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
Tracks Magazine
Index
Foreword Preface Principles of Employment of Armour Tracks To Tradition Keep An Open Mind Review of Squadron Activities Regimental Headquarters Headquarters Squadron Reconnaissance Troop A Squadron Notes B Squadron Notes Nucleus Squadron Regimental Training Troop Light Aid Detachment, RAEME Signals Troop, RASigsIndex (cont)
Review of Allied Armour Tanks in The Jungle Korean Sidelights Equipments 1954 .. A Royal Occasion On Parade Elevating Gear Sergeants' Mess Notes In The Realm of Sport It Could be You The Adjutant's Dilemma While Others Sleep [et al] Beauchamps Own Epilogue Free Verse From A Free Thinker
Officers' Mess Notes
The newly-painted buildings, renovated both inside and out, the trim green lawns with the billowing wattles presenting a touch of typical Australian loveliness conveys the impression of Army orderliness. We are afraid that conditions within defy as puny, the efforts of a certain old lady to accommodate her family in footwear (Army pattern). We have one spare seat available for Dining In Nights, with the prospect of that soon being occupied we are sans visitors for such select occasions. The provision of the long-promised brick barracks is more than ever a grim necessity. There is the throb of communal life within, and the mess secretary has kindly supplied most of the following details.
Like Christopher Robin's bath, our showers are often with the hot so hot and the cold so cold. "Farmer", damper loving "Garth", fan Australian of the wide open spaces was recently parboiled by the failure of cold water. Lathered and hot he most fervently wished for a cold damper.
New members to the Mess include Majors Tripp, Daniels; Lieuts. Bourke, Hayward, Bird, Rooks, Sims, Joshua, Gurney, Queree (N.Z.); 2/Lieuts. Baker, Jarrett, Ferrier and Padre McCullough. All the best wishes to these members, both during their stay at Puckapunyal and in their future appointments.
Farewells this year have been extended to Major Gordon (now Brigade Major, 2 Armoured Brigade), Major Beauchamp (Joint Intelligence Bureau), Capt. Dowling, Capt. S. Agnew, who has removed to 20 National Service Training Battalion as O.C., "A" Coy. (Armour), Lieut. Queree (on completion of his attachment to First Armoured Regiment), and 2/Lieut. Connor (to 20 National Service Training Battalion).
If there is a car over the pit at any time, guess who the owner is? Every member must look after his officer, and the L.A.D. is no exception. Perhaps this explains Don's late appearance in the Mess each day — or is it that the air is too brisk for him in the mornings? Sorry to lose you, Don!
The junior officers in the Mess are always ill at ease when the terror trips in before the evening meal. Nobody knows whether they will be window, cleaning with a chamois or tripping to the Q. Store for some articles for the benefit of the officer concerned. There is one thing certain, all members will know what is meant by the terms Chess, Billiards, Snooker, Slosh and Bridge. ("Anybody willing to make a four?")
It is to be earthmoving equipment in the future for Bernard Dowling instead of tanks. All members of the Mess wish him the best of luck in his new career.
Tennis is the ever-popular outdoor sport for Mess members. A very successful day was held at the School of Tactics and Administration. This was due mainly to the practices held by the Commanding Officer and Major Daniels at the School of Armour.
Last year the Christmas Party revealed for the first time that a bear had been dressed as a Father Christmas. Well done, Doc' — it was greatly appreciated by all concerned and everybody was qreatly pleased with the success of the function. C Squadron's mess piano now with us provides Doc with a means of self expression. The rest of us face the music.
Captain K. W. Latchford arrives too late for mess photograph, but just in time for a warm welcome as R.T.A.
Salvation Army representative, Major Howard Ray, is a welcome and loyal member of the mess, ever ready to help the common weal and part in a midday meal. Recent Dining In Nights have revealed the Commanding Officer in his role of conveyor of greetings felicitous to outgoing and incoming members. Not the least of the latter have been C Squadron arrivals from Sydney. They rightly appear in this publication in their own right as Nucleus. We are very well versed in Bombs, Vintage Models, Hot Rods and cars generally since arrival.
NUCLEUS SQUADRON
Officers' Mess Notes
Since the Mess started, the one thought in the members' minds has been the building of a bar. Nothing was done at East Hills, because we all knew it was not permanent. On arrival at Old Holsworthy, the work on our bar by the Engineers commenced. Then came the fateful news — back to Pucka. However, our hopes were realised — the bar was opened two weeks before we were due to say farewell.
On the opening night, there was a small party to say farewell to the area, and also to inaugurate the bar. The guests included Major Savage, from Victoria Barracks; Armoured Corps Officers from 12 N.S. Bn. and 13 N.S. Bn., and others. Last, but not least, were our two esteemed friends and Chorus Girls from 4 R.A.R. Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, they had to leave early, after serving their time behind the bar. Thank you, Henry Kirkland and 'Ape' Sullivan.
A very enjoyable evening was spent at 4 R.A.R. Officers' Mess by three of our members. It is very evident that our junior subalterns are becoming rather reckless with their futures. One very junior subaltern approached a high-ranking infantry officer, exclaiming after having won a bout of cockfighting:-
"We beat you, you —— !" "Armoured Corps on top again."
A subalterns' life is not a happy one. Due to an argument in the Mess, a certain subaltern argued that a particular ford was accessible. Whilst on exercise one night this subaltern was ordered to do a recce of the ford, five miles away. On arrival at the ford found it to be inaccessible to tanks. Reporting back, hot, tired after a strenuous day and night, to the Major and admitted that the ford was inaccessible. Nothing hard you say, only that the Major had flown over the ford a week before, and discovered this fact for himself.
'Wimpie' Donaldson announced his engagement in very fine style. All reports from R.G.H. indicate that he is recovering rapidly from the operation to his leg. Someone at the party suggested we should cut off his moustache.
Congratulations to Casper on his latest prang. We knew it wouldn't be long.
THE OFFICERS' MESS
Within this unit, we have, of course, An installation which is quite a source Of lurid tales for the troopers' delight, Mostly of occasions of formal "Mess Nights". ——0—— This place is known as the Officers' Mess, Where, so it's rumoured, and they confess — Populated by people of all sorts, And there resounds the popping corks. ——0—— Now the people who go to make this place, Are of all types known to the human race; We will consider them one by one, Making them subject of gossip and pun. ——0—— If in this list in vain you scan, For name you know as worthy man, Please do not in indignation burn — It's another case of a "Nil" return. ——0—— Let's start at the bottom of the scale, With the plebes who only drink ale Known as second Lieuts. and other things, And only wonder the rank time will bring? ——0—— Jarrett arrived on a panting brute, Which one day will prove its attribute, Of a hundred and some — well that's fine! But the Mess practices Auld Lang Syne. ——0—— Now from City of Harbourside Domain, Has arrived none other than George McLean, With him, too, his merry men, Dreaming of Sydney now and then. ——0—— Up we go and so along, To Capt. Joss, distinguished in martial throng, With service in Armour many years, Of jungle hunting enemy in their lairs. ——0—— Bilton, C.O.'s protector and aide, Curses all, but they are not afraid, Drowned with paper all the while, Greets with bark, but files a smile! ——0—— Tripps an officer of sharp eye, Pity he's married, the maidens sigh, Especially as he looked on gala nights, In regal jacket and amazing tights! ——0—— Well it isn't a land afar, In that which George calls a car, A unique "Bomb" of blue, He will talk of others, too! ——0——