Poem - Black Anzac They have forgotten him, need him no more He who fought for his land in nearly every war Tribal fights before his country was taken by Captain Cook Then went overseas to fight at Gallipoli and Tobruk World War One two black Anzacs were there France, Europe's desert, New Guinea's jungles, did his share Korea, Malaya, Vietnam again black soldier enlisted Fight for democracy was his duty he insisted Back home went his own way not looking for praise Like when he was a warrior in the forgotten days Down on the Gold Coast a monument in the Bora Ring Recognition at last his praises they are starting to sing This black soldier who never marches on ANZAC Day Living in his Gunya doesn't have much to say Thinks of his friends who fought some returned some died If only one day they could march together side by side His medals he keeps hidden away from prying eyes No-one knows, no-one sees the tears in his old black eyes He's been outcast just left by himself to die Recognition at last black ANZAC hold your head high Every year at Gold Coast's Yegumbah Bora Ring site Black ANZAC in uniform and medals a magnificent sight The rock with Aboriginal tribal totems paintings inset The Kombumerri people's inscription of LEST WE FORGET —Cecil Fisher, Aboriginal Australian who served in Korea.
Seems as though the contribution of the aboriginal peoples to the ANZAC forces is starting to be recognised; we must hope that it becomes even higher in profile while some of them are still living. The Maori Bill Apiata was awarded the New Zealand Victoria Cross for his action with the NZ SAS in Afghanistan in 2007, and several other VCs have previously been awarded to Maoris and a Solomon Islander, but none to Australian Aboriginals.
Generally, Aborigines have served in ordinary units with the same conditions of service as other members. Many experienced equal treatment for the first time in their lives in the army or other services. However, upon return to civilian life, many also found they were treated with the same prejudice and discrimination as before For example ..... Leonard Waters Leonard Waters, a childhood admirer of Charles Kingsford-Smith and Amy Johnson, joined the RAAF in 1942. After lengthy and highly competitve training he was selected as a pilot and assigned to 78 Squadron, stationed in Dutch New Guinea and later in Borneo. The squadron flew Kittyhawk fighters like the one on display inthe Memorial's Aircraft Hall. Waters named his Kittyhawk "Black Magic" and flew ninety-five operational sorties. After the war he hoped to find a career in civilian flying but bureaucratic delays and lack of financial backing forced him to go back to shearing. Like many others, he found civilian life did not allow him to use the skills that he had gained during the war. Australian War Memorial encylopedia
An aboriginal serviceman, 78144 Sergeant Leonard Victor Waters, No. 78 Squadron, RAAF, sitting in the cockpit of his P40 Kittyhawk 'Black Magic'. Leonard Waters was the only aboriginal fighter pilot of the Second World War. He joined the RAAF on 24 August 1942 and was trained as a flight mechanic. When the RAAF called for aircrew trainees he applied and was accepted for pilot training. He undertook his initial training at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School (1EFTS), Narrandera, NSW, before graduating as a Sergeant pilot from No. 5 Service Flying Training School (5SFTS), Uranquinty, NSW. His training continued at No. 2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU), Mildura, Vic, from where he was posted to No. 78 Squadron on 14 November 1944. He flew 95 operational sorties with No. 78 Squadron operating from Noemfoor, Morotai and Tarakan. Sergeant Waters was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 1 January 1945 and eventually Warrant Officer on 1 January 1946. He was discharged from the RAAF on 18 January 1946. Leonard Waters died 25 August 1993. Black Magic; a plane and the man who flew it
