President Ron Bassan’s Report From the President’s event. If this goes ahead it will be a function for all Chair. ‘A’ Bty members not just Vietnam Veterans’. I would like some feedback from the members, so G’day everyone, please let us know what you think of this proposal? On behalf of the Committee and There are still ten stragglers who have not paid their myself, I would like to wish subs for 2009/10, I will not name them as they know everyone a very happy New Year who they are, so please hurry up and and I hope you all stay well and pay as 2010/11 subs will soon be prosper. due. The Annual General Meeting I had a recent email from Lyn Worboys was a huge success; we are informing us that Joe Rouse has not getting new faces come along and been very well lately. He has been in enjoy themselves. We had several people travel and out of hospital with a few very long distances to be at the Reunion, Max Ptolomey, serious problems. He's not on the John Wilkinson, Rex Martin, Terry Jobson, David internet but his phone number is Harris, Reg Etienne, Don Green, Tom Caldwell, 0244439500. If any of Joe's old army mates are down his way he would be Mike Pitman and Harry Cook to name a few. more than happy to see them At our AGM, one of our long standing Committee Joe Rouse relaxing at the Garrison Club I have had a very nice letter from the Members (Ray Alcorn) stood down and was new Battery Commander of 'A' Field replaced by one of the national service men who Battery RRAA, he is; Major Nathan Laughton and the came to Malaysia in 1966 to serve with the Battery. new Battery Sergeant Major is; WO2 Rod Glover. The I would like to welcome Greg Kittelty on to the new Commanding Officer of 1st Field Regiment RRAA Committee and thank him for filling the vacancy, is; Lt Col David Kelly also I would like to thank Ray for his long Finally on a sad note two of our members lost their association with the Committee, and he is one of the spouses, Noal Rodda lost his wife Elizabeth and founding fathers. Max Vandyke lost his wife Doreen. Our deepest Next year will be the 40 th anniversary of the Bty condolences go out to these two stalwarts of the going to and returning from Vietnam. Association. The Committee is investigating the possibility of Till next time, holding a reunion at Coffs Harbour for this special Semper Paratus Tex In the above report Tex has asked International Marina, Old Jetty, Mutton for opinions on celebrating the 40 years Bird Island and whale & dolphin tours. since Vietnam to be held in Coffs Experience hot-air ballooning, cycle ways Harbour; for all those who have been to and mountain biking, Sunday markets, this great town no prompting will be cartoon gallery and Historical Museum, necessary. organic wines, 4WD and galleries. Explore Beacon Hill Bordered by the clear warm waters of the Pacific Lookout, Bruxner Park Floral Reserve, Glenreagh Ocean and the luxurious rainforests of the Great Dividing Mountain Railway and George’s Gold Mine. Range, Coffs Harbour is noted for banana plantations and There a plenty of clubs in Coffs including the Coffs fishing, its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate. Ex Services Club, that has top entertainment and a wide Attractions and activities include Coffs Harbour selection of dining venues. Zoo, Pet Porpoise Pool, Clog Barn and Big Banana, Tex and Bonnie are great at organising these big surfing, diving and snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing and functions, so act now and contact Tex informing him that jet-skiing, white-water rafting, boating and game fishing, you will be delighted to attend the Coffs Harbour The Difference Between the Infantry, the Artillery and the Armoured Corps HAPPINESS IS . Artillery: Don't you have to move Infantry:: A good rifle around to require transport? Armoured: A big tank Artillery: A loud boom BREAKFAST IN THE FIELD Infantry: I don't care what it is, just UPON HEARING FIREWORKS so long as I can sit down to eat it Infantry: Cool, just like a live fire Armoured: Hot coffee and rum exercise with a beer chaser Armoured: Not loud enough Artillery: Eggs over easy, crispy Artillery: Fireworks? What bacon, sausages, toast and Maxwell fireworks? House coffee A LONG ROUTE MARCH OTHER TRADES WITH FULL KIT WHAT THEY CALL Infantry: Waste of rations Infantry: 20 clicks THEMSELVES Armoured: Waste of rations Armoured: From the hangars to the Infantry: Infantryman Artillery: Waste of rations tank Armoured: Cavalry Artillery: What's a route march? Artillery: 9 Mile Snipers IDEA OF FUN Infantry: Not having to "pepper- OFFICERS WHAT OTHERS CALL THEM pot" an entire grid square before the Infantry: Are morons and should Infantry: Grunts objective stay away from the trench lines Armoured: Tankies Armoured: Racing across a grid Armoured: Are morons and should Artillery: Drop shorts square on "full stab" stay out of the vehicles Artillery: Levelling a grid square Artillery: Are morons and should stay away from the gun lines FAVOURITE SONG Infantry: "Ballad of the Green FAVORITE MODE OF Beret" TRANSPORTATION Armoured: "Purple Haze" Infantry: Anything but walking Artillery: Anything, just play it Armoured: Tanks. Tanks. Tanks. “LOUD!” TankstankstankstanksTANKS! Terence Alan Patrick Seán It was Milligan's opinion that Major Jenkins did Milligan KBE (16 April 1918 – not like him due to the fact that Milligan constantly kept 27 February 2002), known as the morale of his fellow soldiers up, whereas Major Spike Milligan , was an Irish Jenkins' approach was to take an attitude towards the comedian, writer, musician, poet troops similar to that of Lord Kitchener. and playwright. Milligan was the An incident also mentioned was when Major co-creator and the principal writer Jenkins had invited Gunners Milligan and Edgington to of The Goon Show, in which he his bivouac to play some jazz with him, only to also performed. discover that the musicianship of the aforementioned Aside from his well-known gunners was far superior to his own ability to play the comedy and poetry, Milligan did military tune 'Whistling Rufus' (badly). some painting. His background also included time in After his hospitalisation, Milligan drifted through the Royal Artillery and civilian jazz/dance bands. a number of rear-echelon military jobs in Italy, During World War II he served as a signaller in eventually becoming a full-time entertainer. the 56th Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery, D Battery, as After their retirement, Milligan's parents and his Gunner Milligan, 954024 with the First Army in the younger brother Desmond moved to Australia. His North African Campaign and then in the succeeding mother lived the rest of her long life in the coastal Italian Campaign. village of Woy Woy on the New South Wales Central He rose to the rank of Lance Bombardier and was Coast, just north of Sydney. As a result, Milligan about to be promoted to Bombardier when he was became a regular visitor to Australia and made a wounded in action in Italy. Subsequently hospitalised number of radio and TV programmes there, including for a mortar wound to the right leg and shell shock, he The Idiot Weekly with Bobby Limb. was demoted by an unsympathetic commanding officer In July 2007, it was proposed that the suspension (identified in his war diaries as Major Evan 'Jumbo' bridge on the cycle path from Woy Woy to Gosford be Jenkins) back to Gunner. named after him THE VICTORIAN HORSE ARTILLERY Parliament in Melbourne. 1889 - 1897. The Rupertswood Battery was well In March 1889, the unit became part of known throughout the colony for its the Victorian Horse Artillery, under the expertise in both horsemanship and command of Captain Frederick Hughes. As marksmanship. Its regular training sessions Major General Hughes, he commanded troops were held on the Rupertswood property, at the, Gallipoli landings. and evidence of these sessions have been The unit was divided into two Half found by both photographs of the day and Batteries, the left half battery at Werribee Park by various relics of that era that are and the right half battery at Rupertswood. The continually found on the property. Werribee half battery disbanded two years later 1897 saw much political wrangling and The, Rupertswood Battery became the and disagreement regarding units of this pride of the colony, growing both in stature and style in the colony, their cost being the experience, major factor for reviewing their existence, In 1893, Sir William sent a contingent to and without their founder (Sir William London to compete at both the Islington and Clarke had died) the Battery was officially Dublin Military Tournaments, At both of disbanded in July 1897. Sergeant, VICTORIAN these Tournaments, the Battery was very Their final public appearance was HORSE ARTILLERY, 1890 successful and brought home many in June 1897, when they escorted the The original unit originated trophies. They competed against the cream Governor to the opening of State from the old "Rupertswood of the British Artillery Units and in one Parliament. Battery", in 1889 it was instance they beat the Royal Horse Artillery The end of the unit was a blow to designated the Victorian at their own game. the township of Sunbury -who had Horse Artillery. The battery While in London the Battery was followed its progress since its inception was wholly maintained by presented to Queen Victoria at Buckingham with great interest and support. Many of Mr. Churnside and the Hon. Palace.