Xmas Eve 2019 21:15

It has started to rain, and don't we need it badly. I just hope it lasts. Wow, Thunder and lightning. Heavy rain is falling on the Glass House Mountains. Best Crissie present ever. I hope everyone is getting some rain too.

Xmas Day 2019 09:30 It's all very quiet on the eastern front of Glass House Mountains. It's still wet outside, but not raining anymore, hopefully, we'll get some more throughout the day. The silence will soon be shattered by the onslaught of grandchildren arriving in waves, wonderful experience. My mum has rung three times already, asking who is picking her up, bless her. It's all arranged mum I tell her, just like it was five minutes ago.
It's a little muggy so we've got the air conditioners on to cool the house to an acceptable temperature. The ham is about to sliced up and the prawns are defrosting. So much food and so little time to eat it all, although I don't know why we put ourselves through the stress of preparing festivities for just one day. We should live every day with gusto, making the most out of everything you do.

I saw the Hand Therapist yesterday and she is happy with the progress of my right elbow, still a way to go. Still another ten days or so before they will allow me to drive a vehicle. It has been so frustrating being hamstrung from using the right arm, especially as my left arm is still functioning at less than 30%, The woes of turning 60 years of age I suppose. I'm being strong and maintaining a positive outlook because I have much to do in preparation for my big treck next year.

The initial stages of readiness for the "Back to the Track 2020" has been going well, I had the majority of the mechanical aspects for the Jeep completed prior to my Surgery in November with the aid my chief Machanic, Ted Martin. I so wish he could come with us next year. We need to do a few long-distance trials, testing both driver and vehicle endurance, as there will be some long days with upward of 300 kilometers on a number of days during the event.

Whoops! 10:30 Silence is broken, they've arrived.


Pandamonium!


Xmas Night 19:00 Peace finally achieved. Tracey and I are home alone once again. Rain has fallen steadily throughout the day although the sun did shine a few times during the day. As always at Xmas time too much food, drink, and merriment for one day, why do we do it? Pretty sure I've spoken to all that I ought to on this festive day. Although those that really count would not have been offended if by chance we'd missed a call or two. That's life.

I do trust you all faired well on this day, hopefully not eaten or drunk too much. Overall I do hope you have enjoyed the friendship, companionship That this generally brings. So looking forward to the New Year and the countdown to "Back to the Track 2020" will click over to six months, and so it begins.

Tasmania trip

My wife, Tracey and I recently spent two weeks traveling around Tasmania and what an awesome state to visit. There is so much to see in Tassie it's unbelievable, two weeks was just not long enough. We flew into Tasmanian to a (apparently unseasonal) rainstorm. No sooner were we in the hire car and we were being buffered by almost cyclonic winds and rain. Welcome to Tassie I thought. Regardless we braved the wet for a few days in Hobart before we headed North West on our tour of the Apple Isle. The tourist spots like the Harbour, Shot Tower and then to MONA (Museum Of New Art) which was certainly an eye opener.

The countryside rolled along and the weather improved slightly, historic Richmond, Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain (awesome) Devonport, Stanley, Launceston, Swansea and finishing at Port Arthur before heading back to the airport to fly home. Definitely would like to see more of this great little state.

Happy New Year

It's 2018 

It's not like we didn't know it was coming either. Well, it's here so let's embrace the new year with the same gusto of previous years. 

I would like to wish you all the very best for the coming year.

December 2017

Wow! Who would have thought it was December 2017 already. This year, like many, has simply flown by. They seem to do that, don't they? It always seems that the year is drawing to a close, then Xmas comes, followed closely by New Years Eve then New Years Day. These are busy times in our lives, but then it seems so is every other month.

Tempest Fugit (Time Flies) and it literary does. So take the time to enjoy yourselves at some point in your life. Don't live your live on auto-cruise, because time will simply pass you by and before long you're going to wonder where your life went. A close friend of mine once said 'Life is what happens while you're busy planning it. I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but it's worthy of repeating, that when you look at the history of the world and realize we are here on this planet for such a brief period in time, some shorter than others. Whilst it doesn't hurt to dream a little, we need to embrace the time we have and really make the most of 'what we have rather than what we want'. Enjoy life while you can.

Enough said on that subject. I do want to wish everyone a joyous time over the up and coming festive season, as someone once said 'Eat, drink and be merry', but please be safe while you're doing it. I hope 2018 brings you happiness, love and well being.

Cheers all Rick Canhan

September 2017

September

has been just one of those months, you know which, one that just about everything happens and usually at the same time too. It started early with arrival of interstate visitors in the form of Aunty Rosie and Uncle Ross from the mid north NSW Coast, their arrival heralded the dawn of my nephews (Matt) impending wedding to Deanna, down the Gold Coast on 8 September.

Next was 2-4 Sep 2017 with our clubs 2nd 'Unofficial' Jeep/Train run for the year over two beautiful days on (disused) train lines throughout the countryside around the Biggenden area. And where would you be if you didn't have the occasional derailment to interrupt the peaceful train ride?

What we were actually doing was keeping our history alive by reliving some of our marvellous military history through re-enacting the use of the mighty 'Jeep' on train tracks as they did during WW2. In the Pacific Islands and in PNG the majority of so called 'passable' roads were often chocked with destroyed vehicles, refugees, troop movement and an assortment of military and civilian vehicles. It was imperative to keep the rail lines open to move supplies forward and return wounded to the rear. Enemy bombing and strafing of the slow moving train locomotives caused a shortage within the resupply system and set into play an ingenious plan to keep supplies moving by the use of the humble Jeep. Wheels were locally manufactured and fitted to the Jeep and the wheels of progress turned, and as they say 'the rest is history' although many today are still unaware this was just one of the many tasks asked of the mighty little Jeep. An interesting point to note here is the life expectancy of a Jeep in an Operational Zone (War Zone) was just 90 days, and it is through groups like ours who lovingly restore and preserve our rich history which enables us to help celebrate the '75 Year' Anniversary of the humble Jeep.

Although much of the action we had on the weekend took place in the remote and often out of sight areas on tracks away from most roads, there was plenty of opportunity for some of the locals and many tourists alike to enjoy the sights of 'Jeeps on train tracks' and many were seen waving like mad or running off to retrieve their cameras and snap away at something they've never seen before and will probably never see again. Looking forward to the next Jeep/Train run.

 Next off the ranks was our Grandson (Tate Hunter Mortimer) with his early arrival on the 5th.

Luke and Lindsay were overjoyed and what a whirlwind was little Zoe who proudly became a big sister to Tate. The Mortimer household suddenly became so much more busier and louder, and the best part about being a Grandparent is as they say 'you get to hand them back'. Love all my Grandkids to bits.

I then had a multitude of medical appointments to catch up on, which seem to be the norm (apparently) when your nearly 60, these were sometimes more than one appointment per day and covered three of the next four days, it gets tiring attending all these appointments.

The 8th Sep saw us at the anticipated Wedding on the Gold Coast, well up in the hinterland actually. It was a nice wedding that went off without a hitch (as they say) although it did finish early which gave us the opportunity to get down off the mountain through some of the most windiest of roads I've ever encountered. We managed to watch the end of the footy that night too.

Even more medical appointments covered 11-13 Sep and also, like most Wed and Thurs 8:30 - 12:00 I managed to put in an appearance at our local Glasshouse Mountains Country Men's Shed (in Beerwah, don't ask) here I get the opportunity to glean yet more knowledge from like minded folk who also attend, I find this very rewarding as I've also found a number of Vietnam Veterans amongst the group who are more than willing to have a yarn or two with a younger Veteran. I've taken up welding and have learnt that what I thought was welding (proper) was just back yard stuff I learnt as youngster, you know, a grinder will fix that up that bad weld. I can now say I've learnt from the experience of some of the best and can now produce some decent weld jobs. Now I want a Gas Mig Welder and a Plasma Cutter too! Lest I say I'm enjoying the experience and I also get to give back to the community through the many tasks the Men's Shed does.

Sat 16 Sep I had a visit from another member of the Military Jeep Club of Qld (MJCQ) to discuss a number of topics including the up-and-coming Annual Swap Meet in Beaudesert mid Oct this year.

I've been fortunate enough to be able to collect a number of Jeep spare parts on some of my forays in the wilderness of the middle of Western and Southern QLD, enough so that I've got a fairly good collection. Some of which I've cleaned up, sandblasted, prepped and painted ready for sale and some I've left in its 'as found state' as some prefer to either do it themselves or keep in its rustic state. The majority of these many parts I've been entrusted by various farmers throughout the state to sell on their behalf and go 50/50 on the proceeds, so I'm humbled at their trust in me to do this. Some items have sold already from my initial post on our club Facebook page. Maybe we'll see you at Beaudesert Showgrounds over 13-15 Oct 2017.

Tues 19 Aug saw me and Tracey fly to Sydney to attend the funeral of my best friend's Mother, Dorothy Dewar aged 80, I'd known Dot since about fifth grade when I first met my now long term friend, Chris Dewar, when we moved to Campbelltown NSW in 1970. Dot was almost like a second Mum to me as I'd spent so much of my school age years at their place, they had Eight kids and I just blended in with the rest. So yes it was sad to say goodbye to someone I knew and respected so well for near on Fifty years. RIP Dot.

29 Sep is my mothers 78th Birthday so we'll be going out for dinner no doubt. 29 Sep is also Remembrance Day for the Police Force, which is another event for which I hold dear to my heart, many of my ex-service friends are in the Police Force in many Australian States and it is a time to reflect on those that had paid the supreme sacrifice.

Over the next few day I shall be finalising what I'm taking to Beaudesert this year, unfortunately my Jeep will not be finished in time to participate as I don't want to rush the reassembly stage. So I'm concentrating on getting it right on the final research of the restoration of my Jeep 159219 so that it'll not only look it's best when finished, but it will operate to the best it can in the safest way too. It's gunna be so cool!

The last weekend in Sep I'll also be visiting another of my many MJCQ friends to check out and trial the trailer he built to carry his Jeep, I've seen it in the earlier stages and I'm sure it will perform well. That just about wraps up September for this year, until October, Cheers all.

It' August already!

The year of 2017 is already half way through, as I always say, Tempus fugit (Time fly's). For those that know me well know I've been preoccupied of late with my 1942 Willys Jeep restoration project. I'm also still under my Physiotherapist strict instructions not to overdo things following my two left shoulder reconstructions, (yes, the same shoulder). One could think I'd have no excuse for not sitting down and writing (typing), but I've found it's not that easy as my shoulder cramps up too much to stay sitting at a computer for too long. So it's been a frustrating nine months so far and I've still a way to go yet. Saying that I am making progress in the writing and the Jeep restoration, albeit very slow progress, but we are moving forward. Cheers to all for now.

The humble WW2 Jeep

         by

Richard Canhan
                                                        1940 - 1945 WW2 Jeep

                                              

Hi all. Just a quick note to let you all know I am actually writing, albeit a little slow and somewhat infrequent at present. Early in 2015 an opportunity presented itself for myself to embark on a journey to obtain and restore a World War Two Jeep. Like many I had always been fascinated by this iconic vehicle that became known world wide for its versatility and usefulness during and after WW2.

During the 1939 - 1945 world war it was deemed necessary to find a replacement for the humble horse in modern warfare in the form of a utility vehicle, in June 1940 the US Army sent out requests for bids for a suitable robust 4 wheel drive capable vehicle with a list of specifications (among others) such as a wheelbase no more than 80 inches (2032 mm) a length of approximately 129 inches (3276.6 mm) and weighing no more than 1300 pounds (589.6 kg). Prototypes were produced by a number of companies including The Bantam Car Company, Willys Overland and Ford. Bantam’s design won the US Army’s choice, however; Bantam only had a small workshop numbering around 15 staff and with the impending likelihood of the US being drawn into the war, the contract was awarded to both Willys and Ford using Bantams design. Bantam had built about 69 Jeeps, but was ultimately given a contract to design and supply trailers to be towed by the vehicles being built by Willys and Ford. The US Government deemed the life expectancy of a jeep in a combat zone was just 90 days.

It is uncertain and highly debatable where the name “Jeep” came from as many claim credit for the term. The comic strip “Popeye” by Elizie Crisler Segar had a character named “Eugene the JEEP” which first appeared in US Papers in April 1938 and the Haliburton Oil Well Company of Duncan, Oklahoma built a truck called Jeep also in 1938. US Servicemen and women also nicknamed the new vehicle “Jeep” after it was initially referred to a “Peep”. Regardless of how it became known as a Jeep, the Jeep began its life in 1940 as a wartime command and reconnaissance vehicle and was produced at an outstanding rate. By the middle if 1941 there were more than 4,500 Jeeps in service built by Bantam, Willys and Ford with some 612,145 standardized jeeps being built before WW2 ended. Many of these jeeps were destined to go to many allied forces around the world including Russia, England and Australia under a lend-lease agreement, ultimately none of these vehicles were to be returned to the US. Following the end of WW2 many vehicles held by the US, including the iconic Jeep, were either sold, scrapped or dumped at sea so as to not cause a glut on the post-war economy of the US. Many other countries that had the jeeps simply employed them in their locations, following WW2 Australia retained its jeeps through-out the occupation of Japan, in Korea and initially in Vietnam.

In 1946 the US factories which made the wartime jeep modified the production lines to produce the post-war jeep called CJ’s (civilian Jeep’s) these jeeps had a 7 slot front grill (as opposed to the 9 slot war-time jeep) tail-gates, side mounted spare tyre, external fuel filler, chrome around the headlights, indicators and some had a PTO (power take off) fitted for farm use. Many service personnel became obsessed with their war-time jeep during the war and a good number were offered an opportunity to purchase a vehicle post-war.

Like many war time vehicles, the world renown jeep had become a collectors item. Even today, collectors and restorers still search earnestly for that ever elusive “Barn find” which are few and far between. Even the CJ version of the jeep has become a collectors item. Collectors of any vintage vehicles or the general public, young or older, find it hard not to stop in “awe” when a Jeep is seen in public, regardless if it has been lovingly restored or has much patina. The humble jeep evokes many and varied feelings and memories from within.

For me, I guess it was sort of a “Bucket list item” as I actually had an unspoken desire to own a jeep, I say unspoken because I never actually thought I’d ever find one to restore let alone own it myself. The journey this vehicle has taken me on already is incredible, imagine what it will be like once I install an engine. The research I have undertaken is endless, but constantly rewarding. I found my jeep’s Engine Number, chassis number and ARN (Army Registered Number) recorded in the archives at the AWM (Australian War Memorial). My main source of information is found on the Internet and from the “All-American Wonder, The Military Jeep 1941 - 1945 Vol 1, 2 and 3”.

Interestingly enough I have found many Jeep Club members from Australia and around the world more than keen to help anyone with information and or parts to help “save another jeep”. As an ex serviceman myself I am humbled to have found the opportunity to restore a portion of our military history though this jeep, I am proud to be the current custodian of Jeep ARN 159219.

Perhaps you may say this has been the reason for my slow or infrequent writing habits of late, and you’d probably be quite right. I guess I’m starting to combine to two.

Rick Canhan

My Jeeps ARN is 159219