Solemn Ceremonials

All but a handful of men in the Klagenfurt POW camp had served in the army for less than 18 months before they were captured on the Greece mainland or in Crete. A soldier myself for two years, I was conscripted into the Australian Army and served in South Vietnam as a RAEME craftsman. Most of us conscripts hated Army life, yet when it was required or simply appropriate, we would present ourselves as trained, professional soldiers. And I notice on ANZAC Day each year, when we march down the main street in memory of fallen comrades from all wars, we march in step with shoulders back, fists closed, and thumbs leading. Just as we were taught from the first day of recruit training.

These photos show that the men of 10029/GW in Stalag 18A did precisely the same thing.

Sunday, 1 Nov 1942. Given the date, and the men in the background, this was likely a rehersl for the upcoming Armistice Day parade. The soldier in the lead us Sgt Stuart Stubbings, the Man of Confidence.

This is possibly an Armistace Parade from a year earlier, 1941. The soldier leading the parade is perhaps Alan Stockfeld, the first MOC. The soldier carrying the wreath on the left appears to be Mick Cyster (who wasn't a soldier but a cabin boy from a merchant ship when he was catpured at Crete). The other solder is from New Zealand's Maori Battalion.

The photos above and below were taken on Wednesday, 9 Feb 1944 (normally a work day). It was the occasion of Mick Cyster's funeral. Mick died from wounds received during a bomb rais when he was deployed on a work party on the Lend Canal. Below: The MOC Sgt Stubbings leads the parade to the cemetery in company with John Legerwood.