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- Tip Kelaher was born in Sydney in December, 1914. In 1940 he enlisted in the 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion and later that year sailed for the Middle East. In the Palestine camp of Khassa, Tip turned his hand to writing poetry. Tip Kelaher was tragic ally killed at EL Alamein on 14 July 1942 in action at the Battle for Egypt. ?Cb?DThe Digger Hat ?C/b?D I've seen some lids in days gone by From Bris. to Dunedoo; Top hats that strive to reach the sky, And cloth caps round the "Loo; The sombrer o and the stockman That shade from Queensland suns, The topi that is favourite On many outback runs I've have seen in busy roadways All the fashions cities know- The bowler and the pork-pie With its crown so very low. I have seen the swagman's re lic, The turban and the fez, And all the hats that cut a style From Sydney to Suez. But there's a hat I'm wearing, And I think it beats them all From the Cape to San Francisco, From Melbourne to Whitehall; For it's been in many countries And in e ach it did its share, From the mud and slush of Flanders To Sinai's heat and glare. So I'm proud to wear my rabbit's fur Although she's creased and worn, And not so slick as polished caps The Tommies' heads adorn; For it has an air of Aussie, O f "Come and have a drink?" The good old easy style that leads To glory or "the clink." It exudes the smell of gum leaves From crown to sweaty band And often makes me homesick In this Palestinian sand; But it stands for Right and Manhood- And who' d want more than that? That's why, one day in '40 I took the Digger hat! Tip Kelaher
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1914 - 1942 (27 years)
