* REMEMBERING OUR RATS OF TOBRUK * TOBRUK TO BORNEO 1941 -1945

As it is with every other organisation the Western Australian branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association had to have a beginning.

As the founder of this association in the West, I welcome the opportunity to outline the part I played.  It may lay to rest misconceptions which possible exist to this day in regards to my initial motives.

This is the true story of it's beginning.

It developed from an idea which came to me in the 1950's when I was in the process of developing my family's farming property "Steroy" in the Ferguson Valley 200 kms south of Perth.

Following demobilization Madge and I over a period of years on business trips to Perth, developed the habit of dropping in on my old Vickers machine gunner mate Roy Warren and his wife Sid, to share a reminiscence or two and a beer or three.  When it was possible the ladies attired themselves in their best gear and we sent out to dinner.  These were such pleasant occasions that it occurred to me there could be merit in extending this social event further by arranging an occasional get together with other former comrades and their ladies.  I had become aware that a number of men who although being paid up member of their respective official associations, were in some cases unable or loth to attend regular functions and as a consequence one didn't get the opportunity to meet up with them. 

I toyed with the idea of forming an informal loosely bonded group based purely on wartime comradeship.  I wondered and discussed this with close associates to assess what a future membership's reaction would be to what I proposed.   This involved quite simply creating an organisation based on the conviviality of the aforementioned comradeship and possessing no social or welfare aspirations whatsoever, nor any ambition which would cause our socialising to be in any way at variance with the worthy retuned soldier supporting activities of the main unit associations already established.  Neither did I consider seeking patronage or wish to see an elite created to run the organisation.  It was my original intention to keep the modus operandi simple and uncomplicated.  The main, possible only function, give or take a slight variation according to organisational demands, would be and annual top class Tobruk reunion dinner with the attendance of the womenfolk a top priority.  

Pat Boland - Victorian Branch

While I was mulling over the idea circumstance brought me into contact with Mr Pat Boland the secretary of the Victorian Branch of the Rats of Tobruk Assoc.  Up until then I hadn't known such an organisation existed.  I mentioned my idea to him and unbeknownst to me, he followed it up by discussing the matter with his federal colleagues.  the upshot of these discussions when he phoned me was "would I consider forming a state branch of the Association?"   I promised to give it some thought.

When I sounded Roy Warren out about this latter idea, he was of the opinion that in view of the immensity of the task in attempting to form an association come so late on the local scene, it would be tantamount to beating my head against a brick wall.  He voiced the frank but depressing opinion that he didn't think any returned men would be interested but he promised support.    However once on my own way from outside influence and buoyed with naïve optimism the more I thought about the subject the more convinced I became I should give it a try.

• Firstly, The Siege of Tobruk had earned a special place in our country's history and like Gallipoli, would never be forgotten.  We should be proud to have participated and not be  reluctant to say so.
• Secondly, The circumstances of the siege had created a unique situation inasmuch as its operations were conducted in their entirety within a restricted battle zone.  If you were in Tobruk, there was not argument, you were in.. full stop.  The duties and obligations of each individual defender under siege conditions were in the main carried out on a similar level of danger and hardship.  This levelling of battle responsibility satisfied the ethos of the rank and file Australian soldier and an unusual rapport amount the troops involved resulted.

Decision to give it a go.

In the normal realm of frontline operations the P.D.F. (Poor bloody footsloggers) bear the brunt of battle conflict mostly on their own.  Behind the lines the perils to life and limb a result of enemy action inflicted on 'B' echelon personnel and support groups beyond, decreases in direct proportion a the distance from the battlefront increases.  In Tobruk however it was different.  If you doled out rations at cookhouse or waterpoint, bestrode the decks of a destroyer, manned ack ack batteries, was an artillery gun layer, an infantry man occupying a front concrete post, or a mug gunner sitting in a dusty slit trench beside his Vickers, you were in a communal sense at the enemy's none too tender mercies.. his dive bombing and shelling... for every hour of the day and night.  

It was this aspect of danger sharing which rested comfortably and was in accord with my plebeian soul.  Having made the decision to give it a go, I was then confronted with the rather daunting prospect that apart from the basic idea and my own optimism, I didn't have a single solitary thing going for me.  I had to begin from scratch.

Starting Point

As a starting point I managed to obtain, through Roy's good offices, an official roll of the names and addresses of original 2/28th Battalion members.  This of course proved to be invaluable because the 2/28th due to the totality of troop numbers taken on strength throughout the relevant period, constituted the majority of West Australian personnel who serviced during the siege.

From that moment on it was a case of getting my head down and contacting people by mail.  There was no alternative.  My farm home became an office.  I typed scores of letters on my antiquated circa 1910 typewriter.  When I'd finally unloaded the last bundle of correspondence at the Dardanup Post Office there was nothing else to do but sit back and wait.  The answer wasn't long in coming.  To say I was pleasantly surprised at the result is an understatement.  The response from battalion members contacted proved overwhelming.  Almost without exception there was pride expressed in wishing to become a member and agreeance that the formation should go ahead.  in view of the irreverent and anti-authoritarian attitude customarily displayed by Australian troops, I was astonished at the emotionalism numerous letters revealed.  The odd one or two who expressed disapproval to me in writing did I am glad to say eventually succumb to the spirit of success.  They joined in due course and remain active members.

I was gratified and honoured to subsequently be rewarded and receive the first "Life Membership" of the W.A. branch.  To show how inexorable is the march of time the certificate is dated 1964.

Our organisation as it is today is a source of pride to me.  There may be latecomers and associates to our ranks who may not be au fait with our beginnings or understand the initial aims.  To them I say our association is not the end product of any one person or group.  It is the culmination of the efforts of may people over the years, both office bearers and unsung tireless workers, who toil behind the scenes. 

It may or may not have turned out to be exactly as i planned or even visualised.  Whether this is so is a personal matter and in fact is not important.  It is a success and will continue to be so.  In this day and age it worthily represents and honours a wartime event which has carved its niche in world history.

We were called "rats" in tones of derisive contempt but our troops took up the taunt and flung it back in the enemy's face.  While we live we will not let our country forget.

In conclusion it is my understanding that the Rats of Tobruk Assoc. by it's very nature is a finite organisation.  I do not believe it can last longer than those who served and survived.

In my dream of the 50's I was of the firm opinion that the totality of memberhip must never be allowed to become a matter of overriding importance.  I nurtured the hope that members would continue to meet even though their numbers would inevitably diminish from day one and more rapidly as the years passed.  I felt it should not matter if a hundred met for an annual dinner or a mere handful.

In the final analysis I visualise the day which must inevitable arrive when our ranks will be depleted to extinction.

On this day there will be but two "Rats" left.

The scenario....

One will read the other's obituary.

At that moment the survivor will sign and close the pages of the minute book of our association and turn out the light.

Finis....

By:  Joe White 2/28th