Last Man Standing

Those wonderful chaps at the Shrine have done it again! - The Victoria Police's Shrine Guard, that work at the Shrine 24 hours a day were, this week, complimented on a job welldone!

It would appear that an elderly gentleman named 'Hamilton' and aged 88 years old, had turned up at the Shrine on Tuesday, 27th June, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of 12 Platoon, D company, 2/2 Pioneer Battalion's involvement in World War II.

On this day, 65 years ago, Hamilton and his 12 platoon colleagues, had carried out an attack on a position held by the Vichy French Foreign Legion in Syria. During the contact, twelve of the platoon's 26 members were killed and a further seven, which included Hamilton, were wounded and taken prisoner. Hamilton is now the only living member of 12 platoon.

When the 'Shrine Guard' were made aware of Hamilton's reason for attending, they carried out an impromptu service for him. Dressed in their First World War, Australian Light Horse uniform, they 'Presented Arms' with their .303 Lee-Enfield rifles at the 'Stone of Remembrance', whilst Hamilton laid a wreath in remembrance of his fallen mates. As "The Last Post" was played, there was not a dry-eye in the house!

Hamilton's son, Andrew Hamilton, later sent a letter of appreciation to the Shrine. It finished with the following paragraph.....

"Sir, I am writing to you to thank the staff and guards at the Shrine of Remembrance for the kindness they showed to an 88 year old gentleman and to say to the families of the men of 12 platoon that your loved ones are still remembered."

Well Done to the Shrine Guards!!

Links:
Shrine Guard - http://www.shrine.org.au/content.asp?Document_ID=1004
Victoria Police - http://www.police.vic.gov.au
2/2 Battalion Association - http://www.gilmours.com.au/other/Pioneer%20Sept%202003.doc