Digger at peace

BOB Simonds will be remembered by the Cockatoo community as a war veteran with a friendly smile and a passion for helping others.
The World War II digger and Cockatoo RSL president passed away peacefully at home on Friday, 25 September, aged 86.
More than 200 people farewelled Mr Simonds last Thursday at St Luke’s Church, Cockatoo.
Friends said Mr Simonds was known for two great loves: the RSL, and offering a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
His neighbour Jo Lemak said Mr Simonds always had a friendly smile and wave for everyone.
“He was great for a chat, too,” Jo said.
“There was nothing pretentious about Bob … he was a great listener and a humble man.”
Jo said the WWII digger, who enlisted for war at age 17, had never forgotten his fallen comrades.
Mr Simonds was attached to the 4th Field Regiment Jungle Division and served in New Guinea and later the Solomon Islands.
When Mr Simonds arrived in Cockatoo in 1958, it didn’t take him long to become involved in the town’s RSL.
He took on the president’s job in 1986 and was instrumental in the rebuilding the clubrooms following the Ash Wednesday fires.
Like most diggers, Mr Simonds was reluctant to talk about his war experiences.
But he did spend his life trying to make Australians understand that the war was not about fighting.
Mr Simonds used to tell whoever would listen that “we didn’t go to war to fight, we went to war for peace.”
In 2007, Mr Simonds was named the Cockatoo Senior Citizen of the Year as part of the town’s Australia Day celebrations.
At the time, Mr Simonds said he would continue helping people and his town as long as he lived.
Cockatoo RSL’s Brent Rodgers said Mr Simonds would be remembered as a solider who never forgot the comrades he left behind.
He fought hard to save the RSL in 2007 when it faced declining membership numbers and was thrilled to see the crowds growing on Anzac Day every year.
“No one says the ode like Bob did,” Brent said.
“Every time I go past the RSL, every Anzac Day or Remembrance Day, I will remember Bob.”
A community memorial will be held later this year to commemorate Mr Simonds’ life.