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Vol. I.          No. 1.       August 1939

THE LANCER

Regimental Badge of the Royal NSW Lancers drawn by Mr C.T. Stephens

The Regimental Journal

of the

ROYAL N.S.W. LANCERS

1st. Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regt.

Reproduced by the NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated 2001

enquiries@lancers.org.au  


INDEX

  Editorial   The Regiment Mechanised   The KDG
  Old Faithful   RHQ Notes   Our Badge
  The Royston Shield   The Cavalryman and His Mount   Reflections on Berry Exercise
  History of the Regiment   A Squadron Notes   Modern Aerial Surveying
  The Lancers in Africa   Revolver Notes   SAGO
  That really decent Fellow   Villers Bretonneux Competition   Rifle Club
  Sergeants' Mess   B Squadron Notes   Grappling in the Fog
  Wind   150th Anniversary   The Lay of the Lost Lorry
  Regimental Sports   Boxing and Wrestling Tournament   Beach Defence
  Tinkle Tinkle   C Squadron Notes   Wunemmagee
  Question Box   Last Post   Thanks

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EDITORIAL

"The Recruit"

He is rather bewildered, and secretly not a little afraid.  He feels flat-crested and knock-kneed amongst all these swaggering Lighthorsemen.   His leggings are on the wrong legs, and his spurs are crossed.  His bandolier hangs like an abandoned and dissolute rainbow from shoulder to knee.  Above his jacket collar his head and neck waver uncertainly -- like a hesitant sunflower craning above an upturned drain-pipe.  His feet feel -- and indeed look -- as though they were shod with lead-weighted diving-boots.  If he moves, he drops his rifle; if the man next to him moves, he drops it again.  When he stoops to pick it up, his hat falls off.  When he picks up his hat, he drops his rifle —  and so on.  He is, in short a recruit, a johnny raw, a johnny-blooming-raw.

For surely there never was anything so raw, so new, so uncomfortable, as a journal upon whose cover appear the symbols - "Vol I. No.1."

          It is in fact the newest and rawest recruit in the Regiment.  It is going to be bullied, and abused, and roared at; it will be mocked and trampled on and kicked until it does not know whether it is Saturday night or breakfast-time.

          But in time it will learn the way we have in the Lancers.  It will shine and glisten, and with chest thrust forward, and chin in air, will swagger along-emu-skin proud in the breeze and spurs a'jingle.  That, at any rate, is our hope.

For the moment, however, you must take it as it is -- a recruit, and a raw one.  It is intended primarily as a peace-time record of the doings of the Regiment.  In that there should be some value.  But it should serve too, as a means whereby the Regiment may get to know itself better.  One might say with the poet-more or less -

"What do they know of Ourimbah, Who only Berry know?"

There will be found then, a record of our work and our play; notes and news from Squadrons and Troops.  In addition there are numerous original contributions in prose and verse -- and even worse.

        Here then is the first number of the first volume of the Regimental Journal of the Royal New South Wales Lancers.  Let it henceforth speak for itself.

        There have been not a few difficulties attached to the launching of this, the first number of our Regimental Journal.  We apologise for the delay in pro­duction, due, as Cabinet Ministers have it, to "circumstances beyond our control".  We had considerable difficulty in gathering the material from some of the Troops, who seem to dislike the idea of rushing into print.  However, by means of bribes, pleadings, threats, and writing some of the notes ourselves, we succeeded in assembling a fairly complete record.  We accept no responsibility for any omissions.

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        We would like to thank those who came to light with special articles and information; notably: Lieutenants Vernon, Wheatley and Viner, and Sergeants Mackel, Fitzsimmons, Bent and Onslow.  We hope that this list will be much longer for the second number.

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A cable was recently received:

"Royal N.S.W. Lancers, Parramatta.

Old Comrades King's Dragoon Guards dining Imperial Hotel London, send hearty greetings.

President."

A reply was sent as follows :

"Old Comrades King's Dragoon Guards, Nepaul Road, Tidworth.  Hants.

Appreciate your greetings from Imperial Hotel London. Tell association Regiment heartily reciprocates.

Royal N.S.W. Lancers."

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        The Commanding Officer's prize for the best contribution has been awarded to Corporal M. Kartzoff of No. l Troop "B" Squadron, for his lengthy, vivid and heartfelt description of the Royston Shield 1938.

The Editor.  

The 1 MG Regt being inspected in Camp C1939

(Inserted by webmaster)

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THE REGIMENT MECHANISED.

        On the 1st November, 1936, the Regiment was mechanised and converted to a Machine Gun Regiment. The idea of such a unit was new, and the unit was the First of its kind in the Empire. We knew that we were to be armed with Vickers Machine Guns and we should be mounted on thirty cwt. motor lorries. Our role was to be that of Support Regiment to the 4th Cav. Brigade. That was the full extent of our knowledge; and at first we had to improvise our section and vehicle drill as we went along. Our first vehicles were fitted with discarded tram seats, and we tried them in various positions with several alternative methods of packing stores. The dismounted drill was modified cavalry drill, finally a definite system was evolved and portee fitments were designed and manufactured. They had many disadvantages and are soon to be replaced by a new type.

        Major J.B. Pye led the Regiment into its first Mechanised Camp at Campbelltown in March, 1937. Everything was strange at first with no horses to look after, but the drivers soon learned that a vehicle requires just as much attention as a horse. We learned, too, some of the disadvantages of mechanised units under wet weather conditions.                                                   '

        In our second camp in November of the same year, we had become accustomed to vehicles and were able to carry out some advanced work. We tried our first night march without lights, and found it impossible on rough ground with inexperienced drivers.   We also made our first attempt at feeding the troops in the field. The Q people had a difficult task, with insufficient and unsuitable equipment, but gained valuable experience.

        Moving to Camp at Berry the following year gave us our first long march and was a good test of drivers, vehicles, and of March Discipline generally.   The work became more strenuous than usual and the physical condition of the men was proved to be quite satisfactory. We used travelling kitchens for the first time and found that we will have to evolve a kitchen with pneumatic tyres, which can be towed by a lorry,

        The beach defence exercise held at Berry in February of this year was our biggest job to date. We made a long night march which tested the endurance of drivers and men. It gave us, too, our first opportunity for doing our job of co-operation with Light Horse. We found that our biggest problem was one of speed. Owing to the great difference between the speeds of horses and motorised transport, great difficulty will be experienced in keeping touch, and. the problem is one which will have to receive much consideration. We also gained further experience in feeding the troops in the field. By using fast utility trucks to transport food from kitchens to the troops we were able to get meals out in time and hot on most occasions.

        With our increased establishment of personnel and vehicles, we should have an opportunity of covering much ground in our next camp.

Drawing 'Thank goodness the Army's mechanised this time' - The Bulletin

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THE K.D.G.

OUR ALLIED REGIMENT

        The King's Dragoon Guards was raised just two hundred years before the formation of the Royal New South Wales Lancers. The Regiment was raised by King James II at the time of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. It was called the Queen's Regiment of Horse and the uniform was of scarlet, faced and lined with yellow. Tho men wore jacked leather boots, buff gauntlets, and shoulder belts, their defensive armour consisting of cuirasses (iron-breast-plates) and round iron bead pieces. They were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols, the barrels of which were fourteen inches-long; and later a carbine with a thirty-inch barrel.

        The first duty performed was the escorting of the Duke of Monnouth and other prisoners taken after the Battle of Sedgmoor, from Winchester to London.

        They fought at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and two years later wore sent to Flanders as part of a mixed Brigade sent by England to help Holland and Austria against Louis of Prance. They were in Flanders for five years, and in 1702 were again sent abroad, this time to Germany. They remained abroad for twelve years.

        It was during this period that they gained four of their principal battle Honours. They played a distinguished part in the Duke of Marlborough's great .Victories of Blenheim, Rarnillies, Ondenarde and Malplaquet.

        In 1748 they were fighting for Austria against Bavaria and France, and received^a Battle Honour for their part in the Battle of Dettingen.

        During the Seven Years War they were abroad for five years and gained yet another Honour - Warburg. In 1794 "Beaumont" was added to their co-lour.

        They were sent to Belgium in 1815 to join the Duke of Wellington's Army. The Regiment had seen no service for ten years and was consequently looked down on by Wellington's veterans of the Peninsular campaign. Along with the Household Troops they were called scathingly the "Hyde Park Soldiers". However, they proved their worth once again at Waterloo.

        In 1855 they took part In the storming of Sevastopol, and in 1860 were at the Taku Forts and Pekin (Beijing). At the last-named they made their famous charge against the Tartar Horse.

        In South Africa in 1879 they were engaged in the Zulu War and again in 1901-2 in the Boor War. Here they probably met a detachment of our Regiment which was attached to the 6th Inniskillen Dragoon Guards, forming a squadron of that Regiment. They were in France and Belgium from 1914 to 1917 and in spite of the very limited use of cavalry, gained two more honours: "Somme 1916'' and "Morval". They have seen action since then, however, for they were fighting in Afghanistan in 1919. They have since been abroad for some time in Egypt and India.

        The Regiment has an excellent sporting record. The Officers' Mess Table centre piece is made from-11 trophies won in Polo tournaments in. India between 1909 and 1919.

        In 1930 at the Royal Tournament at Olympia, they created a British Army record, Lieut. Wilder won the Championship dummy thrusting; Lieut. (now Major) McCorquodale was Champion Man-at-Arms; and I.S.M. Riding Instructor Grotty won the championship for Sword, Lance and Revolver. In Egypt in 1934 at the Cavalry Brigade and R.H.A. Horse Show, they won 13 first prizes out of 20, and 5 third prizes out of 13.

On their return from India the King's Dragoon Guards was mechanised and is now equipped with light tanks.

The Governor-General, Lord Cowrie is a former member of the K.D.G. He joined the Regiment in 1899 as a Captain. He had previously been awarded the Victoria Cross whilst serving in the Sudan Campaign under Sir Herbert Kitchener (later Lord Kitchener).

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OLD FAITHFUL

by F. J. F.

        The early part of this year saw the retirement of one of the most popular men of "A" Squadron, S.S.M. Sommer, affectionately known as "Old Faithful".

        Although few know it, as he is not of a boastful nature, Les Sommer had a very long and creditable army record, representing the third generation of his family to serve with the Lancers.

        Having joined the Sydney Squadron of the N.S.W. Lancers (1st L-H) in 1909 at the immature age of seventeen, Les was, before his retirement, the only member of this well-known squadron remaining with the Regiment.

        After seven years experience in the militia, the Great War broke out and our friend enlisted with the 7th L-H, A.I.F. He embarked for Egypt as a corporal of this regiment in 1915. After six months service he was invalided to England, where, on convalescing, he joined the 56th Battalion as a private and was sent to France for front line service. Discharged from the A.I.F. on 5th July, 1919, after four years abroad, Les still thirsted for the army life, and lost no time in rejoining his original squadron, with which he served until the squadron was disbanded about 1921. He then held the rank of Sergeant.

        Then occurred the only break in his service, which lasted until the latter part of 1931, when he formed up the Camden Troop of the 1/2lst L-H under the command of Major J.B. Pye. After four Months of hard training, Sgt. Sommer had the well-earned satisfaction of commanding this new body of troops on. their first parade on 13th February, 1932, with Lieutenant Morgan as Adjutant.

        Lieut. (now Captain) Macarthur-Onslow was later made Troop Leader of the Camden Troop and he and Sergeant Sommer attended a Cavalry School at the Small Arms School at Randwick. It was at the finish of this course that the latter was exempted from any examination for warrant rank.

        Gazetted by Brigadier A.J. Mills as W.0.2., S.S.M., "A" Squadron l/21st L-H on 1st August, 1932, Squadron-Sergeant-Major E.L. Sommer held this rank and "carried out his duties in a soldier-like manner" for seven years until February 13th, 1939, when he retired with the rank of honorary Warrant-Officer.

        He was noted for his light-hearted nature and devil-may-care actions, such as riding a horse into the Garrison Sergeants' Mess on Coronation Day; and only those of us who knew Les intimately, realised how much he worried about and looked after the welfare of the men under his care, A practical joke played on Les in a recent camp showed up his kind-heartedness to advantage* Arriving at his tent late one night, Les found someone asleep in his stretcher. Afraid of disturbing this intruder's rest, he did not even look to see who it was, let alone rouse him and kick him out. Resigned to fate Les stretched himself out on the ground and spent a most uncomfortable night. Next morning he found his companion too sleepy to waken, until he commenced to shake him, and only then found out he had given up his bed to a straw dummy.

        And, so, although no longer will "A" Squadron have Les Sommer to look after them in camp or bivouac, "Old Faithful" will be with "his boys" as often as he can in his honorary capacity.

        So long, "Old Faithful"!  

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R. H. Q. NOTES

        By the time the Journal goes to print the Training Cadre should be well under way. At the time of writing, however, it is not known who will be transferring to it.

        We would like to congratulate the R.Q.M.S. W/0 Ferguson on being promoted W/0 (Class 1).

        Two of our number have recently joined the ranks of the Benedicts: Captain Meares and W/0 Cashman. We offer them our heartiest congratulations and wish them every success; our only regret is that we do not know the names of the ladies con cerned, except that their new names, are Mrs. Meares and Mrs. Cashman.

        Captain J.C. (Prince of Wales) Loxton, A.A.M.C. has returned from England, and is now practising at King's Cross. Ho did not bring a cable-tram home with him, but managed to get one souvenir — his F.R.C.S. Congratulations!

        We hear that Dan Hogan has also got a few letters after his name, notably: R.A.P.; A.R.P.; R.I.P. His brother Charlie (Blow-it-don't-suck!) Hogan, has long been a T.W.A.Y.S.N. (Trumpeter what are you sounding now?).

        Sergeant Fitter Beevors is asking if anyone has seen a petc magpie and a tame frog. They were last seen sharing a pannikin of rum is. Campbelltown during a sun-shower. Bertie declares that there was no rain in the first Campbelltown Camp. Where he comes from they measure the rainfall in fathoms.

        We would like to welcome two new members, L/Sergeant Lowe, our new Arniourer-Corporal, who has transferred froins the 12th L-H.; ani Sergeant McKay, our new Sergeant-Tailor who is an old Lancer.

        Congratulations to Sergeant Lowe and Stf-Sgt Herford-Smith on winning prize-money for Machine gunning. Also to Motor-cyclists Bridges and Edwards who were respectively best and second best motor cyclists.

        Finally, Strength Increase: To Staff-Sergeant and Mrs. Jock MacLaughlin: a trooper. Congratulations, Jock!

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OUR BADGE

        The Regimental Badge of the Royal N.S.W. Lancers consists of an elephant's head with coronet and three fleur-de-lys on crossed lances with two waratah sprays and a scroll bearing the words "Royal N.S.W. Lancers". (The College of Heralds would no doubt foam at the mouth at this very unheraldic description.)

        The elephant's head is the crest of the late Lord Carrington who was Governor from 1885 to 1890. On his arrival in Sydney he immediately associated himself with the newly-formed "Sydney Light Horse Volunteers" as the Regiment was then called. He was honorary Colonel of the Regiment from that time until his death in 1928. A grandson of Lord Carrington - Lieut. A.W. Llewellen-Palmer is at present in Australia as A.D.C. to the Governor-General. The crest is also the badge of the 16th Light Horse (M.G.) Regiment - The Hunter River Lancers. This Regiment originally formed one Squadron of the First.

In the same way, the K.D.G. have as their badge the double-eagle of Austria - the crest of the late Imperial Majesty Franz Josef of Austria, who was Colonel-in-Chief from 1895 to 1914.

It is fitting that the new headquarters of the Regiment should be in Carrington Road.  

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THE ROYSTON SHIELD

1938 INTER-REGIMENTAL COMPETITION

by M. de K.

        In the old horsed days, the "Lord Foster" was the competition that we Cavalry Machine Gunners sought to win, and which we moaned about. Today, our Annual inter-Regimental competition is the Royston Shield.

        During the March 1958 Camp, No. l Troop "B" Squadron, the Gordon Troop, won the Regimental competition, and so qualified to represent the Regiment against the 16th L-H (M.G.) Regiment. Needless to say, we were very proud of the fact, stuck out our chests and boasted on every opportune or inopportune occasion. Little did we know what we had brought upon ourselves.

        We started training for the great day when we were to defend the honour of the Regiment and meet the best team of the 16th. At first our training was done on Saturday afternoons. All other work was forgotten. All our training took the form of mounting and dismounting and of E.G.D. Then to the Saturday afternoons were added occasional Sundays. Up till then, all the work was being done in French's Forrest. We were at last taken to Liverpool and carried out our training at Green Hills with ball ammunition.

        Towards the time when the competition was to take place, we were out training for it on three weekends out of four. In addition, some of our N.C.O.'s were training recruits on special nights in the Gordon Orderly Room in order to bring them up to standard. Then the fatal date was announced.

        On the regular parade night before this date, Gordon Orderly Room resembled the proverbial hive of industry: portees were being washed, guns, tripods and ammunition boxes were painted, belts were filled with ammunition.

        Then on Saturday we started off for Liverpool!

        On the Woodville Road our No.2 truck swerved to avoid a milk cart. The steering gear locked and the truck finished up in the ditch on. the opposite side of the road. All the occupants were thrown into a heap, some of them ending up on top of the cab. The front of the trunk was badly damaged, and the men received various light injuries. Many uniforms were damaged. Needless to say, the competition had to be postponed.

        Again we started to train, if anything, harder than we had before. We came to know every bush on Green Hills. We froze in the huts of Liverpool Camp. One of our guns exploded. Whilst boiling the billy, we started a bushfire that took a lot of extinguishing. Then, once again, a date was set, and once again we painted our stores.

        The day came! A Sunday; The wettest Sunday in the history of Australia. Or if not, it must have been a runner-up. We gathered at the Orderly Room, and everybody said: "They'll put it off again".

        But no! The Squadron Leader did a bit of roaring, we put the finishing touches of paint on our trucks and wiped, it off -with our greatcoats, and. sallied forth for Liverpool.

        However, the rain did. not dampen our spirits. The strains of "Daniel Hall" and of "I Touched Her on the Toe" resounded along the deserted streets of Wahronga, Parramatta and Liverpool. By the time we reached Liverpool Camp the "Ball of Carymuir" was in full swing.

        A halt near one of the messing huts of the camp. We dismount and peel off our greatcoats that by this time weigh somewhere around the 100 lbs (45 kg) mark. Out of our haversacks appear an interblended mass of sat-upon sandwiches, tins of boot polish, banana-skins with the insides squeezed out, and polishing rags well impregnated with the former contents of the above banana skins.

        And so, with a ham sandwich in one hand and a bootbrush in the other, we endeavour to make ourselves look and feel like human beings and soldiers once more. Where there's a will, there's a way. Before long, equipment started to regain its appearance, and when Major (now Lieut.Colonel) Anderson arrived to inspect the troop; one would never have thought that it was the same troop that had travelled all the way from Sydney through pelting rain that very morning.

        After the inspection, we once again donned our wet greatcoats, mounted our vehicles and started off towards Green Hills.

        Those members of the Regiment who went to the second Campbelltown Camp will no doubt remember the very memorable bivouac we had near Green Hills, and the even more memorable trip back along Morebank Road. Remember the dust on Morebank Road? The clouds of it through which you could not see the next truck and that settled on your face, your uniform, got inside your rifle and in your eyes? Well, there was no dust on Morebank Road this day. Instead, the lorries swam in a squelchy substance that sprayed in every direction and splashed you in the face.  Every now and then your truck would do a dainty side slip, and glide towards the side of the road.

        Eventually we got to Green Hills, and proceeded to range our guns. Since the ground was very wet, I did not expect that the strikes would be visible. To my surprise, when I pressed the thumbpiece, I could observe the strikes beautifully. So I presumed that the ground was sufficiently dry underneath. Later on we discovered -that the spot I had been ranging on was actually covered by about two inches of water, and that what I thought were strikes were actually splashes. Everything is set. We are at the starting point, and off we go. Apart from the fact that the trucks refuse to hold the road and are skidding in every direction, all is well so far.

        "Prepare for action- Ammunition normal. Dismount".

        Over the tailboard, and into a pool about six inches (15 cm) deep. We tumble out of the trucks wiping off a good deal of green paint with our wet greatcoats, drag out our stores, wiping off more green paint from barrel casings, and race squelching and splashing to our position of readiness. Down on our guts in the water. Just then the rain, which had hitherto poured on us in a steady shower, came down in torrents. ''Action!" Off race the gun teams, tripods in soft slippery ground.   Ram the shoes as hard as you like, you can not got them to remain firm on ground like that.  The troop opens fire.  Not one hitch.  Not one stoppage.  The bursts are as even as the most exacting Commander could wish.

        After everything is over, Major Anderson addressed the Troop.  He regretted that the score we had put up in the actual shooting, although a very high one, was not high enough to beat the phenomenal score of the 16th.  But in every other respect, turnout, drill movements,, and vehicles, we had beaten our opponents.  Taking into consideration this, and the exceptionally difficult conditions under which we had to go into action, Major Anderson regretted that he had no points that he could distribute at his own discretion.  He therefore had to give the decision to the 16th L-H (M.G.) Regiment.

        On the way back as we were passing through Liverpool, Colonel Whitehead, who decided that we were quite wet enough for a rum issue, went into one of the pubs to purchase the most important ingredient for that ceremony.  Rumour has it that Mine Host refused, to supply the goods on the grounds that it was Sunday, and that the C.O. persuaded him by saying that he would bring the Troop in and take what he needed.

        On the way back to Turramurra, "Daniel Hall", "O'Reilly's Daughter", and the "Funeral March" wore sung with particular gusto at the thought of the rum and the hot dinners that were awaiting us in the not so distant future.

        At the next camp, in November, we lost the Regimental Royston Shield competition.  Not only did we lose it, but we scored only one hit, a ricochet at that, on the target.  Another Troop will have to train and work, give up their week ends and, maybe go into action under even more difficult conditions than we did.

        All I can say is this: we may have found it hard going at the time, but not one of us who have been through it would have missed it for all the tea in China, and even when we moaned a bit (what old soldier does not), we loved every bit of it.  

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THE CAVALRYMAN AND HIS MOUNT

by P. H. V.

        The affection of the cavalryman for his mount is traditional, and many poignant and touching stories have been written on this subject.

        Today, our mounts are inanimate things of steel and wood, so our natural feelings towards them cannot be expected to be those we would have for that magnificent animal the horse. The combination of horse and man has produced the "Cavalry Spirit", that nothingness which is so vital to our efficiency and esprit-de-corps.

        Those who were in this Regiment when it was horsed, need no reminding that tho care of the horse came first.  He had to be watered, fed, groomed and rugged before the man attended to his own personal comfort.

        Two things were necessary to obtain the best results, knowledge and horse-mindedness.  The writer well remembers an incident during the last War.  A party of Light Horsemen were attached to a mounted unit of R.E.'s; one of the Tommy's horses had got off the lines during the night and was found to have gorged on dry barley.  The tommy was advised by the Aussies not to let him drink, but did not heed the advice; in consequence when moving out on a stunt next morning, he was minus his mount.

        The Royal N.S.W. Lancers today find themselves with a different mount. Knowledge of it is just as important; motor-mindedness must replace horse-mindedness; but the cavalry spirit, bred of the horse, must remain.

        Every member of the Regiment should make a point of gaining as much knowledge of the vehicles on which we are mounted, as his job allows.  He should feel that he, the crew, and the vehicle are a fighting unit.  In the main the care of the vehicle falls on the driver and his assistant, and that care is as important as the care of the horse.

        Routine maintenance as laid down should be carried out with meticulous care, remembering that small things neglected, grow into large ones.  Much of a maintenance schedule may seem ridiculous to those unaccustomed to military methods; for instance the frequent cleaning of plugs and points; but let us examine the result of one driver to neglect it:

        A vehicle has a dirty plug, to clean it on the march can hold up :-

  1. The individual vehicle.

  2. The troop.

  3. In hostile country, the Regiment or even a large column.

  4. In getting out of a gun position, could unnecessarily endanger lives.

        A golden rule is never to leave what was all right yesterday.  Make sure today.

        To have affection for a thing of steel and wood, as mentioned earlier, is hardly possible, but treat it as part of your fighting equipment and see that it is serviceable before you attend to your personal comfort.

        The Cavalry spirit must remain with motors as with horses.  

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REFLECTIONS ON BERRY EXERCISE

by "Trooper Oatley"

        If you are a peace-loving citizen who likes eight hours' sleep, regular meals, and a reasonably tranquil existence, don't go on any exercise anywhere. It is not peaceful, you don't get any sleep; and meals, if any, are most irregular. The closest you ever get to a pub is to see it marked on the map.   Why do they always put "P" in big letters just to make one feel more thirsty?

        One is lured to these exercises with tales of buxom V.As who are going to participate. On arrival at billets one is agreeably surprised - they really are there, and with such sweet smiles too. This exercise might be pretty good, one thinks. When work is finished a stroll along a nice country lane will be very pleasant. But alas work never finishes and in. any case, the V.As vanish. At least the one I saw did. By the way, where was the C.0.? I didn't see him at all. Fancy not thinking of that before!

        If, however, you do go on an exercise, here are a few points which will probably be helpful.

  1. Whatever you do will be wrong, so it is much simpler not to do anything at all.

  2. If you see any important looking cove with white armbands and hatband, havea care. He is a spy -- sometimes called observer. He watches everything you do, notices what you don't do, and takes the time of everything you do. Thank God he can't time the things you don't do. If you look in his little black book, you will find quite a budget of information about yourself: e.g. "Uses safety razor. Shaving time on arrival at billets (when V.A. was sighted) fifty-seven and two-fifth seconds. Didn't shave again during exercise. Drives very fast -- especially going down steep hills. Descent of Bulli Pass occupied 45.0057 secs." etc. etc.

  3. If possible be appointed driver to one of the big shots; the bigger the better; because their reconnaissance always takes them past a few pubs. The bigger the shot the more reconnaissances he makes, and consequently the more pubs he visits.

  4. If you cannot be a driver, then try and be appointed A/Adjt. He always stays in the same place and thus the "Q" people always know where to take his breakfast. All he has to do is write funny stories on message forms and send them to Squadron Leaders. The latter then send funny stories in reply, and so keep him amused - we hope!

  5. If one of your lorries breaks a rear-axle - don't worry at all. H,Q. would have broken it in any case.

These few points, if observed, will greatly assist during exercises, but as was at first stated, you are strongly recommended to stay at home.  

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HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT

Proposed Publication.

        It has long been felt that there should be available some history of our Regiment, the Regiment with the longest continuous existence of all the Australian Light Horse -- a history that covers its story right from the time it was only an idea in the minds of some cavalry minded citizens of Sydney.

        We are pleased to be able to inform readers that such a history has now been written and it is hoped that before next camp it will be printed, and be available to members and friends of the unit. It is largely in the form of personal reminiscences and is divided into Parts as under :-

Part 1:

From the formation of the Sydney Light Horse Volunteers in 1885 up to the time the defences were taksn under the control of the Commonwealth in 1905, and taking in the visits of Lancer detachments to England in 1893 afld. 1897.

Part II:

The story of the squadron that trained at Aldershot for six. months in 1899.

Part III:

The Lancer Squadron in the South African War, 1899-1900. 

Part IV:

From 1905 to 1919.

Part V:

The 1st Light Horse, A.I.F., 1914-1919 - a history compiled from the Regiment's records, during the return voyage to Australia in 1919.

Part VI:

Post-Great War, 1919-1936. 

Part VII: 

The Regiment Mechanised.

Appendices:

Including notes on the successive commanders of the Regiment and nominal roll, S.A. War Contingents.

        It will be appreciated that all ranks of the Regiment should have some knowledge of their unit's history, its past accomplishments and its fine leaders. In fact it is known that many are interested in such a matter; it is sincerely hoped that all will take an interest in the history when it is produced as a common interest in it will help to further the "esprit de corps" of the Lancer Regiment.

        The concern at the moment is to overcome the financial hurdle of publishing a book of some 90,000 words, but this difficulty will be minimised if we can rely on. everyone in the Regiment purchasing a copy. It can safely be asserted that it will be found very Interesting reading and its value to members who purchase it will be greater than the few shillings they pay for it.

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"A" SQUADRON NOTES

        We had a fairly successful and extremely enjoyable camp with the Regiment at Berry in November. No. l Troop was again, successful in winning the Lloyd Lindsay M.G. Trophy, and No. 5 Troop was placed equal second in the Royston Shield.

        We were support Squadron in the Beach Defence Scheme and were billeted in Jamberoo. Few members of the Squadron will forget the Jamboree we had there. No. 1 Troop was attached to "C" Squadron for the actual exercise. The Troop excels at trench digging, and when it was finally dug in, the word "Parramatta" was carved deep in the beach. Observers from the R.A.A.F. declare that both "t's" were crossed.

        In December, we took part in an Aerial Pageant at Camden. No.5 Troop attempted, without much success, to defend a Strong Post against the combined forces of No 1 and 2 Troops, the Aero Club, parachutists, and Captain Radke with a section from 1 Field Squadron. The Strong Post blew down in a puff of wind, and when re-erected by the defenders, could not be blown up. A pity!

        However, we enjoyed the day thoroughly despite a few casualties. At sunset a sorrowful chorus was heard wailing of :

"Empty barrels on the Aerodrome".

        An N.C.O.'s course was held one week-end in February, under Captain Onslow as chief instructor. The C.0. and Major Hawke both paid us a visit. We all learnt a good deal, especially on the subject of concealment from the air. Captain Onslow took up various members in his 'plane to inspect gun positions and troops from the air. Some enjoyed the trip - others did not. One, like the famous flower, was forced "to blush unseen, and waste his sweetness on the desert air".

        The "Q" side was ably looked after by W.0. Cashman and S.Q.M.S. Downie.

        We were again support Squadron in the co-operation exercise with 7 L-H, and so managed to have a certain amount of sleep during the week-end - about two hours and a quarter all told. Our new S.S.M. distinguished himself by riding to Nowra for a new coil for his truck. This, in spite of the fact that the Nowra Bridge had been completely destroyed, and the town occupied by the enemy!

        We offer our congratulations to those members who won marksman badges in the Musketry Course.

        We would like to bid farewell to Camden Troop, which has been transferred to "C" Squadron. We also welcome Windsor Troop which has taken its place.

        Finally we say goodbye to S.S.M. Sonars - Old Faithful - of whom more will be found elsewhere in the Journal.

No. 1 Troop PARRAMATTA

        Our notes are going to suffer somewhat because nearly all our available brain power has been expended ia compiling a treatise on Beach Defence, which will be found elsewhere in the Journal. However, we have a few more pearls to cast.

        We would, first like to welcome our new Troop Leader, Mr. MacKillop, also Sergeant, the Earle of Parramatta, who has transferred from the S.U.R. ("Women's Weekly" please copy).

        We regret that we cannot give a report of our Troop Smoko, because the official correspondent was found under the table, covered by dead narinss. He must have put up a magnificent fight. It is thought howe-yer, that a good time was had by all.

        Congratulations to our new Troop Sergeant, Sergeant Fitzsimmons. Sergeant Mackel was the best Rifle Shot in the Regiment and Trooper Owen in the Squadron. Sailor McNee proved again that Old Sailors never die, they simply blaze away, for he won the Troop prize.

Our quota of First Class Machine Gunners was again high, and we congratulate all those who won the coveted "M.G. in Wreath", notably: Sergeants Mackel and Fitzsimmons, Corporals Melville and Hearne, and Lance-corporal Watson.

No, 2 Troop BLACKTOWN,

        First we would like to state publicly that we have no intention of changing the name of the Troop to Bobsmenziesville, Tubbystevensdale, Orpingtown or Wattleburg. This, in spite of all the efforts of the Blacktown Shire Council.

        Corporal Dick Newman, who left us last year to join the P.M.F., has had a rapid rise, and is now a Sergeant in the Darwin Mobile Force. He is still with the Machine Gunners.

        We gained second place in the V.M.G. Relay Race at the Regimental Sports, and are quite satisfied that we will win the event this year - Gordom and Camden please note!

        The Cribbin family got well amongst the Skill-at-arms Prizemoney this year, Corporal Bill Cribbin being the best machine-gunner, and Corporal Eddy Cribbin the best rifle shot in the Troop. Tiny Hunter, the Troop mascot, was the second best Revolver Shot in the Regiment. He must have been practising potting at his Leghorns.

        Bill "Cyclops" Brown once again proved himself the best driver in the Squadron. Congratulations to all these, also the following who won their "M.G. in Wreath"; Cpls.Cribbin, W, Hunter and Holmes, and Troopers Gillard and Brown.

No. 3 Troop WINDSOR

        The Windsor Troop held a Bivouac at Wiseman's Ferry in June. Lorry drill and Section drill for lorries was carried out on the Racecourse on Saturday, and the V.M.G. Course was fired on Sunday at tho old Wiseman's Ferry Rifle Range.

        The Range is situated across tho river from the Ferry, and the services of Mr. Storm and his motor launch were obtained for transportation to and from tho Range.

        A dance had been arranged at the Soldier's Memorial Hall on Saturday night which was thoroughly enjoyed by the Troop. For the benefit of the doubting few, to whom, in the words of General Puff, "all due reverence", the dance had not been arranged in anticipation of the bivouac.

        The police co-operated with the citizens of Wiseman's Ferry by allowing the Troop to lock its guns and gear in police premises overnight. (For the benefit of the doubting few, who incidentally are much fewer now, nothing else was locked up.)

        Still there may have been a miscarriage of justice.

        But to get on with the story, the Adjutant arrived on Sunday morning and spent the day with us. We hope he enjoyed the show as much as we did.

        It is reported, but not from a very reliable source, that Trooper Herps, (who has only recently joined) has a full up-to-date uniform; it is also reported that they grow very nice oranges down Sackville way. They do.

        Corporal Bennet has grown air-minded lately, judging by an odd visit or two to the Hotel Aerodrome. The Troop Leader tells me that the fire for after-hours . drinking is Ł1.0.0 ($2) and 8/- ($0.80) costs!

        Sergeant Arndell has been pulling cauliflowers with a tennis racquet!

        Corporal Gillespie - "good old Stan" to the Regiment - was acting .Troop-Sergeant at Wiseman's Ferry, and everything was in "apple pie" order.

        It is also reported (I use the phrase the same as the Associated press uses the words Mr. Menzies added as if he couldn't add), that the Troop is shortly undertaking a Crusade led by Corporal Miller. Holy Wars!

        Trooper Cummins, the Troop Leader's orderly, can certainly tickle the ivories. Don't misunderstand me. The boys gave some good songs to his accompaniment on the Hotel Piano at Wiseman's Ferry after the evening conference.

        We welcome all the new recruits to tho Troop, and here's a list of them:

Troopers Clarke and Clarke ,(the old firm-Duggie always pays); Troopers Bottle and Bottle, (no thanks - just had on e -well another won't hurt you - Gertcha); and Trooper Harps (oranges and lemons said-the bells -)

Happy Christmas to All!

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MODERN AERIAL SURVEYING

by A. M.-O.

        Of the many uses found, for aircraft, one of tho most important - both from the military and civil view-point - is that of photographic map making.

        Very little was done in this field, prior to the Great War, but the great value of air photographs for reconnaissance purposes was soon realised; and from the original methods developed during that period has been evolved the present-day aerial survey.

        The problems connected with the use of aircraft for accurate map making are largely those of overcoming the inherent instability of the atmosphere, so as to maintain straight and .level flight; and it is on these lines that the most important advances have been made in recent years. The extent to which aircraft are being -used today for this purpose in the revising of ordnance maps of Great Britain, proves that the major difficulties have been overcome. Machines equipped with a series of gyroscopes to control both directional and lateral stability have today superseded the old methods of relying entirely on the human factors for obtaining the degree of accuracy required,

        The method of conducting an aerial survey of a tr&ct of country is to fly a series of parallel strips. Photographs are made at pre-determined intervals not only to cover the area flown, but also to give a longitudinal overlap of about 60% and a lateral overlap of about 30%. The pictures thus obtained are subsequently assembled in. the form of a mosaic, and individual prints are used in pairs for stereoscopic examination, contouring and plotting.

        It will readily be seen that without accurate navigation the ground will not be properly covered; and unless a high degree of stability is attained, there will be serious alteration of scale in the photographs due either to tilt of the camera or variation in flying altitude.

        One of the most modem survey machines yet evolved is in use in Australia today. It combines the uses of the gyroscopic principle, with the well-known directional radio plant and, by an ingenious device, the incoming radio signals are transmitted to the gyroscopic control, enabling long courses to be flown without error*

        Another device of the utmost value is a camera cradle which again is gyroscopically controlled and ensures the maintenance of a level camera base and the elimination of tilt, the chief cause of error in aerial map-making.

        Aerial survey by modern methods will play an important part in the development of the large areas of Australia at present unmapped and unexplored. In addition to providing military maps in new or mountainous country, expert interpretation will disclose many features of value to the geologist, the engineer, the forestry expert, the agriculturist, and others whose work lies in the development and economic exploration of our vast territories.

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THE LANCERS IN AFRICA

        In "A Sahibs' War", a story by the late Rudyard Kipling, there is a description of certain strange men met by a Sikh trooper, who had gone to South Africa as bearer to a British Officer. Here is an extract:

"The Ustrelyahs spoke through their noses not little, and they were tall, dark men, with grey clear eyes, heavily eyelashed like camels' eyes - very proper men. They said on all occasions "No fee-ah", which in. our tongue means 'Durro mut', (do not be afraid), so we called them the Durro Muts. Dark, tall men, most excellent horsemen, hot and angry, waging war as war, and drinking tea as a sandhill drinks water.  Thieves? A little, Sahib. Sikander Khan swore to me - and he conies of a horse stealing clan for ten generations - he swore that a Pathan was a babe beside a Durro Mut in regard to horse lifting. The Durro Muts cannot walk on their' eet at all. They are like hens on the high road. Therefore they must have horses. Very proper men with a just lust for the war."  

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REVOLVER NOTES

        The revolver is a personal weapon. Its usefulness depends on a thorough knowledge of its characteristics, an instinctive pointing sense with both eyes open, and determination and confidence to hit an adversary at close quarters. The occasions on active service when the revolver is likely to be used are rare, but are such that quickness and accuracy determine whether it is you or the other bloke* The characteristics of the revolver are :

1.     A one-handed weapon used without support to hand or arm. Therefore :

(a) It is unsuitable for firing by deliberate aim.

(b) Correct holding and trigger pressure are of increased importance.

(c) The firer must be able to fire with either hand.

2.  A short barrel, which :

(a) Aids quickness in shooting at surprise and moving targets.

(b) Restricts the range at which accurate shooting is possible.

(c) Makes the weapon dangerous if carelessly handled, since it can so easily be pointed or discharged ia. the wrong direction; safety precautions are therefore necessary at all times.

3.  A high rate of fire combined with the stopping power of the bullet, giving it special advantages in close-quarter fighting.

Aids to good shooting:

Keep physically fit..

Exercise the muscles used, i.e,,- forearm, wrist and fingers. Hold arm straight but not stiff. When not shooting at full arms length; bend froM the elbow (Should present

no difficulty to members of the Lancers).

Practice pointing right and left arms independently with both eyes open Remember trigger pressing as against trigger pulling is even more important than with the rifle.

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SAGO

by SGT, SPIES,

        It was a beautiful morning in Hullaballoo, the sunny little South Coast town where "A" Squadron was billeted, and S.Q.M.S. Gordon was feeling sleepy.

        The Squadron had long since moved off to its training area, and the Presbyterian Sunday School had returned to its normal condition of peace and quiet. Save for the field kitchen and Sawyer stoves under a big camphor-laurel, there was nothing to show that it had been invaded by a hundred and twenty noisy Light Horsemen. Breakfast had been disposed of, and the lunch, except for the pudding, only needed keeping warm. The Quartermaster looked forward to two hours of pleasant slumber before the Squadron returned. The cook could made a pudding - that's what cooks were for. He called him over : "Now then young feller, you're getting on fine, so I'll let you make the pudding for lunch. The boys '11 be hungry today, so we'11 give 'em sago - nothing like sago to fill 'em up. I'm going to sleep now; wake me at twelve". So saying, the Quartermaster lay back on the sunny bank, tilted his hat over his eyes, and slipped into a blissful sleep.

        Trooper Windsor, the Squadron cook, found the sage in a sugar-bag, and lumped it over to the field kitchen. Hoisting the bag to his shoulder, he climbed on to the wheel of the kitchen and poured some sago into the nearest cooking pot. It looked very little, so he added some more. Now the cook was raw certainly; but he had learnt that hungry troops will put up with a lot of shortcomings in the quality of their food so long as the quantity is all right. He was determined that there should be enough sago.

        Trooper Windsor looked at the sago already in the pot and divided it up mentally into a hundred and twenty seven portions. The troops, he reckoned, would each get what they called a half-Kruschen - as much as would cover a threepence [a round coin 1 cm in diameter]. Without more ado he emptied the bag completely, covered the sago with water, and, after replacing the lid, settled down to wait for it to cook. There still did not seem very much for a hundred and twenty men, but still, he thought, it night swell, He was right. Anyone who has cooked sago knows that it increases in. bulk amazingly when cooked. A very small quantity of dry sago will make quite a large pudding. Trooper Windsor had put a little over a bushel of sago into the pot.

        He must have dozed off, for the next thing he was aware of, was a voice as of the surf pounding on distant beaches, or the far-off approach of a hailstorm roaring over timbered country. He looked wildly around him for a moment, and then realised that the sago was boiling. The lid of the pot was gently lifting and rocking, and little puffs of steam were shooting out. Trooper Windsor decided to stroll over and inspect it. Even as he did so, the lid suddenly lifted and the entire field kitchen disappeared in a cascade of overflowing sago.

        Now you may have seen the cork carelessly removed from a bottle of champagne, or the bungled opening of a new keg of beer; perhaps you have seen Niagara Falls after the first thaw of Spring, or Burrinjuck in flood, or the geysers around Rotorua; you nay even have seen an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. All these sights have much in common - the same dazzling whiteness wiping out the scenery; the same impression of inexhaustible power, relentless, terrible. But none of these sights can compare for sheer breathtaking wonder with sago boiling over.

        Hastily snatching at the first thing that looked like a pot-holder - it was actually the Q.M's jacket - Windsor leapt to the kitchen, and plunging into the foaming mass, lifted the pot. As soon as it was away from the fire, the sago went off the boil and gradually subsided. There seemed, however, to be a great deal more sago than there had. been at first, in spite of the large quantity that had spilled.

        Trooper Windsor carefully poured half the sago into another pot, added water and placed both utensils back on the kitchen. He was not going to be caught again though, and stayed nearby, presently both pots began to boil, and, lifting the lids he saw that the shimmering white mass was very near the top. Hastily he divided it again, and soon four pots of sago were bubbling merrily in. the kitchen. Although he was positive that the sago could not swell any more, Windsor decided to take no chances, and quickly kindled fires under the two Sawyer stoves. Within half an hour both were full and perilously near overflowing. It was then that the cook really became desperate.

        Quarter-master Gordon woke to a fiendish hammering and stared stupidly about. It was some time before he really took in the scene. Trooper Windsor was standing on a swaying pile of pews, dragged, no doubt, from within, the Sunday School. Armed with an axe - felling, he was frenziedly hacking out the top of the thousand gallon rain-water tank which stood beside the building.

        "What?" howled Gordon, "What the (censored) (censored) bleeding hell do yer think yer doing?"

        "Give us a hand, for God's sake Quarter, and get a fire lit under this. If we hurry we'll be in time". The cock was nearly done; his clothes were in rags and he was wet through with mingled, sv.-eat and tears and blood, not to mention sago.

        It was really only then that S.Q.M.S. Gordon realised what was happening.

        The billeting area was no longer silent; it was filled with a sonorous shuddering murmur as of distant battle - the triumphant roar of boiling sago. Every compartment of the kitchen and limber was full; tho steak for lunch had been thrown on to the grass to make room for the ever-expanding pudding; so too the potatoes and pumpkin.; the Sawyer stoves were both full. Over a long trench, hastily dug and containing a roaring fire stood four dixies; seven buckets, water; eleven basins, washing; three buckets, fire; and a hundred and twenty seven assorted pannikins - taken from the troop lines. There were also four large black cylindrical utensils which Q.M. Gordon, being a country man, recognised at once. All were boiling and bubbling merrily.

        No wonder then, that the cook was preparing the tank to take the surplus. Even as Gordon watched the whole array of pots began to boil over. No words can describe that dreadful relentless flow; the greatest volcanic eruptions in history were as nothing compared to it. Gordon was never to forget that sight, and for years afterwards he would see, in nightmares, that towering toppling wall of whiteness, and would wake screaming in a lather of sweat.

        For a moment it seemed that the quartermaster, and the cook and the Sunday School, in fact the whole of Hullaballoo, would be enveloped by the omnivorous mass. With lightning-like decision, Gordon rushed to a neighbouring house and commandeered a wheel-barrow, into which he began furiously shovelling the frothy mess.

        As soon as the barrow was full, Windsor rushed it to a nearby clump of lantana, emptied it, and raced back. They laboured like heroes at their Herculean task, but after forty-six barrowloads, there was three times as much sago left as when they had started.

        But in the end the sago itself saved them. No fire can burn for long when completely covered with sago. As the fires died down, the pots stopped boiling and gradually the vast mass subsided. As they watched the life go out of it, the clock in the School of Arts struck twelve. In an hour the Squadron would return and expect lunch. There was much to be done.

        At one o'clock; exactly the Squadron lorries rumbled into the Sunday School yard and were parked under the trees. The Troops dismounted, collected their messing gear and filed up to the Quartermaster for their lunch.

        The steak was not so bad, and the potatoes and pumpkin were passable; but no one ate the queer grass-like vegetable that was mixed up with it all, nor the little white things like frog's eggs. When you scrape up the luuch with a shovel you're bound to collect a little grass with it, and you cannot possibly hand-pick half-cooked sago out of mashed potatoes.

        As the Squadron was about to move off the Squadron-Leader, Captain Ourimbah-Camden approached his S.Q.M.S.

        "Ah, I think", he drawled, "I think you had better give the troops some, ah, sweets tonight; they'll probably be, ah, hungry. Give 'em, ah, sago - nothing like, ah, sago to fill ' em up".

        He was not a little surprised to see his Quartermaster Sergeant and his cook fall like dead men on. the grass. They had fainted!

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THAT REALLY DECENT FELLOW.

by N. H, B.

They call him the bully sar-major, 

And I think that's hardly fair;

Though his voice is hoarse, his tone so gruff,

His speech so pungent, his manner rough, 

His temper frightful, his face so touch, 

He's really a decent fellow.

The Barrack-square trembles daily 

When he inarches on parade;

Recruits all shiver, the oldsweats stiffen, 

The corporals falter, the trumpeters listen, 

The officers nutter, "Hell, what a griffin!" 

Though he's really a decent fellow.

There came a day when things looked black 

Over twenty years ago;

And he was there, a rifle at his shoulder, 

Trigger finger active, his eye no older, 

His adjectives lurid, his manner bolder, 

This really decent fellow.

The age-limit got this sar-major 

And he thinks that's hardly fair;

Though he's minus a leg and has lost an eye, 

His tummy's gone crook and he's "on the dry", 

His heart is right, his courage is high, 

This hell-of-a-decent-fellow.  

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VILLERS BRETONNEUX COMPETITION.

        Although the Regiment did not succeed in winning this event, we undoubtedly displayed the most outstanding performance of the day's shooting in obtaining 2nd, 4th and 5th places.

        The new addition to the Regiment, Turramurra Troop, put its name on the map in no uncertain manner in this competition. It was their first opportunity of showing their paces against the other Troops, let alone the stiff opposition net with amongst other M.G. units.

        The team obtaining 2nd prize in the Villers Bretonneux Competition consisted of Corporal Jacob as No.l and Troopers C.R. Shepherd and Hammond, Nos. 2 and 3 respectively. The team work, especially between the latter numbers, was the highlight of the run, clean and rapid handling allowing the firer ample time to aim and observe his fire,

        The conditions were excellent for machine gun shooting, good light and a gentle breeze contributing towards perfect observation of the strikes.

        Turramurra's second team was placed 4th, and Corporal Parker's team from Camden, 5th.

        We congratulate the 18th Bn. on their fine performance in winning the Trophy which we won last year for the first time.

        But just a word you infanteers - we'll take the Trophy from you next year!

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RIFLE CLUB.

        The Rifle Club, under the energetic leadership of the Club Captain, Sergeant Mackee, has had quite a successful year. The majority of the troops from Parramatta are members of the Club, and recently, owing to the efforts of Corporal M. W. Smith and Trooper Rogers, ten men from Camden have joined.

        The Club, however, does not get the support it deserves. In the Metropolitan Area, there are now four Troops and the membership of the Club could be quite easily doubled.

        We part-time soldiers get only too few opportunities for shooting, and consequently the standard of marksmanship in the Regiment is not nearly so high as it could, and should be. If more members availed themselves of this chance to got in valuable practice with the rifle the standard would undoubtedly be improved. There is good money to be won too, as a glance at the prize lists of the Militia Rifle Club's Union will show.

        It would be a fine thing to see teams from the Lancers' Rifle Club competing in, and winning, the numerous matches held annually. Two Club shoots and a Spoon shoot are held each month at Anzac Rifle Range, Liverpool, by the Club.

        The Annual prize-meeting was held at Baulkham Hills in December and proved very successful. We wish to thank the Commanding Officer and Lieut. Fischer for the handsome cups which they donated for the Aggregate and Snapshooting respectively. Both were won by Trooper Owen of Parramatta, to whom we offer our congratulations. We would also express our thanks to the Sergeants' Mess for a generous donation of half-a-guinea [$1.05]. It was fittingly enough won by Sergeant Mackel, and it is hoped that he spent it in, and incidentally on, the Mess.

    The following are the results :

300 Yards Application.

Ł1/5/- [$2.50] Sgt. Mackel, First - 15/- [$1.50] Gpl. Holmes, Second - 10/- [$1] Lieut. Fischer, Third - 5/- Trooper Owen, L/Cpl. Jilson; 2/6d. Tpr. Mcffae, Cpl. Hearne, Leiut. McKillop, Sgt .Herford "Smith, S.Q.M.S. Magee.

300 Yards Snapshooting;

Ł.1/5/- Tpr. Owen, First — 15/- Gpl. Holmes, Second — 10/- Sgt.Mackel, Third; 5/- W.O. Ferguson, Tpr. Sewell; 2/6d. S.Q.M.S. Magee, L/Cpl. Wilson, Sgt. Fitssimmons, Tpr. McNee, Lieut. Fischer.

Aggregate:

Ł1/7/6 Tpr. Owen, First — Ł1/-/- Cpl. Holnes, Second, 7/6d.Sgt .Mackel, L/Cpl. Wilson, Lieut. Fischer; 5/- Tpr. MeNse, S.Q.M.S. Magee, Tpr. Sewell; 2/6d W.O. Ferguson, Lieut. McKillop, Cpl. Cribben E., Sgt. Herford-Snith, Tpr. Gillies, Cpl. Hearne Tpr. Wilkins, Sgt. Fitzsimmons, Lieut. Vernon, Tpr. Pateman.

        A number of Trophy Spoons were also given for the best shot from each Squadron.

        The Club held a dinner at St. James' Hall, Burwood, on Saturday, 1st July, when trophies won during the year were presented by the Commanding Officer,Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Whitehead, M.C. The guests included Lieutenants Vernon, and MacKillop, W/0 King (R.S.M.), S.Q.M.S. Magee ("B" Squadron), Sergeant N.H. Bent ("B" Squadron) and Sergeant McKay (R.H.Q.).

        The Club Captain, Sergeant H.D, Mackel, presided. After dinner the gathering found no difficulty in. making the time go quickly with music and song.

        The Captain referred to the next Regimental Rifle Meeting to be held and stated that prize money would be increased to Ł17/10/- [$35 pay per day for a trooper in 1939 = approx 60˘ or 6/- (six shillings)], exclusive of donated trophies. There will be an additional match in the programme next time, and it is hopes that greater numbers of "B" and "C" Squadrons will enter, although they will have a hard job to capture many prizes.

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SERGEANTS' MESS

        Due to the herculean efforts of an energetic few, the mess has been built up from a sorry rabble to a vigorous body. There was a time, in the far distant past, when the Lancers' Sergeants' Mess was the finest mess in the Commonwealth. It fell upon evil days, but we feel that before long it will once again take pride of place.

        We were sorry to leave our old room which was so hardly won, and into whose beautification so much elbow grease was put. The Staniland brothers and S.Q.M.S. Magee were the leading lights in its transformation. We miss our blue floor, but are really very comfortable in our new quarters. Our sideboard is still the envy of the officers.

        Last year the Officers' Mess presented us with a handsome letter rack. Unfortunately, few even look at it for fear of seeing their mess account reposing thereon.

        We would like to welcome the following new menbers: S/Sgt. McKay, Sergeants Fitzsimmons, Onslow, Mitchell and Connally, also L/Sgt Lowe. We should have a good crop of new members when the Training Cadre gets under way.

        The Mess Ball was an outstanding success, not only as entertainment, but also from the financial point of view. Nearly all the members were present, and the hall was filled to overflowing. A certain S.S.M., who had previously been invisible, startled the critics by turning up with quite a large party.

        The President entertained the official party which included the C.O. and Major Hawke. We were very glad to see Messrs. Yemen, and MacKillop, also our old friend Captain Loxton. Our thanks are due to all those whose efforts resulted in such an outstanding success.

        Paul Ford raked in the shekels with an expert hand, and Corporal Smith showed great skill in letting people through the door and keeping a freezing wind out. Troopers Pateman and McNee proved that the years they have spent on one side of the bar had taught them a few wrinkles for working on the other side.

        We are looking forward to an even more successful year and a bigger and brighter Ball in 1940.

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"B" SQUADRON NOTES

        We feel that we have had a very successful year. The rush of recruits during what was known as "Billy's Campaign" was so great that a new troop was raised. Windsor Troop was transferred to "A" Squadron, and the newly raised troop, Turramurra, replaced it as No. 5 Troop. We wish Mr. Bailey and his troop the best of luck in their new Squadron.

        Since January, we have kept our door well and truly locked, and would-be recruits are kept howling with the wolf, outside.

        We had the responsibility of recruiting and training all Don R's for the Regiment. The training has been ably carried out by S.M.S. Magee and latterly by Sergeant F.R.K. Staniland.

        Since the new Troop was raised, W/0. H.B. Staniland. has been acting Troop Leader, and his place as Squadron S.M. has been taken by his brother. S.Q.M.S. Mel Davis transferred to 7, L-H. and the resulting vacancy was filled by "E-wse" Lamb Magee.

        The sporting and social sides have not been neglected, we have held two boxing and wrestling tournaments, and numerous smokoes, dinners, dances etc. We are shortly to hold an inter-troop football match, which we hope will not cause too many casualties.

No, 1 Troop GORDON,

        With the opening of the new Troop at Turramurra, Gordon lost several men who transferred to help the newcomers.  The Troop was very sorry to lose Sergeant Staniland, but they wish him every success in his new role of Squadron S.M.

        As a result of this loss, an examination was held to fill the vacant position of Troop Sergeant, and, after a very keenly contested exam, Corporal Mitchell topped the list from Corporals Harrop, Gardiner and Kartzoff.  (Mitchell has yet to shout for his additional stripe.)

        Sergeant Mitchell certainly has wasted no time in settling into his job, and the Troop threatens to go into Camp this year twice as efficient as usual (if possible ).

        At the same time, an examination was held for the appointment of our Lance Corporals, those successful candidates being Troopers Stumbles, Could, Charles and Weltone.  The last named, better known as Sir Charles, is Q sort of unofficial gas-instructor to the Regiment.

        The members of the new Turramurra Troop have had the hide to challenge the Gordon Troop to a football match  It shows how innocent these boys must be!111 If Turramurra go into Camp this year with 15 men short, it will only be because the Gordon boys wore too tough for them.  (We hope this is not reversed!)

        We pat ourselves on the back for a good show in the Regimental Sports, as we won the Bending Race, V.M.G. Race, and the Relay Race. Huzzal Huzza .

        Congratulations to Corporal Reg. Maund on gaining admission to the P.M.F.

        Corporal Kartzoff has written an account of our exploits in the Royston Shield of 1938. Our efforts in the last competition are silenced in a chorus of "Ohs" But still Huzza! Huzza! Congratulations to Mr. Scott and his troop on lifting the right to represent the Regiment from us.

No, 2 Troop OURIMBAH.

        When the Troop goes to camp, Ourimbah is truly a deserted village. The local hostelry is closed, the Church is empty. The school doors are barred, and in the town's normally busy streets are to be seen only women, old men and little children. Thus does war stop the wheels of industry.

        But recently Ourimbah presented quite a different spectacle. Imagine a mixture of the opening of the World's Fair in New York, a Royal Levee at Buckingham Palace, the Eve of Waterloo, and the Charge of the Light Brigade. You will have a picture of the Ourimbah School of Arts on the occasion of the Troop Ball.

        Tho C.O. and Mr. Moss were in the official party which was entertained by Mr. Small. During the evening the C.O. presented the trophies won in the Boxing and Wrestling Tournaments. The Troop won 75% of the events. The principal winners were Troopers Anthony, Mavin, Kent and Harris,

        We were glad to see Bob Paton turn up, Most of the Regiment should, remember him as our former armourer Corporal.

        The Ball was a great success in every way, and our thanks are due to all the good ladies who helped to make it so. Ross Gumming as M.C. kept things lively.

        With the profits from the Ball, we intend to buy a piano for the Drill Hall which we have recently improved considerably.

        Congratulations to all those who gained "Crossed Rifles" and "M.G. in Wreath".

        If anyone wants to know why Trooper Mascord's truck fell out of the column during the march to Berry, they must ask Corporal Pickering. It is rumoured that the R.S.M. once failed to recognise the latter and Sergeant Dudley shortly after they had indulged in a shave.

Finally let us loudly sing: Corporal Hoye! OI! OI!

Strength Increase: To Corporal and Mrs. G.R.Gumming - a trooper! Congratulations!

No. 3 Troop TURRAMURRA.

        Turramurra Troop was formed in January with W/0 II H.B. Staniland as acting Troop Leader. From that night the Troop has been at full strength.

        A remarkable amount of energy has been put into the activities of the Troop by all its personnel; and we have no doubt that we will give a good account of ourselves at our first camp.

        An examination was recently held for promotion, and we take this opportunity of congratulating Counolly on being successful in gaining three stripes and Burden, Haskins, Jacob and Watson two each.

        These men worked very hard. for the examination, and it is very satisfactory to see that they all passed so well.

        A "Smoko" was held in March, in the Orderly Room, at which we entertained the Squadron Leader and Troop Leader No.l Troop*

        As this was our first social effort, we did not know exactly how things would go, but as the evening wore on any doubt about the final result of the show faded.

        One, Trooper Ferguson, known as Jerry, displayed a most amazing wit, ably backed up by Troopers Carr, Firth and others. We hope to have another of these interesting parades in the near future.

        Highlight of Chatswood shoot was the reaction of popular Bill Edwards to his first round of shots. The noise must have startled Bill, for he backed further and further away from his gun until he was firing at arm's length. We suggest this as a further "B" Squadron innovation - Bill will demonstrate how its done - any time.

        Commiserations to Corporal Jacobs who, after recording 3rd highest all-time score in the Villers-Bretonneux shoot, was pipped by the 18th Battalion team by two points. Jake has drunk his "winnings" before learning of his defeat.  

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"GRAPPLING IN THE FOG"

"B" SQUADRON TOURNAMENT, by N. H. B.

        "B" Squadron held an open-air Boxing and Wrestling Tournament at Turramurra Orderly Room on Saturday, 20th May, 1939, and as entertainment, quite apart from its fistic and grappling qualities, it was highly successful.

        We were greatly appreciative of the presence of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Whitehead, M.C., and Major and Mrs. R.L. Hawke; particularly in view of the manner in which they held their positions unflinchingly when a heavy fog descended after the half-time intermission.

        Three out of five boxing contests were won on technical K.O's. Trooper Stacey, a M.C., won the first bout on points from Trooper Peck of B2, but was beaten in the final by a troop comrade of Peck's, Trooper Kent. Immediately the middle-weight two-rounder opened, Trooper Bell, another M.C., planted a beauty on Trooper Kelly of Bl. This bout ended hilariously with Kelly, in a haze, grazing the chin of the Referee, Mr. Small, with a beautiful uppercut. Don't blame Kelly - he didn't know a thing about it. Curtains in Round 1, with Bell the victor.

        The Welterweight heat went to Trooper Harris of B2, with a technical K.O. over Trooper Slonan of B3 in round 2, and Harris went on to settle matters in the first round of the final over the body of Trooper Shilton of B5. (All this is rather tough on B3 isn't it?)

        In the wrestling, the Lightweight went to Trooper Mavin of B2, who scored over Trooper Darby of B5, with one fall to nil, followed by another M.C. victory by Trooper Bridges in the welterweight heat by two falls. Bridges' opponent was Sergeant M.Connolly of B5, and the popular Morris was responsible for a lot of amusement in this bout. Confidentially, your reporter heard him referred to by a civilian spectator (of the fair sex) as "the man with the bee-autiful, dazzling smile". Can't you do some good for yourself with it, with the Pepsodent people, Morris?

        The second welterweight wrestling bout resulted in a triumph for the "five year plan" of Michael Kartzoff of Bl, over Trooper Robinson - again poor old B5 bit the dust. This was a very entertaining bout. The spectators enlivened it with a lot of advice to Mike .and several renditions of "The Volga Boatmen"; and Trooper Robinson, besides putting up a very gone effort, showed quite a ready wit in his remarks to the audience. The laddy has personality plus! The Cossack blood and muscle charged to victory here by a fall in each of Rounds 1 and 5.

        The last bout of the evening at Turramurra, where the fog was now drifting across the arena in a very heavy cloud, was the professional wrestling grapple between Johnny Para dice, middleweight champion of Australasia, and Curly Connors, middleweight ditto of Western Australia. This went four rounds, to the punctuation of remarks by Johnny, "How you lak that, hugh?" But whose voice was it rumbled from the depths of arms and legs - "That'll fix you, you....."?

        Lieutenant Moss, who had refereed all the wrestling, also had control of this professional bout. But Johnny resented any control of any kind over his actions, and when the ref. pointed out to him the error of his ways, he calmly took the cuff of the latter's trousers, and ripped one leg to the very hairline of decency - then added a little shirt-ripping for good measure. This didn't amuse the crowd - not much I

        The fourth and last round was little short of riotous. In the final stages there was a merry little mix-up on the ropes, where Paradice had Curly's weather-beaten features nicely tied up in the two top strands of the ropes, and had Referee Moss there in the same predicament to keep bin company. To make it more interesting, two sergeants junped onto the ringside and endeavoured to remonstrate gently with Johnny, by means of grasping and heaving on forelocks, paradice, one. "Immediate action" followed with the release of the referee, who came out swinging and nearly annihilated one of the rescuing sergeants. Paradice; in two falls, over four rounds, with soiae healthy dumps*

The finals of the wrestling were held at Johnny Paradice's gyffi on May 51, and resulted:

HEAVYWEIGHT - Heat 1. Trooper Ferguson, of B3, defeated Trooper Matheson, some troop, by 2 falls to nil.

HEAVYWEIGHT - Heat 2. L/Cpl. Gould of Bl defeated Trooper Bridges (M.O,) by S falls to nil.

HEAVYWEIGHT FINAL - L/Cpl. Gould defeated Trooper Ferguson of B5 by 1 fall to nil. "Fergy" gave a fine exhibition of skidding-on-the-forehead in this bout, and wore a large area of sticking plaster very artistically for several days afterwards.

WELTERWEIGHT FINAL - Trooper Bridges (M.C.) defeated Corporal Kartzoff (Bl) by 2 falls to nil,

        The thanks of the Squadron, are due to Lieut. H.L. Moss for the organisation of this Tournament, to Captain Meares of the A.A.M.C. for acting as M.O. at the Turramurra Show; to S.Q.M.S. Magee for his vein of humor (not always found in those filling the job of timekeeper), to the committee, and to the willing fellows who came up on the Saturday afternoon and erected the ring and did other fatigues under the direction of Corporal Kartzoff. And not forgetting our thanks to Johnny Paradice for the use, without charge, of his gym for the finals on 31st March, and for the instructive exhibition of wrestling holds given by him and one of his pupils on that night.

        Now bring out your bruisers for the Regimental Tournament in the next camp!

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WIND.

Captain Latchford: Now this is a very simple problem. We do not have to consider wind at all. There's a flat calm; not a breath of wind,- except for the vertical wind blowing round the Observation post,

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150th. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS.

TATTOO AT PARRAMATTA,

        Following the Centenary Celebrations in Sydney, Parramatta, in common with a large number of towns in New South Wales, held a lesser, but nevertheless just as impressive, celebrations, tied up with their own local history.  In the case of Parramatta, a particularly active Committee, headed by the Mayor, drew up an ambitious programme covering ten days.  In conjunction with this programme, the Commanding Officer was approached with a view to producing a Tattoo on the local oval.

        The date fixed was near to the Camp of Annual Training, and consequently caused some misgiving and careful thought before deciding whether it was possible to produce something worthy of Parraaatta's Centenary.  It was particularly pleasing that the Regiment should have been asked to carry out this task, as the old Lancer Barracks there witness to the long association that the Regiment has -held with that town.

        The whole of the resources of the local troops, viz: 1 & 2 of "A" Squadron, and 1 & 3 of "B" Squadron, were thrown into the production, and neighbouring Regiments were approached.  The united effort resulted in the drawing up of a programme which was not only balanced, but presented an eicellent opportunity of showing the public the capabilities of the various arms engaged.

        The theme of the Tattoo was to start with the re-enactaent of the landing of Governor Phillip in Sydney Cove in 1788, and enactment of the various military activities in the Colony, finally working up to a display of the various arms in the mechanised forces of today.

        The work put into the enactment of the Landing of Governor Phillip by Gordon Troop produced a wonderful spectacle, which took the residents of Parramatta by storm.  Even today the "Huzzas" of the Marines has become, and remains, the battle cry of Gordon Troop.

        Parramatta Troops followed with the Changing of the Guard, in period uniforms of the Regiments from time to tine billeted in the Parramatta district. In conjunction with the 21st Field Brigade, also the Cavalry Division, the Battle of Vinegar Hill, one of the few engagements fought on Australian soil, was effectively re-enacted.

        Items of import were contributed by the Cadet Corps of the King's School, the 14th Field Brigade, and the 20/54 Battalion.

        The Tattoo concluded with an aerial attack on a mechanised column moving through a defile.  We have to thank Captain E. Macarthur-Onslow of "A" Squadron for his first class work and excellent timing in carrying out the part of the hostile Air Force.

        The ground was packed, and despite rain on the previous day, a show well worthy of the Regiment was given to the public at Parramatta.

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THE LAY OF THE LOST LORRY,

by W. 0. ISMEE.

I had gone to sleep in ray blanket-roll,

With my hip well-cushioned within a hole;

While my lorry beneath a Bloodwood tree

Munched at his petrol contentedly.

I woke and stretched as the far hills greyed

And found, to my horror, my lorry had strayed,

(I'd left him unhobbled the night before

For I thought him safe, and his hubs we're sore).

And the heart of me turned to an icicle

For I'd had him since he was a tricycle;

And he wouldn't kick me, nor bite, nor buck -

My own - my beloved - my two ton truck.

But he'd followed the whispering call of Spring,

And in search of a mate, gone galloping.

I'd follow and find him, no matter how far,

For a Lancer's crippled without his car.

I whistled and called to bring him back,

And searched the grasses for sign or track,

But none were there; and I sadly pondered

Whither my errant truck had wandered.

I'd been hunting and searching for nearly a week,

Till at length I came to a sparkling creek;

And my dying lorry at last I found

With his sump-oil staining the grass around.

He was lying in pain with a broken spring,

With around him a horrible silent ring

Of crows, who were waiting to rip and tear,

When he died, at his lamps and his running gear.

He was breathing fast, he was nearly done,

And my hand went down to my Vickers gun.

For his suffering turned my heart to water,

So I finished bin off with a belt and a quarter.

"You were faithful to me my good old pal,

And I loved you better than any gal,

So I'll bury you where the crows won't get you;

I'd not live happy if dingoes ate you."

Though I had no tools but my own bare hands,

At last, long last, he was under the sands,

But I'd no strength left for a sigh or a tear

For I'd been digging for over a year.

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REGIMENTAL SPORTS.

  The Regimental Sports were held during camp under the direction of Major Irwin as Marshall of the Sports. The events were keenly contested and resulted in some very close finishes.

The following are the results:

1.   Lloyd Lindsay Trophy:

1.   Parramatta Troop         2.    Gordon Troop.

2.   Bending Race - Lorry Drivers:

        1.   Gordon Troop             2.   Parramatta Troop

3.   Bending Race - Officers

        1.   Major Hawke              2.    Lieut. Moss.

4.  Vickers Machine Gun Race

        1.  Gordon Troop              2.    Berry Troop

5.   4 Cav. Fd. Amb. Stretcher Bearing Test:

        1.   No. 2 Section               2.   No. 4 Section

6.   Parcel Race:

        1.   Ourimbah Troop         2.    Geringong Troop

7.   ''Don R" Bending Race

        1.    M.C. McCauley         2.    M.C. Sowers

8.   Relay Race (V.M.G.)

        1.   Gordon Troop            2.   Blacktown Troop

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BOXING AND WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

        A Boxing and. Wrestling Tournament was held in Camp at Berry, was a great success. The Tournament was organised by Mr. Moss and a team of willing assistants. The lighting was carried out by Mr Scott and was erected by Corporal Kartzoff.

        The highlight of the evening was the special "grudge match" between two prominent professional all-in wrestlers ably assisted by Mr. Moss. The anatomical complexity which characterised most of the holds these three got themselves into, was really amazing.. It is understood that they have appeared together in the ring some 147 times.

        It was a pity that suitable opponents could not be found in the boxing section for Corporal Holmes and Trooper Anthony. Both men are really good boxers and powerful hitters. Corporal Holmes sportingly fought in a division some two stone over his weight.

        It is hoped that the Tournament this year will be an even greater success and that the entries will be more representative.

WRESTLING:

Featherweight:            Trooper Davis

Welterweight:             Corporal Kartzoff

Middleweight:            Corporal Gould

Light-Heavyweight:    W.O.II H.B, Staniland

BOXING:

Featherweight:            Trooper Kent

Lightweight:                Trooper Brain

Welterweight:             Trooper Harris

Middleweight:            Trooper Stuart

Light-Heavyweight:    Trooper Anthony  

Trooper Harris Trooper Harris

Trooper Warren Harris winning his welterweight tournament

Detail of photo to left

Photo above was inserted by the webmaster, it is from the collection of Carmen Hall, Trooper Warren Harris' daughter.  Trooper (later Lance Corporal) Harris served with the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion in WWII . 

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BEACH DEFENCE.

by L/BLANK-FILE MELSMITH.

        Beach defence was the order of the day for the training of militia units last year, and this unit, on common with all others, pursued a syllabus of training designed to fit us to carry out the task which would be ours if enemy troops were to attempt a landing on our shores.

        To all of us then, the highlight of the year's training was the doing of an actual beach defence scheme on the weekend of 17/18 February, when we carried out the Great Beery Exercise, which consisted mainly of doing a bit of work on the beach, under cover of night and numerous bushes (see Notes on Camouflage Part II.).

        In our own private and personal opinion we did all right for ourselves, but the observers, (who must have had the eyes of a HAWKE to see what we were doing at all), had to stick their finger in the PYE, and rumour has it that it was their report which sent the Old Man WHITEHEAD-ed.

        But let us be confined to facts. In the beginning, as the Padre would say, See Oh moved Heaven and Earth, the Dee Eff Oh and all that round him was, and thereby procured some money, yea, even sufficient for us to go to Beery.

        Then See Oh got the Gee One to write a story, all about Blueland and Redland, which he called a Narrative, and which all the Officers, (well at any rate, some of the Officers), studied studiously.

        But no one could understand it, because the Regiment had no maps, and so they did not know where they had to go. Anyhow the See Oh and the Ah Ess Em. tossed and, because it was a double-header, of course KING was on top, and so we went to Beery.

        Now by some inexplicable miracle or other, 1 and 2 Troops, "A" Squadron left the Lancer Barracks sharp to time, to pick up Turramurra, Ourimbah and a detachment of the Gordon Highlanders at the overhead, bridge. After waiting three quarters of an hour, however, it transpired that the Main Roads Board and the Department of Railways had contrived to connive at a conspiracy so hard that even Sherlock Holmes (with or without the assistance of Corporal WATSON) would not have seen through it without an X X X - Ray Plant.

        As I was saying, after three quarters of an hour, we found the Northerners sitting on the other overhead bridge, busily imbibing copious quantities of S.R.D. The situation being explained to then and oil (Shell) poured on the troubled waters, someone was heard to remark, "O'SHEA, if  I CASH MAN reshponshible for two bridgesh, I'LL (censored, censored)."

        "We're running late, so go on quick" shouted See Oh, but Lord Nuffield wasn't feeling too well, so he had to go ONSLOW.

        By the time we got to where we had to pick up Camden, we were ready for anything to Appin, but nothing untoward occurred until we were nearly Pass Bulli, when there was a shattering crash followed by a clattering smash and someone yelled out "Hey Gordon's KAHTZOS'F the road!" But it wasn't their cart at all, only two Don Ah's having a bit of collusion - I mean collision. Unfortunately, we were unable to do anything for them, as L/Cpl. Cooper passed out when he smelt blood.

        We were due to arrive at the Jerry Gong at 2300 hours, on Friday but our Skedule being skittled by the events her-toforementioned, we hit it (or at least Pateman's lorry did) at 0400 hours on Saturday.

        Making a bee-line for the church where we were to sleep, we uncovered another vile plot. All the doors and the GATES were locked, which rather put us out for the night, and compelled us to make use of Ground and Cover (C.S.L. Ch.V). The ground was all right, but the cover issued to us was totally inadequate. Anyway there we lay until awakened by a raucous voice (no it wasn't the Ess Ess Em, only the local butcher crooning "A Taskett, a tiskett, I've lost my little brisket"). That got us all up, all, that is, except Gordon, who came straggling out like BROWN'S cows.

        After a delectable meal of Stewed??? and cold pot-HAYTEUS (Jerry Gong specials) we set off for Berry, 1 Tp. A Sqn. going on ahead to take cover off the road and camouflage their truck. "Did they succeed?" you ask. In answer to which we refer you to Dunn and Gilbert's immoral classic the Mickey-do wherein Stinkey-poo sings

"Of that there is no manner of doubt, 

No possible probable shadow of doubt, 

No manner of doubt what ever."

        In fact, so successful were they, that they could not be found all morning, and the A/Adjt. got real worked up, and was quite LEMONY about it.

        Finally we all assenbled. on the beach, where we dug holes and in general prepared to meet the invader, who; we were told, was positively b_____ villainous.

        We would here like to point out, that it is a libellous statement, untrue in every detail, that 1 Tp, A Sqn. were unable to find their way back from the beach, and any person making such statement is guilty of an offence under A.M.R. 205 (1) 1i .

        At last to bed, where it was so cold that we could not help but think that if it were a bit LES SUMMER-y it would be wintry; and one of the observers, an Officer from the S.U.R., reckoned he had never been in a WINDEYER place in all his life.

        At dawn on Sunday morning we were ready to defend our shores against the enemy (represented by a shoal of fish crusing off the beach), and on the command to fire we succeeded in frightening hell out of everyone bar the aforesaid shoal of MACKEL.

        About this tine it was discovered that the Farrier-Sergeant was missing and a search party was immediately got up to go find him. Strangely enough, when we looked in the MOSS likely place for him he wasn't there, and stranger still, the publican had seen no sign of him. However, he turned up later, quite safe and sound, and it has since transpired that he passed his time for the duration of the battle, down the creek emulating the BEEVORS.

        And so we said Farewell to Beery, as with flags streaming from See Oh's car, we reluctantly turned our heads for hone, having done nothing, seen nothing, and learnt nothing, over what must indubitably go down as one of the most important holiday week-ends in the history of the Regiment.

-------------------------------

(We have since found out by referring to the Regimental Nominal Roll, that the perpetrator of the above PEARLES of wisdom, was not present at the bivouac at all. It appears that he CEARLED up behind a gunchest for a quiet sleep. The Squadron moved off EARLIER than he expected, and in the HEARLY-BEARLY of departure he was left behind. He has been very SEARLY ever since as he believes that a CHEARLISH trick was played upon him -- THE EDITOR.)

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"TINKLE TINKLE"

by "UP FIFTY"

I grabbed, a V.M.G. one day, 

And took the blighter right away;

I pulled the belt to fill the gun

You should have seen the Section run...

I pulled again, and then begorra!

Tinkle, tinkle .... Gunner's horror.

I kicked a corporal Friday night,

And did I get an. awful bite,

Now all alone poor harmless me

Doing fifty days C.B.

Kicking Corporals wrong, begorra!

Don't kick corporals....Gunner's horror.

When I next get out of gaol

I'll give Hitler mighty "He-il";

Off to Germany I'll go,

There's something good they ought to know:

Pulling belts too much begorra! 

Gives tinkle, tinkle - Gunner's horror.

They'll give me medal like Sam

I'll take it too without a qualm,

And hang it round my neck I will

And tinkle tinkle to my fill --

And when they hang me, then....Begorra!

They'll get tinkle Gunner's horror!

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"C" SQUADRON NOTES,

by "POLA"

        As the youngest Squadron since motorisation, a few remarks about origin would not be amiss. In June 1936., Troops were formed at Berry (No.l) and Gerringong (No.2), the Troop Leaders being Lieutenants W. Scott and H. Chittick respectively, with Captain P.O. Goleman as Squadron Leader. Although the Officers and many of the men had previous service, shaking down took some little time. Memories of the wag from another Squadron who turned out one of the Troops on a dark night during the first camp as a self-appointed N.C.O. and was not discovered for some time. Fortunately the Troop had a sense of humour.

        That, of course, was nearly three years ago, and will not occur again. Gradually N.C.O. vacancies were filled, a number of members attended Courses of Instruction, and in February last the Squadron acquired its No,5 Troop by re-allotment of the Camden Troop (Lieut. M, Wheat ley) from "A" Squadron. In. June of last year Captain Coleman, to the regret of tho Squadron, transferred to the Reserve of Officers.  Lieutenant L.C. Lemon, from "A" Squadron was appointed Second-in-Command in February last.  At present the command of tho Squadron is administered by Major A.J. Irwin.

        In discussing ourselves with becoming modesty, we have divided the year to 50th June into periods before, during, and after the November Camp.  During the first two periods "C" Squadron was less one Troop, and therefore outnumbered by "A" and "B" Squadrons.  Needless to say the superiority of "A" and "B" was entirely confined to numbers.

        The period prior to Comp was occupied mainly with work in preparation for the collective training in Camp.  The Squadron was well represented at the Wing Course held at Liverpool.  The death of Trooper Bates of  No.l Troop, following an illness, occurred in October.  The Squadron regrets the passing of a good comrade and a good soldier.

        We had good weather for the Camp at Berry in November, and the Showground proved an excellent site for the Regiment.  The highlights of the week were the inter-troop competition to represent the Regiment in the Royston Shield, the Beach Defence Exercise and the Regimental Ball.  Congratulations to Berry Troop for the success in the Royston Shield, and to the Gerringong Troop for a good effort also. May the success of Berry Troop be repeated in the final with the 16th Machine Gun Regiment's Troop.

        The Beach Defence Exercise commenced with good billets at Albion Park, although Squadron HQ. might have been less remote and the lighting facilities of the Troop billets were much envied.  Motor cyclists spent a busy night, completely upsetting the slumbers of the civilian population.  In the early, in fact very early, hours, the alarm was raised, and troops were to vehicle, and away.  Dawn broke on deserted billets.  A "fictitious" casualty was more successful than a "fictitious" breakdown later, as he marched out, and the lorry didn't until "fictitiously" repaired.  Followed the occupation of a defensive position and the construction of fieldworks, camouflage etc.  By this time it was apparent that our Intelligence had forestalled the enemy, as he failed to appear before dusk, and luckily for himself did not appear during the night, as he would have required a Squadron of blacktrackers to find our holiday resorts.

        Fortunately, some tracing tapes arrived and good use was made of them in the "tiger country".  At 1930 hours "A" Squadron arrived suddenly and relieved "C" who arrived at billets in Jamberoo at 2540 hours.  It was discovered during the move there that the table top of a lorry makes quite a good bed upon occasion.

        The Regimental Ball at the Berry School of Arts proved a popular attraction, and there were few absentees.

        Subsequent to the Camp, the outstanding events have been the Brigade Manoeuvre Exercise in February; the completion of Annual Courses for Machine Gun, Rifle and Revolver; increased strengths resulting from the Recruiting Campaign, and on the part of the Berry Troop, intensive training for the Royston Shield Competition. There was a good attendance at the Royal Review on the King's Birthday, all Troops being represented.

No, 1 Troop BERRY

        By this time we're actually getting quite used to all the bright remarks about Berry.  You know:

1.   "Whom are you going to Berry?"

2.   "Where's the Berryal party?"

5.   Send for Troopers Black, Straw, Dill, Rasp, Mul and Goose!"

4.  "Where's Trooper Logan?"  (tricked you.there - there is a Trooper Logan.)

5.   "Do you suffer from beri-beri?"

        In spite of it all, we did Berry well indeed in gaining first place in the Soyston Shield.  Since then we have been sweating cur guts out training for the inter-Regimental competition against the 16th Light Horse.  We were all set a1 rearin' to go, when the powers that be postponed the event until September. Warrant-Officers Ferguson and Cashman, who have been tireless in their efforts to prepare us for the event, state that we may be in fair shape by then.

        We are glad to hear that Mrs. Scott, wife of our Troop Leader, is well on the road to recovery after her serious operation.

        Corporal Ogilvie, who was seriously injured whilst playing football recently is now beginning to sit up and take notice.  He is going to Queensland to recuperate for a time, but we hope to have him back in the Troop before very long. Corporal Priddle, too, is on deck again and looking more like his old self.

        We will be sorry to lose Corporal Bowden who was successful in gaining admission to the R.A.A. and has transferred to the Permanent Forces.  Max is off to Darwin on July 8th, and we wish bin luck in his new life amongst the Biaghls, dingoes, dugongs, monsoons, luggers and "glamour boys".

        Congratulations to Corporal Priddle and Agar, and Troopers Logan and Skinner on winning their "Crossed Rifles".

        We will conclude on a Berry and Bright note by telling the Regiment here and now that our home town is often pronounced "Beery".

No. 2 Troop GERRINGONG.

        Of course, everybody is anxious to know how we, a crowd of cow-cockies, got such a magnificent vehicle as our new section lorry. One seldom sees such beauty outside the car showrooms. It stands out of the ruck like an Illawarra Shorthorn amongst a mob of stunted, anaemic, brittle-boned Jerseys.

        We won't mention here, who owns the truck, or to what purpose it is put in civilian life. Enough to say that, come a war, a gentleman of a highly specialised profession will be urgently required in the town of KIAMA.

        If anyone doubt the drinking powers of the troop, let him come down and sample some of the tea brewed by Sergeant Hayter. Real cockles' joy, being a mixture of tar, M.80, Bovril and treacle - the whole served at a temperature of 212°F.

        Congratulations to Trooper Nelson who proved himself the best rifle shot in the Squadron, also to all those who collected prize-money and badges.

No, 3 Troop CAMDEN.

        The Troop is definitely on the up and come.  We are overstrength and have a big waiting list; but what is most pleasing is the keenness of the Troops.  Many of them live some distance -- up to twenty miles -- from the Drill Hall, and never miss a parade.  In fact for a time we were holding two parades a week.

        We startled the R.Q.M.S. by sending him down some "long rangy" recruits to be fitted for uniforms.  Troopers Rogers and Bruce (Scots who hae!), really worried him.  It is estimated that if they were placed end to end, they would reach from the Crown Hotel to the Aerodrome -- that is, if you could get them out of the former.

        No boots were available in Australia big enough for Trooper Rogers, so a special contract had to be made for their construction.  Messrs. Dorman Long & Co. were the successful tenderers, and the keels were laid clown early in January. They were finally launched, in the middle of May.  Lieutenant Wheatley and Corporal Downes have rented one in which to stable their polo ponies, and Trooper Rogers has built an up-to-date ineubator-roon and brooder-house from the other.

        Since these cornstalks joined the Troop, Captain Onslow has altogether stopped flying low over the parade ground.  He says that there are now four great dangers to low-flying aircraft; (1) the 2FC wireless mast at Liverpool; (2) Trooper Rogers; (3) the A.W.A. mast in Sydney; (4) Trooper Bruce.

        We offer congratulations to our new N.C.O.s who were recently promoted; Sergeant Onslow, Corporals Parker and J. Downes.  Congratulations also to Troopers Fairbairn, Ballard and Biddle on being appointed lance-corporals.

        The standard of shooting in the Troop has improved considerably.  Eight members won their "M.G. in Wreath": Corporals Jacknan, Smith, Parker; Lance-corporals Biddle and Fairbairn, and Troopers Skinner, M. Small and Rogers. (That man again). Trooper Parker also won his "Crossed Rifles".  In addition, Corporal Jackman was the best M.G. shot in the Regiment and Corporal Smith the best Revolver shot.  We entered eight teams in the Villers-Bretonneux, and Corporal Parker's team. gained fifth place.

        Although we are now attached to "C" Squadron, we sometimes have a visit from "A" Squadron H.Q,.  It appears that the Crown Hotel stocks some very good whiskey.

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"WUNEMMAGEE"

BEING ODDS AND SODS GENERALLY.

WAS HIS FACE RED !

An. unorthodox development in Vickers gun firing was displayed recently by a prominent "B" Squadron officer in the course of a shoot at Chatswood Rifle Range. Demonstrating to recruits tho correct method of firing a gun he caused his tripod (the legs of which had, apparently been prepared for this manoeuvre) to subside 'by vibration to the position of "lowest possible mounting". It was an extremely interesting exhibition, greatly appreciate! by those who witnessed it. The performance was inpronptu, which enhances its nerit,

We venture to say that with more careful preparation, this officer could evolve more difficult drill of considerable benefit to the Regiment.

He claims no special distinction for the manoeuvre, however, and we understand that it is attributable to cavalryman's initiative.

COOKER.

        It is rumoured that a certain S.Q,.M.S. has trouble in making his cook understand his orders.  We suggest that he have large cards printed bearing the necessary orders.

        For example:

1.   Take the chop out of the stew.  There's another meal in it yet.

2.   More water in the stew - it's getting thick.

3.   I said to put salt in the porridge, not SALTS.

4.   Go easy with that stuff on the pudding.  It's M.80, not treacle.

        Those are just a few.  They could be printed in Hebrew, Polish, Gaelic, Esperanto and Sanskrit.

EXPLICIT.

        Squadron Leader: "Now you blokes, if you look at the bottom right hand corner of the map, you'll find a little how-d'ye-do thing. If you cut this out you'll annoy the Defence Department considerably. But if you do, put it so that the what-have-you is on the point indicated; you will then be able to read the what-do-you-call-it quite easily. D'ye follow?"

EPIGRAM:

        "I know two things about a horse, And one of then is rather coarse,"

        This well-known epigram night, with some truth, be regarded as representing the sum-total of many a modern lancer's knowledge of the horse and horse-mastership.  No doubt the Old Hands would use it as a sneer at new-comers.

        But the modern Lancer (I.C. engined) might well reply:

        Whatever you say about Cavalry (Horsed), WE don't need a shovel for gases (exhaust)."

WAISTUBE:

        R.S.M. (to plump recruit): "Now you're in the army young feller, you'll have to reduce your waist line a bit".

        Plump Recruit: "Ha! Ha! How about you Boss?"

"Q":

        It is reported that before his appointment as Adjutant, Mr. Gaites was Quartermaster with the A.S.C. He runs a car.

        The R.S.M. was formerly R.Q.M.S. He also runs a car!

        The R.Q.M.S. likewise runs a car - of sorts,

        The Assistant R.Q..M.S. runs an automobile - so-called.

        Also the Assistant-Assistant-R.Q.M.S. runs a flivver.

        But Staff-S.M. O'Shea, the assistant R.S.M., has never had the good fortune to hold down a "Q," job. He just runs,

"LAY!"

        Capt. X. A.I.C.:  You people are supposed to be highly-trained, highly-paid machine-gunners; but you're too slow. Some of you take longer to lay than a Black Orpington.  We don't want any egg-bound gunners here!

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THE QUESTION BOX.

by TROOPER TRIX

        Since "B.5" first saw light of day sone six months ago, many pertinent questions have been asked and not answered.

        Whether those questioned didn't know, or whether they were under the impress-ion that the new troopers weren' t old enough" is a moot point. However, this was thought to be a suitable opportunity to put a few of the rarer type on paper with some suggested answers,

Q.l. Are the Proper Authorities considering the inclusion in their Syllabus of Training of a chapter along these lines "A Machine-Gunner's 1st 50 rounds - Atmosphere necessary and reactions pertaining thereto?"

Ans. Neither Sgt. Connolly nor Lieut.-General Squires seemed to know - couldn't think of any one else who might know, either.

Q.2. How does W/0 Staniland find out who doesn't attend. Troop Luncheons when he never goes himself?

Ans, Refused to talk - try "Truth".

Q.3. Who is the author of jokes held at troop "Smokoes"?

Ans. Several answers have been suggested - take your pick: Henry VIII, Lieut Moss, Stanley Holloway.

Q.4. Has Mr, Brown patented his idea for an automatic, collapsible, shot dropping, oblique traversing tripod?

Ans, Mr. Brown did reply, but the answer was censored.

Q.5, Is there anybody in the Regiment the R.S.M, does like?

Ans, We believe he did have a life long pal, but be was unfortunately killed in the Crimean War.

Q.6. Did one of the "B.I'S" lorries cone from the Black Soil Plains for the Review?

Ans. We understand not. Perhaps some member of No.l Troop is an exterior decorator, or perhaps it was a practical demonstration of disruptive painting.

The above questions and answers might well be assimilated by No.5 Troop "B" Squadron, and the Regiment as a whole. Additional information nay be ac-quirod by assiduous study of the Vickers Hand Book.

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LAST POST.

        We regret to record the passing of Honorary Major-General George Leonard Lee, C.M.G., D.S.O., on 14th April, 1939.

        He had a distinguished career, the early part of which was as a member of the Lancers.

        He enlisted as a trooper in the Regiment in 1889 and four months later was prmoted to commissioned rank. Three years later he joined the Permanent Forces and was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He later became Commandant of the Cavalry School of Instruction.

        He sailed with the first draft of reinforcements from N.S.W. for the Aldershot Squadron of the Lancers who were serving in the South African War and after reaching the Squadron, of which he took command, on 1st December, 1899, he was present at every action of the Squadron except Brandfort in May 1900. He was specially mentioned for distinction by Field-Marshal Lord Roberts and received the D.S.O. and Queen's Medal with six clasps.

        On his return he was appointed A.A.G. and Chief Staff Officer in Victoria and latter was Commandant of several Military Districts.

In 1916 he was appointed a temporary Brigadier-General and in 1918 an Hon. Major- General. -He was A.D.C. to H.E. the Governor-General from 1915 to 1920.

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THANKS

We owe a debt of gratitude, and our thanks, to the following for their assistance in publishing of this the first number of our Journal.

Major E.K. Prior and Ted Scorfield of the Bulletin, for permission to reproduce one of their excellent drawings;

Mr. C.T. Stephens for the design of the cover,

Miss A. I. Ring and Mr. E. Warren, whose efforts made the actual work of publication possible;

and lastly, contributors throughout the Regiment who have supplied the material.

Reproduced by the NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated 2001

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