History and Heroes

HISTORY AND HEROES: The story of the Glen Innes RSL Sub-branch

John Coleman

Glen Innes Sub-branch, 2008, 48pp

It is likely that this history of the Glenn Innes RSL Sub-branch speaks for many rural sub-branches.  The dedication of those early volunteers who came together to continue the fellowship of the wartime service, the hard grind of fundraising, and the changes as the membership evolved with its community, would be familiar to other sub-branches.

That said, Glen Innes, like other sub-branches, retains its own flavour.  Among its members have been the CO of the First AIF’s 6th Light Horse, a soldier who served in the 2/6th Armoured Regiment of the Second AIF, an officer awarded the MC in New Guinea, a pilot who made a solo escape from France after his Wellington bomber was shot down, and a sailor who was present at the Japanese surrender in 1945.

Glen Innes produced other notable servicemen, including Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, killed at Milne Bay supporting his Army comrades in the first defeat of the Japanese on land during the Second World War, and a night fighter ace, haunted by his experiences, accidentally killed soon after returning home.

The nominal rolls published in the book are both a useful resource and a reminder of the close-knit nature of country Australia in an earlier era.  The same family names recur in each war, often as multiple entries.

The Glen Innes Sub-branch should be proud of its long history and of this publication.

JOHN DONOVAN