Chidlow District RSL | Non-profit organisation

Chidlow District RSL

Phone: +61 417 530 500

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25.01.2022 I’d been mowing the lawn and pulling some weeds, and slipped inside for a breather I picked up the paper and turned on the news, not paying attention to either ...When my grandson came in with a look on his face and a question that hit me full bore An innocent question, no intention to hurt, Grandpa, what did you do in the war? My skin went all creepy, I had sweat on my brow, my mind shot back fifty years To bullets that thudded and whined all around, to terror, to nightmares, to tears I was crawling through mud, I was shooting at men, tried to kill them before they killed me Men who had wives and children at home, just like mine, just like my family. What did you do in the war? he had asked, a question not meant to cause pain But it brought back the horrors I’d left far behind in a deep dark recess of my brain I remembered the bombs being dropped from the planes, the explosions, the screams, and the loss Of a friend - or an enemy - but a life just the same, replaced by a small wooden cross. The visions attacked me of tramping through jungles, hot and stinking, with leeches and flies Of orders that seemed to make no sense at all - of distrust, of suspicions, of lies I lived once again all those terrible storms, the dysentery, fever, the snakes, The blisters that lived with me month after month, all those blunders, and costly mistakes. But how could I tell the boy all about that, ’Twould be better if he didn’t know It’s a part of my life that I don’t talk about from a good half a century ago So I gulped, took a breath and tried to sound calm, and bid him to sit at my side Then opened my mouth to say a few words, but the tears welled up and I cried. He cuddled to me with a look of concern, and I mumbled of feeling unwell Then took hold of myself, blew hard on my nose, while I thought of some tales I could tell What did I do in the war, I began, then the stories began tumbling out And they flowed with such ease I felt better again, and got over my pain and my doubt. I told him of how I had made many friends, how I’d trained and had gone overseas Made a joke of how seasick I’d been on the way, almost dirtied myself when I’d sneezed I told of the joy of the letters from home, of the hand-knitted socks and the cake That I got for my birthday but three weeks too late ’cause it went somewhere else by mistake. We talked about mateship and what it had meant to trust someone else with your life And of when I came home to my family again, to my kids, Mum and Dad, and my wife Of the crowd on the wharf, the bands, and the pomp, and the pride I felt in the parade But I’m not ashamed that I hood-winked the boy, a decision I’m glad that I made. He can grow up without seeing fear in my eyes, or know of the terror I knew For he’d not understand - and neither he should - all those memories that hit me anew But maybe some day when he’s older than now, I will tell him what war did to me But with luck he won’t ask me ever again, about wars that never should be.

23.01.2022 Hello everyone. Here is a reminder for our Vietnam Veterans Day Service. This coming Sunday. Sunday 18 August, 2019. Service begins at 11:00am with a BBQ on The Chidlow Village Green to follow. Hope to see you all there.

21.01.2022 Following today’s announcement from Mark McGowan & the WA Government, with heavy hearts, we announce the RSLWA has cancelled the conduct of all ANZAC Day commemorations as a result of the 3 days snap lockdown for Perth and Peel, amid fears about the continued spread of coronavirus. The safety, health and welfare of all veterans and their supporters are paramount and, while cancelling the iconic and traditional ANZAC Day services is sad, health and wellbeing come first. RSLWA will be looking at others ways of recognition of those who served and those who died but not in the form of public events on ANZAC Day. Media Contact: RSLWA Chief Executive Officer, John McCourt. Mobile: 0429 946 777

20.01.2022 For a full list of ANZAC Day events, please see our website. https://www.rslwa.org.au/commemoration/anzac-day//services/

20.01.2022 Happy Easter. https://iancoate.com/

20.01.2022 At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest We Forget. #LestWeForget #remembranceday

18.01.2022 ANZAC DAY RAFFLE- win the wheelbarrow Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5, and they are available at The Chidlow Tavern now, ask at the bar.

17.01.2022 We hope you enjoy Fran’s Christmas sing-a-song. Merry Christmas

14.01.2022 We're thrilled to be invited back to Westfield Whitford City (April 18), and Westfield Innaloo and Westfield Carousel (April 24) to fundraise for the ANZAC Appeal. Thanks a bunch, guys! You can also donate at https://www.rslwa.org.au/anzac-appeal/

08.01.2022 How does the ANZAC Appeal assist our veterans? - Crisis accommodation for at-risk Veterans - Financial assistance for families in need - Mental health and wellb...eing support - Assistance with accessing pension entitlements Donate today - https://www.rslwa.org.au/anzac-appeal/ See more

06.01.2022 From our family to yours, have a magical, marvelous, and merry Christmas!

01.01.2022 The Chidlow District RSL invites you to join us in commemorating ANZAC DAY 2021 0800 | Gunfire Breakfast, ($5 per person) Village Green, Thomas Street, Chidlow. 0915 | ANZAC Day March Memorial Avenue to the Chidlow War Memorial on the Village Green.... 0930 | ANZAC DAY Service at the War Memorial on the Village Green. 1030 | Morning Tea for the Public in the Village Hall. Street Parking available on Thomas Street and Memorial Avenue. Wheelchair access to Village Green and War Memorial. Toilet facilities available on Village Green and close to War Memorial.