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STORIES
FRANK TAMES A ROUGH ‘UN
From "ON GUARD": Published for the Volunteer Defence Corps by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
The V.D.C. in camp at Jarred had bivouacked for the
night. The day had been long and tiring and the old Diggers were resting and
spinning yarns.
The tired soldiers were discussing horse-manship, and big Frank was holding
forth.
“Of course, all you blokes know that I served in the 9th Light Horse
Regiment. You would have guessed that by my smart movements on parade. What’s
that? Been fairly slow turning out in the morning? Well, what of it? Look at
the energy I put into my work.
“Now, talking of horses. That reminds me of one I rode while I was in
Palestine. Those were the days of horsemen; not like the so-called riders you
see these days. Call ‘em horsemen! Might be all right on a broke-down cab
horse, or perhaps safer still on a seat in a tramcar; but when it comes to
sticking – ah, that belonged to the boys of the old school. They say Long Harry
here is pretty good, but, don’t you see, horses don’t buck like they used to.
“I remember when I was in Palestine with the regiment, and we had secured by
fair means or otherwise, a beautiful black stallion. He was the loveliest horse
ever foaled, but as mad as a March hare. A rough stockyard had been built, and
I was leaning on the rails and gazing at this beautiful horse, when the colonel
came along and, looking at me, said, ‘I understand you are a fair horseman.’
“I said, ‘Oh, I am fairly good on a broken-down hack.’
“’Will you try this horse out?’ He said.
“Well, I wasn’t particularly keen about it, especially as I knew there was a
lot of better horsemen than me in the regiment.
“However, to make a long story short, I said that I’d have a slap at him, and I
got a saddle and bridle and was soon on the horse’s back.
“Then the fun begun. Did he buck? Well, I guess he did a bit. He made a
tremendous spring as I put my leg across him, and he bounded out of the
stockyard, right over a six-foot fence, and then straight across some open
country towards an olive plantation. ”Did he buck, did you say? Well, he sprang
into the air, and, at a fair estimate, it was ten minutes before he came down.
He looped the loop, performed the figure eight in mid-air, turned a complete
somersault, rolled on the ground, and then bucked his brand off – but, of
course, that didn’t bother me in the least.
When he found he could not get me that way, he bolted into the olives and tried
to dash me against the trees. My shirt was torn front my back, but, as I said
before, I could ride a trifle in those days.
“When he could not get rid of me in the olives, he bolted into a river and
rolled in the stream. It was here that he got rid of the saddle and bridle, but
as he sprung up I was on his back again, bareback – and then we had a fair set
to on the open country.
“The sun was about to set, and still he bucked, and I was just beginning to
wonder how I was to manage for something to eat, as we had been at it for over
three hours. Just at this moment I saw the cook arrive with my dinner and a shanghai.
I had often been fed with a shanghai when riding rough horses, but the cooks I
was used to were men of the bush, and I was not sure if our army cook was much
of a shot. You see, this cook was rather a city man, and I didn’t like to take
a chance and get hit in the eye.
“At last the horse raced towards a telegraph line and tried to bash me against
some of the poles and as we drew near I heard the colonel call out to the men
to get a rope and lasso me off the horse’s back as I went past.
“I was very annoyed at his interference, as I had just lit my pipe and was
enjoying the ride.
“The colonel called out as I raced past the telegraph poles, ‘Now, boys, get
him, or Australia will lose a great soldier.’
“Over came the rope, and it fell around my waist. In the meantime they had
taken several turns around a telegraph pole with the other end. Did I come off?
Oh, no. I never exaggerate, but I can tell you it took me all my time to stick
him then. We yanked out that telegraph pole, and then the horse collapsed and I
was stunned when he fell.
“As the horse and I lay senseless on the ground it took ten men with a rope to
get me clear, I had such a grip of the horse.”
“You must have been a Pretty good horseman in those days, Frank,” said one of
the old Diggers.
“I was fair,” said Frank, “but there were a lot better men than me in the 9th
Light Horse.”
Frank paused as the trumpets sounded “Lights Out”, and the weary old Diggers
crawled into their blankets to sleep, and possible=y to dream of other days
when –
“I could wheel
‘em in the gidgee,
Where the country’s rough and ridgy;
I could lose ‘em in the very worst
of scrub.
With my head I was daisy;
I could ride ‘em rough and aisy,
With the technique of an artist on
the job.”
FIFTH COLUMN - MOBILE
From "ON GUARD": Published for the Volunteer Defence Corps by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
The C.R.P. rang up H.Q. of the Guides and Reconnaissance
Corps at Nowra one night to report Morse signalling from the Bomaderry heights
– obviously directed out to sea.
It was at the time when Japanese were suspected of operating off the coast of
New South Wales. All was in a ferment at the once. A casual inspection
confirmed the report. Despite the lateness of the hour – it was nearly midnight
– Corps H.Q. in Sydney was rung up and the matter reported. Corps must have
roused L. of C. and half the Eastern Command judging by the messages which
began to come through.
Anticipating instructions, two patrols were sent out, one to take the Bomaderry
Heights from the rear, the other to make a frontal assault up the cliffs from
the river bank.
Meanwhile those on H.Q. who had not joined the patrols waited patiently,
watching the signalling from the heights and answering the inquiries from
Sydney. Military priority had been involved and all telephonic communication
with Sydney had been suspended to permit of Corps asking every five minutes if
there was anything fresh to report.
“Can you read the signals?” was one question.
“No.”
“What language are they in?”
“Well, sir, we don’t quite know. The only man here who knows German says they
are not in that language. We think they may be in Japanese, but nobody here
knows any.”
Hour by hour, or rather minute by minute, during some hours those inquiries
went on.
It was obvious that a perfect galaxy of brass-hats must have been aroused in
Sydney to hear the news.
Eventually in the early hours of the morning the patrols drifted in, who gave
their report to Corps, who conveyed it to L. of C. and Eastern Command, and
what was the reaction of each will never be known.
There had been intermittent lights showing in the wooded and sparsely
built-upon Bomaderry heights. Those lights certainly looked like Morse, but
they were caused by the hurricane lamp upon the back of the local sanitary
contractor’s cart. As the cart passed a tree or a cottage the light was
obscured only to flash out again as it passed from backyard to backyard. The
language used by the patrols was not German or Japanese.
FOR VALOUR …….. OR SOMETHING
From "ON GUARD": Published for the Volunteer Defence Corps by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Every large body of men has its individuals who stand out
above their fellows by reason of some remarkable personal trait or virtue (or
lack of it) and the V.D.C. is no exception. Here is a list (entirely
unofficial) of decorations that have been awarded to V.D.C. men, together with
their citations, and we congratulate the men concerned on the distinctions they
have earned:
Pte X. Hibitionist
Conspicuous Service Medal
For
bravery above the call of duty. In repeatedly walking through the scrub in the
most conspicuous manner, regardless of cover, and displaying himself fearlessly
at all times to the imaginary enemy, without a thought of concealment.
Pte John Careless
Long Service Medal
For
presenting himself on parade no fewer than two consecutive Sundays, on one of
which he was correctly dressed in every detail, except that his hat was on back
to front.
L/Cpl Iva Drought
Order of the Camel, 2nd Class
For
colossal corn-carrying capacity and unfailing attention to the important detail
of never understanding the slightest operation without an adequate supply of
liquid fuel. This N.C.O. empties his water-bottle immediately the command
“March at Ease!’ is given for the first time, and thereafter falls out at every
public house for restocking.
Pte Fugh Coupons
Home Guard Cross
For
reckless disregard of Battalion Routine Order No. 606 forbidding the use of
Army equipment off parade, by constantly wearing his green pants about the
house, his boots in the garden and his greatcoat about the village on cold
nights.
L/Cpl I. Diehard
Extinguished Service Order
For
remarkable stamina and endurance in deferring token death until he had reported
vital information. In the battle of Swan View, his entire section was
obliterated by an imaginary mortar shell, but he, shockingly mutilated,
strolled back to Platoon H.Q. through heavy token fire, and gave valuable
details as to enemy strength before lying back with a cigarette and reporting
himself dead.
Cpl Thyme Welter
Conspicuous Service Order
For
consistent outstanding service. On every parade this N.C.O. attends, he is absolutely
outstanding compared with the remainder of the section. With a height of 6 feet
2 inches he can be seen from a distance of 4000 yards, providing he doesn’t
stand sideways.
Pte Walter Welter
Extinguished Service Medal
For
endurance, Private Welter for his size carries more foot-pounds of equipment to
the cubic centimetre than any other man in his section. When fully laden with
all regulation accoutrements and paraphernalia, this soldier emits a loud
creaking sound, and it is only regretted that he cannot turn out on wet
Sundays, since there is a limit to his strength, and a Mark VII greatcoat is
the last straw.
Pte Dooper Snooper
Conspicuous Service Medal
For
scouting. This soldier, by reason of his comparative youth, has been repeatedly
selected, much to his own disgust, for advanced scouring and reconnaissance.
His section has become so accustomed to the sight of his lofty form blundering
through the scrub, that his disappearance down a sand-pit on a recent manoeuvre
left them at the mercy of the enemy. The section is lost without Private
Snooper; Private Snooper is lost with or without his section.
L/Sgt P.R.O. Crastinator
Medal of Honour
For
exemplary keenness and leadership. By his constant inquiries during parades as
to the time, so that he will know when to knock off, he displays forethought
not only for himself, but for his men. In attack, he takes up a commanding
position in the rear, so that he can see what is going on; while in retreat, he
leads his men rapidly and without hesitation to the previously prepared
positions which he is adept in selecting
THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
From "ON GUARD": Published for the Volunteer Defence Corps by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Once there was sited in Fairyland a handsome V.D.C. pl.
com., Lieut. Ellem Gun, who was popular, intelligent, and keen, and an admirer
of smartness wherever he saw it.
As he watched the dismissal of a W.A.A.A.F. parade one day the salute of one
A.C.W. appealed to his well-trained eye. Taking full advantage of ground, cover
and concealment, he reconnoitred her orderly withdrawal to the town.
From his concealed position he observed her patrol past a café several times as
if considering an assault, but finally she occupied a position fronting a shop
window and commenced a “recce” of its contents.
Lieut. Gun now made his appreciation of the situation:
APPRECIATION
OF THE SITUATION – by Lieut. ELLEM GUN, Pl. Com., at
Fairyland at 1545 hrs on the 22nd August, ’43.
OBJECT: to
make acquaintance of W.A.A.A.F.
OBJECTIVE; W.A.A.A.F.
FACTORS:
Topography:
(a)
Street fairly crowded.
Deduction: Cover.
(b)
Café attractive.
Deduction: Hungry, but money short or prefers company.
(c)
Occupying window position.
Deduction: (1) Inspecting contents;
(2)
Examining reflection on glass.
(d)
W.A.A.A.F. contours.
Deduction: Gentle-slopes.
Relative Strengths:
W.A.A.A.F.: W.A.A.A.F. attractive; arms – beautiful; finance
- magazine empty;
ME;
Lt V.D.C., tall, handsome; arms – strong; finance – full echelon.
Deduction: Odds favour me.
Time and Space:
1545 hrs.
Deduction: Prompt action if
afternoon tea is to be secured.
Weather:
Fine and clear.
Deduction: Make a night of it.
Courses:
To me;
(a) Wait and meet her formally.
(b) Introduction by mutual friend.
(c) Introduce myself.
To W.A.A.A.F.:
(d) Might be reconnoitring for escort.
(e) Might knock me back.
(f) Might accept pick-up.
Considerations:
If I (a) or (b) and W.A.A.A.F. (d)
she might get someone else first.
If I (c) and W.A.A.A.F. (e) courses
(a) and/or (b) still open.
If I (c) and W.A.A.A.F. (f) I’m set.
Conclusion:
I will adopt course (c).
Plan:
Introduce myself by surprise
attack from rear.
Lieut. Gun now put his plan into operation. He laid his
cap and tie on their zero lines, set all his buttons at “safety”, and
infiltrated through the crowd toward his objective. He tapped the W.A.A.A.F. on
the shoulder, saluted briskly, and said, “Lieut. Ellem Gun here. Afternoon
tea?”
She replied, “A.C.W. Ima Messorderly here, Oke.”
He immediately knelt down and shouted, “On!”
He was exultant. All his training had emphasized the value of surprise and here
was an illustration of its complete success. It also taught him the value of
concise wording.
She was not excited. She knew the characteristics of her weapons, and considered
her ambush completed according to plan.
They encountered no enemy resistance in the advance on the café, and a quick
“recce” revealed O.P. in corner, cover provided from front and flanks by low
screen. He located alternative position – other corner 10 feet, bearing 180
deg.
Over the tea they consolidated their position and drew up operation orders for
night manoeuvres at cinema. Occupying a position affording good visibility they
awaited the zero hour. They used only one seat as he knew economy of materials
to be one of the essentials of good tactics. Afterwards they discussed their
tactics and were dismissed by the sentry at the gate of her camp.
Next day intercommunication was established in the battle code by semaphore but
was discontinued for security reasons. On the following Friday she was handed a
slip of paper with a message reading:
To A.C.W. I. Messorderly,
From Lieut. Ellem Gun. E.g.1. 26
Meet me Saturday 17th
at 1945 hrs stop
R.V. Xrds MR140356 1320.
Ellem Gun, Lieut.
“What a lovely warning order,” thought Ima. When she
debussed at R.V. they synchronised watches and agreed his must be plus 15
minutes. They patrolled the riverbank and found a site in a deflated position.
They adopted close formation and he began an encircling movement, which met
with little opposition and which, as it developed, brought into action A.L.A.
He told her:
(1) He
expected a new tyre through V.D.C.
(2) He had
used none of his clothing coupons.
(3) He
didn’t Smoke.
She told him:
(1) Of
her camp life.
(2) Of
her training.
He inquired if she was engaged, but she assured him she
had no second front. They dismissed from a covered position. She wondered why
he did not present an oscillatory salute, but he wondered just how proficient
was her unarmed combat.
On Monday she received a letter – her first love letter.
Surely there was never so passionate a love letter as this:
H.Q., V.D.C.
Fairyland,
August 30, 1943.
E.G. 197/8/’43
A.C.W. I. Messorderly,
W.A.A.A.F.ville,
Fairyland
PROPOSAL OF
MARRIAGE
(1) I love
you.
(2) Will you marry me?
(3) When?
(4) Where?
(5) This matter is to receive your immediate
attention.
(6) Ack.
E. Gun,
Lieut. O.C.
Almost immediately came the mental reports;
Sentiments – Correct.
Clothing and tobacco prospects –
Correct
Tyre position – Correct.
Report: No 1 A.C.W. ready.
She then wrote the first love letter of her young life,
so that he could not fail to see her love exuding from every tender word –
W.A.A.A.F. ville,
Fairyland,
August 30, 1943.
Lieut. E. Gun,
H.Q., V.D.C.,
Fairyland.
E.G. 197/8/’43 - PROPOSAL OF
MARRIAGE
Your letter of even date re above; the answers are –
(1) Your
sentiments are reciprocated.
(2) Yes.
(3) Any
time.
(4) Anywhere.
I. Messorderly, A.C.W.
And so Ellem and Ima were married. They drew special
coupons for setting up a home. In course of time they drew maternity bonuses
and lived happily ever after. Their one regret is that though they have filled
in many new forms they have not yet received the tyre.
”Q226770”
NAVY VERSES V.D.C.
INTER-SERVICES SHOOT
Outing at Pickering Brook
From an article published in "The West Australian on Monday 23rd October 1944
Mainly to foster inter-service relationships, a rifle shoot between the Navy and the VDC was held at Pickering Brook on October 15th. The Navy team was led by Lt-Commanders Brooks and Stobbs and the VDC team consisted of members of the Pickering Brook platoons under Lt. Niven and augmented by Major A. H. Priestly and Capt. R. A. Nicholas, of HQ. The shoot was carried out in a sociable atmosphere and local hospitality was generous. Many local residents and visitors and several visiting VDC officers were present.
The shoot resulted in a win for the VDC on total numbers of points scored but honours went to Lt-Commander Brooks for the highest individual score. A/B Hynes (RAN) and L/Cpl Smith (highest individual score of the wining team). Lt-Commander Brooks expressed the gratitude of the Navy for an excellent day's entertainment, thanked the women of the district for their hospitality and suggested that more inter-service events would be to the advantage of all concerned.
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