Anzac Day Services and a story from Jim Osborne

• Gunners from Jim Osborne’s unit, the 2/8th Australian field regiment, Royal Australian artillery, firing a 25-pounder field gun at a range of 9800 yards on German positions on the coastal sector near El Alamein. Photo Australian War Memorial.

War is indeed tragic.

But each individual’s character can become apparent in these circumstances – and almost invariably the character was incredibly good. I am proud to have shared these years with people from all walks of life and every one “true blue” and solid gold. Few of these are now still with us. All are remembered with respect and affection.

There was Jock Nicolson, elder son of J.R. Nicolson of Truelands, and one of the best batsman Tasmania has ever produced. He was playing cricket for Tasmania against Victoria when he was enlisted. To make sure he was with the rest of us he enlisted in Hobart on the same day the rest of us did in Launceston. He was afterwards wounded at El Alamein but returned to regiment as soon as he was discharged from hospital.

His next brother, Don, enlisted in the Air Force and sadly was killed on V. E. Day (Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945), his plane shot down when returning from a raid over Singapore. It was to have been his last of 30 operational bombings, before a three-month break. The war would have been over before his next tour of duty.

Their cousin, Ian Nicolson, son of Norman Nicolson of Scorrobrec, was totally unflappable, with a big dry and subtle sense of humour that never left him, no matter what the circumstances.

There was Max Wickham, probably the strongest man I ever knew but always in the same good humour. I remember him at El Alamein, when our guns were being both shelled from enemy artillery and dive-bombed simultaneously by Stuka aircraft. It was a time to flatten out, at least until the planes had gone. But not Max. He remained sitting on the gun layer’s seat, exposed to everything that was flying about. Concussion from the guns had caused him to be pretty deaf, but when told to take cover he just grinned and said: “If you can’t hear them they don’t worry you much.”

What a man!

Allan Taylor was another for whom I had the greatest respect. Not long before the Battle of El Alamein, one of Australia’s battalions was virtually wiped out in the one day. Word of that was received in Australia and The Bulletin was fairly vocal about it. 

As a result, AIF (Australian Imperial Force) command decided that, in future, if it appeared that casualties would be high, 10 per cent of each fighting unit would be “Left Out of Battle” and sent some miles behind the lines, placating the public in the case of a disaster. 

There would still be a nucleus on paper, if not in fact. Naturally, the normal pride made most feel that to be LOB’d was a reflection either on your courage or your ability. There were some who may have felt otherwise, but that was the feeling in our battery. Nevertheless, 10 per cent of all ranks had to go.

The problem here for Allan Taylor – always known as “Slim”, being 6’2” (188cm) tall – was that his battery was blessed with magnificent sergeants. The officer in charge decided that in this case names should be drawn from a hat, and Sergeant Taylor’s name was one. 

“Slim” was furious and flatly refused to go.  The battery commander, Major Stephenson, could only say, “Sorry mate, but these are the rules.” 

“Slim” then demanded to be paraded before the Commanding Officer, Colonel Timsley. The colonel was sympathetic and congratulated “Slim” on his determination, then made an offer. 

“All right, Sergeant Taylor, you may remain providing you nominate another sergeant to take your place.”

No go. What could “Slim” do? Insult one of his mates? Not on. 

“Slim” reluctantly travelled east with the rest of the LOBs to their depot, where there was also an army hospital. “Slim” immediately reported sick, at about 10.30 that night, and was admitted to hospital with suspected amoebic dysentery. When the medical officer did his rounds the next morning he asked: “What’s your trouble, sergeant?” 

“Slim” quickly replied: “There is nothing at all wrong with me, sir. Some fool orderly reckoned that I had dysentery. I asked him could he spare some Epsom Salts, but I didn’t want them for that. I would request, sir, that I be immediately returned to my unit.”

“Slim” arrived back to his gun on the ration truck that night, nicely in time for the opening barrage, and there he stayed.

What men these were. To be associated with “Slim” Taylor and so many others. They would need a large book to do them all justice.

ANZAC DAY SERVICES

(These are RSL-listed services. Please note some community events might not appear on this list. To have them added please call Lana Best on 0484 573 409)

Arthurs Lake, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Arthurs Lake Roadhouse. 

Avoca, 11am, Falmouth St, Avoca.

Bagdad, Dawn Service, 6:30am, Community Club, Midlands Hwy, Bagdad. 

Beaconsfield, Dawn Service, 5:45am, Beaconsfield RSL Park. Main Parade, 10:30am, West Street, Beaconsfield. Main Service, 10:55am, Beaconsfield RSL Park. 

Bicheno, Dawn Service, 5:30am, Assemble at the IGA at 5:45am for the march down Burgess Street for a 6:00am service. Breakfast at the Bowls & RSL Club at 13 Sinclair St Bicheno afterward. Main Parade, 10:45am, Assemble at the IGA at 10:45am for the march down Burgess Street for an 11:00am service. Social gathering at the Bowls & RSL Club at 13 Sinclair St Bicheno afterward. Main Service, 11:00am, Bicheno Cenotaph. 

Bishopsbourne, 9am, Recreation Ground, Bishopsbourne.

Bothwell, Main Service, 11:00am, Bothwell Memorial Cenotaph - Queen's Park - gathering after at The Castle Hotel. 

Bridport, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Bridport Cenotaph, Main Street Bridport opposite Bunker Club. Main Parade, 10:30am, Meet at CWA (top round-about) at 10:30am, step off at 10:45am.

Bronte Park, Main Service, 11:00am, Bronte Park Village, ANZAC Memorial. Bruny Island, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Alonnah Memorial, Bruny Island. 

Campbell Town, 6am and 11am, Campbell Town Sports Ground.

Claremont, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Claremont RSL War Memorial, Windermere Community Foreshore Park. Main Parade, 8:40am, Parade assembles in Box Hill Rd Claremont (Carpark adjacent to pharmacy). 

Clarence, Main Service, 9:00am, Clarence RSL, 40 Bastick St., Rosny. Collinsvale, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Collinsvale Memorial Hall, Hall Road, Collinsvale. 

Cressy, 9am, Main St Monument.

Cygnet, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Cygnet Cenotaph, ANZAC Dawn Service conducted by the Port Cygnet Scout Group. Main Parade, 10:30am, Main Parade steps off from the Cygnet Car Park, Mary Street. Main Service, 11:00am, Service held at the Cygnet Cenotaph commencing at 11:00am. 

Deloraine, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Deloraine Cenotaph, Emu Bay Road. Main Parade, 10:30am, Meet opposite the British Hotel, Emu Bay Road. Main Service, 11:00am, Deloraine Cenotaph, Emu Bay Road. 

Devonport, Dawn Service, 5:45am, Devonport Cenotaph, Victoria Parade, Devonport. Main Parade, 10:30am, Boat Ramp, Victoria Parade. Main Service, 11:00am, Devonport Cenotaph, Victoria Parade. Dover, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Cenotaph, Cnr Huon Highway & Chapel Lane. Main Service, 11:00am, Dover RSL & Ex-Servicemen's Club, 16 Chapman Avenue, Dover. 

Dunalley, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Dunalley Community Hall, Franklin Street. 

Evandale, 9am, Soldiers Memorial Gardens, High St.

Fentonbury, Main Service, 11:00am, Fentonbury War Memorial - Gathering after at Westerway Community Hall. 

Geeveston, Dawn Service, 5:30am, Cenotaph - 11 Memorial Drive. Main Service, 11:00am, Cenotaph - 11 Memorial Drive. 

Gladstone, Dawn Service, 5:50am, Gladstone Hall - Followed by breakfast. 

George Town, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Macquarie Street Cenotaph. Main Parade, 10:30am, Macquarie Street to Anzac Parade - Max Harris Memorial Reserve. Main Service, 11:00am, Max Harris Reserve, Anzac Parade. Glenorchy, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Council Chambers, 374 Main Road. 

Great Lake, Main Service, 9:00am, Great Lake Community Centre ANZAC commemoration - Gathering after at Community Centre. 

Gretna, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Memorial Cenotaph - Gathering after at Gretna Green Hotel. 

Hamilton, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Hamilton Memorial Cenotaph - Gathering after at 1826 Bar and Bistro, Hamilton Inn. 

Hobart, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Hobart Cenotaph, Queens Domain. Main Parade, 11:00am, Elizabeth Street. Main Service, 11:45am, Cenotaph, Queens Domain. Fly Past, Royal Australian Air Force C17A.

Nubeena, Dawn Service, 6:00am, 4 Nubeena Back Road, Nubeena Cenotaph. 

Longford, 6am and 11am, Longford Cenotaph, Wellington St, Longford.

Oatlands, Main Service, 6am, War Memorial Oatlands.

Penguin, Dawn Service, 5:40am, Penguin War Memorial, Main St Penguin. Main Parade, 10.40, Form up in front of the Uniting Church, Main St Penguin. Main Service, 11am, Penguin War Memorial, Main St Penguin. 

Perth, 9am, Perth War Memorial, Main Rd.

Primrose Sands, Dawn Service, 6am, Primrose Sands RSL Sub Branch, 415 Primrose Sands Rd Primrose Sands (followed by breakfast at the club). Main Parade, 10.45, Assemble at the Cnr Protea St and Primrose Sands Rd Primrose Sands. Main Service, 11am, Held at the Memorial. Morning tea follows at Primrose Sands RSL Sub Branch, 415 Primrose Sands Rd Primrose Sands. 

Queenstown, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Queenstown Cenotaph. Main Parade, 10.45, Queenstown RSL Carpark. Main Service, 11am, Queenstown Cenotaph. 

Railton, Dawn Service, 6am, 52 Foster St, Railton. Main Parade, 12.30pm, Kings Hall to Cenotaph Railton RSL, 52 Foster St, Railton. Main Service, 12pm, Kings Hall, 10 Latrobe Rd, Railton. 

Richmond, Main Service, 9am, Soldiers Memorial, Bridge St, Richmond. 

Rosebery, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Rosebery RSL. Main Parade, 10.45am, March leaves District High School to RSL. Main Service, 10.45am, Rosebery RSL. 

Scottsdale, Main Service, 11am, ANZAC Park Cenotaph. 

Smithton, Dawn Service, 5:45am, ANZAC Park. Main Parade, 10:00am, Assemble at the RSL. Main Service, 10:45am, ANZAC Park. 

Sorell, Dawn Service, 5:45am, Sorell Memorial Hall, 49 Cole St, Sorell. Main Parade, 10.45am, Form up at Sorell Fire Station, 47 Cole St, Sorell. Main Service, 11am, Sorell Memorial Hall, 49 Cole St, Sorell. 

Southport, Dawn Service, 5.45am for 6am start, Cenotaph - Lady Bay Rd, Southport Fire Station. 

South Arm, Dawn Service, 6am, Cape Deliverance, Lone Pine Memorial site, Fort Direction, South Arm. Main Service, 10.25am, South Arm Memorial Park, 2972 South Arm Rd, South Arm. 

Spring Bay, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Spring Bay RSL, 1 Vicary St., Triabunna. Main Parade, 10:25am, Cnr Vicary and Melbourne St, Triabunna. Main Service, 11am, Spring Bay RSL, 1 Vicary St., Triabunna. 

Stanley, 9am, Hale St, Stanley. Main Service, 9am, Stanley Cenotaph. 

St Helens, Dawn Service, 6am, 5.45am meeting point: Corner of Cecilia & Circassian St (Hilly's IGA St Helens). Main Parade 10.45am meeting point Corner of Cecilia and Circassian St (Hilly’s IGA). Main Service, 11am, Memorial Park, Cecilia St, St Helens. 

Swansea, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Assemble at 5:45am Heritage Museum Gardens, Swansea. Main Parade, 10.30am, Franklin St, Swansea. Main Service, 11am, Heritage Museum Gardens, Swansea. 

Taroona, Dawn Service, 5.30am, Assemble at Taroona Park Entrance next to the Neighbourhood Garden. Main Service, 6am, Taroona War Memorial. Taroona Community Hall, Batchelor Way, Taroona. Gunfire Breakfast after service.

Ulverstone, Dawn Service, 6:00am, 5:45am Parade will form up in Victoria St (opposite Council Car Park) proceed along Reibey St to Shrine of Remembrance (please note this is not a wreath laying service). Main Parade 11.05am Parade will form up in Victoria St (directly behind Council Offices) proceed along Reibey Street to Shrine of Remembrance for Commemorative Service & Wreath Laying Ceremony. Main Service 11.30am at Shrine of Remembrance, Ulverstone.

Westbury, Dawn Service, 6:00am, Westbury Cenotaph, Village Green, Westbury. Main Parade, 10.40am, Assemble at Westbury Post Office, William Street. Main Service, 11am, Westbury Cenotaph, Village Green, Westbury. 

Wynyard, Dawn Service, 5:30am, Assemble at Wynyard RSL (Goldie St) and march to Cenotaph (Park St, Gutteridge Gardens). Breakfast follows at the RSL. Main Parade, 10.30am, Form at Wynyard RSL (Goldie St) and march to Cenotaph (Park Street, Gutteridge Gardens). Main Service, 11am, Wynyard Cenotaph (Park St, Gutteridge Gardens). Lunch follows at the RSL. 

Zeehan, Dawn Service, 5:30am, Line up outside Central Hotel and march to Cenotaph - RSL. Main Parade, 10:30am, Assemble at Cecil Hotel and march to Cenotaph - RSL. Main Service, 11:00am, Zeehan RSL. Light lunch follows.