Anzac Day 2023: WWII veteran Frank McGovern has a beer with Anthony Albanese

Nothing will stop 103-year-old WWII veteran Frank McGovern from standing to attention. Not a double torpedo bombing. Not being a prisoner of war three times. And certainly not a respiratory infection.

Nothing will stop 103-year-old WWII veteran Frank McGovern from standing to attention. Not a double torpedo bombing. Not being a prisoner of war three times. Not working on the Burma-Siam railway line. And certainly not a respiratory infection.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the war veteran this weekend, ahead of Anzac Day.

Mr McGovern would have been forgiven for staying in his hospital bed during the visit, but it was no surprise when he jumped out of his hospital bed, whipped on a suit jacket and shook the PM’s hand.

The Randwick veteran was aged just 22 and on the HMAS Perth when it was hit and sunk by a Japanese torpedo.

He was one of 328 survivors captured and taken prisoner by the Japanese and forced to work on the Burma railway. Two years later, in 1944, he was on a prison ship when he was torpedoed again by an American submarine.

Anthony Albanese (centre) and his partner Jodie Haydon (left) visit 103-year-old WWII veteran Frank McGovern. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mr McGovern managed to survive the attack, which killed 1599 POW, spending three days in a lifeboat before the Japanese recaptured him.

“There was no food in the lifeboat. We might have made it, but I doubt it … in any case the Japanese came along and recaptured me,” he said.

A fresh-faced Mr McGovern in 1939.

He might be 103 but Mr McGovern vividly remembers the moment of recapture.

“When we saw the Japanese crew manning the guns, one of our fellas said, ‘if you believe in God, then you better start praying’,” he said.

“They asked us where we were from. They didn’t pick up Yanks or Brits.

“We said we were Australians, so they took us on board.”

For the second time, Mr McGovern survived a torpedo attack, only to become a prisoner of war.

He was put to work, suffering brutal cold, with minuscule portions of food and water.

“It was cold, bloody awful,” he said.

“I was working in a steel factory, working on stuff that never left the shipyard. They just kept it there.”

While captured, Mr McGovern was caught in an American bombing raid.

Despite their camp being reduced to ashes, he again miraculously managed to survive — albeit with a fractured spine.

Despite all he had gone through, his incredible tale of survival was not over.

While recovering in the hospital, he noticed all the lame patients around him disappearing.

“The Japanese were taking the POW patients into the operating theatre, cutting their groin and draining all of the blood out of them, because they wanted to blood (to use for transfusions),” he said.

Mr McGovern knew he would be next.

“I said to the American, ‘that doesn’t look too bloody good mate. Quick help me up’. I managed to shuffle and live,” he said.

According to Mr McGovern, nothing will compare to the day he was rescued.

“All the B29s (planes) came over and dropped food parcels. It was unbelievable,” he said.

“There was fruit juice, food and chewing gum, if you would believe it.

“We were only in a small camp but there were enough clothes to fit out an army.”

Mr Albanese said Mr McGovern showed why Anzac Day is so important to Australians.

“Frank is an extraordinary example of courage, sacrifice and humility,” the PM said.

“At age 103 he says that he’s been lucky — and we are lucky to have him.”

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Originally published as Anzac Day 2023: WWII veteran Frank McGovern has a beer with Anthony Albanese