3. Collie Boy and his mate the Premier

WW2 – A Collie Boy and his mate the Premier

Saluting their Service - Grahame Old

A Knockabout ‘Collie Boy’ and his mate the WA Premier – (Mates from the bush)

WA’s famed 11th Infantry Battalion was the first Bn raised in WA for service in WW1. And the 2/11th Infantry Battalion was the first Bn raised in WA for service in WW2. Many ‘Collie Boys’ served with the 11th Bn in both world wars. The 2/11 Bn initially trained at Northam in late 1939 before joining the 18th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division in NSW for further training. In March 1940 the Battalion returned to WA before deploying for overseas service on the 20th April 1940. After further training in Palestine and Egypt the Battalion went into action against the Italians in Libya, the Bn took part in the capture of Tobruk during January 1941. When the Italians surrendered the Bn was deployed to assist in the defence of Greece against the German Army. When Greece was overrun the Bn was evacuated to Crete, where it subsequently surrendered to the German’s with the majority of personnel taken prisoner. The Battalion was then reinforced and re-organised in Palestine and took part in the defence of Libya. The Battalion was returned to Australia in 1942 when the invasion of northern Australia by the Japanese was expected. The Battalion later saw action against the Japanese during the Aitape-Wewak campaign in New Guinea before being disbanded in 1945.

Two knockabout larrikin boys from the bush were quick to enlist into the 2nd AIF. One would go on to become WA’s longest serving Premier the other would return home to work in his beloved Collie town. David Brand (WX1030) was born in Dongara in 1912; he was working in Kalgoorlie when he enlisted into the 2nd AIF in November in 1939. Joseph Nettleton (WX7829) was born in Marrinup in 1919; he was working in Collie when he enlisted into the 2nd AIF in August 1940. Both went on the serve in WA’s own 2/11th Battalion seeing active service in North Africa. Military Service leads to mates made for life, no matter what careers are pursued in later life.

The following is a copy of an article about war time mates, written by Morrie Carr, one of WA’s top columnist’s. The article, previously run in the Collie mail, was supplied to the Collie Cardiff RSL Sub Branch by local identity Mr Ed Riley.

War Time Mates (Morrie Carr)

At the Collie Workers Club a few days ago they were talking politics and the late Sir David BRAND, former Premier of the State, was mentioned. This encouraged somebody to recall another afternoon in the club, some years ago, when the Daily News was delivered and members read of Sir David’s death.

Sir David was liked and respected by people of all political learnings and this was reflected as the club members discussed the sad news.

A voice from a remote corner of the bar said: You’re t-t-tal-kin about me old mate D-D-Dave. It was Joe Nettleton, one of the Town’s characters. Joe, who has since died, was wearing a singlet, work shorts and thongs. He had evidently been at the bar for a long time.

Everybody looked around as Joe, who had a slight stammer, continued: Good b-b-b-bloke Dave. I’m going to P-P-Perth for his funeral.

The others in the bar wondered when and how Joe would have met Sir David.

WX7829 Private Joseph Thomas Nettleton, 2/11th Battalion a patient at the Australian General Hospital in Aitape, New Guinea 1944.

But Joe carried on: The last time I saw D-Dave was after I’d been on the scoot at the Federal Hotel. I’d had a b-b-bloody good session and was walkin’ home.

Well, I’ve just got to the front of the council chambers when this b-b-bloody great big black car pulls up and a bloke in a monkey suit and a cap on ‘is ‘ead jumps out and opens the door.

B-b-blow me down if me old mate D-D-Dave doesn’t get out.

Ow ya goin’ D-D-Dave? Says I.

The b-b-bloke in the monkey suit says: You can’t speak to the P-P-Premier like that.

An’ I says to ‘in p-p-pig’s b-b-bum!

Then D-D-Dave gets out of the car, sticks out ‘is and says: Joe ‘ow wonderful to see you after so many years. Would you like a b-b-beer.

Too right I says.

D-D-Dave and me leave the bloke in the monkey suit gapin’ an’ walk over to the C-C-Colliefields pub where we ‘ave a few beers before D-D-Dave goes off to ‘is meetin’.

Of course I stayed on till stumps with every bugger wantin’ to know ‘ow I know D-D-Dave B-B-Brand.

Well I gets to work (at the Muja Power Station) next mornin’, c-c-crook as a bloody dog. I didn’t think I’d last till mornin’ tea an’ I ‘ad me time cut out t-t-trying to make meself scarce from the boss. I’d been c-c-crook before, but this was b-b-bloody dreadful.

I looks down at the office b-b-block and who should be pullin’ up in the b-b-big b-b-black car, but me old mate D-D-Dave an’ the bloke in the monkey suit.

I yells out: ‘Ow ya goin’ D-D-Dave?

WX1030 David Brand 2/11th Battalion (Photo taken after the war)

D-D-Dave walks over to me and says: ‘Allo Joe. ‘Ow did ya pull up after last night mate?

I says: B-B-Bloody crook, D-D-Dave. I think me throat’s been cut.

D-D-Dave gives me a slap on the shoulder an’ says: You’ll c-c-come good Joe, an’ then he leaves to meet the bosses.

Five minutes later the b-b-bloke in the monkey suit finds me. He gives me a b-b-big bottle of Johnny Walker, b-b-bloody black label, too, c-c-compliments of D-D-Dave.

Well, I gets this into me and didn’t fire a shot for the rest of the d-d-day.

Knock-off came an’ I’m ‘eadin’ for the main gate when a voice behind me says: Hey Joe, c-c-can I see ya for a minute? It was Reg Smith, the big boss.

Reg wants to know ‘ow I know Sir David Brand and I tells ‘im: Dave and I shared the same b-b-bloody tent for three years in the last war.

Dave and Joe – the Premier and the battler – were really the best of mates, and, as many will testify, Sir David wasn’t the sort of bloke to forget his mates.

WX7829 Pte Joseph Nettleton 2/11th Infantry Battalion

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Remembered forever at the Collie-Cardiff RSL Sub Branch