WW2 veteran back at his post

Bombardier Roy Brown’s daughter Judy Valentini inspects the wrecked wing of an aircraft during the visit to Horn Island.

Les Gray, Judy Valentini, Trevor Brown and Sam Brown reflect on the life of Roy Brown as WGCDR Geoff Willans, SQNLDR Mark Scarborough, FLTLT James Ewart and FLTLT Todd Blieschke salute during the playing of the Last Post.

THE family of a man who served with the 34th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery on Horn Island in the Torres Strait in World War 2 has returned to the island to inter his ashes and pay tribute to those who were stationed there.

The family of Bombardier Roy Brown, who was on Horn Island from 1942 to 1944, attended a reunion of Horn Island veterans in September.

Members of the Air Force were also there – the first time the Air Force has participated in a reunion of veterans on the island.

More than 5000 Air Force, Army and US personnel were based at Horn Island at the end of 1942, and a number of current Air Force squadrons were associated with the island.

Another 2000 Army personnel were located on Thursday Island and other islands of Torres Strait.

During his tour of duty at Horn Island, Roy Brown faced Japanese air raids and the adversities of living with spartan facilities, including water rationing of one bottle a day.

He and his mates did this with typical Australian humour, forming such strong bonds of mateship that he requested that his ashes be interred on Horn Island.

Following his recent death, Horn Island’s Kaurareg elders agreed to his request.

On September 19, his ashes were interred at his post on the aircraft predictor in the command post of the 34th Heavy AA Battery as his son Trevor Brown, daughter Judy Valentini and grandson Sam Brown watched.

Close Army mates Gerry Merrett and Les Gray also attended the ceremony, along with Torres Strait Mayor Pedro Steven and Kaurareg elders.

Squadron Leader Mark Scarborough, from Air Force Headquarters, Flight Lieutenants Todd Blieschke and James Ewart from No. 32 Squadron and Reservist Wing Commander Geoff Willans represented the Air Force.

It was particularly fitting that representatives of 32SQN attended the ceremony as it was the first squadron to be based at Horn Island.

32SQN was formed at Port Moresby in February 1942 from the remnants of other Air Force units and was equipped with Hudsons.

Down to three aircraft, it was relieved in late March by No. 75 Squadron, which arrived with P-40s.
32SQN was relocated to Horn Island by Anzac Day 1942.

Through persistent attacks on Rabaul, Gasmata, Lae and Salamaua, 32SQN contributed strongly to the Japanese impression that Port Moresby was better defended than it actually was.

This delayed a Japanese amphibious assault of Port Moresby until Australian defences had been strengthened. A 32SQN Hudson located the Japanese fleet in the Coral Sea battle and the squadron was also involved with Kokoda Trail and Milne Bay operations in 1942.

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