Coolum-Peregian’s last surviving WWII veteran, Francis (Frank) McGreevy, was paid tribute last Saturday on the 75th anniversary of VP Day (Victory in the Pacific).
Together with Ted O’Brien MP, they commemorated VP Day with the unveiling of a dedicated plaque honouring all who served in WWII and the significance of the war’s end on April 15, 1945, at the Coolum-Peregian cenotaph.
Mr McGreevy was also presented with a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration to honour the service and sacrifice of our living Second World War veterans.
Ted O’Brien said it was a wonderful occasion organised by the Coolum-Pereigan RSL sub-branch.
“Frank is one of those quintessential Australian legends,” Mr O’Brien said.
“He signed up to the war fibbing about his age so that he was able to serve.
“He was injured with shrapnel, thankfully Frank survived and he was with us on Saturday to tell part of his story.
“We know that of the million Australians who served in that war, so many did not come home and they paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“It’s very easy, while under our blue skies and our lifestyle and the freedom we enjoy, to forget that our way of life was not a fluke or a coincidence, it was fought for.
“It is because of people like Frank, and others who have gone before him, that we have our freedom and to them we say a very big thank you for your service.”
Mr McGreevy was born in Toogoolawa on 16 September 1923 and enlisted in the Australian Army (AMF) at Rockhampton on 14 May 1942.His first stop was the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in Brisbane before transferring to 29 ITB (Infantry Training Batt) in Goondiwindi.
“I was only a boy, I didn’t know what I was doing,” Mr McGreevy said.
“All my friends went into the Army, so I said I’m not staying in Rockhampton on my own, I’m going to join them.”
He then transferred to 19th AIF Field Ambulance on 16 April 1943, where he went on to serve at Merauke in Dutch New Guinea and Bougainville.Frank was wounded in action (by shrapnel) on 6 February 1945 and transferred to Rabaul for medical treatment and recovery.When peace was declared for WWII on 15 August 1945 Frank was back in his unit. He then disembarked Rabaul on 24 September 1945 to return to Cairns.He was discharged from the Australian Army on 26 January 1946 and has lived in the Coolum area ever since.
Coolum-Pereigan RSL sub-branch president Gavin Powell said Mr McGreevy was at the RSL every Friday night enjoying a meal and a beer with his mates.
