Rat of Tobruk,
David Edward Hooper
17th July 1920 - 26th December 2018
The late Dave Hooper was a Rat of Tobruk.
I’d like to pay tribute to him. Dave was born 17/7/20. That’s long time ago!
Like a lot of the youngsters of a bygone age he lied about his age so that he
could sign up to defend his nation of Australia in WWII. Though it’s wrong to
tell a lie, I respect Dave for his bravery. I may just have done the opposite
and told the truth – so as to avoid signing up!
Dave walked with a limp. He was shot
through the knee at The Siege of Tobruk in Lybia, which lasted for 241 days in
1941. During his latter years Dave used a Zimmer-frame. I would catch up with
Dave at Rats of Tobruk functions. I remember him telling me that he couldn’t
stand up for falling down. “I keep on falling over!” he said with a laugh. He
died from the result of a fall on 26th December, 2018 at the age of
98.
As “Padre” (i.e., Chaplain) to the Rats of
Tobruk (in Brisbane, Queensland) it was always a delight to see Dave with
Dorothy (his wife). They had been married forever (68 years!) and they always
seemed to be so much in love, a testament to what marriage is supposed to be! (Dot
is being looked after in a home now.)
When we were little boys we had war
heroes. When we get older we try hard not to deify people. But Dave is my hero!
Dave survived the war, but I attended his funeral on 3rd January
2019 at Albany Creek Memorial Park, Garden Chapel, Brisbane.
I salute you Dave. There were others who
didn’t come home after defending our nation.
"They shed their
blood for Australia, our home that is girt by sea. They laid down their lives
for our nation, young and free. They wrote their names on history’s page that
at every stage we may advance Australia fair!" (Quoted from my book Jefferson’s
Tears.)
Dave has written his name on history’s page as one of the Rats of Tobruk!
Dave gave me a copy of some poetry by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (compiler of the world famous Auld Lang Syne, the New Year’s song). On page 363 of the book that Dave gave me, (a book I treasure), are the following words of a Burns’ song. I think of Dave and Dot as I read it, as I sing it (with tears!). I imagine Dave’s wife Dot thinking of Dave with the following words:
John Anderson, my jo, John,
When we were first acquent;
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John,
Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John,
Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson, my jo.
John Anderson, my jo, John, We clamb the hill thegither;
And mony a canty day, John,
We've had wi’ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
And hand in hand we’ll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.
Thank you Dave for your
service, for defending your country, and for your example of what marriage ought
to be. May you rest in peace. “Until the day breaks and the shadows flee” Song
of Solomon 2:17a.
“Then He will judge between the nations
and arbitrate for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.
Isaiah 2:4.
(Me with fellow Scot Jock Hunter, Secretary/Treasurer of the Rats of Tobruk.)
(Notice
the rat, representing The Rats of Tobruk, depicted on Dave’s pullover. That's cracking painting!)
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