Comments on: Bede Tongs M.M. & Owen Baskett – 3rd Militia Battalion – Kokoda

By: gary

gary — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:32:17 +0000

Hello there Phil. You are absolutely correct about Bede. He is a national treasure and a wealth of knowledge in regards to conditions on the Kokoda Trail during 1942. If you live in Canberra and are interested in the 3rd Battalion on the Kokoda Track (or any other unit for that matter) then please look me up the next time you are at the Australian War Memorial. Any friend of Bede’s is a friend of mine! Kind regards. Gary Traynor. (Administrator)

By: Phil Spence

Phil Spence — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:45:47 +0000

I had the very good fortune to be in the company of Bede and his son Gary at the Christmas BBQ of the Australian Bravery Association in Canberra on 17 December 2011. Bede is still as sharp as a knife, with his memory of dates, times, names and places being simply amazing. He kept us captivated for hours and it was a privilege to have had had the opportunity to have listened to some living history. May he continue to inform people for many years to come.

Phil Spence
Canberra

By: gary

gary — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:24:41 +0000

Hello there Geoff, I would be very happy to provide you with information regarding the 3rd Infantry Battalion, AMF and put you in contact with other interested parties. Please email me directly at:- customerservice@medalsgonemissing.com or telephone 0449692401. Kind regards Gary Traynor (Administrator)

By: Geoffrey William Jones

Geoffrey William Jones — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:30:26 +0000

Dear sir,
I am interested in finding more information on my father’s service in in New Guinea in 1942.
His name was William Jones, his militia No. N75577 and his AIF No.NX113264. His rank was WO2 and he sailed with the 3rd Battalion for Port Moresby 17 May 1942 on SS Van Heutsz. Any information or contacts would be appreciated. Geoff Jones

By: gary

gary — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:00:53 +0000

Hello James, I will be most pleased to be able to pass on your fathers name to Captain Bede Tongs MM. I will get back to you via the telephone. Yours gratefully, Gary Traynor.

By: gary

gary — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:21:23 +0000

Hello James,

Thank you for making contact. Medals Gone Missing would be most pleased, to offer you and your sister whatever assistance we can. As the 36th also fought in the Beach Heads campaign, I am not surprised that he transferred to a unit like this after having served in New Guinea. You can contact us on mobile 044 9692401 at any time or email us on email:- customerservice@medalsgonemissing.com

I assume that you have walked the Kokoda Track yourself? Have you also been up to Gone where your father more than likely served?

By: James Rowe

James Rowe — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:12:00 +0000

Dear Sir,

My name is James Rowe. I live in Coffs Harbour and myself and my sister are trying to find details and information on my father’s service during the Kokoda and Gona Campaigns.

We have obtained his Service and Casuality forms which are difficult to read and understand as the originals were handwritten in a ledger. Some of the entries we cannot decipher. However we understand that he was conscripted (according to his sister) 1941.

He never, never talked to myself or my sister about the war or his involvement.

His Full Name was James William Rowe. His date of enlistment was 20 – 11- 1941 at Goulburn.

His original service No was N 243623 and according to the copy of the service form I have he departed to New Guinea with 3rd Battalion (which I understand to be a Militia unit) on 17th May 1941. His forms state that he was “DET TO MAROUBRA FORCE”

Entries in the copies of his service and casualty forms show that on 18 – 8 – 1943 he was transferred to the AIF 36th Battalion AIF withe the new service No. NX 155068.

While I have a good background to the Kokoda Campaign I am not sure what battles / campaigns my father was involved in. Some of his service record makes interesting reading including many admissions to hospitals for Malaria and several entries for AWL while in Australia.

If you have any information which you may be able to supply myself and my sister with regarding the activities of the 3rd Battalion and later the 36th Battalion I would be much appreciated.

My sincere thanks

Regards and Every Good Wish

James Rowe
Coffs Harbour

By: gary

gary — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:49:56 +0000

Thank you Susie for visiting our blog and for your kind feedback. Yes, Bede is a man of whom I have the utmost respect. I have been fortunate to hear him speak on a number of occasions and it is a privelege to be a friend of his. He always has time for trekkers who have walked the track and the men and women like him, who served our country as they did….should be regarded as National Treasures. Yours gratefully, Gary Traynor (Medals Gone Missing Administrator)

By: Susie Ashton

Susie Ashton — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:11:39 +0000

I was present at this dinner where Bede gave the address at Parliament House in August 2009. It was, beyond doubt, a memorable and inspiring experience.
An ordinary man with extraordinary powers… to stand and speak without notes and hold an audience of 100 Kokoda trekkers captive for 45mins.
Thanks for the recount.. it’s been lovely to relive the moment.

By: gary

gary — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:45:05 +0000

Bede Tongs conducted the Flag Raising Ceremony of the 3rd Militia Battalion recently at the Jindabyne Memorial. See our story for more details.