Brighton East veterans acknowledge Anzac Day and remember fallen friends

RAT of Tobruk Jack Caple is surrounded by family and friends and accompanied by the spirits of his fallen comrades on Anzac Day.

Jack Caple, 95, with Don Tibbits, 89, remembering their fallen comrades. Picture: VALERIU

JACK  Caple never walks alone on Anzac Day.

Not only is the Brighton East 95-year-old surrounded by family and friends, the Rat of Tobruk is accompanied by the spirits of his fallen comrades, he says.

Mr Caple is one of the few remaining Rats who helped turn the Second World War, repelling the enemy in pivotal battles in Tobruk, El Alamein and New Guinea under intense bombing and tank attacks.

He was wounded in one severe shelling in El Alamein, but continued on, facing the enemy and searing desert heat, bitter night cold and fierce dust storms.

He said Anzac Day, which he spent at Tobruk Hall in Albert Park, was special, because of “who was not there’’.

“It is important our legacy continues, we’re a dying race (but) we did play a major part, without us things could have been a lot different.’’

Mr Caple has planted a “Tobruk tree’’ at his Classic Residences Brighton home to keep the Rats story alive.

Don Tibbits, 89, from East Brighton, commemorates each Anzac Day at the home of his 2/23 Battalion in Albury. Picture: VALERIU CAMPAN

Fellow Brighton East veteran Don Tibbits travels to Albury to march every April 25. The 89-year-old fought as part of Albury’s Own 2/23 Battalion on front line beaches in Borneo, before being seconded to guard prisoners of war in country Victoria.

After his service, for decades he campaigned for veterans’ affairs with the battalion association, was instrumental in restoring several local war memorials and spent years as welfare officer at Elwood RSL, which led to an OAM.

He said Anzac Day was a legacy, and the younger generations could reflect on a time when others made the ultimate sacrifice.

“All the fellas in the battalion that I knew, and didn’t come back, live on,’’ Mr Tibbits said. “There is a strong obligation to keep the spirit alive.’’

Track all of Australia’s Anzacs at the Mapping Our Anzacs site.