COMMANDO News Magazine Edition 2 2020

FROM THE ARCHIVES OF ACA NSW
(THE 1 CDO ASSOC NEWSLETTER – STRIKE SWIFTLY)
NEIL’S SPIEL – 1989
Supplied By Tony Marsden - ACA NSW
HELLO ALL,
1Commando Company is holding together with
our 'Phantom', Major Greg Smith, leading us
into K 89. Only 55 people are required for this
exercise, so the rest of us will be able to rest at home.
During the 13/14 May we had a parachute weekend
at Dubbo and what a cluster of breakdowns we had. The
pilots flew us from Richmond to Dubbo on Fri day night
and we’re unable to commence flying again until 1300
hrs on Saturday. We had one jump and the plane was
grounded for a minor fault. Parts were flown in from
Sydney and this plane immediately became U/S on
arrival at Dubbo. We managed one jump on Sun day then
again the plane was grounded. When it was fixed it was
time for us to go home, however, it broke down just
before departure and another was sent from Rich mond.
At one stage it looked as if we we’re going to have to
sleep at Dubbo on Sunday night. In all, five aero planes
were used to give us two parachute jumps.
On Anzac Day the unit supplied a catafalque party for
the Commando seat in Martin Place. The party com -
prised of Sgt. Rod Childs, L/Cpls Craig McNee, Bernie
Hannan and Privates Mick Taplin and Sasha Samerski.
Just as the old and bold were marching on, it rained very
heavily resulting in everyone scurrying for cover except
for the two old diggers holding the MZ banner who
refused to move away.
The catafalque party was marched on in the rain and
wreaths were laid. Sgt Childs made a slight mistake in
giving his orders resulting in some varied drill
movements which I am sure only myself and the RSM
John Kelly noticed.
From there we had a few schooners then went on the
Harbour Cruise with the WW2 Commandos. A great
afternoon, plenty to drink and eat for $20. More Ex
members should support the day.
From the cruise, myself and a few others kicked on in
the Rocks area with 'Jungle’ Jim Parker getting us to
drink vast amounts of schooners. We then did the
Scottish gig to the piping of a military band. What a day,
I ended up at the British Ex-Services Club firing on all
cylinders and managed to find a kind drink waiter who let
me have a kip on their lounge chair. I eventually got
home safely, thank you.
At the beginning of April a group from Commandos
were sent to Cairns on exercise called 'Hopkins Force’.
They consisted of Captains Barry Hopkins and Dennis
Littame, Sgts Brian Blake and Rod Childs, Cpl 'Christo'
Christianson (RAME mechanic), L/ Cpl Bernie Hannan,
Pte Tony Compton and myself. We were used on
exercise to pick up a group of soldiers and return them
to the Navy on the patrol boat HMAS Cairns. I was safety
officer on board the parent vessel and thought myself
lucky as I'd stay dry. No way, my radio was on the bridge
and a monsoonal downpour arrived. There I was in a
tropical environment, wet, cold and pissed off, manning
the radio. We had a look around Cairns and managed a
trip to Green Island looking at all the topless women
sunbathing.
On the 6/7 May I instructed on adventure training at
16 Transport Squadron near Newcastle. Taught roping
and rappelling at the Watagan State Forest near a place
called Monkey Face. The troops were of a different fit -
ness and standard so they required plenty of pushing
along. They apparently really enjoyed them selves and I
only injured one person, a female who tore ligaments in
her ankle and I had to rescue her. She required splints
and was taken to hospital, Quit happy sucking on the
Etenox.
Our dining-in night was held on 17 June, the week -
end before the birthday weekend. We farewelled Sgt
John ‘Zed’ Fraser, who has been an active member of the
unit for over 20 years serving as an Ares soldier and
finishing up at the diving school. Also, Sgt John
Schwerd ferger has been posted to the newly formed
Adventure Training Centre at Bonegilla as a WO2. He will
be involved in all phases of climbing, roping, snow and
ice training. Our third farewell was to Captain Bob
Rhodes, 2IC of the Company. Bob joined us about 10
years ago and was a very effective but quiet achiever.
Bob has left with his family to live in Brisbane. There is a
rumour that the third Commando Company may be
started up north very shortly. (Editor’s Note – Still going
on about this 31 years later). Sgt Frank Malkoun who
joined in 1969 received his Reserve Forces Medal after
20 years of service.
Captain Ashley Warner (Editor’s Note – Captain
Ashley Warner’s son is now the CO Defence Parachute
School formally PTS) who joined in 1977 as a Private took
up his Commission has been promoted to 2IC of the
unit, which is a feather in his cap. He is the only person
who I know has served as an Officer in both 1 and 2
Company. Our birthday weekend was a huge success
with the CSM WO2 Barry Rhodes flying the flag as he
landed on the oval after freefalling with a group of
parachutists over Mossman.
Sgts Brad Peters, Rod Gorrie, Captains Dennis
Littame and myself attended a Drop Zone Safety Officers
Course conducted at Nowra and run by the CSM Barry
Rhodes. We were plagued by high winds up to 30 knots.
So, after several days PTS packed up all the gear into a
C130 and flew to the airbase at Edinburgh, South
Australia. Because of the high winds, we participated in
climbing, bushwalking, running and squash but
unfortunately very little time at the bar because of the
early morning starts.
38 COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 2 I 2020