Image Gallery: April 2006
History recalls proud traditions of Army Reserve unit
05 April 2006
The courage of soldiers from rural New South Wales who fought and died in World War II was recalled when the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, launched The Grim Glory 3rd edition, the history of the 19th Battalion of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (2/19 Battalion).
More than 200 WWII veterans, their families and military personnel attended the book launch at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney on Sunday, 2 April 2006. Among the 2/19 Battalion veterans in attendance was Major Rowley Richards, former President of the 8th Australian Division Association and prisoner of war.
The book was written by Lieutenant Colonel Peter McGuinness, a former Commanding officer of the 1st/19th Battalion The Royal New South Wales Regiment, the descendant battalion of the 2nd/19th Bn. He wrote the book because the first two editions, published in 1975 and 1976, were out of print and in demand at prices up to $1000 on the secondhand book market.
The Grim Glory is about the members of the 2/19 Battalion, who were drawn from regional areas of New South Wales including Bathurst, Orange and Wagga, and served with distinction in WWII. It also tells the story of those who were captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore in 1942 and used as slaves to build the infamous Death Railway that linked Thailand and Burma.
The battalion is known for having sustained the greatest losses of any Australian Army unit during WWII. Its death toll reached 800, including personnel killed in action and as prisoners of war of Japan.
Lieutenant Colonel John Brennan, current Commanding Officer of 1st/19th Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment, said the launch so close to Anzac Day was a timely reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by earlier generations.
“Australians should take pride in the bravery and achievements of Australian service personnel who have fought in wars for freedom,” Lieutenant Colonel Brennan said.
“I and the men and women of 1/19 The Royal New South Wales Regiment are proud custodians of the history of the 2/19 Battalion.”
The unit, which consists of Army reservists from Western New South Wales and the Riverina, continues to provide capability to the Army on operations and deployments in Australia and overseas.
| 2006Apr2HQ5BDE8500215_009 Warrant Officer (WO1) Bill Campbell, OAM, Regimental Pipe Major, The Royal New South Wales Regiment, pipes the Royal Salute as 2/19 RNSWR parades the Queen's and Regimental Colour at the book launch of the third edition of The Grim Glory (Date taken: 03 April 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 2006Apr2HQ5BDE8500215_049 Author Lieutenant Colonel Peter McGuinness used the launch of the book The Grim Glory to tell WWII veterans about his struggle to write the official history of the 2/19 Battalion (AIF). Picture shows (left to right) author Peter McGuinness, 2/19 Association president Roger Perry, and the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir. (Date taken: 03 April 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 2006Apr2HQ5BDE8500215_059 Author of The Grim Glory, Lieutenant Colonel Peter McGuinness, presents the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir, with a copy of the official history of 2/19 Battalion, AIF. (Date taken: 03 April 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 2006Apr2HQ5BDE8500215_076 (L to R) The commanding officer 1/19 RNSWR, Lieutenant Colonel John Brennan, two WWII veterans, author Lieutenant Colonel Peter McGuinness and the Commander 2nd Division, Major General Ian Flawith. (Date taken: 03 April 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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