More Than A Bronze Plaque

Back in 1946 three young survivors of WW2 met to work out how they could avoid having their war service marginalised and 73 years later a humble bronze plaque at the Australian War Memorial will go a long way to achieving their dream.

The Australian War Memorial has agreed to the laying of a Pavement Memorial Plaque dedicated to “Odd Bods” the name given to Airmen who served on foreign squadrons (usually RAF) in WW2.

When these Airmen returned after the war there was no Australian squadron banner to march behind on ANZAC Day. They were marginalised, and with typical Aussie spirit, set about ensuring that the sacrifices made by their comrades would never be forgotten.

Like their Australian squadron counterparts, losses in the air had been horrendous. Chances of completing a tour in Europe or the Middle East were very poor and many of their fellow service men and women failed to come home.

Odd Bods Reunion 1956

 After a number of early meetings the Odd Bods Association was formalised in 1954 and the task of creating an awareness of this group’s role in WW2 began. The Odd Bods numbers grew and participation in various memorial events including ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day created an awareness and influence that continues today. There were attendances at conferences, liaison with educational bodies ( Odd Bods have an affiliation with Wesley College in Melbourne) and countless requests for information and advice.

Bronze plaques recognising Odd Bods were laid at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, the Repatriation Hospital at Heidelberg, and the RAAF Memorial Grove just out of Canberra. Much to the delight of veterans, Friends of the Odd Bods Association was formed in 2015 to carry on the good work and the next generation started to get involved.

But there was one box that hadn’t been ticked - one lingering issue that had not been resolved. It might be a bit theatrical to call this the “Holy Grail” but Odd Bod veterans like Co-founder George Smith and immediate Past President, Walter Eacott, keenly lobbied for Odd Bods recognition at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra over a number of years. A plaque in the grounds of this revered place was denied for technical reasons (the Odd Bods were not a military unit).

Like all good causes, and through the work of some very good people, an Odd Bods plaque in the grounds of the AWM was finally approved this week and will be processed over coming weeks. This has been a long journey with many involved, but particular thanks at this time go to Dr. Brendan Nelson Director of the Australian War Memorial, Odd Bod Edward Fleming, and President of the Friends of the Odd Bods Sqn. Ldr. Bruce Waxman (Rtd).

“Pressing On Remembering” has particular relevance this week.