Radschool

Newsletter

Vol 4

Page 9

Your Say!

Fred Holtman.

Alan Mainwaring’s mention, in our recent issue, of Fred (Tiny) Holtman brought in a lot of mail. Ted McEvoy who now lives in the west wrote:-

"I met Tiny when I was in Vietnam (35 Sqn - Vung Tau) during 1967-68. He was serving as an Adgi Gadgi. I can recall he had a special bed made for him due to his size. As I remember, Number 1 Operation Support Unit (1OSU - or 10 Sewerage Unit as we called it) had to weld two beds together to make one long enough for him.

I can remember him helping to guard the main gate at Vung Tau whilst standing next to an ARVN MP.

I can also remember him marrying a petite WRAAF who definitely had the wood over the big bloke. "

Find Fred!

The mention of Fred Holtman’s name in our last issue sparked a lot of interest. Blokes remembered him from his early days as a DI, to later times as an ADG. We believe he was posted to Richmond in (or about) 1970. It seems that most people Fred came in contact with have fond memories of the big bloke - which in itself speaks volumes for the man and I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

We now have a mission - Find Fred......Any-one knowing the whereabouts of the big fella - please let us know.

Club Site.

We have decided against promoting the Club’s web site that was established last year (clubs.yahoo.com/radschool). We intended to use it as a notice board and while some people used it, there weren’t too many hits on the site as there didn’t seem to be any interest in it - so we’ll let it just fade away.

The site is still there, and can be operated and used if you wish, but the Association won’t post any more information there. All info will now be either included in the newsletters, or sent out via email.

Ballarat.

The Ballarat RSL is building a memorial to POWs and they are seeking help in obtaining all the names of any POWs to ensure they have them all.  If you had a dad (or mum) or relative who was an Ex-POW please get in touch with the RSL in Ballarat (2 Lyns St, South Ballarat, Vic,  3350). 

They are also after donations which we believe are tax deductible (over $2.00). Cheques should be made out to the “Australian Ex Prisoner of war memorial Appeal” and sent to the RSL in Ballarat.

John Harris, now living in the US writes-

I am really pleased that I made the trip and came out for the Radschool reunion at Brisbane late last year. It was great catching up with some old mates that I hadn’t seen or heard from for a number of years.

John Broughton, who was the Master of Ceremonies for the night, deserves an honourable mention. I really enjoyed the night and hope to be able to make the next one.

Thanks John, we hope to see you also. We’ve managed to persuade John Broughton to MC the next one as well - you’ve really got to twist his arm to get him to do this - the mention of a couple of free VB’s usually works though!

And didn't spill a drop!!

No names - no pack drill, but it was in Brisbane!!

Pete Griffiths, second from left, was at Laverton in 1966 and again in 1967, and used to drive his grey ‘56 Ford Zephyr like it was made of 3in plate steel. Pete, like nearly 50% of the RAAF at the time was from Queensland, and wouldn’t stop talking about the place. Last we heard he was living west of Brisbane.

Shown here on the balcony of one of the 2AD blocks at Richmond in 1966 with (L-R) Phil Penny radio (deceased), Peter Griffiths, Kev Trimmer electrician (last heard living in Townsville) and Ray Zieba, also electrician. 

41RTC and friends at a bar-b-q in the Bunyip State Park (Vic) in 1967.