Newsletter V1994 April 1994

Not a Poor Sort of Memory

[Of the 27 Newsletters issued since 1980, four have long before moving to another in what was called 'Tent included observations of life at Duntroon as seen City', near where General Bridges' Grave was to be. through very young eyes. They covered periods ranging About a year later, we were back where we started but from 1914 to 1960. In this issue are recorded this time it was a weatherboard cottage, one of several reminiscences of an earlier time. that had been put up where the tents had been. You Marie Grace Archer (now Mrs Stoyles) was born at came into the house through a big open living area. On Tufnell Park in London on 7 December 1907 and the right were two bedrooms. Behind the living room arrived at Duntroon with her parents just before the first were the kitchen and bathroom. The lavatory and the intake of staff cadets. About 1923, her family moved to laundry were in the back yard. There were verandahs Goulburn where, in 1923 with the aid of a scholarship, back and front. Because the slope was steep there were she learnt to fly. During the War of 1939-45 she enlisted eight steps to the back garden, where vegetables were in the Womens Royal Australian Air Force. Mrs Stoyles grown. Inside the house, wood was needed for the stove now lives in the Goodwin Retirement Village in Farrer, and fireplace. You just helped yourself from the pile the A.C.T. where, in conversation with Brigadier G.D. College provided. A 'Coolgardie Safe' and a pipe on Solomon (1938), she recalled some of her memories of the southern side of the house for the butter helped keep that time. This is how she told it. Ed.] the food in reasonable condition. It must have been during 1912 that six public I was three and a half when I arrived at Duntroon in servants came to work in the Territory and to live at June 191 1. A year or so before, I had been very ill with Duntroon. They shared a building which had a passage pneumonia and the doctor in London, where we had down the centre. On each side were three rooms used as been living, told my parents that my lungs were in such bedrooms or offices. There was the usual brown lino, a state that they should take me to a dry climate. He iron bedsteads and oak furniture. Mr Muir is the only suggested the south of France, India or Australia. It name I recall. Mum became their housekeeper until seems that my mother said she didn't fancy 'those they moved to Acton, near the racecourse. They were froggies' or 'living among the natives' but Australia not at Duntroon for long but when King O'Malley, the would be all right. My father's brother had emigrated Minister for Home Affairs, came to see how they were there in 1899. He liked the place and was still in getting on, he said they were being well looked after. Melbourne. So off we went. We reached there around Christmas 19 10. I had my third birthday at sea. By early 1914 my mother had become very homesick Financially we were not well off. My father, Frank for London. When she left in the autumn, she expected Archer, who was nearly forty at the time, had been a tea to be away for no more than four months but following taster and then a steward on the P & 0 Line. He became the outbreak of war, ocean liners were requisitioned and a Purser. Between trips he went on walking trips around we did not get back to Australia for nearly a year. In England. He always was a keen traveller but had no 1910 we had travelled by way of the Cape but this time thought of coming to Duntroon until he saw a we came through Suez where we could hear the sound Melbourne newspaper advertisement for the position of of guns and see the night sky lit up. For a small girl it Steward in the Cadets' Mess at the Royal Military was all very exciting. Back at Duntroon, Dad was now College. His application was accepted and, with my living in another cottage of the same type, but further mother and me, he arrived there a few days before the along the row. first cadets entered the College. Later, as the number of By now I was seven and a half and had not yet been Cadets grew, he became Leading Steward and then to school, which was on the border of what is now the Chief Steward before he resigned in 1923. Australian Defence Force Academy territory. The What is my first memory? That is easy. Beside the headmaster was Mr Jones and Miss Casey the infants' road on the slope of Mt Pleasant, behind and to the left teacher. He had to teach three classes and was a very of the present Military Instruction Block, there were good and patient man. I had a lot of catching up to do some tents. One of them was our first home. On a night but by spending only six months in each of the first four when there was a full moon I heard my mother say in classes I managed to do so by the time I finished 5th panic, Wake up, Frank, wake up! Silhouetted on the tent class. Pupils came from beyond Duntroon and four or wall was a strange shape, and outside a munching sort five sulkies were often drawn up outside the school. I of noise. It was only a stray cow but Mum was a remember the Hosking and the Gilchrist boys from the Londoner and unprepared to meet a cow under these College. Tom Gilchrist and I were in the same class and circumstances. It is not much of a memory, I suppose, I met him again when my son, Brian, and I were at the but I have never forgotten it. We were not in that tent 75th Anniversary Parade in 1986. Marie with her parents Frank & Hannah Archer

My best friends were Jean Grant, who lived at flowers as well and when the daffodils were in bloom I Duntroon, and Annie Dunn whose father was in charge was allowed to take some home. of the old Power House at Kingston, from where she Then there were the concerts given by the cadets two used to walk to school. It must have been quite a walk or three times a year and on other occasions by but no one was concerned about it in those days. There members of the staff. When women's dresses were was not much to do after school but, two or three times needed by the cadets they were often sent by mothers a week, children were welcome to go to the and sisters and adjusted by my mother. The items gymnasium, where an instructor helped them cope with seemed very good and I have never forgotten the cadet the wall bars and the ropes and to do simple exercises. who sang a ballad which began, I shot an arrow into the air. He had a beautiful voice. At the end of the year a As an only child I was an avid reader and was staff dance was held in the Cadets' Mess and I recall encouraged by my parents, who were fond of books having gone there with my parents. Usually once a themselves. A favourite of mine was Black Beauty. month there were films in the lecture theatre, 'Charlie Perhaps that story led to Dad's arranging that I should Chaplins' and the like. They were something to look learn to ride a horse. The Riding Master himself taught forward to but perhaps the most spectacular display was me. Before long I was able to ride around Duntroon on to be seen during the summer from our front verandah. a pony. That reminds me of Mr Sheehan, the Cashier, Usually it came after a very hot day. We could see the who chose to have dinner at our place each day. I think line of the Tinderrys, away towards Michelago. Soon he was a member of the Sergeants' Mess but he also they and the hills nearer Queanbeyan would become visited the Officers' Mess from time to time. He had obscured by rain but not before the violent flashes of made friends with people outside Duntroon and lightning, accompanied by great claps of thunder, lit up suggested to my parents that I should ride with him to the sky. some of those who lived nearby. Nothing came of that My father was a remarkable man and around the but sometimes during school holidays he would take College had a most unusual nickname, 'Old me in a car when he went to pay public servants in Plantagenet'. I don't know why. He was a splendid Acton and Yarralumla, where the shrubbery for the organiser. I never heard him swear, raise his voice or Territory was being developed. Of course there were lose his temper. I gave him a good chance to do so one

When about eight years old, Marie posed in front of what is, most likely, part of the OfJicer Training School which was then sited at Duntroon. night when I was sitting on his knee. He fell asleep and I went home on holidays. The convent was run tightly. with some scissors that were handy, I cut off half of the There was a check on mail. When a letter arrived for me luxuriant moustache of which he was very proud. My from Mr Chumleigh, the redoubtable RSM at the mother, not so proud of it, was doing some knitting and College, I was not allowed to read it until my parents did not interfere. He suddenly awoke and having gave permission. There was no bother when I wrote to discovered what had happened said quite clearly to me, thank him. I had been surprised to get the letter and I Time for bed. After I had gone he asked my mother, guess the cadets would have been even more surprised Why did you let her do it? It grew again but somehow it had they known about it. Mr Chumleigh was an awe- was never the same. inspiring figure. He was keen on all games, cricket and tennis in In December 1919 Ross and Keith Smith had particular which he enjoyed playing. While batting he completed their historic flight from England. A few used to drive the opposition mad by his stone-walling. weeks later, on their way from Melbourne to Sydney, One day when I went with him to a match being played they flew low over Duntroon. There was great on the oval, I picked up a bat and knocked a ball excitement. As they passed overhead, the cadets were through the window of the pavilion. There was no sign in the paddock below the Commandant's house. This of temper but it cost him a shilling to have the glass was the same paddock where so much riding was done replaced. That did not help our budget! He sought and the gymkhanas were held. Of course the annual permission to put down two ant-bed tennis courts near gymkhanas were another source of entertainment to us the stables and organised a working bee to get the job all. Perhaps it was the Smith brothers who influenced done. They had a lot of use. Whatever the game, me to get a pilot's licence some ten years later when we competition was mostly between teams within the were living in Goulbum. We had moved there when College but from time to time there were visitors. Dad resigned from the College after having been on the Among them were boys from the Royal Australian staff for twelve years. He was ninety-two when he died Naval College at Jervis Bay who came to play football and my mother eighty-four. They had enjoyed their and cricket. There were return matches. Much younger time at Duntroon all those years before - and so had I. than our cadets, they seemed very small. That reminds me - Dad used to say he found the New Zealand cadets generally superior to the Australians! Duntroon was very self contained. It had to be. From the Editor Shopping was done at Queanbeyan and if you wanted to go you put your name down for seats in a sort of Support for the Newsletter has many sources and a phaeton drawn by two horses. If you chose to go on variety of forms but, without any doubt, one whose your own and could afford it, a pony and sulky could be contribution stands out is Air Commodore P.G. (Paddy) hired. The shops were in Monaro Street and Heffeman. His ready pen, prodigious memory and Queanbeyan seemed quite a town. It was fun to go sharp powers of observation not only produced a steady there. Fruit and vegetables were delivered to Duntroon flow of informative and often amusing articles, but by a Chinese market gardener, possibly from challenged and cajoled others to take up their pens or Queanbeyan but more likely from Pialligo way. Further attack their keyboards. Paddy Heffeman tried to give towards Fyshwick was the 'Concentration Camp' expression to his deep-rooted affection for the where enemy aliens were held behind barbed wire Duntroon that he knew so well, and to encourage others fences. It looked inhospitable and no doubt it was. to do the same. In both he was eminently successful. Every month a priest came to conduct a service for Not all that he wrote to your Editor appeared in print. the Roman Catholics. I remember Father Haydon Over the years there was a steady exchange between us particularly well, probably because I was getting older of letters and packets, from which grew a genuine when he began his visits. The arrangements for the respect and friendship. The speed of some of his Protestants no doubt were much the same. The services responses was occasionally a little unsettling but the were held in the lecture rooms. The resident Medical distinctive typeface was always welcome and the Officer, who was Dr Lalor when we arrived, and his contents eagerly opened. Although we never met, staff looked after everyone - soldiers and civilians something of his character and presence was conveyed alike. I used to pass the hospital on the way to school. It by his lively writing. was just beyond the eastern side of the parade ground, There will be no more from him. Elsewhere in this not far from the maze in the garden of Duntroon House. Newsletter it is my poignant responsibility to record his In 191 9 there was an outbreak of a very nasty form of death on 30 January 1994 within three months of his flu and as far as possible we were quarantined. 87th birthday. Early on the afternoon of 3 February he Queanbeyan was out of bounds but for the Chinese was laid to rest at the Boyd Chapel at the Necropolis in market gardener it was business as usual. The MO Springvale, Victoria. A very large congregation advised the civilians to be vaccinated. Dad and I were, included members of a wide range of personal and but Mum did not believe in that sort of thing. We did organisational associations. Among them was Major not get the flu. Nor did she. General J.D. Stevenson (1944) representing the At the end of 6th class I was about ready to sit for the Duntroon Society. Air Vice Marshal L.J.K Holten read entrance examination for the High School in Goulbum the eulogy which, in true Heffeman style, had been when I was struck down with measles. My mother was entertainingly written by its subject. then able to arrange for me to go to a convent at Moss Fortunately, not all of Paddy's memories and Vale. I enjoyed it there. It had a feeling of space that I opinions have gone with him. Many have been set think would have been lacking at Goulburn. I had no down, including a number in the Duntroon Society trouble with the work and was able to improve my Newsletter. For that and, more importantly, for what he tennis and hockey - changes that were apparent when was, he will be greatly missed. More on Staff Cadets and The Prodigal Son's Corner Horses T.W. Young [This is the sixth in the series of personal stories with the theme as set out by the originator of the idea P.J. I read with great interest Major General McNicoll's Cook (1943) in Newsletter 211989. Mr C.H. (Colin) article in Newsletter 211993 on the horses and hope I Brown, whose story this is, entered the RMC on 27 may be able to answer his final query, I wonder why the February 1943. Ed.] establishment was scrapped? In 1944 I was serving as Brigade Major 13th Australian Infantry Brigade in the Darwin area, When our class graduated in December 1944, there preparing for our move to New Guinea. Unfortunately I were a number of us who, believing that the war was caught a 'wog' and finished up with the proud notation moving rapidly to its end, elected to go into infantry - in my A.A.B.83, not to be employed outside a sewered that being the surest way to be posted overseas. It was area. I arrived at Duntroon, which had an excellent not very long before the infantry hopefuls gained their sewerage system, in November 1944 as Instructor in first objective and most were posted into units in, or Tactics. If my memory serves me correctly, Cavalry attached to, the 16th and 17th Australian Infantry Training was discontinued in 1941 and in 1944 we had Brigades operating in the Prince Alexander Ranges of only two horses in the stables, but we were advised that northern New Guinea. a further 28 horses were to be delivered in December. I was brought home in February 1946 for As I had been a jackeroo for some five years and had compassionate reasons, so I did not join the British served in the 21 st (Riverina) Light Horse for two years Commonwealth Occupation Force contingent headed before my enrolment as a staff cadet in 1939, I was for Japan. A few months later I was posted to the appointed Instructor in Equitation. No attempt was Recruit Training Centre at Greta, near Maitland, for a made at cavalry tactics, but it was considered that few months. During this time I used to visit the Camp graduates of the RMC should, among their other Hospital from time to time when members of the unit qualifications, be able to ride a horse. were patients. One night I entered the oficers' ward The horses duly amved and, as I felt it was where one of our company commanders was under impossible to assess a staff cadet without knowing treatment. To my complete surprise the first person I something about the horse he was riding, my wife, a saw sitting up in bed was Brigadier R.F. (Bull) competent horsewoman, and I proceeded to ride each of Monaghan (1 9 15), a man of very large proportions. those 30 horses over the Christmas break. With no Lake I had two previous associations with 'Bull' - the Burley Griffin we ranged far afield, including at least first when I was serving with 12th Armoured Regiment one trip to the Cotter Dam. Thus Equitation was a at Puckapunyal in 1942 (he was our brigade subject on the syllabus in 1945 and I was very grateful commander) and the second when I was at Canungra for the help I received from Warrant Officer McDonald. with my infantry classmates doing an Officers' Cadre to At the end of 1945 Major E.L. (Leo) Cook (1930) was prepare us for the future. 'Bull' was then Commandant posted to the RMC and, as he had graduated in Cavalry, of the Jungle Warfare Training Centre. He was so he was the obvious choice as Instructor in Equitation. impressed with the way we worked that he sent us to Unfortunately, sometime during 1946, I believe mainly Surfer's Paradise for a week's rest in a tented camp, for economic reasons, it was decided to disband the much to everyone's surprise. horses. And so, in 1946 horses officially disappeared Well, at the hospital, 'Bull' greeted me and asked me from the RMC scene. to come and talk to him when I had finished with my However Leo had a lot of country friends who loaned friend. He was very affable, asked how I was liking my us a number of horses and we managed to 'retain' 12 job and what was my long-term plan for my Army sets of saddlery. Thus we were able to continue career. I had been very interested in intelligence work recreational riding, for those staff cadets who were ever since my school days and had read numerous interested, after Church Parade on Sundays. On several books on the subject. So I told him that I would like to occasions two staff cadets and I, with haversacks full of get some experience in this field. 'Bull' said, somewhat chopped up Canberra Times, were the 'fox' and laid the cautiously, that he thought intelligence would become trail; and with Leo as 'Master of Hounds' we 'hunted' increasingly the responsibility of civilian organisations, the manoeuvre paddock and adjoining areas. This but advised me to, write to young Spry and tell him I activity continued until I was reposted in 1948. I am not told you to write, he might be able to help you. sure if they continued it beyond that date. I recalled that a Colonel C.C.F. Spry (1928) had been Commandant of the Staff School when it was located at Duntroon. However I did not know his current appointment but after a little delving I discovered that he was Director of Military Intelligence at Army Headquarters in Melbourne. I wrote a short letter Brigadier T.W. Young, OBE entered the RMC on 1 indicating my interest in a posting to Intelligence. July 1939 and on 11 December 1939 graduated into Nothing happened for about six weeks, so I gave up the Infantry. He returned to the RMC on 20 November thinking anything would come out of my approach. 1944 as Instructor in Tactics until 9 January 1949. As 'Bull' had me posted to the Recruit Training Centre Colonel Administration, Headquarters Eastern Headquarters as Staff Captain Q. On arrival I was told I Command and Honorary ADC to the Governor- should not unpack, as a signal had just come in posting General he retired on 20 December 1968. me to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI). I spent four years in this Directorate, engaged in work This That and the Other which is now referred to as Security Intelligence. Our office was very small, but our workload was [In four earlier Newsletters, Major H.B. McKenzie disproportionately large. Since there was no civilian (1933) contributed photographs and reminiscences. He organisation carrying out this work after the wartime does so again in this edition, including the photo taken Security Service had been disbanded, Military at Menangle Park race-course in 1932. Ed.] Intelligence had been called upon to fill the gap as best it could. This meant very long hours engaged in various How the memories are stirred by the past events as aspects of the work. told in particular by Major General McNicoll and Air When A.B. (Alan) Stretton (1942) went to Staff Commodore Heffernan. In the early days, apart from College at Queenscliff in 1948, I succeeded him as one solid tyred Trojan truck, the Royal Military College section head and remained in that appointment until my depended entirely on horse-drawn transport. I recall four-year attachment was completed. when our family returned to Duntroon in 1919, we were Only a few weeks before this, Colonel Spry had been met at Yass by a brake [a large wagonette] and taken to appointed Director General of the Australian Security stay for a short period at the present Government House Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) which had been which was some sort of guest house. established in 1949. It had gotten off to a rather shaky I think that the Commandant had a car, but private start under Mr Justice Reed of South Australia and cars were rare. The Gilchrists [Mr, later Professor A.D.] needed considerable reorganisation and reinforcement. had a Ford of about 1920 vintage and my father bought My next appointment was to Adelaide as Adjutant, a 1924 Chevrolet which replaced our buggy and pair. SA Scottish Regiment (CMF), where I spent a year This was his pride and joy and he was always taking it before my posting to 1 RAR, destined for Korea. At this to pieces. When the Haydons [Professor J.F.M.] bought time I received a telephone call from Brigadier Spry a 1926 six-cylinder Oldsmobile we McKenzie children asking me if I would be prepared to leave the Army and had our noses put out of joint. The Wiltons [Major F.A.] join his organisation. As much as I would have liked to had a Sizare Freres'. do this, I declined in view of my posting; the Brigadier Basically, if you wanted to get around, you had to said he understood and told me he would like me to join walk. We thought nothing of my mother asking us to him when I came back. walk to the Co-operative store at the railway station if In short, this is what I did in mid-1953. I became a the canteen could not supply her requirements. A civilian. In the first years the work was very similar to monthly trip to Queanbeyan was a regular outing. some of the work in DMI. I then spent almost four years On the long Christmas breaks, even in our horse and in various parts of Europe and the Middle East. In 1959 buggy days, we would travel to Moruya Heads via I returned to AS10 Headquarters, working in various Araluen or Braidwood. The roads down the mountains branches in Melbourne. were steep and rough and it would take three days to In 1968 I became the Regional Director in Canberra reach the coast. Incidentally, my father was offered the and in 1973 took the brunt of the Attorney General's ill- whole of the Moruya Headland except for the advised assault on our offices. This heralded his Lighthouse area for £100 and this included a cottage! political demise but, nevertheless, did considerable Of course the whole of the south coast in those days harm to the morale and the image of what had been a largely depended on coastal steamers for bulk transport very successful organisation in combating espionage and apart from small isolated towns was almost and subversion within Australia. Later that year I deserted. became the First Assistant Director General, in which Returning to the subject of the part played by the rank I remained until I elected to retire in 1982. horse in our training at the College, I am proud to say Had it not been for my initial introduction to the that my certificate shows that I passed the riding tests mysteries of intelligence in 1946, my future might have with 59%. I often wonder at the way in which such an been very different. To the Army I owe the opportunity exact figure was determined. given me to work in a most interesting and very During my post-Army career I have, at different specialised field. times, tried to teach my grandchildren to ride as taught to me by Warrant Officer E.A. (Bert) Easter, our Assistant Instructor in Cavalry. I regret to write that the Obituary lessons and skills I acquired so painfully over the course of four years were lost on these youngsters. You Since the publication of the last Newsletter we have may not know that, as per the manual of horse been notified of the deaths of the following: mastership, the aids to walk are, Close both legs and ease both reins and when the horse is in motion relax 28 May 1993 Colonel M.C. Morgan (1933) the pressure of the legs and ease the reins as required. In trying to transfer my knowledge to these trainees I 7 Nov 1993 Chief Petty Officer J.N. Martyn found I would rarely get past the first few words as they 22 Nov 1993 Major General C.H. Finlay (1928) would be mostly out of earshot, having kicked the 22Nov 1993 Lieutenant Colonel A.W.J. Turnbull unfortunate beast in the stomach. (1941) 27 Nov 1993 Lieutenant General R. Bierworth (19 15) 14 Jan 1994 Lieutenant Colonel C.A. Starkey 30 Jan 1994 Air Commodore P.G. Heffernan (1925) 8 Mar 1994 Lieutenant General Sir Memyn Brogan (1 932) 1. A French vehicle of which there are still at least three 2 Apr 1994 Major General M. Bradbury (1941) in Sydney. Ed. The horse certainly played a very important part in St Martin's Church, Duntroon the early days of the College, apart from the role it had as an integral unit in our pre-war Army. An Army During a visit to the South Island of New Zealand saddle is now a prized possession and 1 wish I had those some years ago, Major General N.R. Smethurst (1953) that were destroyed in error by boiling in a laundry chanced upon the church of St Martin in the village of copper! Duntroon. This village, like its namesake in the A.C.T., In preparation for the mounted escort for H.R.H. The was named after the Campbell ancestral home in Duke of Gloucester's procession through the streets of Scotland. During the late 19th century, the Honourable Sydney in November 1934, we cadets were each issued Robert Campbell was the manager of the company that with a saddle which we were to keep in our rooms with controlled three large properties near the village. On her the purpose of spending our spare time in polishing the death, Mrs Emily Campbell left a bequest of £6,000 to leather and burnishing the metal work. As these saddles the Parish of Waitaki to build a church and a vicarage. had been stored since the War of 1914-1 8, they were The latter was completed in 1892 but St Martin's heavily covered by saddle wax and grease. We were church was not consecrated until 1902. told to clean them down before polishing. Using our Although the link is a distant one, the New Zealand initiative, and in complete ignorance, some of us Branch felt that the connection should be decided that a good boil up with caustic soda would do acknowledged. At its meeting on 19 September 1991, the trick. The result was that the saddles shrank to pony Council agreed and decided to forward a plaque for size and the leather became as brittle as a biscuit! presentation by the New Zealand Branch. The College accepted the results of our misplaced Advice was received at this meeting of Council that initiative and issued new saddles for us to work on. The the Parish intends to forward an original print of St escort could have been a disaster. Trying to do the Martin's Church to the Duntroon Society. bumping trot on a saddle which was polished to a glassy finish, holding a lance in the right hand and a Duntroon Society Tie pair of slippery reins in the left, wearing a helmet which came over one's eyes, riding a horse through streets Having been previously invited to examine and lined with a crowd waving flags and slipping about on report upon the use of an appropriate tie by the steel tram tracks, not to mention trying to keep the Duntroon Society, Lieutenant Colonel G.C. Hughes proper distance from the carriage, all required skill, (1972), the Commanding Officer of the Corps of Staff good luck and last, but not least, prayer. 59% indeed? Cadets (CSC) displayed a number of ties that had been Before I put the horse to rest, where it belongs, I used by the CSC and two currently in use. It was wonder whether my Uncle Ken as Brigade Major of the decided that the Duntroon Society would not use a tie 4th Light Horse Brigade who, with his Brigade unique to itself, but one of the current CSC ties. Commander, was in the van of the charge at Beersheba, remembered what had been taught so recently in the riding school at Duntroon. I wonder whether The Aids Profile of the Corps of Staff to Gallop were observed. Cadets

Current (1 5 April 1994) strength Council Column (all in 2nd Class) Fiji During its meeting at Duntroon on 18 March 1994 Kuwait Council, in addition to routine matters, dealt with other Malaysia items including those noted here. New Zealand Papua New Guinea RMC Historical Collection Philippines RAAF The Chairman of the Duntroon Society Museum Singapore Committee, Brigadier A.R. Roberts, noted that the Thailand Committee had its inaugural meeting on 29 October ADFA Graduates 1993. The then Commandant, Brigadier R.G. Curtis ADFA Transfers (1960) and the RMC Archivist, Mr A. Harkness (1951), Married briefed the Committee on plans to give the Museum, in Females its present location, wider exposure to the Canberra Cadets with previous military experience community and to visitors to the RMC. The Committee agreed that an extensive fund-raising programme would be needed to meet the capital costs of the permanent Museum building even though the Army Historical Policy Committee had approved accreditation of the RMC Museum. This status will provide some operating services at public expense. It Opposite Page was felt that potential donors will need to be able to StafSCadets at Menangle Park racecourse in November envisage clearly what sort of building is intended. In 1932. From the left: J.S.Andersen (1930), conjunction with RMC, this should be established as D.G. McKenzie (1930), R.M. Cruickshank (1932), soon as practicable so that clearly defined aims, both W.W. Wearn (1930), J.M.A. Warner (1929), physical and financial, can be stated. F.R. Evans (1932).

Duntroon Society Council before its meeting on 18 March 1994. From lefr: P.J.A. Evans (19.55), R.R. Harding (1946),J.B. Godwin, J.G. Hughes (1953), A.R. Roberts, K.W. Latchford (1945), Brigadier S.VL. Willis (1967) President, W.J. Slocombe (1945),Major P.M. Standen Honorary Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel G.C. Hughes (1972) CO CSC. Duntroon Society Office Bearers

At its meeting on 18 March 1994, Council had as its Newsletter Editor Colonel R.R. Harding Chairman the new President of the Duntroon Society, 37 Quandong St. Brigadier S.V.L. Willis (1967). This and other changes 0'Connor that have been effected since the last listing in A.C.T. 2601 Newsletter 111992 make it useful to reprint the (06) 248 5494 (H) complete set of office bearers of the Society. Chairman, Brigadier A.R. Roberts President Brigadier S.V.L. Willis Duntroon Society 19 Lamington St. Commandant Museum Committee Deakin Royal Military College A.C.T. 2600 Duntroon (06) 281 3158 (H) A.C.T. 2600 (06)275 9430 (W) A.C.T. Branch National Secretary Major P.M. Standen Convener Brigadier P.J.A. Evans Headquarters 1 Ogilvie Place Royal Military College Garran Duntroon A.C.T. 2605 A.C.T. 2600 (06) 28 1 1479 (H) (06) 275 9701 (W) Secretary Lieutenant Colonel J.E. Bullen Commanding Lieutenant Colonel G.C. Hughes Australian War Memorial Officer, CSC Royal Military College Anzac Parade Duntroon Campbell A.C.T. 2600 A.C.T. 2601 (06) 275 9748 (W) (06) 243 421 1 (W) N.S.W. Branch Victoria Branch Convener Major General K.W. Latchford, A0 Convener Lieutenant Colonel A.M. Stove 50 Norfolk St. 28 Mariemont Ave. Killara Beaumaris N.S.W. 2071 Victoria 3 193 (02) 499 2009 (H) (03) 592 6294 (W) (03) 683 63 18 (H) Secretary1 Treasurer Lieutenant Colonel R. Hamlyn Proxy Colonel C.A. Wood 31 Kenilwirth St. 56 Bamford St. Bondi Junction Hughes N.S.W. 2022 A.C.T. 2605 (02) 262 5 173 (W) (06) 265 5290 (W) (02) 387 2 1 58 (H) (06) 282 4886 (H) W.A. Branch New Zealand Branch Convener Lieutenant Colonel C.J. Purcell Convener Colonel R.K.G. Porter, OBE 32 Coachwood Way 33 Coldham Crescent Gelorup St John's Park W.A. 6230 Auckland, 5 (097) 21 7023 (H) New Zealand. Proxy Colonel W.J. Slocombe, OBE Proxy Brigadier G.D. Birch, MBE RMB 2038 New Zealand High Commission The Ridgeway Commonwealth Ave. Queanbeyan Canberra N.S.W. 2620 A.C.T. 2600 (06) 297 4006 (H) (06) 270 4247 (W)

Queensland Branch Branch Reports Convener Brigadier B. Wade, AM 58 Rennie St. Australian Capital Territory Indooroopilly Queensland 4068 In perfect weather with the gardens at their seasonal (07) 37 1 2944 (H) best, Fred's Tree was again the locale for the Branch Autumn Lunch on 8 April 1994. The large number who Proxy Brigadier J.G. Hughes, AM attended enjoyed the comradeship and a description by 8 Coleman St. General Sir Francis Hassett (1935) of his time as a staff Pearce cadet and also the differences he later observed when he A.C.T. 2607 was the Director of Military Art, 1953-58. (06) 286 2683 (H) New South Wales North Queensland Branch Convener Vacant The annual Graduation Luncheon together with the Bi-ennial General Meeting was held at the Officers' Proxy Major J.B. Godwin Mess, Victoria Barracks, Paddington. It was attended 10 Argyle Place by some 50 Members. Curtin Sadly, two Life Members, Lieutenant General Sir A.C.T. 2605 Mervyn Brogan and Major General M. Bradbury have (06) 282 21 35 (H) died in recent weeks. Both funerals were attended by the Branch Convener, Major General K.W. Latchford (1945). S.A. Branch Convener Colonel J.A. Clark, OBE New Zealand 26 Fern Ave. Fullarton Auckland Sub-branch Graduation Night Dinner was S.A. 5063 held at the Narrow Neck Officers' Mess on Tuesday 14 (08) 272 5968 (H) December 1993. Having been something of a tradition for a number of years this occasion was somewhat Proxy The Hon Dr A.J.B. Forbes, CMG, MC nostalgic for many as the Mess was closed on the 2 Tenth Ave. following Friday. Most of the Fort CautleyINarrow St Peters Neck complex is to be progressively disposed of by the S.A. 5069 New Zealand Defence Force. The Duntroon Society is (08) 362 6928 (H) seeking another venue for its functions. Wellington Sub-branch celebrated Graduation Day Shorts with a buffet luncheon at the Trentham Officers' Mess on Sunday 12 December 1993. The well-attended gathering was hosted by Brigadier G.W. (Graeme) An editorial note in Newsletter 111993 gave Major Talbot (1959). Our Patron, Lieutenant General Sir General Sir William Gentry (1916) as being the Leonard Thornton (1934) and Lady Thornton were 'Elder of the Society' since October 1992. This was among those present. not so, as the birth date of Lieutenant General R. Now an annual event, 32 Members and wives from Bienvorth (1915) is 30 January 1899, just before Sir Wellington and Auckland Sub-branches met at Taupo William's birth date of 20 February 1899. over the weekend of 19-20 February 1994. Apart from Unfortunately the situation has corrected itself as reference to the Obituary notifications will show. the two rounds of golf, there was much socialising - including a barbecue and dinner at the 'Hare & Trout'. In the column, This, That and the Other, in With the increasing numbers attending from Newsletter 211 993 there appeared a photograph taken Wellington, it may be feasible to achieve the aim of a outside the Officers' Mess, Duntroon in 1930. With it 'North v South Golf Tournament'. was a request for information leading to the identification of those in the group. A heartening Queensland response by telephone and letters has led to all being named except one member of the Governor- A mixed cocktail party was held in the Officers' General's staff. No one who replied picked them all, Mess Victoria Barracks on 15 September 1993. On 26 but three who came very close were Air Marshal Sir November 1993 the Branch General Meeting and Valston Hancock (1925), Lieutenant General Sir Happy Hour was held in the Officers' Mess, Enoggera. Thomas Daly (1930) and Colonel R.J. Gardner Our immediate past President of the Society, Brigadier (1946). The Archivist and your Editor thank all who R.G. Curtis (1960) was the guest speaker at a Branch responded. luncheon at the United Services Club in Brisbane on 25 March 1994. The Duntroon Society Award at the Graduation on 14 At the 1993 AGM it was decided to pledge $1,000 to December 1993 was awarded to Under Officer A.G. the Duntroon Museum for the purchase of a display Duus who graduated into the Royal Australian cabinet or other item as determined by the Museum Armoured Corps. Committee. Initial response to the request for donations is very encouraging. On 16 November 1993 the Major General Sir James Harrison Memorial Lecture was delivered by Sir South Australia William Keys, AC, OBE, MC. The next lecture will be given by Lieutenant General J.M. Sanderson, AC The Graduation Luncheon held on Tuesday, 30 ( 1958). November 1993 in the Officers' Mess, Keswick Barracks was a great success with 23 Members In Newsletter 211993 the Commandant's Report attending. included a section on the Reserve Officer training to Sixteen Members and wives joined the Victorian be conducted at the RMC. This began on 1 January Branch on 25-27 March 1994 for a week-end visit to 1994 with the General Reserve Full %me the Coonawarra region. From their base in the Commissioning Course from which 5 1 graduated on Chardonnay Lodge they enjoyed a successful and 19 February 1994. The Ready Reserve First memorable round of activities from wine tasting, Appointment Course with 34 students began on dining, golf and visits to other features of the area. 14 February and will be conducted over 20 weeks. Anzac Block has been refurbished and now Victoria accommodates the staff offices and student rooms of the Officer Training Wing. Despite a 'snap' strike that affected suburban trains and forced some last minute cancellations, 38 Members and wives attended the Branch Luncheon in the Logistic Command Officers' Mess, Victoria Barracks. Together with the South Australian Branch 18 Members and wives attended the 'Week-end at Coonawarra' during 25-27 March 1994. Letters to the Editor

From Major H.B. McKenzie (1933).

The photo of the RMC staff on p.6 of Newsletter 211993 is most interesting. I note that it is the first one that I have seen where all hats are off. This gives a much better view of the participants. The seven civilian members of the staff had an average service of 15 years. It was largely due to this continuity and to the dedicated service of the more junior ranks not in the photo, as well as the 'hewers of wood and drawers of water' that the College had built a foundation on which it could rebuild in 1937. Victoria Branch Lunch, Victoria Barracks - 3 March 1994

From left: A.i?J. Bell (1930),Mrs Margaret Bell, C.H. Brown (1943). See also The Prodigal Son's Corner on p. 4.

From lefr: L.C. Chambers (1943),J.C. Hughes (1947),Mrs Jan Hughes, Mrs Judy Stove. A.C.T. Branch Lunch - 8 April 1994

The shade of FredS tree adds to the setting, the comradeship and the food. Left foreground: J.J. Spring (1943),J. Cullens, A.7: Hall (1949).

Mrs Francoise Gilroy, Mrs Naomi Trenerry, J. Whitelaw, D.F. W. Engel (1944) Reminiscences of UN Service Eastgate The article in Newsletter 111993 about the two classmates in a far flung foreign clime that he first members of the Class who entered the RMC in 1979, learned that he was the father of a healthy baby boy. serving together in United Nations Truce Supervision Aware of the significance of the occasion and with Organisation (UNTSO) has prompted me to take up the the powers invested in me as Duty Officer of the challenge concerning reminiscences of United Nations Observer Group Sinai (Jerusalem), I opened the bar so service. we could wet the baby's head. Ian and I were just a little I am not sure if it can be claimed as some sort of miffed when after only one beer Bob insisted that he record, but in 1978 six members of the Class who had to rush off and visit his wife and son in hospital, entered the RMC in 1968, served in UNTSO. Two had rather than stay and celebrate with his mates. We were already served, and another two would later serve in even less amused when we later discovered that he turn, as the senior observer in Lebanon. At about the refused to kiss the baby because he was a boy and same time a similar number of the class were serving would only shake the poor little bugger's hand! He was with United Nations Military Observer Group, India & dealt with severely for these dual breaches of etiquette. Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Before this most significant event, Bob was involved When I arrived at UNTSO in 1977, Captain D.P. in a series of incidents which have so far gone (Derek) Leslie, currently Commandant Land Warfare unremarked. They involved considerable courage on Centre, was about to depart. Captain A.B. (Boots) Jones his part and might have attracted official recognition if had left some months earlier. I was posted to Damascus other more senior Australians had been present as the with my wife Anne and son Mark, where we were events occurred. joined in August by Captain R.J. (Bob) and Sally Following the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, Cooper. Bob Cooper and I were in the initial deployment of the Captains I.B. (Ian) Flawith, A.G. (Gerry) Warner, newly created UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). D.T.L. (Lionel) Haynes and J.C. (John) Kirkwood all We were the only Australians in this first deployment. followed, although in what sequence and exactly when Bob was assigned to one of the two-man teams which I am unable to recall. Ian Flawith, Gerry Warner and were to accompany the deployment of the hastily- Lionel Haynes all went to Damascus after Bob Cooper assembled troops who would man the UN line between and I had left for Jerusalem. Although we were spread the Israeli and Arab forces along the Litani River. I was all over the Mission, we managed to get together employed as a staff officer on the newly created occasionally and we used each others houses when we headquarters. travelled during our stand-down periods. Bob and his Austrian team mate were given the task Anne and I sponsored the Coopers on their arrival in of escorting a reinforced Swedish rifle company which Damascus. We travelled to Jerusalem to collect them had been diverted from duty in the Sinai. The CO of the and had a memorable reunion at the house of the Senior Swedish battalion accompanied the company to Australian Observer, Lieutenant Colonel M.C. (Mal) Lebanon and he and his command party travelled to Peck, the night they arrived. Bob was struck with the Naquora for a briefing on the situation. The evening 'yallas' (diarrhoea) immediately on arrival. Ma1 Peck, before the troops were to be inserted, staff of HQ before dropping off to sleep as was his normal custom UNIFIL, of which I was the Force Signals Offrcer, on such occasions, insisted that Bob try his own briefed the various contingent commanders on a recommended cure for the affliction, which was a large number of issues. The HQ staff had been put together glass of arak. This was the local spirit, aniseed quickly from the various missions and consisted mainly flavoured and very strong. Some of us believed that this of seasoned observers. I was given the task of particular cure was worse than the problem. Cooper's presenting a mine brief as I had experienced a near miss notoriously weak stomach cured itself instantly and he with an anti-personnel mine in the Sinai a few weeks became arak's greatest advocate as a sure-fire cure for earlier. Most of the Israeli casualties suffered during the the 'yallas'. invasion had been attributed to mines and we were Bob had met Sally when she was nursing at the RMC anxious to minimise the risk to our own troops. Hospital during our final year as cadets. Sally had The Swedish position was by a bridge, on a track off become pregnant as planned during their stopover in a main road. An Israeli mine clearing team preceded the Singapore en route and they were excited about the Swedish command party, which included Bob Cooper. prospect of having their first child born overseas. His Austrian partner had declined to go, preferring to Andrew Richard Gordon Cooper was born in an Arab remain behind in a more secure area. The Swedish hospital in East Jerusalem on 17 May 1978, exactly battalion commander decided to move forward and, as twelve months to the day after the Eastgates had the party moved forward of the Israelis, fedayeen arrived. It was a most memorable event. militiamen in the nearby Crusader fortress of Crac de On the day of Sally's confinement, I was Duty Beaufort opened fire on them. Some of Haddad's South Officer at the Mixed Armistice Commission (MAC) Lebanese Army (SLA) militiamen responded and the House in East Jerusalem. It must have been the last duty party was caught between the two groups. I performed before departure. Ian Flawith had called in The Swedish CO decided that it was not a very safe after visiting the Dead Sea on a stand-down day. place to be and the Swedes withdrew. Bob provided Cultural sensitivities had excluded Bob from being regular reports to the Operations Room at Naquora present at the birth and he kept on dropping in every where I was on duty. It was quite obvious during the few minutes to use the phone for a report from the radio transmissions that they were under fire and I was hospital. Thus it was in the presence of two of his quite concerned for the safety of my classmate, who Taking cover off the road leading to the bridge across the Litani River after coming under heavy machine gun$refrom the Iraqi faction of the PLO in the Crac de Beaufort. On the left Captain Bob Cooper is sending a Contact Report to UNIFL Headquarters.

was soon to be a parent. Cooper's recollection is that I On about the third or fourth day, Bob called again on said to him over the radio, You be carefil, Bob! He the radio to advise that there was a report of a mine assured me that he would, but remembers wondering if incident involving a vehicle and that he would I thought he was some sort of (not very nice word) fool? investigate. I was on duty in the Operations Room in Bob remained where he was withdrawing only when Naquora. It transpired that a vehicle driven by a directed to do so by the Force Commander. He was Swedish assault pioneer platoon commander and his grateful that both the militiamen in the Crac de Beaufort sergeant had driven off a sealed road to avoid a pothole and Haddad's men did not appear to be very good shots. and had hit a mine. Mining road verges was a common The Swedish soldiers who served in Sinai were tactic in Lebanon at the time and it was something I had mostly National Servicemen who had volunteered for warned the Swedes about during the brief. It was also UN service, but did so under special contracts. This did common practice to place additional mines in the not involve being shot at and the contracts for the vicinity, normally anti-personnel mines, to take soldiers who had been detached to the Lebanon had to advantage of the confusion which was inevitably be rewritten. One of their officers, Major Jan Flygare, created by a mine incident. was particularly unimpressed at this and we gave him a What had happened was that the blast had driven one bit of a hard time over it. of the front wheels through the cabin of the vehicle (a The contractual issue solved, a second attempt was one-ton Volvo) killing one soldier and seriously made to move forward. The Swedes, including their injuring the other. The soldier who had been killed had colonel, were still reluctant to move into position, but been dismembered by the blast and his remains blown were being pressured by Headquarters UNIFIL to into the Litani River. Only his upper torso was occupy their place in the line. Bob Cooper personally discovered and a search was organised for the rest of took the Swedish colonel and his adjutant, plus his team the body. This was our first casualty and senior UNIFIL mate and made an early morning move to the position staff, including General Erskine, quickly gathered in broad daylight. Fortunately there were no further incidents, but it was Bob Cooper's initiative and perseverance which carried the day. Later, Bob's Wagoneer tipped on its side in a ditch and again it was left to Bob to resolve the situation, as his partner was showing an extreme reluctance to be involved in anything remotely hazardous.

Captain R.J. (Bob) Cooper (foreground)just before the $rst attempt to establish a UN checkpoint on one of the strategic bridges across the Litani River. In the background is the local UN Commander (Swedish Colonel) and his ADC. around the radio. Although Bob modestly demurs that remained serving at HQ UNIFIL, was also excluded he played but a small part in the incident, the clear from the award of the UNIFIL medal. impression of everyone in the Naquora Operations Room was that Bob Cooper had again carried the day. Everyone was impressed with the calm and Major R. W. Eastgate entered the RMC on 26 January professional manner in which he carried out the search 1968 and graduated on 14 December 1971 into the in spite of the danger posed by additional mines. Australian Corps of Signals. He served in Papua New Bob's reluctant partner was soon replaced by a US Guinea twice; once before the UNTSO period Marine, Major Mike Ferguson, and the pair soon recounted here and once following it, during which he established a much better working relationship. was seconded to the Royal Papua New Guinea Although Bob's actions during the initial days of Constabulary. He retired from the Regular Army on deployment were the subject of favourable comment 26 January 1992. An account of his time in the Middle during and immediately following the incidents, he East titled 'Saunas and Sand' has been completed and received no formal recognition. And as he returned to he is presently negotiating with two book publishers normal duties soon after that he, unlike those of us who for its printing.

Week-end at Coonawarra

On the week-end of 25-27 March 1994, blessed with a tour of historic Penola (founded-in 1 SO), the oldest perfect weather, Members of the Society's Victoria and town in the area, and a conducted tour of the National South Australia Branches joined for a most enjoyable Trust classified Yallum Park Mansion homestead, built by time of fellowship in the wine-producing region of John Riddoch in 1880. The highlight of the week-end was Coonawarra in the far south-east of South Australia. a dinner on the Saturday evening at Chardonnay Lodge. The activities included an extended wine tasting at the Members and their ladies departed on the Sunday after Mildara Winery, followed by a barbecue luncheon a wonderful week-end, where friendships and memories amongst the vines. The numerous wine buffs in the party were renewed and all enthused about a similar get- took advantage of the opportunity to visit many of the together in a year or so with the hope that other Members other 15 wineries in the region. Further activities included of the Society will attend.

Standing,from left: D.R. Chappell(1945),N.R. Bergin (1953),Mrs Margaret Chappell, Mrs Biddy Clark, Mrs Nanette Bergin, Mrs Wendy Musgrave, JA. Clark (1945),A.A. Nolan (1953),GA. Fry (1952),H.L. Sabin (1939), R. W Bade (1960),Mrs Leonie Christopherson, G.J. Christopherson (1955), Mrs Alison Gilmore, I.G.C. Gilmore (1944), Mrs Judy Stove, J.C. Whittington (1978),Mrs Jenny Whittington,M.J. Musgrave (1953), Mrs Diana Fry. Sitting: Mrs Janette Blade, Mrs Ann Nolan, Mrs Billie Sabin, S.J. Bleechmore (1933),Mrs Mary Bleechmore, Mrs Rory Willett, D. Willett (1942) Lying down on the job: A.M. Stove (1960) Duntroon - A Middle Distance Memory

P. Trost

Like Lieutenant Colonel Viingur, I thoroughly Unfortunately, the Brigadier was holding a Sunday enjoyed all the articles emanating from the magnificent garden party and the wind was blowing in that direction. memory of Air Commodore P.G. Heffernan. I must admit Guests were startled by a loud explosion, the whistle of an that, at the age of 66, my memories of three years at Clink overshooting shell and a blanket of white smoke! With are probably, and collectively, the most vivid and hindsight, it was amazing that no one was ever hurt and, enjoyable in my lifetime. thankfully, that we never had a fire in the Blocks. With each article I read, fresh memories are invoked. On the subject of mortars, our beds broke down into More importantly, events, customs, sayings, personalities three pieces - a head, a foot and the wire base. As you and the llke are being recorded for the future. I borrowed know, a mortar has three pieces - a baseplate, a barrel and quickly read that excellent publication More Than a and a bipod. Some designing senior classman saw the Mere Bravo which did record a lot of fascinating connection and the need for Fourth Class to practise their unofficial history. But, even there, I recall omissions. 'mount mortar' drill. The Rec[reation] Room was cleared So, I dare to attempt to offer some reminiscences from and teams competed against each other and the clock to my time that I do not recall being mentioned previously. race the three components from one end of the room to Perhaps, if others are interested they might lie to add to the other, assemble them and assume 'Bed Ready' or amend this offering. positions. Again, it was lucky that no one was hurt as Our Class was the third and last of the three-year Number 1 had to hurl himself horizontally from behind courses. The first had entered on 26 February 1944 as a the foot of the now assembled bed, land flat on the base two-year course but this had been extended for them to and simultaneously grasp both sides of the head while three years before we had arrived in 1946. Duntroon loudly proclaiming, Number One bed ready! -hoping to hadn't really changed much since 1937 when it returned high heaven that Numbers 2 and 3 had succeeded in from Sydney - the main addition was the collection of mating the three parts. fibro huts built in the area now occupied by the Duntroon In leaving the Siberian flashbacks, I will finish with a Medical Centre. Known as 'Siberia', this area was the reminder of how caring, as ever, senior classmen were to home of C Company and would be a good starting point further our military training. Paratroop exercises were not for these recollections. on the RMC syllabus, but it was deemed appropriate that Despite the disadvantage of distance from the we understood what 'stick jumps' were. So, as our ancient classrooms, the Mess and Gymnasium etc. - involving buses arrived back at C Company after a meal, Fourth as it did feverish 'leaps' to change from battle dress in to Class would bunch up at the open door of the moving bus PT gear and the like - it had many advantages. The and await the command, jump. If we were lucky, we water was always hot - a big plus over A, B and C landed on the grass verge to complete our compulsory Blocks in winter - and we had individual electric roll. All good clean fun! radiators in our rooms. While this in itself was another plus over the rarely-working central heating system in the Colonel Vigurreferred to the Easter Bunny -thank main area, a further advantage was that by tilting the goodness I don't remember anything like that - only radiators on to their backs one had a convenient (but 'The Wind'. As Junior Classmen, we were not thought illegal) source for toasting bread won at pluff and for suitably trained to be allowed out into Canberra on heating water for Milo or cocoa. weekends, so we were early to bed on Saturday nights. The walls of our rooms were lined with Caneite. The However our betters, arriving home much later, invoked judicious use of a knife enabled us to lever a panel away the 'Wind' to invade our rooms. Looking remarkably like from the wall in such a way that it could be replaced our friendly Seniors, the wind invariably blew against our without damage. What a wonderful repository this hollow beds depositing bedding and occupant in a heap against space became for dirty shoes, cakes from home and the wall. One only hoped that this freak of nature did not surplus 25-pounder super(?) charge bags! The latter were backtrack after we had resumed our repose. never used on artillery shoots and we used to smuggle the Ack, Beer and Cork Blocks had (and probably still odd bag or two back to 'Siberia'. Along with Aldershot have) very tall built-on wardrobes - full of various sized grenades, also smuggled and stored behind walls, they compartments, each of which had a number and a very provided the propellants for our own type of mortar specific purpose. The bottom, large drawer was Number shoots. A massive old WW1 hollow shell dug into the 10 and became, when empty, a canoe. It was a Fourth bank of a drainage ditch became a mortar base. Into this Class task to 'row' this vessel across the tiled floor of a was stuffed an artillery bag. An Aldershot was rammed bathroom using our rifles as oars. Those drawers were into an empty 18-pounder shell and this became the extremely strong - to contain 3-4 naked rowers and be missile. The Aldershot was ignited and the missile propelled across a dry floor would test the skill of an dropped into the waiting maw of the 'base'. The effect America's Cup boatbuilder. The wardrobes had a gap was quite startling - an enormous bang and a cloud of between the top and the ceiling. If ever a Senior classman white smoke sent the 18-pounder a couple of hundred entered your room and said, Birds, you had to climb up yards down the back paddock. One Sunday saw the end your wardrobe and squeeze into this space. If you carried of this practice however. We were aiming at a dam that out this task satisfactorily you could possibly avoid being happened to be between us and the Commandant's house. the recipient of one or two further commands, Mice and/or Monkeys. These involved diving under your bed will abuse his status and authority -such instances make or perching on your desk. for good journalistic sensationalism. One invaluable piece of Fourth Class training (I really One piece of what must have been official Fourth Class mean this) was the practice of Leaps. I think this has been training was the fact that we received no winter dress until mentioned by previous writers, so I will be brief. A half way through the year, Now this was something that I whistle blast designated that the next (Mess) parade did not appreciate! Standing in the middle of a paddock, would be held in five minutes. A second blast would exposed to the winds blowing off the snow-clad indicate that only two minutes remained before, On mountains surrounding Canberra, listening to a discourse Parade, was called. One graduated from being dry in a by Foo warrant OlXcer 1 G.J. Wood] on the 'lying bathroom at Fives, to being wet at Fives, to being dry at position' was bad enough. Wearing working dress made it Twos to the ultimate of a wet Twos leap and being worse, even though most of us wore pyjamas, footy presentable in time. Mind you, Senior Classmen always jumpers, etc. under the thin khaki drill. did the leaps with you - no bullying there! Really When I started to write this I did not realise how worthwhile. When one appeared at the top of the parade difficult it would be to stop! I still haven't covered our ground steps clad in PT gear while the rest of your class Brindabella trek and the finding of a crashed aircraft, its was clad in webbing, tin hats and canying rifles, such two dead occupants but no £10,000 which was later training helped reduce the impact of a late arrival at the reported to have been on the plane; the annual concerts miniature rifle range. when the Italian Ambassador collapsed with mirth at the If I appear to be indicating any bias against Fourth improvised Italian being used when the singer forgot the Class training let me correct that impression. I thoroughly words of 0 Sole Mio; the key to the half passage; Angle enjoyed it. It certainly bound our class together from then bud parades; Fathers and Sons; Lords and Masters; our until this day. I felt so strongly about all the ill-informed class visit to Ziggy's nightclub during a trip to Sydney; comments that were flying around at the time of the 1969 the apparent pecking order relative to being an Australian bastardisation flap, that I wrote to the Melbourne or New Zealander; Rules or Rugby players; the value of newspapers defending it as long as it did not descend to being a skilled 'pluff' player; Gilly's [Professor A.D. bullying. In no time I was being interviewed on all the TV Gilchrist] dire predictions that the Gym roof was quite channels. Unfortunately there is always someone who incapable of withstanding the weight of the decorating

On the right, Pat Trost as a member of the escort for Casey's Ghost in the gymnasium about midnight on 10 December 1946. A few minutes afrer the discovery, on November 1948, of the Percival P6 twin-engined aircrafr that had crashed in the Brindabella Ranges on 26 August 1947. StafScadets of Second Class under Captain D.G. Sharp (1938)were finding the remainder of the scattered wreckage and the two bodies.

frame that we would hoist up on the occasion of various civilian or military staff or cadets. The memory stumbles, Balls - not to mention the weight of a dozen or so roof but to mind comes 'Rigor (mortis) or Morty', 'Baldy', walkers who worked on the decorating. I think someone 'the Gnome', 'Farmer', 'Body', 'Hungry', 'Footy', else covered Major E.L. (Leo) Cook's (1930) horse- 'Frothpot', 'Bubby', 'Babe', 'Luigi', 'Kaffi or Caffer' mounted habit of surprising donga-based map-enlargers (never was sure of that one Allen) and so on. Apart from who should have been plotting the area the hard way. I the larger than life 'Fango', we had of course 'The Bum', clearly recall another occasion when he galloped across to 'Slapsie', 'Boogie', 'Kaiserlicherposte' (with apologies to intercept my weary jog up the horse paddock, after footy students of the German language) to mention a few of the training, to inform me that his wife had found cake staff's other names. crumbs on the floor of my room in Ack Block. It was the only time that one of my extra drills was initiated by the wife of an inspecting officer. We loved Leo though - he was in the mould of Errol Flynn and Clark Gable - and it is great to see his photo appear in the Newsletter from Major P. Trost entered the RMC on 23 February 1946 time to time. Such was the impact of his teaching us that and graduated on 14 December 1948 into the Royal the only way to wear a bow tie was to tie it, that it is only Australian Corps of Signals. As a member of the stag in recent years have I dared to wear one 'ready made'. of the Directorate of Signals at Army Headquarters he Maybe someone else can take up the lucrative field of resigned from the Regular Army on 29 January 1960 nicknames. Everyone seemed to have one, be they and transferred to the Citizen Military Forces. Oldies 94 N.S.W. Branch Monday, 1 3 June 1994 (Queen's Birthday weekend). Saturday, 19 March 1994 marked the thirteenth The annual buffet and race day at the AJC's Randwick consecutive 'Old Boy' reunion of graduates of Race-course. A.C.T. Members who are interested in Australian Army officer training establishments. attending are requested to contact Brigadier J.G.(Garth) 'Oldies 94' once again confirmed that graduates of these institutions are still keen to renew the friendshim Hughes on (06) 286 2683. of classmates of bygone days. Approximately 360 Queensland Branch graduates visited the grounds of Duntroon that week- end and either participated in sport against the staff cadets or watched from the sidelines. May 1994. Race Day at Eagle Farm. June/July 1994. Black Tie Dinner at the Officers' This year the reunion week-end included tenaciously Mess, Victoria Barracks. contested games of Rugby, Australian Rules Football, August 1994. Brief ng and demonstration, followed Soccer, Hockey and Netball. In keeping with recent by lunch at Headquarters 1st Division, Enoggera. history all graduates of the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, September 1994. Weekend on the Sunshine Coast. the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville, the WRAAC October/November 1994. Cocktail Party and Postal Officer Cadet School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon were invited to attend the 'Oldies 94' activities. Golf Competition. December 1994. Annual General Meeting at All officer training institutions were well represented with Enoggera. strong 'Oldies' teams being fielded in all sports. 'ordies 94' was unique in that the activities on South Australia Saturday morning commenced with the Australian International Sevens Rugby Union side, starring David Campese, taking the field on the RMC No 1 oval in a Thursday, 21 April 1994. Duntroon Society Postal training run for one hour. Many of the 'Old Boys' were Golf match at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. inspired to greater heights by the Australian team's Tuesday, 6 December 1994. Graduation Luncheon in the Officers' Mess, Keswick Barracks. prowess on the field. Competition for all sports was fierce on the Saturday RMC Ceremonial Parades afternoon. 'Oldies' pitted cunning and guile against the more youthful and energetic staff cadets. The resulting games were quite spectacular, with wins recorded on Saturday, 11 June 1994. The Queen's Birthday both sides. The staff cadets were declared overall victors Parade. with wins in the Rugby, Australian Rules Football and Friday, 8 July 1994. The Ready Reserve First Soccer. 'Oldies' recorded wins in Hockey and Netball. Appointment Course Graduation Parade. 'Oldies 94' was a resounding success enjoyed by all. Further information can be obtained from the SO3 Particular thanks should go to Major S.D. (Steve) Hull (Ceremonial), Captain K. Sheurrnan on (06) 275 9539. and Captain P.D. (Peter) clay fortheir roles in overall organisation and co-ordination of the week-end. Thanks Reunion are also extended to all the 'Oldies' who made the effort and, who in some cases, travelled long distances to The Class which entered the RMC on 27 February attend the fine week-end. 1943 plans a reunion in New Zealand during March Next year promises to be an even larger affair with 1995. It will take the form of a six-day tour of work already commencing on its organisation. For those Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua and Kaupo with two who were unable to make it this year, please consider reunion dinners. The New Zealand organiser is Colonel attending the activities next year. For those who did R.K.G. (Ralph) Porter who has asked that for further attend, please tell others of the event. We look forward to information Australian class members contact, renewing the friendships on the sporting fields in 1995. Brigadier D.O.A.(Owen) Magee 1588 Pacific Highway Wahroonga Coming Events N.S.W. 2076 (02) 487 1220 A.C.T. Branch

September-October 1994. Combined dinner and lecture, with Hector McMillan speaking on 'Acting and the Military Profession'. Members of other Branches are most welcome. 1995. The proposed visit to the Hunter Valley vineyards has been deferred until Sep-Oct-Nov 1995. It is requested that N.S.W. Branch Members forward expressions of interest, without commitment at this stage, to the organiser in the A.C.T. Branch, Brigadier G.T. Salmon 134 Namatjira Drive Chapman A.C.T. 26 1 1 (06) 288 5414 (H) Annual Postal Golf Combination

The Tradition continues! Last year ten teams 7th: Queensland (175) L.R. Greville (1944) 38 competed in the 1993 Postal Golf Match. Vktoria At Royal Queensland Golf N.J. McGuire (1950) 30 fielded four teams, ACT and NZ two teams each, whilst Club B.G. Bond (1957) 30 WA were unable to gather the requisite number of Friday, 15 October 1993 R.A. Clark (1947) 28 golfers to establish a team. Victoria probably set a Fine, overcast, moderate P.D.R. Brown (1957) 25 record in 1993 by fielding a total of 29 golfers. The northerly wind J.H. Humphrey (1948) 24 power of a Staff College on a warm Wednesday afternoon! Well done the 'Mexicans'. 8th: N.S.W. (164) G.W. Grimsdale (1 956) 35 This year the 'Trophy' returns to Canberra from At Avondale Golf Club A. Woolford 33 across the Tasman. Can there be a more fitting place for Saturday, 13 November D.A. Spencer (1 954) 26 a 'Trophy' of the Duntroon Society to reside? 1993 B.A. Andrews (1941) 24 Congratulations to the ACT. Fine, overcast R.S. Fotheringham (1942) 24 R.H. Magnusson (1956) 22

Individual Scores were: First J.A. Clark (S.A.) 39

Teams Event Second H.B. Honner (N.Z.) 38 1st: A.C.T. 'A' (207) D.K. Baker (1 95 1) G. Grimsdale (N.S.W.) 38 At Royal Canberra Golf T.A. Gee (1958) L.R. Greville (Qld) 38 Club R.E. Rooks ( 195 1 ) Friday, 26 November 1993 G.E.A. Turner No countback for second place. Fine, cloudy, no wind J.H. Townley (195 1) A.L. Vickers (1 957) Four Ball Best Ball Scores were: 1 st: Queensland L.R. Greville 2nd: New Zealand 'B' (200)H.B. Honner (1946) (45) N.J. McGuire At Helensville Golf Club R.J. Andrews (1954) Friday, 26 November 1993 M.J. Dudman (1956) 2nd: A.C.T. T.A. Gee B. Meldrum ( 1956) (44) A.L. Vickers R.G. Williams (1949) New players are always welcome. If you are J.R. Clarke (1946) interested in joining the Duntroon Society andlor playing in this major golf event each year, you should 3rd: Victoria 'A' (198) G. Hollings (1946) contact the following members of the Match At Bmon Heads Golf C1ubD.M. Butler (1946) Committee. Friday, 26 November 1993 D. Lawrence Hot strong northerly V. Vivian A.C.T. A.L. (Alan) Vickers winds D.J. Gilroy (1955) (06) 295 0663 (H) A.M. Stove (1960) (06) 247 4459 (W) Queensland J.H. (John) Humphrey 4th: S.A. (193) J.A. Clark (1 945) 39 (07) 262 4946 (H) At Royal Adelaide Golf D.L. Burzacott 35 Club P.O.G. Forbes 33 N.S.W. B.A. (Bruce) Andrews Thursday, 18 November J.E. Duff (1 948) 3 1 (02) 349 367 1 (H) 1993 A.J. Forbes (1 941) 3 1 Fine, with light breeze B.V. McEvoy 3 1 New Zealand R.K.G. (Ralph) Porter 33 Coldham Cres. 5th: A.C.T. 'B' (184) A.J.F.McDonald (1 942) 36 St Johns Park At Royal Canberra Golf L.G. O'Donnell(195 1) 36 Auckland 5 Club A.L. Morrison (1945) 30 New Zealand Friday, 26 November 1993 W.J.S. Gordon (1941) 28 Fine, cloudy, no wind N.P. Farquhar 27 S.A. J.A. (Alex) Clark (08) 272 5968 (H) S.S. Agnew 27 Victoria A.M. (Tony) Stove 6th: New Zealand 'A' (181) R.K.G. Porter (1943) 34 (03) 592 6294 (W) At Helensville Golf Club C.M. Dixon (195 1) 33 Friday, 26 November 1993 I.H. Burrows (1950) 31 W. A. C.J. (Colin) Purcell G.M. McKay (1950) 28 (097) 91 1530 (FAX) G.A. Hitchings (1949) 28 Congratulations to all participants in 1993. We look A.C. Hamilton (1950) 27 forward to continuing The Tradition.