ANZAC Day
Jarse. Three or four decades ago whilst wandering around the very overgrown “Blamey’s Retreat”, under Hombrom Bluff north of Port Moresby, I came upon a number of rusted out 44 gal drums with copper coil intact. Father tells me the usual recipe for the diggers was the then Army issue compressed fruit bars, sugar and water and allow the tropical heat to cause fermentation prior to distilling off with a fire under the drum. Made overproof booze that would make one crazy.
Father didn’t need that – plenty of booze in the RAN. Indeed, they used to trade it with the Yanks for ice cream, frozen strawberries etc., as the Yank ships were “dry”.
On one occasion, immediately prior to the departure of HMAS Swan from Port Moresby the ship’s booze stocks were running low. A few of the matlots filled empty spirit bottles in the ship’s heads, rapidly traded luxuries with the Yanks and beat a hasty retreat on their departing ship!
ANZAC Day is also a time to remember those mates still with us, Wing Commander "Bobby" Gibbes DSO, DFC and Bar, frail but still with us and his larrikin mate Group Captain Brian "Blackjack" Walker DSO who fell off his bar stool for the last time a few years ago now. I treasure the memories of our many years together in Papua New Guinea.
Sad to say, another (sometimes!) mate from days of old in Papua New Guinea, Colonel Harry "The One Arm Bandit" Green passed away during the year.
Father didn’t need that – plenty of booze in the RAN. Indeed, they used to trade it with the Yanks for ice cream, frozen strawberries etc., as the Yank ships were “dry”.
On one occasion, immediately prior to the departure of HMAS Swan from Port Moresby the ship’s booze stocks were running low. A few of the matlots filled empty spirit bottles in the ship’s heads, rapidly traded luxuries with the Yanks and beat a hasty retreat on their departing ship!
ANZAC Day is also a time to remember those mates still with us, Wing Commander "Bobby" Gibbes DSO, DFC and Bar, frail but still with us and his larrikin mate Group Captain Brian "Blackjack" Walker DSO who fell off his bar stool for the last time a few years ago now. I treasure the memories of our many years together in Papua New Guinea.
Sad to say, another (sometimes!) mate from days of old in Papua New Guinea, Colonel Harry "The One Arm Bandit" Green passed away during the year.
Last edited by Torres; 1st May 2006 at 06:55.
Dawn service at North Beach
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Reveille
The Sphinx at dawn
The cove waters
Lone pine
View from Anzac Cove beach
Last edited by Chronic Snoozer; 1st May 2006 at 20:33.
