Newsletter 21 1987 September 1987

From the Editor Victorian Branch In the April 1987 Newsletter I wrote that I sought Thursday, 1 October 1987. Luncheon in the Army assistance in three ways - feedback, support and Officers' Mess at Victoria Barracks. material. I am happy to note that all have been forthcoming and are much appreciated. It is therefore a trifle ironic that I must also note the Duntroon Society Office errors, and the delay, in the production and publication Bearers of that Newsletter. Where dates of announced functions preceeded the receipt of the Newsletter, there was A partial list of office bearers of the Society was potential for some inconvenience to Members. With my published in Newsletter 1 / 1982. As changes occurred they regret for this, where it occurred, I offer an assurance were notified in subsequent Newsletters. It seems that that the problems have been overcome and that it would be useful to print a complete and up to date notifications of forthcoming events can be proffered with version from time to time. confidence. President Major General M.P. Blake, AM, MC Commandant, Royal Military College, 50 Years On Duntroon, The Class that entered RMC on 29 February 1936 A.C.T. 2600 had their Course shortened by one year and therefore (062) 75 9430 (W) graduated on 13 December 1938. To mark the 50th The Honorary anniversary of that event some members of the Class Secretary Major G.M. Huggins, are planning a reunion in 1988. Some difficulty has arisen Office of the Commandant, in tracing all those members who may wish to attend Royal Military College, and this Newsletter has been asked to help by publicising Duntroon, the two Class contacts. They are: A.C.T. 2600 (062) 75 9701 (W) Brigadier M.P. O'Hare, OBE 47 Earle St., Adjutant CSC Captain R. Martin, Lyneham, Adjutant, A.C.T. 2602 Telephone: (062) 47 706 1, Royal Military College, and Duntroon, Brigadier A.F. Swinborne, OBE A.C.T. 2600 44 Fergusson Crescent, (062) 75 9696 (W) Deakin, ACT Branch A.C.T. 2600 Telephone: (062) 73 3239 Convenor Major General A.L. Morrison, All members of the Class are asked to let the above AO, DSO, MBE have their present address and to spread the news to 'Yarralumla Bay', any of the Class who may not read of it in the Newsletter. Unit 19, Details of the activities will be notified in.due course. 51 Marsden St., Y arralumla, A.C.T. 2600 Coming Events (062) 89 6733 (W) (062) 85 1616 (H) A.C.T. Branch Co-convenor Colonel P.E. Seddon Monday, 26 October 1987. A visit to the new 4 Banks Crescent, Parliament House. That evening the annual Cocktail McKellar, Party will be held in Duntroon House. Society members A.C.T. 2617 from other branches are most welcome to attend both (062) 58 7832 (H) functions. Secretary Mr J.E. Bullen, Australian War Memorial, G.P.O. Box 345, N.S.W. Branch Canberra, A.C.T. 2601 Tuesday, 8 December 1987. The annual. Buffet Lunch (062) 43 43 16 (W) at the Victoria Barracks Officers' Mess. Proxy Brigadier W.J. Morrow, CBE Monday, 13 June 1988 (The Queen's Birthday 4 Bramble St., weekend). Buffet luncheon and race day at the AJC's Red Hill, Randwick Racecourse. Consideration is being given to A.C.T. 2603 the ACT Branch joining the NSW Branch for this activity. (062) 95 6422 (H) New South Wales West Australia Convenor Major General M. Bradbury, AO, CBE Convenor Colonel R.J. Clement, 15 Prince Rd., 74 Mountjoy Rd., Killara, Nedlands, N.S.W. 2071 W.A. 6009 (02) 498 3242 (H) (09) 386 7634 (H) Contact Lieutenant Colonel R. Hamlyn, Proxy Colonel W.J. Slocombe, OBE 3 1 Kentworth St., RMB 2038, Bondi Junction, The Ridgeway, N.S.W. 2022 Queanbeyan, (02) 29 62 15 (W) N.S.W. 2620 (02) 387 2158 (H) (062) 97 4006 (H) Contact Captain D.K. McNeil, SO 3 Personnel, Headquarters, 2 Military District, The Corps Victoria Barracks, Paddington, [Editions of the Newsletter that appeared in 1980 and N.S.W. 2021 1981 included a series of articles describing the Corps as it then was and the Departments of the Faculty of New Zealand Military Studies. To cater for the obvious interest in the Convenor Colonel R.K.G. Porter, OBE present and much changed situation at RMC, the 33 Coldham Crescent, Commandant has arranged for a further series of articles St Johns Park, about the CSC to be published in the Newsletter from Auckland 5, time to time. This is the first. Ed.] New Zealand. There have been many articles about the recent changes Proxy Colonel G.W. Talbot, at RMC in earlier Newsletters, and in defence force New Zealand High Commission, journals, newspapers and other publications. It is only Commonwealth Ave., natural, that with the reduction of a four-year course Canberra, to an 18-month course, that changes would have occurred A.C.T. 2600 at RMC. However the reader will be pleased to know that there has been a genuine and hitherto successful Queensland attempt to preserve the ethos of the College, as perhaps Convenor Colonel J.H. Humphrey, those who visited for the 75th Anniversary, and more 57 Upper Lancaster Rd., recently would have noted. This ethos is, of course, rooted Ascot, in the Corps of Staff Cadets. Queensland 4007 The organization of the Corps has not changed much (07) 262 4946 (H) over the years and presently consists of a Battalion Proxy Brigadier F.J. Hartridge, Headquarters (BHQ) and five companies. The companies 391 1 Wilkins St., are Alamein (The Sovereign's Company), Gallipoli, Long Mawson, Tan, Kapyong and Kokoda. Dependent upon numbers A.C.T. 2607 in the Corps, a sixth company, Romani, may be re-raised (062) 86 2103 (H) in the future. There are about 70 cadets in each company at present but this will rise to about 85 in January 1988. South Australia The Corps consists of three classes, First Class, Secona Convenor Brigadier W.P. Broderick, Class and Third Class. The First Class administers the 3 1 Tusmore Ave., Corps on a day to day basis and fills the senior Leabrook, appointments within BHQ and the companies. They are S.A. 5068 understudied by selected members of Second Class. BHQ (08) 332 0940 (H) has been expanded to meet today's needs and as well (08) 274 0409 (W) as the positions of BSM, BQMS, PMC and Sports Co- Proxy The Hon Dr A.J.B. Forbes, CMG, MC ordinator, there is a Corps Shop NCO, a Journal NCO 2 Tenth Ave., and a Bn Admin Sgt. These positions are also St Peters, understudied by Second Class cadets. S.A. 5069 The daily routine of the Corps has virtually remained (08) 42 6928 (H) unchanged for 76 years. Cadets are roused at reveille at 0615 hrs by their Company Orderly and prepare for Victoria the day's activities which consists of nine day-periods Convenor Colonel D.C. Fenwick, and three evening-periods which are used for study. The 61 Church St., day ends at 2230 hrs when Third Class, still known as Beaumauris, 'fourthies', pass the oil 'lights out' and the majority of Victoria. 3 193 cadets retire. Cadets being cadets strive for perfection (03) 652 567 1 (H) and some, in an attempt to put that little bit of extra Proxy Brigadier J.J. Shelton, DSO, MC polish into their boots, attempt to circumvent this system 7 Endeavour St., by 'blacking out' their rooms. (This never would havi Red Hill, happened in our day!) A.C.T. 2603 One area of significant improvement in cadet life has (062) 95 1053 (H) been in messing. The new Mess is a magnificent structure with high exposed beams and an outer facade in the the First Class Quarter Bar has been reopened in the style of the old (1936) Mess. It was opened in June 1986 Mess. The standard of messing is excellent. Cadets eat on the site of the old gymnasium. It has a fully carpeted well and for lunch and dinner have as many as eight and well-appointed dining hall that can seat 550 to a choices for the main meal and four for the dessert. The ormal dinner and is connected to the 'old Mess' by a days of sinker, bread and butter pudding or the choice awo-tiered staircase. The old Mess dining area and kitchen of either 'this or that' are gone. are now used as ante rooms and from June this year, Continued page 4

Corps PT - then

I and now The only parade ever on this hallowed square where the CO was the Right Marker! A considerable amount of money is being spent on the refurbishment of accommodation which, in style, has Life Members of The remained the same for many years. Cadets still live in Duntroon Society single rooms, with shared ablution facilities and yes, the women are fully integrated into the Corps and live in [This listing includes the year of entry into the CSC and the same blocks as the men. is correct as at 4 September 1987. Ed.] On weekends the Corps is fully committed on the playing fields of Canberra and still competes (in blue BRIG G.R.L. Adams and red) in Australian Rules (Premiers '86), Rugby, MAJ V.H. Augenson Hockey, Soccer, Cricket and Rowing. With the MAJGEN L. de L. Barham, CBE introduction of females to the Corps in 1986, the College BRIG R.J. Barham, DSO, OBE entered teams in Softball and Netball. (The females in BRIG A.T.J. Bell, OBE their inaugral season in Softball this year were the LTGEN R. Bierwirth. CBE premiers.) Inter-collegiate sporting competitions that BRlG S.J. Bleechmore, CBE continue to flourish include the Disher Cup (rowing), COL T.G. Brennan, CBE, DSO the Izingari and Molonglo Cricket fixtures, the Royal Mrs A.G. Bridges Australian Naval College visit and Inter Services Athletics LTGEN Sir Mervyn Brogan, KBE, CB and Swimming. The companies continue to compete BRIG H.H. Bruton fiercely for the Lord Forster Cup and at the time of MAJGEN I.R. Campbell, CBE, DSO writing, Kapyong is just pipping Kokoda for the covetted MAJGEN L.G. Canet, CB, CBE Lee Shield, which determines the Sovereign's Company. MAJGEN T.F. Cape, CB, CBE, DSO LTCOL I.H.K. Chauvel, OBE It is also pleasing to note that, in these days of mounting MAJ H.C. Christy criticism against the nation's youth, cadets from RMC LTCOL G.D. Clark still aspire for excellence in all endeavours and strive COL E.L. Cook to live by our military ethics which embody loyalty, COL N.B. Cowper responsibility, commitment, duty and honour. Indeed, Mrs W.D. Currie the more things have changed at RMC, the more they LTGEN Sir Thomas Daly, KBE, CB, DSO have stayed the same. Mr J.A. Darragh Mrs E.M. Eather AIRCDRE U.E. Ewart LTCOL C.C.C. Farran MAJ L.A. Fell MAJGEN C.H. Finlay, CB, CBE BRIG N.R. Forrest BRIG T.N. Gooch, CBE AM Sir , KBE, CB, DFC AIRCDRE P.G. Heffernan, OBE, AFC Mrs B.M. Hellstrom MAJGEN R.N.L. Hopkins, CBE BRIG P.P. Jackson CMG, CBE When he visited Darwin last year he showed the Mr J.M. Jones Commander 7th Military District, Colonel Bruce Kemp, COL C.W.T. Kyngdon his album of Army photos taken during three years with GPCAPT I.J. Lightfoot the Darwin Garrison in 1933-1936. Bruce Kemp rs D. Long suggested that Tom jot down some of his recollections aAPT F. W.B. Lord of those early days. That task was finished in April 1987 AM Sir John McCauley, KBE, CB and copies were sent by the current Commander 7th MAJ H.B. McKenzie Military District, Colonel Ian Bryant, to the NT Museum MAJGEN R.R. McNicoll, CBE, AM and to Peter Dermody who is undertaking a project for Mr A.C. Mills the Bicentennial Year titled "A Military Buffs Guide to COL P.A. Morcombe, DSO, OBE the NT". (Is Peter related to Duntroon Society member COL M.C. Morgan J.G. Dermody?) MAJGEN I.T. Murdoch, CBE Tom met his future wife in Darwin in 1943 when she COL A.L. Nyman was nursing in the NT and also working for a time with Mr F.H. Ordish flying doctor Clyde Fenton. They were married in 1936 LTCOL H.K. Oxley, OBE at Auburn cattle station homestead, Queensland, where COL D.D. Pitt her father was manager - the first, and probably last, LTCOL G.M. Robinson wedding at that homestead. She died in 1984 but Tom COL R.V. Rushton feels that she is with him in spirit when he is on his WGCDR C.H. Simpson, JP outback trips. BRIG Sir Charles Spry, CBE, DSO BRIG C.N. Peters, CBE, MVO At home on his small property near Creswick, Victoria, BRIG D.N. Veron, OBE Tom is an active member of the local Field Naturalists MAJGEN R.E. Wade, CB, CBE Club. He has a son and two daughters, all married, and COL The Hon Sir Gordon Wallace 13 grandchildren to keep him active mentally and ORIGM.H. Walters, CBE physically. Mr G.H. Watkins BRIG D.A. Whitehead, CBE, DSO, MC, N.W.W. Wilson (1939) C de G After being the CO 1 Armd Regt, Norm resigned from BRIG T.W. White, MVO the Army in 1952 with some of his friends wondering what he was doing. He then left Australia for the USA where he has since lived. This, That and the Other In 1952 he joined the St Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company, one of the largest insurance companies in the [An earlier suggestion for a column of this kind was USA. Now, as St Paul Companies, it is a diversified implemented in Newletter 1/87 and there has been a insurance and financial institution. Having taken out his heartening response. It is hoped that such contributions CPCU (?) degree and started in underwriting he later will be forthcoming into the distant future. Ed.] moved into finance and real estate. His rise in the T.L. Gilchrist (1925) company enabled him to retire early in 1982. Good health Tom retired from the Army in 1960, his final year and the financial means allowed him to fully enjoy a being with AHQ in Canberra, separated from his family retirement of tennis, golf and travel etc. with his wife. who remained in where he planned to live Indeed, he is hoping to visit Australia in 1987 after in retirement. wintering in Florida and the Caribbean. He took on part-time civilian work for the next 15 He and his wife Della have three children. ears, mostly as Secretary of the United Services born Linda, the eldest, now lives in Minneappolis with qnstitution of Victoria; but finally gave up regular her husband Dick and two of the grandchildren, Kelly employment so that he could spend more time doing and Tom. Julie, the second eldest, lives in Atlanta, what he always wanted to do - camping trips in remote Georgia with her husband Gary and the other two parts of the outback to see and photograph the flora, grandchildren, Stephen and Michael. The youngest, son fauna, aboriginal paintings and unusual scenery. He has Brian, is single and lives and works in New York as been, and still is, fit enough to enjoy many such trips a screen writer for movies and TV. Fortunately all are in the Centre and northern Australia in the past ten or healthy and doing well for themselves. more years. His wife grew up in the Queensland bush He offers a stop over for any Duntrooner who happens on cattle stations until she took up a nursing career. to be passing through the USA. There is always a welcome Sadly, when Toin at last had the time, and still the energy, at his 'Downunder' watering hole, which is at to wander in the outback, her poor health prevented 3 10 Layman Lane, her from being with him, but she always encouraged Bloomington, Minnesota, 55420 him to go. U.S.A. His recent journeys have included crossing the Simpson Desert and a four week trek with field naturalists into the Kimberley and then to Kakadu, including a flight over the Arnhem Land escarpment. Later this year he will be off again with field naturalists; this time from Ayres Rock across the Great Victoria Desert to Geraldton and Kalbarri National Park, down the coast to Albany, Galong the south coast to Esperance, north to Norseman and home across the Nullabor. Though he will be 80 in a few months time, Tom expects to make his third climb up Ayres Rock during the trip. The RMC Motto Addresses Needed The traditional translation of the College motto During the year, Duntroon Society mail to the "Doctrina Vim Promovet" which appears on the RMC Members listed below has been returned from their last Badge has been "Learning Promotes Strength". known address. It would be much appreciated if any, In 1986, the then Commandant of RMC, Major or all, of the current addresses were passed to The General B.H. Hockney (1949), informally discussed with Honorary Secretary, The Duntroon Society, Royal Military College, Duntroon, A.C.T. 2600. Colonel R.J. Gardner (1946), now a classics scholar in the Australian National University, the source of the LT M.J. Arnold (1978) Motto. The Motto clearly comes from Horace, Book LTCOL D.J. Bedford (1962) 4, Ode 4. This ode was written at the command of the COL N.R. Bergin (1953) emperor to celebrate the victories, in 15 BC, of his step- CAPT P.J. Commerford (1974) sons, Tiberius and Drusus, over the Alpine tribes. The COL M.C. Crawford, MBE (1955) full text of the relevant section of that ode is: COL L. Dell (1955) "Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam, BRIG The Hon S.L.M. Eske11 (1939) rectique cultus pectora roborant;" BRIG J. Essex-Clarke This may loosely be rendered, bearing in mind its Mr R.P. Flockart (1974) military application, as Mr C.J. Goldrick (1978) "Training increases a man's inborne worth and the MAJ S.M. Goodman (1973) proper discipline makes the spirit strong." CAPT A.G.M. Johnson (1974) MAJ F.G. McCaffrey (1937) in turn through the indoor sports centre, the swimming Mr P.R. McCann (1969) centre, the gymnastics hall, the tennis hall, the basket COL R.G.P. St V. McNamara, OBE (1940) ball and net ball complex and the athletics stadium. At CAPT S.W. Ness each stand our guides provided a fascinating and intimate MAJ S.W. Nicolls (1970) account of the activities there. :APT J.R. Paterson (1972) The author of this brief account was greatly impressed MAJ P.A. Robottom (1970) with all that was seen and heard. Most impressive was MAJ R.W. Shoebridge (1973) the calibre of the two young men who escorted us. They CAPT E.M. Thompson (1973) were tall, good looking, intelligent, articulate and earnest Mr R.K. Treacher (1946) - need more be said? MAJ J.B. Wynen After the AIS visit, most of the party popped into the George Harcourt Inn, the old English Tudor Pub, for a lunch and a natter. It also is well worth a visit, particularly if you enjoy an open fire and tankards and ancient potties dangling from the ceiling. A companionable way of concluding a splendid tour. We Obituary should do it again sometime. Since the publication of the last Newsletter we have been notified of the deaths of the following: 14 May 1985 Colonel A.V. Burgess (1916) New South Wales Branch 3 April 1986 Dr R. Lippett (1946) Report November 1986 Lieutenant Colonel B.A. Murphy (1954) 21 November 1986 Lieutenant Colonel H.L.S. Moulds The biggest roll up yet of 93 attended the NSW Branch's buffet luncheon and race day held in the Vice-Regal Suite ' 1922) 19 February 1987 Lieutenant J.E. Ryan (1943) at the AJC's Randwick Racecourse on Queen's Birthday, Monday, 8 June 1987. 10 May 1987 Major General J.D. Kelly (1948) May 1987 Colonel C.E. Anderson (1939) The Duntroon Handicap attracted a field of nine 24 May 1987 Major K.R. Cairns (1962) runners and was well won by the favourite, the Sunshine 2 August 1987 Mr W.F. Urquhart (1946) Stud Syndicate's appropriately named two-year old bay 14 August 1987 Brigadier T.A. Gibson (1946) gelding, General Reserve. Trained by Tommy Smith and 15 August 1987 Captain M.A.H. MacKenzie (1940) ridden by Malcolm Johnston, General Reserve had too much on its rivals and won by one and a quarter lengths. [Walter Urquhart was the only son of Staff Cadet The Convenor of the NSW Branch, Major General No 1, Brigadier W.J. Urquhart. With Wally's sudden Mark Bradbury (1941), accompanied by his daughter, death the very long family link with Duntroon has been Miss Elizabeth Bradbury and Hon Secretary/Treasurer, severed. Ed.] Lieutenant Colonel Ron Hamlyn (1954), formed a deputation to present the Duntroon Society sash to the representatives of the winning syndicate, Mr W.P. and Australian Capital Territory Mrs V.J. Lenehan of Gundagai. Major General Bradbury - performed his duty with aplomb and finesse but the same Branch Report can't be said of General Reserve whose skittishness accounts for there being no photo of the presentation On Friday 3 July 1987, a glorious sunny winter day to accompany this report. 'n Canberra, some 45-50 members visited the Australian Sadly a number of members do not accept the Institute of Sport (AIS) and were all immensely invitation to attend this function on the grounds that impressed. Anne Evans, the Assistant Marketing they are not "racing" people and have no interest in the Manager, briefed us in the National Indoor Sports sport. Consequently they miss out on an excellent Centre. A few of the main points were: afternoon in elegant surroundings with top class catering Capital works at the AIS now total some $77 M. and where the horse racing is simply an "extra" or added For the financial year 1986187 the operating .budget attraction for those that can tear themselves away from was $14.5 M. the "bon homie" and "camaraderie" of the Vice Regal Athletes who are awarded scholarships receive full Suite and bar. board, an educational allowance, competition and It was good to see some visitors from ACT Branch training gear and travel costs to and from the ACT in Brigadiers Bill Morrow and Jim Hartridge as well and to specified world tournaments. as some of our own members who travelled from as In July 1985 a 320-bed residential complex was far afield as Scone (Charles Duke), Holgate (Max completed, including some self contained one Johnstone), Gorokan (Phil Morcombe) and Mount bedroom units for married athletes. Pleasant (Wal Stinson). There was also our usual large Resident tutors assist athletes with their academic contingent from the north shore which seems to hold studies. Disabled athletes are catered for. some mysterious attraction for retired army officers. The experiment of holding the race day on the Monday Thanks are due to Anne Evans for a compact, of Queen's Birthday week-end met with general approval informative and enjoyable briefing. from our members and the AJC. The AJC is keen for We then divided into two groups for a tour of the the Society to continue to sponsor the Duntroon facilities and further explanation. Each group was led Handicap on Winter Stakes Day as it adds extra prestige by a student guide - Hamish McGlashan, a rower and to the carnival. Consequently we propose to repeat the David Mawer, a soccer player. For an hour we wandered experiment next year. He is regarded by many as the father of the Royal New Zealand Branch Report Australian Armoured Corps. With the code-name The Branch will be entering one team from Auckland "Operation Hoppy 90" Army chefs, with much secrecy, for the Society's Postal Golf competition. It is hoped prepared a huge cake in the shape of a fighting tank. that there will also be a team from Wellington. Brigadier An Army band enhanced the occasion during which ; Ian Burrows (1950) is the New Zealand nominee to the painting of the guest of honour was unveiled. match committee. About 90 serving and retired officers, including the Governor of South Australia, Lieutenant General Sir South Australian Branch Donald Dunstan (1940) attended what was a memorable Report and moving occasion. The principal activity in the first half of J987 was luncheon held in the Keswick Barracks Officers' Mess [There are many other Members who were unable to on 25 May 1987. This was to mark the 90th birthday attend this gathering but who would like to use this forum of Major General R.N.L. Hopkins (1915). to wish him well. Ed.]

Into his 91.~1yrar -- Major General R. H. L. Hopkins in fine j'orm with th~painting after the un\~riling by the Governor of South Australla, Lreutenat~t General Sir Donald Dunstan on 25 May 1987.