Rest in Peace, Stasys

The brotherly feeling of Lithuanians towards Lithuanians encouraged Melbourne Ramovė chairman Vladas Bosikis and Joana Valaitienė, who have a summer house on Phillip Island, to mark a lonely, disappearing grave of Lithuanian Stasys Sadauskas in the Cowes town cemetery.

Stasys Sadauskas died in 1985 at the age of 58. He was born on 26 February 1926. He left Lithuania when he was only eighteen years old.  He came from Tarpučiai, Marijampolė, Suvalkija and studied at the Marijampole gymnasium.  He arrived in Australia on the Charlton Sovereign on 29 October 1948.  Stasys had no relatives or relatives in Australia. He had no property or any savings. He was given a Christian burial by a local Catholic priest in Cowes. In earlier years, Stasys lived in Melbourne for some time.

Life sometimes seems insurmountably difficult for many. The road suddenly becomes dark and only storms seem to rage mercilessly around us. Some weather those storms, Stasys seems to have been unsuccessful. 

Melbourne Lithuanians collected donations one Sunday to fix this grave.  Vladas Bosikis organised two assistants, Jonas Valaitis and Vincas Savickas, and within a few days a solid cement border was made around the grave.  A beautiful metal cross in national style was made by Gustavas Narušis.  Gravel was placed over the grave and a simple sign made that reads; In memory of Stasys Sadauskas, died on 26 December 1986, aged 59. Rest in Peace. Lithuanian Community.

At the request of the Melbourne Lithuanians, the Lithuanian pastor priest Dr. Fr. Dauknys agreed to come to the town of Phillip Island, Cowes and on 17 June 1989 to consecrate the memorial.

Cowes Cemetery in an extremely beautiful location on a hill. It reminds one of old cemeteries in Lithuania. There are, of course, some large, beautiful marble monuments from the early 19th century and some family graves enclosed by metal fences.

 

MP 3.7.1989 Nr.26 ( 20991)

Vardan tos Lietuvos - Canberra's memorial

 

The Australian Lithuanian War Veterans Association (Ramovė) comprises of former members of the previously independent Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940) armed forces.  The purpose of the organisation is to encourage the camaraderie traditional among ex-soldiers and to maintain and foster Lithuanian heritage, customs and culture.

Canberra veterans chose to construct a monument dedicated to honour the victims of terror of communism for wanting to rebuild independent Lithuania.  It was built in the garden of the Canberra Australian Lithuanian Club, when it was located at 64 Wattle Street, Lyneham, an inner northside suburb of Canberra.

The initiator and designer of the monument is Feliksas Borumas, who personally executed the construction work with major assistance by LKVS Ramovė Canberra branch secretary, Liudas Budzinauskas and other LKVS members of Canberra Ramovė organisation.  The intention was that it would stand indefinitely as a witness and proof for future generations of Lithuanians flight from communism who, by destiny, settled in the Australian capital city, Canberra.  It would reflect their efforts to assist in the struggle for Lithuania’s freedom and warn the Australian people and government of the menacing goal of communism, which was to conquer the world.

Built of locally sourced granite rocks, taking them six months to construct.  The monument was constructed totally of blue granite stone blocks and cement jointing, with steel reinforcing.  The monument stood six foot high, but the Gedimino stulpai increased its height to just under eight feet.  The monument contained a document placed in a metal tube and concreted in the upper section.  The national emblem was presented by Viktoras Budzinauskas in 1989 from Lithuania.

This monument was consecrated by Father Povilas Martužas who also celebrated Mass, during the commemoration ceremony of the Lithuanian Armed Forces on 25 November 1990.  A ceremony by the monument was held annually to commemorate Lithuanian Armed Forces Day, 23 November 1918.

The monument was demolished along with the club building.  The maquette, brass Vytis plate, the nameplate and large marble plaque with 'Vardan tos Lietuvos', that were attached to the monument was given to Felisksas’s stepson, Ron Cameron, after Feliksas died in 2009. He donated the items to the Australian Lithuanian Archive in 2024. 

Written with assistance from Ron Cameron

Albinas Pocius, the Lithuanian Minor Activist

Albinas was born on December 13th 1918, not far from Sėda. His parents were farmers. He finished Sėda Primary school and then the Sėda middle school. He first joined the scout movement  in 1930, as a 12 year old, an interest that he retained throughout his life.  Albinas attended high school in Mažeikas, but finished high school in Klaipėda.  He studied journalism at the Vytautas Didysis school.  During the soviet occupation Albinas worked on the railways.

In August 1944 he fled the Russian front and fled to the west.  He found himself in the Montomery camp in Dorverdene camp and later Seedorf, the British zone.   It was in a Seedorf Displaced Persons camp in Selsingen that he met Ruta Pociute whom he later married on the 23 March 1947.  

On February 1949 they left Naples on the boat Nea Hellas, bound for Australia.  Albinas spent his two work contract planting pine trees and later working in Housing Trust building homes.  The skills he learnt on the job allowed him to build his own home in Warragul. In 1949 he was actively involved in the Lithuanian scout movement and helped V.s B. Dainutis organise the Australian district.  He had been in Australia only one month before he sought out other Lithuanian scouts, corresponding with them.  

Albinas continued writing for various Lithuanian newspapers over the years.  He wrote “Po Svetimų Dangum” (Under a foreign sky) about scouts in the Sydney Lithuanian newspaper, Mūsų Pastogė.

Later Ruta and Albinas moved to Melbourne where they spend many years.  They became heavily involved in the Lithuanian community, Albinas in scouts, Ramovė even become president of the Australian Lithuanian and regional director of the Lithuanian Scout Association.  Albinas was Ramovės secretary and for six years was Vice-President of the Melbourne Lithuanian Club from 1968 to 1972.  For many years he was the Scouts Ramovė president and also held position of President of the Melbourne Lithuanian community for eight years and in 1980 was elected to the Australian Lithuanian community as President.  He was awarded the World Lithuanian community Karaliaus Mindaugas and Vilnius Universitetas 400m medal.  

Albinas became heavily involved in the fight with the Whitlam government acknowledgment of the Baltic states as being incorporated into the Soviet Union.  He joined the Australian Baltic Committee & Captive Nations and served on both as vice-president.

Albinas was very concerned with the plight of Mažoji Lietuva (Lithuania Minor) and wrote many articles and booklets on the situation.  He lectured extensively throughout Australia and Melbourne. In 1951 he organized the Mažosios Lietuvos Bičiulių Draugija, (Friends of Lithuanian Minor) and became the President.  

After retirement, the couple moved to Adelaide, as Ruta had family there.  Albinas involved himself in the Adelaide community and continued writing. 

In 1997 Albinas and Ruta celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Family and friends gathered at Lithuanian House in Norwood for a lunch.  He passed away two years later in 1999. Mass was held in the Lithuanian chapel and later at the Centennial Park where he was cremated.  

Albinas was a big bulky bear of a man with a gentle soul.  He was softy spoken, well educated and a true Lithuanian patriot.  He dedicated many years of his life to the Lithuanian community, in the hope of seeing his country free again. 

Lithuanian Armed Forces Day

23 November Kariuomines Diena
Lithuania Armed Forces Day

 

While the Returned Soldiers Association Ramovė was active in Adelaide, each year the members would gather to commemorate Lithuanian Armed Forces Day on 23^rd of November.

Lithuanian Armed Forces Day is commemorated on the 23^rd of November the date that the Lithuanian army was initiated in 1918. 

An exert from an article written by Vladas Radzevicius (date unknown) reiterates what was written in the Melbourne Catholic newsletter, ‘Tėviškės Aidai’;

We bow our heads to remember the soldiers who gave their lives for their homeland, so that we may be free. 

We bow our heads that one day we will hear the historic cry, ourageous without fear like our father and forefathers, let us pause before the enemy’s path, let us increase our pace for our mother land, and for the Lithuanian State.

On that day, the time worn soldiers would dress in their best suits, nothing less than tie and jacket.  They stood in straight lines as they once must have as soldiers, watched as a wreath of leaves was placed by the statue that stands at Lithuanian House, to commemorate those who died for the homeland. 

They stood proud and tall as the Lithuanian flag was hoisted and sang the Lithuanian anthem with respect and reverence as only those can, who know the price of freedom.

Major Jonas Pyragius

J. Jasevicius, J. Pyragius, Lendraitis

Lithuanian Air force Major
Born on 29 December 1901 or Jan 1 1902 in Birziai, coming from a farming family. In 1919 he entered the Lithuanian Army. In 1920 he enrolled in military school, by the end of that year he was promoted to artillery lieutenant and assigned to the Engineering division of the armoured vehicle.

In 1922 he graduated from the High Officers Course and assigned to the armoured vehicle command. In 1923 he was promoted chief First Lieutenant. In November that year he was assigned as Platoon Commander of an armoured division. In 1924 moved to Naval aviation, and in June 1925 became a pilot of the fourth air squadron. On the 13^th of February he was promoted to Major. 1932 10 appointed Squadron Commander.

June 1940The Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and Jonas fled to Germany. During the German-Soviet war, he returned to Lithuania, led the rebellion against the Gestapo Lithuanian provisional government. Towards the end of 1944, moved to Germany. From 1947-48 lived in Gross Hesepe, Lithuanian refugee camp.

In June 1949 he emigrated to Australia. He was an active participant in the Lithuanian community and managed the Adelaide Lithuanian Museum and participated war veterans activities. He was a founding member of the Adelaide Lithuanian Association, their first secretary and later Vice-President. He curated the museum from 1970 to 1975.

Jonas died on the 14^th October 1975. He was survived by his daughter Ona Dalia Gordon. His wife passed away in 1969. When Lithuania regained its independence his daughter carried out his fathers wishes in donating his awards and collection to the Lithuanian Aviation Museum.
He was awarded numerous medals.

• Grade 4 Order of Gediminas (1928), DLK Gedimino 4 laipsnio ordinu (1928).Awarded to citizens of Lithuania for outstanding performance in civil and public offices.
• Medal of the Volunteer Founders of the Army (1929), Savanorio medaliu (1929).The medal was instituted oto acknowledge those who had participated in the War of Independence of 1918 to 1920.
  
• Lithuanian Independence Medal (1928), Lietuvos nepriklausomybės medaliu (1928). Awarded to those who rendered public service in the early days of independence (1918-1919).
• "Wings of Steel" Medal of Honour 1932, Plieno sparnų garbės ženklu (1932).

Lithuanian RSL: Ramovė

Many Lithuanian men were in the Army or Reserves before coming to Australia, by 1950 it was natural to form a group that recognise this. The idea arose and was enthusiastically taken up by K Taparauskas. On the 10th June 1951 a meeting was held at St Joseph’s hall and the ‘Lietuvos Atsargos Karininku Draugija’ (Lithuanian Reserve) was formed.

The first committee comprised of
President: A Levickas
Secretary: K. Taparauskas
Treasurer: A Rusktele
At first they had 36 members.

The group received news form the USA that they could be part of the “Ramovė’s” (Lithuanian Veterans Union). The purpose of Ramovė was to uphold traditions, provide aid to those in Lithuania who were rendered invalids during the struggle for independence and to participate in all efforts to regain Lithuanian independence form Soviet occupation. Ramovė was formed in Chicago on the 14 May 1950.