As he has done for many years, 99-year-old World War II veteran and former long-time Trafalgar resident, Frank Waterton prepared to mark this year’s Anzac Day.
This year he was at Dandenong instead at Trafalgar where Frank remains a Trafalgar Thorpdale RSL sub-branch member.
As part of the last living generation of World War II veterans, the RSL has become as much about community as it is about memory for servicemen like Frank.
“For me, Anzac Day is a time to remember the mates I served with and the lessons they taught us as young blokes, and the RSL is where those memories live on, bringing community together to honour those who didn’t make it home and ensure their legacy is never forgotten,” said Frank, who enlisted before he was even called up (six weeks before his 18th birthday in 1944).
Frank enlisted when aged 17 as he said, “… it was inevitable at that time that the papers would arrive for your service when you turned 18.
“I ended up enlisting on the 3rd of January 1945 and served with 76 Squadron, 81 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force.
When he enlisted, Frank asked if he could fly Lancaster bombers, but because of his age, “they (senior officers) kept us teenagers as part of the ground crew which involved servicing aircraft, cleaning guns, and readying bombs and rockets for missions flown by others.”
He fondly remembers the care that the senior members of the unit showed to naïve, but enthusiastic teenagers.
“After the war, I was sent with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force to Japan, where I remained until my discharge in September 1947.”
Now nearing 100 years of age (Frank will reach his centenary in December this year) and a resident at Mercy Place Lynbrook near Dandenong, Frank still vividly recalls his time overseas, even down to the wallpaper on Japanese train carriages
Even after 79 years, he still remembers the journey to Japan on the Troopship Duntroon.
It took four weeks to get over there, rather than the two weeks to get back.
It wasn’t a straightforward trip.
“We stopped in New Guinea because there was an outbreak of gastro on board the ship, which caused a fair bit of concern among the leaders and delayed us for some time.
“Once that was under control, we pushed on to Guam, “said Frank.
“At Guam, there were American troops preparing to move out, but before long, a big storm came through.
“We headed back out to sea and spent three days riding it out in the Pacific.
“It was rough going. When the storm finally settled, we returned to Guam, restocked our supplies, and then set off again for Japan.
“By that stage, we’d been travelling for about three weeks.”
The ship with its occupants eventually made its way into the Inland sea and arrived at Kure near Hiroshima, which was the headquarters of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.
From there, he travelled by train further south to join 76 Squadron.
It was a proud unit with a strong history in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Frank spent almost two years in Japan.
During that time, he was also attached to the Royal Air Force on special duties for a period of three months, which Frank remembers as a unique experience.
“I remember my first winter there very clearly.
“It was the first time I’d ever seen snow, and it was quite a shock.”
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) was made up of troops from Australia, Britain, New Zealand and India, who were responsible for the southern part of Japan.
“There was a real sense of camaraderie between us – the Anzac spirit was strong, even so far from home,“ said Frank.
The BCOF was commanded by an Australian, which made the Aussies proud.
“It was an important time in my life; challenging, at times uncertain, but something I’ve always remembered with a great deal of respect and pride.”
Anzac Day was always significant while Frank was in Japan.
“We held large parades, including one in Tokyo, and also back at base on the parade ground.
“Those moments meant a great deal to all of us.”
During this time, Frank came into possession of a Japanese sword found in a bombed dump, a relic he later brought home after formally receiving permission to keep it.
Years later, he chose to donate the sword to Trafalgar Thorpdale RSL, where it remains on display today.
“I thought this was the best place for it,” he says.
Frank is known for his sharp memory and strong connection to the RSL community, where he remains a well-respected and active figure.
The RSL, for Frank, is not simply a building. It is a place where memory gathers, and where it is kept alive.
Friends from Trafalgar Thorpdale RSL sub-branch still visit him regularly at his home in Mercy Place Lynbrook, carrying with them the easy shorthand of shared experience and understanding of time passed.
Reflecting on Anzac Day, Frank said it is a special day.
“Anzac Day means a great deal to me because it’s a time to stop and remember the people who never came home.
“I had two uncles, Francis and William, who died in World War I.
“As the years go by, there are fewer of us left, but you never forget those mates, or the family, who gave everything.
“When the Last Post plays and the wreath is laid, it brings it all back.
“To me, Anzac Day is about making sure their sacrifice is never forgotten, because the life we have today came at a great cost for so many.
“And that goes to people in Europe, Singapore who lost their lives, New Guinea, you name it, in The Middle East.”
“I have a quote that I wrote down that sums it all up, ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today’”
“When I lived in Trafalgar, I used to be part of the parades at Trafalgar Thorpdale RSL, which were always amazing.
“I got to march in the parade and be driven in the trucks.
“This year, I’ll be home at Mercy Place Lynbrook, and the local Dandenong RSL sub-branch will put on a lovely service for us.
“I’ll be wearing my medals and rosemary with pride.”
This article was written from information provided by a staff member at Mercy Place Lynbrook.
