WORLD WAR TWO:

Syd Anderson
52 games, 1939 – 1941
Died – Wewak, Dutch New Guinea
20 May 1944

Described as ‘slim, graceful; big for a wingman’, Sydney Louis Anderson was a member of three Melbourne premiership sides, in 1939, 1940 and 1941. Enlisting in December 1941, he joined the RAAF. Initially posted to Goodenough Island, he also flew from Wewak, at one stage the site of a large Japanese air base. Holding the rank of Flying Officer with 100 Squadron, Anderson was part of a raid over Rabaul on the morning of 20 May 1944. The Beaufort Bomber in which he was navigator was hit, and the crew was forced to ditch into the water. Taking to a dinghy, they made for shore, but were cut down by machine gun fire. Anderson died instantly, and only one of the crew survived – Flying Officer Graetz – who was later awarded the Military Cross for his bravery, including disabling an anti-aircraft gun as he made his way back to Allied lines. Anderson and his lost comrades are honoured on the Lae Memorial in Papua New Guinea’s Lae War Cemetery. The Melbourne Football Club continues to honour Anderson to this day, awarding the Syd Anderson Memorial Trophy for the Second Best and Fairest each season.

 

(Ernest) John Atkins
4 games, 1940
Died – sinking of HMAS Perth, Battle of Sunda Strait
1 March 1942

Before his first season with Melbourne was fairly over, John Atkins had enlisted, embarking on wartime service with the Royal Australian Navy. The last of his four games was against Hawthorn at the start of June; in common with many others, he was headed away from the game he loved. Initially posted to the Mediterranean in early 1941, Atkins’ first ship was HMAS Hobart. Returning to Australia for training, he was then posted to HMAS Perth. A light cruiser, Perth was involved in the Battle of the Java Sea in late February. Perth and USS Houston were the only large Allied ships to make it through this encounter, but Perth was left low on fuel and ammunition. Heading for the entrance to Sunda Strait the next day, both Perth and Houston encountered a large Japanese convoy with escorts. Despite fighting bravely, the two Allied ships were sunk, and both captains went down with their ships. Over half of the crews were lost, and hundreds of survivors went into captivity as prisoners of the Japanese. One of those who was lost was Able Seaman Ernest John Atkins, commemorated on Malvern’s Roll of Honour, and on the plaque paying tribute to both ships: ‘Still On Watch’.

 

Harold Ball
33 games, 1939 – 1940
Died – Malaya
9 February 1942

The boy from Merbein in country Victoria was pronounced as a ‘long, skinny kid’ by a local coach who thought he could become a VFL footballer. More than that, Ball – at one time an MCC groundsman - became a Melbourne premiership player in both 1939 and 1940. Enlisting in July 1940, he actually played the last home and away game of that season, as well as all finals, while on military leave. Training as an ambulance driver, Ball served with 2/9 Field Ambulance, based at Port Dickson on the west coast of Malaya. With the environment quiet at first, Ball was able to play football, as well as coaching a field ambulance team. After the fall of Singapore to the Japanese, the climate changed dramatically, with Ball and his unit evacuating the wounded to the ‘Hill 80’ dressing station. It was 9 February 1942 when Ball and three others were travelling to this dressing station, but never arrived. They could not be found, and were consequently reported ‘missing’. Their bodies were found months later, with evidence of torture and execution. Ball’s identity discs confirmed that he was one of those killed. It was not until April 1943 that Ball’s parents received the news that Private Harold Ball, 2/9 Field Ambulance, aged just 21, had been killed. Laid to rest in the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore, Ball is remembered each season via the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy. For a long time presented to the Best First Year Player, it now recognises the Best Young Player at the Melbourne Football Club.

 

Ronald J. Barassi
58 games, 1936 – 1940
Died – Tobruk
31 July 1941

Ronald James Barassi enlisted on 15 July 1940, after which he split his time between two different forms of training: military at Shepparton and Puckapunyal, and football back in Melbourne. His last game was the 1940 premiership win against Richmond, in which he was 19th man. Less than a month later, he was headed to the Middle East with the 7th Division. Ultimately promoted to Corporal, Barassi, a driver, was killed when he volunteered to drive a truck to the wharves to fill in for a sick soldier. Whether it was a German mine exploding or a German air bombardment is unknown to this day; either way, Barassi was hit, suffering multiple wounds to his chest. He lived for only another ten hours, but back in Melbourne, his legacy was just starting to take shape. His son, Ronald Dale, was aged five at the time. His father was honoured by Melbourne and Collingwood players wearing black armbands and sharing a minute’s silence at their Round 16 game. Meanwhile, Melbourne’s Coterie supporter group pledged to care for Barassi’s widow, Elza, and their son, who would go on to be just the second ‘father-son’ pick in 1953. Laid to rest in Tobruk War Cemetery in Libya, Barassi Snr is further recalled each season by the Melbourne Football Club with the presentation of the Ron Barassi Snr. Memorial Trophy for Third Best and Fairest.

 

Patrick Lawrence ‘Laurie’ Brady
1 game, 1913
Died – Repatriation Hospital, Caulfield, of illness
1 May 1944

Having served in World War One, and having received the Military Service Medal for his part in the conflict, Brady enlisted in World War Two, and was based in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, part of an outfit that trained engineers and provided basic soldiering skills. Already bearing the marks of war, with shrapnel scars up his legs and hips, Brady did not live long after his discharge in March 1944, and was laid to rest in Preston General Cemetery.

 

(Arthur) Noel Ellis
3 games, 1940 – 1941
Died – Jimboomba Army Camp, Queensland
6 July 1942

From Wesley College, Ellis was renowned for his sporting ability, excelling at cricket, athletics and football. He played three games across two seasons with Melbourne, enlisting in October 1941. Stationed at Jimboomba Army Camp, Ellis was promoted to Sergeant very early in his time in the Army. Selected for training as an officer, Ellis was waiting for his commission to come through when he lost his life in a tragic accident. Shot in the heart by a friend examining a gun before going on duty, Ellis died immediately. He was laid to rest three days later: the day of his 21st birthday, in Beaudesert Cemetery, Queensland. Back in Victoria, he is also commemorated on the honour roll at Red Cliffs.

(Reginald) Clyde Helmer
Geelong – 71 games, 1937 – 1941
Melbourne – 2 games, 1942
Died – Aitape, New Guinea
24 May 1945

From Mooroopna in northern Victoria, Helmer moved to Geelong to work at the Ford factory, specialising in engineering. Making his debut for Geelong in 1937, alongside his cousin Fred Hawking, he was the Cats’ leading goal kicker in 1938, and represented Victoria against South Australia in 1941. After Geelong went into recess due to the war, Helmer was granted permission to play for Melbourne while on leave. Having enlisted in the Army, Helmer was ultimately promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 upon becoming involved in bomb disposal. By February 1945, he was based in Lae, New Guinea. On 24 May 1945, he was attempting to delouse a barrage shell when it exploded. Horribly wounded, Helmer succumbed to his upper body wounds. He was laid to rest in Lae War Cemetery, and is remembered to this day, with the Best and Fairest award at the Mooroopna Football Club named in his honour.

 

(Crawford) Derek Mollison
66 games, 1923 – 1928
Died – Rockhampton
19 December 1943

Mollison was a star schoolboy cricketer, footballer and athlete, who played football for three seasons with Old Melburnians after leaving school. Playing as an amateur, he was recruited by Melbourne as a long kicking ruckman in 1923, and went on to represent Victoria in 1924 and 1925. Voted best on ground in his first game with Victoria, Mollison was presented with a hat for the achievement. While initially deciding to retire from VFL football at the end of 1925 to play golf, he returned in 1926, but a knee injury kept him to just three games. Following the same pattern of retirement followed by return, he played seven games in both 1927 and 1928 before giving the game away for good to pursue business interests. Part of the Army Reserve for nine months, he joined the 2nd AIF, and was commissioned in July 1940. Serving in North Africa and New Guinea with 2/12th Field Regiment, Mollison saw tough action on both fronts, particularly in the New Guinea jungles, where his role included directing artillery fire, and dragging 25-pound guns through the undergrowth and mud. But, after four years, 42 year-old Captain Mollison was about to head home to his family for Christmas, before taking on the role of training artillery gunners. Tragically, it was not to be. The Liberator aircraft bringing him home to his family in South Yarra crashed on the outer reaches of Rockhampton Airport, with mass casualties. Mollison was one of these. He was laid to rest in Rockhampton Military Cemetery. In 1999, Mollison was named on the interchange in Melbourne Grammar’s Team of the Century.

George Frederick ‘Ted’ Regan
Melbourne – 4 games, 1938
Essendon – 7 games, 1939, 1941
Died – Burma
9 July 1943

By the time he started playing for the Bombers in 1939, Regan had also joined the Army Reserve. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal, and in 1941, enlisted in the RAAF. While his initial training was at Somers in Victoria, he soon departed for extra training in South Africa and Rhodesia. As a member of No. 11 Squadron in the RAF, Regan became an airman pilot in the Indian Air Force, based in Bombay. Less than three months later, he was taking part in a raid against the Japanese when his Bristol Blenheim plane was seen with smoke coming out of its engines, followed by flames. Tragically, it crashed into nearby hills; the wreckage and the three man crew, including Regan, had disappeared, never to be seen again. With no resting place, Flight Sergeant Regan is commemorated at the Singapore Memorial.

 

Beresford ‘Beres’ Reilly
North Melbourne – 8 games, 1935 – 1936
Melbourne – 3 games, 1937
St Kilda – 2 games, 1938
Died – Crete (last message)
23 July 1943 (presumed)

A solid and widely liked character throughout the footballing community, Reilly – a butcher by trade who was born in Clifton Hill and grew up in Footscray – enlisted in the RAAF in early 1941. Just months later, he was part of patrols around the Mediterranean Sea, showing the speed at which lives changed during wartime. Eventually commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 454 Squadron, Reilly was pressed into action as part of the second wave of Operation Thesis, designed to knock out German military establishments with low flying bombing runs. Eight Martin Baltimore light bombers from 454 Squadron were detailed for action, along with another 120 Allied aircraft. It was 23 July 1943, and Reilly was a wireless air gunner on board one of the Baltimores. As the men of 454 Squadron crossed the island of Crete, five of their aircraft were brought down by constant fire, while another one landed in the water. A final message came through from Reilly’s plane, but both wreckage and men had disappeared, never to be seen again. One special item returned to his family in Australia was a football guernsey, paying silent tribute to his connection with the game. With his ultimate fate unknown, Reilly is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, in Egypt.

Archibald ‘Archie’ Roberts
Melbourne – 36 games, 1932 – 1936
Essendon – 12 games, 1937
Died – Ambon Island, Indonesia
6 June 1945

Enlisting in July 1940, and following training - often in tough conditions with insufficient equipment - Woods was sent to Ambon Island as part of the 2/21st Australian Infantry Battalion. This Battalion, raised in Trawool near Seymour, was the main part of Gull Force, intended to protect Ambon’s strategic air strip and harbour. This was December 1941; by 1942, the island was taken over by the Japanese, with those Allied personnel who were not killed being imprisoned in their former accommodation. For the next three years, the fate of the prisoners on Ambon was relatively unknown to the outside world, with many succumbing to starvation, illness and brutality from their captors. Wood was one of those who died, just months before the end of the war. Nearly 400 Allied servicemen lost their lives on Ambon, and – like Wood – were laid to rest in Ambon War Cemetery. Wood is also commemorated on the Honour Roll at Mentone Grammar School.

 

Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott
50 games, 1937 – 1940, 1942
Died – Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia
28 March 1943

A stocky redhead from Melbourne High School, Truscott made his debut for Melbourne in early 1937, going on to play in the premiership sides of 1939 and 1940. His overwhelming desire was to serve as a pilot, which saw him enlist in the RAAF in 1940. Despite having many problems with early training, Truscott persevered to start creating a legend. After training in Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in February 1941. Based in England as a member of 452 Squadron, Truscott flew Spitfires as one of ‘the few’, taking part in the Battle of Britain. His feats in the air saw him shoot down at least eleven German aircraft, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His achievements and reputation continued to grow, and by the time he was heading back to Australia in March 1942, he had earned a Bar to his DFC. Made Squadron Leader of No. 76 Squadron, heavy hearts were lightened by his agreement to play one more game for Melbourne while on leave. Wearing No. 1 rather than his familiar No. 5, and named as captain for the Round Two game against Richmond, Truscott was there as the Demons raised the 1941 premiership flag, and crowds gathered to celebrate his presence. But these were such different times. Truscott struggled for pace and fitness, and joked that the game was ‘too dangerous’ in the wake of a solid loss to the Tigers. Regardless, his appearance buoyed the spirits of many. Truscott took part in the Battle of Milne Bay, then was promoted to Commanding Officer of No. 76 Squadron, adding to his honours by being Mentioned In Dispatches. Posted to coastal Western Australia, Truscott was taking part in a training flight over Exmouth Gulf, undertaking mock attacks, when he misjudged the height of the water and crashed, dying instantly. All gathered to recover him, including the US Navy, and he was laid to rest with full military honours in Karrakatta Cemetery. From 1943, and at the instigation of ‘Checker’ Hughes, Melbourne’s Best and Fairest was named in Truscott’s honour. Every season, the winner is presented with the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy, and their name is engraved on the perpetual Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Shield.

 

Percival Barnes ‘Barney’ Wood
5 games, 1928
Died – Litani River, Syria
10 June 1941

Wood was a Melbourne Grammar recruit whose promising career with Melbourne was cut short by business demands in Western Australia. There, he continued to excel in cricket, as well as playing football with Perth, and serving as captain of the Royal Perth Golf Club. While he initially enlisted in the RAAF, Wood eventually joined the 2/16 Australian Infantry Battalion. Many of the members of this unit were from the goldfields of Western Australia, and renowned for their resilience. Promoted to Sergeant, Wood saw service in Egypt, then Palestine. While fighting against the Vichy French at Litani River, and battling the terrain as well as the enemy, Wood was wounded. Tragically, as he was  being treated, Wood and those assisting him were hit by a mortar bomb, with all killed. Wood was laid to rest in the Sidon War Cemetery in Lebanon, around 60 kilometres south of Beirut.