Diary of service - Donald Morrison, 1940 - 1945 - Part 3
AIF History
Captain N Morrison
We were given lead by the Brigade Commander and the Brigade was a rousing
reception by the large crowd which lined the gaily decorated streets. Brigade CA
Callaghan CMG, DSO, Acting Divisional Commander, took the salute and favourably
commented on the bearing of the men. Certain senior members of the Unit were very
footsore and weary when we eventually marched into camp again.
A training exercise which took place early in May is worthy of mention. It was the
defence of Pine Ridge (a steep rocky outcrop in the hills west of Peel Village). It was
the first occasion in which the artillery co-operated with the infantry in our Brigade.
The 2/15 field regiment came up from Holdsworthy “No not the Detention Camp”, for
the occasion.
2/26 Battalion put over a very good surprise attack in which Company Headquarters
was wiped out. However, 12 Platoon came to the rescue and upheld our good name as
the Umpire ruled that they were in an unimpregnable position. This was rather
strange, as the 2IC picked their position in the dark by guess work. One fault of these
exercises was that the comments of the Umpires which were made at the conferences,
held after the show, were not passed onto the men.
In all exercises of this type the midday meal consisted of dry rations while the other
two meals were served from hot boxes during the hours of darkness. On one occasion,
in the dark, most of the Company poured soup, thinking it was custard, on the plum pudding.
Late June saw the termination of tactical exercises in a cross country movement to
Wattle Flats near Sofala. The most difficult part of the manoeuvre was a forced march
by night through a defile and then the occupation of a defensive position. The
following day was spent in improving and camouflaging the defences which were
under aerial observation the whole time; in the early morning darkness of the third
day, after a night of pouring rain which drenched us all.
The position was vacated and the movement back to camp through wild bush country
commenced. Several of our numbers were unable to finish the march and camp was
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
reached by a very tired, hungry and bad tempered Company at dusk. To add
the finishing touch we had to mount Brigade duties immediately on return. The necessity
of these tests of endurance could not be understood by everyone. Later they were to
prove their worth in the battles of Malaya, but, then the thoughts of most of us were
far removed from the idea of battle and some even never expected to leave Australia.
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
RECREATION
A popular innovation at the camp was the large combined Theatre and Recreation hut
run by the Salvation Army talkies which were very much appreciated. These were
shown nightly with a complete change of programmes twice a week. The camp was
fortunate in also having a fine canteen service run by an obliging staff of old AIF
men. As well as standard canteen lines, Coffee, Bonox, pies and sausage rolls
(all piping hot) were obtainable at all hours and were extremely welcome after a strenuous
exercise or on a cold night.
The Company was well prepared and represented in the newly formed Battalion
Concert Party with Private Les Bennett well to the fore in the organisation. Other
members preformed in the famous Ballet.
12 Platoon led the Company social festivities with a dinner sponsored by Lieutenant
Lovett and Private Les Bennett held in the Knickerbocker Hotel early in June.
Members of Company Headquarters were the guest of honour. After a scrumptious
repast, (not forgetting the beer), Private Bennett and Wally Carter provided a
pianoforte medley and several items were rendered by members of the Platoon. It is
said that during the dinner, Sergeant Atkinson consumed 14 bottles of dry ginger ale.
The leave granted from Bathurst was five days each month, but, this included
travelling time of at least 36 hours for those who went to Melbourne or beyond. A
change of trains had to be made at Albury and a further change for some when they
reached Melbourne. On every leave from Bathurst, we were guaranteed no
connections with our train and the country trains leaving Melbourne. Someone just
would not play and let the men get their full entitlement of leave. On each trip the
good people of Young showered their hospitality upon us in the form of sandwiches
and tea and cheerful friendliness to all. The refreshments here greatly supplemented
the meagre meals we were able to get at Albury. There was either no time to eat or
nothing to eat when we did have time at the station.
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
Many members availed themselves of the shorter train journey at leave time
and visited Sydney. Any man who had no relative or friend in the Harbour City was
entertained by a group of citizens who turned themselves into a hospitality league.
They went to endless trouble to ensure that their charges were thoroughly entertained.
The months at Bathurst saw many changes in the Company personnel. Twenty four of
our number were transferred to the reinforcements of 2/14 Battalion at Darley. NCO
were sent to junior leader courses and were absent for several weeks. Two Sergeants
attended Liverpool OTC and a number of men were discharged on medical grounds.
Sergeant Uren, who later received his commission, was attached to the Company for
training and Corporal Knott of “D” Company was posted to 12 Platoon. The
members of this Platoon were fortunate on the morning prior to June leave when, on
exercise about three miles from camp, they were guided by the Company Runner,
Private Baragwanath to Glanmire Hall. The kind hostess stated it was the largest
concentration of troops ever seen in the house, (one of the earliest in the district), and
kindly showed the boys over the place.
The townspeople of Bathurst during the Brigades long stay took the boys to heart as
part of the population and they provided much scope for social activities. Many
homes were opened to boys who came as strangers from other cities and states.
Dances were organised by the people of the town and by the various Units. Churches
provided supper for those attending the evening services and an excellent canteen for
most of our needs. This canteen was run, stocked and maintained entirely by
voluntary workers and excellent meals were served at a nominal charge by a very
obliging staff of ladies, both young and old. A recreation room with lovely fires was
also a part of the plan to make all ranks feel at home. Honorary membership of the
Golf and Tennis Clubs were conferred on all.
On Sunday the boys hired cars and organised parties which visited the Jenolan Caves
and also Katoomba, through the Blue Mountains. These parties provided enjoyable as
well as educational outings at reasonable expense, also a welcome break from the
desolate Bathurst landscape.
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
In mid June an exercise in the form of troop movement by transport and route march,
covering 150 miles in four days, was organised for the Battalion. Owing to the
difficult nature of the previous exercises this one was designed primarily as a break
for the boys. The objective was Katoomba, via Lithgow, through the most famous
scenic country in the state, the Blue Mountains.
Most of the journey was covered by motor vehicle and Lithgow was reached late in
the day. After debussing on the outskirts of the town the Battalion marched down the
main street and welcomed by the Mayor, then moved to Billets in the Public School,
where everyone was besieged by juvenile autograph hunters.
The Company was paid and general leave was granted. Restaurants, Hotels and
dances were well patronised and everyone received a marvellous welcome wherever
they went. There were several highlights of the evening; Captain Maher excelled
himself behind the bar of the “Court House” where he took over the job of barman
and eventually served one on the house. The guard over our belongings was
inadequate and a muster of the town had to be made to find someone to take over
the job. In the end two Sergeants and a Corporal were included in the Beat Roster.
Katoomba was reached early on the second day early in the afternoon and the Unit
received a tremendous welcome from the flag bedecked Town.
An Official Speech of welcome was made by the Mayor; the rest of the City Fathers
being in attendance. The CO replied thanking all for their welcome. The Rotary Club
entertained a party of Officers, NCOs and men selected from each Company at a
dinner while the majority visited Theatres, Cabarets and Guest Houses which kindly
provided free music, dancing and entertainment.
The following morning Private Carrs and army trucks were made available to take the
Unit on a short sightseeing trip to Echo Point where most of the lads saw for the first
time the magnificent vista of the Jamieson Valley and Mount Solitary through the
blue haze of that cold winter morning. The convoy returned via Medlow Bath to the
School where, with much misgiving, the Unit formed up and set off on the return
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
journey. Lithgow was reached late that afternoon. Another enjoyable day was spent
and the Company returned to Bathurst at dusk on the fourth day, taking with them
pleasant memories.
In early July Brigade Headquarters announced that ten days would be devoted to sport
and recreation. Companies selected representatives for the Battalion Sports which
were held before the Inter-Unit Competitions.
"Beer Company" was represented in the athletics by Captain Maher and Corporal
Opie; 100 yards, Private Bredin; 400 yards, and Private Brooker; 1 mile. Sergeant
Miles was Instructor for the Unit Physical Training Team. Relatives and friends of the
men congregated at the final of the Brigade Competitions and a large crowd saw the
winning team, 2/30 Battalion presented with the Marshall Shield by Lieutenant Col
F.G Galleghan. 2/29 Battalion were runners up.
Football was commenced soon after our arrival at Bathurst and this built up into an
Inter-unit show in which we came out on top. "Beer Company" members of the
winning team were Lieutenant Lovett Clark, Captains Luke, Opie, and Gill, Privates
Ryan and Kennedy J. Inter-unit Basketball matches were also staged and once more
we came out on top. Corporal Knott was a member of the winning team.
With the completion of the sports a special dinner was held in the Company Mess
Hall. It was an excellent way of promoting better feelings between the Units. A n
umber of the Company were the Guest of "B" Companies 2/26 and 2/30 Battalions,
whilst a similar number from these Units were guests of ours.
The Mess Huts were gaily decorated and the dinner highly successful in every way.
The Company cooks excelled themselves and the Officers and NCOs waited on the
guests; a couple of niners (barrel of beer) were brought and pianoforte, and vocal item
rendered.
The change of routine in camp chores had caused the rumour to spread that we were
shortly going on final leave. The Company received its first reinforcements of 12 men
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
from a draft that had arrived a few weeks previously and rumours were confirmed on
Saturday 13 July 1941 when Captain Maher announced that pre-embarkation leave
would commence on July 15. Feverish preparations were made by the Company staff
to compile embarkation rolls and warrants while the Q staff spent long hours
unpacking equipment and issuing it to the lads. Six full days of leaver were granted to
most members. The atmosphere on the train was very subdued as each man was trying
to plan how best he could spend those few precious hours.
Two train loads of men, full of high hopes and spirit and, in some cases, flat beer,
pulled out of Spencer Street Station on the afternoon of 24 July 1941. They were
watched and farewelled by many an aching heart as the lads moved away.
Bathurst was reached the next morning and the following days were spent in the final
checking of equipment, last minute issues and such like. Captain Terry Laybourne
developed pneumonia two days before embarkation and, much to everyone's sorrow,
had to be left behind.
On the eve of departure, the lads had a party amongst themselves. Private Frank
McMahon started the ball rolling by donating a fiver and others were not slow in
following the good example. A hearty evening and night was spent around a big camp
fire at the back of the huts. Various items of entertainment were rendered and the
party broke up in the "wee small hours" and everyone tried to get a little sleep before
moving out.
Very early in the morning the Company formed up and moved by route-march to the
Bathurst Station to board the train that was to take them to Port Melbourne. The day
was significantly enough (29 July 1941), once more and we are sorry to say for the
last time, the good people of Young were at the station to wish us “Bon Voyage”.
Melbourne gave the boys a stirring farewell and people thronged the line from
Montagu to the pier. There was much calling out of "Good bye and Good luck" and
waving of flags. The good old engine kept sound "V" for victory on the whistle.
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
The transport was boarded on 30 July 1941, about lunch time and all felt excited yet
subdued as they climbed up the gangway to the start of the great adventure.
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AIF History
Captain N Morrison
AT SEA
The transport HMT "EE" which 2/29 shared with 2/26 was originally the Dutch
luxury liner "Marnix van Sint Aldegonde" of 19200 tons on the run from New York
to Amsterdam and Batavia.
"Beer Company" was fortunate in being quartered amid ship on the main deck. Many,
however, suffered from sea sickness during the comparatively calm voyage across the
Bight.
The vessel drew away from station pier in the early afternoon and anchored in Port
Philip Bay for the night. Just after lunch on 31 July we cleared the heads and a few
hours later were picked up by the escort vessel, "HMAS Canberra" and HMTDD and
FF, Canberra taking the lead.
Everyone was aware by now of our destination and booklets dealing with Malaya, its
geography and its language were issued to each man.
With little to occupy interest except the flying fish and a whale or two, the monotony
of the voyage was varied by lectures, PT, games and more lectures.
A very instructive talk was given by Padre MacNeil on the country to which we were
going and the way in which the nationalities lived. The Unit Band held regular recitals
and a Ship's Concert was very popular. Many impromptu singsongs were held at
night in the black out and a daily newspaper kept the boys in touch with local and
world news and affairs.
The first and only port of call was Fremantle.
Although infectious disease amongst two members on board held us in the "roads" for
a day, eight hours leave was eventually granted to enable the men to visit Perth. The
Company unfortunately had to supply the town picquet, as a matter of fact Captain
Maher deliberately chose this duty in preference to a ships picquet so that the men
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DAILY NEWS SHEET See original document
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