A great, great man.

[rgum]

Matrin Clemmens has had his foot amputated this arvo at 2pm in Melb.
A sudden clot made this operation necessary.

I visited him with his children, one of whom is the love of my life, today.
Some of our senior members may know of Mr Clemmens.
Those members, if any, who had participated in WW2.

Martin Clemmens was a coastal watcher based in Quadelcannal.
( spelling ) He was also the high comisioner there and in Palestine.

He watched and hid from, the Japanese, cold and wet for a bloody long time in an unforgiving jungle so as to supply information to our lads and allies.

He's 92 and slowing down now. We've been crying, my darling howls.
Worried he wont make it through the op. BUT! As I write this I've just found out he's in the recovery room. It's not over yet!

He's very frail. I help him into bed often when called to come over. He has a full time carer.

On several occaisions I helped with toilet duties.
Such tasks as these matter not to me because this mans bravery gave me my freedom and liberty as I enjoy it today. Of course others died for our freedom.....not forgetting. Never to forget!
No one wants to go to war. None!

I never call him Martin. Only " Mr Clemmens sir", as I greet him.
I'm not a family member.
He deserves much respect. I've been very lucky to hear some of his
" hiding in the jungle as the Japs passed " stories. And to finish a bottle of scotch with him

Basically, Martin was given not one soldier to help defend the islands as the Japanese came except for the socalled " Fuzzie wuzzies". Islanders.
Wot they did was corageous. Ofcourse they were going to defend their land from invaders!
Our soldiers and allies were needed in Africa and Europe then.

You can type him name in a Yahoo search and find out about him and his book, " Alone in Guadalcannal "

A relitively easy op but his age is his barrier. If he survived the jungles during a war to be this age then he's going to live for a while yet.
God bless you Mr Clemmens.

Tony.

[Ruddigar]

If there were a "hat tipping" smiley then I would use it right now.

Unfortunately there isn't......but you know what my feelings are.

[Allan at Wallan]

Sounds like a great bloke to whom we owe many
thanks. Pass on my best wishes for a speedy
recovery then continued good health.

Allan

__________________________________________

I am not at all worried about dying
... but just hope I am not there at the time.

[Chesand]

We certainly owe these men a great debt as we enjoy our freedom.
As my son often says 'The just do not build them like that anymore.'
Hope he recovers well and enjoys the rest of his life.

[jmk89]

The coastwatchers, almost without exception, demonstrated the strength of character and the determination that we all hope lies within us, waiting for the occasion to require it.

My best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. Thanks for letting us know about Mr Clemmens.

[rgum]

My partner Alexandra told me last night that after scans and initial viewing after the first incision into his leg that his leg had to come off from above his knee.
I went silent. I'm stunned. I didn't speak for a while. Stared at the ceiling for ages in bed.

Today....Monday....he's ok. Only ...ok. Fine this morn and seemingly worse this afterrnoon.
He kept faintly calling out, that he knew he was a POW and would help the allies. But he never was. Too clever for any combatant.

I'm ???? scared that Alexandra is going to lose her father and I miss out on experiencing a great man. He's bloody big and tall. Lifted him into bed many times, wheather I got a call to come up and help get him off the floor or just get him to bed.

The shock may still kick in and kill him.
She has many commisioned paintings of her father in her house. And he has one or two.

BTW....a new Tom Hanks/ Steven Speilberg film currently being filmed in Port Douglas and soon to finish in middle Victoria, has someone playing Martin in this film. Short role. HOWS THAT! WOW! I'm soo pleased and proud.
The film is called " Pacific ". A follow up to Saving private Ryan, I'm told.
And for good mesure a friend of mine working as a weapons expert has met the actor playing Martin. But I still don't know who it is....grrrr

I just want him to get strong again. I've already been booked to help carry his coffin. Gawwwdd, I don't wanna know about it. But we have to be ready. And Alex is.

I just love to listen to the old buggers and the stories they've got to tell. When they wanna tell'em.
They are all disappearing too soon.

Don't want a ph call from my darling telling the worst. He's due for 4 weeks rehab in one week. Hope we make it.

Tony.

[munruben]

Heres wishing him a speedy recovery.

[Clinton1]

best wishes mate, he sounds like one of our quiet hero's.

hang in there.

[jmk89]

Following rgum's original post, I found and bought a copy of Martin Clemens' book, "Alone on Guadalcanal".

It is a great piece of writing - without trying to bignote himself, Mr Clemens sets out, based on his own diaries, what happened during the period from the beginning of the threat of a Japannese invasion of Guadalcanal, through the invasion and the coastwatching phase to the invasion by the US Marines and the ultimate victory of the Allies on Guadalcanal. It is personal but balanced and gives a real insight into what the coastwatchers did and the obstacles they faced and the critical importance of the intelligence that they gathered to the success of the campaign on Guadalcanal. It is also told with good humour.

I thoroughly recommend it as a book that gives a real insight into a man who played a hero's role but who remained both modest about himself, focussed on the needs of the job at hand but was human and sympathetic enough to be sickened by the reality of war.

[pawnhead]

He sounds like a man deserving of our honour and respect.

I'm a bit late, but best wishes to him.

[DIY DAN]

Men like Martin Clemmens are the real heros of this country. Their sacrifice was immense. He deserves to stand in the company of men like Weary Dunlop and Roden Cutler and especially those hundreds more whose names we do not know. They fought terrible wars, knew real fear and saw horrors unimaginable. Their greatest deed was however, not seeking or expecting ANYTHING in return, past a peacefull life.
We all owe them an enormous debt.
The best I can do, and it feels terrible inadequate, is to wish him a speedy recovery and prey that he enjoys a few more peacefull years.

DIY DAN

[rgum]

Jeremy...thankyou for your interest in Martins book.
Don't forget to see " Pacific " when it comes out. You'll see someone playing Martin. Only a little part. My friend is currently on site advising on munitions and shooting a few gun vairties in establishing noise and sound efects for audio production.

Thankyou to all who have shown interest in Martins current situation.
I have been to visit him a few times since the leg operation. He's just had his stiches removed from his now.....stump leg.
He thought it was Xmas last night when I visited . A little in dimenture I believe, but I find that most chats I have with him, he seems to be with it.
He's now in a home for respite care that allows his full time carer to go away for a few weeks. Jan sometimes calls me and my partner; Martins daughter, and we go over to help lift him into bed. He's a big man.
I took him a bottle of scotch and he was thrilled. I joined in, in enjoying a sip or two.
He'll be home in Toorak in 2 weeks.

I just found out that he was presented to the British Queen to recieve an MBE? QBE? one of those ....sorry
Seen the photo of him with her.

Yep.....hiding in the jungel....freezing ....hungry and Japanese soldiers within earshot. Gawwd ....imagine.....even your breathing might give you away. In the book he sais he was glad to reaquaint himself with a good thick steak after WW2
Imagine having to hide now and then when enemy soldiers approached. How brave was this man. I think I would have failed and been executed.

Ofcourse he'll die sometime BUT! I'm gonna listen to any tale he wants to tell me.

God bless you Mr Clemmens sir. God bless all people who were dragged into a horrible war.

Tony.

[prozac]

rgum, it is most evident that you have an enormous respect and love of this man and that you fear for him. It is a hard thing to watch someone who is frail in their long fight. Be cheerful and upbeat for him, and strong for his family. Turn to wipe away a tear.

Best wishes for you all.

[Groggy]

Many years ago I worked for a gent named W.D. Joynt. He signed a copy of his book for me "Saving the Channel Ports". I seem to recall that was when I realised he was a VC winner. After 3 decades in and around the military I can appreciate the importance of some of the things these guys did. I have seen a lot of the battlefields, trails and tracks; it never ceases to make my flesh creep at how close some of the combatants were and how brutal the fighting.

A lot of these guys on ANZAC day go into the "thousand yard stare", and acknowledge each other with a nod. It's a good thing to discuss their sacrifices and to focus on what is important. There is a new generation on operations now, different times, different places, different technologies - but the risks remain.

Let's not forget them, or ignore the new diggers' efforts on our behalf. Please give him a 'nod' from me.

[TEEJAY]

A good read rgum, may you and " Mr Clemmens sir" enjoy some more scotch and tales of days gone by before we bid him farewell.

Cheers and Godbless