Reggie vows to march on

By Lia Bichel
AFTER being struck by a World War II truck during the Anzac Day service last year, an ex-serviceman said he was determined to not let post-trauma injuries stand in the way of him marching again this year.
Endeavour Hills resident Reggie Oorloff, who is secretary of the Ceylon Ex-Servicemen’s Association Australia Branch was knocked unconscious, suffered five cracked ribs and a large flesh wound on his right thigh when he was struck.
Mr Oorloff, 72, was among a group of veterans, including ones from Keysborough, to be injured in the horrific incident. He was taken to The Alfred where he stayed for a week.
He was then admitted to Mercy Hospital where he stayed for 22 days and had plastic surgery.
While he has overcome the emotional devastation of the event, Mr Ooloff said he still suffered from pains in his neck, shoulder, lower back, knee and ankle.
“It’s not excruciating pain, and it doesn’t all happen at once,” he said.
“But it is uncomfortable. Since the accident, I see a physiotherapist twice a week.”
Mr Oorloff, who was a leading stoker mechanic and diver in the Royal Ceylon Navy from 1957 to 1969, said he was looking forward to participating in the Anzac Day service this year.
“I definitely will be there. I prefer to march, but if I am not feeling well that morning, I will be in a vehicle,” he said.
“I have marched for six years. I think it’s a good thing to do. I want to do it for as long as I can.”
After the accident last year, Mr Oorloff said he had no hard feelings to the owner and driver of the 68-year-old war truck, Russell Hughes.
Mr Hughes, 65, is an affiliate member of the Nar Nar Goon RSL and a member of the Victorian Miltary Corps.
He said he was at a loss as to what caused the accident.
“He has been though enough bloody trauma and hell,” Mr Oorloff said.
“He came to the hospital to visit after it happened. There are no hard feelings.
“We are only human, and subject to human error or distraction.
“Forgiveness is a blessing from God and I wish the driver all the very best.”