Category Personal Memories

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…

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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…

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An Immoral Youth Group

by John Ford (1969-70) In 1968/69 and 1969/70 the senior officer of the Education Corp at Taurama Barracks was Captain Wolfgang Flayden. The 1968/69 Chalkies had a troublesome relationship with Capt Flayden whom they referred to as “The Wolf”. Our…

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Nasho Gone Bad

“NASHO GONE BAD” – from Conscript to Professional Soldier, and beyond! by Murray Gough (1970-75 and beyond) How could a keen and energetic young teacher in NSW become conscripted for service into the Army, and why would he “sign-on” to…

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Memories of a Chalkie

by Boddington, Richard (Sgt), Murray Barracks, Port Moresby 1971-1972 My memory is a tad vague on some aspects of my Chalkie history while others are as clear as yesterday. So I do not remember exactly when I received my call-up…

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My Chalkie Experience

John Retallick (1968-69) After a stint of teaching in a small school in NSW, I entered National Service in January 1966 and arrived at 1 RTB Kapooka as a raw and nervous recruit. In a few weeks I was lucky…

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Bird of Paradise

Phil Adam (1969-70) The smell! What a shock it was to jump down from the back of the RAAF Hercules to be met by the heat and the unmistakable smell of rotting vegetation. Greg Ivey and I had finally arrived…

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