Life is a Twisted Path

 Brian Jerry Meyer wrote recently with some fascinating historical snips. He said: Life is a Twisted Path is a book written by the late Brig John "Blackie" Burns.
If you have not read it I can recommend it as a good read.
I was given a copy to read by the Patron of the NEW ZEALAND Sub Br of the RSL NSW Branch,  Maj Bob"Splinter" Wood.
Bob was not RNZA but a hostilities only Infantryman. Though he did stay on after the war in the Uk with the repatriation of POW. Where Bob knew John was in the POW Camp in ITALY in 1942/43. They were in the same room. They both escaped in the confusion that arose when the Italians surrendered and before the Germans could either move the POWs or run the Camps They did not escape together
The SBO(Senior British Officer) at the POW Camp was a Lt Col Shuttleworth a familar name to those of us that are Ex RF Cadets.
Bob as a point of interest is 96 years of age Still drives. Lives in a unit by himself at a town called SAWTELL near COFFS HARFBOUR which is about 500km north of SYDNEY.
We hold a Christmas Luncheon every year at the CHATSWOOD RSL Club and last year Bob drove himself down to the luncheon and back. He gave a speech, too. Not bad for then a 95 year old.
We have another Vet here, a Frank Harlow who is 97 and who also comes to meetings etc. Frank was sent back by Gen Freyberg to WAIOURU from the Western Desert after CRETE to help start what we knew back in the 50/60s as the Armd Depot and was one of the original instructors.