"Johnno and His Tin Whistle."

    After a tour of duty in the front line trenches, we were in support just at the back of them. One evening, I was sitting in my possy under some of those prickly bushes which grow on Gallipoli, when presently I heard some plaintive, flute-like notes being wafted on the breeze. I couldn't quite make out just where they came from, or the tune, and even thought they might be coming from the Turkish trenches across the little gully at that section of the line.
I got up and scouted around and eventually discovered one of B troop, sitting up round a corner, at the back of the trenches, playing a tin whistle. I think that was the most pleasant of my experiences while on the peninsula, and I have often thought back to it, over the intervening years. In the president's report at the Light Horse Reunion, August, 1962, among the items of interest was mention of "Johnno" No. 157,Sgt. R. C. Johnson, of Gracemere, near Rockhampton, so I dropped him a line and reminded him of the "whistle" incident on Anzac.

     In reply he mentioned that it was very hard to get a really good instrument these days and wished he had that flute and whistle now..

     So when in Brisbane, I went to King and Kings. In charge of the band instrument section is a World War 11 Veteran, I explained my interest, so he kindly tootled a few notes on a whistle, some recorders and a fife. I thought the whistle had the nicest tone, so I bought it and sent it to Johnno.

     In due course I received Johnno's reply;-

     Dear Laurie, I got your welcome letter some days ago and the day after, along came "the whistle"-with colours flying, drums beating and the band leading the grand parade. It was a glorious occasion, not only for me, but for for those here with me. First my wife, who always rejoices with me when any of the old 5th contact me, especially those who are what we call "originals": then Sylvia ( my eldest daughter) who is a school teacher and calls at my place mostly twice a day; then Jack, George and David, who are nearby. Two other daughters are married and live away, one north and one south. So you see your whistle hit the "high spots".

     It is a very nice instrument, and will do more than most whistles one gets these days can do; that is, play two full octaves, and the tone is pleasant.

     As soon as I got it clear of the envelope, I played the tune that you most likely heard on Anzac‹"Hark the Herald Angels Sing."

I remember so clearly playing that tune, but no other tune has stuck in my memory, though of course I would have played many other tunes of those days.

     Even now I do think it is strange, wonderful thing of you to get the idea to send me something that will, whenever I play it, make me feel that you are close at hand.

     I have given the "home troops" here a lot of samples from your whistle, and blow me down if they don't enjoy it !
And now, Laurie, I thank you for your interest in me, because it makes me feel it was worth knowing you; yes indeed ! And I thank you very much indeed for what you call :Auld Lang Syne".
I am on "Light Duty" now, from day to day.
"You are rather old, behave yourself" they say.
So, I have time to play my whistle, lay upon lay Those times I played on Anzac, across from Suvia Bay.
And when I take my whistle,
I blow just "So" and "So"
And lift my fingers up and down and away the notes they go,
And then if you were here and listening, the tunes you like,I know
And "Auld Lang Syne" would come again and set your heart aglow
With Glad Accord, Johnno.
Thus is an Anzac Poet Laureate found.