A different time: Bill Huggins dons his medals in preparation for ANZAC Day.
KIM WATERS
Mates who died at the bottom of the sea will come to life again in the mind of Ocean Grove’s Bill Huggins on Monday.
The 89-year-old president of the town’s RSL will remember on ANZAC Day the boys who died 65 years ago “before they even reached their 19th birthday”.
Mr Huggins speaks of his 33 years of service in hushed tones, recalling events that still distress him “a very great deal”.
“Let’s face it, most veterans get nightmares,” he said.
“I still get them even today. You try to only remember the good times.”
Mr Huggins joined the navy just before his 18th birthday to travel the world on a warship ferrying soldiers to theatres of war.
“In those days it was old enough to be fighting for our country because young men had a different attitude to life than they do now,” he said.
“It was a different time and we were different people.”
Mr Huggins remembered the ship fostering unbreakable bonds between sailors, some of whom still reunited each year at Ocean Grove.
“Service friends stay friends for ever and during the war if you look after your mates they look after you.”
He was modest about his exploits in war but admitted he was “pretty proud” of his British Empire Medal for exemplary service.
“I really treasure it because it was one of the last British Empire Medals issued by the Queen.”
Mr Huggins encouraged Ocean Grove residents to attend the town’s ANZAC Day dawn service at The Centotaph, on the corner of Hodgeson Street and The Parade, at 6am before marching at the corner of The Terrace and President Avenue from 10.45am.
