DB60

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 26 August 1946, page 5
Friends Old Scholars  Annual Reunion At Hobart

About 350 former pupils of the Friends’ School, Hobart, renewed acquaintances at the school on Saturday night at the annual reunion of the Old Scholars’ Association.

The function took the form of a buffet dinner and dance and was held in the Hodgkin Dining Hall.

Representatives of other old scholars’ associations included Mrs C. Fysh (Collegiate), Messrs A. J.Miller jun . (Hutchins), B. White 1 (Queen’s College), and L. Owen (St. Virgil’s).

To mould strong character and good leadership in its pupils and thus equip them for later life, was one of the main objects of the Friends’ School, said Mr J. R. Chant, president of the OSA.

The school could afford a community centre for past pupils where sports as well as intellectual activities could be pursued, said the head-master (Mr W. N. Oats). He suggested that old scholars form a vocational committee to guide students to accept positions best suited for them when they left school.

Others who spoke were Brig H. W. Strutt, Messrs A. J. Miller jun and J. Bamford.

A service, the second part of the reunion, was held at the school yesterday.
A table to the memory of the late Jack Soundy (RAAF), an old boy, was presented to the school by his father (Mr Soundy, MLC). Mr Chant presided, and prayers were led by Miss V. Pitfield.
The address was given by Canon F. J. McCabe. Messrs C. Annells, J. Annells, Oats, Mesdames R. Brown, and G. Shelton took part in the service.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Wednesday 2 September 1953, page 12
TASMANIAN AIRMAN NOT FORGOTTEN

An American airman who knew W.O. John Trevor Soundy during the war has written to Mr. J. T. Soundy, of Hobart, 10 years after his son’s death.
W.O. Soundy was reported missing in air operations over New Guinea on January 7, 1943.

Mr. Raymond A. Russell, of Texas, writes to Mr. Soundy that his son was one of a number of Australians assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group of the 5th Air Force.
He says that W.O. Soundy was known as “a most daring and brave flier, who gave his all in the cause of freedom.”
“That word has meant much to our nation and to your nation,” Mr. Russell writes.
“Men like Officer Soundy gave that word to the world. … As time has gone onward it has not been possible for me to forget, nor do I wish to forget, men like your son.”
“So tonight, 10 years later, I am writing this letter telling you how much we thought of your son.”

Mission History
On January 7, 1943 he took off from Charters Towers on a flight bound for Port Moresby. The aircraft was not heard from after take off and was declared Missing In Action (MIA).
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/soundy-sir-john-8587