FD36a Docker JUL05-REV.indd - Fremantle Football Club

Picture: Annaliese FrankPicture: Getty Images. Inset picture: Annaliese Frank Picture: Annaliese FrankPicture: Getty Images.THE 2005 LEN HALL TRIBUTE GAME THATsalutes the contributions and sacrifices of themen and women of Australia’s defence forceswas held at the round 5 game against Carltonon Saturday 23rd April. This year paid tribute tothe 60th Anniversary of the end of WWII and the75th Anniversary of the formation of Legacy.Massed choirs and bands accompanied theflame, lit earlier in the day in a ceremony atKings Park, on its way to light the cauldronthat would remain alight for the duration of thematch. This year’s flame bearers were MarjorieLe Souef, John Gilmore, Peter Kennedy, PeterHummerston and Arthur Bancroft.Marjorie, a member of the Voluntary AidDetachment she helped establish, was theinaugural president of the War Widows Guild inWestern Australia.John Gilmour was a member of the 2/4thMachine Gun Battalion in 1940 who, as aresult of malnutrition while being held captiveby the Japanese at Changai prison, hasbadly damaged eyesight. John has made anoutstanding contribution to veterans’ athletics.Peter Kennedy, who joined the army in 1940was wounded in the Battle of El Alamein andwent on to serve in Borneo, playing a rolein overcoming Japanese forces on the islandof Tarakan.Peter Hummerston, who joined the RAAFin March 1942, trained as both a wirelessair gunner and navigator and was one of the“biscuit bombers” who performed medicalevacuations and supplied drop missions totroops in the jungle of Papua New Guinea.Arthur Bancroft, a HMAS Perth gunner, wastaken as a prisoner by the Japanese for twoand a half years, and worked on the BurmaRailway. While aboard a prison ship en route toJapan, the vessel Arthur was on was sunk by anAmerican submarine and he was in the waterfor six days before being picked up by anotherAmerican vessel. Arthur was among the firstformer Prisoners of War to return to Australia,and the first West Australian serviceman toreturn from Japanese POW camps.The flame bearers were joined by Bill Dutton,who had the honour of tossing the coin beforethe game. Bill joined the RAAF in Perth in 1942and served as a pilot with one of the RAAF’smost famous units, 75 KittyHawk FighterSquadron. The 75 was in New Guinea in 1942and played a pivotal role in the first defeat ofJapanese forces in the Pacific. Bill worked withthe army on the ground to defend the airstrip atMilne Bay during this battle.The Len Hall Tribute Game is named in honour ofPictures: Getty Images.WA’s last Gallipoli veteran Len Hall, 1897–1999,a member of the 10th Light Horse Regimentand one of the last men to leave Gallipoli. TheLen Hall tribute would not be possible withoutthe assistance and financial support of theDepartment of Veteran Affairs.To add to the Len Hall tradition, thecommemorative wreath was created frompaper leaves sent to the club by the WesternAustralian public, with the names of loved oneswho served in the defence forces for Australia.Another fantastic tribute to those who haveserved their country in battle was cappedoff with the team’s hard fought 19 point winover Carlton.Pictures: Getty Images.