William Saylor at the ANZAC Memorial Wall dedication on Thursday Island on April 25, 2011. Photo: Mark Roy
Today, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month 2012, we pay tribute to ANZACs who died or suffered to serve our nation in wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations around the world.
ANZAC veteran William “Bully Hayes” Saylor, 82, served in the Malaya conflict in the 1950s. Below, Uncle Bill talks about the role of Torres Strait Islanders who fought, on foreign soil, on behalf of all Australians.
“I was born on Erub (Darnley Island) in the eastern Torres Strait. The island is on the great Northeast Channel entrance into Australian waters, about 40 miles inside the border line that separates Australia from Papua New Guinea.
“The Australian and New Zealand forces combined and cooperated in battle in foreign countries to keep peace in the world. Where so many thousands of young lives have been destroyed, memories live on. Families remember their hurt as time goes by.
“When war was declared in the Pacific, Torres Strait was caught in the crossfire. Men and boys from every island were drafted in to form the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion 14 Garrison of Queensland Division. Their names are listed on the Roll of Honour Monument at ANZAC Park, Thursday Island. We remember them.
“Although they held the fort, they laid down their lives for their home island and their families. Living on the outer islands, they were fighting for our freedom and well-being, even those who served in the American forces, moving supplies to the battlefront in Papua New Guinea.
“They are all gone now and we are still fighting for freedom.
“The Pacific war came to an end. Then conflict of war broke out in other nations. Our nation got involved, sending troops over and calling for volunteers. A few Torres Strait boys enlisted, and faced active service. One of our comrades missing in action in Korea came from Badu Island, one of my very close friends by the name of Iona Harry, and I know this family well. He was in the battlefront in Korea. Another two got wounded and returned home.
“Korea came to an end, then in the mid-’50s, Malaya was terrorised by communists and Australia was involved, sending troops over to help safeguard that nation. So wherever there is conflict of war and Australia gets involved in operations, there are Torres Strait boys amongst the many, to do our share.
“Side-by-side we march with the bronze ANZACs in all conflict in different parts of the globe. We came from an unrecognised area of Australia, that is so small on the map you couldn’t see us.
“Yet we have given our name to keep all Australia free.”
