A Poem by a WW2 Veteran
In war there are no unwounded soldiers, No unsightly wounds to show, No limbs are missing of these men, But inward pain and thoughts crowding on, The mind of ageing veteranswho saw it but have nought to show, Only memories…
Nashos
Australian National Servicemen
Frank Cordingley
Read MoreA Poem by a WW2 Veteran
Tales from the Sak Sak
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. These photos are taken from the book ‘Tales from the Sak Sak’ edited by Max Quanchi 005 Off to Brandi beach for body…
Photos from 1966-67 by Sgt Michael Turnbull
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Was it only two years’ service?
By Sgt Siggy Nowak National Service training commenced, and I walked into Puckapunial as a raw recruit following the completion of my Economics university degree, my Dip Ed and then one year teaching in Shepperton. Following recruit training, I marched…
1971 Intake Advice
Introduction Over the duration of “operation skoolim”, the RAAEC regular staff in PNG improved its procedures for recruitment, training, and induction of National Service Instructors deployed to PNG Command. The document which follows was written from Port Moresby and designed…
Various Items of Interest
This page shows various single items that are of interest but could not be displayed elsewhere on the website. Learner’s Permit and provisional licence issued in the 1970’s A newspaper item spread over two images of a football match involving…
1PIR’s BOOMERANG BOY
1PIR’s BOOMERANG BOY (By Terry Edwinsmith) RSM WO1 Frederick Alexander Wilson ARA 5487 24/06/1924 to 27/03/1968 The book, ‘Boomerang Boy’ tells the compelling story of Taurama Barrack’s RSM, Fred Wilson who died at 1PIR on 27th March 1968 when he…
2022 Reunion – Broadbeach QLD
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. Broadbeach Bowls Club Southport RSL Kurrawa Surf Club Pacific Fair
National Reunion in Brisbane on 6th October, 2012
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. The following is a break down of those we expected to attend (Of these, there were a few non-starters): There were 46 former…
National Servicemen’s Day
National Servicemen’s Day, February 14 each year. This 14th day in February, the 45th day of the year, is remembered for many events. In recent times in Australia, Decimal Currency was introduced with metrics overtaking the Imperial measures from this…
Singleton 2019 Reunion
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. These photos are available, courtesy of Terry Edwinsmith Cessnock Leagues Club Australian Army Infantry Museum, Singleton Potters Brewery Hunter Valley Gardens Final Day…
Brisbane Reunion 2013
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SURFING – WEWAK STYLE
by Sgt. Graeme Johnson I was introduced to this pastime by a civvy mate Bob PRINS who was employed by the Administration in the then Department of Ag., Stock & Fisheries in Wewak town centre. He was friends with some…
Further Historic Photos of TPNG
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. This gallery shows photos of Papua New Guinea and its people taken by Sgt. Terry Edwinsmith when he served at Taurama Barracks in…
Moem Didiman – Sgt Robbie Scott 1970-71
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Memories from 1967-68 by Sgt Ian Lovell
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. Editor’s Note: At the end of the display of photos, there is a photo of the Caribou aircraft (taken in 1968) that crashed…
My Less Than Brilliant Career
by Capt. John Retallick After attending Bathurst Teachers’ College in 1962-3 I was sent to a one teacher school in a wheat paddock somewhere out west for 2 years. Towards the end of that time I received a call-up notice…
Tales of a Chalkie
by Sgt Paul Taylor What the heck is a Chalkie? Before I answer this question I would like to take you back to 7th February 1968. Why is this date significant to me? Because it was the first day of…
Taurama Barracks Photos from 1967-68
by Sgt. Maurice Jenner Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window.
Jim Davidson’s Gallery from 1967-68
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Life in the CMF 1950’s Style
by Dan Winkel Like all 18 year olds of my generation I had to serve 3 months National Service, compulsory full time service to complete Recruit Training. The initial 3 months were followed by 3 years compulsory part time training…
‘Chalkies’ honoured for their work teaching Papua New Guinean soldiers
____________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Note: This article was copied from the NSW Teachers News website education.nsw.gov.au/news unaltered and in its entirety. We (the Chalkies) sought and received permission to copy the article. We copied it here to acknowledge an important milestone in…
Photos at AAIM
Read MorePhotos at AAIM‘Chalkies’ reunite at Australian Army Infantry Museum for new exhibition
____________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Note: This article was copied from the The Singleton Argus unaltered and in its entirety. We (the Chalkies) acknowledge it is the property of the newspaper and will receive no monetary gain in using it. We copied it…
Chris Donnan’s Brothers’ tribute trip to Mt. Wilhelm
by Mark and Frank Donnan 12 August – 17 August 2014 DAY 1 – Flew with my brother Frank from Mascot airport to Cairns, window seat with clear skies and view magnificent, the Great Barrier Reef was a real standout.…
Murray Barracks Civic Action Patrol 1970
by Sgt. John Meyer I was among 30 soldiers sent on a Civic Action Patrol up into the Gulf Area of Papua New Guinea in January/February 1970. Two Landing Barges were sent on the month long assignment to a remote…
The National Service Vocational Training Scheme
Contributions from Sgts. Terry Edwinsmith and Ron Inglis Background Story As part of the 50th anniversary of the University of Queensland’s Alumni Association, Terry Edwinsmith wrote an article on the National Service Vocational Training Scheme of which many National Servicemen…
Tribute to John Angus Martin (1947-1970) a Nasho Chalkie
John was born on 23 June 1947 in country Wauchope, NSW. He was just over 2 and his sister Margaret 13 when their mother was killed outside Wauchope in 1949. His father re-married and John socialised with local school mates…
Letter Home
Clicking on a photo will display a full sized image of the photo in a new window. This gallery shows photos taken by Sgt. Terry Edwinsmith on Civic Action Patrols during his time as a chalkie at Taurama Barracks in…
Article from `G Time (MCG Volunteers’ Newsletter) Nov 2017
This page consists of two articles extracted from other publications. The first is an extract from the `G Time (a newsletter of the tour guides of the Melbourne Cricket Grounds written by an ex-chalkie Sgt. Geoff Piper. The second is…