Helping the Sydney community with relationships, parenting, ageing, disability, pastoral services and mental wellbeing.
Australia’s ‘chocolate soldiers’ were the last line of defence against the jungle-ready Japanese forces along the Kokoda Track in 1942. Most of them hadn’t even reached the age of 21, they were boys from the suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, and the AIF feared they would melt in the heat of the battle thanks to their poor training. But history has shown many of these chocolate soldiers had a hard centre and the Allies won a difficult victory.
Francis Rogers, known as Frank, joined the Australian Army in 1942 and soon found himself amongst the chocolate soldiers, in the 55/53 Battalion. Frank not only survived the war but came home to raise 11 children and never shied away from sharing stories of his time defending Australia.
When their advancing age made it difficult for Frank and his wife to stay in the family home, they called CatholicCare Sydney’s Home Care team and received the caring, professional, and compassionate assistance all older Australians deserve.
On Remembrance Day we say thank you to Frank and all those who served Australia and promise to be there to help them with the same dedication they gave to serving our country.
