In deep respect - Bede Tongs OAM MM

Garth O'Connell

28 January 2015

Yesterday at the Christ Church in Queanbeyan NSW the funeral of a local community stalwart, Bede Tongs OAM MM was conducted. Amongst the many mourners inside and outside the Church were several current and ex-members of staff and senior management of the Australian War Memorial including yours truly. It is tremendously hard to put into so few words what a positive impact Bede had not just on me personally and professionally, but on my colleagues, my fellow soldiers and our community.

Born Bede George Donald Tongs at Narrandera NSW on 27 June 1920, being an Infantryman was in his blood as he was a proud son of George Tongs - a Gallipoli 'first day' lander. Bede was a pre-war carpenter in Queanbeyan and soldier with the 3rd Battalion 'The Werriwa Regiment' (Militia) where he served on the Kokoda Trail as a Platoon Sergeant and acting Platoon Commander. He was awarded the prestigious Military Medal (MM) for his actions around Templeton's Crossing in October 1942. After crossing the entire length of the Kokoda Track with the 3rd Battalion he saw further action in the 'Bloody Buna' and the Gona-Sanananda beach head campaign before being evacuated with malaria, yellow fever and scrub typhus. When the survivors of the 3rd Battalion voluntarily amalgamated with the 2/3rd Battalion AIF he served with this very rare co-joined formation. Promoted to Captain in the field during the Aitape/Wewak campaign in New Guinea 1943 he returned home and 'de-mobbed' after the conclusion of the war.

Accession Number: 134820

Captain Bede Tongs (centre) with his wife and his brother Reginald after being presented his Military Medal by the Governor-General in Canberra, July 1947. Reginald was captured in Singapore with the 2/20th Battalion AIF and along with tens of thousands of others suffered under Japanese captivity on the Burma-Thai death railway and at Changi until his release in 1945.

Captain Tongs served again in uniform during the Korean War as an Observer and post-war as an Officer in the local Militia Infantry unit. Bede was a popular president of the 3rd Battalion Association for many years and was a driving force behind several significant commemorative projects for the 3rd Battalion including permanent Memorials such as the humble Memorial at East Jindabyne, NSW.

Bede was a well recognized and highly respected community stalwart in the Canberra, Oaks Estate and Queanbeyan area. For decades he was heavily involved in a diverse range of community associations including youth groups, his local Army Reserve Infantry Company (Charlie 'Werriwa' Company, 4th/3rd Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment), supporting various ex-service Associations and promoting better Australian-New Guinea relations in particular as an Ambassador for the Kokoda Track Foundation. Amongst his personal skills included being a talented and insightful poet and he was a regular contributor at history conferences regarding the Australian experiences of the Pacific campaigns during the Second World War and the Korean War.

He visited Papua New Guinea nine times after the Second World War, with the small village of Menari being a particular favourite location to visit due to his wartime service. He couldn't talk highly enough of Papua New Guinea, and of its beautiful people and cultures. He was a true ambassador for Australia and for improving relations between us and our northern neighbours - he holds high esteem on both sides of the Torres Strait. I still treasure the small Australia/Papua New Guinea flag lapel pin he gave me one day around the year 2003 after I picked him up in my car and returned him safely home after an Army social function where he was our honoured guest.

3rd Battalion Werriwa Regiment Bede Tongs OAM MM 2/3rd Battalion Templeton's Crossing Military Medal

Australian War Memorial Remembrance Day Ceremony, 11 November 2009.  Bede Tongs MM (later OAM in 2014) with his son Gary Tongs.  Photograph by Kerry Alchin, image PAIU2009/165.13.

Bede was for many years a volunteer at the Australian War Memorial participating in many School wreath laying ceremonies and commemorations. He happily assisted staff with our questions and enquiries along with assisting literally hundreds of young Australian school children understand not just his own but the greater Australian experience of war. Over countless events over a decade at the Memorial I witnessed Bede move casually and with great poise amongst visiting Royalty, tourists, dignitaries, heads of state, school groups, and fellow veterans spending time equally amongst each diverse group. People were drawn to him by his genuinely warm demeanour, great sense of humour and honesty. In 2014 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his many years of tremendous personal efforts with supporting the veterans' community, an acknowledgement richly deserved.

Bede Tongs OAM MM 3rd Battalion Werriwa Regiment 2/3rd Battalion Templeton's Crossing Australian War Memorial Christmas Carols 2008

Australian War Memorial 12th December 2008. Christmas Carols at the Australian War Memorial were unfortunately washed out due to heavy rainfall, but the few that did turn out enjoyed a night of cosy singing inside the shelter of a big tent. Image shows Bede Tongs MM (later OAM in 2014) and Lisa Ridgely. Photograph by Kerry Alchin, image PAIU2008/159.31.

Bede Tongs OAM MM Military Medal Brendan Nelson MP Australian War Memorial 3rd Battalion Werriwa Regiment 2/3rd Battalion Templeton's Crossing

Australian War Memorial 3rd September, 2008. At the Battle for Australia Commemorative Ceremony, commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the Australian people and those of our allies who fought the Japanese during the Second Word War. Image shows Bede Tongs MM (later OAM in 2014) in conversation with then Federal Opposition Leader Dr. Brendan Nelson MP (now Director of the Australian War Memorial). Photograph by Kerry Alchin, image PAIU2008/108.06.

Werriwa Regiment 3rd Battalion Charlie Company 4/3 RNSWR Royal New South Wales Regiment Australian Army Reserve

Werriwa Regiment lapel pin and tie worn by ex and current members today of Charlie 'Werriwa' Company, 4th/3rd Battalion RNSWR in honour of their 3rd Battalion 'The Werriwa Regiment' forebears such as Bede. The designs are based on the historical 'brown over green' colour patch of the 3rd Battalion AIF/AMF and the heraldic Lion rampant which formed a significant emblem of the proud 3rd Battalion "The Werriwa Regiment" between the First and Second World Wars. Designer - Tim Dawe.

Captain Bede Tongs OAM MM passed away peacefully on 14 January 2015. Draped on his coffin were the brown over green colours of the 3rd Battalion 'The Werriwa Regiment', the 2/3rd Battalion and the Australian flag.

Vale Bede Tongs OAM MM