Frank Finch OAM WW2 Veteran: Ode to Shipmates
Posted on: Mon 29 Jul 2019
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Frank Finch, whose maritme service spanned a massive 45 years, wrote two books called ‘Under Three Flags’ and ‘United We Stand, Divided We fall’, and he co-authored another with Bill Lunney called ‘Forgotten Fleet’. Frank has also written a number of poems. At the US Army Small Ships Reunion in Sydney in 2019, Frank recited one of his poems… ‘ODE TO SHIPMATES’
Presenter Helen Meyer
Main Photo: Frank Finch OAM delivering the Ode To Shipmates at the US Army Transportation Corps and US Army Small Ships Reunion in Sydney 2019.
Second Photo, Left to Right: WW2 Veterans Keith Oliver and Don Kennedy US Consul General Sharon Hudson-Dean, WW2 Veterans Frank Finch OAM (President US Army Small Ships Assoc), Len McLeod and Peter Lucas.
Both photos courtesy of Victor Pickel Photography, Sydney 2019
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Frank Finch aged 16. Photo taken a week before he joined the US Army Small Ships Association. Photo provided by US Army Small Ships Assoc.
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The towboat Volunteer (S-93) of the Small Ships Section, United States Army Services of Supply, Southwest Pacific Area (USA SOS SWPA) in an unidentified harbour. The Volunteer was acquired from the Central Launch & Engineering Co., Balmain, NSW, on 10 September 1942. AWM