GUEST SPEAKER – PDG Dr Daryl Moran
The last time PDG Daryl visited our club was in the capacity as DG of D9810, however, today he came to talk about his book Empire’s Noble Son which was published in 2019 and tells of the little known story of a very brave Australian soldier during WW1, 2nd Lt Lyle Buntine MC, who was a member of the British Royal Flying Corp. David’s talk portrayed the life and times, and the essence of what was considered important in Australia during the early 20th Century where reverence was held for “God, King and Country”. Lyle Buntine was born Walter Horace ‘Lyle’ Buntine and attended Caulfield grammar 1903 – 1913 when it was a private school owned by his father.
We heard he was a classic student, a good all-rounder – good at sport and an academic. Sport, football in particular, was considered important for developing character and stamina in an Australian soldier. This was a time when most students finished school at age 14, and it was compulsory for males aged 14 – 18 to enlist in the armed services. Lyle Buntine was a medical student at University when he joined the Medical Corp in 1915. However, he wasn’t keen on this and travelled to England where he joined the Royal Flying Corp in the British Army and learned to fly. He joined other trainee pilots learning to fly from 6am – 9pm daily, followed up with more study in the evening. During the war, the British Army was desperate for pilots, and trainee pilots were expected to fly a plane solo after as little as 4 – 5 hours training in the air. Lyle Buntine arrived on the Western Front for the Battle of Somme in 1916 where deaths were high with up to 20,000 in 1 day. Black humour was one way of dealing with the horror and awfulness of war and this was evident in historical records of war time correspondences. Lyle Buntine was shot down 6 times and survived to tell the tale, and was awarded a Military Cross for bravery when he saved the life of a gunner who had fallen out of the plane whilst in the air in combat. Pictures of the planes used and positioning of the gunner and pilot displayed the precariousness and what an extraordinary feat this must have been. The King presented the Military Cross to Lyle Buntine at Windsor Castle after returning to Britain. Sadly, during a training session in Scotland with a young pilot, there was an accident and the plane crashed and both he and the young pilot were killed. PDG Daryl completed his presentation with some very sobering facts and figures and the effect of war on our nation. Of the 60,000 Australians killed in WW1 – 30,000 were not found – and identification was an issue. It was normal to not return bodies to Australia. The Buntine family lost 5 family members during the war. 490,000 Australians enlisted for the armed forces when Australia had a population of approx. 4 Million, and 300,000 served overseas. Over 50% of 14 – 18 years males enlisted. And most sadly, Australian soldiers who served as members in the British armed forces, even today, are not acknowledged in any of Australia’s war memorials – Lt Lyle Buntine is one of them. Thank you PDG Daryl for your wonderful presentation and bringing to life the tale of a brave Australian soldier.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Glenda
Pres Glenda thanked PDG Daryl for a wonderful presentation. Copies of PDG Daryl’s books are for sale at $25
A number of local community events will be held over coming days to commemorate Anzac Day. Details will be emailed to members via Club Runner.
A reminder an evening of Mahjong will be held at The Healey on Thursday night 20/4 at 6.50 for 7pm. Instructions for playing the game and light refreshments will be provided.
The next board meeting will be held on Monday evening 24/4 at 7.30pm
The planned visit to SES on Monday evening on 24/4 has provision for 8 members – with 4 at a time in each room. Members wishing to attend need to advise - Karin will send an email to members with details.
RI Convention – all members are invited to visit the House of Friendship during the RI Convention – however, members will need to register if they are not registered to attend the convention. Refer details in the email issued by Julie Eadon – D9810 District Secretary.
Ri Convention Club Dinner – 29/5 – finishing touches are being applied to the club hosting dinner – more details will be provided at next week’s club meeting.
Marriott Services Ball – 25/5. The ball celebrates Marriott Support Services’ 50th anniversary. We are looking to reserve tables - please follow up with Linda if planning to attend.
Next week’s club meeting on Wed 26/4 will be a fellowship meeting. Announcements will include Club changeover details, and information about the District Conference
A number of local community events will be held over coming days to commemorate Anzac Day. Details will be emailed to members via Club Runner.
A reminder an evening of Mahjong will be held at The Healey on Thursday night 20/4 at 6.50 for 7pm. Instructions for playing the game and light refreshments will be provided.
The next board meeting will be held on Monday evening 24/4 at 7.30pm
The planned visit to SES on Monday evening on 24/4 has provision for 8 members – with 4 at a time in each room. Members wishing to attend need to advise - Karin will send an email to members with details.
RI Convention – all members are invited to visit the House of Friendship during the RI Convention – however, members will need to register if they are not registered to attend the convention. Refer details in the email issued by Julie Eadon – D9810 District Secretary.
Ri Convention Club Dinner – 29/5 – finishing touches are being applied to the club hosting dinner – more details will be provided at next week’s club meeting.
Marriott Services Ball – 25/5. The ball celebrates Marriott Support Services’ 50th anniversary. We are looking to reserve tables - please follow up with Linda if planning to attend.
Next week’s club meeting on Wed 26/4 will be a fellowship meeting. Announcements will include Club changeover details, and information about the District Conference
ROSTERS
Next week’s club meeting and market rosters were announced.
VALE
Tony passed on the news Bruce Oglethorpe from the R.C. Cheltenham had passed away. Bruce was very supportive when the R.C. Moorabbin Central first commenced in 1990.
Karin informed the daughter of former club member Janet Blainey had passed away – members may recall many visits to Janet’s daffodil farm in Drouin over the years to support Janet’s fund raising efforts for the Anti Cancer Council.
- our club offers its sympathy and condolences to these families during these times.
Karin informed the daughter of former club member Janet Blainey had passed away – members may recall many visits to Janet’s daffodil farm in Drouin over the years to support Janet’s fund raising efforts for the Anti Cancer Council.
- our club offers its sympathy and condolences to these families during these times.
