In the middle of 1996, I was driving Chris Gulker and Bahman Dara – fellow Apple employees – to their hotel after just visiting the new Fairfax Chullora printing plant.

Having spent hundreds of millions of dollars on very large presses, collators and distribution systems – Fairfax were having difficulty in keeping colour consistent in their advertisements. For instance, a green tinged advertisement for meat at Coles would not generate sales. The CMYK to newsprint is a tricky business.

It was not the colour problem that Chris Gulker mentioned. It was the rise of the Internet – and the impact the internet would have on the printing presses. At this time, Avril’s The Definitive Christian Slater web site was getting reasonable page visits. Using the for-work of Chris, and Dave Winer, I embraced Frontier for the Fairfax@Atlanta web site.

Chris’ comments, and followup discussion when I visited 1 Infinite Loop (as an Adobe employee in late 1998) definitely changed my outlook on the world. The internet was, and has, become king. Later Chris joined Adobe.

Late in October, Chris died after a long battle with brain cancer.

Even though my interactions with Chris were intermittent – they were impactful. This is the mark of a good life. Vale, Chris.

In Toy Stories, James Maybuilt a life-size house out of Lego. It was awesome. On the DVD of the TV series, he skulks around the basement storage of Lego HQ where there is a box set of every box set Lego has ever made. He pops open 1973 and shows this London Bus set, which he details as “the most perfect Lego set”. Someone gave me this set in 1973.

I remember this set well as it accidently ended up at the pawn/second hand shop in Lobethal, South Australia. Being of a tender age, I had carefully packed my Lego with other items I thought were going on a trip. Nope: they were old items what we no longer needed. My treasured Lego bus was gone! Thankfully, some brave adult retrieved the bus. I remember the incident, and this kit well.

I was born a Protestant. I will more than likely die one, too. Intense excavation into family history has shown me that my genes are Protestant for at least 8 generations on both sides. Baptised and confirmed a Lutheran, I was taught a thing or two about the most successful (not the first) split from the Catholic Church by Martin Luther.

During public school mandated “religious education”, I was taught by the local Catholic Priest. He seemed nice enough; kindly taking us through the New Testament book Romans. It took many years for me to realise that this was an attempt at turning me from my heretic ways to the true canon. If I recall, he didn’t even use the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Yes, Peter and Paul: the fathers of the catholic church.

After travelling to Europe in 1997 and 2004, I saw enough Saints’ relics: shrunken heads, fingers, toenails and shrouds to last me a lifetime. Large cathedrals raised in the name of the Virgin or some Saint across the cities of Europe show the folly of man, attempting to reach for terrestrial god status. The veneration of Saints and other popery not only rubs me the wrong way: I am sure my ancestors turn in their collective graves.

So as Mary MacKillop has moved through the man-made process of canonisation within the Catholic Church, my genes quiver.

We hear that the church wants old and young to travel to Rome to witness the canonisation ceremony. That will fill the coffers of the Romans.

I also heard many discussions on the “brand” of Mary MacKillop being valuable. Like a product. Even our ABC both on radio and TV seems to have caught the “Mary MacKillop” fever. So much for editorial independence.

And that is exactly what this canonisation is about. Money. Never get in the way of a large corporation and money.

Luckily the Catholics re-admitted her to the church. Otherwise they would have missed out on their cash.

This tradition and hunger for money is not new. Sainthood and pilgrimages have created many a city in the world as supplicant masses crawl on their knees to assuage their mortal sins. Paying money for Indulgences, as done in the Middle Ages, and more recently with special visits to random virgin sightings.

Don’t get me wrong: I am not anti-personal faith.

But please separate Mammon from Mary. She was, and I highlight was, just a notable Australian woman who did more for the downtrodden than any group of Cardinals, Abbotts or Bishops ever did. And I would argue, ever will.

An excellent ROCKING PUNK ROCK show with Susan MacGillivray (@zuzu on twitter)

A further piece of homework for you all is this 1991 documentary. Also this Bob Rock interview about Vancouver Punk Scene.

OK, I stuffed up the most important thing at the beginning - audio (embarrassing as @fang and I had discussed this earlier in the day); but thankfully deks caught that and I fixed it on the fly. @zuzu was such a great guest: she spent the last 6 days collating data after work ready for the show. And obviously she had plenty of stories to tell.

Another great thing was seeing @zuzu reconnect with her old Vancouver Punk scene friends over the internets.

@zuzu has an excellent post detailing why she chose the following songs in her MIX

To revisit the scene, here are a list of @zuzu’s PICK-and-MIX:

 

Thanks to Deks and Peter Black for an educational show.

Rough Production notes from this show:

OHAI, TEH INTERWEBS. Welcome to #atNickHodge, “Australian Constitution. Yes, We have one“
Meta-backchannel Producer is Dekrazee1: thanks! direct Qs to her in the chat, and we’ll get ‘em sent to us via the meta Backchannel
Kittehs: new agent, now requiring appearance fees.
The tshirt available from crikey.com.au @firstdogonmoon
#zombieguineapigflu — Chat with Emmah Klein, an old work colleague, mum of two kids under 5; Whooping Cough in Day Care — source The World Today — Wednesday, 11 March , 2009
ABC Radio reporter: Meredith Griffiths Six weeks ago, a baby died of Whooping cough in New South Wales, the first such death in more than eight years. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, director of the Communicable Diseases of NSW Health: He says there were more than 3000 cases of whooping cough in the first two months of this year, compared to just under 450 in the same period last year.
The last big outbreak of whooping cough was in 1997 when nine people died across Australia.
Quick recap on last week “The Lost Uncles“
Alan Seymour’s play “One Day of the Year” (1960) 1983, how many minds did this infect?
rehighlight; feedback on the topic
Mike Seyfang @fang’s message
strange observation on the chat, it seems people might be listening. Interesting, and I am humbled: thanks
This show comes from my learning that the executive powers over the Military Forces is held in the hands of the Governor-General.
Tonight to help me in light of my personal Constitutional Crisis, I have Peter Black, Lecturer in Constitutional Law, Queensland University of Technology
[at 8:35pm] Australian Constitution. Yes, We have one
Introducing our Special Guest this evening, Peter Black
Politics at all levels, including the US
Why does Peter love teaching the law?
Move from Internet/IP Law to Constitutional Law. Why not Contract Law or Criminal Law, or even Corporate Law
Can you tell a Constitutional Law student vs. Corporations Law?
Is it that High Court / Constitutional Law seems to cover all of these bases?
Question: Social media, MSM activities and QuT: clear guidelines in place?
Back to Basics 2. Civic History
From History: Australia’s makeup (States), colonised and incorporated separately through 18th and 19th centuries
Push to nationalise Australia from 1880: Sir Henry Parkes (Tenterfield Oration, railway guages as an example); followed by Deakin VIC, Barton NSW (lawyers) as drivers; with other drafters of sections.
Stalled in the 1880s due an economic depression (almost sent Barton broke)
Post 1892 more of a populist move to Federation (Barton lead, not professional politicians)
Rise of labour movements in parallel with federalism
Various conferences, drafts from 1890 through to the final
Many inter-State pressures: NSW wanted free trade, Victoria wanted protectionism.
Parochialism SA, WA, TAS (note: Qld, Brisbane was not in favour!)
NZ attended one of the first conferences in 1890
Treaty of Waitangi with the Maori potentially precluded this? More a different sense of identity.
Purposely neglected to Constitutionally describe what are “reserve powers“
Assumption was made that these powers were reflected and incorporated the same concepts of responsible government as to the British parliament
Does this provide a level of flexibility in our system?
State-based Referendums through late 19th century
White men only in the voting? yes! this is true. ouch!
WA was “last state into” (by the skin of its teeth) the Constitution and Federalism
There seems to be a subtext of anatagonism from our WA cousins to the East coast
wanted to do their own thing, independent streak.
Can WA succeed from the Federation?
In April 1934, a referendum in Western Australia produced a 68% yes vote to leave the Commonwealth of Australia with the aim of returning to the British Empire as an autonomous territory. No action was taken in the British Parliament because no request was received from the Australian Government in line with the Statute of Westminster.
http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/
The Act: Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Imp), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Barton negotiated this through UK Parliament, First Australian PM, then moved on to the High Court
Barton’s last minute Privy Council negotiation in relation to “british commercial interests”:
what is the Privy Council?
1927: King in vs. King of
1942: Statute of Westminster 1931; Australia implemented in 1942: From Dominions to true Countries; true legal separation (except for privy council)
1986: Privy Council separation: High Court is the final arbiter of our laws
Begs the question, when exactly were we our own country? Are we this with “Queens Representative“
I am a republication, thanks to formative 1980s movies Gallipoli and Breaker Morant
To Become a Republic: does it require a Constitutional Change? Yes, have to be a referendum
Does the UK have to do anything in their laws, or can we just bugger off?
The Constitution, as a document
Chapters, with sections
Interesting parts
Section 92 provides that “trade, commerce, and intercourse among the States shall be absolutely free”. The precise meaning of this phrase is the subject of a considerable body of law.
The executive power is vested in the Governor-General “as the Queen’s representative” (Section 61), as is the command-in-chief of the armed forces (Section 68)
cf: constitionality of the Great Firewall of Australia
Division of powers: State vs Federal
1920 Harvester case in terms of state vs federal powers/equal?
Move to Federalism
external powers (Section 51(xxix) of the Australian Constitution)
in relation to international treaties (Tas world heritage area)
Corporations Law in 1980s
The court system
(state court systems)
Federal Court (matter of Federal law)
High Court of Australia
High Court is last court in Australia for all court cases
High Court judges automatically ‘retire’ at 70; less chance of gaming the system with political appointees (vs. US system)
Modification/Changes — movements of change
Does the concept of Common Law apply, modified by cases?
How does this differ from a Referendum style change? (8/44 success rate of referendums)
So, what do you actually teach?
It seems you could keep the constitution + relevant constitutional cases in your head
Case Studies:
Express vs. implied freedoms
apart from religion etc, political free speech etc
Leads onto “Bill of Rights” vs US system where the Bill is foundational
The Dismissal: 1975 : Constitutional pinup case
Queensland’s Joh started it
started with senate changes, from states, against convention
Withholding of money
Dimissal of executive government; not done since 1834 (King William IV)
(yes) Chapter II, ‘reserve powers’ but are limited by convention? WTF is convention and reserve power

Reviewing the Show

• Too many umms and errs again. Got to remember to shut up when thinking. Silence for sub-seconds are ok. Could blame the slackness on my neck being out causing vagueness.
• More modulation in emotion when speaking
• Timing worked well. Missed the mid-point video due to time restrictions.
• Ten minutes before the show began, I restructured the flow (swapping Hodge and Roberts) for dramatic and story effect. A change that ultimately worked
• Post-show reviewing the chat stream: the amount of chatter vs. the viewer count seems to indicate people are listening. This seems to make my show a little less entertainment and more documentary/educational. Cool.
• The quotation from C.E.W. Bean at the end, which I had heard on a TV documentary and quickly found the original online, was a perfect book-end to the show. Very moving paragraph.

The Lost Uncles

Show Notes: These are the notes that I use to prompt me as I am presenting the show. The notes are not sentences, they are prompting phrases. There is usually extra information in the notes I do not get to mentioning. This is also good practice for SEO. Search engines cannot (yet) get inside the video.

Mid last year, Angus Hodge, the 1st person I will talk about tonight, appeared in an online personal family history site. Listed as a WW1 veteran.
Wow, lead me on a journey through personal histories.

National Archives of Australia http://www.naa.gov.au/
http://mappingouranzacs.naa.gov.au/
Provides ALL WW1 veteran personnel documents online
Can request WW2 details to be scanned and put into online (you pay, gets shared!)

Australian War Memorial online library: deeper research and unit histories
daily war diaries of WW1 units; written by the officers overview of the maps, movements, people and military events. Engagements are also detailed. Down to the “Company” ~ 100 men.

Book: Les Carlyon, on The Great War; largely follows the official histories, with political ‘colour’
Charles E. W. Bean: official historian, very humble man ‘of his time’ ; wrote of the individuals

More than reading the history books
Peter Fitzsimons, excellent books on Tobruk and Kokoda, with individual stories weaved into the bigger picture.
http://anzacday.gov.au/

Band-of-Brothers: it is greater than unit, country: it is about your mates. The guys next to you, around you
Thank the late Stephen Ambrose for the books
Many of these men remember their time: intensity, stay together. Some say the only people who really understand what they have gone through are their war colleauges.
Australian soldiers talked of Mateship and Cobbers; but ultimately looked after number 1.

No Geo-politics tonight, this is not about the Generals and Majors; nor the politicans
Especially rehashing the stories of Gallipoli and Kokoda
ABC’s Gallipoli web site is excellent

Will cover some larger background where appropriate; but only as an aside.

Nor military technology, the generals and majors, and the military-industry complex

Personally I’ve had a fascination with WW2, History and the Technology since I was about 10 years old. Continues to this day, and passed on some of that interest to Liam.

Contrary to the 1970s schooling of seemingly “forgetting” the war; was shunned as a topic, even in history as it was felt that we were glorifying war; even the general study of history itself was shunned.

When I was 8, learnt about Gallipoli (Simpson and his Donkey) and that was about it. Pretty benign view of the horrors of Gallipoli.
Gallipoli is described as a “birth of a nation” » many sentiments come from Bean
Australia was born in 1901.
Australia was a teenager at the time of Gallipoli.
It is here, as a teenager, we realised the world is big, dangerous
And our parents are not infallible.

It is the impact on the people afterwards. These impacts are significant, and they linger.
Also note that 207,000 Australians killed/wounded out of 330,000 soldiers. That’s a 65% casualty rate. Highest in British empire
Western Front: 5,500 men casualties at Fromelles: first major battle for ANZACs in France, one division, one night cf. Gallipoli over 28,000 casualities in 9 month campaign
Australians had been used, much as the Canadians, as shock troops by the British command wherever the line was most threatened, or where there was need to mount an attack.
The impact of WW1 across Australia’s population: massive, enduring
Wondered about psych makeup of John Winston Howard who’s father, grandfather and mother’s father served in WW1.

Lyall Howard diarist from WW1 front lines (documents) ; 19 years old, accepted even underheight
In battle, Lyall Howard was wounded by a mustard gas attack in Passchendaele and spent 10 weeks in hospital.[1][8] The gassing caused chronic bronchitis and skin rashes which would continue to plague him after the war (died of bronchitis aged 59)
“Lest We Forget” We must not forget. When anyone dies, remembering is important

Personal Military Heritage: Two late maternal great-Uncles who served in WW2 (Transport, Administration), Uncle post WW2 Australian Army, Father in RAN for 9 years. In essence, I am a navy brat (up to age of 5, anyways)
Stories of an long-lost Uncle on my late maternal grandmother’s side who was “lost” in the Second Boer War. But I cannot find evidence of this at the moment; not listed in the SA Boer war soldiers. Unless he was a Boer, which is possible.
Movies such as Breaker Morant and Gallipoli were formative of my world view

Touching RAAF-crewed Lancaster in Imperial War Museum
More recent research: Three of my Dad’s Great Uncles (and one Aunty) served in the (Army, RAAF) CMF within AU during WW2
Lonely Aunties: ladies who lost their fiances, husbands, fathers and sons

The impact lasts longer; the growth of CWA; lonely ladies with long memories
Wives of those who returned, who dealt with the silence and other impacts
Women played an important at-home role in both WW1 and WW2 ; ultimately drove many feminist reforms in the 20th century

Tonight: stories of Hodge, Lock, Mason and Roberts

Angus Hodge
http://www.nickhodge.com/blog/archives/2564

Angus Hodge, aged 18 years and 2 months, Labourer of Laura South Australia
Pine Spring near, Laura, South Australia

SA ID B2824
assigned to D Coy, 43rd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Division: Monash’s boys (note: Lyall Howard, Signals in 3rd Division)

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/army-wwi.aspx
Note: when reading the individual reports you see lots of “sick, hospital” .. fails to show what happens on the line; best to be found in the War Diaries
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11230.asp
43rd Battalion War Diaries: http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww1/folder.asp?folder=984

16/12/1916 “Berrima” to Devonport, UK (this ship was torpedoed off Portland 18 February 1917)
20/1/1917 Ship Hospital Sick, recurring Mumps during first year overseas.
11/3/1917 Joined 11th Brigade in UK
16/4/1917 Mumps recurred (Parkhouse)
4/5/1917 Discharged to “2nd Tng Bn Durrington“
30/7/1917 Southampton to France 11th Brigade to 3rd Division Base Depot Rouelles
24/8/1917 to 43 Bttn from Depot

[Btn training in August and September]
[22/9/1917 Sir Douglas Haig visited and inspected the 3rd Division Soldiers never saw the British Generals at the front, noting quality of Monash as a leader; compared to Sir Keith Murdoch (acted both as a journalist and govt agent in London), father of Rupert; and Charles E. W. Bean , famous Australian War Historian; was official war correspondent in 1914. ]

[from War Diary: 2nd Oct: Menin Road near Ypres; north of, known as Zonnebeke Attack , a part of Polygon Wood. 2am No man’s land, 6am, zero hour, took first line 800 yards.

DCoy formed finish line, CCoy in support; DCoy, right flank expected the most action. DCoy lost 2 officers before ‘jumping off’. The toll on officers during these campaigns is staggering

4/10/1917 wounded same place, Ypres; away 3 days at Field Ambulance, returned to unit 4 days later
8/10/1917 returned from schrapnel leg wound; time to move to Bremen Redoubt in Ypres Salient

16th October 1917 43rd had 40 men gassed (mustard) near Zonnebeke whilst working on a railway

[Nov: company training, Moved to Canteen Corner]

24/11/1917 to Hospital Sick (NYD) -> not yet determined; probably Flu
28/11/1917 returned to 43 Bttn

[Canteen Corner to the Line (trenches) Bois Grenier]

1/1/1918 to Hospital Sick (PUO) -> Fever (back and forth)
23/2/1918 returned to 43 Bttn, to the trenches at le Bizet

1/3/1918 On leave in the UK

[from March summary: “for 4 months after Ypres, the 43rd had been in and out of the quiet sectors of Bois Grenier and Le Bizet” … added 250 men in Dec 1917, but many were older, aged soldiers]

20/3/1918 returned to 43 Bttn, just in time to defend against German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael)

22/3/1918 moved to Heilly in the Somme

[30/3/1918 attack, rebuffed the same day, German Operation Michael]

[31st May 1918 Monash now Australian Corps commander, that is all Australian soldiers on the Western Front. 5 Divisions, under Australian command: as wanted by soldiers and politicians]

[Villers-Bretonneux; “vee-ay bretoner”: Phosgene and Yellow Cross/Mustard during May; During May, 25% of A-Company reported PUO. MO’s report states a platoon by platoon infection, Reg Insp cannot determine ‘flu, trench fever or PUO. May a total of 80 PUO cases evacuated from 43rd. 190 gas casualities at end of May. Out of the line late June]

[17/5/1918 Sir Douglas Haig, General Officer Commanding inspected DCoy, Allonville]

[3rd June: attack on 43rd, VB. Loss of 230 men (639 officers and ranks in early June!) in gas shelling of 25th and 26th May, consolidated D into ABC companies during May. DCoy was in the front line, most gas fell behind the lines. Rations purchased from money supplied from SA, from trade commissioner in London during June]

27th in support (William Roberts above in 27th)

[1/7/1918 addition of American troops; Pershing withdrew 1000 before the attack]

[4/7/1918 attack on Hamel ; extensive planning by Monash; DCoy was reformed and propped up with Americans; some 1000 used across this attack; some used to take prisoners rearward and mop up; E Coy 131st Reg US Inf]

[July 1918 attack on Hamel; Australians were the most experienced soldiers on the Western front; not determined by rank. 11th used north of Hamel; Mark V tanks used in the attack ; plus aircraft. “Early Blitzkrieg”, as copied by Guderian in the inter-war years; ]

The tactical methods had been tested by the Australians in a local counter-attack at the Battle of Hamel on 4 July. The German defenders of Hamel were deeply dug in, and their position commanded a very wide field of fire. Similar positions had resisted capture for two months in the Battle of the Somme. The Australians had used surprise rather than weight at Hamel. The artillery had opened fire only at the moment the infantry and tanks advanced, and the Germans were rapidly overrun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Amiens)

4/8/1918 Corbie, bivouacs behind the line; during August Angus was 1 of 7 wounded out of 67 fighting strength.

5/8/1918 Start of 93 minute attack; 437 casualities; at the time, most successful combined operation at the time.

11th Bgd were the northern-most (nearest Somme River) attack Battle of Amiens

Bashing against the Germans 2–3 times a day; August and September were the toughest battle time for the Anzacs on the Western Front; whilst attacks were better planned and more combined. Chalk and cheese compared to the Somme in 1916; ultimately were a spent force by October 1918.

March through November 23% of all prisoners captured, 20% of the ground. Only 10% of the British army

5/8/1918 reported in Hospital Sick — Embarked to UK within a few days (invalided)
10/8/1918 Admitted to St Johns, Cheltenham: Old Wounded Leg, Slight (place of casuality: Bristol)

[fracture 1912 due to fall from horse wound right shin bone at site of old injury away 3 days at field ambulance, return to unit. July 1918 wound broke down. evacuated, no operation]

24/10/1918 Furlo (R&R)
9/11/1918 returned to No 4 Depot (Class B1 A2)
16/11/1918 to 18/11/1918 “AWOL”, but dismissed by Major [note: others AWOL, too post Armistance]
11/12/1918 “Saxon” returned to Australia
26/2/1919 Keswick Army General Hospital
29/3/1919 discharged from the AIF 20% disability

Stories of soldiers returning to employment 2 weeks after returning from the war. Ted Smee; reported 1924 falling to the ground and vomiting during a fireworks attack; nervous breakdowns. It lasted longer than the 4 years, and what was gained?

[getting death certificate; seems he didnt move far from the farm with his parents upon his return]
23/3/1920 buried, Georgetown. Fell from farming equipment, head injury.

Temp. Sargeant Albert Earnest Lock
http://www.nickhodge.com/blog/archives/1886

6th April 1917 — Assigned 102 Howitzer Battery, a part of 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Division Artillery, Australian 1st Divison. He manned one of the 4 x 4.5 inch howitzers in this Battery. He was one of 71 other ranks; a part of one section, 116th Howitzer Battery, also consisting of Major Harris and 2nd Lt C Groves.

16th May 1916 — Promoted to Corporal from Gunner

20th August 1917 — Promoted to Temp. Sgt from Corporal

22th August 1917 — Wounded in Action, remained on duty (Belgium) The War Diary for the 1st Division Artillery has no enemy action on this date.

Third Battle of Ypres

During this time, roads were clogged, difficult to move the heavy guns.

9th October 1917 — Died of Wounds / Killed in Action from shrapnel through the heart; during the Battle of Poelcappelle. (map) (a part of Passchendaele ). The 102 Howitzer Battery was firing on China Wood in a Search and Sweep at 11:27am. He was one of 9 ‘other ranks’ that died that week. This FAB was in action during these weeks of October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Buried at Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch (Dikkebus), Belgium. (Divisional Diary of that Month); Plot 10, Row B, Grave 6.

Father was Albert Lock, stationmaster at Bridgewater, South Australia. Mother Mary Jessie Ann Lock. Sister, Sister Majorie Ellen Lock. Lock was a Clerk in the Railways for Eyre Peninsula; as prior to and after WW1, a railway was pushed from Port Lincoln up through the centre of Eyre Peninsula. Having entered the Artillery, he was potentially mathematical/surveyer. It is possible the town of Lock was one of many named by the SA Railways of KIA from WW1.

Lock is the larger town I grew up near, and went to school in. I remember the town memorial hall having a board containing the men who served, and died, in WW1 from the area. And dusty photos in the ante-rooms noone entered (except us kids) Then men deserved more than dusty pictures.

Pilot Officer, Donald William Mason. Born in Wagga, Lived in Orange, for the duration of the war, his family lived in Bathurst.
Research: Google Search Data

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P01899.002
MASON, Donald William — (Pilot Officer); Service Number — AUS 413220
Born 28th September 1918, Hairdresser and pastry chef; Married to Ann in 1938 and Daughter xxx 1940 (living in Bathurst, wife and father in law at same address in Bathurst, 61 Keppel Street)
Map Location
Enlisted 16 August 1941
Not admitted for sickness, no drunkeness, AWOL. Listed as VG (very good)
DH82, Wirraway; Qualified at Pilot 25th June 1942
Arrived in the UK 18th November 1942
27 July 1943, Operational 195 Sqdn, Change to 8th February 1944 198 Sqdn (both Hawker Typhoons)
Typhoons: powerful, yet large (7 tonnes); lots of armament and rockets (ground attack)

based at Thorney Island, UK (just to the east of Portsmouth, UK)

Map Location
http://www.198squadronraf.co.uk/ (RAAF, RCAF and FF in the RAF unit)
22nd March 1944, Commissioned at a Pilot Officer
More than 100 sorties, including many prior to D-Day (6th June 1944)

18th June 1944, listed as missing. Thury-Harcourt, France
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thury-Harcourt
Map Location

Shot down by Flak whilst attacking enemy transport
http://www.198squadronraf.co.uk/198sqdn_047.htm
Farmer had thought pilot had killed his father

Plane, and P/O Mason not found until 1992; remembered at Arromanches (49 years later)

Map Location
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45563 (Boulon)
Hodge trip to Normandy; Band of Brothers, Liam and I had a personal interest
Our guide from http://Battlebus.fr/ , Geert, took us Musee de Embarkment in Arromanches
He had worked at the museum, and knew the Head Curator. Stating we were from Australia, she took us to the display of an RAAF uniform. Of a “Don Mason”

http://www.nickhodge.com/blog/archives/1304

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/464787540_7158ffd8ce_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/464795971_7bf3cdd5da_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/464787288_c18431cb06.jpg

Struck me: lone Australian in a sea of Canadian, French, British, American memories; lost in France, with a wife and 2 year old at home.

Private William Herbett Roberts

Private William Herbett Roberts, South Australian Serial 5693; B-Company, 27th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Division

Enlisted, 30/1/1916 (aged 18). Noted as a stockman, from Sheringa, South Australia (less than 20km from where I lived as a kid on a farm). The area is noted for sheep stations. And not much else

Whilst in Adelaide barracks, as a stockman and young; he was in the Base Light Horse for the months in the Army

9/12/1916 27th Bttn in the field, near Flers on the Somme

The 27th Battalion took part in two attacks to the east of Flers in the Somme Valley, both of which floundered in the mud. (the Maze, November 1916)

(Winter 1916/7 worst time in the field, coldest in Europe for 40 years, much trenchfoot, PUO; pyrexia of unknown origin )

14/1/1917 Trenchfoot , 19/1/1917 To England

March 1917 to 70th Bttn CMF (holding Bttn) until Sept/Oct; 27th was “off the line” for most part of 1917

11/10/1917 to France, Third Battle of Ypres; at the end of the campaign

20/10/1917, just after Anzac Ridge, Above Ypres; removed back to Railway Wood, then Steenyorde
Interesting note from October 13th : “Court of Inquiry held re Captain Hosking’s Horse lost a Ypres. Also re. missing men.” The horse inq lasted to next day; Roberts was one of “70 other ranks” joining the 27Btn from the 70Btn [BCoy, 15th reinforcements, 27th Btn]

Ypres

On/off the line / trenches

Connecting the dots: Roberts (Anzac Ridge, Smiths Road between Westhoek and Zonnebeke), Lock (Behind Anzac Ridge, Smiths Road between Westhoek and Zonnebeke) and Hodge (Menenstaat)

27/10/1917 Westhoek Ridge, Albert Redoubt to relieve 59th Btn
29/10/1917 Chlorine and Mustard gas shelling, Patrol engagement around Celtic Wood
2/11/1917 Off the line, relieved by 20th Btn
1/12/1917 still off the line, Neue Eglise (diary notes v.cold)

15/12/1917 Ploegsteert , relieve 39th Btn; BCoy on right sector
20/12/1917 Phosgene Gas (rabbit eradication in 1970s)
24/12/1917 35th Btn Relieved 27th, Late December, many detachments of working parties to the front

2/1/1918 returned to Ploegsteert
9/1/1918 25th Btn relived the 27 Btn

27/1/1918 Locre, then Bellbrune
Feb 1918 off the line, Hennevaux area training
March 1918 7th Bgd releive 9th Bgd at Kortepyp; quiet zone

[21 March 1918, Operation Michael, German counter-attack]

April 1918 Albert Area on 9th (strength = 600 Officers and Ranks) ; more active area of the line

29/4/1918 7 Bgde relieved by 55th English Bdge
May 1918 Amiens area, training
19/5/1918 in reserve for 6 Bgd in Ancre, relieved by 26th Btn 26/5/1918

5/6/1918 Sailley-le-Sec
10/6/1918 attack
26/6/1918 pulled back to Allonville
27/6/1918 Villers-Bretonneaux ; in support for 11 Bgd
15/7/1918 Addressed by Lt Gen Sir John Monash
19/7/1918 relieved 23 Btn
25/7/1918 Tronville Wood
31/7/1918 788 Other Ranks in the Battalion

1/8/1918 White Chateau
8/8/1918 attack to the green line // First Battle of Amiens , biggest advance in allied movement and ground in WW1, “Blackest Day for Germany in WW1” // On 8 August, the battalion captured 9 artillery pieces, 25 machine guns and over 200 prisoners. // 7th Div first attack on first day.

9/8/1918 4.30pm attack, with Tanks, jumping off point Harbonieres/Framerville area; finished 5.20pm (a mere 50 minutes) (Rainecourt)
9 hospitalised wounded in this operation (127 wounded, 28 killed) Second day of First Amiens

9/8/1918 Operation for removal of FB [foreign body] in France 14 days, prior to England, 2 months recovery. One wound below, and slightly anterior to the left great trochanter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_trochanter (rear, high on femur, just below buttocks); grazing wound across 2 buttocks. Feet OK (spent time in hospital with trench foot)

To Australia 3/1/1919
Discharged 23/3/1919, listed with no lasting disability

Died, Port Lincoln in 1988 in his nineties.

Bill Roberts is my paternal Grandmother’s father. That is, my Great-Grandfather. If he had not returned, I would not be here. When he was 80 years old, I along with my parents visited him in his large bungalow on a hill, surrounded by a large garden, in Port Lincoln . I recall seeing a picture of him in uniform on the wall. I remember the sounds of the clocks, the age of the kitchen and his calmness.
Until I researched the above from the Archives, and the unit history: I had no idea what he experienced. 1916 hellish winter; Third Ypres and First Amien.

I will end the show with quotation from Charles E. W. Bean, from ‘Letters from France ’ (from Pozieres)

Steadfast until death — just the men that Australians at home know them to be. Into the place with a joke; a dry, cynical Australian joke as often as not, holding fast through anything that man can imagine. They’re not heroes. They do not intend to be thought or spoken of as heroes. They’re just ordinary Australians, doing their particular work as their country would wish them to do it. And pray God, Australians in days to come will be worthy of them.

Comments in the chat stream from Thursday 18th’s #understil 7 (Conked Out and Stoked) ended with a suggestion from @LafinBoy to change the name of the show. Not because Stilgherrian Live! nor being his understudy is a bad thing: just it is just time to graduate. Up the ante. Grow up, maybe.

After 4.2 minutes of thinking, the only name that fell into my head is “atNickHodge” (@nickhodge). That will do for the moment. At least it is consistent with my strict personal branding guidelines. And I will probably change my mind and call it something else one day.

Thanks to all my previous guests, and the future super sekrit guests. And a big thanks to @dekrazee1 for her help and support. Oh, and @mrsnickhodge and @yin_0x7f for their guidance. Doing a weekly show seems to add structure into my life; and is becoming a new hobby.

Onto way more important topics.

Nick at Arromanches (D-Day Gold Beach) May 2004.

The next show is scheduled for 8.30pm, Thursday 23rd April 2009.

URL: http://tinyurl.com/atnickhodge

Topic this week: “The Lost Uncles”. It is Anzac Day this Saturday. In Remembrance, I am going to reveal the histories of four individual soldiers from World War 1 and 2; each of which I have a personal connection. This show is not to glorify war; nor create false heroes. It is an episode just to remember four men.

Three from WW1, one from WW2; Two I am related to, two have other connections; Two survived the war, Two did not. Three were enlisted men, one an officer. One was married and had a child prior to enlistment; two had no children and I am directly descended from one. One I met in person; all are in my being and thoughts.

This show is for Lock, Roberts, Mason and Hodge.

Lest We Forget.

Please pop this into your diaries. See you on Thursday night.

March 24th is international “Countess Ada Lovelace” day.

In light of this special world-wide event, I have a special in-studio guest: the smart industry icon (and a female) Kate Carruthers

Broadcasting at 8:30pm AEST, Tuesday 24th March 2009. There will be themed music on the stream from 7:30pm to get into the mood.

Keep this link handy: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/-undercam. A big thanks to another smart IT industry @dekrazee1 who has agreed to be my meta-backchannel producer.

Note: the above image is on the rear of Countess’ Lovelace’s calling card. This was left behind at a dinner party at Charles Babbage’s. From the Sydney Powerhouse Museum. Consider this video pre-work.

Thanks to all who watched this episode. Just like Stilgherrian Live in its alpha broadcasts, I am starting to get some central themes and sections for the show sorted out.

Largely ignoring the chat this time was easy thanks to the wonderful @dekrazee1; the meta-backchannel producer. Her role was to watch the chat, and forward on any questions, points or where technical glitches occurred through a special backchannel IM session.

My hobby is the study of history, so researching and talking history is fun. An intellectual challenge, keeping my non-geek synapses firing.

The flow of Episode 3

• An hour of thematic music (ie: related to show’s topic) from the 1980s
• Lead in video clip, again thematic and from the 1980s
• Letters from the Previous Show
• Luddites vs. Lollards
• Main Topic of the Show, with a thematic video/advertisement in the middle
• Close about 5 minutes before Stilgherrian Live’s plinky’s appear

There is a need for a call-to-action somewhere; and deeper questions during the show. Or it might be just cool to leave it as-is so people can randomly chat about random stuff.

For next time:

• Get the recording correct!
• Ensure video playback works, even when cued correctly
• Up the video quality on the broadcast strean when my face is on the camera

Celebrating 25 years of Mac ownership.

And yes, there is a cat sleeping on the mouse mat. The cat was named Bindi. The Mac is a 128K Macintosh, purchased February 1984. Notice the two 3.5” floppy disk boxes on the left hand side. The inside case was signed by the team that designed the Mac. I also owned every magazine of the time (Byte, MacWorld) that detailed the history of the building of the Mac.

One could say I was one of the original Macfanbois. From 1986 until 1998 I relied on Apple (directly, or indirectly) for my income. My major dream in life was to work for Apple itself. From 1995–8, I slaved away under various CEOs. Whilst the time at Apple was rewarding, it was far from a dream.

The Macintosh user groups distributed great free software; and not-so-legit tools such as MacBasic (the Apple Basic that never saw the light of day). User groups have not changed in the last 25 years.

This Macintosh spent 1985 with me at boarding school; and paved the way for my first job in 1986.

Ultimately, it was upgrade to a Mac Plus over time, then an external hard disk. Now my parents have this Mac somewhere in South Australia, with original disks:

Liam booted this upgraded Mac and had a quick look at the applications last week. Unsurprisingly, this Mac still works.

The cat, sadly, passed away. I still own cats, and still own Macs.

Happy 25th Macintosh.

To note: many of these systems lasted months through to years, and used tools at hand. The essence of Practical Programming. All of these are written by myself, based on toolkits, SDKs and IDEs. Many no longer exist.

School sports day scoring system 1985. Mid 1985, written in Microsoft Basic for the Mac; this system recorded the winners and score for the annual sports day. I recall spending about a week of after-school hours until 3am or so writing this. I remember this as the first production system I wrote, that if it failed, I would look really silly. It worked on the day, and generated the correct printed results.

Bespoke locked down museum display system: written in late 1986, written in Microsoft Basic 2.0 on the Macintosh using floppy disk/text data files as source. Was locked down environment permitting users to select a country they originated from, and detailed the history of migration from that country to South Australia. Was still operational in the South Australian Migration Museum 3 years later.

Bespoke, locked down competition system: written in early 1987, written in C on the Macintosh using a B-tree engine. Was locked down environment permitting competition entrants to type in their name and phone number. The data was stored to disk. Competition winner picked randomly.

Chauffeur: written during late 1987, using Hypercard and C-written external functions for serial port access: a visual front-end to CompuServe email and forums. Written for “Tricks of the HyperTalk Masters” (Waite Group, 1988). I cannot recall the total number of lines of code; it was essentially a clever state-based system that screen-scraped data from a serial connection. Data was presented visually in Hypercard’s UI. I miss HyperTalk (Hypercard’s language)

Various Proof of Concepts: in 1990–1992, Apple promoted HyperCard as a visual front end for complex data. Using Apple’s DAL (Data Access Language) to Tandem, DEC and other SQL data sources. These PoC’s assisted Apple in winning enterprise customers in Australia. I installed an alpha of Apple’s A/UX DAL connecting to an Ingres database. This base system was used to demonstrate data-querying from a data-warehouse along with Mike Seyfang. This is the birth of the Munge Brothers.

Unix-based, SNMP AppleTalk monitor: in 1992: based on a collection of complex bsh scripts, cron tasks and open source commandline IETF SNMP tools. Does Anyone remember ASN.1? At one stage I was sure I was the only one in South Australia who actually read and used ASN.1 as SNMP was a reasonably new protocol. Executing on a SunOS workstation, this system was used to monitor AppleTalk routers at a large customer, as a part of a migration of their infrastructure. Also monitored via TFTP booting/reboots for uptime management. Email of outages and reports for network management.

Sherlock: in late 1993: Unix-based, 3-tier, Front-end to an Oracle ERP. I was the primary person managing a single user to SunOS/Oracle/multi-user ERP. Using VICOM Pro, I created a front-end that communicated via Telnet protocols to SQL-Plus scripts on the server. Displayed invoices, orders, pricing and other details. Create “alerts” on stock orders/shipments, plus permitted barcode scanning of inventory. Cron tasks for the management of management reporting. SQL-Plus Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet generation (the inbuilt tools sucked, so I wrote my own). Used in production for at least 2 years. At the same time, Adam Steinhardt wrote Bedrock in FileMaker: quoting and contact management system that was the basis for NextByte. Created export tools for integration. I miss VICOM’s language and development tools. Hello Brian Morris and Darko Roje!

Network Monitoring Tools: in 1994, various customers were wanting to measure end-user network performance of terminal based systems. Wrote a front end in VICOM Pro to measure screen-refresh times. Application was distributed around the network and reported back to a central server response times. Was used to contract compliance in large tenders, and to track down application performance bottlenecks. Also created front ends for login systems for customers such as Comcare in Canberra using VICOM Pro.

Web Publishing System: in 1996, for Fairfax@Atlanta web site. Userland Frontier based, with FileMaker backend. Running on MacOS, getting data via FTP from Fairfax’s editorial system. Frontier created static pages from dynamic content. Data editing multiple user in FileMaker. Static pages FTP’d to web server. 300,000 pages views a day in 1996.

sidenote: During 1998, I trained as a WebObjects developer in Cupertino under the former NeXT trainers. This involved formally learning Java; and an introduction to the Enterprise Objects Framework. EOF is an early example of a relational-object mapper. Beauty before its time.

Adobe/Scripting Proof of Concepts: from 1999 to 2004, using a variety of tools from Visual Basic, to AppleScript and Adobe InDesign and XMP toolkits to generate content management and automation scenarios. Used in selling “concepts” and ultimately selling products. Scripting improvements in InDesign 1.5 and later from customer and my input direct to product team. Still love InDesign. PoC’s are tough as they have to work a handful of times but in a critical demonstration.

A part of this bundle of code Included a database to SVG rendering system deployed in 2001 to demonstrate SVG. Before it was HTML5/Web cool. Adobe and the W3C really dropped the SVG ball in an attempt to out-run Macromedia’s Flash on mobile devices. What a waste of good resources and talent.

Mungenetengine: 2000–2006: PHP, MySQL content management system; about 3000 lines of code. Written/Tested on Windows and deployed on Linux. Based on the Fairfax@Atlanta experience, but using open source tools and public deployment. Created various connection points (XML-RPC and SOAP) with visual interfaces in Python amongst others. Whilst the backend was for personal use and not published, the code executed at least 3 million times whilst live. Parts of this engine still exist to redirect queries from old search engine results into WordPress. Also created a small WordPress plugin that assisted in transition.

The unerlying framework was used as the basis of 3 internal systems created for Adobe. One of which was the basis of an MBA paper.

During the family’s trip to Europe in 2004, I used a WxPython — SOAP based application to upload text and images to the mungenetengine.

Random Neil Finn Lyric Server: 2002-now, based on PHP, MySQL and SOAP. A very early, non-stock quote SOAP service on the internet and therefore used in many places. Image manipulation, and twitter-bots feed of the underlying system

Adobe-Internal Sales Reporting/CRM: 2004–2005: during my days as a Sales Manager, I could not resist the temptation to cut some code. Two systems were generated: one in Microsoft Excel, SAP Business Warehouse and Macros to create a one-page KPI sheet. Used daily as management tool for 3 years. Added to this a CRM system that detailed partner revenue, contacts and email list/communication. This system was written in Python; specifically TurboGears framework connected to FileMaker, with some later additions coded in Coldfusion. This latter system used a web front end.

In summary, this account at least 13 systems that ran in production coded and tested by me. Now I have documented them, I am ready armed for the next meeting where experience is called out. You have been warned.

I think it’s time for more, right?

This is page 2 of a contract between Charles and Robert Fall of Dunbar, Scotland and the fishermen of Crail, Fife, Scotland.

Charles and Robert Fall held many interests in Dunbar in the 18th Century. They also had family connections in Fife. In an agreement signed by them on the 9th November 1745, the fishermen of Crail agreed to deliver their catch of white fish to them for a period of 6 years. This shows the final part of the contract made between the Falls and the fishermen of Crail. Here, agreement is made for the carriage of fish, notably saithe, to the Fall’s cellars, to be paid by them. At the end are the signatures or ‘marks’ of the fishermen of Crail. The most easterly of Fife’s fishing ports, Crail Harbour dates back to the 16th century. At one time the village was an important herring station. The few fishermen left today fish inshore, mainly for shellfish.

On the left hand side, just below the fold, there is the follow text: “George GH Hodge mark.” In this instance, George Hodge could not sign his name, and therefore marked with a “GH”. I am related to this George Hodge.

George Hodge was born in 1717 to George Hodge (himself born in 1686) and mother Katherin Moncrief in Crail/Fife, Scotland. He was 32 when he marked this document. His younger brother was a James Hodge, where my paternal line descends.

Crail Harbour: The harbour was ‘new foundit’ in 1610, destroyed in 1707, and what is shown here dates from the rebuild of 1728.

The fish stocks in this area started to drop in the later part of the 18th Century, and therefore there was not enough room in the family business. As the younger brother, James Hodge left the family business and slowly drifted north to St Andrews in the latter half of the 18th Century. From 1764 in Crail, 1766 in Kingsbarns (3.5km north of Crail) and 1771 in Brown Hills (just south of St Andrews). This George Hodge is also the witness to the birth of James Hodge’s first and second children: Andrew and Mary. The third child of James Hodge is a John Hodge; again from where my paternal line descends. This John’s son, Melville, emigrated to South Australia in 1853.

In the 1841 census, Mary Hodge (daughter of James Hodge, born in Kingsbarns in 1766) is listed as living in Thorgate, Crail. Based on the position in the census, it is likey she was living with the Scotts of Crail at this time.

I suspect that James travelled north either as a farm labourer, or as a hand loom linen weaver; as was his son. Kingsbarns has a noted history of both. And golfing, but I doubt my family was of the correct glass for golfing.

Note: This information was found using the http://scran.ac.uk system. Scran is:

Scran — part of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland — aims to provide educational access to digital materials representing our material culture and history. This is provided through the wholly owned trading arm Scran Ltd. We are one of the largest educational online services in the UK supporting over 4,000 schools, libraries, colleges and universities.

This year, it is two old TV Shows from the 1960s: 12 O’Clock High and Combat!

As a young’un, my parents kindly let me watch these shows in the 1970s. These shows left me with an enduring interest in WW2 history.

12 O’Clock High depicts the 918th Bomb group in Europe during WW2 and stars Robert Lansing. The first episode follows a similar story thread of the 1949 Acadamy Ward winning movie of the same name starring Gregory Peck. Combat! shows US soldiers in the European theatre of operations, post Normandy.

A sobering sight in our 2004 trip to the US where these two monuments: (note, the panels shown is only a small selection)

Outside the American Air Museum, inside the Imperial War Museum, Duxford there are many panels etched with a mini picture depicting each of the 7,032 American aircraft lost during WW2.

In the lower levels of the museum, a series of American building is a list of over 30,000 Americans lost during WW2: (note, the panels shown is only a small part of the total panels)

The reality is nothing like the TV show. Then again, what would I know.

In the recent research of my paternal family history, I found reference to David Melville Hodge signing the papers for an Angus Hodge. These papers were permission given by David for Angus to join the Australian Infantry in 1916 for service abroad. He was only 18 years and 2 months old.

Private Angus Hodge was my Great-Grand Uncle.

Based on my recent research into a Private Albert Lock, I knew I could find Private Angus Hodge’s service records at the National Archives. A few personal notes where an injured right leg from a horsing accident in 1912, and many teeth missing. He was also noted as “stocky” at only 5 and a half feet tall. His denomination was listed as Methodist.

Private Angus Hodge became a part of the 6th reinforcements for the South Australian 43rd Battalion, AIF. The 43rd Battalion made up the 11th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division of the AIF. Landed in the UK during the early part of 1917. (note: This Order of Battle is extremely useful and the War Diaries of the 43rd Battalion are insightful)

At this stage, Private Hodge started to have a bout of Measles and Mumps and finally arrived in France 30th July 1917. He joined the front line on 24th August 1917. Just in time for the 3rd Battle of Ypres. (also known to Australians as Passchendaele)

From this time, there were many times in hosipital listed as “NYD” and “PUO” : not yet determined and pyrexia unknown origin (ie: fever)

Then there is a note from 18th August 1918 “admitted old wounded leg, slight” back in the UK ; fracture from tibia, based on the fall from a horse some 6 years earlier. Repatriated back to the UK, Private Hodge spent time getting better at the end of the first world war.

On the 23rd November 1918, exactly 90 years ago today, the Medical Board in the UK awarded Private Angus Hodge a 20% permanent disability due to service; fit for home service.  He would have limped for the rest of his life.

Discharged from the AIF on 19th March 1919 in Adelaide. Merely a year after returning to Australia, Angus was dead.

Nearly 3 years away from home, Private Hodge served his country. The records fail to detail the mental and other injuries suffered whilst in France.

Angus Hodge died ages 22 and is buried 23rd March 1920. The gravestone states “Son of DM and FJ.” Last residence is recorded as Gulnare South Australia. Where David Melville Hodge was farming at the time.

Lest We Forget.

NB: this page will be updated as more info is found. Dots will join back to here

Inspired by recent family events, I decided to revisit my June 2006 research and go further back. The previous searches had stopped at David Melville’s grandfather: John Hodge

Thanks to Scotlands People, the official government source of births, deaths, marriages, census data and other bits and pieces: searching is easy and relatively cheap. Certainly saves travelling to Scotland and spending days in a library or archive.

My ancestors were not catholic but rather “free kirk” Presbyters, they freely recorded their details in the Old Parish Records kept since 1553 in Scotland. I am 100% of my ancestors to 1734; The movements prior to Crail in 1662 is a little more tenuous, although this was a time of much upheavel in Scotland.

Using Maps.live.com, I have created a visual map collection that details the movements of these people in Scotland.

So, this is where we are in reverse chronological order; the left hand column has the male line and birth year, with the following row their respective father. The number is the generation from Liam back (ie: Liam is zero, and I am number 1)

Firstly, a connection to my Great-Great-Great Grandmother, Mary Milne was made in October 2007. Mary Milne is David Melville Hodge’s mother.

Now, a relative in South Australia forwarded me this picture of my Great– Great– Grandfather: Mr David Melville Hodge.

More interestingly, a series of biographical stories appeared. He seems quite the pioneering character.

I think if here were around today, he would probably be a blogger. And mercurial, too.

Short Biography from the Encyclopedia of South Australia

Mr David Melville Hodge, Chaff and grain merchant, Alexander Port Pirie, is a native of South Australia, having been born at Angaston in I860. He is a son of the late Mr. Melville Hodge, who settled in the Angaston district in the early days of the Province.

At the conclusion of his education, which was received at Saddleworth, while still quite a boy he came to Laura at the opening up of the Northern areas for settlement, and engaged in farming pursuits and outdoor life generally, roughing it in the manner well known to many of the young Australians of that pe­riod.

He visited the Kimberley “rush” in the north of Western Aus­tralia, Mount Brown, in Queensland, and has made himself acquainted with all the gold-mining centres in the Northern Territory and through­out the Commonwealth.

At a later period Mr. Hodge engaged in farming and teamstering in the northern parts of South Australia, and in 1901 established himself in his pre­sent business, that of a chaff and grain merchant, in Port Pirie. He has since worked up a satisfactory connection, and enjoys his full share of the trade of the district.

Mr. Hodge is a member of the Caledonian Society. In 1885 he married Julia Florence, daughter of Mr. John Pilgrim of Gawler, latterly of Laura, and has a family of six sons and two daughters.

Golden Wedding Anniversary (1936) Newspaper Clipping

Mr Hodge, Senr, of Lock, recenly celebrated the anniversary of his Golden Wedding. Mr Hodge was a successful farmer in the Gulnare district some years ago, and at one time was shearing for Mr Niel McGilp, who was widely known in pastoral areas. At Lock, Mr Hodge is one of the most interested workers in the Methodist Church, and to attend the services he drives his car 12 miles pracically(sic) every Sunday. Mr Hodge still drives a team of bullocks when clearing scrub on his farm, and this proves that he is a true son of the soil. A few years ago Mr Hodge gave up retired life, and returned to farming. On his Golden Wedding day, Mr Hodge composed the following poem.

Australia: A Poem by Mr. D. M. Hodge

AUSTRALIA

Australia, I love thee,
The land that gave me birth,
And reared me up to manhood,
From the products of the earth.

Thou has let me roam in freedom,
From mountain top to plain,
And always gave sufficient,
To relieve my hunger pain.

I have seen thy silver mines,
And gold and copper, too,
Deep down into your bowels,
All shining bright and new.

Your wheat and wool I’ve carted,
From far inland to the sea,
To feed and clothe the hungry
In England or where’r it may be:

I’ve seen your men and women
Leave here to go and fight
And join up with dear old England
For justice, honor, and right.

I’ve seen your towns and cities
Grow up about your land,
And helped the pioneers to clear
Mallee and stones on every land.

And now I’m growing old and grey,
On this, my Golden Wedding Day;
Great Master wilt Thou hear me say,
’Tis here in Australia I wish to stay.

Obituary

Mr. David Melville Hodge, 76, died at the home of his son-in-law (Inspec­tor M. M. Bishop), of Fourth street, Port Pirie West, on September 5. His earliest juvenile experiences included the sight of mobs of wild natives at North Rhine surrounding the home of his father. The latter died there when David Hodge was a small boy and he moved with his mother to Coghill’s Creek. At 11 years of age he became a farmer’s boy with a wage of 2/6 a week, but he soon afterwards obtained employment with Mr. Hugh Aitken, a famous coltbreaker of his day, and from him learned the art of handling horses.

After a brief spell at home he left, on a horse he had purchased for £4 10/, finding his way to Kapunda and thence to Adelaide, where he obtained employment with a farmer at Balaklava. At Port Wakefield later he obtained a passage by ketch to Port Adelaide, but soon trekked north again.

His next job was that of woolpicker on Paratoo Run. then jointly held by Sir Thomas Elder and Mr. Peter Waite. Later, purchas­ing a team of bullocks, he engaged in carting sleepers from Wirrabara and took loads to the Silverton silver fields. He claimed to have carted the first consignment of silver-lead ore from Thackaringa to Terowie to be sent from there by train to Port Adelaide.

In 1886 he and two mates, W. Duck and F. Lindsay, set off for what was reported to be a rich gold find in the Kimberleys. Mr. Hodge returned to South Australia and started a chaff store, sawmill, and woodyard at Port Pine.

Seven years later he moved to Pirie Springs, near Laura, and from there to Gulnare. Five years’ retirement in Adelaide followed, but 10 years ago he took up land at Lock, on the West Coast, returning from there to Port Pirie. At Laura he married Miss Florence Julia Pilgrim, who survives. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge celebrated their gol­den wedding in 1935. Four sons and two daughters are left Messrs. Frank. Hector, Kenneth (West Coast), and William Hodge (Iron Knob). Mrs. J. N. O’Brien (West Australia), and Mrs. M. M. Bishop (Port Pirie).

From the ABC: “Rudd lays wreath for Hiroshima victims”

Mr Rudd is the first Australian prime minister to visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial.

How embarrassing for Australia. Why has no other Prime Minister visited Hiroshima? Incredulous.

On the other hand, I wonder if a Japanese Prime Minister will visit the Thailand-Burma Railway and apologize.

One day, maybe.