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Vale Tom Kruse
Tom Kruse died this morning in an Adelaide hospital at the age of 96.
Here's a picture I took of Tom about ten months ago in Alice Springs, the day after his 96th birthday. I've known Tom through making the documentary Last Mail from Birdsville eleven years ago when Tom was 85. For those who don't know I'm quoting a bio written by our mutual friend Ian Doyle. Tom owned many CMPs in his lifetime including the cab 12 F60L made famous in "The Back of Beyond". Quote:
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#2
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A true Aussie Icon, sad to hear of his passing.
Rich.
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C60S Austin Champ x 2 Humber 1 Ton & Trailer |
#3
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Truly saddened. I never met him, but I always felt I knew him vicariously through film and interviews I've read. I met a bloke once, at the pub at William Creek, who knew him well - and that was about as close as I got. Good on you Keith and everyone who really did know him. Sad night tonight.
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C60X M3A1 Scout Car Willys MB Ford GPW |
#4
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Another pioneer has passed Tom will live on in film, not many left with his ability to get there no matter what.
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Robert Pearce. |
#5
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Real australian legend
Sorry to hear of the passing of another great Australian Icon. A true trail blazer. I saw his truck displayed in the Birdwood Auto Museum a few years back, but I am not sure if is still there on display. Having done the Birdsville Track in a modern 4x4 one can only wonder how difficult it would have been so many years ago.
Tony
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Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA. Strathalbyn. South Australia |
#6
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Sad to hear of the passing of a true pioneering gentlemen. I just shake my head at some of the things that he did to get his job done, particularly like the one about fashioning a clutch plate out of the lid of a 44 gallon drum. RIP
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Cameron Reed, AKA Chopper |
#7
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Sad
Indeed a sad day for our fair nation.
Tom was one of our last true pioneers. The outback, and indeed all of Australia, owes him a true debt of gratitude. It was men like Tom that made living in remote Australia possibe. They worked increadibly hard in one of the harshest environments on earth. Men like Tom Kruse, Tom Cole and others were true heros. I fear that the majority of "modern" Australians will not know of Tom, but, those of us who do know of him, will always remember and admire his incredible story. Farewell, Tom.
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Howard Holgate F15 #12 F15A #13 (stretched) F60S #13 C15A #13 Wireless (incomplete) Last edited by Howard; 01-07-11 at 06:18. Reason: Punctuation, Spelling. Yes I did go to school! |
#8
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Tom Kruse
Hi all - I was fortunate enough to meet Tom and Valma several times and was enthralled by their stories. Combining meeting Tom and another great Australian pioneer, Kurt Johannsen of Northern Territory fame, I feel particularly fortunate to have rubbed shoulders with two of Australia's greatest pioneers.
Bob
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Chevrolet Blitz Half-Track Replica - Finished and Running Ford F15 - unrestored Ford F15A X 2 - unrestored Website owner - salesmanbob.com |
#9
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Funeral
For those who are interested, Tom will be farewelled at the Morphettville Racecourse next Thursday afternoon (July 7th), I think at 2PM (but will confirm in due course).
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#10
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Rest in Peace Mr Kruse!
I remember seeing the movie when I was a small boy. If I recall correctly, I got to see it because my Dad was working at Shell at the time and they showed the movie to their employees. A friend and I replayed the sand dune scenes with a Dinky toy Morris Commercial artillery tractor for days on end. I think that is how I got pre-occupied with CMPs . . . . thank you, Tom! Hanno
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Regards, Hanno -------------------------- |
#11
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Quote:
When we were at the opening of the Road Transport Hall of Fame in 1995, we went to a Dinner there with all the outback transport pioneers, do you recollect if Tom was there?
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Richard 1943 Bedford QLD lorry - 1941 BSA WM20 m/cycle - 1943 Daimler Scout Car Mk2 Member of MVT, IMPS, MVG of NSW, KVE and AMVCS KVE President & KVE News Editor |
#12
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Richard, I don't really recall - but i don't think so. The Road Transport Hall of Fame has done such a great job in ensuring the outback transport pioneers have found their place in history, but I think in 1995 on the opening night, their wonderful work was only just taking off. Of course this was some time before the restoration of the Leyland Badger doco (Keith!) and the reinvigoration and rediscovery (for the great unwashed) of the original film... In 1995, except for those in the know, Tom and Kurt were almost forgotten - hats off to everyone who made sure that we remember them now in 2011... I'm going to talk to the Australian's obituary writer Graeme Leech tomorrow - keep a lookout...
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C60X M3A1 Scout Car Willys MB Ford GPW |
#13
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Back of Beyond
Good memory, Hanno
You are absolutely correct! The film was made by the Shell Film Unit, directed by John Heyer. I think Tom is responsible for giving many people their interest in CMPs - the second half of the film features the F60L cab 12, while the first half Tom drives the Leyland Badger. Quote:
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#14
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Tom's cab 12
Hanno, this is what you're talking about.
On the left is John Heyer.
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#15
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Quote:
H.
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Regards, Hanno -------------------------- |
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And to think that the cab 12 in this photo was probably less than 15 years old at the time...
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Howard Holgate F15 #12 F15A #13 (stretched) F60S #13 C15A #13 Wireless (incomplete) |
#17
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Cab 12
Quote:
The Badger was five years older but had a rebuild including new chassis and a Thorneycroft bogie around 1948. Here's the Badger:
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#18
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Much to my astonishment and disappointment- I've been informed The Australian no longer produces an obituary column. Tom's story would have been a must read. However, there is a documentary television series in production for the ABC which uses some of the 'Back of Beyond' film - mentioning Tom and his adventures...It'll screen either late this year or early 2012.
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C60X M3A1 Scout Car Willys MB Ford GPW |
#19
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Not only but also
Quote:
Our program, Last Mail from Birdsville - the story of Tom Kruse will screen in South Australia this Saturday morning. I can also confirm the time for the funeral which is 2.30, not 2 as previously mentioned. At the moment I'm editing a memorial piece to be shown at the wake.
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#20
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Back of Beyond/Last Mail
During my visit to Broken Hill last April we paid a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor base. I was disapointed that they did not have any copies of Back of Beyond/Last Mail on hand. Since then I had completley forgotten all about it.
The DVD's are available on line HERE. Money from the sale of the DVD's goes to keeping the flying doctor flying. Quote:
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Howard Holgate F15 #12 F15A #13 (stretched) F60S #13 C15A #13 Wireless (incomplete) |
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