OLD GUILDFORDIANS
News
In year order
Gresley Harper (1896-1901) and Wilfred
Harper (1899-1908) were remembered in the
lead up to Anzac day in an article published
by the West Australian (5 April 2017) which
featured letters from the two brothers. Sons of
Guildford Grammar School’s founder, Charles
Harper, Gresley and Wilfred joined the 10th
Light Horse and were killed at the infamous
charge, at the Nek in Gallipoli, in August 1915.
Wilfred Harper was the inspiration behind the
character ‘Archy Hamilton’ in the 1981 Film
“Gallipoli”. His character portrayed some of the
last recorded movements of Wilfred.
Alfred Johnston (1913-1916) was remembered
in an article published by The Reporter (25
April 2017). He enlisted in the army with his
four brothers when he was just 17 years old,
after lying about his age, and spent his 18th
birthday at World War I. He later obtained a
medical degree from Melbourne University and
a Fellowship with England’s Royal College of
Surgeons. He enlisted in the Second 3rd Field
Ambulance at Gaza as a Captain and later
became a Major.
John Pope (SG 1928-1935) was featured in
the West Australian (9 April 2017), reflecting on
his wartime experiences as part of the 2/28th
Battalion. John enlisted in the 2/28th in 1940,
after working in the Commonwealth Bank in
Katanning. While fighting at Tobruk in 1941, he
was taken prisoner and was transferred in stages
to Italy and then Germany. After three attempts,
John managed to escape and caught up with
the American soldiers. A book highlighting the
stories of John and his comrades entitled ‘The
Second 28th’, was launched in April 2017 at the
Irwin Barracks in Karrakatta.
John Lyall (He 1932-1939) was featured in an
article for the West Australian (16 April 2017)
that was dedicated to his service as a former
tail-gunner in the Royal Air Force. John flew
31 missions in the Royal Air Force and is also a
recipient of France’s highest award, the Legion
d’Honneur. By 1942, John was part of Bomber
Command and a member of the RAF’s 214
Squadron in England. Just before the war had
ended, John was part of an All-Australian crew
as a tail-gunner with the rank of Flying Officer.
While John admits he was a “lucky boy”, he says
the luckiest thing he did was 73 years ago when
he married his wife, Cynthia.
Erik Smalhout (SG 1941-1944), now deceased,
was married for 57 years. He lived in North
Carolina, United States of America, for 30 years
and then retired to Mississippi in 1985.
Peter Glasfurd (Sc 1943-1949) is currently on
an extended trip, travelling by caravan around
Australia.
Walter ‘Wally’ Treloar (SG 1955-1957) died
in March 2016 doing something that he