MEETING BLAMEY IN THE PARK

An old friend tells the story of going to ANZAC Day remembrance

in Melbourne in the 1950s with his AIF father who marched in the

parade and then retired to the hotel with his mates. They fought on

the Kokoda Track.

After a beer or five, his father and mates would line up outside the

hotel and march around to the statue of General Blamey. They

would then proceed to urinate on his pedestal.

Blamey was far remote in New Guinea for such a token of attitude

in 1942. But standing in a park with a pigeon on his head, he was

a perfect mark.

Blamey had an unfortunate approach to soldiers. But we are not

to know massive difficulties he had in dealings with MacArthur

and Curtin.

The 39^th and 53^rd would not have been withdrawn without his

authority. But then they may not have been sent up the Kokoda

Track in the first place.

These soldiers took their feelings out on the Blamey statue and
then perhaps put it out of their minds. They had much to forget.
And family to live for.