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Anzac Honour Roll

The Parramatta Eels joins with the rugby league community in honouring the Defence Forces of Australia and New Zealand through the NRL’s annual ANZAC Round.

Across the Eels’ history, the club has shared a strong relationship with Australian and New Zealand defence forces. Our deep connection began with the club’s founder, Colonel Jack Argent OBE OAM ED.

Jack Argent was one of the driving forces in establishing the Parramatta Eels in 1947. In World War II, Jack was part of the 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Australian Artillery 9th Division 2nd AIF that fought in North Africa and later in the Pacific theatre.

In partnership with our ex-players association, the Blue and Gold Alliance (BGA), the Parramatta Eels has been undertaking research to identify each of its former players who may have served the Australian or New Zealand Defence Force. 

Bill Richards, President of the BGA said “Throughout our Club’s rich history there has always been a strong connection with our defence forces. From our Club’s founder Jack Argent who was known affectionately around the Club as “the Colonel”, to our original team who had so many WW2 veterans right through to the players in the 60’ and 70’s who had served in theatres like Vietnam. 

By recognising our players' service with our armed forces, we can ensure that their important contribution to Club and Country will be honoured.” 

List of player war veterans follow: 

Heritage Player Number Player Name Debut Rank Unit Service Record
1 Keith Gersbach  1947 Private  52 Aust Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment  Here
2  Bert Bell 1947  Private  2/13 Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
3  Bob Andrews  1947  Signalman  18 Line of Command Signals  Here
4 George Cook 1947  Lead Aircraftman  3 Mobile Works Squadron  Here
6 Fred McKean  1947  Lieutenant  19 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps Here
8  George Robertson 1947  Lead Aircraftman  1 Central Reserve  Here
10  Colin Schomberg 1947  Lead Aircraftman  7 Aircraft Depot Tocumwal Here
12  Johnny Smith 1947  Private  16 Aust Heavy Anti-Artillery Battery  Here
13 Wally Woodward  1947  Corporal  2/1 Australian Guard Regiment  Here
14  Neville Brennan 1947  Lead Aircraftman  2 Stores Depot  Here
17 Doug Spurway 1947  Lance Sergeant  114 Aust General Transport Company Here
35  Mitchell Wallace 1949  Corporal  30 Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
46 Don Graham 1950 Private   133 Heavy AA Battalion  Here
47 Phil McCarroll  1950    133 Heavy AA Battalion  Here
56 Bill Morris 1951    8th Infantry Battalion  Here
58 Jim Boland 1951  Sapper 18 Aust Field Regiment (AIF)  Here
59 Col Fussell 1951    133 Heavy Anti-Artillery Battery  Here
60 Jack Conley 1952  Flying Officer 2 Air Observer School Here
62 Pat Donnelly 1952  Corporal 67 Infantry Battalion Here
69 Bruce Noble 1952    53 Aust Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment Here
74 Ron Hawkins  1952  Private Infantry Training Battalion Here
78 Jack Noon  1952  Aircraftman Signal School Here
83 Ron Hubbard 1953  Lead Aircraftman 2 Aircraft Depot Here
153 Ray Preston  1953 Corporal 4 Sec Officers Shop Here
172 Fred Moore  1958  Private 3rd Battalion RAR Here
177 Ron Workman OAM    Lead Aircraftman RAAF Transport Fight Vietnam  Here
188 Allen Smith     Private 2/9 Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
259 Bill Richards   Major 1 Field Regiment RAA Here
  Jack Argent OBE OAM ED   Lieutenant Colonel  2/3 Tank Regiment Here
Acknowledgement of Country

Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.