Raymond was born on 5th March 1920 at Wagga Wagga to Agnes (nee Ayscough) and Otto Adolph Westendorf. He was the 6th child of seven children. There were two sons and five daughters. He went to school at Mangain. He had a keen interest in music, cycling some 20 km each way every week for his lessons. He lived and worked on his father’s farm at Mangain until he enlisted in the 2nd Australian Inperial Force at Paddington on 2nd July 1941. Raymond wrote this poem while he was stationed near Darwin.
To My Pals Who Wouldn’t Come
I’ve just come off duty, and another long day is through. There are no shows where I can go so I’ll drop a line to you. Just on six months ago, when the war was in full swing
I got a notion in my head I’d like to have a fling.
Now as the days passed slowly by and nothing else was left But to throw my pretty clothes away and join the A.I.F.
I may have made a blunder, who knows and who can tell? All my thoughts were “lend a hand” to blow the foe to hell, I signed along the dotted line, my spirits high no wonder,
I thought I’d kind of be my boss, but I had made a blunder
They called me up into a camp, to me this life was new: But it wasn’t long before I learnt just rightly who was who, I had my mind all made up on what I’d like to be.
But that won’t work in the army, friend, no sir, believe me.
After many days of waiting, I joined the A.M.C.
Being young and reckless from the start this was just the thing for me,
I thought I’d be a stretcher bearer, so gallant, and so brave, To fix ’em up and bring ’em in and save ’em from the grave.
I knew I wouldn’t get a gun, that cut no ice with me – To help the sick and wounded would suit me perfectly. For many months I waited and longed to get away Over with the other boys where bayonets flash and slay.
At last one day, the news came in: they had us booked to go, Yes, my friend, the time had come when we must stage our show The whole affair went off O.K. and I was in my glory.
It may seem strange and bunkum too, but this is one true story.
We steamed away one afternoon, no thought of fear or dangers, Far across the sandy desert among a mob of strangers,
Were we sorry, were we sad? To leave our home and Mothers? Oh yes, my friend, it wasn’t nice, but so have many others.
I know a lot of people think that we are young and brainless,
But don’t forget the olden days when our fathers finished famous.
They did their share of fighting, and made it worth their while, So now it’s up to us, my friend, to cramp somebody’s style.
And now I’ve told you why I joined I must complete the story, I’ll let you know just how I stand in this world of hope and glory. You may not think that this is true, but take a tip from me,
If you ever have the guts to join don’t think you’re on a spree.
Have you peeled a bag of spuds, or scrubbed the cook-house floor?
Well if you have, you’ll know just what they have me round here for.
I know I’m just a slushy – there’s nothing else to do,
But when the rough stuff starts, my friend, the slushy jobs are few.
Now when the foe gets heated up and bullets start to whine, That’s just what we’re waiting for, and the slushy boys will shine.
When there’s no need for three course meals, and luxuries fade away,
The slushy boy will get his wish in a stretcher squad to stay.
So now my friend the hour is late, And the call of bunk is far too great;
And remember, friend, should e’er we meet, And stroll again on the old home street,
There’s a lad who was willing and ready to show That he wasn’t afraid to have a go.
Westy – Darwin