By CASEY NEILL
FRED Menzies escaped enemy attacks that sunk two ships he was onboard during World War II, but uneven bricks at Dandenong Plaza almost brought him unstuck earlier this month.
The Dandenong North 89-year-old took great comfort from the 6 June incident, though, and contacted the Star to praise those who came to his aid.
“It is nice to see that among the horror stories that make news, the milk of human kindness still flows,” he said.
The Navy veteran walked away from the incident with bruised hands, knees and rib cage.
“As I lay on the ground it was nice to see a number of people both men and women coming to my aid,” he said.
“I want to say thank you to all of them, particularly the young lady who asked me if she should call an ambulance and gave me a glass of water to drink and a helping hand.
“She literally gave me a hand, to help me stand up.”
Mr Menzies told City of Greater Dandenong about the incident but did not want to make a compensation claim.
He’s just pleased there are plans to fix the hazard.
The widower was in the Navy for 26 years, from 1942 to 1968 and has lived in Dandenong since ending his service.
“I was sunk twice during the war,” he said.
“Once in the North Atlantic escorting a convoy to Russia and another time in the Pacific.
“The good Lord looked after me.”
And he said the same higher power was watching over him as he stumbled on a Thursday afternoon.
“I was lucky I didn’t land on my face,” he said.
“I took it on my hands and knees. They’re still a bit bruised.”
He was pleasantly surprised when people offered assistance.
“There are so many reports around saying people are being bashed and no one intervenes and no one comes to help.”
“It’s a more violent society. It’s shocking.
“But a number of people came over.”
And he’d happily return the favour to anyone else in need.
“I could certainly go to their aid,” he said.
