Tracks Magazine - August 1955

A couple of decades ago I was travelling through northern NSW and called in to see Archie McDonald, an old 1 Armoured Regiment LAD mate. Archie had kept his copy of the first issue of the Regiment's glossy magazine, Tracks — August 1955. It is this magazine that is re-produced below

After the general shake-down in June, 1954, the Squadron finally received the green light to carry on with training which was to culminate in the Paratus Cup competition at the end of the year.

We were both fortunate, and unfortunate, in having Major W. J. S. Gordon as O.C. Fortunate inasmuch as he paved the way for troop exercises and building the espirit de corps within the Squadron. Unfortunate because his services were such that Regiment saw fit to remove him for the higher task of regimental second-in-command before he could reap the fruits of his labour.

Despite this manoeuvre he was able to organize and run with success, exercise Juggernaut during July-August, 1954. This exercise was aimed at practising all troops in troop drills and was appreciated by all. The enemy, in the form of the Commanding Officer and the V.M.O. were very active and managed to arrange for a number of tanks to be frightened into bogging themselves.

During October, an intensive crew training course was conducted under the excellent auspices of Lieut. Crigan, Lieut. W. E. Wells (Gunnery), Lieut. M. J. R. Hulse (D. & S.), 2/Lieut. J. V. Lofthouse (Wireless), and 2/Lieut. J. S. Goodwin (Tactics). We were soon to regret the loss of Lieut. J. Crigan, who left us for 20th N.S. Trg. Bn. We hope that they benefit from his gunnery experience in England and Korea.

We were tipped as red hot favourites for the Paratus Cup, but, unfortunately, on the days the gods failed to smile and the Cup went to B Squadron. However, both 3 and 4 Troops put in excellent work and ran second and third, respectively. Our congratulations go to Lieut. A. D. Wells and his Troop in B Squadron for their win.

Over the Christmas period the Squadron managed to get most of the men away on leave and also assist in carrying out a Regimental stock-take. Before all the men left, we held a Squadron barbecue party out on the range. This was organized by W02 Sutton, our S.S.M. A good night was had by all, including the two troopers who finished in the water-hole!

January saw a number of new faces in the Squadron and we had barely had time to catch breath and say "hullo" before the Regiment departed to Lonsdale for the annual summer camp.

During the camp most of our battle efficiency tests were carried out and also the Regimental sporting competitions were run. We were only successful in the swimming competition, but the remaining teams in cricket, athletics, rifle shooting and softball tried hard and we are all grateful for their efforts.

After Lonsdale, the Squadron prepared for our first 1955 Squadron Exercise- Paddymelon. This exercise was conducted in conjunction with 6 Inf. Bde. (C.M.F.). Fourteen tanks went out, and co-operation with the Infantry was most successful. In addition, all our men were exercised in basic tank drills under the expert guidance and tuition of Major D. A. Daniels, R.T.R.

Fundamentals of squadron leaguering, replenishment, troop movement and squadron wireless nets were well taught and now all the Squadron has an understanding of the rudimentary requirements for a Squadron in the field.

One of the main features of this exercise was the sterling work done by our Light Aid Detachment lads to keep our tanks running for the duration of the show. Our thanks and due appreciation go to them and Signalman Webb, the radio mechanic.

TROOP NOTES

S.H.Q. & ADMIN. TROOP

In the past S.H.Q. & Admin. Troop have had quite a few members pass through it, but the members we have now we hope to retain for some time.

• We all welcome Major D. A. Daniels of the 3 R.T.R., our new O.C., and we are hoping that he will enjoy his stay with us.
• Captain Agnew is leaving to go to N.S., and Lieut. Bourke is taking his place as 2/I.C. of the Squadron.
• Our new S.S.M. is settling down much happier since he has obtained married quarters. (Believed to be going into the used car business.)
• The Troop is thinking of putting in to buy Trooper O'Brien a peddle-pusher car, but even some think that might be too dangerous.
• Trooper Lowry seems to have climbed out of the bog and is wearing boots again. He is now the O.C.'s jeep-driver, but our O.C. is wondering whether they issue our boots with lead in them!
• Trooper Etchells, our tech. storeman, is still itching for his transfer.
• Trooper Marcus seems to be putting on weight since his wife arrived from South Australia.
• Trooper Orchard has now joined Admin. from 4 Troop - we hope he is feeling better in health since his stay in hospital.
• There has been a new problem set for Q. Ford - was asked if he had horse tails on charge!

I TROOP

This year the Troop has settled down with most of the old faces -however we would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Lieut. Mark Hulse, our former troop leader. Good luck in the new posting and don't forget we are listening for wedding bells.

• At this stage we would also like to welcome Lieut. Bob Joshua, from Duntroon, as the new boss.Thank you to Mrs. Joshua for the cakes on exercise Paddymelon.
• Old faithful, Sgt. Bomber Brown, impressed the foxhounds on the ditch crossing ability of the Centurion Tank. The boss then impressed with a very quick recovery.
• Trooper Bob Dillow and Trooper Radar Cranston were away at the School of Armour, and both did very well on their respective courses.
• Slapsie Maxie Boreland, the boss's driver, is to be congratulated on his recent promotion to L.-Cpl.
• Troop Corporal Huggy Hughes is on the job pretty well these days, although a new addition to the family is giving him considerable worry in the early hours of the morning.
• Trooper Smith, R.E., driver of the Bomber's tank, doesn't know it yet, but he is to be presented with a bound copy of a few of his excuses to the troop leader as to why boots are not clean, collars not ironed, etc. It should run to about ten volumes.
• Trooper Cross has settled down very well - the family responsibility is being taken seriously. Keep up the good work and we may even find some ammunition for your second love - the 20-pounder.
• Trooper Winter looks a lot happier now that he has sold the Bomb. He is at present on course at C.I.S., Kapooka.
• Trooper Bruce has had a few discussions with various R.O.S., but is working well as troop radio man.
• Trooper Dewhurst has taken up reading the classics instead of delivering straight lefts to our radio man.
• We also welcome to the best Troop in the Regiment, Troopers Burrows and Gregory. Things are moving along much better now that Trooper Gregory has given up sleeping on duty.
• At this stage we are settling down for a solid three months' training, and our cast steel steeds, "Appollo", Ajax and Albion are all being carefully prepared to ensure that we, I Troop, remain the best Troop in the Regiment.

II TROOP

Very recently we spent an interesting six days in the bush learning the finer points of tanking. It goes without saying that a good and enlightening time was had by all. It may be mentioned here that all the troops are now suffering with tired jaws - those biscuits!

A few changes are taking place in our Troop these days. Firstly, we would like to extend our welcome to the return of Sgt. (Spud) Taylor, who is back with us after six months' stay with Trg. Troop. At the same time we welcome Troopers Passmore, Sullivan and Martin, and hope that their stay with us will be a pleasant and happy one.

There is a sad story going around that Cpl. (Bull) Sayers has lost his touch, and has earned a new name, The Wrecker.

Our four Ironsides, Acre, Anvil and Co. (bless them) are undergoing a face-lift in readiness for our coming training period. Let us hope we can keep 'em rolling.

We regretfully say au revoir to our friend, Cpl. (Bomber) Harris, who recently left us to take up a new job with N.S., and we wish him the best of luck in his new routine.

Cpl. Soul took the final plunge into the ranks of married bliss and we extend our best wishes. We hope that he will be very happy wherever he may be posted.

Watch Gunner Passmore, because if he gets you in his sights say goodbye to your corns.

We are wondering if Trooper Kit Carter has lassooed his blues yet. They were last seen trotting around Western Australia. Good hunting, Kit Carson - pardon, Carter.

III TROOP

As this is written we enter our three-month period of training. May we take this opportunity to welcome our new Squadron Leader, Major D. A. Daniels from 3 Royal Tank Regiment. We expect him to give us something to think about in the training period ahead.

In company with other troops in the Regiment we have suffered from time to time the loss of some of our members. During the past year, however, we have been fortunate in retaining a hard core of the Old and Bold, who have usually managed, when necessary, to rise to the occasion.

This Troop has always had the capacity for innocent enjoyment during training. Its sense of humour is apparent, whether it be engaged in bouncing high explosive rounds from the tops of hills whilst co-operating with a somewhat startled unit of the Citizen Military Forces, or when dropping two-inch smoke bombs on to a certain unfortunate loader's neck. (Although it must be admitted that in the latter incident the individual concerned was slower than the rest of the crew to see the joke.)

To conclude, we hear from quite a reliable source that our O.C. is still under the misapprehension that a Paddymelon is a small kangaroo!

IV TROOP

"Men may come and men may go" as the saying runs, and we could well apply this to 4 Troop, for, during the past twelve months we have seen no fewer than twenty-five men pass through our ranks. However, we are always glad to make new acquaintances and sorry to see old friends leave. We welcome our latest arrivals and say good luck to those who have left us.

We pride ourselves on the fact that we have always been well represented in Regimental activities. We have had members in all Regimental teams-Rugby, Australian Rules, Cricket and Athletics. The transfer of Trooper Orchard to Administration Troop is a big blow in this regard.

Although we did not manage to win the Paratus Cup, we congratulate the winners and warn them that we are still trying and will be all out again this year and that they had better guard well the Red and Gold Pennant, for Arrow will not be Amis if Anne is Able.

It was a great loss to the Troop when Trooper Bonser, our No. 1 Gunner, was marched out to the Sergeants' Mess for a few months and rumour has it that he considers it was a great loss to him when he was marched back again to keep his companion in crime amused with his stories, but Trooper Slade does not miss much now except that the angels sometimes get his gear.

Although he is in favour of our migration schemes, our Troop Corporal, Cpl. Bishop, frowns on having new Australians in our midst, but Sgt. Roberts always manages to make himself heard if not always understood. Cpl. Barnett (our newly-wed of the Troop) is looking much better for the home cooking, but we think he has quietened down considerably - who said hen-pecked?

We all had our photograph taken not very long ago and if you look closely you will see that we are all present-even Cpl. Incoll who is just down from Kapooka brought his library with him.

Trooper (Cassanova) Schofield is a hard man to keep at home at night - beats us how he passed his wireless course- but then we had to lock him in every night and send him to bed at half past seven for the duration of the course.

Trooper Holecroft also passed the wireless course, but between wireless, bombs, and blanco, he was kept very busy.

It is good to see Trooper Twomey back from his detachment to the School of Infantry, and we are wondering how he finds time for work after reading the short stories he receives through the mail.

Being a fire bug has its advantages on exercises, as Trooper Dalton has proved. In this regard he has it all over Sgt. Roberts.

Trooper Harrison had an enjoyable time at Watsonia and we believe he was keen to return to Puckapunyal. Our troop leader appears to have improved his Rugby lately as he has not had an eye bandaged for some time - must be very busy as he can never be found to sign leave applications. We welcome Trooper Tapper to the Troop and wish him well in his course.

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