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 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 Officers' Mess Notes 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
Reconnaissance Troop
O.C.:Lt. D.R. KEPPER
Tp. Sgt.: W. SHIRVILL
This Troop has in its short existence undergone many changes - in personnel, organization and equipment.
Formed in February, 1953, the Troop consisted of twelve members equipped with two Staghounds and two Canadian Scout Cars. Of the originals, three remain with us. They are Lance-Corporal Meacham, Troopers Hicks and Ralph. Also now with the Troop is Corporal Fraser, who served in Intercommunication Troop when it was first formed at the same time as, and worked closely with, Reconnaissance Troop.
These two Troops combined in January, 1954, and have remained as one since then. While still equipped with "Stags", many exciting incidents occurred. Perhaps the most outstanding was the time Lance-Corporal Meacham, when returning from Donna Buang, halted his "Stag" with two wheels dangling over a near sheer slope. Some time was spent last year at the Range Camp, where an enjoyable time was had by all. It was here that Corporal Johnson showed his prowess as a cook. It is rumoured the Australian Army Catering Corps was disappointed when unable to obtain his services. The dam nearby is full of crocodiles which come out at night - when the surf is not running, that is! If you doubt this ask Troopers Binney or Rowe. In August our present equipment, Ferret Mk. I Scout Cars, arrived.
All members of the Troop were very favourably impressed by these vehicles and despite a few unfortunate accidents this impression has remained unchanged.
Individual crewman training has occupied most of the year to date. However by the time this magazine goes to press a nine-day exercise covering over 600 miles will have been completed. An increasing number of courses, both at the Armoured School and within the Regiment, are being made available; this, plus Troop training will enable a high standard to be-reached and maintained in the near future.
The future itself holds promise of Ferret Mk. II Scout Cars becoming our equipment. In anticipation of this, some training has been done on the Browning .30 Machine Gun. Soon the Sabre Squadrons on their field exercises, lumbering at their comparatively slow speed around the training area, should have Reconnaissance Troop flashingabout their flanks.