Next reunion 25-27 April 2003 |
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The Australian Maritime Charity Organisation is restoring an 80 foot ex Second World War Army Hospital Launch (AH1733 Krawaree) at the Gold Coast City Marina, Coomera, Queensland. Five of these launches were built in Tasmania during 1944-45 from Huon pine logs which were felled in the Upper Franklin Mountains and then floated down the Franklin River. They were designated as follows…
AH 1730 Koorakee
AH 1731 Koroit
AH 1732 Koumala
AH 1733 Krawarree and
AH 1734 Kuranda
The primary purpose of these launches, with their shallow draft, was to evacuate casualties from the beachheads to the awaiting hospital ships. The launches were very versatile and sometimes, were used as command vessels and general seat transport and communication vessels. The design was taken from the 80' Harbor Defence Motor Launches with the stern section raised and widened to accommodate stretchers. Those interested in all things naval and would like to know more should visit the web site www.maritimecharity.org.au
They served in the New Guinea theatre during and after WWII, and of the many hundreds of vessels that served with the Australian Army Water Transport Units in the Second World War this restored vessel will be unique, the last of her kind. When re-commissioned the "Krawarree" will be used for respite and recreational activities for disabled and disadvantaged young people, educational groups and Veterans groups. It will also be available as a fund raising venue for other charities.
If anyone knows any history about the "Forgotten Fleet" or can help, please e-mail or just drop in for a chat and coffee. deniskerr @ hotmail.com
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They reckon the thing that went bang back then was not much bigger than the head of a pin, as they say it was pretty dense.
What they didn’t tell us, and what I’d like to know is, where was this little thing before it blew up, what did it weigh, why did it blow up, and the first bits that flew off-where are they, if it just blew up, there’s got to be bits that flew off first, so they must be near the edge.
And, if so, where is the edge and/or the centre now, what’s on the other side of the edge - and more importantly, where are we in the system, are we close to one edge, or close to the middle. Makes you think, doesn't it ...
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Laurie Phibbs.
As we’ve learnt, Laurie Phibbs passed away in the early nineties from what Ted McEvoy thinks were "complications received from his days in Vietnam".Ted says that he and some other ex 38Sqn blokes went to Laurie’s funeral in Dubbo in the early 90's.
He says he knew Laurie quite well after working with him at Richmond and that he and Laurie were both in Vung Tau with 35Sqn Radio in 1968.
He says Laurie was always good company, he had a great sense of humour and he never took himself too seriously.
He spent the last few years of his life as owner of an office equipment business in Dubbo.
Ted sent us the above photo and asked that we include it.
John Elliott wrote to say he remembers having a beer with Phibby in 1969 at one of the locals in Windsor (probably in the Fitz-tb) just after he had shaken hands with Madam WRAAF and got his D.
We also had a note from Allan George. Allan worked with Laurie at Richmond in 1969, and he was on 19Appy with Trevor Lee and Tony Neave back in 1964, all three have now died of cancer. All three were radio blokes and all three spent time in Vietnam. (And all 3 knew Allan George..tb)
Web Site
To see excellent photos taken from space of the earth ball and its cities and features, have a look at http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov/
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