In the swim!
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 5:26 am
I was thinking about when 3RAR returned to Australia in 1954 abord the P&O ship “New Australia”.
She had a swimming pool, almost of Olympic proportions, deep down in the lowest hold level.
As the ship pitched the water used to form a huge wave, great though risky sport.
Colonel Buckler had issued orders for the use of the pool, Other ranks 7.00 am till noon, Officers and other married ranks, wives and children, 1.00pm till 4.00pm then ORs again.
Officers and senior NCOs could swim with their men if they liked.
Top and bottom of the order, in Capitals.
THESE TIMES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
Needless to say some of the Officers’ wives thought that these orders didn’t apply to them.
So down they went in the OR’s time and then complained to the Colonel that they were most embarrassed because all the men were naked and gave a mighty cheer when the ladies walked in.
The Orderly room clerk told us that the Colonel gave them a blast for disobeying his orders and that swim wear was not part of the soldiers’ kit on active service.
She had a swimming pool, almost of Olympic proportions, deep down in the lowest hold level.
As the ship pitched the water used to form a huge wave, great though risky sport.
Colonel Buckler had issued orders for the use of the pool, Other ranks 7.00 am till noon, Officers and other married ranks, wives and children, 1.00pm till 4.00pm then ORs again.
Officers and senior NCOs could swim with their men if they liked.
Top and bottom of the order, in Capitals.
THESE TIMES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
Needless to say some of the Officers’ wives thought that these orders didn’t apply to them.
So down they went in the OR’s time and then complained to the Colonel that they were most embarrassed because all the men were naked and gave a mighty cheer when the ladies walked in.
The Orderly room clerk told us that the Colonel gave them a blast for disobeying his orders and that swim wear was not part of the soldiers’ kit on active service.
