Almanac Footy History: Alf Hedge – The Bloods’ Braveheart (Part 3)

 

 

Roger Spaull wraps up his three-part series on Alf Hedge. 

Read Part 1 HERE

Read Part 2 HERE.

 

 

ALF HEDGE IS BOUND FOR ENGLAND VIA CANADA  

 

Once Alf and his comrades had clocked/ recorded the required flying hours  (one text said 50 hours) at Narromine, his training unit then sailed aboard the  RMS Aorangi (troopship) to Canada to complete the next phase of their  training. Gwen wrote …” I watched sadly from the shores of Sydney harbour as  the Aorangi sailed away.” 

 

Alf Hedge (middle) in training in 1941.

Source: ‘For the Duration.’ Page: 21 

 

During his time in Canada, Alf was stationed at Royal Canadian Air Force  Station at Saskatoon. 

 

This photograph was taken at Saskatoon Air Force Base in July 1941. Alf Hedge can be  seen in the third row and is fourth from the right. It is known, that of the above group of Graduate Pilots, twenty were listed as War Casualties. Source: Ibid. 

 

Another photograph which shows Alf and his friends at Saskatoon in 1941. Source: Ibid.  

 

It was then onto England where Alf commenced his Wellington bomber pilot  training in Oxfordshire (possibly but not confirmed at RAF Briz Norton) in July  1941. Sometime during October he was transferred to the 78th Squadron RAF  at RAF Croft Darlington ( which is about three hours, by steam train , from  London). One reliable text also stated that Alf also was based at Brighton  Airfield in Yorkshire for a short while.  

The photograph below is of the 78 Squadron at the RAF Croft Darlington Base.  The group includes pilots, air crew, ground crew and other personnel who  were stationed at Darlington. Unfortunately, there was no date to be found in  relation to this rare photograph; and consequently, it is impossible to tell if Alf  Hedge is part of this training group.  

 

Image description: A large group of airmen sitting and standing in four rows with wooden  huts in the background.

Source: The University of Lincoln Bomber Command Centre.  Reference: ’78 Squadron, Wing CO. Tait, Croft, Darlington’

(Identifier: P78Sqn1747)

 

To give ‘Footy Almanac’s younger readers some idea of the training that Alf  Hedge was required to undergo to become a proficient bomber pilot, here is a possible timeline… 

• Initial Training School (8 weeks). 
• Elementary Flying Training School (10 weeks). 
• Service Flying Training School (16 weeks). 
• Then having proven his proficiency and ‘won his wings ‘Alf was required  to complete a further 4-6 weeks at an Operational Training Unit.  

 

BOMBING RAIDS INTO GERMANY  

Pilot officer Alf Hedge passed all the mandatory test and trials with ‘flying colours’ and received the distinction of being chosen to skipper a Halifax  bomber (as shown below). 

 

The Halifax RAF four engine bomber as skippered by Pilot Officer Alf Hedge.

Source: RAF  website via Wikimediacommons. 

 

The timeline of Alf’s missions during 1942 is imprecise; and very few books/  references actually refer the extent of the strategic bombing of Hamburg  during the period January 1941 until April 1945. A lone source (and therefore  perhaps inaccurate) stated that Alf Hedge had flown 14 sorties/raids over  Germany.  

Hamburg was heavily bombarded during World War: II, but the vast majority of  Australians would have no idea regarding the extent of barrage that the  beleaguered city endured. Over 16,000 tons of bombs fell on Hamburg… 

“ Hamburg, Germany. 1945-04. From 1942-01 to 1945-04 the city sustained  seventeen main force air attacks by RAF Bomber Command, including some  RAAF squadrons. Over 16,000 tons of bombs were dropped, resulting in the  destruction of 75% of the built-up (target) area.” Source: AWM archives.  

 

ALF HEDGE DIES IN BATTLE ON MAY 4th 1942. 

In her remarkable compendium regarding footballers in wartime, ‘Harder than  Football,’ AFL historian, Barbara Cullen, described Alf’s final bombing operation over Hamburg.  

Barbara wrote that the episode that resulted in Alf’s death occurred near  Sudergellersen, Luneburg in Northern Germany at 2.00am on May 4th 1942.  Although unstated in Barbara’s account, there is evidence to suggest that Alf’s ‘ultimate flight’ emanated from the air base at Croft… 

“On the night of May 4th 1942, more than 80 aircraft were dispatched from  England, five of which would be lost in the operation. Hedge’s Halifax W 7662 aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire over a major industrial zone and spiralled out of control and he and his crew members , with the exception of the wounded and unconscious navigator, who on Hedge’s orders, had been  strapped into a parachute and pushed clear earlier, were unable to escape.” Source: Barbara Cullen ‘Harder Than Football’ Page: 81. 

Further research revealed that the airman who escaped death that night was Sergeant John Hanna. After parachuting from the plane, John was taken as a  Prisoner of War and held at Stalag Luft 3 in Lower Silesia. John later reported… 

“The aircraft was hit during enemy action and Sgt Hewitson was wounded. I  heard the Captain tell PO Copeland to attend to the wounded man. Hewitson  was badly wounded in two places.  

Soon after one of the engines caught fire and the Captain gave the order to  adjust Hewitson’s chute and get him clear of the aircraft. Shortly the Captain  ordered abandon A/c (i.e. aircraft) which I did. I saw the aircraft crash and I  think I saw one of the wings come off, which may account for the others failing  to escape.” Source: Aviationsafety.net/ wikibase/203054. 

The crew members who died with Alf Hedge on that fateful mission were: 

• 2nd Pilot: 1208196 Sgt. Dennis Waterman Drew.
• Flight Engineer: 182913 Sgt. Frederick Roberts Hipwell. 
• Observer: 1180812 Sg. J Hewitson. 
• Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: 1256600 Sgt. John Archibald Lloyd.
• Air Gunner: 406548 Pilot Officer: Gerald Ware Copeland RAAF.  

 

NEWS OF ALF HEDGE’ S DEATH REACHES HOME 

There is no doubt that when the Halifax W7662 failed to touch down in  England, grave fears were held for the crew. However, in such cases, hopes  were that the plane had ‘limped’ to safety somewhere and/or the crew had  bailed out and were alive and well.

It is hard to imagine the anxiety and strain that Gwen and the Hedge family  must have felt but, by late October, it was presumed that Alf had perished.  The notice below was published five months after his Halifax went down.  

 

Source: ‘The Argus’ October 31st 1942. Page: 2

 

In March 1943, ‘The Age’ carried a photograph of Alf in its ‘Roll of Honour’ columns. It simply read: “Sgt. A.W. Hedge, Sandringham. Missing (presumed  dead).”

 

Source: ‘The Age’ March 31st 1943. Page: 5 

 

The following extract was found in the Law Notices in ‘The Age’ on January 13th 1943. It makes grim reading but underscores the actuality of Alf’s death. 

 

 

In April, ‘The Emerald Hill Recorder’ published homage to Alf but, as can be seen below, he was called Alan (sic) in the headline. It seems strange that the  editor did not ‘pick up’ such a gaffe but the fact that Alf was described as a  ‘grand little club man’ was at least accurate. 

 

Source: Emerald Hill Recorder. April 10th 1943. Page: 1

 

AT REST IN HAMBURG 

Alf Hedge lies at rest at the Hamburg Cemetery at grave site No: 10A H 12-13.

 

Source: ‘For the Duration.’ Page: 103  

 

One thing that was realized, while researching this article for Footy Almanac,  was: How young (i.e. 24 years of age) Alf Hedge was when he died in such fiery  circumstances. Alf’s headstone at the Hamburg cemetery is shown above.  

In summary, although Alf’s time on earth had been cut short by war, he had,  nevertheless, lived an exceptionally rich and interesting life. He had journeyed to two continents, captained a Halifax bomber crew, played football at the  highest level, worked as a grocer, played cricket with a degree of success and  had ‘rubbed shoulders’ with some of the champions in Australian Sport and  heroes of the RAAF.

 

The Hamburg Cemetery

Source: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website

 

ALF HEDGE – ‘ONE AMONG MANY’ 

Several authoritative texts indicated that more than 150 VFL footballers died in  a theatre of war in the period 1901-1945 (i.e. from the Boer War to the  cessation of hostilities of World War: II in 1945). 

Barbara Cullen’s research specified that 94 VFL footballers died in the Great  War and a further 60 perished in World War:II. Of the total of 154 VFL footballers, twenty were men who had represented South Melbourne Football  Club in at least one game.  

Here is a list of the SMFC footballers. Please note: The list may not be  exhaustive but is as accurate as the available war records permit.

WORLD WAR I 

Hugh Callan (36 games, 1907-10), Fred Fielding ( 1 game in 1911), Charles  Fincher ( 9 games in 1913), Jack Freeman ( 22 games , 1913-14), Edward  Harrison ( 7 games in 1906), ** Harold Rippon ( 5 games in1903 ), Bruce  Sloss ( 81 games, 1910-14), Claude Thomas ( 13 games, 1914-17), *Len  Smith ( 1 game 1902), Jack Turnbull ( 12 games in 1908) and Norm  Bradford ( 7 games in 1915). 

Note: 1 There is a degree of confusion about Len Smith in some records  but it seems that Len played with SMFC in 1902. 

Note: 2 Harold Holt Rippon also played for Melbourne with his brothers,  Les and Norm, at the Junction Oval in Round 16 in 1898. Norm later  played 36 games for South Melbourne (1901-04).

WORLD WAR II

Jeff Grieve (11 games in 1941), Gordon Hamilton (2 games in 1940), Alf Hedge (16 games, 1937-38), Norm Le Brun (3 games in 1929), Alan Pearsall (2 games in 1941), Gordon Sawley (7 games in 1941), Jack Shelton  (7 games in 1930), Len Thomas (187 games, 1927-38) and Jack Wade  (26 games, 1931-33).  

Note: 3 Stories regarding Len Thomas and Bruce Sloss can also be found  on the ‘Footy Almanac’ website. 

 

THE FINAL WORD ABOUT ALF HEDGE BY GWEN. 

When one reads the documents regarding Alf Hedge it is not hard to imagine  that this story would make a wonderful film. As has been often previously  written in these articles for Footy Almanac, every footballer has a story and  Alf’s adventures are worthy of further telling.  

Alf’s wife, Gwen, says it best about Alf’s true character and altruism…  

“Alf and I knew and loved each other for several years before the outbreak of  the war in Europe in 1939, which did not initially cloud our intention to marry in  the course of time. The conflict ‘over there’ was somewhat remote and life in  Australia continued in unperturbed until the early months of 1940 when it  became apparent that Britain could not cope without the services of our young  men.  

Without hesitation, Alf felt it his duty to ‘join up.’ We felt no bitterness for this  interruption to our lives –Hitler’s aggression had to be stopped and peace  restored’ .Little did we realize the extent and what cost!”  

Source: ‘For the Duration’ Page: 101.  

Note: Gwen’s time in the VAD (i.e. Voluntary Aides Detachment) in a  Melbourne hospital and her later service with the Australian Army Medical  Women’s Service is explained in ‘For the Duration’ on page: 102. 

 

Gwynneth Hedge (front & centre) (V.A.D) in uniform during her wartime service years. 

Source: The Wallis family collection. 

 

LEST WE FORGET ALF HEDGE.  

Surviving the rigours of modernity is the major focus of so many families in  these testing times; and perhaps the following quote by Vera Narazin explains who so many brave and noble Australians, such as Alf Hedge, have been  forgotten with the passage of time. Vera once wrote…

“The only thing faster than the speed of thought is the speed of forgetfulness.”  

 

In closing, it is true that life is hectic and the daily grind prevents people from  reflecting too long about the past. However, it is hoped that this article will  bring the life and times of Alf Hedge into a new light; and that younger  generations may find inspiration in his heroic deeds and selfless endeavour. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT- THANK YOU TO LYN OWEN (WALLIS)  

Thank you to Lyn Wallis (Owen) for her kind assistance in bringing this story  together for ‘Footy Almanac’ My deep appreciation to Lyn for providing the  source of family photographs of Alf and her Mother (Gwynneth) and also for  clarifying certain aspects of Alf’s RAAF service years.

 

SOURCES  

• ‘For the Duration’ by Denise Rope. Mackenzie publications. ACT 1984. 
• NLA-Various Newspaper extracts as acknowledged above. 
• ‘Harder than Football’ by Barbara Cullen- Slattery Media (2015) 
•  ‘The Clubs’ Viking-Penguin Books (1998). 
• ‘100 Years of Australian Football’ Viking-Penguin Books (1996). 
• ‘The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers’ by Holmesby & Main (2011)
• ‘Every Game Ever Played’ Compiled by Steve Rogers (1993)
• ‘Fallen’ by Main & Allen (2002)  
• The Footy Almanac website. 
• Boyles Football Photos website.  
• South Melbourne/ Sydney Swans FC website. 
• VFA history: Sandringham and Brighton.  
• AFL statistics, archives and various websites.  
• Australian War Memorial archives. 
• The Nominal Roll World War: 11. 
• State Library of Victoria archives.  
• Lincoln University website. 
• Virtual War Memorial files.  

 

Written for ‘The Footy Almanac’ and the Wallis Family by Roger Spaull in April  2025. 

 

Read Part 1 HERE

Read Part 2 HERE.

 

The full Alf Hedge: Bloods’ Braveheart story written by Roger Spaull will be published tomorrow – Anzac Day 2025.