A Columban Snippet

For God and Australia – The ANZAC Spirit

Throughout its history, St Columban’s has always maintained a strong connection to the ANZAC tradition. The Garden of Remembrance outside our chapel recalls the names of past students who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending Australia.  It’s easy to look at these names and forget that each one has a story. Each name is a real person who lived life to the full, was loved by their family and friends and died long before they should have.

One of these names is William Michael Pitchford. In the 1945 annual school magazine, a section was devoted to the ten past students who were killed during World War II.  Whilst all of these stories are tragic, Bill Pitchford’s story is particularly heartbreaking. Born in Bowen, the son of William and Ruby, Bill’s family moved to Wooloowin. In the words of the 1945 school magazine, Bill “was one of the best athletes that St Columban’s and Queensland . . . ever produced”.

Upon graduating from St Columban’s as an eighteen year old, Bill joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and was assigned to 2/9 Infantry Battalion. This battalion was one of the most famous Australian units. During World War Two, the unit served in Tobruk and Milne Bay before being deployed to Balikpapan in Borneo for what became the last major battle against the Japanese. The battle commenced on 1 July 1945 with the 2/9 battalion being held in reserve. Then, on 5 July, the unit was deployed to clear the Japanese forces from the western side of Balikpapan Bay. On 9 July 1945, Bill Pitchford was killed in action. He was 20 years old. A little over one month later, the war in the Pacific ended on 15 August 1945 - the feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady. Bill is buried in Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia.

Along with the other past students who lost their lives defending Australia, Bill will always be remembered as part of the living tradition of our College.

1982 Swim to Victory for English House
A bright February evening added to the atmosphere of excitement and rivalry at the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival. A well organised event, numbers were high and spirits were correspondingly elevated to see English House (Under the leadership of Sportsman of the Year, Matthew Woodbridge) take the coveted Interhouse title from a strong and vociferous field.