COMMANDO News Magazine - Edition 16, 2019

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44 COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 16 | 2019
1 COMMANDO COMPANY in the 1960’s By Ron Melville 1 Cdo Coy 1960 - 1966 Although sixty years have passed, I still have very fond memories of those years. The swinging Sixties. “Those were the days my friend!” and I have enclosed a few photos. I passed my interview and medical in late 1959 and was in the first intake in 1960 to join 1 Commando. Although sixty years have passed, I still have very fond memories of those years. The swinging Sixties. “Those were the days my friend!” and I have enclosed a few photos. I passed my interview and medical in late 1959 and was in the first intake in 1960 to join 1 Commando. Most of the Q-Store dress and equipment were leftovers from National Service and needed quite a bit of reworking. Blanco had previously been used on some webbing. This had to be boiled out before many tins of black boot polish were applied to establish the regulation black, for all items. “Friendly” NCO’s and in particular Ken Curran, a friend and mentor to many, offered advice on all matters from boots to dress. Boots came with a leather sole and it was strongly suggested to get a rubber sole fitted, at one’s cost, as soon as possible after the boots had been given some water treatment and were broken in. Training was conducted in around Middle Head, making use of the “lower area” as well as the new Drill Hall. Construction of the Kitchen, Messes, Offices and Lecture Rooms were still work in progress. The Sixties were a decade of change. Not only were we getting a “new home” with wonderful facilities, the Unit went from Company to Battalion strength with a new name - 1st. Battalion RNSWR (Commando) and the new Pentropic structure. The year 1960 started with a Bang. A steam train trip back to Sydney from the Gan Gan camp saw an alleged number of railway stations, their staff and passengers as well as innocent Hawksbury fishermen subjected to random targeted Thunder Flash experiences. On arrival at Central Station we were greeted by a large contingent of officials who paraded us on the platform and searched the train. One, senior NCO who shall remain nameless told us that anyone who knows anything about the explosions (tic tic) on the journey home should come forward now, so we can all go home. We finally were dismissed and Thunder Flashes became hard to obtain, except for, you know who, as he often “found” a couple about the place and they were put to good use. I was fortunate to be able undertake a number of courses which gave me the opportunity to experience many things I may never have been able to do or afford. The most memorable was in 1961 where our platoon was selected to attend one of the first Recondo courses conducted in WA by the SAS. First Para Jumps from C130’s 1962. COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 16 | 2019 45
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