Bluey Hope
Alick James “Bluey” Hope was born at Wynyard, Tasmania on 15.02.1921.
“Bluey” had been with the Militia & he enlisted with the A.I.F. at Brighton Camp, Launceston on 13.05.1940. He said it was mainly through peer pressure – it was what an 18 y.o. did then & in big numbers. His first posting was at Brighton Camp, F Troop, 16th Bty, 2/8th Field Regiment.
One most outstanding memory was the 9th Division Parade in Palestine before Lieutenant General Sir Leslie James Morshead & then again after victory at El Alamein.
In the 2/8th, Alick billeted with Chas McKenzie & Padre Udy. His other close mates were Laurie Doddy; George Ross; Con Whytcross; Larry Green & Jack Ratcliff.
He held the Ranks of a/c Bombardier & Lance Bombardier, until he contracted “yellow jaundice” & he was demoted to Lance. Alick volunteered as Padre Batman & was demoted again to Gunner. He was transferred to the 2/24th Battalion & then the 2/23rd where he saw action in Borneo. Alick was wounded at Tarakan & found himself in the Field Hospital, which proved to be a pleasant respite from ground sheet sleeping, not to mention the feminine touch of four lovely nurses!
Alick “Bluey” Hope was discharged from the 2/23rd Australian Infantry Battalion on 16.10.1945.