Ninety-six-year-old World War Two veteran Penguin Football Club life member Ted Howe is just one of many who has a link with both the NWFL, in North-West Tasmania, and our nation at war.
Mr Howe stood alongside about 100 fellow soldiers at the beginning of the Kokoda Campaign, in Papua New Guinea, in July 1942 as part of B Company of the 2/31 Battalion 7th Division.
Less than 10 survived the World War II campaign which lasted about five months before the Japanese were defeated literally on Australia’s doorstep.
The 96-year-old also saw action in the Middle East and Borneo during WW II.
Last Saturday Ted was at the Penguin Two Blues home ground to witness the annual ANZAC Day clash with arch rival Ulverstone, located just six kilometres up the road.
Sadly, for Ted, the Two Blues were thumped but that did not stop him from displaying a trademark grin throughout the afternoon and happily responding to the well-wishers of patrons.
Ted presented a medal in his honour to the Two Blues’ best player, debutant Keenan Slater. Ulverstone’s Pearson Medal for its best was presented to Jacob Wiggers and is also named in honour of a war veteran with strong links to the club.
Penguin also makes available a medal to its best under 18 player on the day, also named in honour of a surviving World War Two vet in Lyell Willcox.
There are not a lot of WW2 diggers as I noted in Canberra at the march this year. These guys did a great job and its great to see them honoured still.
Looks like footy on the coast is still going strong