Edna Barry

Here are some more information for Edna Barry:

WO II K A Wheatley VC

British Military Medals- Victoria Cross. Highest award for Bravery

Kevin Arthur Wheatley was born the 13th of March, 1937 at Surry Hills, Sidney, Australia to Raymond George and Ivy Sarah Ann Wheatley. Kevin was their third child. Kevin attended Marouba Junction Junior Technical School. He married Edna Davis, a fourteen year old milk bar assistance on July 20th, 1954. Kevin enlisted in the Australian Army on the 12th of June, 1956. Following basic training, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He was transferred to the 3rd Battalion the next year.

Kevin served in the Malayan Crises from September, 1957, through July, 1959. In January 1964, he was promoted to Sergeant and then to Warrant Officer II (temp) in August. Kevin was a very well liked and respected non-com. His friends and comrades called him "Dasher", an affectionate nickname given for his rugby abilities. In March 1965, Kevin was assigned to Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). On the 28th of May, he rescued a little girl about three years old, risking his own life running through a hail of bullets.

Kevin was assigned to a Vietnamese battalion in Quang Tri for about six months until he was transferred to Tra Bong along with five other Australian Warrant Officers in October 1965. At a Special Forces base deep in enemy territory, Kevin's group worked along with American forces in leading Vietnam and Montangard soldiers running search and destroy missions.

An operation of the Vietnamese Civil Irregular Defense Force on November the 13th, 1966 in the TraBong valley, approximately 15 km from the Tra Bong Special Forces camp at Quang Ngai province made contact with Viet Cong forces. Accompanying the force were Captain F. Fazekas, senior Australian Adviser, with the centre platoon, and Warrant Officers K.A. Wheatley and R.J. Swanton with the right hand platoon.

At about 1340 hours, Warrant Officer Wheatley reported contact with Viet Cong elements. The Viet Cong resistance increased in strength until finally Warrant Officer Wheatley asked for assistance. Captain Fazekas led his platoon to give assistance, and they fought towards the action area. While moving towards this area he received another radio message from Warrant Officer Wheatley to say that Warrant Officer Swanton had been hit in the chest, and requested an air strike and an evac chopper to evacuate the casualties.

Although told by the Civil Irregular Defense Group medic that Warrant Officer Swanton was dying, Dasher Wheatley refused to abandon him. Discarding his radio so to be able carry Warrant Officer Swanton, under heavy enemy fire, out of the open rice paddies into the somewhat safer wooded area, some 200 meters away. He was assisted by a member of the Civil Irregular Defense Group, Private Dinh Do, who, when the Viet Cong were within ten meters of their position, urged him to leave his dying comrade. Kevin flat out refused, pulling the pins from two grenades to calmly await the Viet Cong, one grenade in each hand.

Shortly afterwards, two grenade explosions were heard, followed by several bursts of fire. The two bodies were found at early the next morning after the fighting had ceased, with Warrant Officer Wheatley lying beside Warrant Officer Swanton. Both had died of gunshot wounds.

Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley was survived by his wife Edna and four children. His body was returned to Australia for burial at Pine Grove Memorial Park, Blacktown, New South Wales. His name is commemorated in the New South Wales Garden of Remembrance at Rookwood war cemetery. In 1967 a trophy for annual competition between the Australian Services Rugby Union and the Sydney Rugby Football Union was inaugu¬rated in his name.

A sports arena at Vung Tau, Vietnam was named after him and his citation and photograph are displayed in the Hall of Heroes, John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The United States also awarded him the Silver Star. He was made a Knight of the National Order of the Republic of Vietnam, and received the Military Merit Medal and the Cross of Gallantry.

It's Goodbye from me

Regards

Barry

Did you find this article interesting? There are more Victoria Cross winners from New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Victoria Crosses were won in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Iraq & Rorkes Drift (South Africa-Zulu Wars) All part of British Military Medals. You can also obtain replica medals from this site.

http://www.medalnews.com

Tasting Wine at the San Luis Obispo Harvest Festival

San Luis Obispo Vintners Association 2008 Harvest Festival

Over 1,000 people enjoyed the wine and food of the SLO Vintners Harvest Celebration Grand Tasting at the Avila Beach Golf Resort earlier this month. Twenty-seven wineries and twenty-six restaurants from the Central Coast showed off their finest in an afternoon of wine tasting, food sampling, live music, auctions and the celebration of a successful harvest.  See the Video.

Vintners were part of the party as they poured wine from their booths and participated in the live auction. Becky Gray, the Executive Director of the SLO Vintners Association was pleased with the day stating, "This was a big success with a record crowd and a record amount of wineries and restaurants participating. The venue here at the Avila Beach Golf Resort couldn't be better. We had sun, cool breezes, ocean views, plenty of food and wine and a great crowd."

Wineries poured new releases as well as plenty of older vintages. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc were in abundance. Also to be found was a dry white Verdelho from Kenneth Volk Vineyards, the 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir and the Pinot Naturale from Salisbury Vineyards and Sextant Wines Reserve "Nightwatch", a rich heady Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah blend.

Under the tent the auction was a lively affair and raised over $50,000. Many wine lots went for thousands of dollars. Lifestyle packages were also included with, gourmet dinners and unique trips. The Cal Poly Viticulture Department, who released their first ever student made wines, were also a recipients of $9,000 in generous donations during the auction.

Weekend activities including winemaker dinners, and open houses at wineries through out the San Luis Obispo area. Plans for next year are already in progress. Mark the dates, November 6-8, 2009.

2008 Participating Wineries:

Ancient Peaks
Baileyana
Bianchi Winery
Cal Poly
Claiborne & Churchill
Copper Creek Cellars
Domaine Alfred
Edna Valley Vineyard
Javadi Wines
Kelsey See Canyon
Kenneth Volk Vineyards
Kinton
Kynsi Winery
Laetitia
Ortman Family Vineyards
Per Bacco Cellars
Piedra Creek
Salisbury Vineyards
Saucelito Canyon
Sextant Wines
Sinor-LaVallee
Tangent
Tantara
Tolosa
Wild Horse Winery
Wood Winery
Wolff Vineyards

Participating Restaurants:

A & M Mushrooms
Alex's Barbecue
Apple Farm
Atrium at Embassy Suites
Café Andreini
Catering Unlimited
Corner View
Cracked Crab
Gardens of Avila
Giovanni's Fish Market
Govinda's Garden
House of Bread
Inn at Morro Bay
Lido at Dolphin Bay
Native Lounge
Novo
Old Country Deli
Park Restaurant
Paso Robles K'Ulinary
Pelican Point Bar & Restaurant
Rays Own Brand
Steamers
Sweet Earth Chocolates
The Clubhouse at This Old House
The Cove at Avila Beach Golf Resort
Windows on the Water

About the Author

Cleveland is the founder of the online winery directory www.CaliforniaWineryAdvisor.com where hundreds of wineries are profiled in rich detail and cataloged by wine types, winery amenities, ambiances, tasting fees and hours of operation. Cleveland has been in the wine trade as a educator, writer, photographer, salesman, cellar rat, and most recently "The Winery Advisor". He makes his home in San Luis Obispo and can be reached at: BCleveland@CaWineryAdvisor.com

Dame Edna Everage..aka Barry Humphries..do you love or hate her/him... ???.?

the ozzy madge and slobber chops he/s allright.

Dame Edna to co-host 'The View'
NEW YORK, March 2 (UPI) -- Australian entertainer Dame Edna Everage has been booked as a co-host of an upcoming episode of the U.S. chat show "The View," ABC announced.

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