Rockhampton museum receives new piece of recent history

Photo By Cpl. Paul Zellner | Jack Fleming, a former U.S. soldier with the 41st Infantry Division, tells the story of his unlikely return to Australia after World War II. He married a local woman and returned to live in Rockhampton where he has become a local legend and a link to history. His stories tell of the ways Australian and American militaries have worked together for decades.  

ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AUSTRALIA

07.06.2009

Story by Cpl. Paul Zellner 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia - In the midst of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009, a joint exercise that displays the inter-operability of Australian and American forces, the Central Queensland Military and Artifacts Museum received a new piece of history that bonded the two sides once more.

The item, which serves as a reminder of the long-standing alliance between the two nations, is a current version of the fatigue uniform worn by the U.S. Army.

The donation was made by the president of the 41st Division Association, retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. David Funk, who flew in from Oregon to present the museum with the uniform and to recognize a former member of the division. The Association has maintained ties with the museum, and routinely contributes artifacts ,since the end of the war.

"We're honored to continue to contribute to the museum," said Funk. "It's nice that we can strengthen our memories by adding another little piece of recent history."

The 41st Division Association became involved with the museum when former U.S. Army Soldier, and current Rockhampton resident, Jack Fleming donated his World War II era army fatigues for a special room in the museum dedicated to the alliance.

Fleming, who is seen as a local legend for his involvement around Rockhampton, first passed through the quaint city during World War II on his way to New Guinea. As he roamed the chilly shores of the Australian coastline, he never dreamed that 50 years from then, he'd be living here.

During his short tenure at Rockhampton, Fleming met and fell in love with a local lass. After the war ended, he returned to America with his Australian bride, only to return a few years later. Now a full-time resident with his native bride, Fleming continues to strengthen the Australian-American bond, by remaining a strong fixture in the Rockhampton community.

"Jack was a master builder and used his skills to fix up St. Christopher's chapel," said Neil Brewer, acting secretary of the Museum. "Americans built it a long time ago and an American keeps it from falling down."

The museum has an extensive collection of U.S. memorabilia from the World War II era. However, hanging next to Fleming's original WWII era uniform is the current model that also features Fleming's name.

"This is just wonderful," said Jack. "I am honored and hope we're always on the same side."

• Date Taken: 07.06.2009
• Date Posted: 07.08.2009 18:29
• Story ID: 36132
• Location: ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AU