Commandos gather in Canberra

Kyt · Mar 12, 2008

WW2 commandos gather in Canberra - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

World War II commandos have gathered for an annual wreath laying ceremony in Canberra, possibly for the last time.

About 18 members of the 2/5 Independent Company and 2/5 Commando Squadron laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial this afternoon.

The company was formed in March 1942 and carried out a number of successful raids against the Japanese in New Guinea. In 1943, 2/5 Independent Company and other companies were reorganised into cavalry commando squadrons before deploying to Borneo.

For the last 21 years, surviving members, widows and family members have met in Canberra each year to commemorate their efforts.

But veteran and president of the Australian Commando Association, Evan MacGregor, says today's ceremony is expected to be the last.

"Seven people died in the last 12 months and there'll probably be increased numbers I would think in the next few years," he said.

"It would be a gradual payout I think, I hope not ... but it looks as though it could be."

Twenty-four members of the 2/5 squadron died during World War II.

Mr MacGregor says they were lucky not to suffer many casualties.

"We kept in little groups, you could be out for three or four months with a group of six people and you had about another 150 or so in our unit but I never saw them for six months or so," he said.

"They were just out and in some cases they simply got food dropped to us and in other cases we got to go to the natives and they used to feed us, the fuzzy wuzzies, keep us going and they did a marvellous job to us."

Mr MacGregor says the gathering has been a great chance for old mates to meet and discuss "old wars".

"But it looks like it's coming to an end I'm afraid, but I'll still keep coming."
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Kyt · Mar 12, 2008

Australian commandos - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2/5th Cavalry Commando Squadron (Australia) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nostalgair · Mar 13, 2008

I wish I'd been at home and driven to Canberra to meet these chaps.

Dad was 2/10 Cavalry Commandos and I'm sure that these gentlemen would have been fascinating to speak with.

My sincerest respect to them, one and all.

Owen

Antipodean Andy · Mar 13, 2008

Cheery bunch of lads, aren't they?!

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Commandos gather in Canberra

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