Christmas Hampers To Lift Helicopter Crews
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday December 7, 2002
IN 1946 former navy pilot Toz Dadswell spent a cold and lonely Christmas in Korea dreaming of home-made pudding and presents.
A packet of cigarettes and writing paper, courtesy of the Salvation Army, were his only Christmas gifts that year.
But the non-smoker (he traded the cigarettes for more paper) was overjoyed with his package.
The memory of that lonely day, made brighter by a simple gift, prompted Mr Dadswell, president of the Australian Fleet Air Arm Association, to organise hampers for navy helicopter crews serving overseas last Christmas.
The hampers were such a hit they have become a holiday tradition.
Mr Dadswell and a team of Fleet Air Arm members spent yesterday packing boxes of goodies for 55 navy helicopter personnel serving on HMAS Anzac, Darwin and Leeuwin and those based at Christmas Island.
Filled with Tim Tams, puddings, nuts, olives and chocolates, the boxes will ensure crew members will not escape the traditional Christmas bulge.
``That is why the T-shirts we are sending them are extra large," joked HMAS Albatross commanding officer Captain Tim Barrett.
``We had to accommodate for all the Tim Tams they will eat."
Sending Christmas hampers to troops dates as far back as the Boer War where rations of sugar, tea and cigarettes were often sent to those serving overseas.
``It can be very lonely at Christmas if you don't get any presents," Mr Dadswell said.
``There will be no `ho ho hos' from Santa but at least there will be a few things to make it feel like Christmas for the helicopter crews."
The packages are expected to arrive just before Christmas but crews are under strict instructions not to open them until Christmas Day.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury
