In early 1942, when Australia was threatened with invasion, the need for alternate means of communication became apparent as line communication could easily be disrupted and wireless could be intercepted by the enemy. It was decided to establish a chain of lofts round the mainland coastline. A number of personnel already serving in the Army, who had previously been pigeon fanciers were recruited to operate this service. An appeal was then made to fanciers throughout Australia to donate pigeons to the service. During 1942 - 43, a total in excess of 14,000 pigeons were donated, free of cost, to the Army. These lofts were soon operating successfully, providing communications for Army small craft and coastal bases and alternate means of communication for coastal defence bases around the coast. This service proved so successful that the use of pigeons in Jungle Warfare was considered to have great possibilities. Capt.Bert Cornish was recruited to expand the service and overseas field operations. It was suggested that fifty recruits be allotted to him to train to operate this service. This was rejected out of hand as Bert realised that personnel with experience in handling pigeons was essential for this service to be a success. As a result some of Post War’s leading fanciers served their apprenticeship in the Army Pigeon Corps. Western Australia - Frank Bunter, Mick Ligertwood and Alf Gray. South Australia - Bert Richmond, Vin Blanden and Bruce Baulderstone. Victoria - Sid Moore, Frank Paterson and Ernie Taunton. Queensland - Bill Gundy, Mick McGuinness and Ray Turbitt. New South Wales - Allan Bond, Arthur Winch, Bert Whalen, Alf Woods, Bob Appleby, Jack Davies, Jack James, Bert Cornish, Keith Wrightson and Dick Behan. All National Winners. With the defeat of the Japanese on the Kokoda Track and the sea battle in the Coral Seas, the need for the Pigeon Service in New Guinea became a matter of urgency. In December 1942, I arrived in Port Moresby with the first section of the Pigeon Corps and the Islands of New Guinea, Bougainville and New Britain were to be my destination for the next three and half years. As Army Troops pursued the retreating Japs from Milne Bay, Buna Oro Bay, Morobe and Nassau Bay towards Salamarua, it was imperative that an escape route be established in case of heavy Jap resistance in the Lae and Finchhaven campaigns. The Pigeon Service supplied communications for engineers building a jeep track over the Owen Stanley Range from Terapo on the Moresby side, to Bulolo and Lalamua on the Northern side. Many landslides were experienced and pigeons brought aid to the stranded jeep convoys to keep the single track open. Army engineers had great faith in pigeons. Meanwhile, mobile lofts were established at buna, Milne bay Morobe and Nassau Bay supplying ship to shore communication for water transport small craft carrying essential supplies to troops in forward areas, also bringing in important information from reconnaissance patrols regarding Jap positions, where new landings were planned, pigeons proved invaluable. As forward scouts would move in and pin point Jap bunkers and any reefs which may strand the landing craft and send out a detailed plan to assist in the planning of the landing. I joined the American Forces for the landing at Arawe in New Britain and received much credit for the performance of the birds which we had operating up to 5 miles within 4 days, bringing in valuable information from forward patrols. One patrol surrounded by Japs - having tested Jap defenses and cannot advance without heavy casualties - pigeon messages bought reinforcements and were able to withdraw with light casualties. Other outstanding performances include messages form stranded small ships beached in heavy storms on Wadau Beach. Crew and Cargo were saved. When the 9th Division were fighting for Finchhaven, a forward surgical team urgently needed supplies of blood plasma for wounded casualties. A Pigeon message brought immediate results. In Northern New Guinea, Jock Force Patrol lost contact with 6th Division H.Q. It was decided to parachute six birds to the patrol who successfully received the birds and sent messages back over the rugged Toaecelli Mountains which enabled many successful air strikes to be made and the Japanese routed. On the South of Bougainville, in the Buin Road Campaign, D Company 47th Battalion, was in trouble. It was savagely attacked by retreating Japanese. Signal wires had been cut, wounded lay inside the perimeter, two pigeons were the last chance of a message getting through to summon relief. Luckily the message got through and immediately tanks were sent out to MacDonald was awarded the Military Cross for his part in this action and is on record when viewing the Pigeon Corps Display in the Australian War Memorial as saying "I owe my life to these feathered messengers". At the conclusion of hostilities, one section of the Pigeon Corps was retained in Rabaul to assist in the repatriation of Jap Prisoners of War. On ANZAC Day each year, members of the Pigeon Corps assemble under the banner kindly donated by the Pigeon Fanciers Protection Association to take part in the traditional ANZAC Day March when favourable comment is always forthcoming from the T.V commentary team. Our numbers are getting thin, but it is our intention to show the flag while ever we are able in memory of our many members who are no longer with us.

By Lieutenant Keith Wrightson