Page 9 - BOL May 21 Edition

I wear these medals

in honour of a man I

never knew: My Dad

Each year on ANZAC Day & Remembrance Day, John Machin
wears the medals of his father, a man he never knew when
growing up in wartime England. His Dad, Gunner Henry
Machin had been on active duty for most of the War and
died in the Normanby Landing on D-Day. Sadly, to this day,
John has no memories of his Dad.

John and wife Farah came to live in Mango Hill Village
in 2010 where they take an active role in the Mango Hill
Progress Association and attend ANZAC Ceremonies each
year, in particular the Mango Hill ANZAC commemoration,
since 2015.

On 21st April along with 40 Mango Hill residents, John (now
in his 80’s) attended the recent Mango Hill commemoration
where he spoke with to Progress Association President,
Laurence Christie about his feelings on that day.

“Each ANZAC Day I feel so much for all the children and
families who have lost a “Loved-One” serving in War or
as a result of war. I was moved to tears as the Bugler so
beautifully played the Last Post and Revellie and think of
my Dad I never knew”. Following a brief reflection, John
went to say, “It is my great wish that every boy and girl
honours their Parents while they still can.”

6th June 1944 - British Gliders approach

the coast of Normanby in France:

It is D-Day

On 5th June 1944, on the eve of the Allied Australia where in 2010, an excited Jean
Normanby Landing, Gunner Henry Machin (his sister) rang from England to tell him
flew to Normanby as a glider passenger that their Dad’s grave had been found.
on board a Horsa Glider when he was shot Gunner Henry Machin now lies in Rest
down and sadly drowned just off the coast with honour at Banneville-La-Campagne
of Le Havre in France. Gunner Machin was War Cemetery near Caen in Normanby.
but 26 years old having served for most
of the war to that time with his wife Lucy,
daughter Jean and 5 year old son, John
back at home in Litchfield (Stafford Shire)
England.

Gunner Machin’s body was recovered and
was said to be buried by German soldiers,
without his family even knowing where
and even if his body had been buried, for
over 66 years.
Next Month:
Many years later, John emigrated to John Machin leaves England and
comes Down Under!
May 2021 www.bestoflocal.com.au 9