Monday, May 4, 2009

GRANDFATHER, A Little Late for Anzac Day


Grandfather known as "Hell Bent Kenyon" a drover, and horse supplier of remounts overseas, in his later years, night Patrol at the American encampment Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane during the War in the Pacific, World War II.

The so-called "Battle of Brisbane" was going on would you believe between Australian and American troops, over "women". I would have thought the women could choose for themselves!! Fatalities had occurred but these incidents in 1942 were suppressed. Temperatures were running high in the Tropics.....

Grandfather with one son in the RAAF, a daughter nursing toops in Cyprus, and one in Darwin did not have much time for this faddle daddle. He was a hard, tough, no nonsense, man and with the gun from what I know of him itching to shoot some fool....such was the climate of the day.

2 Comments:

Blogger diane b said...

He sounds like he was a no nonsense dude.A great picture of him. I bet he had those yanks sorted.

May 4, 2009 at 8:48 PM  
Blogger Lizzie's Insomnia said...

Diane,
He was there to keep the Australians away from the Americans and he was one serious man.....His farm adjoined the back of Doomben Racecourse and fronted the Brisbane River. "Winstaines". A little street under the entrance of the Gateway on the northern side of the river is named after him. Kenyon Street.

This photo is revisited but my Aunt was a great celebrator of Anzac Day and when the women nurses marched she was in there swinging her arms. I believe they did not march for years and were finally allowed!! She would raise the Australian flag every day and take it down at night without fail. She was a Matron at one of the Brisbane Hospitals when they had Matrons and she was "she who must be obeyed" as all those Matrons were at the time.

As Dad and his siblings all fought in the War I need to acknowledge this day as they have all passed away.

Cheers,
lizzie b.

May 5, 2009 at 7:09 PM  

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