Sub Branch Museum Feature Story

Jack Waller served our country twice in two different episodes of war.

Shortly after the end of World War II, Jack Waller joined the 67th Australian Infantry Battalion (British Commonwealth Occupation Force). His service here was to cover the years 1946 – 1948. Jack was involved in supervising the repatriation for the Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and Manchurians. He assisted both soldiers and civilians, returning them safely to their home countries. Jack recalls that many were being held in Diawa, Japan. If this sounds a little familiar to you, it is because this is the place where fishing reels – with that same name - are still produced today.

One of the items loaned to the Ballina RSL Sub Branch Museum by Jack is a Japanese sword. He explains that the sword was confiscated while repatriating the Japanese from the Pacific Islands and China. “We were based at Ujina Seaport at Hiroshima”, Jack further outlined, “Of course, our sons also used the sword in later years to chop Christmas trees from our bush!”

Jack Waller’s second period of service occurred in the years 1950 – 1952 when he re-joined to serve in Korea with the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He had read in an advertisement that in order to be able to join the special K-Force (the original K-Force), one needed previous training and experience in infantry.

Two other items loaned to our museum by Jack from his time in Korea include an American bayonet and knife that were souvenired in Death Valley. An American combat team was wiped out trying to rescue French or Turkish troops (forget which one). Jack found the bayonet amongst what remained of the American’s belongings whilst the American knife was found on a dead Chinese soldier. Alongside these items in the museum, Jack has also placed a Korean pipe. The pipe was given to him “by an old man in a village, with big smiles and thanks … maybe his only treasure”.

Another interesting item in Jack’s collection is a Boer War bayonet that he says is “very old and has been souvenired many times … to think it is Boer War yet I found it with a dead Chinese soldier in 1951 – originally in a leather skabbet which perished”.

A memory from war that Jack Waller recalls quite strongly and clearly from his time in Korea saw him “coming out of action, all shell shocked and ga ga”…

Sgt. Peter Smeeton was completing the roll call. He called out, “Waller” and I replied “Here Sargey”. Sargey then exploded with, “You call me Sargey one more time Waller and I will _(bleep)_ you! I replied, “Sargey, Sargey, Sargey!!” It was what we all needed. We all had a laugh and this calmed all our nerves down.

On behalf of all at Ballina RSL Club Ltd, we warmly thank Jack Waller for all of the items he has loaned to our museum (be sure to pop in and take a closer look at them during your next visit to the Club) … and for sharing his tales and memories with us.

Jack Waller served our country twice in two different episodes of war.

Shortly after the end of World War II, Jack Waller joined the 67th Australian Infantry Battalion (British Commonwealth Occupation Force). His service here was to cover the years 1946 – 1948. Jack was involved in supervising the repatriation for the Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and Manchurians. He assisted both soldiers and civilians, returning them safely to their home countries. Jack recalls that many were being held in Diawa, Japan. If this sounds a little familiar to you, it is because this is the place where fishing reels – with that same name - are still produced today.

One of the items loaned to the Ballina RSL Sub Branch Museum by Jack is a Japanese sword. He explains that the sword was confiscated while repatriating the Japanese from the Pacific Islands and China. “We were based at Ujina Seaport at Hiroshima”, Jack further outlined, “Of course, our sons also used the sword in later years to chop Christmas trees from our bush!”

Jack Waller’s second period of service occurred in the years 1950 – 1952 when he re-joined to serve in Korea with the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He had read in an advertisement that in order to be able to join the special K-Force (the original K-Force), one needed previous training and experience in infantry.

Two other items loaned to our museum by Jack from his time in Korea include an American bayonet and knife that were souvenired in Death Valley. An American combat team was wiped out trying to rescue French or Turkish troops (forget which one). Jack found the bayonet amongst what remained of the American’s belongings whilst the American knife was found on a dead Chinese soldier. Alongside these items in the museum, Jack has also placed a Korean pipe. The pipe was given to him “by an old man in a village, with big smiles and thanks … maybe his only treasure”.

Another interesting item in Jack’s collection is a Boer War bayonet that he says is “very old and has been souvenired many times … to think it is Boer War yet I found it with a dead Chinese soldier in 1951 – originally in a leather skabbet which perished”.

A memory from war that Jack Waller recalls quite strongly and clearly from his time in Korea saw him “coming out of action, all shell shocked and ga ga”…

Sgt. Peter Smeeton was completing the roll call. He called out, “Waller” and I replied “Here Sargey”. Sargey then exploded with, “You call me Sargey one more time Waller and I will _(bleep)_ you! I replied, “Sargey, Sargey, Sargey!!” It was what we all needed. We all had a laugh and this calmed all our nerves down.

On behalf of all at Ballina RSL Club Ltd, we warmly thank Jack Waller for all of the items he has loaned to our museum (be sure to pop in and take a closer look at them during your next visit to the Club) … and for sharing his tales and memories with us.