Our story of service and tragedy

As we mark the start of World War II, remember the Tasmanians who served and sacrificed across the world, writes Reg Watson

World War II began 80 years ago today. On September 3, 1939, Neville Chamberlain, prime minister of Great Britain, declared war on Germany after its invasion of Poland on September 1. His announcement was followed by that of Australian prime minister Robert Menzies.

As Australians gathered around the wireless, Menzies addressed the nation.

“It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that in consequence of persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war”.

So began 5½ years of war. Tasmania was to do its part.

In August 1945, after Japan had been defeated, 1200 Tasmanians in the army, navy or air force had died. Many more were wounded and most returned from battle psychologically affected.

The first Tasmanian casualty, possibly Australia’s, was Pilot John Sadler from the North-West Coast. He died on September 29, 1939 aged 24.

The 144 squadron log, in which he served, states “Intercepted and shot down into the sea between the German island of Heligoland and Wangeroose.” He was serving with the Royal Air Force as was Flight Lieutenant Stuart Walch, who was reported missing on August 10, 1940. Walch was the only Tasmanian to die during the Battle of Britain. Another Tasmanian with a notable record with the RAF was Flight-Lieutenant John Percival Cosgrove, eldest son of the premier. A memorial to

Cosgrove is to be found in St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart. Two hundred and ninety one Tasmanians died while serving with the RAF or the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force).

Tasmanians were to serve in all theatres of war, in Europe, North Africa, Asia, the Atlantic and Pacific. Many were to become prisoners of war of both the Germans and the Japanese. Some of our POWs of the Japanese drowned while being transported to become slave labourers. As the vessels were unmarked they were sunk by American submarines who thought they were genuine war targets. Most of the Tasmanians who died in such a horrific way were aboard the Tamahoke Maru, which went down off Nagasaki, Japan. Tasmanian doctor J.S. Chapman drowned this way.

There are many, many stories that can be told of our fellow Tasmanians and their bravery and sacrifice. One of the most amazing is that of Lieutenant Kenneth Hudspeth DSC (with bar), of the RANVR (Volunteer Reserve) who was one of the few who manned and was in charge of one of the two three-man submarines at Normandy during the D-Day invasion. Few would know a Tasmanian played such an important role. Four days before the invasion that occurred on June 6, 1944, they spent 64 hours at sea ensuring conditions for the invasion could go ahead. He was also at the attempted sinking of the German battle ship Tirpitz while moored in Norway a couple of years prior. Hudspeth returned to Tasmania and resumed his teaching career.

Many Tasmanians took part in the North African campaign at Tobruk and El Alamein. It was at Tobruk where Polish soldiers served with the allies and after the war a number of those Polish veterans made their home in Tasmania. A Tobruk memorial is found on the corner of New Town Rd outside the Polish Club, where both Polish and Tasmanians who lost their life at Tobruk are commemorated.

It is puzzling, knowing of our bravery, why a Victoria Cross was not awarded to a Tasmanian during the war, while two were awarded during the Boer War (18991902), 11 during World War I and one at Afghanistan. There is little doubt there could have been or should have been, but were not in the right spot at the right time to be observed. We have witnessed over the past years the efforts to have Teddy Sheean remembered and awarded a VC. The rules in awarding a VC are strict as it should be; for instance there must be signed statements in support of at least three witnesses and they should be on oath. Many who would have been worthy of a VC simply missed out or were given a lesser award. A good number of Tasmanians did receive awards for gallantry with 10 Tasmanians reaching the high rank of brigadier.

Mention must be made of the Women’s Land Army, which was formed in Launceston in August 1940, with several training camps throughout the state. By 1941 it was estimated 200 women were working on their home farms throughout Tasmania. Only in 1995 did the federal government authorise a medal in their honour.

From a population of 247,000, Tasmania contributed a military force of 29,000, and 2000 women joined various women’s services. Our military served not only with Australian forces, but with those of the US, British, South African, New Zealand, Canadian, other Commonwealth countries and with the Merchant Navy.

There were nearly 300 decorations, the chief being Commodore John Augustine Collins of the Royal Australian

Navy who hailed from Deloraine. A class of submarines was named after him. His decorations were extensive.

Our medical service personnel did us proud with 98 men seeing service. Seven of these men became prisoners of war. Dr J.M. Gaskell went down with HMAS Hobart. A total of 129 Tasmanian sisters served with the Australian Army Nursing Service, three being prisoners of war under the Japanese: sisters D.S. Gardham, J.M. Simmons and R. Raymond.

Well might the Premier of the day Robert Cosgrove write: “Tasmania’s share in the war effort on the home front was a really great achievement.” He did complain, justifiably, that when war began Tasmania’s capacity was not even considered by the federal government. In all areas, including industrial and in every field, we excelled.

It’s a long time ago now, 80 years. I am proud of my state’s effort and of our willingness to perform.

Hobart historian Reg A. Watson

compiled A Guide to Tasmanian War Fatalities from the Zulu War to Afghanistan.