Seventy years ago, Dundee, in Scotland, planned a
‘Wings for Victory Week’ which was set to open on Easter Saturday, 24 April
1943, with a forces’ march past. Led by the RAF Pipe Band, the parade would
include detachments from the local Home Guard, the Women’s
Auxiliary Air Force, the
Women’s Royal Naval Service, the Army Cadets, and the Women’s Land Army, as
well as police, air raid precaution wardens
and children’s groups, combined with representatives from the Navy and Air
Force. 455 Squadron RAAF had been invited to form part of the air force
contingent.
Squadron Leader Jack Davenport decided that, at the
conclusion of the ‘Wings for Victory’ parade, the squadron would march to the
Dundee War Memorial for a wreath laying and commemoration ceremony. Jack put
his idea to Flight Lieutenant Fred McKay, the Presbyterian padre who was
spending a few days at Leuchars station where the squadron was based, who
gladly agreed to conduct a special pre-Anzac Day service. He well knew the
sacrifices the Australian squadrons had already made in the war and suggested
appropriate music and words to honour those men.
The opening day of ‘Wings for Victory Week’ was
blustery and overcast but the local populace came out in their thousands to
cheer the parade. Those lining the streets were ‘cheering and cheerful’ as they
gave the procession its warmest welcome. After the parade, the squadron was
bussed part way up Law Hill and Jack took Reverend McKay in his staff car. The
boys alighted from their busses and regrouped. They marched the last few yards
to the top of the hill to the strains of Oh!
God Our Help in Ages Past. There they gathered around the Cenotaph where
they experienced a panoramic view which encompassed the Firth of Tay and the
city of Dundee. The grey skies were a fitting backdrop to the sombre occasion.
It was a purely private ceremony; the public had not been invited to share in
this personal commemoration. The pipers reprised Oh! God Our Help in Ages Past, with the boys now joining in, and
Reverend McKay conducted a moving service. Jack read a lesson and then stepped forward to place a wreath on the Cenotaph, speaking
a few words of remembrance as he did so. A lone piper then played a Scottish
lament and the mournful bagpipe skirl filled the air. Perhaps Jack was reminded
of his days serving in the 30th Battalion, New South Wales Scottish Regiment,
which was affiliated with the famous Black Watch and its striking tartan formed
a memorable part of the battalion’s battle dress.
(Jack Davenport, 30th Battalion)
This ceremony beautifully, soberly and sincerely
honoured the contribution of their fallen comrades. It did much to reinforce
the squadron bonds, and was remembered for many years afterwards. The memory
also remained in Jack’s heart. In the early 1990s, shortly after he and his
wife Sheila had moved to their Mosman home, Jack hosted a reunion for his
squadron ground crew. Recalling the pipers of that long ago ceremony, Jack’s
guests were piped into their meal by a lone bagpipe player. Not, this time, to
the strains of a sombre hymn, but to the skirls of a traditional march. The
years fell away, memories stirred as the past returned and the already strong
bonds strengthened as past deeds, sacrifices and friends were remembered.
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