One more Dowdy.

[Aughnanure]

1RTB, Kapooka, was (is?) way out in the bush. 7 miles from the city of Wagga-Wagga (commonly known as Wagga and pronounced Wog-ah)

But back in the 50s when few had cars and recruits weren't allowed to have one anyway, seven miles 'was out in the bush'.

So the training area was spread out over some miles (but not towards the town) and the Colonel was a horseman from way back. He had been an officer in the Army Service Corps and still had his pre-war uniform which he would wear when mounted. He cut a fine figure in bedford cord riding breeches, tan leggings and boots (in lieu of the regulation black) brown leather belt (khaki webbing) and mounted on a splendid bay which must have stood at least 17 hands.

Mounted he was the bane of the Instructors as he could appear out of nowhere unheralded by dust or the roar of an engine.

To us recruits he was the complete soldier and it was considered something of an honour to receive a polite "Would you mind holding my horse?" when he'd dismount to see how we were progressing. He seemed to be particularly interested in machine gun training.

Eoin.