F60L Recent pics

Keith Webb · #1 20-03-10, 23:44

I can feel an interview coming on... is Les far from Ganmain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Howard & I drove the truck out to see his great uncle, Les Holgate.

It was a thrill to meet him, he's a bit shakey on his feet these days but his memory is still very sharp.

Les was the original owner of this truck after the war. He paid 250 pounds for it.

The truck was used as the family car and was taken down to Tathra on the south coast of NSW for the annual holiday. 2 in the front & 8 in the back.

Les said it was a great truck & never gave him any trouble........ but you wouldnt expect anything less from a Ford.

He did however, have problems with the single tyres on the back. They kept blowing for some strange reason, so he fitted it with duals.
May have had something to do with the fact that Les said she'd EASILY carry more than 5/6 tonne on the back. No wonder the shackle pins and bushes need replacing!!!!

Les was in the 14th Anti Aircraft and was at 42 of the Japanese Darwin Raids. He told us the story of going from Sydney to Albury to Adelaide to Alice Springs to Darwin with the Army.

Between 'The Alice' and Darwin he did three days in the back of a Cab 12 F60L on the 'North South' road.

He told us of one night in Darwin witnessing a Spitfire blow a single engine Japanese plane out of the sky. He could see the tracer from the Spit, the Jap plane burst into flames, then the engine fell off the front.

Incidentally Les is still on his small farm helped by his daughters and son-in laws. He's planted 7,000 trees around the place and it looks magnificent. The shed & house are well kept and the garden is beautiful.

A bloke to be remembered.

Ganmain Tony · #2 20-03-10, 23:51

No Mate - 15 minutes.

Got one for you two doors up from me - a 21st light horseman - Ron Billingham as well.

Ron's a bit shakey on dates but can relate some funny stories on what happened with the blokes and their horses.

Even got a couple of photos of him driving a carrier near Wagga.

Keith Webb · #3 21-03-10, 01:33

Let's arrange something around the next flying weekend just after Easter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

No Mate - 15 minutes.

Got one for you two doors up from me - a 21st light horseman - Ron Billingham as well.

Ron's a bit shakey on dates but can relate some funny stories on what happened with the blokes and their horses.

Even got a couple of photos of him driving a carrier near Wagga.

Howard · #4 22-03-10, 10:04

He has politely declined requests for interviews to date...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

I can feel an interview coming on... is Les far from Ganmain?

Keith Webb · #5 22-03-10, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard

He has politely declined requests for interviews to date...

Really? From whom? Surely GT can turn on the charm...

Howard · #6 22-03-10, 12:40

Maybe, Keith... Maybe

Alex Blair (RIP) · #7 22-03-10, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Really? From whom? Surely GT can turn on the charm...

Keith ..
maybe if you just showed up with a couple of flats of beer ..the old lad would be more responsive..
Nice old lad ..good to to see him still out and around..

Howard · #8 23-03-10, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

Keith ..
maybe if you just showed up with a couple of flats of beer ..the old lad would be more responsive..
Nice old lad ..good to to see him still out and around..

Actually, he is an old Methodist & has not & does not drink. He has told me of when he was in Darwin on a quiet night, he and a fellow teetotaler tried two of their rationed beers. (Normally swapped/traded for chocolate or socks). They had their (warm) beers & were having head-spins when the raid sirens sounded... It was a long night for him!! And, therefore, his last ever grog!