It takes a special kind of resilience to spend nearly a decade of your life not knowing if, or when, you’ll be sent into battle to fight for Australia.
But Brian Anderson, like so many in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Melbourne Regiment, lived by its motto Semper Paratus, (“Always Ready”).
Much like reserve players on the sidelines during sports games, Brian had to train – and wait. But the stakes were high; moving from the sidelines to the frontlines of battle fields. And, like the 227,000 Australians called up for training in the armed forces in many intakes during the 1950s, Brian had to dig deep to find the courage to cope with this uncertainty.
“You do what you’re told and just get on with life,” says Brian, who lives with his wife Geraldine at Uniting AgeWell Camberwell Community Condare Court in Melbourne. “But of course it’s always in the back of your mind that you could get called up.”
Brian was only 17 when, against the backdrop of the Korean War and other uncertainties, he lied about his age and joined the Citizens Military Force (CMF). He did three months full time training at Puckapunyal Military Base in central Victoria followed by many years of weekend training and camps. The 6th Battalion, which was part of the CMF, earned significant honours over the years.
Brian has always had a flair for design, and trained as an apprentice tailor, working alongside another apprentice, the flame-haired Geraldine. “Mum told me to stay away from redheads as she thought they were feisty, so I married the prettiest one I could find,” he laughs.
Brian got into designing clothes and later in the clothing manufacturing business, working in the UK and in NSW. He ended up lecturing in clothing manufacturing at a TAFE College in Melbourne.
Last year Brian had a serious fall and opted to move into Condare Court for respite care. He liked it and chose to stay. Shortly afterwards, Geraldine joined him. Now both are enjoying round-the-clock care, a new circle of friends and being with each other.
Brian has always had a flair for design, and trained as an apprentice tailor, working alongside another apprentice, the flame-haired Geraldine. “Mum told me to stay away from redheads as she thought they were feisty, so I married the prettiest one I could find,” he laughs.
Brian got into designing clothes and later in the clothing manufacturing business, working in the UK and in NSW. He ended up lecturing in clothing manufacturing at a TAFE College in Melbourne.
Last year Brian injured himself in another serious fall – this time hanging up the washing - and realising he needed a bit of extra help, opted to move into Condare Court for respite care. He liked it and ended up staying. Shortly afterwards, Geraldine sold up their Kilsyth home and joined him. Now both are enjoying round-the-clock care, a new circle of friends and being with each other. And both are delighted they never have to do household chores again!
Over the years, Brian’s service and commitment to Australia has never waned. Both he and Geraldine are members of the Box Hill RSL and Brian was a volunteer guide at the Shrine of Remembrance.
“I’m still around,” he says. “So many others weren’t that lucky.”
Both always attend Anzac and Remembrance services and plan to play active roles in these ceremonies at Condare Court.
When it comes to honouring the fallen, Brian is determined to never be on the sidelines.