PRESIDENT’S REPORT
2/18th AIF Infantry Battalion Association
ANZAC DAY 2026
I would like to pay thanks for the service of all members of the 2/18th AIF Battalion 8thDivision, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Another year has passed and here we are 111 years since the ANZAC legend was born and 84 years since the Fall of Singapore. Ancient history for younger generations, but still very close for us who had grandparents in World War I and parents in World War II.
I would like to welcome everyone to our 2026 ANZAC DAY Lunch so that we can pay tribute to the men and families of 2/18th AIF Infantry Battalion. ANZAC Day to me is about remembrance and giving thanks.
This is our first ANZAC Day lunch without our beloved Secretary Joan Okey who passed away late last year. For all who knew Joan, you will understand how much we miss her as she was the heart of our Association and her knowledge of the men of the Battalion and their families is something that is impossible to replace. Her Service of Remembrance was a lovely reminder of her life and I wish to thank her family for allowing us the privilege of attending. Joan we will miss you.
I wish to thank Liz Richard who has taken up the very difficult task of replacing Joan as the Association’s Secretary. I am a little biased but I think that she will do a great job of which her father Merv Blyth would be very proud.
It is great that we have many ways of keeping in touch through the website, Facebook and email. We must again thank our Treasurer Diane for all that she does. Unfortunately she is unable to attend this year due to family commitments. We will try to ensure that we improve our communication with our members. If anyone has the time, skills and wishes to help in the world of websites and social media please see Liz as I am sure they would appreciate some help. We have approximately 100 views a month on our Facebook page which is very encouraging. Liz has put quite a few photos recently on the page and has had many likes and comments. I recommend following our facebook page to everyone.
A member of the 2/18th Battalion represented the 8th Division at the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial on 15 February 2026, commemorating the 84th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.
The Last Post Ceremony honoured NX35009 Lieutenant AH (Jock) Pringle who was Killed in Action on Singapore Island on 11th February 1942. There were many members of Jock’s family in attendance and also members of Kath Neuss’s family attended. Kath was a nurse who had become very close to Jock whilst in Malaya and was killed in the massacre on Banka Island on 16 February 1942. This certainly brings the human side of war where they died 5 days apart and would not have known what happened to each other. But after all these years to have both families now connected is very pleasing.
We also had a good number of other members and families of men of the 2/18th in attendance. It was a very moving service. Liz, Diane, Lachlan and I were proud to attend. Liz and I had a lovely evening with some of the family later that night.
I would like to invite anyone who is able to attend St John’s Anglican Church Gordon at 11:30am on Sunday 26 April 2026 (tomorrow) for their Annual ANZAC Service hosted by Kur-ring-gai Council where the Mersing Cross will be front and centre and later to view some 2/18th memorabilia held at this Garrison Church. There will be a morning tea to enjoy after the service.
We have very small numbers at our lunch today and as an Association will need to review what we do for future ANZAC Days. I thank Stewart McLennan for offering to talk about the Mersing Cross today and what it means to him and his family. We still have a good turn out to march and we hope this will continue for many years. The assistance of Hurlstone Agricultural High School Cadets is greatly appreciated.
Diane, Liz and I would like thank Joan’s daughters who assisted us in collecting the 2/18th’s archives which Joan had lovingly looked after and with Diane’s assistance digitised. The archives at this time are now in Orange until we decide where they will be finally stored.
Lastly, I would like to thank the committee members who help to keep the Association going. Especially Diane and Liz who have done a fantastic job this year especially picking up the wonderful work that Joan performed.
Evan Richard, President 2/18th AIF Infantry Association 25 April 2026
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