COMMENTARY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CORPS ASSOCIATION. SEPTEMBER 2018 edition

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1 COMMENTARY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CORPS ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2018 edition Postal: 25 Bentley St Stoneville WA 6081 Phone: Website: Patron Col Ken Ashman (MSM USA) (RET) President FROM THE PRESIDENT JOHN DWYER John Dwyer Secretary Noel Moyes Treasurer Ross Leighton Advocacy Services John Sanderson Committee: Colin Davies Ross Flint Robert Gesmundo IPP Dick Jones Robert C Norris Peter Williams Editor Ian Goodall Well done to those members that braved the cold and rainy conditions at the Old Boys Parade. Congratulations to A SQN 10LH Officers and Soldiers who were in the mounted and dismounted parade at the memorial. The Christmas in July function at the Herdsman was well attended and trust all enjoyed the comradery and social gathering at this partner event. By the time of publication members would also have had the opportunity to attend another social function at the Railway Museum at Guildford where private carriages have been booked for a luncheon get together. The Association was approached last year in regard to the building of a statue at Guildford to commemorate those that served with the 10 th Light Horse Regiment during the 1 st World War. Laurens West agreed to become a member of the working committee on this issue and since then the project has developed to the stage where a design has been accepted by the committee and a funding program commenced starting with a grant of 100K from the Swan Shire Council. The cooperative efforts of members representing all three levels of government along with the local historical association are to be commended in progressing the project to the stage it is at now. Our committee member Bob Norris has been hard at work bringing together all previous copies of Commentary which of course reflect what the main aspects of activity were over the 73 year history of the Association. I also note that we have a considerable number of military history books in our library at Cambrai House and members are invited to access them on loan. Please contact a committee member if you are interested and perhaps come down to the house at our next committee meeting to make a selection. Because of the success of last year s Cambrai Parade and Dinner held at Frasers Restaurant in Kings Park with the Parade at the 10LH memorial the committee agreed it would be the best venue for the 2018 event. Our special guest will be Major Duane Nurse Officer Commanding A SQN 10LH. Details of the event are in this edition of Commentary. On the National scene much work is being done by the Chairman of the RAAC Corporation Noel McLaughlin on behalf of current and past serving members. Working with other ESO Peak Groups, DVA and the Government his involvement in a number of projects has resulted in a number of positive outcomes for the veteran community. Finally in response to adverse comment in regard to activities of ADF personnel serving with the Mentoring Task Forces in Afghanistan we should all remember the circumstances and type of warfare they were involved in. All who served require the full support of Australians and in particular those who have been unjustly accused of wrong doing by people who would have little understanding of the challenges they faced. Yours in Armour John September 2018 edition page 1

2 BATTLE OF CAMBRAI REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2018 GUEST SPEAKER: MAJOR DUANE NURSE, COMMANDING OFFICER A SQUADRON XLH 10.00AM FOR 10.30AM WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT TENTH LIGHT HORSE MEMORIAL KINGS PARK 11.OOAM AT FRASERS RESTAURANT FUNCTION CENTRE ROOM 2, FOR PRE LUNCH DRINK (ONE PER PERSON) 11.30AM FOR 2 COURSE LUNCH FINISH 2.30PM COST: $50.00 EACH MEMBER AND ONE GUEST (cost subsidised by RAACAWA) OTHER GUESTS $78.00 *Drinks are available from the Bar at own expense ***ESSENTIAL WE KNOW NUMBERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE RSVP TO: Noel Moyes at secretary.raacawa@gmail.com or Payment can be made by By direct transfer to Association Bank Account, details for Direct Deposit - RAACA Inc. CBA Warwick BSB a/c (please add your name). OR Cheque to RAACA Inc. posted to The Treasurer, Ross Leighton, 52 Bramwell Rd, NORANDA 6062 September 2018 edition page 2

3 Elaine Keesing Elaine is the wife of the late Ross Keesing who was a founding member and later Life Member of RAACA WA from 1947 and remained an active member until his passing at age 74 in He served with the 2/10 th in Qld and Borneo from 1941 to 1946 along with his lifelong friend Jim Potter who died last year aged 93. Ross Keesing kept all Committee reports and copies of the Commentary throughout the years and Elaine has continued her membership and archiving of records since Recently Bob Norris and Ross Leighton visited Elaine to hear some stories of our history and to collect a bootload of the records mentioned. These are being carefully perused to form a history profile before being secured. Elaine has described the social events of the past; dinners, Cambrai, fancy dress, Hotels, Yacht Clubs and homes. Much like Ken Mansom did for us recently. As a direct result of the donated Commentarys, Bob Norris has found we have 25 life members of which we only knew of 12 until now, the committee is now in the process of updating the Honour board of life members. September 2018 edition page 3

4 CHRISTMAS IN JULY A good turn out at the Herdie for our Christmas in July function the get together was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Ross Leighton for running the raffle and door prize, the draw for the raffle was a little unique as three people were drawn twice some returning the second prize to be redrawn. (apologies for no pictures as I forgot my camera in my haste to get there) The visit to the Railway Heritage Museum in Bassendean was well attended with over twenty members attending,. Thanks to Ross for organising the visit. Was great to sit in the dining carriage and remember days gone by. Some of the members in the dining car (right) while others were exploring the many railway exhibits. My daughter and son came with my 3 granddaughters, the grand kids were absolutely excited at exploring the engines and carriages, their favourite was by far the Royal carriage. September 2018 edition page 4

5 OLD BOYS PARADE 4 AUGUST 2018 LEST WE FORGET A FEW BRAVE SOULS ATTENDED DESPITE THE HOWLING SOU WESTER AND IMPENDING STORMY WEATHER THE UNIT IN FRONT OF THE 10 LIGHT HORSE MEMORIAL AFTER THE PARADE. BEFORE REMOUNTING AND HEADING BACK TO ES SALT LINES FOR THEIR BATTLE OF THE NEK DINNER September 2018 edition page 5

6 2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CORPS ASSOCIATION WA Inc. HQ: 2 Little Gibraltar Drive, Irwin Barracks, KARRAKATTA WA 6010 Postal: 25 Bentley St Stoneville WA 6081 Landline: Patron: Col Ken Ashman (Rtd) President: John Dwyer Secretary: Noel Moyes DAY/DATE TIME EVENT COMMENT Sunday 28 th January 1200 Committee Meeting followed by lunch at 1300 Saturday 24 th February 1000 Busy Bee includes Feb Committee Meeting Robert and Marias Residence Cambrai House BBQ Sunday 11 th March 1500 AGM followed by Afternoon Tea Cambrai House Wednesday 28 th March Visit to SASR Museum Members only, max 30 persons, Tuesday 10 th of April 1300 Committee Meeting Cambrai House Preparation ANZAC events Sunday 22nd April 1000 Old Boys Parade Kings Park Members to ready to form up at 0945 please allow time to park etc.. Wednesday 25 th April 0500 Kings Park Dawn Service Wednesday 25 th April 0900 ANZAC PDE Perth Wednesday 25 th April 1200 A SQN 10LH ANZAC EVENT Tuesday 8 th May 1300 Committee Meeting Cambrai House Tuesday 12 th June 1300 Committee Meeting Cambrai House Saturday 14 th of July 1000 Busy Bee and Committee Cambrai House Sunday 22nd July 1200 Christmas in July Herdsman Lake Tavern 33 Herdsman Parade Wembley Tuesday 14 th August 1300 Committee Meeting Cambrai House August Bus Trip TBA Tuesday 11 th of Sep 1300 Committee Meeting Cambrai House Saturday 20 th Oct 1000 Busy Bee and Committee meeting Cambrai House Saturday 27 th October 1800 Beersheba Dinner 10LH ASN Function Monday 12 th November 1900 Committee Meeting Cambrai House Sunday 18 th of November 1000 to 1430 Cambrai Parade and Luncheon 10LH memorial Kings Park then at Frasers Restaurant Sunday 9 th of December 1200 Christmas Function TBA Notes: Committee Meeting Dates include combination with Busy Bees to save having to attend twice Committee meetings - Members welcome Event information in red to be firmed up as well as what will be held. September 2018 edition page 6

7 THE 106 TROOP EMBLEM (Active circa 1974 to 1981) The 106 troop, this troop was the anti-armour troop raised within XLH during a time when track mileage was a major concern for the M113 armoured personnel carriers and the Tracked Load Carriers. It gave the unit another avenue to maintain member numbers. The main armament was the M40-A1 106mm recoilless rifle, hence the 106 troop. The troop was used in recruiting displays and predominantly as the enemy for the sabre troops. We prided ourselves with our achievements in a short period of time from getting the crews together to becoming proficient in our role within the unit. We had more than our share of characters as we had requested the sabre troops send anyone interested, anyone that didn t fit or that they just didn t want and this suited us fine. This mix of personnel gave us a group of men with lots of skills and knowledge which we could utilise against the sabre troops. For a lot of the time the troop was active, we went short of a troop leader and troop sergeant to which the corporals within the troop stepped up to cover. The troop did all the exercises within the unit and we were flown over to Puckapunyal with the unit when we did an exercise there. The most significant exercise we were involved in was in the north west at Oombagoomba station where the troop was part of the enemy for the SAS. Before deploying we had lectures given by SAS personnel and did they paint a bleak picture, telling us that we would most likely have our vehicles airlifted back to Perth after the exercise as they would be unfit to drive. We drove our four vehicles back to Perth and the SAS vehicles were the ones airlifted back!!!! After the exercise XLH received a signal from the SAS, saying that any time the troop wanted, we were welcome to come back as part of the enemy party as we were the first and only personnel to beat them at their own game. September 2018 edition page 7

8 106 live firing Lancelin (The driver of 22A was Wayne Gardiner) Awaiting orders Puckapunyal 1977 Starting at the back left top, Tpr Tony Lorian, Cpl Ken Williams, Tpr Danny Casey, Tpr Frank Harmsen, Tpr Jimmy Dickerson, Cpl Ian Goodall and Tpr Craig Manners. Photo was taken by Capt Norm Manners. One vehicle missing was Cpl Clive Smith s who was away getting orders. On Oombagoomba exercise (left and below) September 2018 edition page 8

9 WE WISH TO THANK OUR MAJOR SPONSOR FOR THEIR SUPPORT Remembrance Funerals We understand Military Funerals Below are services being offered by Robert Gesmundo, current Committee Member of RAACA WA and previous serving member of XLH. September 2018 edition page 9

10 Check out the following If the job is too big or you don t have time or you just need help, some of our members may be able to assist with their expertise. Need a plumber? Try Laurens West at this website Thermowest has supported the association with printing etc. September 2018 edition page 10