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 conclusion of hostilities in 1945, a force was prepared and sent for occupation duties to Japan. As a part of this force an Armoured Car Squadron was formed at Puckapunyal and with it was raised a Light Aid Detachment.

It was thus that 348 L.A.D. found itself on the way to Japan early in 1946.

For almost three years the L.A.D. looked after the Armoured Car Squadron, recovering Staghounds from paddy fields, making souvenirs, and when the latter permitted, some work was also done for other units in the Hiro area - notably 66 Battalion.

The first O.C. was Capt. Hayes, who was followed by Capt. Heywood. It fell to Lieut. Sim to bring the unit home to Australia on the Kanimbla during December, 1948.

On its return the L.A.D. was located at Mob Siding, Seymour, where with 8 L.A.D. it supplemented the Southern Command Base Workshop Detachment. A change of name now took place and the unit became 36 L.A.D. During the period, September, 1949, to March, 1952, the O.C. was first Capt. Wynn and later Lieut. Parker. It was during the latter's term, on 30th June, 1951, that the L.A.D. was again redesignated to become the First Armoured Regiment Light Aid Detachment. However the unit remained at Mob Siding and was not in contact with the unit whose name it was given.

For a period of a year the unit was without an O.C., but on 24th February, 1953, Capt. Trevor was posted from Woomera to this position and as a result of a 1 Inf. Bde. instruction, the L.A.D. was directed to undertake the duties of an L.A.D. with its parent unit.

Such was the parentage and childhood of the unit.

Under the guidance of Capt. Trevor the L.A.D. found its feet, became accepted as a necessary adjunct to 1 Armd. Regiment and has proved its worth by keeping the Regiment's vehicles and equipment in good repair.

In August, 1954, command passed to Capt. Brockwell, whose stay the happy spirit of the L.A.D. continued to flourish, and the L.A.D. began to exert itself within the Regiment (particularly on the cricket field).

Capt. Hockley arrived in May, 1955, to take over command and under his guidance it is expected that the L.A.D. will continue to grow not only in size but also in experience.

No unit comes of age until it carries out its function in battle and whilst it is our fervent prayer that peace continues to prevail, it is the duty of all ranks to progress in their art, that when the time comes they will not be found wanting.

L.A.D. Activities

During the last twelve months a number of interesting occurrences have been recorded, perhaps the greatest of these being the long-awaited arrival of the A.R.V. A considerable period elapsed before this vehicle could be used effectively, due primarily to the fact that it had stood unused for over a year. However, with Cpl. Joe Harlow's oversight it was reconditioned and several recovery demonstrations were undertaken for the C.M.F. and N.S. Trainees. The initial training period culminated in the recovery of Centurion 032, which is described later. After Cpl. Harlow was promoted, Cpl. Fred Tapping became crew commander and together with Cfn. Bond and Haines, has undertaken all our major recovery tasks and demonstrations. The crowning glory was perhaps the performance given by the A.R.V. in the race featured at the Staff College demonstration, when after being given a niggardly handicap, we captured the coveted first prize, winning by some four hundred yards. On this occasion the crew was Cpl. Tapping, L.-Cpl. Walker (driver), Cfn. Haines, Mathews and Bourke. During this demonstration the crew also exhibited the speed at which a recovery task could be undertaken, thereby causing the O.C. to considerably reduce his talk to the assembled students. This was a pity, as opportunities to boost R.A.E.M.E. are singularly few, and the O.C. does not get many chances to lecture senior officers.

In December the location of the L.A.D. was changed and at last all sections were collected in the same area, thus eliminating long walks to get tools or to find individuals. It is confidently expected that the Engineers will soon come good and recondition the two huts we now occupy. Grounds improvement, under Sgt. Bill Malone, has proved slow, but in a season or two no doubt the area will be a credit to the occupiers.

A number of odd jobs have fallen to the L.A.D.

• Cpl. Ron Wilford and Cfn. Owen Atkinson accompanied C Squadron to Watsonia, where the latter gained considerable experience in operating the lawnmower.
• Sgt. Stan Tilley, Cpl. Icky Stewart and Cfn. Sid Olinski have been detached to Southern Command to assist in the unloading of Centurions from the U.K.
• Cfn. Russ Brant and John Bourke used some unorthodox procedures in reconditioning a radial engine for the Armoured School's target, Sherman. The completion of this task added to the success of the demonstration given by the school to the Staff College.

Concentration on training during the year was quite marked. As a result of promotion courses a number of new N.C.O.'s was produced - so good was the result that the unit is now almost up to strength in N.C.O.'s. Members who attended courses at the R.T.C. upheld the standard of the unit

• Cfn. Archie McDonald was first at the 13/55 Junior N.C.O.'s course;
• Cfn "Bunyip" Coulter was second at the 1 /55 Electricians' course;
• Cfn. Ron Bond received a very good report from the Wireless course conducted by Training Troop;
• Sgts. Jim Hunter and Danny Pollock have surmounted the first hurdles of their Advanced Equipment courses and are expected to do well.

Collective training has suffered somewhat, but is progressing slowly and showing dividends already on Squadron exercises.

All old members of the unit will be pleased to learn that Truck ¼ton 4 x 4 (No. 131387) is still on the road. For outsiders it is desired to state that this vehicle was taken on charge on 12th December, 1947, in Japan. We think this is something of a record.

The social life of the unit has not been neglected. A pre-Christmas barbecue was held by the water hole and was well attended -everyone stayed to the end -well, everyone but Archie who was able to walk home on his own. The social atmosphere at Lonsdale was paramount - even the nine-mile stroll could not prevent the nightly excursions to Barwon Heads. Another barbecue was held in the ti-tree and adequately demonstrated that of all the operational standing orders the one covering barbecues is by far the best understood. All the amenities of Puckapunyal were provided even down to the dust. As an indication of their approval the Adjutant and the R.S.M. stayed to the end. The Padre called in early in the night and besides enjoying the fare, saw, free of entertainment tax, the spectacle of the Adjutant unsuspectingly biting the only uncooked sausage of the night.

The year's sporting activities showed that, provided the next war is fought on the cricket field, we will be O.K. Under the able leadership of Cfn. Ray O'Neil, strongly backed by Cpl. Vin. Nutt and S./Sgt. Dotterill, the cricket team had a good year.Success in the Brigade competition was not marked, but some good games were played and we were by no means disgraced. The highlight of the season was the partnership of S./Sgt. Dotterill and Cpl. Nutt against R.A.A.S.C. School - Dotterill scoring 86 and Nutt 54, to give us an easy victory over a previously unbeaten team. However, in the inter-Squadron competition at Lonsdale, the team was undefeated despite considerable gamesmanship by B Squadron. Four members of the team were selected to play in the Regimental team against O.C.S., at Portsea. They were Capt. Brockwell, S./Sgt. Dotterill, Cpl. Nutt and Cfn. O'Neil. Despite this reinforcement the Regiment lost narrowly after a very good game, which featured an unexpected "long handle" exhibition by two students who hit their team out of trouble. The trip across the Bay was exhilarating and enjoyable. Envious eyes were cast on the fish caught by the Naval launch crew during the waiting time between arrival and return.

In the swimming our chances were sabotaged by the O.C., who turned on the nine-mile stroll the day before. Despite this, Cfn. Mick Michaelis won the 1 00-metres breaststroke and thus prevented the score sheet from being completely blank. Athletics were also out of our line, but Cfn. Atkinson, Cpl. McCartney and Cfn. Pat King managed places in the distance, sprint and field games, respectively.

As a result of strong representations the strength of the unit has increased considerably and is now approaching the stage where it can accept all its responsibilities. This has resulted in a large number of moves in and out of the unit. To our old members who have moved to new jobs we wish success, and to our new members we give a hearty welcome.

Valete

• Capt. J. Trevor, to S. Comd. Wksps., Puckapunyal.
• Cpl. Tim McPartlan, to Britcom Base Laundry.
• Cfn. Fred Brown, discharged medically, Bendigo.
• Cpl. A. H. McComas, to E. Comd. Wksps.
• Cfn. "Muscles" Cross, discharged, age.
• Cfn. Harry Alexander, to 2 Bn., R.A.R.
• Cpl. C. G. McCartney, to 1 Coy., R.A.A.S.C., L. A. D.
• L.-Cpl. Keith McGrath, to S. Comd. Wksps, Bandiana.
• Cpl. Matt Tynan, to S. Comd. Wksps., Metro.
• Sgt. Jim Hunter, to trainee strength, R.T.C.
• Sgt. Danny Pollock, to trainee strength, R.T.C.
• Capt. D. Brockwell, to S. Comd., Melbourne.

Salvete

• Cfn. L. I. Austin, from 3 R.A.R.
• Cfn. G. S. Michaelis, from 3 R.A.R.
• Cpl. C. G. McCartney, from 3 R.A.R.
• Cfn. R. W. Didriksen, from 2 R.A.R.
• Cpl. G. E. Legg, from E. Comd. Wksps.
• Cfn. J. B. Cornew, from S.M.E.
• Cfn. W. B. Graham, from S. Comd. Wksps.
• Cfn. C. N. Wood, from S. Comd. Wksps., Bandiana.
• Cfn. J. W. Bourke, from 3 Base Wksps.
• Cfn. J. G. Delphine, from 3 Base Wksps.
• L.-Cpl. I. McKenzie, from E. Comd. Wksps.
• Cfn. G. A. Davis, from S. Comd. Wksps.,Seymour.
• Cfn. K. J. Woodbridge, from 2 Base Wksps.
• Cfn. C. R. Vaughan, from 2 Base Wksps.
• Cfn. L. J. Legg, from 1 Recruit Trg. Bn.
• Cfn. J. Wilson, from E. Comd. Wksps.
• Cfn. E. Chapman, from 2 Base Wksps.
• Capt. E. Hockley, from

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