Footsteps of Anzac

Pakenham resident and WW2 veteran Norm Joseph will go to Gallipoli next year for the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing. Picture: DONNA OATES 18857_02

By BRIDGET SCOTT

NORM Joseph will re-trace the footsteps of his father when he embarks on the journey of a lifetime to Gallipoli next year.
The Pakenham resident and his grand-daughter Annie were two of 8,000 people to be picked in the ballot to attend the centenary celebrations at the Commemorative Anzac Site in Turkey next year.
Some 42,000 people applied to be part of this occasion, and Mr Joseph eagerly anticipates the chance to honour his father and the other soldiers.
The veteran’s father was part of both world wars and was among the First Division AIF to land at Gallipoli.
During the Second World War, Norm felt privileged to be alongside his father in Papua New Guinea, where his dad Ben Joseph was a sergeant-major.
But nothing will overshadow the importance of Norm’s trip to Gallipoli next year.
Anzac Day is an important occasion for Norm each year, but nothing can prepare him for the emotion he will feel as he stands near the place where his father first landed in this most revered of Australian battles.
His grand-daughter Annie said she was absolutely ecstatic and said it would be “one hell of a family reunion” when nearly all of her grandfather’s side head overseas for the anniversary next year.
Norm’s father was a born soldier, and survived both world wars before later joining the Army Reserve.
As a young boy Norm often found himself polishing his father’s equipment.
“I admired him tremendously,” Norm said.
It was an honour for Norm when he fought alongside his father in Papua New Guinea, but he said the pair didn’t have much chance to communicate.
When Norm enlisted at the age of just 15, the first words he heard from his father were: “I’ll give him six months”.
“He was the reason I had an extended Army career,” Norm remembered.
“He said he would give me six months and I’d be out – so that was a bit of motivation.”
With a passion for the sea, Norm first tried to enter the navy where he was knocked back for being too young.
“They told me to come back and try in a couple of years’ time,” he said.
“I was pretty cross by this so I went down to the army recruiting booth.”
Aware of the lies he would have to tell, when they asked for his birth certificate Norm said it was locked away and he agreed to get an affidavit signed.
“I nagged my mum morning, noon and night,” he said.
“Finally she gave in and signed the document.”
On 8 September 1941 the 15-year-old began training and he served for five years.
Now, he often reflects back on his own unforgettable time at war.
“I still remember going out on patrols – the adrenaline that would run and the possibility of an ambush.
“I will never forget almost always coming back to camp and seeing the Salvation Army banner, with a big urn of tea.”
Norm will also never forget a song he heard while in Borneo.
“It was by Elsie Wardrop and she sang a song for her solider that was away, called Goodnight Wherever You Are.
“I’ve never heard it since but that will always stick in my mind.”