The Coral Sea

Last Saturday morning we went to the Cavill Memorial Park in Surfers Paradise to attend the Commemoration Service for the "Battle of the Coral Sea". This particular service was organised by the Australian-American Association - Gold Coast Division which we are members of. ..It was truly an excellent memorial. The Battle of the Coral Sea took place from 3rd to 8th May, 1942. This battle was a turning point for us in World War II - it stopped the advance of the Japanese Imperial Navy and kept the lines of supply and communication open between the United States and Australia during the War. This was the first time aircraft carriers were used, the United States and Australia did quite a bit of damage to the Japanese Fleet, in fact this damage assisted in the Battle of Midway one month later - the Japanese had been weakened. The aim was to stop them taking the air bases in Port Moresby, New Guinea - where many Australians were serving against the Japanese, including my father and some of my uncles. Our combined forces with the USA lost 543 Servicemen and the Japanese lost 1,074 in this battle The map below shows how far down the Japanese had moved, the red shows Japan and its Empire in December 1941, and the pink where Japan had occupied between December 1941 and May 1942. Very close to Australia!! The speakers were excellent - a Rear Admiral from the US Amphibious Force attended (he is actually based in Japan now) and a female Commander from the Australian navy, they layed their wreaths together. There were excellent presentations by 3 elderly veterans who served in Battle of the Coral Sea 68 years ago. One was from the USA and the other 2 were Australian, ages 89 and 90. Here the 3 lay their wreaths.

There were members from the US Consulate - a message from President Obama was read, and of course the Australian politician who also read a message from our Prime Minister. The ceremonial detail was provided by Cadets of TS Southport.

and the music came from the "Clearwater Wind Orchestra" from Benowa High School.

Both flags were flown

Both Anthems were sung A very fitting Memorial to both the USA and Australian forces who gave so much to stop the Japanese moving fully into our country and halting all communication and supplies across the Pacific Ocean.

OBE !!!

Auntie Beryl's 85th birthday went on for three days, Gail (her daughter) and Steve held a party last night to celebrate, with eldest son, Wayne and his wife Ann, flying up from Sydney on Thursday night, and of course her younger son, Ashley and his wife Sue, live on the Gold Coast.

Steve had the honour of presenting his Mother in Law with an OBE, (which normally means - Order of the British Empire) He awarded her the medal and the letter from the Queen - HOWEVER, this "OBE" was for those "OVER BL..DY EIGHTY" instead. In fact he then added a "W" to it, announcing she was "WELL OVER BL..DY EIGHTY". Auntie wore her medal with a huge grin ALL NIGHT.

Auntie's 3 kids (L to R) Wayne, Gail and Ashley - receiving a little help from his daughter, Maddie.!!!

Below - The "Outlaws",

Auntie certainly lucked out with these 3 and note her OBE medal.

And with her closest friend - her sister Auntie Nalda, the Brig and me!

Super party - 'specially as Gail and Steve only moved into this house on the Gold Coast on 8th April - Gail's two sister-in-laws were right into the party preparations as well.

High Tea

Auntie Beryl turned 85 yesterday, and today 7 of us (all female) took her to a High Tea up in the Hinterland - name of the cafe "Tea and Niceties" in Mount Tamborine.

Auntie Beryl with her daughter, Gail (Right) and daughter in laws, Ann (centre) and Sue (Left).

Our "High Tea" - this number was shared by Ailsa and I!

Cousin Ailsa with her mum, Auntie Nalda and Auntie Beryl. Ann and I with the now rather bare platter shared by Ails and I. A delightful day followed up with a touch of retail therapy for the girls!.

OUTBACK SPECTACULAR

ANZAC Day was Col and Den's wedding anniversary, so to celebrate both our "A" days, they took us in the evening to the "Outback Spectacular - Tribute to the Australian Light Horse" Seeing it on ANZAC night, made it even more special.

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Yep, we even subjected ourselves for the "mandatory" photograph in our new straw akubras (given to everyone on entrance).

During the show we were served a very good 3 course dinner, and of course prior to the show had time to do a little retail therapy for a couple of kiwi grand kids.

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Digger stood guard at the entrance to the Theatre!

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The Australian Light Horse Brigade in World War 1 had an amazing affinity with their horses, some took their own, others broke in new mounts, looking after them while travelling overseas and keeping them all through the desert campaigns. They rode Australian Stock Horses, a mixture of Thoroughbred, Arab, Timor pony and wild Brumbies. Known as Walers, because the first one came from New South Wales....they had a reputation for grit, sure-footedness and stamina.

The tradition of the Light Horsemen wearing emu plumes in their slouch hats, started with the Queensland Mounted Infantry back in the 1890s. Mounted troopers used to test their skills by racing after wild emus. When they caught one, still at a gallop, they would pull out a couple of the bird's feathers and proudly tuck them into their headbands.

The Light Horsemens' finest hour came on 31st October 1917, with one of the most audacious actions in modern warfare....the charge at Beersheba. In a last ditch effort to save the attacking British Army from disaster, they were to attempt the near impossible, a cavalry charge across five kilometres of open desert, against 4,000 entrenched infantry, supported by machine guns and artillery - surely a suicide mission.

Three lines of Light Horsemen a mile wide, thundered across the dusty plain. Screaming, like banshees and brandishing bayonets that glinted in the dying sun, they were terrifying, unstoppable. The Turkish lines were breached and the day won. Amazingly, only 36 out of those gallant 800 Light Horsemen lost their lives in that incredible charge.

There was some wonderful and clever riding, fabulous scenery and simulated pyrotechnics /strobe lighting, and finished with the Australian Flag on horseback accompanied by the appropriate music.

To top it off, we had the best seats in the house for this wonderful evening ! Thanks guys.

Our 34th

Anniversary last Saturday - The day was a good one, Frank and I went to a great little farmers market at 7 a.m. - super fresh food there, we then picked Col and Den up from their apartment, then some relaxation, the boys read on the patio, Col took photos, and I was occupied doing something or other. Late afternoon it clouded over a bit, however we still decided to walk to the Golf Club for an anniversary toast - this we did!

Then back home for a barbeque, and to try out the great looking apple pie and a few other goodies which we had found at the markets that morning.

The pie was delish as was the company.

ANZAC DAY - Morning Service - Burleigh Heads

Rosemary is worn for the ANZACS

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Col, Den, Frank and I attended the 9.30 ANZAC Service at Burleigh Heads. The Gold Coast Council sets up this lovely park for the service. The crosses with poppies represent each Burleigh Head digger who has died since World War 1.

The March - both the New Zealand and Australian Flags are flown.

And both anthems are sung, along with "God Save the Queen".

Kids used the giant Fig tree to get a better position.

A Proud Digger

A young cadet and the great grandson proudly weaing his medals.

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Burleigh Beach after the Service

We then drove to Rainbow Bay and Kirra Beach to show Col and Den this area! Time to stop at the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club at Elephant Rock for a cold OJ.

Gaven State School's Memorial to the Diggers at the foot of Elephant Rock