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Anzac Honour Roll

The Parramatta Eels joins with the rugby league community in honouring the Defence Forces of Australia and New Zealand through the NRL’s annual ANZAC Round.

Across the Eels’ history, the club has shared a strong relationship with Australian and New Zealand defence forces. Our deep connection began with the club’s founder, Colonel Jack Argent OBE OAM ED.

Jack Argent was one of the driving forces in establishing the Parramatta Eels in 1947. In World War II, Jack was part of the 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Australian Artillery 9th Division 2nd AIF that fought in North Africa and later in the Pacific theatre.

In partnership with our ex-players association, the Blue and Gold Alliance (BGA) and other rugby league historians, the Parramatta Eels continues to identify each of its former players who may have served the Australian or New Zealand Defence Force. 

Bill Richards, President of the BGA said “Throughout our Club’s rich history there has always been a strong connection with our defence forces. From our Club’s founder Jack Argent who was known affectionately around the Club as “the Colonel”, to our original team who had so many WW2 veterans right through to the players in the 60’ and 70’s who had served in theatres like Vietnam. 

By recognising our players' service with our armed forces, we can ensure that their important contribution to Club and Country will be honoured.” 

Our thanks to Tony McCarron and Bill Richards for their assistance in compiling these records.

List of player war veterans follow: 

Heritage Player Number Player Name Debut Rank Unit Service Record
Official Jack Argent OBE OAM ED n/a Lieutenant Colonel  2/3 Tank Regiment Here
1 Keith Gersbach  1947 Private  52 Aust Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment  Here
2  Bert Bell 1947  Private  2/13 Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
3 George Cook 1947  Lead Aircraftman  3 Mobile Works Squadron  Here
6 Fred McKean  1947  Lieutenant  19 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps Here
7 David Munro 1947 Private 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion Here
8  George Robertson 1947  Lead Aircraftman  1 Central Reserve  Here
10  Colin Schomberg 1947  Lead Aircraftman  7 Aircraft Depot Tocumwal Here
12  Johnny Smith 1947  Private  16 Aust Heavy Anti-Artillery Battery  Here
13 Wally Woodward  1947  Corporal  2/1 Australian Guard Regiment  Here
17 Doug Spurway 1947  Lance Sergeant  114 Aust General Transport Company Here
24 John Jewell 1948 Signalman 2/14 FD Regt Sig Sec Here
31 Arthur Jones 1948 Gunner 30 Aust AA Battery Here
33 Eric Munro 1948 Flight Sergeant 5 Service Flying Training School Here
32 Robert Jones 1948 Gunner / ORD SMN General Details Depot / HMAS Leeuwin Here  Here
35  Mitchell Wallace 1949  Corporal  30 Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
37 Ron Golden 1949 Leading Aircraftman 2 Aircraft Depot Here
40 Mervyn Phillips 1949 Private 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion Here
46 Don Graham 1950 Private  133 Heavy AA Battalion  Here
47 Phil McCarroll  1950  Corporal 2/33 Heavy AA Battalion  Here
56 Bill Morris 1951  Corporal 8th Australian Infantry Battalion  Here
58 Jim Boland 1951  Sapper 18 Aust Field Regiment (AIF)  Here
59 Col Fussell 1951  Leading Aircraftman 2 Personnel Depot Staff Here
172 Fred Moore  1958  Private 3rd Battalion RAR Here
177 Ron Workman OAM  1959 Lead Aircraftman RAAF Transport Fight Vietnam  Here
259 Bill Richards 1968 2nd Lieutenant 1 Field Regiment RAA Here
           
Acknowledgement of Country

Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.