, such as washing his hands with soap. At lunch time, he takes his plate from the rack, places it on the table, and eats independently. In the class, he sits calmly and does colouring that he likes the most. He attended the fete that was organised by Raphael on the occasion of International Disability Day, which he enjoyed.

As Sarthak has multiple disabilities and limited understanding, his rehabilitation plan focuses on developing his independence in daily living skills and improving his communication skills.

Sarthak’s progress and happiness are made possible because of your generous support.

Thank you for being an important part of his journey.

With gratitude,

The Raphael Family

Ishan
We are pleased to share an update on Ishan Rawat

Ishan, a 14-year-old, continues with his training programme. He indicates “yes” or “no” by nodding his head when asked about using the toilet. He can apply soap to both hands and understands simple instructions. When asked, Ishan does dusting using a cleaner (e.g., Colin) and shows interest in sweeping. He listens attentively to poems and stories and can recognise common means of transport such as trains, cars, and motorcycles.

He attended the Janmashtami play, Independence Day, and Dussehra programmes, and also enjoyed the fete organised at Raphael on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He also participated in Sports Day events at Raphael. Ishan’s progress and happiness are made possible because of your generous support. Thank you for being an important part of his journey.

With gratitude,

The Raphael Family

Ansh
13-year-old Ansh Negi follows simple instructions and can put on his sandals when asked. He recognises vegetables by name, such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peas, and okra. He can fold a small towel four times. Ansh enjoys looking at large pictures on the computer and shows interest in listening to stories. After completing a task, he appropriately asks the teacher for a snack.

He attended the Janmashtami play, Independence Day, and Dussehra programmes, and also enjoyed the fete organised at Raphael on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Ansh’s progress and happiness are made possible because of your generous support. Thank you for being an important part of his journey.

With gratitude,

The Raphael Family

New Movie Featuring WW2 Aviation

 

A Memory Owed is a new movie about aviators in WW2, and it weaves some amazing action scenes into an emotional storyline. 

This short movie is being released on Youtube in a few days, and has already been nominated for awards. Below is a link to the trailer which can be found on Facebook.

A big thank you to Sally Dimmick for the heads up. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17S8PLwPRB/

Remembrance Day Report 2025

 Remembrance Day (11th. November) commemorates the end of WW1. In the UK it is conducted as Remembrance Sunday on the Sunday nearest 11th November. Australia adopted that practice up until the 1970's but now we conduct services on the actual date of the signing of the Armistice  - 11/11. Services are held in a variety of locations.

Repatriation Hospital Heidelberg.

On Tuesday 11/11/2025 representatives of the Odd Bods laid a wreath in the Remembrance Garden of  the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg, Melbourne. The Odd Bods have a long association with the Repatriation Hospital. One of the original Odd Bods banners was made by a seamstress in the hospital laundry. That banner served many good years at Odd Bods events including the Anzac Day March and is now on display in the hospital chapel. We also have a prominent brass plaque dedicated to Odd Bods in their Remembrance Garden. Nearby is a plaque dedicated to Odd Bod Joe Shuttleworth who was a Director of Administrative Services at the Hospital.

FOTOBAI President Peter Randell, Treasurer Gary Elliott, and Committee Member Robyn Bell attended this years service as shown in our lead photograph.

COMMENT: "I believe that was the original and only banner until our new one which we currently carry. The manager of the repat laundry at the time was an Odd Bod and he worked with some of the seamstresses to make it at the repat laundry." - Peter Randell

Poppies In Korumburra:

Amanda Riley is Daughter of FOTOBAI Secretary Greg Smith and Grandaughter of Odd Bods co-founder George Smith. She is also an ex Treasurer of the Medium Bombers Association in the UK. 

Amanda and husband Guy have a property at Korumburra in S.E.Gippsland, and their vegetable garden displays the Remembrance Day icon (RedPoppies) at this time of year. 

11th November is special to Amanda & Guy for a number of reason including the fact that their daughter was born on this day, and fittingly, her name is Poppy. Some lovely family connections.

Our photo was taken after the red poppies had been picked but the significance of these blooms has not been lost.

Incoming Mail - Best looking WW2 aircraft, Remembrance Sunday in UK, Mitchell restoration......

 

As we get closer to Remembrance Day our incoming  mailbox is growing, and here are just some of the interesting subjects.

The Best Looking WW2 Aircraft - get your debating gear on because this article on Slashgear has opened up the age old question of which aircraft from WW2 is the best looking. Click on this link to check it out - https://www.slashgear.com/2001650/best-looking-ww2-military-aircraft/

Runnymede Memorial Honours UK and Commonwealth Aircrew. A big thank you to our regular UK correspondent, Bryan Wilcockson, for this email - "Here are some very recent photographs of the RAF memorial at Runnymede ( where King John signed the Magna Carta, from which UK and Australia’s laws derive). The memorial is for the 20,000 plus UK and Commonwealth aircrews, who were missing presumed killed in action."

Amazing Mitchell B25 Restoration - This Facebook page has a list of videos detailing the restoration of  a Mitchell B25 including working turrets. Simply log into your Facebook app and search "Warbirds Of Glory Museum / B-25J Sandbar Mitchell Restoration" 

Visiting Father's WW2 Airfield - UK

 

FOTOBAI Committee Member, Stephen Trask, recently visited the UK, and his Father's WW2 airfield, Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire.

Stephen's Father, Trevor G. Trask DFC, was a F/O Pilot in 514 Squadron which operated Avro Lancasters out of Waterbeach from December 1943. The airfield still exists and an adjoining Military Heritage Museum displays a number of aviation records and artifacts from WW2.

Stephen has been good enough to provide us with some photographs of what was, no doubt, a very memorable visit. The photographs include a rather large piece of a Lancaster, and a mock up of the cramped space the Radio Operator was allocated in the aircraft.

 

  

New Book Features RAAF Personnel in WW2 Burma Campaign

 A recent worthwhile addition to our Odd Bods Book List concerns the often forgotten contribution by over 1700 RAAF Aircrew in the Burma Campaign during WW2.

One of the authors of  Resolute, The Australian Air War in Burma is Historian Dr. Andrew Kilsby who tells us he is a distant relative of  Odd Bod Wing Commander, "Bill" Kilsby.

From the internet: "Resolute, The Australian Air War in Burma" is a book by Andrew Kilsby and Daryl Moran that details the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) role in the Burma Campaign of World War II. The book covers the contributions of over 1,700 RAAF airmen who flew a variety of missions in challenging conditions, including flying agents, bombing raids, and reconnaissance. 

Subject matter: The book is the first detailed history of the Australian air war in Burma and focuses on the sacrifices and achievements of RAAF personnel. 

Historical context: It covers the period of 1942–1945, when Australian airmen served in integrated RAF squadrons alongside other Commonwealth forces. 

Key roles: RAAF aircrews performed a wide range of duties, such as flying agents into Southeast Asia, carrying out bombing raids, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and making supply runs over "the Hump" into China. 

Conditions and challenges: The airmen operated in difficult conditions, including rugged terrain, monsoonal weather, and a tropical climate, facing a determined Japanese enemy. 

Author background: Both authors are sons of RAAF veterans from the Burma campaign and have drawn on extensive research for the book. 

Publication: The book was released in October 2025. 

Interestingly, Wing Commander "Bill" Kilsby's own memoirs of WW2 can be found on this website and is one of our most read articles - see left hand margin.

The book "Resolute, The Australian Air War in Burma" was published this month and is available from the usual outlets.

Odd Bods Make Special Donation To Childrens Centre

 

Our financial support of the Raphael Centre in Northern India is funded by subscriptions from members, particularly the additional donations that members make for Ryder Cheshire when they subscribe each year. This year, the Odd Bods have made a special one-off donation which will have a significant impact for the childrens centre.

We approached Ryder Cheshire earlier this year with a view to donating around $2000 for a special project. They advised that the Raphael Centre had an urgent need for student uniforms. In fact they needed 100 uniforms (including shoes), and that would come to around A$2400. 

We are pleased to advise members that a cheque for $2400 has been sent to Ryder Cheshire, and new uniforms are on the way for students. This is in addition to the $1000 per annum currently provided by the Odd Bods to directly support four students at Raphael. 

We trust you will agree that continuing the legacy of the original Odd Bods is a very worthwhile pursuit for Friends of the Odd Bods. Using part of our funds to support disadvantaged children was appropriate when the Odd Bods were first formed, and remains appropriate today. 

Below are the latest reports for the four students we directly support at Raphael.

G for George Lancaster Returns to Australian War Memorial Canberra

The Australian War Memorial is currently undergoing a major redevelopment and one of its most beloved exhibitions, a WW2 Lancaster Bomber known as G for George, has been taken out of storage, and will be reassembled for public display.

Crowds recently lined Canberra's Anzac Parade as the fuselage was transported to the Memorial under police guard. 

The aircraft was operated by No.460 Squadron RAAF based at Binbrook in Yorkshire, England. It flew 90 missions over Germany with no crew casualties. Many of our Odd Bods Veterans flew in Lancasters.

Odd Bods, A VC Winner, And Disabled Students In India

 

The Odd Bods support of  the Raphael Centre for children with disabilities was influenced by a decorated WW2 Pilot.

The Ryder-Cheshire Foundation was established in 1959 by Group Captain Lord Cheshire and Baroness Ryder of Warsaw, bringing together their independent humanitarian efforts. Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC, a highly decorated WWII airman, and Sue Ryder, who worked with the Special Operations Executive, both established homes for the sick, disabled, and destitute after the war. Their combined work led to the establishment of the first joint home, Raphael, in India in 1959. 

Friends of the Odd Bods now support 4 students at Raphael, and from time to time make special donations. Many members of the association make donations to our Ryder/Cheshire fund when completing their annual subscription.

If you have ever wondered what sort of work Raphael does, here is a video that illustrates the variety of activities and particularly the joyful participation of students.

Bomber Command Commemorative Service AWM Canberra 2025

A cold and foggy morning greeted attendees at the 2025 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Canberra on Sunday 1st. June, including Odd Bods committee member Jan Dimmick. 

Jan was invited to attend the service by BCAA and we
are lucky enough to have a photographic record of Jan's trip including a visit to the RAAF Base Wagga.

Thank you to Sally Dimmick for providing our photos.

FOTOBAI AGM - 25/5/2025 - New Committee Roles

The FOTOBAI Committee for 2025

Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc. held its 11th AGM on Sunday 25th May 2025 at the Bentleigh RSL Club during which a new committee was elected, including a new President.

New FOTOBAI Committee - the same but different. - Peter Randell was unanimously elected as President of the Association, with Greg Smith taking on the Secretary role, and Bruce Waxman as Vice-President. Gary Elliott continues as Treasurer, and Sue Bennett's appointment as Welcoming Officer has been confirmed. Jan Dimmick, Robyn Bell, Steve Trask, and Michael Rossiter make up the balance of the committee. So we have the same faces on the committee but some role changes will freshen us up for the road ahead. 

Outgoing President, Greg Smith, thanked the committee for their support, and congratulated them on another successful year of pressing on ... remembering, in particular our involvement on ANZAC Day and VE Day.

Peter Randell has had a long association with the Odd Bods, and his excellent organising skills as Secretary have made him indispensable to our activities. He is to be congratulated on his election as President.