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NEWSLETTER 1/2019 ISSN 2207-0400 APRIL 2019 Centenary of the Armistice Plaque Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978)

As was reported in Newsletter 1/2018, the College accepted the Society’s offer to gift a plaque to the College commemorating the Centenary of the Armistice on 11 November 2018. The plaque commemorates the 158 graduates of the College who saw active service in the First World War. It was funded from the existing funds of the Society. The plaque will be very visible, being located immediately to the left of the entry to the CSC Mess, in the opposite position to the Society’s plaque (to the right of the Chris Appleton with Bill Mellor (Note the barriers around steps) commemorating the 75th anniversary of the opening of the CSC Mess while the Mess undergoes renovation). the College. Arrangements were made with the College to dedicate the Centenary of The Armistice Address plaque at 9:00 am on Sunday 11 November, in a brief By Chris Appleton, President of the Duntroon Society ceremony attended by cadets, staff and friends of the College. 11 November 2018 Assisting with the unveiling was Bill Mellor, the youngest On this day, 100 years ago, what was then the worst war ever member of the Corps, who turned 18 two days prior. known came to an end. The cost to the world, our nation and this College of what was then called the Great War was immense. The First World War touched every community in Australia and most of its families. From a population of less than five million (think Queensland or New Zealand today), 330,000 Australian volunteers served overseas, 60,000 of them died and 156,000 were wounded. New Zealand with a population of just over a million (a little more than twice the size of Canberra today) saw 99,000 serve overseas, 18,000 die, and 41,000 wounded. On this day 100 years ago, the sentiments were mixed: there was joy that it was over, pride for their contribution to victory, and sorrow for the cost. Here today we honour the 158 Australian and New Zealand graduates of the College saw active service in the First World War. In reflecting on their service, we acknowledge that they comprised a tiny fraction of the more than 12,000 officers who served in the Australian Imperial Force and that from 1916 onwards, new AIF officers were almost all commissioned from the ranks. The same was the case in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The demands of the war saw the first four classes enter the College and graduate early; none of them got to complete the four-year course they had signed up for. They were few, but they made their mark, distinguishing themselves in action at Gallipoli, on the Western Front, and in the Middle East. The Armistice Plaque dedicated to the 158 graduates who saw active service in the First World War.

1 Their service came at great cost: 42 died, another 63 were wounded. Eleven were wounded twice, four were wounded Digitisation of RMC Journals three times. These numbers from the history books bely an even Richard (R.J.) Lamb (1966) greater cost. Others suffered non-battle injuries and illnesses Readers may be interested in a project currently under way to and in the days before our modern understanding of post- have early copies of the RMC Journal preserved, digitised traumatic stress, many bore less visible scars. and placed on line. The classes of 1966, 1967 and 1968 have Seventeen died at Gallipoli along with their Commandant, contributed $6,350 for the digitisation by the National Library Major General Bridges. Patterson Hall here at the College is of Australia of 53 RMC Journals from 1913 (vol 1, no 1) named for the first of them. Six graduates died in a single through to 1968 (vol xlv, no 56). night in the disaster of Fromelles in 1916. Graduates from the They will be accessible via Trove and already the first ten intake that joined the College in 1912 fared the worst: 19 out journals (1913 to 1918 inclusive) can be seen at of 36 died. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-734748369. These were prepared in If honours and promotions are an indication of time to mark the Centenary of the 1918 Armistice last achievement, they achieved much. Captain Clive Hopkins November. The project should be completed in the second commanded a company at Gallipoli before he turned twenty. half of 2019. The financial contribution by the three classes Nearly a third of the 158 were promoted to major during the is to be acknowledged in the NLA catalogue entries. war, however instructions issued in 1917 precluded any Hard copies of the journals are available at a number of possibility of their promotion to lieutenant colonel. This was locations including the National Library, Australian War done so they could be retained in vital roles as brigade majors Memorial’s Research Centre, ADFA’s special collections for which their RMC training was considered some library and the RMC Archives. However there are gaps in the preparation. Given that in August 1918, four men who had series held by each source so that for the first time there will been soldiers in 1914 were commanding infantry battalions be a complete set in one place. Also, many of the journals are as lieutenant colonels, these instructions denied some RMC not in good condition with many incomplete or decayed so graduates the opportunity for appointments of even greater the best copy of each is being selected for preservation. responsibility. The journals are a remarkable record of the first few RMC graduates were three times more likely to be decades of the RMC life and will be available for researchers awarded the Distinguished Service Order than other officers not only of military history but also for family and social in the AIF. By war’s end, seven graduates wore the ribbons historians. They are also a record of very early Canberra by of both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military bringing to life the world of Duntroon cadets in another era. Cross. As these journals show, there were significant social and In a 1923 report the Inspector General of the Army, economic linkages between the College, both cadets and Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel reported that: “To say that staff, and the 1,700 or so people of the Limestone Plains the 158 graduates who served in the late war had any bearing stations and villages—even by the end of WW2 the region’s on the 300,000 that comprised the AIF would seem ridiculous population was only 13,000. The establishment of the RMC yet, most, if not all, division, brigade or regimental in 1911 was of course the new Commonwealth’s first major commanders will bear out my statement that this was so. The capital expenditure in the federal capital region, contained its high ideals established at the College by the late General earliest houses, and predated Walter Burley Griffin’s winning Bridges were a potent influence that made itself felt capital design. throughout.” The journals were not published in 1932 nor between When the survivors of those first four classes came home 1942 and 1949. Between 1931 and 1936, the Journals were in 1919, it was beyond their imagination that just 20 years lean affairs with the RMC relocated at Victoria Barracks later, they would be called to serve again, this time rising Sydney; in those six years there were only 32 graduates and rapidly to senior command and again serving Australia with 67 entrants in total. The 1955 Journal original edition was great distinction. Rowell Theatre in the MI block at the RMC withdrawn after publication and only one re edited photocopy is named for one of them. version appears to exist. Early journals were published twice They could not have imagined that their children would a year and once mid-year into the 1930s. After that, also serve in the Second World War, that their publication was annual at year end with the familiar grandchildren’s generation would serve for a decade in December graduation. It could also be noted that the Vietnam and that their great-grandchildren’s generation ‘graduating class pen pictures’ at the end of each journal only would be called to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they commenced as a tradition in 1961, probably commencing could not have envisaged that their College would with the impressive 1961 Journal Jubilee edition. Many class increasingly provide the leadership at all levels for those members have observed that those pithy pen picture campaigns. comments are as accurate now as they were when first 100 years ago, as they were coming to terms with the end written. of the war, it’s unlikely they appreciated the extent to which Occasionally there are gems which cannot be found their service established the high reputation of the College: a anywhere else. One is found in Journal vol 1 no 2 (June 1914), reputation that every graduate of this place has the duty to which describes a visit to the RMC Duntroon in March 1914 uphold. by the Inspector General of Overseas Forces, Sir Ian Shortly, the Duntroon Society will gift a plaque to the Hamilton. It is with some irony that a year later he was College to mark the Centenary of the Armistice. We do so to commander Mediterranean Expeditionary Force Dardanelles honour those 158, to remember them, and to acknowledge Gallipoli. The Journal reports that “… the Inspector General they set the standard for all who would follow in their said physically you cadets are a fine lot ... I hope you will footsteps. make the best of your many opportunities in the service of the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Empire (applause) .... Your dash and vim were particularly

2 noticeable ... you can see that the wooded country of the Early journals were also made to pay their own way. For Pleasant Ainslie Ridge would give you a splendid chance to nearly 30 years the Journal cost two shillings and depending turn the left flank. I would like to point out the influence of on how much was in the RMC HQ kitty, advertising of up to the fences on the Yass Queanbeyan road ... they afforded a eight full pages was common. This is from the 1931 Journal. splendid ranging mark for the defenders .... General Hamilton expressed pleasure at all he had seen. He bade the Corps goodbye, good luck and rapid promotion then proceeded to Goulburn late in the afternoon by motor and the Corps settled back down to its usual routine”. Another is in Journal vol 3 no 4 August 1915 recording descriptions of early Gallipoli which bypassed the censor. 1

And these are from the 1961 Jubilee journal.

Reflecting the mindset of Australians in the decade after Federation and Australia’s birth as a nation, early journals resonate with notions of Empire and indeed most early RMC instructors were posted from the British Army. The Journal cover for 1914, 1915 and 1916 is a good example.

An interesting feature in the 1961 Jubilee journal was an overlap map of the RMC with sites in 1961 superimposed over those in 1946.

1 {Captain A M Ross (West Yorkshire Regiment) had been Instructor in (twice). He was one of several officers on RMC staff selected by Bridges in Tactics at RMC from 1913. He became Staff Captain on HQ 3 Aust Inf Bde 1914 for key appointments in the 1st AIF. A most meticulous man, his (which led the ANZAC landing), Brigade Major 3 Aust Inf Bde, CO 51st Aust marked maps for the ANZAC landing are held in the AWM. For more Inf Bn and GSO1 HQ 1 Aust Div. He was awarded CMG, DSO and mid information see http://www.memorial.act.gov.au/search/person/ross‐ arthur‐murray. Ed. Thanks to John Bullen} 3

The Royal Military College of Australia, as journal publisher, has given its post-1955 copyright permissions to the National Library of Australia for journal digitisation purposes. Brigadier Hoskin, RMC Commandant said last November: “We were glad to have been involved in the A consistent feature in these journals over many decades process and very much appreciative of the good work has been the inclusion of cartoons by cadets, itself possibly a undertaken by your classes to make this happen”. reflection of the great Australian cartooning tradition. These The Director General NLA, Dr M. Ayres, in thanking the three are some from the 1916, 1931 and 1964 journals. classes of 1966, 1967 and 1968 for their financial contributions late last year, said: “Digitising the RMC Journals ensures researchers around the country can read and learn about the lives of men who served our country in generations past. This invaluable resource will benefit not only military historians but also those exploring their family histories. Thank you for your generosity and for enriching the lives of so many through this important project. Your support is greatly valued for the contribution it makes to the work of the Library in collecting, preserving and sharing Australia’s documentary heritage”. It could be noted this journal digitisation project does not set many precedents. The RAN site navy.gov.au contains a free link to all of the HMAS Creswell/Royal Australian Naval College Magazines from 1913 to 2012. The RMA Sandhurst magazine also has online access for all copies since 1912 although they have a paywall. Both of these sources download by year and only as a pdf with consequent less search and record flexibility. Access to the Trove website to view these journals is best done on a desktop/ laptop/tablet rather than phone. Each page can be copied, saved, downloaded or shared. • Go to https://trove.nla.gov.au and Trove will open; click on the Journals Articles and data sets box currently in top right corner... when that box appears, click “available online” and in the search box type “journal royal military college”. • The first item will be a journal cover thumbnail in colour with a catalogue entry ...click ticked green box “view online” and the journal entry appears; note the blue tabs at the bottom—the right hand one is “acknowledgements” where the classes are shown. • Click on green bar “browse this collection” and then click on a blue underlined link (starts with nla.obj) which is one for each journal (note children means pages). • The image pages then open. Look at the left-hand side bar in grey—it contains a number of functions such as clicking on the magnifying glass is the search function. When you do a search, another bar appears at the bottom of the image giving where the term is in the journal—that too is clickable. Other left hand side bar functions include contents (dots and lines), download (arrow and tray)—note, download can be single page or range and can also specify jpg or pdf— another function is share. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 Another Second Tuesday in December Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978)

On a sparking Canberra day, the 131st Graduating Class of the Royal Military College comprising 153 graduates, one of them the 10,000th graduate of the College marched off for the last time on 11 December 2018. Among them were graduates to the armies of Cambodia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan and the Philippines and to the RAAF. The parade saw the Governor General’s penultimate appearance at RMC in uniform on the 50th anniversary of his graduation, much to the delight of his many classmates who were present; eight class reunions with honours to the stalwarts of the Class of 1948 in good company with the 2/72 Class of 1948. (Photo by Chris Appleton) OCS/OTU class and another six from RMC: Classes of 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008. Of the 66 who graduated from Class of 1968, 47 attended the reunion as well as 13 classmates who did not graduate and four next of kin. Their classmate Rob Pothof (killed in Vietnam) was remembered at the Australian War Memorial’s Last Post Ceremony on Sunday 9 December. The following day, the Class of 1978 remembered their classmate Peter McCarthy (killed in Lebanon) at the Last Post Ceremony on the evening before graduation, his classmates accompanying Peter’s family. The BSM, SUO Tony Benn, (a former digger from 7 RAR) earned the Sword of Honour and the Queens Medal. As he prepared to march off, his place was taken by Staff Cadet Amy Rowlings, the fourth woman to be appointed BSM. For the first time, both BSM and BQMS are women, an achievement enthusiastically received by the Corps when the appointments were announced at the CSC Graduation dinner Class of 1968 at Yarralumla. (Photo by Brian Hewitt) five days earlier. It was a day of proud families, tearful mums and even prouder graduates (young and not so young)—another magnificent day at Duntroon.

Class of 1978 at the Australian War Memorial. (Photo by AWM)

Three Generations of graduates: The Governor General, BSM SUO Tony Benn and Commandant Brigadier Rupert ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hoskin on parade. (Photo by Chris Appleton)

5 War Graves. Staff Cadets John (J.J.) Spring and John (J.E.) Ex-Servies and Retreads at RMC Ryan were both hospitalised after that accident and graduated a fortnight later and two months later respectively. John (J.E.) Bullen (Retread 1956–58) After WW2 came a small, but different group of ‘ex- In Newsletter 2/2017 Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978) presented servies’. I was the first of them so I shall describe my in detail the fascinating stories of three post-WW1 graduates experience. who had previously served with distinction in WW1, the most In the mid-1950s two avenues of entry to the RMC notable of them being David (D.A.) Twining (1921) who in existed. Normal Entry was for unmarried cadets aged over 16 the AIF had been awarded the Military Cross, the Military and less than 20 on entry. There were a few New Zealanders Medal and the French Croix de Guerre, finishing the war as a who were slightly over age, but this was only a minor captain. Because of their prior service, all three—then in their departure from the requirement. early twenties—entered the RMC in Second Class, thus Also available was Service Entry for entrants aged 18 to serving at Duntroon for only two years instead of the normal 27 and they did not have to be single. These basic conditions four. At the same time, Walter Tinsley who had less WW1 for Service Entry to Duntroon were identical to those for entry service than the other three entered into Third Class and to OCS Portsea. There had been no Service Entry entrants to graduated a year behind them. the RMC because an additional RMC requirement was that Chris also covered three recent graduates, typical of many an applicant must have approved military experience and at today, with prior military service. These days prior service least one year of a university degree. Service Entry cadets does not gain exemption from early RMC training. ADFA would enter in Third Class instead of Fourth Class, graduates enter the RMC in Second Class but they have graduating only three years later instead of four. already done their basic training under RMC auspices during Aged 19, I realised that I was eligible for Service Entry to their time at ADFA. Duntroon. I had been a national serviceman, I had also served In Newsletter 2/2018 Ross (R.R.) Harding (1948) in the Citizen Military Forces (now the Army Reserve), I had produced more information on RMC cadets with prior war qualified for NCO rank and I was now serving full time with service, this time focusing on those with 2nd AIF service in the Australian Regular Army. In addition I had completed one WW2. The majority of these cadets were in the 1946–48 year of a science degree at the University of Sydney. Yet, I RMC class. The seven ‘ex-servies’ (including Ross himself) hesitated to apply for Service Entry, being well aware that I in that class did the same three-year course as everyone else would be the first to do so and would face the tough challenge in this 55 member class. of entering straight into Third Class. But there were other ‘ex-servies’, also known today as So I applied for Normal Entry and duly arrived at ‘retreads’, at the RMC at different times. The first of these Duntroon in February 1956 with the rest of the new Fourth were the earliest entrants prior to WW1. Many of them had Class. I was issued with all my kit and settled in for a couple previous peacetime service from what could be regarded as of days. Round about Day 3, I was summoned to the office of Australia’s first of four very different national service Colonel Frank (F.G.) Hassett (1938) who was both Director schemes. However this service did not gain them any of Military Art and Commanding Officer at that time. He privileged treatment at Duntroon. Quite the reverse in fact, if expressed surprise that I had not applied for Service Entry. I we look at the case of Noel (N.E.) Biden (1914). explained my reluctance as best I could. Noel Biden was a fine soldier before he entered Duntroon The DMA said “Well, we think you can handle it. You in October 1911. So good in fact, that he was selected in the start with Third Class tomorrow morning. You should now Australian contingent to attend the coronation of King go and see Staff Cadet O’Neill.” George the Fifth. This caused him to enter Duntroon four So I duly reported to Staff Cadet O’Neill, the Third Class months late. His welcoming classmates promptly laid on a Senior. He turned out to be my old friend Bob (R.J.) whom I heavy initiation for him, described by an eye-witness as “a had known since 1940 when I first came to Australia. As the terrible ordeal”. DMA had predicted, the year went well. Had the College given Staff Cadet Biden an average mark My own background experience was far from unique at for the four months he missed, as was done for ‘ex-servies’ that time. In the Australian community there were lots of after WW2, Biden, an excellent cadet, would have graduated young men who had entered university at age 17 and had been first in his class. Instead, he graduated fifth. Off he went to called up for National Service at 18. Some of these men then Gallipoli where he was promoted captain in July 1915 and found an army career attractive and changed direction as I had sadly died in December, only a week after the evacuation. done, though I think I may have been the only one with During WW2 a special class entered the RMC in March Regular Army experience (which was a great help to me). 1943, graduating in April 1944. Everyone in this class was an This led to six more ‘ex-servies’ entering Third Class at ‘ex-servie’, entry being restricted to those with 2nd AIF Duntroon in the next few years, all of them with National service who also held NCO rank. There were only 23 cadets Service and some CMF experience plus a year at university. in this class and not all of them graduated in April 1944. Four I was followed by Trevor (T.J.M.) Richards (1959), Phillip were discharged, resuming their NCO rank in the 2nd AIF. (P.G.) Skelton (1960), Tony (A.P.) Smithies (1960), Fred One was accidentally killed and three graduated at later dates (E.F.) Pfitzner (1961), Maurie (M.G.) Barwick (1961) and in 1944. Bob (R.M.) Keep (1961). Fred Pfitzner distinguished himself The cadet killed was Staff Cadet John (J.) Reid who is by reaching Under Officer rank in 1961 and eventually commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Brigadier. Memorial. He was killed on a local training exercise near That National Service scheme operated only in the 1950s. Hoskinstown when a signals truck rolled over on a creek It closed in 1959, seriously curtailing the numbers of young crossing. Also killed in the same accident was Driver Leonard men in the community with military experience. Flanagan. Their graves are side-by-side in the military section Consequently there were no more of this particular type of of Canberra’s Woden Cemetery and are official Australian

6 ‘ex-servie’ after the seven who were at Duntroon between the cessation of the war to end all wars occurred in name only, 1956 and 1961. why is commemorating the centenary of the Armistice However, more ‘ex-servies’ came later. During the 1960s important? the RMC curriculum became less military and more In my opinion, I think the Centenary of Armistice is academic, leading to RMC achieving university accreditation important for two key reasons. in 1969. Small numbers of a new type of entrant now emerged Firstly, the scale of loss of life generates a debt to us in from the community. This entrant had completed a year at subsequent generations to learn from the war and act on those university and had also some CMF experience. Several lessons. entered RMC this way in the 1970s and early 1980s, entering To quantify this, it is worth remembering that “for straight into Third Class. Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict In 1986 the ADFA opened while the RMC took over the in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer role from the OCS Portsea of running purely military courses. than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than Just as had been the case right from the start at Portsea, ‘ex- 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken servies’ (or ‘retreads’) now became a standard component of prisoner”. 5 the Corps of Staff Cadets—a situation that continues today. To put that in perspective: almost one in ten of Sydney’s ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ current population enlisted. Taking into account gender and age restrictions, more than one in five working age men The Importance of the Centenary volunteered, of which more than half were killed, wounded of the Armistice or captured. With many of those coming home suffering from a range of physical impairments and shell-shock, what we Ian (I.F.) North (December 2005) now know as PTSD. Compare that to Australia’s longest war: the commitment {Ian North delivered this speech in November to a Canberra to Afghanistan named Operation Slipper, where between gathering of Old Boys from his alma mater: Sydney Church 2001 and 2014, 26,000 men and women served and 41 were 6 of England Grammar School (Shore). The following views killed. are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the While any loss of life is tragic, Armistice Day should be Australian Defence Force or the Australian Government. especially poignant because the near continual conflict since Ed.} points to a lesson that humanity only partially learned. Evidence for this can be seen with attempts to limit war never Good evening Headmaster, ladies and gentlemen. Mr John seeming to match well-meaning intentions. So, I would Lawson, thank you for the invitation to speak this evening. I caution that it is naïve and possibly even dangerous to assume must admit that since leaving school and moving all around that somehow our society has progressed to such a point that the country, this is the first such event I have been able to war has become impossible. attend. So, it is a real privilege to be asked to speak tonight. Related to this is the second reason, and that is Armistice Before continuing, it is important I point out that the views Day is a solemn reminder that those who have gone before us expressed this evening are my own and do not necessarily were willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for something: reflect those of the Australian Defence Force or the values, a way of life or a sense belonging to Australia, and for Australian Government. the First World War, the British Empire. Norman Angell argued that world war will prove This is surmised by G.K. Chesterton, the English writer impossible because Western economies are so interdependent and philosopher, who stated that: “The true soldier fights not 2 as to make conflict suicidal. His book, The Great Illusion, is because he hates what is front of him, but because he loves not a recent work, rather it was published in 1910, four years what is behind him”.7 before the world plunged into the First World War. Therefore, Armistice Day provides an opportunity to stop Going further back in time, Thucydides’ histories of the and ask what it is that we truly value, both individually and Peloponnesian Wars records that it was fear, honour and collectively. It should be easy to identify what these values interest that drove Athens to a war with Sparta, a conflict so are because they will be evident in daily actions. We might destructive that it would end up resulting in the decision to claim to uphold compassion, justice and equality, but I am not circumvent previously agreed rules of war, and ultimately the convinced these are consistently reflected in the decisions of 3 destruction of both city states. our institutions and community leaders. Arguably, the conditions described by both Angell and What then do we do about this debt and my suggestion of Thucydides are present in our current geo-political climate; the need to define our values? which means the potential for wide-scale conflict remains. The School’s motto—vitai lampada tradunt—to pass on So, I believe the Centenary of Armistice provides a unique the torch of life, implies that we must understand history and th opportunity to stop and reflect on why the 11 of November pass on its lessons to future generations. Of note it is a remains such a significant date in the calendar. direction about HOW but does not address WHY this is the One hundred years ago, last Sunday the armistice was case. I believe it is implied that we offer those coming after signed ending the Great War, the war to end all wars. Yet for us the best chance to improve, develop and advance on our th st the remainder of the 20 Century and into the 21 there has achievements. not been a single year without some form of conflict.4 So if

5 2 Norman Sir Angell, The Great Illusion Australian War Memorial, "First World War 1914–18", accessed on 02 3 Robert B Strassler, The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to November 2018, https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war 6 the Pelopennesian War, trans. Richard Crawley (Free Press/Simon & Australian Army, 'Australian Army in Afghanistan,' accessed on 02 Schuster, 1996). November 2018, https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/history-in- 4 IWM Staff, "Timeline of the 20th and 21st Century Wars", accessed on 02 focus/australian-army-in-afghanistan 7 November 2018, https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/timeline-of-20th-and- American Chesterton Society, accessed on 03 November 2018, 21st-century-wars https://www.chesterton.org/quotations-of-g-k-chesterton/#War and Politics 7 Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th Century French diplomat Santayana, George. The Life of Reason: The Phases of and historian, wrote: “When the past no longer illuminates the Human Progress. London: Constable, 1905. future, the spirit walks in darkness”.8 Or, in the words of Society, American Chesterton. Accessed 03 November 2018. George Santayana: “Those who do not learn from history are https://www.chesterton.org/quotations-of-g-k- doomed to repeat it”. 9 chesterton/#War and Politics. It is worth noting that the information age has provided Staff, IWM. “Timeline of the 20th and 21st Century Wars”. unprecedented access to information and opinions, not all of Accessed 02 November 2018. them accurate or helpful. However, to be true stewards of the https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/timeline-of-20th-and- torch of life, we need to listen to a diversity of opinions. In 21st-century-wars the words of 1 Thessalonians 5: “Do not despise prophecies Strassler, Robert B. The Landmark Thucydides: A [which is not a prediction of the future but the explanation of Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War. scripture], but test everything; hold fast to what is good”. Translated by Richard Crawley. Free Press/Simon & Rephrased for a secular use, the ability to promote or Schuster, 1996. defend the values we believe most important is dependent on Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. London: a culture that values learning and the skills it teaches to Saunders and Otley, 1840. scrutinise ideas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In closing then, I think the Centenary of Armistice should prompt us to remember the potential for humanity to once Major Ian North enlisted in January 2002 and graduated again descend into bloody conflict. Noting that potential, we from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2004, and the owe it to ourselves and future generations to define what Royal Military College - Duntroon in 2005. As a junior values it is we are willing to defend. Finally, we ought to officer in the Royal Australian Ordnance Corps, he served in value intellectual pursuits and foster respectful public debate a range of regimental and instructional positions in so that we can test everything, holding fast to what is good. Townsville, Darwin, Amberley, Kapooka and Bandiana. He has deployed on operations in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan. In 2016, he was appointed as the Officer Commanding, Logistic Support Squadron at the 5th Aviation Regiment. Major North graduated from the Australian Command and Staff College (Joint) in December 2018. He holds bachelor degrees from UNSW and UNE, and master degrees from UNSW and ANU. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RMC Remembers Lake George 1956 John (J.E.) Bullen (1958)

On Monday 10 December 2018, the day before Graduation Day at Duntroon, the RMC 1958 graduating class met at Woden Cemetery beside the graves of their classmates who died in the Corps of Staff Cadets Sailing Club tragedy at Lake George on 8 July 1956. This class lost 10% of its strength that day. The class was celebrating its 60th anniversary of graduation with a reunion at Duntroon and a remembrance ceremony at Woden Cemetery is always part of every reunion Participants in the Armistice Centenary service at the Shore held by this class. School Chapel, North Sydney, on 11 November 2018. Left to But this time there was a very big difference. The CO right – Dr Timothy Wright (Headmaster), The Reverend RMC-D, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Passmore (1997) had John Wyndham (Shore Old Boy and Australian Army expressed the hope that a group of today’s RMC cadets could Chaplain in Vietnam, 1969), Major Ian North. (Photograph attend. He sought for the cadets not to intrude, but just to be courtesy of Shore School) present. The 1958 class responded warmly to this approach, Bibliography inviting the Corps of Staff Cadets to participate fully in the Angell, Sir Norman. The Great Illusion. ceremony with them. Army, Australian. “Australian Army in Afghanistan”. The ceremony was jointly planned by the Executive Accessed 02 November 2018. Officer RMC-D Major Greg Neighbour (Jun 2002) and the https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/history-in- 1958 Class Orderly John Bullen. focus/australian-army-in-afghanistan The 68 cadets to attend were carefully chosen from all Memorial, Australian War. “First World War 1914–18”. three classes. They all bore CSC numbers which marked them Accessed 02 November 2018. https://www.awm.gov.au/ as ‘descendants’ of those present as part of the 1958 class articles/atwar/first-world-war reunion. That is to say, each ‘descendant’ shared the last two digits of his or her CSC number with an ‘ancestor’ also

8 Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (London: Saunders and 9 George Santayana, The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress Otley, 1840), Book IV, Chap 5. (London: Constable, 1905), Vol 1. 8 present. The CSC numbers of the reunion group fell within Royal Military College Chapel. We would also like to the range 1621 to 1665 plus one late entry with a higher continue the tradition founded today by sending number. The CSC numbers of the 68 cadets present were representatives from the College every year, as close to the within the range 13342 to 14365. 8th July as possible, to Woden Cemetery to conduct an In addition, cadets were present whose CSC numbers annual memorial service and to pay respects to those who marked them as ‘descendants’ of those who died in 1956. lost their lives. The ceremony began with everyone being arranged On behalf of the College, I thank you for having us here informally in two separate groups. John Bullen spoke first, today and we look forward to continuing this tradition and giving an outline of events on 8 July 1956. Ian Wills (1958) remembering the members of our family who served before then presented additional detail on the not widely known role us. of Frank Alizzi (1959) whose actions saved the lives of the Thanking Ingrid for her speech which meant much to the two survivors. reunion group, the 1958 Class Orderly then called the roll of Flowers were then laid on each grave in turn, each floral the reunion group in numerical sequence of CSC number, tribute being laid by a classmate from the same CSC inviting each classmate to step forward as each number and company. This task was performed by Bob Newland name was called. (Kapyong Company), Evan Torrance (Kapyong), Bob The Corps of Staff Cadets contingent was then invited to O’Neill (Gallipoli), Keith Mitchell (Gallipoli) and Michael step forward and to meet their ‘ancestors’. The ceremony Jeffery (Alamein). concluded with a particularly happy mingling of both groups. Staff Cadet (now Colour Sergeant) Ingrid Miller, a distant Enjoyable contacts were established which may well continue ‘descendant’ of retired Oxford Professor Bob O’Neill (1958), as the younger generation progresses. then stepped forward to speak. Here is the text of her excellent In her speech Ingrid Miller mentioned the proposal for the address: Corps of Staff Cadets to continue this remembrance at Woden Good Morning Sir, Ma’am, Ladies and Gentleman. Cemetery every July in perpetuity. This additional initiative Thank you for having us here this morning for today’s of the CO RMC-D was also welcomed by the 1958 Class now memorial service. aged in their 80s. We are gathered here today to acknowledge the five For as long as they remain physically capable, the 1958 members who lost their lives as part of the Lake George Class will provide a presence at future ceremonies each July. tragedy in 1956. I.D. Colquhoun B.W. Jorgensen D.F. Noble R.R. Pritchard J.L. Reilly This year marks 60 years since the class of those who lost their lives graduated from the Royal Military College, and we come together with fellow members of that class along with current members of the Corps of Staff Cadets to remember those who passed away. On behalf of the Royal Military College and the Corps of Staff Cadets, I would like to pay our respects to those who lost their lives and acknowledge the loss to those who

remain behind. As we stand here today, we look back on how the The four RMC graves are the first, third, fifth and seventh College has gone through many changes since 1958, for from the right. The spacing between graves was dictated by example, the four year course of the 1950s has now become the need for simultaneous access by the burial parties at the an 18 month course, and the addition of international funeral. Only four of the graves of the five who died are cadets from 12 of our allied nations; the most recent of here. The grave of Staff Cadet Brian Jorgensen is in which is Qatar. But we also reflect on how the College Kalamunda, WA. remains the same. The College upholds its ability to produce high quality, professional leaders who will continue to train our Army and develop its capability long into the future. We reflect on the many customs and traditions of the College that still exist today. An exemplar is the Corps of Staff Cadets Family System. Five members of the College who are here today are the ‘descendants’ of those who died 62 years ago. The remainder of us are the descendants of those of you who join us here today. It is interesting to note how many have graduated from the College in between these times, most of our CSC numbers now being in the 14000s compared to your numbers that were in the 1600s. Today, members of the College continue to remember Flowers have been laid and the Class Orderly (at left) calls the Lake George Tragedy, through a framed memorial that the roll. The extra flowers at the far end are in honour of resides in the Corps of Staff Cadets’ Mess as well as the Brian Jorgensen.

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Those recognisable are, L to R, Bob Newland, Steve Hart, The cadets watch with interest to see who is their next Bob O’Neill, Judy Newland, Keith Mitchell, Staff Cadet ‘ancestor’ to come forward. Louise Loughton, Evan Torrance, Staff Cadet Jordan Nyhouse, Zilla Torrance, John Wertheimer, Marcia Wertheimer. Louise Loughton is the daughter of Graeme Loughton (1956).

In foreground, L to R, are John Bullen, Bob Newland, Evan Those recognisable are, L to R, Steve Hart, Staff Cadet Torrance (NZ) and Bob O’Neill. Ingrid Miller, Bob O’Neill, Keith Mitchell, Staff Cadet Louise Loughton.

Michael Jeffery speaks to the cadets. Behind him, on the right, is Keith Mitchell (NZ). Colour Sergeant Ingrid Miller.

L to R: Jeff Sanders (NZ), Gillian Tye, Peter Evans, Ian Group photo of 1955-1958 Class reunion group with Corps Wills, Phil Calvert, Frankie Park, John Wertheimer, of Staff Cadets contingent. Michael Jeffery, Jo Wills, Marlena Jeffery, John Jackson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Library building in what I am told was once the chemistry Opening of the Australian Army lab. For those not so familiar it is in Building A34 on the Museum Duntroon northern edge of the parade ground. For individuals wishing to visit, the Museum is open most Fridays between 0900 and Major David Bucholtz (OCS Jun 1978) 1500, or “By Appointment” via a note to The Australian Army Museum Duntroon was officially [email protected]. For group visits, including reunion groups, please make your initial request via opened in December by the Chief of Army Lieutenant the RMC Protocol officer at: [email protected]. General Rick Burr (1985). Of those in attendance were representatives from the current First Class, key staff members (including the Comdt, DMA, CO, RSM) and a great mix of graduates from RMC, OCS, WRAAC OCS, and OTU. As pointed out by the Chief “the Museum has a challenging story to tell … for fundamentally it is a story of people – something that can’t be told through the display of ‘large objects’ often associated with Army Museums.” In meeting this challenge the exhibition space has been curated to showcase the material culture of officer training through the lens of cadet life rather than the officers’ careers that followed, and has been grouped against the five “constants” experienced by all staff and officer cadets—past, present and future: • Drill and Ceremony: the importance of Army’s heritage as the responsibility for leading the Army passes from one generation to the next. • Learning and Leadership: officer training being the Ceremonial showcase. start of a journey, not the destination, as graduates accept the responsibility to lead the Army into the future. • Physical Training and Sport: leaders need to be fighting fit to maintain their preparedness to meet the demands of combat. • Field Training: Army’s leaders are soldiers first, specialists second. • Community: the camaraderie we derive from our shared experiences of cadet life, and the importance of team. Visiting the Museum For the many readers who are familiar with the Duntroon campus the Museum is located in the Bridges Memorial Curator (Paul Mitrovich) briefing Chief of Army.

Guests at the opening of the Australian Army Museum Duntroon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11 First World War; however with the ‘RMC 42’, three of the A Knitted Tribute to the First poppies represented New Zealanders who had graduated from World War Fallen of RMC the College along with their Australian brothers-in-arms— specially commissioned for war service. WO2 Steve Medforth On Monday 12 November, the day after Remembrance Australian Army Museum Duntroon Day, the entire display was torn down and whilst it took three days for volunteers to install, the pulldown took just one and To commemorate the 100 years of Centenary to the First I was intent on retrieving as many of the ‘RMC 42’ as World War, some 62,000 knitted and crocheted poppies possible. All the poppies had become somewhat faded over adorned the grounds of the Australian War Memorial the period and the short grass had grown thanks to a mix of (AWM); it was a project that had started several years prior wet and dry weather days, though thanks to the CSC-Badged by the two founding members of ‘5,000 Poppies’—Lynn (‘StayBrite’) buttons gleaming off the morning sun, I was Berry and Margaret Knight—and though they had supervised able to find 36. It was a truly memorable experience. several similarly-themed displays over the years this would be their culmination event. The production exceeded all expectations thanks largely to knitters and crocheters not only from Australia but the world over who had donated their time, effort and wool and for five weeks (5 October to 11 November) the lawns of the AWM were a sea of red— symbolic of the Australian lives lost during the War. A year earlier, I had stopped by ‘Poppy’s Café’ at the AWM and chanced upon a group of ladies who were knitting poppies and it was from this conversation that I first learned of the 5,000 Project and its intent for the Centenary, it was one of many such groups all over the country which had swung into full production in order to meet deadlines. Soon after, I met Ledy Rowe—the Canberra-based Coordinator— who was more than helpful in assisting with my desire to have the 42 graduates of the RMC who were killed in action during the Great War represented. Anne Stewart (right) at the aptly-named ‘Poppy’s Café’ for My intentions would not have been made possible without the handover of 42 freshly-knitted poppies (soon to become the help of Anne Stewart from Sydney who kindly offered her the ‘RMC 42’). Ledy Rowe (centre) was in attendance also knitting prowess in handcrafting the 42 poppies required and supervising the group of local knitters who met regularly at in the colours of the Corps of Staff Cadets. It was no surprise the Café in the months leading up to the event. that red wool was at a premium and Anne chose a type that was colourfast acrylic yarn which ensured a longer life whilst on display under the Canberra sun. I initially wanted each to have a CSC badge centrally fitted but, due to concerns with the pins of the badge and affixing to the stems, the centre feature was changed-out to obsolete large CSC-badged Line 40 anodised buttons which were obtained in quantity from the Army History Unit’s museum repository, Bandiana. The CSC number of a graduate lost was written in indelible ink on the underside of each button before being centrally sewn on the poppy by my wife Yasmin. Ledy then assisted with the stems by providing the woven green woollen sleeves which fitted over bamboo skewers— these were standard fittings. She gave me a ‘soldier’s five’ on how to attach the stem to the poppy and I then went about completing what I termed collectively the ‘RMC 42’. By the end of June, I handed over the finished product to Ledy whose house had gradually become a storage facility for tubs of locally-made poppies. For the installation at the AWM on 1 October, volunteers came from far and wide working in pre-designated shifts to help ‘plant’ the many thousands of poppies offered and it was truly a momentous occasion for all concerned. Whilst I had helped with installation, I was not directly involved with the planting of the ‘RMC 42’ (which was unfortunate) as these were chosen to be amongst a special allotment that could be planted by visitors in the ‘Flanders’ Garden. Over the following five weeks, the vast knitted poppy Prior to handing them over for installation, I set-up the gardens provided dignitaries, invited guests and visitors alike ‘RMC 42’ at the base of the Great War Memorial Tablet with an understanding of loss and sacrifice with each poppy (College Flag Station). representing one Australian service member killed during the 12 {Thanks to Luke Foster (OCS December 1979) and a sharp- eyed Murray Davies (1984) for the following additional two photos. Ed}

Initial planting of the poppies with one of the ‘RMC 42’ RMC Poppies at the Australian War memorial. Photo: standing out against the backdrop of the AWM. Murray Davies.

Poppies at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Luke Foster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

time to get together with as many of their Classmates as Class of 1948 Reunion: possible to mark such an event. And so the idea of a reunion 70th Anniversary of Graduation with their Classmates was born. At the conclusion of the 60th Anniversary Reunion in 2008 Stephen Harding there had been a general consensus that that gathering would be the last to be formally organised. Despite themselves and Early in 2018 four of the surviving members of the Class of the expectation of age and time bearing down on them the 1948 met over lunch. After the usual Sick Parade reports, idea of a 70th Anniversary Reunion stuck—after all, 16 discussion of wives, children, grand-children and great grand- members of the Class and their families had gathered as children the talk turned, as it often did, to reminiscences on recently as June 2011 for a dinner to mark the 100th life in general and the time that had passed since their Anniversary of the RMC. What was a few more years? graduation from the Royal Military College in December The response was prompt and revealed a strong 1948. In a passing remark it was noted that December 2018 enthusiasm for a reunion not only from surviving Classmates would be 70 years since their graduation and perhaps it was but also widows and those who have been called the ‘Children 13 of the Class’. By August a plan of events had been developed. senior military officers unable to get themselves organised As time progressed the programme had to be modified as until the wives started telling them what to do! issues of general health and mobility became more real—the It was unfortunate that a number of activities had to be last member of the Class from New Zealand, and a keen omitted or dropped from the programme as advancing years supporter of the reunion, passed away in October. Other prevented many from doing as much in a day as they used members of the Class Family including four Classmates and to—a tour of Duntroon House conducted by a volunteer RMC ten wives, widows and other family members sent their Guide, a visit to the RMC Archives to view their Staff Cadet ‘apologies’. records, the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War So it was that five Classmates, four wives or widows and Memorial (part of the reunion programme of the Class of fifteen other family members gathered for lunch in a dining 1978) and the Military Prize and Sporting Awards Ceremony room at the Royal Canberra Golf Club in Yarralumla on for the presentation of ‘The Lieutenant Eric Larsen Memorial Monday, 10 December. A welcome glass of an appropriate Travelling Scholarship’ given in honour of Classmate Eric beverage was followed by a delightful meal with the Olaf Larsen (KIA 1950). obligatory speech or two and lots and lots of relaxed This Anniversary Reunion was an historic and special conversations around, and between, the tables. Perhaps occasion for us all, especially the graduates who were able to unsurprisingly the group had to be asked to leave having attend. After 70 years there is unlikely to be any more such overstayed the expected duration and to enable the staff to Reunions but if any reader is visiting Canberra for an RMC have time to finish clearing and begin preparation for the event, especially a Graduation, don’t be surprised to see a few Club’s evening sessions. of us amongst the appreciative audience. The following day, Tuesday 11 December, was the climax of the Reunion—the Graduation Parade with the Governor- General, General Sir Peter Cosgrove, as Reviewing Officer, followed by morning tea in the Old Dining Room of Duntroon House. Unfortunately some were unable to attend both the lunch and the Parade. The 23 members of the Class Family attending the Parade included five of the 12 surviving Classmates as well as a wife and a widow, children of living and deceased Classmates and a grandson! The Parade was closely observed and, as old graduates tend to do, closely scrutinised. The general reaction was positive—pleasing in terms of the number of staff cadets on Gathering for lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club: Parade, the movements and on the whole of a very high Attenders included, Nola Church and her daughter, Jenni standard, though the security drones flying overhead Mossard; Billie-Jo McCann and her son Tom and daughter- provided an interesting distraction. The solo digeridoo player in-law, Sandy, and her son Michael’s partner, Michelle at the start of the Parade and the later presentation of both the Cook; Jean Mannett and her son, Paul and daughter-in-law Sword of Honour and the Queen’s Medal to the same staff Anne; Jenni Lovell and her husband Shane. cadet were also of particular note. It did seem that some of the group still have difficulty with the graduating Class throwing their caps in the air—‘damaging expensive equipment’. Morning tea after the Parade was very welcome—not only comfortable chairs for ‘old bones’ to rest on but a fine array of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and good cups of tea and coffee. The Class was particularly grateful that the Governor General and his wife found time to visit with them and hope that the Class of 1968 did not mind them being absent from their own Reunion gathering. The increasingly urgent, but still subtle, ‘nudges’ from aides and College staff General Sir Phillip Bennett, with his daughter Jane for the couple to move on to their next official duty Davidson, son-in-law Chris Davidson and grandson, Sam highlighted how privileged we felt that they were prepared to Davidson. spend so much of their time with us. The photographs of our group taken on the steps at the side of Duntroon House near the Conservatory before the Morning Tea are seen as particularly significant to the history of the Class as that was where a similar set of photos were taken in 2008 at the 60th Anniversary Reunion. The photo of the Class members attending in that year is somewhat poignant as, of the 12 Class members present, eight have since passed away and one can no longer travel. At the present Reunion there were a number of people trying to take photos of various combinations of the members of our group at the same time as the subjects were all still chatting and asking Elizabeth Harding (wife of Colonel Ross Harding), Jean ‘where is the morning tea?’. It was much the same state of Mannett (widow of Colonel David Mannett), Nola Church affairs at the 55th and 60th Anniversary Reunions—a group of (widow of Colonel John Church), and Billie-Jo McCann (widow of Lieutenant Colonel Allen McCann).

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Front row: Billie Jo McCann, Colonel Ross Harding, Colonel Ross Harding, Major Jim Neylan, General Sir Elizabeth Harding, General Sir Phillip Bennett, Colonel Phillip Bennett, Colonel Ken Hill and Colonel Peter Scott. Peter Scott, Colonel Ken Hill.

The Class of 1948 Reunion Group ‘delayed’ on their way to Morning Tea: Deborah Davidson (daughter of Colonel Peter Scott), Chris Davidson, Sam Davidson, Liz Pugh (daughter of Major Roy Pugh), Jane Davidson, Rod Gibson, Elizabeth Harding, John Ellis, Stephen Harding, Billie-Jo McCann, Tom McCann, Jen Ellis and Sue Gibson (daughters of Major General David Butler), Colonel Ross Harding, Michael Neylan, Colonel Ken Hill, Major Jim Neylan, General Sir Phillip Bennett, Jenni Lovell (daughter of Brigadier Brien Forward), Colonel Peter Scott. Out of camera: Robert Davidson, Shane Lovell, Sandy McCann. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stephen Harding is the younger son of Colonel Ross Harding (1948) and often performs the role of Class Orderly for the Class of 1948. Stephen is also a long-term supporter of the Duntroon Society and in 2003 was made an Honorary Member of the Society for his work. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

15 SNCO/WO and JNCOs; developing greater confidence and From the Commandant agility for the turbulent environment post H-Hour; greater Rupert (R.J.C.) Hoskin, AM (Dec 1991) preparedness to lean in and exploit opportunities while accepting and mitigating risks; learning how to wield Well, another year has started at the usual high tempo influence and contributory dissent in the more fluid and less commencing with the ARes TB5 Commissioning Course on hierarchical environments that we commonly experience 3 January. It was terrific to meet these young (and a few not- working among other agencies; and finally enhancing so-young) people out training hard in the hottest January on emotional intelligence to bring a more human and record for Canberra. Trainees and instructors alike had given inspirational flavour to the practise of leadership. up their time in the holiday period to conduct Army training, All fascinating stuff, and we are having rich and valuable once again demonstrating the commitment of part-time Army discussions throughout the Army and with other personnel. This period also required some clever thinking in organisations as we explore this. There is huge enthusiasm order to maintain progress while also being compliant with these days for excellence in leadership and we are thoroughly the very sensible heat management policies in place. The enjoying this privileged responsibility and having the time to cheery faces and pride in these photos capture the wonderful delve deeply into a topic we all love. occasions that were their Lanyard Presentations and The other initiative underway is training transformation; Commissioning Ball. essentially seeking to modernise our methods of instruction At the time of writing, an equally committed and inspiring such that we make best possible use of technology and group of Specialist Service Officers is rocketing towards resonate with our training audience in the contemporary era. graduation, which will be a total of around 140 new Army Again, Army training is already good but we need to preserve Officers for Australia, getting 2019 off to a good start. the core of it while also being progressive and agile. The staff of Romani Company were also busy conducting In closing, thanks as ever for the ongoing commitment of training for the Army cadets at ADFA in the same timeframe, Brigadier Chris Appleton, CSC (Retd) and all the Duntroon including some innovative adventure training at a number of Society members. You provide great support to the College, venues around Canberra. As the photos illustrate it looked a as well as a wonderful enduring sense of heritage. We are just lot like great fun, but was also a terrific way to develop the current custodians of something deeply established in resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills. We are taking Australian history and that will endure long after we have particular steps to enhance the Army connection for ADFA finished our turn and moved on. This heritage motivates us to cadets and to optimise the value gained from their long period be worthy and to take a humble long term view. in training. And of course the new year has seen us welcome a fresh crop of III-Class direct entry staff cadets and a group from ADFA joining II-Class. The College is operating at high tempo, near full capacity and as ever reliant upon the agility and commitment of the staff team. We are delighted to have welcomed some new key leaders since the last edition:

COL Chris Alder (Dec 1998), Aust Int (DMA) LTCOL Rob Ryan (Jun 2002), RAA (CO RMC-D) WO1 Brian Buskell (RSM RMC-A)

Three fine individuals who are already making their mark and enjoying the privilege of serving here. Other activities of note for the wider RMC-A formation include Army leadership development and training transformation. The Chief of Army has recently appointed the COMDT RMC-A as ‘Director Army Leadership’ with ADFA Single-Service Training (SST). responsibility for developing leadership excellence

throughout the Army. The key point being that nothing good stays that way without nurturing—which is to say that there is no doubt about the high quality of Army leadership as it is but the Chief felt that we needed a central authority to keep it moving and adapting progressively. We have dedicated a small team to form the Centre for Australian Army Leadership, and have developed a framework for what we assess is required. Essentially, the Army leadership model is already superb (arguably, a national treasure) and the long- established theories of leadership remain applicable. There are good reasons for this: we inculcate strong values, we conduct great leadership training throughout our careers, we prioritise both mission and caring for people, and we benefit from those wonderful Aussie characteristics of candour, loyalty, mateship, and diligence. So we must preserve all that goodness while looking for enhancements to suit the current ADFA SST. and future environment These include: tightening up our role clarity around the respective contributions of officers, 16 From the DMA Colonel Chris Alder (Dec 1998) Firstly, can I say what an honour and privilege it is for me to have been appointed as the Director of Military Art. Without question, Duntroon can proudly claim it is building on the strong foundations of the past to produce officers that are equipped to respond to the challenges of command and the unique demands of service. I deeply appreciate the role the Duntroon Society plays in connecting staff and cadets to the College’s history and look forward to maintaining this connection, with a view to ensuring our work in the present ARes Commissioning Course—Pl Comd OGp at Majura. appropriately respects the service and contribution of those that have gone before us. As Duntroon enters its 109th year, its curriculum is in a mature state, providing a solid foundation from which to build upon to meet contemporary challenges. In the last Society Newsletter, the former Director of Military Art, Colonel Leonard (L.) Oei (Dec 1995), provided a comprehensive update of recent curriculum developments, including the introduction of a dedicated character development line of effort within the training program. I suspect for many Society members the increased emphasis on character will be considered old wine in a new bottle; however, the acknowledgement that character development must emerge from being implicitly embedded in the curriculum to becoming more central to instruction and the learning experience is a positive and needed development. ARes Commissioning Course—arriving at Mt Pleasant after There is enthusiasm across Duntroon’s staff for the further 3 Peaks Walk ready for Lanyard Presentation. enhancement of character development training to ensure graduates are adequately prepared to drive positive decisions and actions in an increasingly ambiguous operational environment. As we enter 2019, the Duntroon curriculum will continue to evolve in response to Army in Motion, an approach to thinking the Chief of Army has released to guide continuous improvement during his tenure. I look forward to updating Society members on our efforts to respond to Army in Motion along with other curriculum development initiatives during my engagement with you. The work being undertaken to modernise training is continuing against a busy and demanding delivery schedule. Instructional staff under Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rob Ryan, RAA (June 2002) are highly skilled, professional, responsive, and committed to creating the best ARes Commissioning Course—graduands celebrating their possible learning experience for cadets. Their contribution is Corps allocation and new lanyards. particularly noteworthy given the ever-increasing amount of course content that must be conveyed to cadets. Instructors are time magicians who do amazing work with cadets despite being time poor. Demographically, the Corps of Staff Cadets (CSC) currently numbers 425 cadets, with the largest individual class being II Class, with 202 members. There are also 42 international cadets from 10 different countries. The most recent III Class intake was formally welcomed into the CSC on Lanyard Parade on 9 March 2019, where Staff Cadet Jacob Mouritz was awarded the ‘Best Cadet’ during initial training. Last December’s First Appointment Course (FAC) graduation parade was a fitting ceremony to mark the completion of training for 151 Staff Cadets. Senior Under Officer Matthew Benn was awarded the Sword of Honour during this parade, prior to commissioning into the Royal ARes Commissioning Course—new RAE LT Diana Australian Infantry Corps. In January 2019, Duntroon again D'Alessandro pip pinning on by her fiancé Aaron. hosted the final battle block of the Army Reserve Officer Commissioning Course (OCC). The completion of this battle ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ block was the culmination of a development process that re- 17 focussed the ARes continuum to produce all corps ARes starting studies at the University of New South Wales. She officers capable of commanding and leading in a field left part way through those studies to enter the Australian environment. The battle block concluded with the graduation Defence Force Academy, where she gained an Arts degree. of 60 Officer Cadets, a record for ARes training, and a Grace also earned the Major Susan Felsche RAAMC positive indicator that reforms undertaken are enabling a Memorial Award for the best performing graduate allocated graduation rate and standard that supports ARes to RAAMC. Her first posting is to the 2nd Close Health requirements. Officer Cadet Matthew Horton was awarded Support Battalion at Enoggera. the Sword of Honour in recognition of his performance over the ARes training continuum. Matthew has been allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. The most recent ADFA Single Service Training (SST) early this year saw Duntroon’s Romani Company training 147 2nd year and 123 3rd year ADFA Army Officer Cadets. Romani Company was also responsible for inducting 23 ADFA Army Officer Cadets into military service as part of a broader trial to enhance the ADFA / Duntroon curriculum. This exposure involved volunteer cadets completing their initial two weeks of service at Duntroon, as part of the III Class induction, prior to integrating into tri-service induction procedures at ADFA. The cadets involved in the trial spoke favourably of their time at Duntroon, and the opportunity afforded to gain a better appreciation of the Army before commencing their time at ADFA. We will now look to strengthen and deepen the connection these cadets and the broader ADFA Army class has with Duntroon through continued exposure to CSC social, sporting and training Grace Partridge, recipient of the December 2019 Duntroon activities. Society Award with Paul Stevens, Vice President of the With so much occurring, 2019 will be an exciting year. I Society. (Photo courtesy of the RMC) thank all readers for their support of the College and I had the opportunity to present The Commandant’s encourage you all to keep updated on key achievements Award for Instructor of the Year to Sergeant Dane Farquhar, through Duntroon’s Facebook page: RAINF, a Small Group Instructor with III Class from 2017 to https://www.facebook.com/RoyalMilitaryCollegeDuntroon/ 2018. He was commended as “…an enduring and reliable ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ sounding board for the entire staff of III Class … a stand-out From the President, Duntroon instructor whose influence and maintenance of the highest standards of instruction” produced excellent results. He has Society since been promoted to Warrant Officer Class Two and Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978) posted to 2/17 RNSWR. The Queen’s Birthday Parade on 8 June 2019 will mark the The award was presented in the presence of all cadets and Governor-General’s last appearance at RMC in uniform and staff and comprised the Commandant’s medallion and the the QB Parade’s return to RMC after an interval at Rond Society’s cheque for $1,000 in appreciation of the difference Terrace at Lake Burley Griffin. I hope that the Society will that the best instructors make to their students. turn out in numbers to farewell a member and Fellow of our Society who has made such a substantial contribution to the College, the Defence Force and our nation. The Governor- General designate, General David Hurley (1975) is also a member of the Society. It is a matter of pride for all of us that RMC has produced three Governors-General, all of them members of the Society. The highlight of the Society’s year was the dedication of the Centenary of the Armistice plaque at Duntroon Sunday 11 November 2018. The RSM of RMC-D, Warrant Officer Class One Andrew Shore, OAM, did a terrific job coordinating the ceremony. At the Annual General Meeting at Duntroon, on 24 October 2018, Merrie Hepworth (WRAAC OCS 1967) was elected to the Society’s Council, Moreen Dee having stood down after many years of service to the Society in the ACT and to the Council. We wish her well as she moves to warmer climes. Other office holders were re-elected in the absence of responses to request to nominate for appointment to the Council. At the Prizes and Awards ceremony in December, Paul Stevens (1967), Vice President of the Society, presented the Society’s award to Grace Partridge. Grace grew up in Coogee Sergeant Dane Farquhar receives the Instructor of the Year and attended St Catherine’s School in Waverley before Award from Chris Appleton. (Photo provided by RMC) 18 If you wish to discuss any matter concerning the Society, Scheyville Experience” to renew friendships from long ago please contact me at [email protected]. and to reminisce over those very special days. An annual competition, this year involving 54 teams from New Members 17 countries, is to be held at West Point in the US. Teams Since the last newsletter, 22 new members have joined the from Military Training Academies in the US (Army and Navy Society, their names are listed below. Please continue to reach Academies), Australia (RMC Duntroon), Canada (RMC out to mates past and present to invite them to join us in the Kingston), Great Britain (RMA Sandhurst), Germany, France Society at www.dunsoc.com/join. New members are: and Italy are to be involved. RMC Duntroon will be fielding “Team Scheyville”. Kevin Bell (1978) The teams compete in basic military skills including Craig Bruhn (Dec 1992) shooting, teamwork (artillery piece pulls, trailer pulls), Stan Carnes (Dec 1992) grenades, navigation, obstacle courses and quick decision Philip Corboy (OCS Dec 1968) exercises over a two day programme. It is to be held in the Glen Crosland (1977) hills behind West Point overlooking the Hudson River. James Dittmar (1977) The Association will be supporting “Team Scheyville” Anthony Draheim (Jun 1989) through providing OTU ties to each of the seventeen Matthew Eden (Dec 2018) competitors and staff involved. These are to be worn at Colin Green (1974) official civilian clothing events. The team’s naming is seen as Joshua Grimson (Dec 2009) a fine recognition of OTU and all it achieved in the field of Rupert Hoskin (Dec 1991) officer training. Stephen Hull (OCS Dec 1975) Much of the OTU memorabilia—Unit Banner, Honour Kenneth Lindsay (1984) Boards and silverware—is now held at RMC Duntroon. Michael Lovell (1978) As well as special class reunions, the usual luncheons, Luke Martin (Dec 2018) formal and casual dinners and sporting days, continue with Joel Munday (Dec 2018) enthusiasm. Special mention is made of the Victorian Joe O’Neill (OCS Dec 78) Chapter’s monthly luncheons held at the RACV Club. Started David Shields (1984) some four years ago these now regularly see in excess of 25 Simon Small (Jun 1988) attendees. Craig Steel (OTU 1/1970) The Association remains financially strong. Five year Nicholas Swifte (1/1995 FTCC) projections of income and expenditure are updated every six Raymond Trevisan (OCS Dec 1982) months. Through this, additional payments have been able to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ be made to the State/Territory Chapters for both Youth Development programmes and social activity subsidies. From the OTU Association A coffee table type book featuring photographs “Images Frank Miller (OTU 4/1967) of Scheyville” is to be produced during the year. This will be another means by which Scheyvillians may recall and reflect Although not by a large percentage, on those life changing days. membership of the Association The Association’s Youth Development initiatives continues to rise. As has been continue. Again, over January, funding was provided to previously mentioned, this is thought sponsor young men and women in the 16–17 year age group to be attributable to the many classes to attend the respective Lord and Lady Somers Camps on celebrating the fiftieth year Western Port Bay, Victoria. Other activities to receive anniversary of their respective financial support included the VITAE programme (Qld), graduations with formal reunions. As Operation Flinders (South Australia), the Leeuwin OTU was in operation from 1965 to early 1973 several more Programme (Western Australia), and Rotary’s RYLA are yet to follow. These gatherings would appear to have programme (ACT). renewed friendships and interest from so long ago. That most These are all pursued in order to instil in the youth of Scheyvillians have now, or are about to, retire is also thought Australia an understanding of leadership and a personal sense to be another contributory factor as is the fact that more of awareness—both of which featured in the Scheyville accurate email address data has come to hand. course. With much of the membership having now retired there Members will march behind the Scheyville Banner in has been a rescheduling of annual events away from the several State and Territory capitals in this year’s ANZAC colder months—particularly in Victoria. The Geddes Dinner Day commemoration Parade. has been transferred from August to March and the Main The Scheyvillian magazine continues to be published Dinner from June to October—so significant has become the three times each year. It always makes for fascinating reading number who head north or overseas to avoid the winter to the OTU family and the broader military community. Also weather. deserving of note has been the continuing improvement to the Another National Reunion is planned from 16–18 October Association Website. This, along with the magazine, gives a 2020. This will be held around the Windsor area and will meaningful insight into what Scheyville was and into the comprise a formal dinner on the Friday night followed by a subsequent history of those who were part of “The Scheyville full Saturday set aside for individual Class reunion activities. Experience”. A picnic luncheon on the Sunday at the Scheyville site will be the last scheduled event. The reunion will furnish yet Frank Miller another opportunity for those who participated in “The Chairman, OTU Association. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

19 From the Branches Australian Capital Territory Branch Office Holders Convenor: Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978) Secretary: Jason (J.J) Hedges (1992) Treasurer: Mike (M.J.) Ryan (1980) Members: Merrie Hepworth (WRAAC OCS 16/1967); George (G.T.) Salmon (1959); Mike (M.J.) Ford (1957); Stuart (S.B.) Althaus (RMC & OCS Jun 1982) The ACT Branch turned out in good numbers for the dedication of the Centenary of the Armistice Plaque at Duntroon. This was encouraging after the Annual Dinner Bernie (B.W.) Dymet (1980) and Bob Guest. planned for October was cancelled for want of numbers, most likely associated with email distribution problems. The Autumn luncheon will be held at Duntroon House on Friday 24 May at 12.00 for 12.30 pm. Cost will be $50.00 pp. Invitations have been distributed by email. Please consider bringing a guest. New South Wales Branch Office Holders Convenor: Bob (R.L.) Guest (OCS Dec 1959) Secretary: Peter (P.M.) Reid (1964), [email protected]. 0417 274 090 Treasurer: Ian (I.R.) Taylor (1965), [email protected], 0407 539 441. Annual Graduation Week Lunch—Friday, 13 December 2019 Phillip (P.K.H.) Bridie (1980) and Rod (R.J.) Cook (1980). The lunch this year will be held at the Imperial Service Club at the Royal Automobile Club building at Circular Quay. Members and their partners will be able to catch up with friends and enjoy the high standard of catering offered by the Club at a very reasonable price. Further details on booking for this event will be promulgated. Please put it in your diaries now. Monthly Lunch Many Duntroon Society members meet at the Imperial Service Club, now incorporated in the Royal Automobile Club at Circular Quay. They normally meet on the second Friday of each month at 1200hrs for 1230hrs and have an excellent two course lunch and wines for $65 per head. Future lunches will be held on 12 Apr, 10 May, 14 Jun (mixed), 12 Jul, 9 Aug, 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 5 Nov (Melbourne Cup, mixed) 8 Nov, and 13 Dec (mixed). These lunches are conducted under Patsy and Cliff (C.F.) Dodds (1956). the auspices of the Regular Army Officers’ Luncheon Club (RAOLC) and it is hoped that more Duntroon Society members could join their fellow officers on these monthly occasions. Out-of-state visitors are most welcome but should advise office holders or the Club, (02) 8273 2320, of their intention to attend. RAOLC / Duntroon Society Graduation and Christmas Lunch– Friday 14 December 2018 A gathering of 34 sat down to a Festive themed lunch after pre-lunch drinks at the bar of the ISC Room. It was very pleasing to see the return of the group from the Class of 1980, and two from the 1985 Classes (RMC and OCS). There was a small number of apologies received. All passed on Christmas Greetings and best wishes for the New Year. We look forward to catching up those who were unable to attend Richard (R.S.) McDonagh (OCS Jun 1985) and John at future events. (J.M.B.) Hutcheson (1985).

20 Queensland Branch Office Holders Convenor: Graeme (G.J.) Loughton (1956). Branch Social Functions Here in South East Queensland we continue the pattern of meeting for lunch monthly at the United Service Club on the second Wednesday, with the numbers being around 6 to 12, usually. All members with email addresses receive a monthly reminder and the others receive a calendar update by snail mail about twice a year. About twice a year we upgrade the monthly lunch to a ‘lunch with partners’ format. The most recent was held as a Christmas lunch on 12 December with 19 attending. The next ‘with partners’ lunch will be in May Jill and Don (D.R.) Gillies (1959). or June, probably on the second Wednesday. International Women’s Day As always, a notice will go out two–three weeks ahead. If you think you have missed out, contact Convenor, Graeme On 8 March 2019 a small group gathered for the monthly Loughton, on (07) 3378 7376 or [email protected]. lunch and to celebrate International Women’s Day. In an attempt to get all faces showing for the Christmas lunch, two photos are necessary. Starting at the bottom left of Photo 1 below, those present were: Bob (R.E.) Hagerty (1956), Pauline Sinclair, John (J.N.) Stein (1957), Ailsa Stein, Alison Gilmore, Nola Croucher, Neville (N.R.) Lindsay (1955), Laurie (L.N.) Hall (OCS Jun 1957), Rick (W.H.) Davies (1972), John (J.R) Brown (OCTU 2/68), Susan Brown, Graeme (G.J.) Loughton (1956), Susie Loughton, Marguerite Jenvey, Jock (J.E.) Jenvey (1956), Annie Deacon, John (J.E.E.) Simson (1956), Sue Knight, and Ron (R.S.C.) Morris (1956).

Back L to R: Ian (I.R.) Taylor (1965), Peter (P.M.) Reid (1964), Don (D.R.) Gillies (1959), Dick (R.B.) Knight (OCS Dec 1954). Front: L to R: Wilf (W.J.C.) Gregg (OCS Dec 1953), Ken (K.L.) Duncan (OCS Dec 1952), Lawrie (L.A.) Wright (OCS Jun 1952), Ian (I.M.) Henderson (OCS Dec 1956), Brian (B.J.) Armour (OCS Jun 1963). New Zealand Branch Office Holders Patron: Major General Robin (R.G.) Williams (1952). Auckland Sub-branch Convenor: Lieutenant Colonel Barry (B.D.) Dreyer (1965). Queensland Branch Christmas Lunch—Photo 1. Wellington Sub-branch Convenor: Brigadier Ian (I.J.) Duthie (1962). Auckland Sub-branch Auckland Sub-branch has had no activity since the last Newsletter. We are actively planning some mid-winter get- togethers. As directed at last year’s AGM, the bulk of the Branch funds has now been transferred to the National Army Museum in Waiouru, earmarked for use by the Kippenberger Library, part of the research grouping of the Museum. Wellington Sub-branch The Wellington Sub-branch held its annual Summer Lunch at the Royal Wellington Golf Club on Sunday 17 February. A total of 19 attended and enjoyed an afternoon of fine food and Queensland Branch Christmas Lunch—Photo 2. company.

21 South Australia & Northern Territory

Branch Office Holders Chairman / Convenor: Doug (D.D.) Strain (1978) Deputy Chairman / Convenor: Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus (1975) Members: Jack (I.R.) Gregg (1976), David (D.C.) Litchfield (1978), Chris (C.M.) Burns (OCS Dec 1979), Chris (C.) Mulraney (1979), Steve (S.M.) Quinn (1978), Chris (C.E.T.) Roe (1987), Tim (T.J.) Hanna (1980), Steve (S.F.) Larkins (OCS 1976), Leanne Glenny (WRAAC OCS 1983), Mark (M.G.) Dickson (1977). To keep up to date with the latest information about events please connect with the SA Branch on Facebook @ David (D.R.) Palmer (1954) and John (J.D.) Thornton (OCS https://www.facebook.com/DuntroonSocietySA/. Jun 1964).

Annual Graduation Luncheon The Annual Graduation Luncheon was held on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 at the Naval, Military and Air Force Club, cnr Hutt & Angas Streets, City. With Steve Larkins as Dining President, we had almost 30 members in attendance to hear a fascinating address by former RAN Commander Andrew Jackman. Andrew, after a long and distinguished RAN career, moved to the private sector in 2008 and now serves as the Program Manager Marine at Babcock Pty Ltd, a role that sees him being responsible for the development of new marine opportunities for Australian business including major projects such as Australia’s $85+ billion Future Submarine and Frigate programmes. Andrew provided a fascinating Mark (M.G.) Dickson (1977), Chris (C.E.T) Roe (1987), insight to the naval shipbuilding potential of SA and the Michael (M.J.) Burgess (1988), and Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus activities that are in train that will see SA taking an (1975). internationally significant role in naval shipbuilding. The address was accompanied by some fine fare and wines, with a warm sense of camaraderie evident. The luncheon concluded after the usual toasts, with many members retiring to the bar to continue the banter. Planning is set to get underway for this year’s luncheon which will again be held on the first Tuesday of December (Tuesday, 3 December 2019). Anyone wishing to find out more about this year’s luncheon or Duntroon Society SA can contact Doug Strain on 0407 200 664 or: [email protected].

Robert Vowles and Geoffrey Barnett (OCS Jun 1971).

Tim (T.J.) Hanna (1980), Peter (F.P.) Scott (1948), Chris (C.) Mulraney (1979), Peter (P.A.) Hamilton (1963), Commander Andrew Jackman RANR and Mike (M.J.) David (D.C.) Litchfield (1978), and Andrew (A.N.) Haddock Callen (1979). (1978).

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Peter (P.A.) Hamilton (1963) and David (D.C.) Litchfield (1978). Phil (P.R.) Burns (1954), Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus (1978), Mark (M.G.) Dickson (1977), David (D.J.) Searles (Jun 1987) and Chris (C.M.) Burns (OCS Dec 1979).

Chris (C.M.) Burns (OCS Dec 1979), Max (M.J.) Lemon (1959), Phil (P.R.) Burns (1954), and Geoff (G.A.) Fry (1955).

Phil (P.R.) Burns (1954), Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus (1978) and Mark (M.G.) Dickson (1977).

Chris (C.M.) Burns (OCS Dec 1979), and Max (M.J.) Lemon (1959).

Michael (M.J.) Burgess (1988) and John Sholl (1990). Second Tuesday Group Adelaide ex-serving and serving officers have been meeting informally on a monthly basis for nearly 20 years through a group informally titled the ‘Second Tuesday’ group. This group continues as a conduit for local graduates to network and has a core group of now local business identities, supplemented by serving officers on postings to Adelaide. Many useful business contacts have resulted, and some Michael (M.J.) Burgess (1988), Chris (C.M.) Burns (OCS serving officers have been able to identify a pathway to life Dec 1979), Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus (1975) and Carl Nutz on leaving the Army. The group meets from 0730 to 0900 hrs (1988). on the second Tuesday of every month, at Cafe Bocelli on

23 Hutt Street, Adelaide. Any visitors to Adelaide are most This year we will follow again the wishes expressed in 2017 welcome. If you wish to know more please contact Ilona for a second, informal luncheon in May in a venue that is both Horan (1999) at [email protected] or Jake novel and of interest. Kearsley (1997) at [email protected]. In 2017 we held it in the emblematic Danish Club. In 2018 Vic/Tas Branch hosted the Duntroon Society biennial reunion Victoria & Tasmania held at Portsea. In 2019 we will hold it at the Toorak RSL, Branch Office Holders known as the Heros Club at 72 Clendon Road, Toorak on Wednesday, 15 May. Victoria continues to operate by committee with occasional A bit about the Heros Club. For those who don’t know it, meetings and primary contact by email. The Heros is a club of the old school that is ‘comfortable’, Coordinator: Bob (R.A.) Slater (1963). quaint and a time warp into the days of the world wars with Treasurer: Alan (A.M.) McDonald (1951). fascinating quality memorabilia. Food and wines are Members: Konrad (C.) Ermert (1962) (Membership); John excellent in old style ‘club’ tradition. Normally a ‘male only’ (J.G.) Carmichael (OCS Jun 1977); and Stuart (S.J.) Ellis club, Wednesdays are mixed and we have booked the private (1978) Churchill Room (of course! what else?). An experience not to Membership be missed. Public transport directions: Despite electronic connections seemingly working well there is little interest being shown towards activities other than the 1. By Frankston train from Flinders St Station, either: annual (October) and mid-year (May) luncheons. a. alighting at Toorak station, walk north-east to We remain open to ideas from Duntroon Society members Clendon Rd then north 1 km, or in the Southern region and will be happy to assist with any b. alighting at South Yarra station, then catch Tram local connections that Duntroon/ADFA may wish from time No. 58 East along Toorak Rd to Orrong Rd/ to time. Toorak Rd/ Clendon Rd Intersection; walk 200m south along Clendon Rd. Annual Luncheon Thursday 18 October 2018 2. By Tram: From Flinders St catch No. 3/3a, 5, 6, 64, or It was pleasing to see an increase in numbers, especially OCS 67 to Toorak Rd/ St Kilda Rd junction, then change to and OTU members, including their guests. No. 58 to Orrong Rd / Toorak Rd / Clendon Rd Our guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Alistair Intersection; walk 200m south along Clendon Rd. Pope (OTU 4/1966) on Living in Vung Tau Today. Alistair is a frequent contributor to various military publications and RSVP Bob Slater 0418 317 057 or 03 8848 1414 by now lives in Vung Tau. His pictorial presentation and Wednesday 8 May. description of life there 40(+) years after the Australian Army Annual Luncheon Thursday 17 October 2019 withdrawal was a fascinating experience for all of us. His talk may not have enticed those present to ‘sell up’ and move Once again the annual Luncheon will be held at University of there, but we could see readily why Alistair made the move Melbourne’s Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street Carlton, and why he is so happy there—the seaside environment of on Thursday 18 October, 12:00 for 12.30 pm until 2:00 pm, Vung Tau with the inter-mixing of modern living and cost $65 per head. Guests are most welcome. This is an traditional culture, exceptionally friendly environment, and excellent venue for our purpose, and we are being made to very low cost of living (including negligible costs of power feel very much at home. generated by a low-pollution coal-fired power station that Alistair Pope, who shaped up as an excellent raconteur at services much of Vietnam). our 2018 luncheon, will again be our speaker on a subject yet Also attending was Brigadier (retd) Nick Jans (1964) to to be decided—suffice to say the choice will be of obvious present his most recent publication Leadership Secrets of the interest to members and will be topical at the time. Australian Army with copies on sale with royalties to Soldier RSVP no later than 10 October to Alan McDonald, 13 On. This book followed his observation of outstanding Moorhead Ave, Mornington, 3931, (03) 5975 4113, with civilian achievements by his colleagues on retirement from cheques made payable to ‘Duntroon Society Victoria military life. Nick felt that the contribution of military Branch’—or Direct Debit to Account Name: Duntroon training, experience and lifestyle towards civilian success Society Vic/Tas Branch; BSB: 633-000; Account No.: was important for the wider community (including potential 125492215—please ensure you include your name(s). employers) to understand. It is also useful to remind military- trained people of their worth. Also attending were: Allan (A.D.) Aberdeen (1967), Bill (P.W.) Beiers (1942) and Vona, Ross Bishop, John (J.G.) Carmichael (OCS Jun 1977), Alan (A.A.) Curtis (OTU 1/1970), Geoff (G.J.) Christopherson (1958) and Leonie, Robert (R.D.) Cronin (OTU 2/1967) and Maurene, Konrad (C.) Ermert (1962), Roger Franklin, Tom Glazebrook, Martin (M.J.) Hobbs (1984), Garry Krauss, Steven (S.J) Lee (1986), Ian (I.R.) Lillee (1974), Alan (A.M.) McDonald (1951) and Waltraud, Jonathan (J.M.) McGuigan (OCS Dec 1975), Lois Murchie, Noel (N.F.) Osborne (OTU 4/1966), Joe (J.V.) O’Neill (OCS Dec 1978), Bob (R.A.) Slater (1963) and Ruth, and Anthony (A.D.) Stevenson (1986). Alan Curtis, Robert and Maurene Cronin. Mid-year Luncheon 15 May 2019

24

Alan McDonald, John Carmichael, Geoff Christopherson. Allan Aberdeen, Nicholas Jans and Konrad Ermert.

Joe O'Neill, John Carmichael, Jonathan McGuigan. Alistair Pope and Noel Osborne.

Alistair Pope. Leonie Christopherson and Ruth Slater.

Allan Aberdeen and Konrad Ermert. Lois Murchie, Waltraud and Alan McDonald.

25 Western Australia Branch Office Holders Convenor: Bob (W.R.M.) Hunter (1985) Social Convenor: Kevin (K.F.) Poynton (1974) Note these positions are both endorsed by members but held informally as no specific constitution is in place. Social Functions Any visitors to WA or others wishing to be informed please contact the WA Convenor, Bob Hunter on [email protected] or 0413 045 355. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coming Events Maurene Cronin and Garry Krauss. ACT Branch 24 May 2019. Autumn Luncheon, Duntroon House, 12:00 for 12:30pm. NSW Branch 12 Apr, 10 May, 14 Jun (mixed), 12 Jul, 9 Aug, 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 5 Nov (Melbourne Cup, mixed), 8 Nov, and 13 Dec (mixed). Monthly Lunch. TBA December 2019. Graduation Lunch, Imperial Service Club at the Royal Automobile Club building at Circular Quay. Queensland Branch Monthly (second Wednesday). Meet at noon for lunch at the United Service Club.

TBA May/June 2019. Next ‘With Partners’ lunch. Nicholas Jans and Ian Lillee. South Australia Branch (incorporating NT) TBA December 2019. Annual Graduation Luncheon, Naval, Military and Air Force Club, Adelaide. Victoria Branch (incorporating Tasmania) 15 May 2019. Mid-year Luncheon. 17 October 2019. 1200 for 1230. Annual lunch at Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. Western Australia Branch Quarterly drinks. For details, please contact the WA convenor, Bob Hunter on: [email protected] or +61 413 045 355. RMC Ceremonial Events 8 June 2019. Queen’s Birthday Parade. 24 June 2019. Prizes & Awards Ceremony. 25 June 2019. The Graduation Parade. Tom Glazebrook, Steven Lee, Nicholas Jans. 9 December 2019. Prizes & Awards Ceremony. 10 December 2019. The Graduation Parade.

Further information is available from SO3 Protocol and Visits, (02) 6265 9515. Retired Officers Luncheon Club—Canberra This Club meets on the first Thursday of every month for lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club at 12 noon. Retired officers meet in a very pleasant venue for a convivial monthly gathering which originated in 1985. There is a selected menu which ensures that the cost will be approximately $30 including pre-lunch drinks and wine. Bookings are essential. If you are interested please contact Don McDonough (1961) on (02) 6259 6583.

Vona Beiers, Alan McDonald and Bill Beiers.

26 AARU Old Boys 4th Annual Leopards Long Lunch Lieutenant Colonel H. Stoker, RMC RMO 1919-1926, Canberra 17 May 2019 who died in office; Professor L.H. Allen; and Flying Officer F.C. Ewen (1920), pilot of the aircraft which ‘Rugby Legends’ published in Newsletter 2/2018, crashed at the Opening of Parliament in 1927. The other acknowledged the eighty years since the formation of the four graves are in the military section of Woden Australian ACT Union by naming honorary teams for the two Cemetery. These graves are those of four of the five eras in RMC rugby: 1938–88 and 1989 to today. The RMC cadets who died on Lake George in 1956. AARU’s 4th Annual Leopards will honour the RMCRC Teams of the Eighty Years at its annual Long Lunch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Governor-General and the Governor-General Obituary Designate will both be attending. Rugby Legends including Angus Baker, Bob Brown, Haig Elgar, Mark Hender, Geoff Since the publication of the last Newsletter we have learned Jones, Colin Khan, Ian Mackay, Don Muirhead and Paddy of the deaths of the following: Ryan will be also attending. 23 Jul 18 Lieutenant Colonel A.L. Pilkington (OCS Dec 1964) When: Friday 17 May 2019, Noon to 4.00 pm 21 Sep 18 Colonel J.H. Cameron (OCS Dec 1972) Where: The Canberra Rex Hotel (150 Northbourne Av). 5 Oct 18 Major A.R. Burkhill (OCS Dec 1963) 17 Oct 18 Colonel J.R. Clarke (1948) RSVP: COB Wednesday 1 May 2019 to: 2 Nov 18 Lieutenant Colonel J.P. Hunter (OCS Jun 1953) [email protected] 14 Nov 18 Major T.A. Milan (OCS Dec 1954) Payment: $150 per ticket. EFT to Defence Bank 24 Nov 18 Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Williams (OCS Jun 1952) Duntroon Account name: Australian Army Rugby 26 Nov 18 Brigadier A.R. Roberts (OCS Jun 1952) Union. BSB 803205 Account No: 20336904. Reference: 10 Dec 18 Robert John Fletcher (1954) Your Surname and initials. 16 Dec 18 Lieutenant P.L.J. Swaab (1956) Monies raised go to ‘The Oasis’ Townsville. A new support 20 Dec 18 Major V.N. Murphy (OCS Dec 1957) hub for veterans' access to the services supporting transition, 30 Dec 18 Brigadier R.R. Ottoway (OCS Dec 1968) connection and integration. www.theoasistownsville.org.au. 17 Jan 19 Captain C.B. Menzies (OCS Dec 1983) 10 Feb 19 Brigadier P.R. Badman (1957) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 22 Feb 19 Lieutenant Colonel K.J. Bladen (OCS Jun 1954) 23 Feb 19 Major K.F. Towning (OCS Dec 1952) Profile of Corps of Staff Cadets 22 Feb 19 Major H.E.L. Martens (OCS Jun 1962) Current strength (8 April 2019) 418 28 Feb 19 Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Petersen (OCS Dec 1954) First Class 88 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Second Class 199 The Over 90s Third Class 114 Neville Howse VC Platoon 17 Recent Newsletters have published a list of RMC graduates Afghanistan 4 who had reached the age of 90 years. We update it here. Fiji 8 This list is not complete and is subject to constant change. Malaysia 1 There could be survivors in the Classes of April 1944, 1946 New Zealand 3 and 1947. The Classes of 1950 and 1951 would, by now, have Pakistan 7 members who have already reached that very significant age, Papua New Guinea 5 but we do not have their appropriate details. Without your Qatar 4 help we cannot ensure the accuracy of the listing. RAAF 5 Brigadier Derek (D.G.) Sharp (June 1941) had been a firm Thailand 3 supporter of the Duntroon Society for many years, but during Timor Leste 3 the last two years or so there has been no contact with him. Tonga 1 We would be grateful for any information that could help to Females 74 restore that contact. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shorts Editor  Newsletter 2/2018 noted that the words of the College Dr Mike (M.J.) Ryan (1980) Song were written by Professor L.H. Allen, Professor of School of Engineering and IT English 1918–1931; and that the music was written by UNSW Canberra Professor C.M. Haydon, Lecturer in Modern Languages Northcott Drive CANBERRA ACT 2600 1918. Professor Haydon is commemorated in Haydon Telephone: (02) 6268 8200 Fax: (02) 6268 8443 House, the century-old married quarter at 4 Robert E-mail: [email protected] Campbell Rd, Duntroon. Haydon House, named after its first occupant, is now the residence of the RSM of the Australian Army. Professor Allen’s grave is in the Associate Editors graveyard of St John’s Church, Reid, where there are Colonel Ross (R.R.) Harding (Retd) (1948) many historic graves to be found which have Duntroon 37 Quandong St. O’CONNOR ACT 2602 connections—mainly in the 19th century. Telephone: (02) 6248 5494  It should also be noted that Professor Allen’s grave is E-mail: [email protected] one of the eight graves in Canberra which are maintained in perpetuity by the RMC Graves Policy Major General Chris (C.A.) Field adopted in 2006. Maintenance is funded by the E-mail: [email protected] Duntroon Society. Four of the eight graves are in the St ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ John’s graveyard. They are those of: Lady Bridges; 27

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