NEWSLETTER 1/2017 ISSN 2207-0400 APRIL 2017 experience as well as two other men associated with Duntroon’s Worst Day Duntroon. Chris Appleton (1978) and The and the Battle Richard Carfax-Foster (1971) As part of the doubling of the size of the Imperial The First World War cost Australia as no war had before or Force after Gallipoli, the 5th Division was formed in Egypt in has since, touching every community in the nation and most February 1916. Major- the Honourable J.W. McCay, of their families. From a population of less than five million formerly commander of the Australian and a (equivalent to the population of New Zealand, Singapore or former Minister of Defence, assumed command of the Queensland today) 332,000 Australians served overseas, Division on 22 March 1916. In June 1916 it moved to France, 62,000 of them died and more than 152,000 were wounded. taking over part of the ‘nursery’ sector near Armentières in The overwhelming majority of these casualties were on Flanders from the AIF, 10–11 July 2016. the Western Front in France and Belgium where between The Somme offensive had begun disastrously on 1 July 1916 and 1918, 47,000 Australians died and more than 1916, and in an effort to discourage further enemy troop 130,000 were wounded. movements from Flanders to the Somme, the British planned A total of 133 Australian and 25 New Zealand graduates a ‘demonstration’ at Fromelles. As the other three Australian of the RMC served in the First World War. The cost was divisions in France had already been earmarked for (but not prodigious: 39 Australians and three New Zealanders died, an yet committed) to the Somme offensive, the ‘demonstration’ additional 52 Australians and 11 New Zealanders were was tasked to the 5th Division. Australia’s first major action wounded. Eleven graduates were wounded twice, three were on the Western Front would be fought by the least wounded on three occasions. experienced of the Australian divisions in France, within a The original 1911 intake lost eight out of 35 graduates, month of its arrival in France and only a week after going into five in the and two on the Western Front. the trenches. Graduates from the second (1912) intake fared the worst: 19 The British attack plan for the 5th Division and the 61st out of 36 died, 12 in the Gallipoli Campaign and seven on the (British) Division on its right flank mirrored the unsuccessful Western Front. The third intake lost 10 out of 34 graduates, British attack at the same place in May the previous year. In nine on the Western Front and one in Syria. The fourth intake the intervening year, the defending 6th Bavarian Reserve lost six out of 35 graduates, all on the Western Front. Division had strengthened what had already proved to be The extraordinary service of the first class to graduate was formidable defences which overlooked the Allied lines. detailed by Colonel Ross Harding (1948) and Major General The ‘demonstration’ required the 5th and 61st Divisions to Ken Gordon (1956) in ‘The First Class’ in Newsletter 2/2011. capture the enemy front line and support trenches. The latter It is well known (and commemorated by a plaque near did not exist, being old trenches and drainage ditches General Bridges’ grave at Duntroon) that 17 of 71 graduates incorrectly identified as trenches. The boundary between the to serve at Gallipoli died there; but is less well known that six divisions ran across the Sugarloaf, the heavily fortified salient graduates died or were mortally wounded in the course of a in the German line. night in the disastrous Battle of Fromelles 19-20 July 1916 The three brigades of the 5th Division attacked side by side where 5,533 Australians of the 5th Division were killed, in a southerly direction, each with two battalions forward, one wounded or taken prisoner. in support and one in reserve. The on the right Among them was Major Tom Elliott, acclaimed by his and linking to the 61st Division, faced a 400-yard assault Brigade Commander as Australia’s Kitchener. Another across “a flat sweep of meadow” to the German positions, major, Arthur Hutchinson, was recommended for the Victoria which included the northern flank of the Sugarloaf salient. Cross. Yet little is known of them. The in the centre faced an assault of 250 yards This article is about the six RMC graduates lost at towards the German lines. The faced an assault of Fromelles, a chapter of the RMC story that deserves to be 120 yards as well as needing to secure the left flank of the better known. They were: Major Tom Elliot, Major Arthur battlefield. Hutchinson, Captain Charles Arblaster and Captain Clive After a short and ineffective artillery preparation, the Hopkins from the second entry graduating early in 1914; and attacking battalions left their forward trenches at 6.00pm, in Captain Ken Mortimer and Captain Gregor Robertson from daylight, three hours before dusk. Even before H-Hour, the the third entry graduating in 1915. Another 12 RMC assembling troops had suffered heavily from German artillery graduates survived Fromelles; brief mention is made of their fire. From the Sugarloaf, the attack was subjected to machine gun fire from the flank across the full frontage of the three 1 attacking brigades. The 15th Brigade’s 59th and 60th Battalions Foreseeing the disaster but unable to prevent it, did not reach the enemy lines due to heavy casualties from General Elliott, tried to keep Major Elliott out of the action machine gun fire from the Sugarloaf. A later attack by two by transferring him to brigade headquarters. However, companies of the 58th Battalion similarly failed. The 8th Elliott’s own desire to return to the battalion and his Brigade’s 31st and 32nd Battalions and the 14th Brigade’s 53rd Commanding Officer’s pleas for the return of his second-in- and 54th Battalions breached the enemy lines and dug in up to command saw him return to his men. The 60th was the left 150 yards beyond them when they failed to locate the forward assault battalion of the 15th Brigade. supposed support trenches. During the night, enemy counter- Elliott was killed whilst encouraging the men of the attacks forced the eventual withdrawal of the remnants of second wave forward in the attack on the Sugarloaf, the these battalions. Some elements were surrounded by the strongest part of the German defences. Brigadier General Germans, forcing them to attack towards their own lines in Elliott would write that “everyone thought he would have order to withdraw. made a Kitchener” and that “his death was the greatest By 9.00am on 20 July, all Australians that could had individual loss this Brigade has suffered since its formation”. withdrawn to their front line leaving many dead and wounded Lance O’Brien, who saw Elliott wounded before he in no-man’s land and in the enemy trenches. The attack had was himself wounded, reported to the Red Cross that “he been a disaster. Of the 7,500 Australians of the 5th Division (Elliott) was a Duntroon man and a really good sort”. Private who went into the attack, 5,533 were killed, wounded or taken Forbes, also wounded, reported simply that “Major Elliott prisoner. German casualties were slight. was one of the best”. An unsuccessful recommendation for an unnamed Major Thomas Elliot posthumous award said “This officer was invaluable to Major Thomas Patrick Elliott joined the second entry to the RMC G.G. McCrae in his successful efforts to raise the morale and on 7 March 1912 aged 18 and was graduated specially for discipline of his battalion and gave repeated proofs of active service on 2 November 1914. From Marrickville in possessing the highest gifts of leadership. He fell mortally Sydney, he was the youngest of six brothers and had three wounded whilst most gallantly leading his men into action on sisters; his father worked for the Sydney Tramways. He was the 19th July 1916, but the effect of his work and the high ideal first placed in the entry exam for the 1912 intake and was he inculcated still remains upon those surviving officers and allocated the CSC number 43. At Duntroon he distinguished men with whom he happily came into contact”. himself academically, played in the 1st XV and was athletic Elliott’s remains were not recovered. He is champion in 1914. His three charges in one week for “being commemorated at the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and out of his (hospital) ward” led to him joining what would in Memorial at Fromelles. When he died, he was 22 years and later years be known as the strippers’ club. The Director of six months old. He is one of 1,179 Australians who remain Military Art noted in his final report that Elliott’s manner was missing from the costliest day in Australian history. rough but that he was likely to make a good officer “if he overcomes faults of manners”. Post-war correspondence from his mother suggest that Tom’s comments on the adequacy of rations at the RMC had attracted the displeasure of the Commandant, Major General Bridges. He graduated third in his class—had 70 points not been deducted for ‘misconduct’ from his total marks, he may well have graduated first in his class. He served at Gallipoli with the 7th Light Horse Regiment, from May 1915 as the Regimental Observation Officer and later as the Machine Gun Officer. On 27 July 1915, he was beside his best friend and RMC classmate Alan ‘Bluey’ Thorne, when Thorne was killed. In September, he was evacuated to Malta with enteric fever. He rejoined his unit in Egypt in January 1916 and within days he was appointed Machine Gun Officer of the and promoted to the rank of Captain. In March, Elliott was sought by Brigadier General Harold RMC 1st XV 1913. Tom Elliott is in the rear row, fourth Edward (Pompey) Elliott (no relation, Commander of the new from left. Four of the team did not survive the war. 15th Brigade), to lead a company in the newly-formed 60th Major Arthur Hutchinson Infantry Battalion. Tom Elliott’s performance and potential had attracted Pompey’s attention and he fought to get him Arthur Justin Sanford Hutchinson joined with the second transferred to his Brigade. Pompey later wrote that Elliott’s entry to the RMC on 7 March 1912 aged 18 and was allocated “personality was of such sterling value that from a mere CSC number 46. Born in Wodonga, he lived in Hamilton, formation the company speedily became a well disciplined Tasmania, before his enlistment; his father was a clergyman. and trained fighting unit”. In June, Tom was promoted to With his class, he was graduated specially for active service major and was appointed second-in-command of the battalion on 2 November 1914. on the eve of its departure for France. Brigadier Elliott felt Arthur’s four (minor) disciplinary charges whilst at that Tom had an ‘exceptional brilliant career’ ahead of him’. Duntroon may have attracted the attention of the Director of Three weeks after arriving in France, the 60th fought its Military Art, whose final report noted that Arthur was first battle on 19 July 1916. The battle was a disaster for the “inclined to be sulky”, “does not excel at games”, “has hardly 60th Battalion—of the 887 men who went into the attack, 780 made the most of his opportunities” and was “not a strong were reported killed, wounded, or missing. character”. Despite this withering critique, he excelled in

2 infantry exercises and maths, and performed very well in all were gallantly given in the hope of aiding the attack of the other subjects; graduating fifth in his class. 61st Division, which unfortunately was not made”. Given the criticism of British troops, it is unsurprising the award was not approved by the British HQ. Arthur Hutchinson’s remains were not recovered; he is commemorated at the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial at Fromelles. When he died, he was 21 years and 11 months old and engaged to be married. Captain Charles Arblaster Charles Arblaster joined the second entry to the RMC on 7 March 1912 aged 18 and was graduated specially for active service on 2 November 1914. Born at Pennyroyal near Colac in Victoria, he was living in Footscray when he enlisted and was allocated CSC number 64. His father worked for the Victorian Railways. He excelled at Physical Training and showed particular interest in the French and German which he and all his classmates studied. His clean (no charges) conduct record at the RMC may have been the basis of the Director of Military Art’s summation that Arblaster was “colourless”. The Director of Drill was a little more generous in his assessment: “Industrious, neat, quick worker, rather unsympathetic and has not much influence; good ability”. Charles graduated 16th in his class. He was posted as a lieutenant to the 8th Light Horse Regiment where he was almost immediately transferred to the command of the regiment’s machine gun section. His regiment landed at Gallipoli in late May. Arblaster served with his Regiment at Walker’s Ridge in June and July, and his machine gun section supported it during the fateful charge at The Nek on 7 August. He then acted as Adjutant until 7 September, when he was temporarily appointed captain and placed in overall command of the Brigade machine guns at the Table Top, immediately below Chunuk Bair. Here he received a bullet wound to the foot on 26 Arthur Hutchinson. September and was evacuated to Malta, and then to England. He embarked with the 9th Light Horse Regiment Machine He rejoined his regiment in Egypt in February 1916 but in Gun Section in February 1915. He served on Gallipoli and the reorganisation of the AIF he was promoted to Captain and after recovering from dysentery was promoted to Captain in transferred to the newly formed 53rd Battalion in command of October 1915. After the Gallipoli campaign, he was D Company. The 53rd Battalion arrived in France on 27 June transferred as a company commander to the newly formed 1916. 58th Battalion and promoted to Major. At Fromelles, the 53rd Battalion was the right forward The 58th Battalion was the 15th Brigade’s support battalion assault battalion of the 14th Brigade. Arblaster assumed for the . In the evening of the 19 July, leadership of his battalion after the Commanding Officer, and Hutchinson, with two companies of the 58th Battalion, was then the senior company commander, were killed. The ordered to co-operate with a British brigade on the right in a Official Historian, Charles Bean wrote that throughout the fresh attack on the Sugarloaf at 9.00 pm. night of the battle, Arblaster “had shown himself a singularly The attack by the British brigade was called off, but the cool and brave leader”. In a counter-attack around 2.00am on information did not get forward until half an hour after 20 July, he “distributed along his trench a number of men with Hutchinson had gone forward in what Charles Bean recorded bombs, and, giving the signal, led them over the parados and as “one of the bravest and most hopeless assaults ever charged across the open. They were at once met by heavy fire undertaken by the Australian Imperial Force”. Hutchinson led - the gallant leader was mortally wounded”. his men to a position near the German wire, 200 yards beyond Initially reported as killed in action, Arblaster had been the previous attack. While his men took cover, Hutchinson taken prisoner by the Germans and treated at St Clothilde reconnoitred the wire to find an opening. Despite continuous Military Hospital for Prisoners near Douai, but died of intense enfilading machine gun fire from the Sugar Loaf septicaemia four days later. He was 21 years and five months defences fire he persisted until he was killed beneath the old. He is commemorated in the Douai Communal Cemetery German parapet. His batman, Private Lyons was wounded in France. Following Arblaster’s death, the Commanding trying to recover his body. One of his men who survived the Officer of the 8th Light Horse Regiment wrote that he was “A battle, Private Smythe, reported to the Red Cross: “We liked brilliant and sterling officer respected by brother Officers and him very much. He was young, but a very brave man. He Men to the highest degree”. cheered us up all the way over in the charge”. Extraordinarily, Arblaster is mentioned by name 15 times His Brigade and Divisional Commander both in Bean’s Official History. An article in Reveille magazine, in recommended him for an award of the Victoria Cross. The January 1936 suggests that Arblaster was an “ungazetted proposed citation concluded “His life and the lives of his men VC”, however there is no record of his nomination. The 53rd

3 Battalion’s history (The Whale Oil Guards, published 1919) Captain of ) to Hopkins’s mother says that records that Charles Arblaster “deserved the VC” for the Hopkins was killed by shellfire on the morning of 20 July exploits that led to his death. 1916 around 6:00am. Legge’s account can be considered authoritative as he had met with Hopkins only a few minutes Captain Clive Hopkins before his death. Later, one of his fellow officers from the 13th Clive Boyer Hopkins was born at Mordialloc and was living Battalion at Gallipoli would write, “Cool in action, brave to a at Warrnambool, Victoria when he entered the RMC in the fault, one cannot speak too highly of the work and soldierly second intake on 7 March 1912. His father was a qualities of Captain Hopkins”. stationmaster. He was allocated CSC number 52 and the Clive Hopkins was 20 years and five months old when he nickname ‘Babe’. He excelled at chemistry; in military died. He is buried in the Rue de Bois Cemetery at Fleurbaix subjects, it was reported that he “Produces uneven work. in France. Sometimes shows signs of distinct ability”. His five charges at RMC earned him a total of 13 days Confinement to Barracks—seven of them for ‘Reading a novel during study hours”. The Director of Drill reported that he “Requires to develop more confidence in himself, steady and industrious worker; has fits of dulness (sic), improved latterly”. The Director of Military Art described him as “Immature and somewhat lazy at times”. He still managed to graduate 21st in his class. Hopkins landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 with the 13th Battalion in command of 16 Platoon. A fellow officer later noted that “during the heavy fighting at Quinns Post, Popes Hill and Deadmans Ridge (on 25 April), Hopkins by his brilliant leadership, valour and self deniance (sic) earned the greatest respect and confidence of the whole Battalion”. Three months later he was temporarily promoted to captain to command D Company. His father believed that Clive was the youngest captain in the AIF at 19 years and 11 Clive Hopkins (on right) at Gallipoli June 1915. months old. Captain Gregor Robertson On the night 6/7 August 1915, his company led the brigade advance and was first in position as left flank guard Gregor Gordon Robertson entered the RMC on 9 March 1913 of the northern assault towards Sari Bair. During this in the third intake of cadets, was allocated CSC number 111. advance, he went forward ahead of the screen to make a He was specially graduated for war service on 28 June 1915. personal reconnaissance of the ground to be covered. From Bradshaw’s Creek in Victoria, his father had died He was seriously wounded on 10 August 1915 when a before his entry to RMC. While the prosaic commentary of bullet struck the revolver in his pocket smashing the weapon, the graduation reports of the third intake lacks the colour and fragments entering his arm and abdomen. For his work during eccentricity of the assessments of the two earlier graduating August, he was later Mentioned in Despatches. classes; his final report noted he excelled in physics, however Following his recovery and return to the 13th Battalion, his assessment as an excellent worker (in the study of he served briefly in the newly-raised 45th Battalion before German) is qualified by the annotation “no great ability in this being appointed as Staff Captain in the new 14th Brigade. He subject”. The Director of Drill reported him as ‘painstaking’; relinquished this position in early July 1916 when his Brigade the Director of Military Art summarised him as ‘keen’. He reached France where he was appointed to command the 14th graduated 15th in his class. Light Trench Mortar Battery, a new unit of eight three-inch Robertson embarked with the 31st Battalion (8th Brigade) ‘Stokes’ mortars to provide direct fire support to the Brigade. in November 1915 and is shown in an Australian War After five days of specialist training, Hopkins took command Memorial image with a group of officers aboard HMAT on 9 July 1916. Wandilla during the voyage. From Egypt, he wrote cheerfully At Fromelles, the Battery was to cover the advance of the to his mother to tell her that he was about to depart for France infantry assault during its progress across “no-man’s land”, and that he had met Captain Clive Hopkins (of the second commencing firing with the artillery at 11:00am. At 8:45pm intake to RMC), “he is looking well after four months on a request for the resupply of 2,000 mortar rounds was Gallipoli and has been hit three times”. One wonders what his received by 5th Division. widowed mother made of such news. At 12:40am 5th Division was informed that the Battery’s In February 1916, he was promoted to captain to mortars were in the old front line (the Start Line of the attack), command D Company of the 31st Battalion. Arriving in only 400 rounds were left and that two mortars would be sent France on 23 June 1916, the Battalion would be the right over to new forward positions subject to availability of more forward battalion of the 14th Brigade in the attack at ammunition, 1,900 rounds having been fired. At 7:50am on Fromelles. The Battalion orders for the attack required that 20 July the Battery was ordered to withdraw the two mortars the third and fourth waves each comprised two platoons from that had gone forward, firing all remaining ammunition each of B Company and D Company. In extraordinary before retiring. By 8:20am all survivors had withdrawn. circumstances, the battalion fought its way forward but was Charles Bean reports that Hopkins was killed by German forced to withdraw when a flanking battalion gave way. artillery about 20 minutes before the infantry assault at The 31st Battalion sustained 576 casualties at Fromelles, 5:45pm in 19 July. However, a letter from his RMC class among them was Gregor Robertson. Bean’s account notes mate, Reginald Legge, (second intake at the RMC and Staff that Robertson was wounded while crossing no-man’s land

4 and that he died the next day. The Red Cross witness reports Captain in February 1916 to command A Company of the 29th are inconsistent and contradictory. Battalion, arriving in France on 23 June 1916. Initially declared missing, a Board of Inquiry concluded On 19 July, the 29th Battalion was initially held as the 8th on 1 August 1917 that Robertson was killed in action on 20 Brigade’s reserve for the attack at Fromelles. About 11:40pm July 1917. His remains were discovered in 1924 along with on the day of the attack Mortimer’s company was ordered the remains of another 31st Battalion solder, Private Sexton. across no-man’s land to reinforce the attack. They also carried Robertson’s remains were located near Delangre Farm near extra ammunition as resupply for the battalions already in the what had been the German second line and the furthest point firing line. reached by the 32nd Battalion. His remains were subsequently His company went into position in the old German line interred in the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery at Passchendaele defending the 8th Brigade’s left flank. Immediately to their in Belgium; Sexton’s remains were interred in another front was the 32nd Battalion along a German communication cemetery near Ypres. These burials (about 40 km from where trench known as the Kastenweg. they had died) led the Australian Government to enquire why At around 3:15am on 20 July Mortimer went forward to they had not been buried with their mates in any of the warn the 32nd Battalion that the Germans were attacking number of war cemeteries close to Fromelles. The Imperial between their two positions. He then went off down War Graves Commission responded that most remains being Kastenweg (towards Delangre Farm) “to see how things recovered at that time were from the Ypres Salient, and for were”. Other than reports that he was seen wounded and reasons of reduced staffing and transport, all burials were crawling through the grass, he was never seen again. being made in a small number of cemeteries near Ypres from Mortimer’s disappearance was the trigger for the where the recovery operation was based. scandalous rebuff of the German offer of a truce to collect the Gregor Robertson was 21 years and 11 months old when wounded. Private W. Miles (a veteran of South Africa and he died. In statement to the Red Cross, Private Byers, a Gallipoli) volunteered on the morning of 20 July to search for wounded survivor of the 31st Battalion described Robertson: Captain Mortimer, then thought to be lying wounded between “He was a very good officer and very much liked by his men”. the lines. It was during this search that Miles was called to the A series of harrowing letters written by his widowed German lines by an officer who requested that Miles fetch an mother to the authorities seeking information about her son officer to arrange the armistice to allow both sides to recover are a window to the price paid by his family. their casualties. For a short interval, the guns fell silent; however the request was quickly denied by Major General Captain Kenneth Mortimer McCay and hostilities resumed. Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer entered the Royal Military A Board of Enquiry determined on 23 August 1917 that College, Duntroon on 10 March 1913 and was allocated CSC Mortimer had been killed in action on 20 July 1916 at number 114. He was specially graduated for war service on Fromelles. He has no known grave and is commemorated in 28 June 1915. The third of seven sons, he was born and raised the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial at at Leneva West near Wodonga in Victoria; his father was a Fromelles. He was 20 years and 9 months old when he died. grazier. He attended the Leneva West State School where he Eighteen days after Ken Mortimer was killed, his eldest earned a boarding scholarship to Wangaratta High School. brother David was severely wounded serving with the 14th After the war, his mother would write to C.E.W. Bean to say Battalion at Pozières. He returned home, paralysed, in 1917. that “it was the first and only scholarship ever gained at that school”. He did well at the RMC, excelling in military subjects and physics and graduating eighth in his class. The Director of Drill described him as “very thorough”. The Director of Military Art described him as “conscientious”. Three separate academic instructors described him as industrious. The Commandant, Major General J.W. Parnell wrote on his graduation report that Mortimer was “A very promising cadet—should make an excellent officer”. Mortimer was an enthusiastic photographer, an organiser in the College’s photography club, taking many photos of his fellow cadets. His family still holds all his letters he wrote home. On 2 August 1914, he wrote to his mother, “There has been great excitement here for the last week over the prospect of war and last night when news came that Germany, France and Russia were mobilising, you should have heard the cheers”. Immediately following graduation, he commanded a company of recruits at Flemington showgrounds during the formation of the 29th Battalion. His trainees later presented him a Colt automatic pistol as a token of appreciation. That pistol, later presented to the RMC is now held in the collection of the . He embarked with his unit for Egypt in November 1915 and on arrival was appointed the Signals Officer of the

Battalion. In Egypt, he was reunited with his eldest brother who was serving in the 14th Battalion. He was promoted to Kenneth Mortimer at graduation from RMC.

5 Other Duntroon Graduates at Fromelles Captain Ian Fullarton also served at Fromelles with the 30th Battalion, earning the Military Cross. “Though wounded Twelve other RMC graduates served at Fromelles. Their in two places at the commencement of the operation, he survival after the loss of six of their friends must have refused to go back and assisted the Commanding Officer in weighed heavily on them. the front trench under heavy fire for fifteen hours. He was From the first class to graduate, Captain Allan Boase was finally severely wounded by shrapnel”. On release from a staff officer at 5th Division Headquarters; Captain Eric hospital he returned to his battalion for two months before he Vowles, commanded a battery in the 15th Field Artillery returned to Australia and release from the AIF in April 1917. Brigade and Captain John Newmarch was with the 5th He remained in the Permanent Military Forces and served as Division’s Artillery Headquarters. All three would serve a brigade commander and brigadier general staff in New again in the Second World War, Boase in the Middle East and Guinea during the Second World War. New Guinea. He retired as a Lieutenant General in 1951. Captain Colin Taplin was the Adjutant of the 32nd From the second class to graduate, Captain Reginald Battalion at Fromelles and wounded on 19 July. His service Legge was a staff officer at Headquarters 15th Brigade. Legge record (incorrectly) records him as wounded on 31 July 1916 had been severely wounded at Gallipoli serving in the 13th (GSW arm and abdomen). Just 10 weeks later, he rejoined the Battalion with his classmate Clive Hopkins (who died at battalion as Officer Commanding D Company and a month Fromelles). Legge had earned the Military Cross at Gallipoli, later was in action at Flers on the Somme. He survived the the first graduate of the College to earn a decoration for war, being twice Mentioned in Despatches and appointed an gallantry, in 1917 he would earn the Distinguished Service Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his service as a Order. Legge remained in the after the war and in 1938 staff officer at Headquarters 4th Army in 1918. The only other returned to Canberra as the Commanding Officer of the Corps RMC graduate to earn an OBE in the First World War was of Staff Cadets at the RMC. He was appointed Director of his classmate James Chapman. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Military Art at the RMC in November 1939; he died in Taplin served in the Second World War until retirement in Sydney on 9 April 1940. September 1943. He died in October 1946. The greatest number of RMC graduates at Fromelles were Another classmate, Captain Clarence Halkyard served in from the 1913 entry, ten in total, all but one of them serving the 32nd Battalion at Fromelles. Two weeks after the battle he as infantry officers in units of the 8th Brigade. The 8th Brigade would fall ill and spend two months in hospital in England was inexperienced, having arrived in Egypt after the before returning to his battalion followed by two further withdrawal from Gallipoli. As described earlier, the 1913 periods of hospitalisation. In September 1917, while intake lost two classmates: Captain Ken Mortimer with the temporarily detached to the 31st Battalion as Adjutant, his 29th Battalion and Captain Gregor Robertson with the 31st Commanding Officer wrote that “…on the occasion of Battalion. General Haig’s inspection, Captain Halkyard was detailed to Captain Bill Bridgeford had served in the 29th Battalion report to Colonel Wagstaff on the arrangements for this with Ken Mortimer before assuming command of the 8th parade. Captain Halkyard returned to his unit under the Machine Gun Company in March 1916. At Fromelles, when influence of alcohol…” He was returned to the 32nd Battalion several of his junior officers became casualties, Bridgeford where Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Davies (the Commanding reorganized three sections under non-commissioned officers, Officer and a former instructor at Duntroon), reported that arranged for ammunition supplies and kept the guns in action. Halkyard was not fit to hold a commission. “He is a Duntroon For his efforts, he was awarded the Military Cross. In the graduate, and I regret that he has not kept up the high standard Second World War, he would serve in Greece, the Middle that the college has been noted for”. Halkyard was sent home East, New Guinea and Bougainville. As a Lieutenant General, and his appointment as an officer was terminated in April he would later command the British Commonwealth 1918. His service record outlines a pattern of erratic Occupation Force in Japan and the British Commonwealth behaviour after Fromelles. Clarence Halkyard was as surely Forces in Korea. He retired in 1953. Lieutenant General a casualty of Fromelles as the many who bore more visible Bridgeford’s uniform and his impressive medals were wounds. presented to the RMC in December 2009 and are shown in Also from the third intake to the RMC, Captain James Newsletter 1/2010. Crombie served with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade at Serving with Ken Mortimer in the 29th Battalion at Fromelles. He had left Australia on the Wandilla; sharing the Fromelles was his classmate, Captain Frederick Coldwell- journey with his classmate Gregor Robertson who died at Smith. Coldwell-Smith survived the battle but was wounded Fromelles. He survived the war and as a colonel, served again in action less than five weeks later. He remained with the in the Second World War. Permanent Military Forces and served briefly in the Second Another casualty of Fromelles connected to Duntroon was World War, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in November Private Edward Ausburn from Penrith NSW, who according 1940. to The Nepean Times, was a cook at the “officer's mess, Brothers and RMC classmates Captain John Chapman Canberra, and later at the Cotter River Camp”. Arriving in and Lieutenant James Chapman were both with the 30th Egypt in January 1916, along with half the men of the 2nd Battalion. James (Jim) Chapman was Ken Mortimer’s best Battalion, he was reallocated to the 54th Battalion. Killed at mate at RMC and would sustain a lifelong friendship with his Fromelles aged 22, his remains were interred in the Rue family. Jim Chapman was promoted to Captain on 21 July Pétillon Military Cemetery at Fleurbaix. 1916, the day after the battle. Both survived the war and An unknown number of other Duntroon trained men were served again in the Second World War. Jim served in the also at Fromelles. Between 1914 and July 1917, 1,739 men of Middle East and Italy, retiring as a Colonel in 1947. John the AIF were trained at the Officer Training School which served in the Middle East and Syria and was promoted Major was established at Duntroon shortly after the war began. One General in 1942, retiring in 1953. Among the Australian of them, Captain Blair Wark was wounded at Fromelles while losses at Fromelles were 27 pairs of brothers. That both commanding a company in the 30th Battalion. As a Second Chapman brothers came through unscathed is remarkable.

6 Lieutenant, Wark had attended a special two-month course at Duntroon which included some shared training with the 1915 Second Class. As a Major commanding the 32nd Battalion he would earn the Victoria Cross at Bellicourt 29 September to 1 October 1918. If there is a record of the impact of the news of Fromelles on the Corps of Staff Cadets, it is yet to be found. We can only imagine the sentiment was rather different than the excitement which greeted the outbreak of war less than two years earlier. Of the 74 cadets at RMC who heard the news of Fromelles with likely trepidation, only 18 would graduate before the war ended; and of the 10 who saw action in the last months of the war, all would survive and only two would be wounded. The Team: Class of 78 rafters Steve Pender, John Withers, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Steve Quinn, Doug Strain, Scott Johnston, Bernie Kronen Chris Appleton graduated from RMC in 1978 to the Royal and Mark Fairleigh with guides Elias and Eion. This photo Australian Regiment. After the Long Peace he served as was taken at Rock Island Bend on the Franklin River. A Commandant of RMC and the Australian Command and Staff Peter Dombrovskis photo from this location was the iconic College, and led multinational teams on Bougainville and in Iraq. image of the campaign to stop the damming of the river in Later he served as a senior executive in the Department of the 1980s. Infrastructure before serving for five years as Director of the Office The Franklin River rises in the central Tasmanian of Australian War Graves. He was elected President of the Duntroon Society in November 2015. highlands and flows through uninhabited cool temperate rainforest to its confluence with the Gordon River and exit to Richard Carfax-Foster graduated from RMC in 1971 and was the sea at Macquarie Harbour near Strahan on Tasmania’s allocated to the Royal of Signals. He served in the west coast. Perhaps uniquely the river has no settlements ARA until 1986 when he resigned to take up an engineering position along its course and no farming within its catchment. Much in Telecom (now Telstra). After drifting into ANZ Bank Group Communications via DSD he was ‘volunteered’ in 1990 into an IT of the river and its surrounds remain as they were when procurement role working for John (Joe) Viksne (1960). Since 1977 Aborigines roamed the area over 40,000 years ago. The river he has been a procurement and probity consultant working for a was ‘discovered’ in the 1820s by convicts escaping from small Melbourne based company. His interest in the Western Front Sarah Island and later named after Sir John Franklin, the was sparked by a visit to his wife’s great-uncle’s grave near Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land. Franklin Fromelles. He has made three further visits to the Western Front trekked the region in the late 1830s and early 1840s, but the helping his son researching graves of old boys of Camberwell river remained largely unknown until it became the focus of Grammar School. At the same time he also photographed graves of a bitter campaign in the 1980s objecting to a planned New Zealand military personnel (both AIF and NZEF) for the New damming. Eventually the protesters won and the river was left Zealand Dolores Cross project. His contribution to the centenary of RMC was to lobby successful through the Duntroon Society for a to remain an isolated wilderness. memorial plaque to be presented to the Franco-Australian Museum Rafting of the river is believed to have first been at the Victoria School in Villers-Bretonneux. attempted in the 1970s. These first trips took several weeks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and stories of tragedies and loss of life exist. Experience and 1 improved equipment have now made the trip quicker and A Large and Furious Torrent —or safer, but there remains an underlying element of danger. Our a Reunion with a Difference trip took ten days, with seven of these actually on the water. Just like the Army, Day One started early with a long four- Mark Fairleigh (1978) hour bus ride from Hobart to the rafting launch point on the Collingwood River. After inflating and loading our two rafts Combine a milestone birthday, an iconic wilderness river, a we were off for quick lessons in rafting skills and a short spirit of adventure and ten days with seven Duntroon paddle to join the Franklin. The rafts were specialised for classmates and what do you get? A hard to beat class reunion! whitewater, each having room for four paddlers, a guide and John Withers (1978) was the catalyst for the reunion. He the equipment needed for 10 days on the river. The following wanted to celebrate his upcoming birthday (sorry John, but days quickly settled into a routine of breaking camp by mid- readers can note when he graduated and do the maths to work morning, paddling for a few hours until a lunch stop, then out which birthday) by rafting the Franklin River, an back on the water for a few more hours before a mid- adventure that he had longed to do for some time. So John put afternoon finish to give us time to establish camp before out the call and classmates Scott Johnston, Berndt (Bernie) nightfall. As the river is in a deep gorge sunset came early and Kronen, Steve Pender, Steve Quinn, Doug Strain and I darkness was complete leading to long and well-earned sleep- answered (coincidentally infantry graduates all). An eighth filled nights, thankfully without picquets or stand-to. classmate and non-infantry aviator, Rod Newnham, planned We found the paddling relatively easy as the Franklin, to join us but unfortunately had to pull out at the last moment. which can often rise and fall markedly overnight due to Rod did however make it to the start and finish to give us rainfall variations in the highlands, had a good water flow moral and physical support. during our trip. Sections of fast flowing water were ~~~~~~~~~~~ punctuated with intense rapids, narrow passages and Note: 1) This description was used by J.E. Calder in 1840. His full occasional tranquil stretches. Early rafters creatively named quote is ‘A large and furious torrent flows through it which, collecting all the water that falls on the wide extent of mountainous the rapids—Nasty Notch, Pig Trough, Ol’ Three Tiers, country, emerges from the glen a large and beautiful river. I called Thunderush, Faucet, Log Jam and The Cauldron are some of it the Franklin.’ the names that indicate river intensity. One surprise for me,

7 with a canoeing background, was that we often deliberately provide the odd drop of passable red wine and one night, on bounced the inflatable rafts off boulders as we negotiated the day we completed the traverse of the Great Ravine and rapids, something you would avoid doing in a rigid kayak! were camping where Interlude Creek joined the Franklin, we The paddling did get hard and constant once we joined the enjoyed some G&Ts, with lemon, but alas, no ice. lower Gordon River as it slowly flowed towards Macquarie I contend that as a reunion for a group of classmates, Harbour. The last half day to the finish at Sir John Falls was rafting the Franklin would be hard to beat and certainly a hard slog. Fortunately we had a pre-planned RV at the falls different to the ‘usual’ reunions of dinners and drinks. with Stormbreaker, a magnificent 60-foot sailing ketch which Physically it was arduous, but not outside of the abilities of transported us the last 55 km to Strahan. Skipper Trevor liked most—on the river we met another group of rafters that a yarn and it was hard to judge who was more pleased with included a wiry, spry fellow in his 70s and a family of Mum, the chance to chat with someone new, Trevor or some of our Dad and teenage sons. Imaging how well bonded that family band of adventurers. Others were just happy to sit back in a will be after that experience! So, with classmates, friends, chair and catch up on the world by reading day-old family or even on your own joining others in a makeshift newspapers. group, I suggest ‘Just Do It!’—you won’t regret it. En route we had two non-paddling days. On one we tried to bag Frenchman’s Cap, a 1440 m peak that provides views across the wilderness to the coast, but the weather that day of strong driving winds laden with sleet forced us back short of the summit. Maybe next time. The other day we stayed in camp at Rafters Reach while the weather cleared and the Franklin rose to give us better rafting conditions. I kindly serenaded the group that day on my bagpipe chanter, suffice to say, I learnt that not everyone loves the pipes! Several enduring memories remain of the trip. The first is how the trip rekindled well-formed, forthright and robust relationships first developed at Duntroon. Good natured jibing and stories abounded from Day One! I think this aspect amazed our guides; normally their rafting groups first meet the night before setting out on a rafting expedition and spend the first few days getting to know each other. Our group was Guide Eion and classmates Bernie Kronen, Steve Pender also used to ‘putting in’—quite often we would be warned of and Scott Johnston negotiate a minor rapid. a long day of paddling only to arrive at the camp ground mid- afternoon. Other irrepressible memories are the unique rafting terms we learnt, ‘tea-bagging’, ‘portage’ and ‘groover’ were but three of these. ‘Tea-bagging’ is the art of ineffectually dipping one’s paddle into the water to give the appearance of paddling while providing less impetus than is delivered by jiggling a tea bag in a cup. This technique was ably demonstrated by one of the group—no names, no pack- drills—who even managed to ‘tea-bag’ several times while catching some ‘Maori PT’ shut-eye. ‘Portage’ was not our favourite activity as it involved hauling the rafts and equipment cross country, often up and down steep cliffs, around dangerous rapids. Finally, none of us will forget the ‘groover’! As the Franklin is a wilderness area we had to carry everything in and out, and I mean everything. The Sometimes it was wet! ‘groover’ was an old ammunition tin with a very specific purpose. At least you normally had wonderful views overlooking the river during your morning constitutional visit to the ‘groover’. Our rafting trip was organised by a commercial firm, Franklin River Rafting—Google them for lots more information on the river, their trips and some spectacular photographs. Great background to the Franklin can be found in The Ever Varying Flood by Peter Griffiths and Bruce Baxter (ISBN 0958664714), who we actually met on the water as we were setting out when they arrived after an upper river canoe trip. Franklin River Rafting provided most of the planning, permissions, permits, equipment and two wonderful guides, Elias and Eion, to herd this group of former Cordies, who were old enough to know better, through this wilderness experience. Not only that they fed us well; no hot boxes or rat packs for us! Dinners of steak and veges, pizza And sometimes tranquil. or burritos were the norm and brewed coffee with bacon and eggs was the daily breakfast. The guides even managed to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8 tour of the College by John Bullen (1958) and Ian Smith Gatherings (1957). Then followed a Luncheon at the Commonwealth Club, which everybody considered the highlight of the planned activities. During the Luncheon, Cliff Dodds recited “Vitai Lampada” [incorrectly attributed by Fango Watson to Rudyard Kipling], Don Atkinson sang the Class Song to the tune of “McNamara’s Band”, whilst Ken Gordon gave an excellent speech in proposing the toast to “The Class of ‘56”. On Tuesday, members attended the Graduation Parade. There were 139 graduates on parade! After the Parade, the Class was privileged to attend morning tea in the private dining room at Duntroon House. It was a memorable three days of activities for the Class of ‘56.

What a small world it is when four RMC mates meet another RMC graduate on the same minibus tour of Lord Howe Island and then find the tour guide is the brother of an RMC graduate (Jim Phillipps (1990). From left: ‘Wallaby Bob’ Brown (1974); Ian Willoughby (1961); Steve Meekin, Alan Osborne and Chris Appleton (all 1978), Lord Howe Island March 2017.

The “Three Amigos”: Cliff Dodds, Ken Gordon and Don Atkinson.

Four members of the Class of 1948 having lunch in the Goodwin Village Cafe, Ainslie, ACT on 7 March 2017. From the left: Colonel Peter (F.P.) Scott (visiting from Adelaide), Colonel Ross (R.R.) Harding, Colonel Ken (K.J.) Hill and General Sir Phillip (P.H.) Bennett. Maxine Sheldrick, Maureen Smethurst, Neville Bergin and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nan Bergin. The RMC Class of 1956 — 60thAnniversary Garth (J.G.) Hughes In early December 2016, the RMC Class of ‘56 celebrated 60 years since Graduation from Duntroon. Planning for the three days of activities began in September 2015, when ACT members of the Class met as an organizing committee under the chairmanship of Garth Hughes. Committee members were Kevin Cole, Peter Day, John Moyle, Ross Ramsay, Peter Roberts and John Sheldrick. Four main activities were successfully conducted during this period. Sunday 11th to Tuesday 13th December 2016. On Sunday, a Welcome Cocktail Party was held at Duntroon House, with 52 members, including wives and friends in August Cole, Jim Wright, Kevin Cole and Margaret attendance. On Monday, 18 members were given an excellent Carleton.

9

Peter Roberts, Lois Harverson, Cliff Dodds and Patsy Patsy Dodds, Barbara Ramsay, Keith Morel and Jan Morel. Dodds.

Geoff Leonard, Margaret Hughes, Elvie Roberts and Vin Musgrave. Margaret and Garth Hughes.

The 139 Graduates.

Ross Ramsay, Barbara Ramsay, Neville Smethurst and Maureen Smethurst.

Patsy Dodds, John Sheldrick, Garth Hughes and Jock Jenvey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brigadier Garth Hughes AM has always been an extremely enthusiastic and active supporter of the tight-knit 1953–56 Barry Phillips, Marguerite Jenvey, Jock Jenvey, Jim Wright, RMC graduating class and also of the Duntroon Society. Maxine Sheldrick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 From the President, Duntroon Society Chris Appleton The Annual General Meeting of the Society held at Duntroon on 17 November 2016 was significant for two reasons: the unanimous adoption of an updated Charter and the signing of a philanthropic partnership with the Podmore Foundation. The updated Charter now reflects the 2014 Incorporation of the Society in the Australian Capital Territory; the membership provisions now address all the changes which have occurred in the nature and extent of pre-commissioning training at Duntroon which have occurred since 1994, and the objects of the Society now include “Honour and promote the legacy of graduates of RMC, OCS Portsea, WRAAC OCS and OTU Scheyville”. Concurrently, the Rules of the Society have been updated. The updated charter and rules are at www.dunsoc.com. In a first for the Society, the Society has entered a Brigadier Chris Appleton presents the Duntroon Society philanthropic partnership with the Podmore Foundation Prize to LCPL Jack Jones (Dec 2016). Photo: Phill www.podmorefoundation.org.au. The Podmore Foundation Vavasour, Defence Publishing—Audio Visual. was founded in 2007 by graduates of RMC and is actively I also joined the Commandant, Brigadier Mark Brewer as supported by a number of graduates and Class and reunion he presented his Instructor of the Year Award to Warrant groups. The Podmore Foundation has regularly reported its Officer Class Two Alexander King. I was afforded the progress in the Society’s Newsletter. opportunity to address the combined staff and cadets of the The Memorandum of Agreement, agreed at the Annual College at the presentation, and to present to WO2 King the General Meeting of the Society on 17 November 2016, details Society’s prize cheque of $1,000. The Society’s cheque the commitment of the Society and the Foundation to represents our appreciation of the role the best instructors cooperation and collaboration, and guarantees that the play in developing cadets into officers. Society and the Foundation retain authority over, access to and control over their own funds and membership information. The partnership will be based on shared purpose, transparency and agreement. The Council of the Society sees the partnership has potential to increase the number of personal donations by members of the Society to the Podmore Foundation, allowing it to sustain and extend its work. It also has potential to attract interest and promote membership in the Society. I encourage you to consider supporting the work of the Podmore Foundation. The AGM determined the following appointments; they provide for representation of all of the sources of membership of the Society. President: Chris Appleton Vice President: Paul Stevens Treasurer: Mike Ryan Secretary: Tony Maple (vice Mike Taarnby) Member: Wal Hall Member: John Bullen Member: Moreen Dee Member: Chris Hunter (vice Tan Roberts)

I was pleased to be able to present the Duntroon Society WO2 Alexander King recipient of the Royal Military Award to LCPL Jack Jones at the College’s Prizes and College of Australia Commandant's Award for Instructional Awards Ceremony on 12 December 2016, the day prior to his Excellence 2016. graduation from the RMC. The Society’s award is “Awarded to the graduate who has demonstrated extraordinary The next meeting of the Society’s Council will be at commitment and dedication to training”. Aged 19 at Duntroon on 2 May 2017; among other matters it will graduation, Jack entered RMC straight from school. He grew determine the whether the Society will continue to hold up on Newcastle, both his parents having served in the RAAF. Biennial Reunions. If one is to be held, it would be in 2018. He has been allocated to the Royal Australian Corps of If you have views on the merits, location and responsibilities Transport and has been posted to 35 Water Transport for a reunion in 2018, please let your State Conveners know, Squadron in Townsville. Well done Jack! or you can contact me at [email protected].

11 In other news, on 1 December 2016, Crown Prince Maha a suitable restaurant or similar facility for a luncheon and find Vajiralongkorn (1975) accepted the Government of fellowship. Thailand’s invitation to ascend to the throne as King of Once again we look forward to three fine additions of The Thailand, following the death of his father. The former Staff Scheyvillian—the Association’s magazine. As well as Cadet Maha Vajiralongkorn has maintained strong links with reporting on matters pertaining to OTU and its people it has a number of his RMC class mates. Cadets of the Royal Thai also become a vehicle for reporting on recent military history Army continue to train at RMC today. books and publications. It is always a good “read”. In closing, it has been pleasing to see the number of new Frank Miller members joining the Society in recent months. Please reach Chairman, OTU Association. out to mates past and present to invite them to join us in the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Society. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From The Podmore Foundation From the OTU Association www.podmorefoundation.org All members of the Duntroon Society are Frank Miller (OTU 4/67) grateful to past generations for the inheritance of our great nation after their Apart from several Christmas sacrifice and hard work. But they have functions, the period from October bequeathed unfinished business that the through to February is usually quieter Podmore Board felt needed to be attended for the Association. Nonetheless, we to before handing Australia on to coming have enjoyed yet another successful generations. year. It is pleasing to report that, in a How Can You Help? similar fashion to 2016, membership is remaining steady (if not lifting marginally). This would You can help us educate and encourage the next generation seem unusual in this day and age for an organisation such as of Indigenous Australian leaders through donations, ours. It can be put down to two main factors. Firstly, the rising mentoring, and fund raising in good fellowship, either as number of our people who have reached retirement age and individuals or as a Class group. Why not think about your have more time available to participate in our activities. Class group donating to Podmore and establishing a Secondly, the increasing number of class reunions being held scholarship for your Class? Please see the link to our website has meant more and more people are being made aware of the for more information on how to donate: Association and all it does in celebration of ‘The Scheyville http://podmorefoundation.org/how-you-can-help/ Experience”. For more details on the Podmore Foundation and on any When first established it was planned that management of events, please visit: http://www.podmorefoundation.org.au or the national body would circulate through the state chapters contact the Secretary David Retter at: on two-yearly tenures. Victoria was handed this [email protected], responsibility in 2009 and having been so successful in or the A/President, Mike Goodyer (1976), at: resurrecting the Association it was agreed by the other [email protected], chapters that the national committee will remain with or Katherine Meagher, Director, Communications and Public Victoria for the foreseeable future. Relations: [email protected]. One of our principal goals is the development of youth in ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Australia. Since the mid-1980s we have sponsored young men and, more recently, young ladies to attend the annual From the Branches Lord and Lady Somers camps at Somers on Victoria’s Australian Capital Territory Westernport Bay. This year a total of 18 young people experienced the week-long boys’ and girls’ camps being Branch Office Holders either fully or partially financed by the OTU Association. Convenor: Chris (C.G.) Appleton (1978) Other activities designed to give young people a new and Secretary: John (J.E.) Bullen (1958) different experience of life were also undertaken by several Treasurer: Mike (M.J.) Ryan (1980) other chapters. Members: Moreen (M.P.) Dee (WRAAC OCS 1966); The Association’s national finances remain robust. George (G.T.) Salmon (1959); Mike (M.J.) Ford (1957); Progress against a longer term financial projection is, so far, Stuart (S.B.) Althaus (RMC & OCS 1982) on track. The strength of the different state/territory chapters varies Annual Dinner, 17 November 2016 with Victoria being the most active. As has been mentioned After many years as a midday event in Duntroon House, in previously, the growing number of class reunions has added 2016 we reverted an earlier practice when we used to hold strength across the country. Events including luncheons, annual dinners in the evening. This change was specifically sporting days, formal dinners, weekends away and other to make it easier for those who work full time to attend. activities continue to be well supported. On behalf of the Would this work? Well, the enthusiastic audience would association, the ACT Chapter presents an award at each RMC suggest that it did work: 63 attended, this being a distinct Graduation. improvement on the 40 who attended the 2015 event. So, we This ANZAC Day Scheyvillians will be marching under will now stick to this formula for future annual dinners. It was the OTU banner in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide pleasing to see a good number of new members and friends and Perth. After these marches participants usually adjourn to attending their first function with the Society.

12 Our speaker was the Australian Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers (1983). Tom was appointed to the role when the Commission was dealing with the fallout of 2013 Federal election where the loss of ballot papers in led to a Senate re-election for only the second time in Australian history. Speaking only four months after the next federal election had been held, Tom gave his audience a highly informative and wonderfully entertaining speech on the Australian Federal electoral system—a delightful mixture of facts, history and experiences as well as a sober analysis of the prospects for our electoral system. We also learned that to Stephen Harding (son of Ross Harding 1948), Liz Pugh avoid disappointment, it’s important to hang onto car keys (daughter of Roy Pugh 1948), Ross Harding (1948). and wedding rings when depositing the ballot paper in the ballot box; the box cannot be opened until the polling station has closed and counting begins! Our thanks as always go to the Commandant of the College, Brigadier Mark Brewer, who attended the dinner. It was a lovely dinner in familiar surroundings which we are privileged to enjoy. Since then, Tom Rogers has lost his Deputy Electoral Commissioner—Kath Toohey (1990). She is now Major General Kathryn Toohey CSC, the ’s Head of Land Capability. It is a matter of some pride that the holder of one of the most important public offices in our land, responsible for Ann Gration, Tony Hall (1952), (1952). delivering the elections that determine our nation’s leaders, is also a member of our Society.

Dinah Morrison, Robert Morrison, Wal Hall (OTU 2/1968). Bill Sowry (1984), Meredythe Crane, Mike Crane (1981).

Mark Brewer (1987), Chris Appleton (1978), Margaret Bob Breen (1973), Dan Fortune (Jun 1990), Andrew Treble Appleton. (Dec 1990).

(In foreground) Bernie Sullivan (OCS Dec 1956), Jenny Charles Bishop (Dec 1990) and, Andrew Newman (Jun Sullivan, Betty Latham, Kaye Latham (OCS Dec 1953). (In 1991). background) Ann Gration, Peter Gration (1952), Margareth Stumpel, Bernadette Boss, Peter Daniel (1986), Sarah Lowe.

13 Branch Office Holders Convenor: Bob (R.L.) Guest (OCS Dec 1959) Secretary: Peter (P.M.) Reid (1964), [email protected] (02) 9460 0741, 0417 274 090 Treasurer: Ian (I.R.) Taylor (1965), [email protected], (02) 9953 9441, 0407 539 441. Annual Graduation Week Lunch The annual Graduation Week Lunch will be held on Friday, 15 December 2017. Please put it in your diaries now. The lunch this year will be held at the Imperial Service Club at the Royal Automobile Club building at Circular Quay. Members and their spouses, partners and freinds will be able to catch up with old friends and enjoy the high standard of catering offered by the Club at a very reasonable price. Further details Don Lowe (1984), Peter Daniel (1986), Sarah Lowe. on booking for this event will be promulgated.

Monthly Lunches Many Duntroon Society members meet at the Imperial Service Club, now incorporated in the Royal Automobile Club at Circular Quay. They meet on the second Friday of each month at 1200 for 1230 and have an excellent two course lunch and wines for $60 per head. These lunches are conducted under the auspices of the Regular Army Officers' Luncheon Club 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. Tom Rogers (1983). The following photos were taken during the recent lunch at the Royal Automobile Club on 10 March 2017. Annual Autumn Lunch, Thursday 25 May 2017 Our Autumn Lunches at Duntroon House have been held as long as the Society has existed – now going on for 40 years. In all this time we have had only one guest speaker at an Autumn Lunch and that was back in the 1980s when General Sir Francis Hassett (1938) treated us to some delightful reminiscences of RMC cadet life in Sydney (1935–36) and at Duntroon (1937–38). This year we are belatedly repeating that successful experiment and our lunchtime speaker will be the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, well known as an enthusiastic and engaging speaker. All ACT Branch social functions are open to members and friends. Lunch 10 March 2017. Peter Reid (1964), Don Grant and John Haynes.

The newly built Ack Block in 1937 – its first year of use. Lunch 10 March 2017. Michael Morrison (1959), Ian Staff Cadet (1938) is riding the bicycle. Taylor (1965), and Don Gillies (1959). 14 South Australia & Northern Territory Branch Office Holders Chairman / Convenor: Doug (D.D.) Strain (1978) Deputy Chairman / Convenor: Peter (P.J.) Neuhaus (1975) Immediate Past Convenor: Neville Bergin (1956) Members: Jack Gregg (1976), David Litchfield (1978), Chris Burns (OCS Dec 1979), Chris Mulraney (1979), Chris Roe (1987), Tim Hannah (1980), Steve Larkins (OCS 1976), Leanne Glenny (WRAAC OCS 1983), Mark Dickson (1977), Ben Hall (2010) The SA Branch has now started planning for this year’s Duntroon Society Graduation Luncheon which is again to be held on the first Tuesday of December (5 December 2017), at the Naval, Military & Air Force Club of South Australia. We Lunch 10 March 2017. Standing: Ian Taylor, Don Gillies. are hoping to again attract a leading speaker to talk on what Seated: Peter Reid and Don Grant. was one of the deadliest battles for the South Australians of the 50th Infantry Battalion AIF, the Battle of Noreuil. This New Zealand year we are also hoping to continue to grow our numbers so Branch Office Holders everyone is asked to note this date in their dairies. The committee is also looking to help grow the numbers Patron: Major General R.G. Williams, CB, MBE (1952). in the Society and further expand on the offerings we have. Convenor: Colonel Clive (C.P.) Sinclair (OCS June 1969). The second Tuesday breakfast group, which has been Secretary/Treasurer: Major Peter (P.J.) Skogstad (1964). operating for over 10 years and welcomes all current and Golf former officers, meets every month at 7.30 am at Bocelli Café, cnr Hutt and Wakefield Sts, City. Those interested in The annual golf tournament was combined with the Auckland attending are asked to contact Peter Neuhaus on Postal Golf tournament and played on Thursday 26 [email protected]. November 2016 at the Helensville Golf Club. The organiser The SA Branch also regularly makes posts to its Facebook was Colonel Clive Sinclair. page. For the latest updates on events and activities, please 18 members and partners competed for the three Duntroon visit us at https://www.facebook.com/DuntroonSocietySA. Society golf competitions. The winners were: Finally, if you would like to get in touch with us or get Porter Cup for mixed pairs: Brian Chippindale & Judy along to any events, please contact me on 0407 200 664 or at Aldridge [email protected]. Acacia Bay trophy for ladies: Gill Harman Acacia Bay trophy for men: Brian Chippindale Annual Graduation Luncheon 2016 Participants enjoyed a light meal and prize giving at the Almost 40 members and guests attended the Adelaide Helensville Golf Club. graduation lunch on 6 December 2016 at the Naval, Military Wellington Sub-branch and Air Force Club of South Australia. Welcome drinks were sponsored by RSL Care SA. On Sunday 25 February, 31 Wellington members, their Throughout the lunch, speakers engaged the audience wives, partners and friends gathered at the Royal Wellington with stories over three periods of war. Peter Scott (1948), Golf Club for the Summer Lunch hosted by Colonel David DSO started the formalities with his insights into the Return Grant. to Korea Commemoration event. After visiting Korea for the Membership first time in 65 years, just one month before the lunch, Peter shared his reflections, reminding all of the significance of Membership of the New Zealand Branch is 145 including 22 Australia’s involvement in the and the value of spouses of deceased members. remembrance. Queensland Lachlan Clyne (RMC ARES 2012), took the gathering further back in time—100 years ago to the Battle of Pozieres, Branch Office Holders drawing connections with the 27th Battalion AIF, “Unley’s Convenor: Graeme (G.J.) Loughton (1956). Own”, and the City of Unley. And the final speaker brought the discussion back into the contemporary era, with Levon Branch Social Functions Lambert (Dec 2005) reporting on the preparation of 7 RAR, A small group of us continues to meet monthly for lunch at the local Battalion, for its then deployments to the Middle United Service Club on the second Wednesday, the classes of East and beyond. 1955, 1956 and 1957 being best represented and there are A most enjoyable luncheon was had by all with a spread others. All members with email addresses receive a monthly of graduates covering over 60 years (see following reminder and the others a calendar update by snail mail about photographs). twice a year. Twice a year we upgrade the monthly lunch to Preparations are already underway for the 2017 a very enjoyable ‘lunch with partners’ event with the next one Graduation Lunch to be held on Tuesday, 5 December 2017 expected to be in May. A notice will go out 2–3 weeks ahead. and again at the Naval, Military & Air Force Club of South If you think you have missed out, contact Convenor, Graeme Australia. We are looking forward to having another Loughton, on 3378 7376 or [email protected]. enjoyable speaker and to continuing to grow the number of attendees. 15

Ben Hall (Dec 2010), Geoff Fry (1955), David Palmer (1954), Rob Vowels and Malcolm Hughes. The luncheon “book-ends” Peter Scott (1948) and James Byers (Dec 2011) – 63 years of separation! Second Tuesday Group Adelaide ex- and serving officers have been meeting informally on a monthly basis for over 17 years through a group informally titled the ‘Second Tuesday’ group. This group was initiated by David Litchfield (1978) and Peter Neuhaus (1975) as a conduit for local graduates to network. The group has been well supported for many years by a core group of now local business identities, supplemented by serving officers on postings to Adelaide. Many useful business contacts have resulted, and some serving officers have been able to identify a pathway to life on leaving the Army. The group meets from 0730 to 0900 hrs on the second Bronson Horan, Levon Lambert (Dec 2005), Doug Strain Tuesday of every month, at Cafe Bocelli on Hutt Street in (1978) and Nathan Klinge (1995). East Adelaide. Any visitors to Adelaide are most welcome. Should you wish to know more please contact Peter Neuhaus at: [email protected]. Connect with the SA Branch on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DuntroonSocietySA/ and keep up to date with the latest information about events. Victoria & Tasmania Branch Office Holders Victoria continues to operate by committee with occasional meetings and primary contact by email. Coordinator: Bob (R.A.) Slater (1963) Treasurer: Alan (A.M.) McDonald (1951) Tim Hanna (1980), David Litchfield (1978), Jake Kearsley Members: Konrad (C.) Ermert (1962) (Membership). (1997), Phil de Courcey (OCS Dec 1977) and Mick Burgess Craig (C.A.) Wood (1963) remains proxy for Canberra-based (1988). meetings. Membership Despite electronic connections seemingly working well there is little interest being shown towards activities other than the annual luncheon. We remain open to ideas from Duntroon Society members in the Southern region and will be happy to assist with any local connections that Duntroon/ADFA may wish from time to time. Annual Luncheon, Thursday 13 October 2016 Once again the 's Graduate House extended their warm hospitality, ever conscious of their military connections with first and recent Presidents being (then) Lieutenant Colonel and Major General Jim O’Hanlon, Cressida O’Hanlon, Phil Burns (1954) Chris Professor Geoffrey Rosenfeld respectively. Another Burns (OCS Dec 1979), and Rob Manton (OCS Dec 1981). distinguished former Army officer, Brigadier Sir William Wallace Stewart Kt CBE DSO MC KStJ, Australian Army 16 medical officer in WWI and WWII, also served as President excellent venue for our purpose, and we are being made to of Graduate House. feel very much at home. Guest speaker, Brigadier (Retd) Nick Jans (1964), There will be a guest speaker, yet to be finalised, on a presented us with most interesting and engaging reflections subject topical to Duntroon Society members and guests. on how military training and experience can be applied to [RSVP NLT 13 October to Alan McDonald, 13 Moorhead vastly different fields of endeavour. Ave. Mornington, 3931, (03) 5975 4113, with cheques made Attendees in addition to Nick Jans were Alan McDonald payable to ‘Duntroon Society Victoria Branch’ or Direct (1951) with Waltraud, Lois Murchie, Tom Glazebrook Debit to Account Name: Duntroon Society Vic/Tas Branch; (ACMF(SR) Major, 22nd Construction Regiment), Steven BSB: 633-000; Account No.: 125492215 (please ensure you Lee (1986), Geoff Christopherson (RMC 1958) and Leonie, include your name(s))]. Stuart Ellis, Bill Beiers (1942), Duncan Beiers, Euan Danish Club McCrum (OCS Dec 1969), Bob Slater (1963) and Ruth, Martin Hobbs (1984), and Peter Howe (1971). This year we are holding an informal luncheon at the Danish Club, 428 Little Bourke Street (near Queen Street corner) on Wednesday 17 May, 12 noon for 12.30. The Danish Club is totally contemporary Danish décor with a world-class Danish chef. The Club President (and Danish Honorary Consul General), Jan Ravnholt, will be our guest. Jan will introduce us to the club and Danish cuisine, and will tell us a bit about Danish ties with Australia. Cost will be individual orders, with open face sandwiches (multiple choices on traditional Danish Rotenbrot) typically $9 each or a sampling plate of five (sufficient for two to share) $35. Drinks extra; Akvavit a must! RSVP essential so we can make a block booking. Bob Martin Hobbs, Geoff Christopherson, Lois Murchie, Bob Slater at [email protected] or 0418 317 057. and Ruth Slater, Duncan Beiers, Bill Beiers, Steven Lee. Western Australia Branch Office Holders Convenor: W.R.M. (Bob) Hunter (1985) Social Convenor: K.F. (Kevin) Poynton (1974) Note these positions are both endorsed by members but held informally as no specific constitution is in place. Social Functions In the face of the current perceived trend of WA “bashing” in relation to both the GST and the Western Force, the WA Branch has continued to network and sustain a vibrant number of informal events and activities since the last report. Alan McDonald, Peter Howe, Leonie and Geoff These continue to be organised at a local watering hole Christopherson. (Albion Hotel) and are generally well attended with between 30 to 40 members participating in the convivial and enjoyable catch up opportunity. Ongoing activities will be scheduled for May, August and November. Any visitors to WA or others wishing to be informed please contact the WA Convenor, Bob Hunter on [email protected] or +61 413 045 355. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leonie and Geoff Christopherson, Lois Murchie, Bob and Ruth Slater, Bill Beiers (obscured), Duncan Beiers, Steven Lee, Martin Hobbs, Tom Glazebrook, Euan McCrum, Nick Jans, Waltraud and Alan McDonald, Stuart Ellis, Peter Howe. Annual Luncheon, 2017 Once again the annual Luncheon will be held at University of Melbourne’s Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street Carlton, on Thursday 19 October, 12:00 for 12.30 pm until 2:00pm, cost $65 per head. Guests are most welcome. This is an 17 Coming Events Retired Officers Luncheon Club—Canberra This Club meets on the first Thursday of every month for ACT Branch lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club at 12 noon. Retired 25 May 2017. Annual Autumn Lunch, Duntroon House, officers meet in a very pleasant venue for a convivial monthly midday for 12.30 pm. gathering which originated in 1985. There is a selected menu which ensures that the cost will be approximately $30 NSW Branch including pre-lunch drinks and wine. Bookings are essential. 12 May 2017. RAOLC Lunch. If you are interested please contact Don McDonough (1961) 9 June 2017. Combined RAOLC Lunch and Duntroon on (02) 6259 6583. Society (NSW Branch) Mid-year Lunch with partners. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 14 July 2017. RAOLC Lunch. Obituary 11 August 2017. RAOLC Lunch. 8 September 2017. RAOLC Lunch. Since the publication of the last Newsletter we have learned 13 October 2017. RAOLC Lunch. of the deaths of the following: 7 November 2017. Combined RAOLC Lunch and Duntroon 9 Sep 09 Lieutenant Colonel P.G. Carruthers (1947) Society (NSW Branch) with partners (dress for the races, 12 Oct 14 Wing Commander J.I. Brough (1947) sweeps available). 5 Aug 16 Colonel J.H. Humphrey (1951) 10 November 2017. RAOLC Lunch. 22 Aug 16 Lieutenant General D.S. McIver (1957) 14 Oct 16 Major M.C.B Tick (OCS Dec 60)1 15 December 2016. Graduation Lunch, Imperial Service Club 23 Oct 16 Major P.L. Perman (OCS Jun 1952) at the Royal Automobile Club building at Circular Quay. 1 Nov 16 Lieutenant Colonel H.T. Conant (1965) New Zealand Branch 17 Nov 16 Lieutenant Colonel T.C. Bannister (1955) 27 Dec 16 Colonel G.H. Hardcastle (Jun 1941) July 2017. Wellington Sub-branch winter lunch will be held 13 Jan 17 Warrant Officer Class I T.L. Muggleton2 at the Royal Wellington Golf Club hosted by Colonel 19 Feb 17 Lieutenant Colonel W.F. Hindson (OCS Dec 1964) David Grant. A concerted effort will be made to 6 Mar 17 Brigadier Neil Weekes (OTU 1/1967)3 encourage more attendees both retired and serving. 21 Mar 17 Major R.C. Tanner (OCS Jun 1958) 18 August 2017. Auckland Sub-branch annual lunch will be 22 Mar 17 Mr L.R. Sparrow (1948) held at the Northern Club. Organiser: Clive Sinclair. 2 Apr 17 Lieutenant Colonel D. White (1946) 17 November 2017. The annual golf tournament combined 8Apr 17 Lieutenant Colonel H.R. Pronk (OCS Dec 1970) with the Auckland Postal Golf Tournament will be 15 Apr 17 Major R A.J. Holmes (OCS Dec 1953) played at the Helensville Golf Club 1. Graduated to the Royal Malay Regiment. 2. One of the most renowned RSMs in the history of the RMC, who Queensland Branch had a long tenure at the College, giving him influence over large Monthly (second Wednesday). Meet at noon for lunch at the numbers of graduates and at the same time enhancing their United Service Club. reputations. Ross Eastgate (1971) has published an obituary at: November 2017 (TBA). ‘With Partners’ Christmas lunch at http://targetsdown.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/one-of-australias- the United Service Club. finest.html. 3. Neil Weekes was an instructor on the RMC staff. Ross Eastgate South Australia Branch (incorporating NT) has published an obituary at: http://targetsdown.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/brigadier-neil- 5 December 2016. Annual Graduation Luncheon, Naval, harvey-weekes-am-mc.html. Military and Air Force Club, Adelaide. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Victoria Branch (incorporating Tasmania) The Elder of the Duntroon Society 17 May 2017. Lunch at the Danish Club, Little Bourke St. 19 October 2017. 1200 for 1230. Annual lunch at Graduate In Newsletter 2/2016 information was sought to help identify House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. the current Society Elder. Based on that information there is Western Australia Branch no doubt that Professor Horace Sydney (Syd) Hodges, September. Quarterly drinks. For details, please feel free to already a Fellow of the Society, is now also its Elder. He was contact the WA convenor, Bob Hunter on born on 3 February 1918 and became the Elder on 30 August [email protected] or +61 413 045 355. 2016. An article about his life and his long and outstanding contribution to the RMC appears in Newsletter 2/2015. RMC Ceremonial Events Since 30 August 2016, the oldest surviving graduate of 10 June 2016. Queen’s Birthday Parade. the RMC is Colonel W.H. Wansley (June 1941), who was 26 June 2017. The Graduation Parade. born on 9 October 1921. This is the first occasion on which 27 June 2017. The Graduation Parade. a graduate of this distinction has not also been the Elder of 12 September 2017. Army Reserve First Appointment the Duntroon Society. However, we look forward in hope for Course. him to exceed the record of his predecessor, Lieutenant 12 September 2017. Specialist Service First Appointment Colonel John (J.G.) Sedgley (1938). He has already shown Course. that the rank of colonel on retirement seems to be a factor in 11 December 2017. Prizes & Awards Ceremony. RMC graduate longevity. 12 December 2017. The Graduation parade. Newsletter 2/2016 also included a plea for names and date of birth of all surviving RMC graduates over the age of 90 Further information is available from SO3 Protocol and years in 2017. There was a heartening response as shown Visits, Mrs Jenny Pieper—(02) 6265 9515. below. Any corrections and additions will be much appreciated.

18 L.W. Wright (1942) b. 10 May 1922 Profile of Corps of Staff Cadets W.D. Jamieson (1943) b. 16 February 1924 P.W.F. Joplin (1944) b. 2 June 1925 Current strength (April 2017) J.P. Brown (1947) b. 15 Aug 1925 CSC 461 J.E. Neylan (1948) b. 23 April 1926 First Class 91 J.J. Shelton (1946) b. 29 June 1926 Second Class 215 A.V. Preece (1946) b. 28 August 1926 Third Class 124 J.F. McDonagh (1946) b. 6 November 1926 Neville Howse VC Platoon 34 R.R. Harding (1948) b. 20 December 1926 Cambodia 2 C.L. Sanderson (1947) b. 9 May 1927 Fiji 5 G.N.M. Boswell (1947) b. 27 June 1927 Iraq 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Malaysia 3 New Zealand 4 Letter to the Editor Pakistan 6 Ross Harding (1948) Papua New Guinea 8 Philippines 1 John Bullen’s article (Newsletter 2/2016) about the Lake Thailand 1 George tragedy in 1956 is an excellent and timely addition to Timor Leste 1 the accounts of that disaster by Darren Moore and Chaplain Tonga 2 Jim Cosgrove. John Bullen, with the vital assistance of Frank RAAF 7 Alizzi, has succeeded well in filling in some gaps and Females 66 clarifying some segments of Darren Moore’s comprehensive ADFA Graduates 144 description in his book Duntroon: A History of the Royal ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Military College 1911–2001. At the time of this tragedy, I was attached to 723 Squadron Editor at Naval Air Station (HMAS Albatross) at Nowra. As part of a plan to intensify the search for the four still missing staff Dr Mike (M.J.) Ryan cadets, I was flown from Nowra to RAAF Canberra in a RAN School of Engineering and IT Fairey Firefly fighter on 13 July. At the briefing it was UNSW Canberra explained that the delay of five days was caused by the water Academy temperature of the Lake holding back the normal Northcott Drive CANBERRA ACT 2600 decomposition of the bodies, thereby slowing their Telephone: (02) 6268 8200 Fax: (02) 6268 8443 appearance on the surface. On the 15th I became the lookout E-mail: [email protected] with Captain Alf Argent (1948) in an Auster Mk III. Some hours of searching by a number of aircraft that day was unsuccessful. The next day, in an RAN Bristol Sycamore Associate Editors helicopter, brought another frustrating result. The decision Colonel Ross (R.R.) Harding (Retd) was taken to further delay the search until there was a better 37 Quandong St. chance of success. The RAN Sycamores returned to Nowra O’CONNOR ACT 2602 and took no further part in the subsequent searching. No Telephone: (02) 6248 5494 doubt the fences of barbed wire could have been a factor in E-mail: [email protected] not finding the bodies earlier, but our briefing was that the culprit was the very low water temperature. Brigadier Chris (C.A.) Field ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E-mail: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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