New Digger Story: Bede Tongs MM & Owen Baskett
 |
Stories of ”mateship” – during times of war are universal. It does not matter from which corner of the globe they come from, whether on the battlefields of Europe, Russia and North Africa, or in the steaming jungles of the Pacific – the tales all have a common thread . But the bond forged between men under fire can form a friendship that endures the test of time. And for Australian diggers, Bede Tongs M.M. and Owen Baskett of the 3rd Militia Battalion their friendship has endured for over 67 years. |
| The Military Medal was awarded to Sergeant Bede TONGS during fighting at Eora Creek (now known as Templeton’s Crossing 2). |
Bede George TONGS was born on the 27th of June, 1920 at Narrandera in New South Wales. So when he was leading his men as a Platoon Sergeant through the jungle of the Kokoda Track he had only just turned 22 years of age. He had joined the 3rd Militia Battalion C.M.F (Citizens Military Forces) on the 24th of February, 1940. His service number was N43917. When Bede discharged from the AIF nearly six years later, he had transferred to the 2/3rd Battalion (NX126952), been commissioned to the rank of Captain and had been awarded the Military Medal.
His mate, Owen James BASKETT was born in the small New South Wales township of Moruya. He too enlisted into the 3rd Militia Battalion and served on the KokodaTrack. With the service number, N268139 he was a young lad of 20 when he faced the seemingly ‘unstoppable’ Japanese war machine in the Owen Stanleys. By this time, the 39th and 53rd Militia Battalions had been worn to breaking point. The AIF 21st Brigade was broken but not beaten, fighting a brutal withdrawal when the 3rd Battalion entered the fray. It is a little know fact, that the 3rd Militia Battalion ended up being the longest serving unit on the Kokoda Track. And if you speak to Owen now, he will tell you squarely “If it wasn’t for Bede, I wouldn’t be here now. He saved my life”.
3rd Battalion Veterans, Owen Baskett (from Moruya) and Bede Tongs M.M. (from Queanbeyan) share a joke at the 2009 Kokoda Reunion Dinner, Parliament House – Sydney.
Owen was referring to an action which occurred on the 17th of October, 1942 during fighting at Eora Creek. Modern day trekkers on the Kokoda Track know the general area as “Templeton’s Crossing 2" and its beauty in this modern era is a stark contrast to the horrendous fighting which took place here at that time.
click here to read more
Trek Dates
