COMMANDO News Magazine - 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