The Footsoldiers: The Story of the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. in the War of 1939-45

Whilst I do not have any family ties to this wonderful battalion, since 2013 I have been very warmly welcomed by veterans and descendants alike.  A real privilege which has not been lost on me.  My life's journey with the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion started with an email back in January 2011 from the son of an original battalion member .....  this man told me his father was VX1879 Russell Ray WATKINS.  As it transpired, I walked the Kokoda Trail with this battalion descendant during October of 2012 and we visited the scene of an aircraft crash site which I knew very little about.  As a result, I made a lifelong friend.  I then had the honour of acting as "Australian War Memorial Liaison Officer" to the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion in a long overdue commemoration of Australia's worst aviation related disaster.  This resulted in a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea and the rest is now history. As a result of this, I further added numerous lifelong friendships which I truly value.  However my greatest privilege was receiving a 'Life Membership' which was presented by one of Australia's countless unspoken heroes .... NX43720 Lance Sergeant Raymond Charles GIBSON.  So as I commence reading this book, I will be accompanied by a little reminder in the form of a  "bookmark" which was distributed by the family of a digger on the day we bid him farewell - back into the ranks of his comrades.  It was this "bookmark" which sowed the seeds of this Reading Forum .... when Matt Sloan and I decided this wonderful book needed to be read from cover to cover .... by our generation .... and that I would use this bookmark to remind me that 'names in history books' are in fact real people with family and friends that loved them.  No doubt this book will invoke emotion for all of you as you think of your respective ancestor.  As a non-descendant ..... I will be thinking of Ray GIBSON and his mates NX153060, NX200319, NX96806, NX2849 and NX146322 whose names and signatures adorn the inside cover of my copy of THE FOOTSOLDIERS.  Of NX81054 who represented the battalion at our PNG pilgrimage.  And NX88133 who continues to guide this ''second generation" of 2/33rd battalion members.

Welcome readers ..... our first 'reading task' is to read the Forward on page V (by Major General Ken Eather), the Appreciation on page VII (by former C.O. Lieutenant Tom Cotton), the Preface (by author Bill Crooks) on page XVII and the Introduction commencing on page 1.  Start date Monday 8th May .... finish date Friday 12th May.  So start reading and Matt and Gary look forward to your comments.