Our People in QLD
Corporal Tony County - From Babinda to Belgium
Along with fellow soldiers from 51st Battalion, the Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR) he’ll be in Belgium for the military funeral of five diggers killed 90 years ago, whose bodies were recently discovered during pipeline excavations.
Due to road relocation shortly after World War I, their bodies had been missed when the remains of other soldiers were removed to permanent war graves nearby.
DNA testing has confirmed the names of two of the five soldiers, and one, Sergeant Calder, was from 51st Battalion. Family members of the two identified soldiers will also be at the funeral.
The 51st Battalion was raised in 1915 to fight overseas but, with the passing years, its role has changed. Now most of its soldiers are reservists who use their special local knowledge to patrol our remote northern coasts and interiors.
“In the army I’ve specialised as an Army Engineer, so within 51st Battalion my job is supply storeman, which means I maintain and repair stores for the training company. It means I get a lot of variety, and I really enjoy working in a field environment.
“This trip means a lot to me because it means I can pay my respects to the fallen soldiers who have honoured our country – and for the freedom that we continue to seek today.
“When I get back I won’t be playing favourites – I’ll be at the Babinda Hotel and the Babinda Tavern to tell my mates about it.”
On 4 October Tony will be at the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood where he and fellow soldiers from 51st Battalion will be providing the honour guard. After the funeral, they will take part in local 90th anniversary events.
The next day, Tony and his mates will represent the Australian Army at the evening ceremony at the Menin Gate, Ypres, by the road which led from this ancient regional town to the battlefield. The citizens of Ypres hold this ceremony at 8.00pm every night of the year.
Some 60,000 Australians — all volunteers — were killed in World War I.