SCRIBBLED WITH A BLUNT PENCIL AFTER LIGHTS OUT Sad news while I was bludging in hospital. Three more cobbers have left our parade ground. Like so many others in our military family, they have left the parade ground to join the growing ghost column. My deepest...
In the days of the Roman Empire, there were times when one in every ten soldiers would be executed, then and there without trial, yet the unit maintained its identity and lived to fight another day. Fortunately, such decimation by execution is long gone. However,...
Like many Australians I have great empathy for commanding officers and their officers, Warrant Officers and NCO in our Armed Forces, who are slowly being stripped of authority by smothering directions from Canberra, on what can and can’t be done in preparing for war,...
There is no escaping the stark realities that the allegations of murder by our military during operations in Afghanistan will be a scar of shame for our nation. How quickly such a terrible brand fades, will depend on how well we stay united, and how quickly we can...
SO SAD. Consequences will be felt for a long time. In my view there was too much emphasis on Special Forces and thus incredible physical and mental demands on unit and its soldiers. More so for such a long period. It was a total disregard for appropriate...
Great reunion with some of the old and wonderful bastxxds from days gone by after they flew into Cairns last week. All ugly as ever and still standing tall. Fred Fairhead arrived from Adelaide looking for the suit I borrowed from him some 50 years ago, so I’m a...
Remembrance Day is a proper and noble occasion to honour our fallen. However, there is an expectation future generation will also be prepared to defend our way of life from any threat, big or small. The most effective way to prevent war is to be ready for it, and we...
Don’t ask me when our nation took the wrong turn and we now find ourselves stumbling unprepared into tomorrow, trying to find our way with a faulty compass and dim torch, both made by 'Cheap Charlie" in far distant lands. There was a time when most dreams became...
I was asked if I could provide some scribbles in regards the military spirit which embraces our beloved Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Given my personal observations of troops in the field in recent time, there is no doubt it is very much alive and as vibrant as...
No matter when or where, an invitation for a reunion of warriors creates magic warmth which spreads quickly and reaches out far and wide. It is a time when the night before such an event, young veterans are already mingling at the...
