Veteran Eels: Celebrating Parramatta's ex-servicemen

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Fri 21 Apr 2023, 12:23 PM

This week, the Parramatta Eels joins with the rugby league community in honouring the Defence Forces of Australia and New Zealand through this week's ANZAC Round.

Across the Eels’ 76-year 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.

The Eels’ 2023 ANZAC Round Jersey was designed in his honour, paying homage to his regiment in World War II.

The inaugural Parramatta Eels team had a number of ex-servicemen who served across the various theatres of WW2. Nine veterans pulled on the Blue & Gold in the club’s first ever competitive match April 12, 1947, against Newtown before a crowd of 6,000 at Cumberland Oval.

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.”

Player No.	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 Aircarftman	3 Mobile Works Squadron	Here
6	Fred McKean	1947	Lieutenant	19 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps	Here
8	George Robertson	1947	Lead Aircarftman	1 Central Reserve	Here
10	Colin Schomberg	1947	Lead Aircarftman	7 Aircraft Depot Tucumwal	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 Batallion	Here
46	Don Graham	1950	Private	133 Heavy AA Battalion	Here
47	Phil McCarroll	1950		133 Heavy AA Btv	Here
56	Bill Morris	1951		8th Infantry Batallion	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	1953	Aircraftman	Signal School	Here
83	Ron Hubbard	1953	Lead Aircraftman	2 Aircraft Depot	Here
153	Ray Preston	1958	Corporal	4 Sec Officers Shop	Here
172	Fred Moore	1959	Private	3rd Battalion RAR	Here
177	Ron Workman OAM	1959	Lead Aircraftman	RAAF Transport Fight Vietnam	Here
188	Allen Smith	1960	Private	2/9 Australian Infantry Battalion	Here
259	Bill Richards	1968	Major	1 Field Regiment RAA	Here
	Jack Argent OBE OAM ED		Lieutenant Colonel	2/3 Tank Regiment	Here