Les Bushby, son of Jack Bushby who was instrumental in setting up the volunteer bushfire brigade, grandfather of Jeff Bushby, former Captain of Karridale BFB, now Captain of Margaret River Fire and Rescue
(I think that's right, please correct me if I'm wrong)
Hubie McDonald, who had a transport depot at the corner of Brockman Highway and Bussell Highway, fought at Shaggy Ridge and returned home with wounds that continued throughout his life. The following extract gives a flavour of life, and an indication that some of the clergy took the welfare of their flocks very seriously.
"Shaggy Ridge has been referred to as the “One Man Front” on occasions, over the years since 1943/44. It was far from that, of course, and in reality was a natural defensive feature, 5,000 feet in altitude with a narrow track running along the top of the “Razor Back” and strongly defended in depth, including a mountain gun which was sighted to fire straight back along the track.
Three days after Christmas 1943, Don Cy 2/16 Bn were the forward Coy on Shaggy Ridge, having taken over from B Coy, who had borne the brunt of the fighting following intense bombing from the air and artillery fire. It was during the early stage of the advance along the plateau, that my attention was drawn to the fact that we were being accompanied by the Padre, C.W.Cunningham (Charlie) who was the heart and soul of the Bn, also chief scrounger for the troops, Bn watchmaker and general Mr Fixit. Loved and respected by all. However, I thought this was carrying things too far, and I was also concerned for his safety, so I dropped back and said,
“What do you think you’re doing here Pard?”
He didn’t even slow up but said to me,
“Wherever my boys are going, I go too.”
He was not armed, as far as I could see, but was carrying RAP gear, and I think, a coil of rope, so, who was I to try and stop him?
“His boys” included H.J.McDonald who was acting as our leading scout and was positioned well forward on the right flank, and not far in from the edge of the precipice. At this stage we did not expect any enemy fire because of the steep angle of fire from where the enemy positions were sited, but had been warned to expected grenades to be rolled down on us from above. Which is exactly what happened to Hubie, as he was known in 18 platoon.
A Jap grenade burst alongside him, seriously wounding him and blowing him over the edge of the cliff. Fortunately, saved by a protruding ledge of rock some distance down the sheer face of the cliff, where he landed.
(Hubie received treatment for his wounds for many years, left is a photo of him meeting the Queen when she visited the wounded)
It was not until years after the war that I had the full story from Hubert. The Padre was lowered over the cliff complete with field dressings and a stretcher, down to the ledge where Hubert was lying, seriously wounded.
On being told by Hubie to leave him where was, and save himself, the Padre said,
“Your family has already lost one son, I’m going to see to it that they don’t lose another.”
Hubie’s brother Terry, a champion footballer, lost his life on the Kokoda Track in September 1942. When Hubie heard of his brother’s death he applied for a transfer from the AASC outfit he was with in the Middle East to the 2/26 Bn so that he could take Terry’s place."
Extract from the Pigeon Post, March 1997
Anthony Stewart Benbow, served in France during the Great War. Was instrumental in getting both Karridale Progress Association and RSL active in Karridale. His son John Benbow and daughter Rose Benbow both attended school in Karridale, and also returned to the Karridale Hall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the group their father founded.
John had the honour of going to school when he was very young, in order that there were enough children enrolled. Allegedly he slept most of the day and Rose had to carry him home.
Frank Mullins, in the foreground of this picture, farmed in Bullant Drive. He served in WWII, his father, standing to the back, was brought over here from Axminster, Devon, to work on a new government initiative, a State Farm at Brunswick. He brought the first electric milking machine into WA. When WWI broke out he joined the Light Horse and returned to Europe to fight.
Jim Wilson, Bomber Command, stationed in UK. Met his wife when in hospital and after the war they came to farm at Kudardup.
They were the driving force behind the Nurses Memorial in Augusta. The first of its kind in this state.
They were the driving force behind the Nurses Memorial in Augusta. The first of its kind in this state.
Bert Fox, spent his 21st birthday at Tobruk. Is well loved in the Leeuwin district for his readiness to give credit to anyone who needed it, especially during times when there was no cream cheque.
When the shire put out a leaflet explaining that there was to be no poultry or livestock allowed on the new subdivision that was planned he wondered what the new residents would make of seeing him skinning a sheep over the back fence!
Frank Hastie, who used to catch crabs that his wife Elaine cooked and served to tourists travelling through these parts. This was before the legislation and local bylaws made the cost of running a tea rooms as and when there were tourists a non-viable proposition.
