HRH Duke of Gloucester visits 1 Aust Corps Troops

The Governor General His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester arrived at Marreba North South airstrip at 1300hrs on 12 February 1945 and was met by GOC 1 Aust. Corps NX8 Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie James Morshead, KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO, ED. He then proceeded to HQ 1 Aust Corps where he inspected a Royal Guard of Honour comprised of members of 1 Aust Corps Artillery Units. Major General A.J. Boase GOC 11 Aust. Division also was present to meet the Governor General. Other identified senior officers of 1 Aust Corps are: Brigadier H. Wells DSO, OBE, Brig. J.R. Broadbent, CBE, Brig H.G. Furnell, CBE, DSO, ED, Brig. L.H.G. Dyke DSO, Brig. R.J.H. Risson DSO, OBE, Col. G.G. Hayman, Col. E.A. ColemanED, Col. D. Boden OBE, Col. C.M. Gray. On 13 February 1945 at the conclusion of his tour of 7 Aust Div. area the Governor General visited 2/2 and 2/6 Aust. General Hospitals, the two hospitals in the Rocky Creek area, where he viewed members of Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), Australian Army Medical Womens' Service (AAWMS) and male personnel as well as patients. Identified AAMWS are: NFX201796 Pte Mwatsord; QFX56822 Pte M. Hitchcock; VFX127663 Pte G. Williams; VFX91934 Pte M.L. Bell; QFX26170 Pte B.E. Duncan; QFX52051 Pte R.E. Walker; QFX56824 Pte I.M. Rossiter; VFX124193 Pte A.C. Benton; VFX128100 Pte M.M. McKinnock. The Governor General walked along ranks of walking patients accompanied by Col. F.H. Beare E.D. CO 2/2 Aust. General Hospital and Col. J.B. Colquhoun CO 2/6 Aust. General Hospital. On the fourth and last day of his tour of the Atherton Tablelands and troops of 1 Aust. Corps the Governor General visited the Corps troops at Wongabel and accompanied by GOC 1 Aust. Corps Lieut. General Sir Leslie Morshead KCB, KBE, DSO, ED viewed training after which he proceeded to Mareeba airstrip where after inspecting a Guard of 2/1 Aust. Paratroop Battalion left by airplane.