Ronald Henry Heard

Like many young men who signed up to fight in World War Two, Ronald Henry Heard was single and still living at home with his parents.  Wanting to do his bit, the 25 year old painter enlisted in Hawthorn on March 21, 1940, embarking for the Middle East six months later.

Part of the 2/6^th Battalion, Ron took part in the first action of the war by Australian ground forces in the Battle of Bardia, which was followed by further actions around Tobruk.  Later, his unit saw action in the Battle of Greece before returning to the Middle East.

Japan’s increasing threat to the north of Australia saw the Battalion leave the Middle East and make their way back to Australia via Sri Lanka. During 1942 and 1943, Ron travelled between Papua New Guinea and Queensland as he participated in various battles including the Battle of Wau where he would be mentioned in the despatches, acknowledged for gallant and distinguished services.

From January 28 to February 4 1943, Australian troops fought to keep Wau, in eastern Papua New Guinea, out of Japanese hands.  The township acted as a base for the Australian's and included an airstrip which served as the easiest way to get troops in as well as food and supplies to the troops.  Because of the height of the base and regular bouts of thick fog, often planes couldn’t land for weeks at a time and, although the Australian’s at Wau, working with the local Kanga Force, knew the Japanese were getting close, they also knew they could only hope the additional troops would be able to get to Wau in time.

Led by Captain Bill Sherlock, the 2/6 Battalion were a small group of 100 soldiers and were expecting to defend Wau against a Japanese patrol of 300.   On January 28, the 100 Australian soldiers began their defence as the Japanese mortars began.

Withdrawing to a defensive position the 2/6 discovered that their estimate of 300 Japanese was wrong and in fact, they were facing over 2,200 Japanese soldiers, tired, hungry and determined to capture Wau.

At 1445hrs, Sherlock would wire “badly in need of water and men soon” and at 1510hrs “Things very hot, any help sent may be too late.”  Thirty minutes later at 1540hrs Sherlock reported “little ammo and out of mortar bombs.  Only 40 men left.”

Somehow, Sherlock and his 40 men, including Ron would hold off the Japanese and take what they thought would be a final stand as they attempted to break through the Japanese lines.  Sherlock would be killed and the battle immortalised with Lt Colonel Jim Woods from the 2/6 reporting, “A serious situation, which would have probably led to the loss of Wau and the valley was averted by the splendid stand of A Company under Capt W H Sherlock (killed).  This stand enabled enforcements from Port Moresby to be landed in Wau.”

Ron’s memory of the battle and of the death of Captain Sherlock would be captured in the book, The Battle of Wau by Phillip Gregory.

“Harry Heard was behind Sherlock, and his recollection was of Sherlock calling out ‘Are you Aussies?’, then ‘I’ll give you Aussies, you…….!’  Then he was shot down.”

In the months following the battle, Ron was recommended by the Governor General for Gallant and Distinguished services.  As well as this award being published in the London and Australian Gazettes, it was also captured in the Australian newspapers.

Ron returned to Australia in September 1943, recovering from dysentery and malaria and married Gwenda in 1945.  Like many of our soldiers, he never spoke of what he had seen but his actions were acknowledged as the quiet and humble man marched down Swanston Street towards Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on ANZAC Day following the end of the war.

“Among the many outstanding fighters announcers picked out for comment as the battalion marched was Corporal Ron Heard, of Hawthorn, who killed eight Japanese in eight minutes at Wau”.

The man who fought for his country and ultimately his own life in some of the wars most significant battles, would be happiest when he returned home, having married his love and becoming the father of two boys.  Meanwhile, the man mentioned in the despatch and in the news article would remain in Papua New Guinea, part of his story which for now would remain a closed chapter.

Ronald Henry Heard

Born: September 21, 1914, Hawthorn, Victoria

Died: February 13, 1994, Heidelberg, Victoria

Brother of Edward William Heard