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Page 52 Wynnum High and Intermediate School
There was certainly no motive for attempted murder, I hope. Our
attack on Gravel Knoll was very successful and the M.M.G. section
feels proud of its efforts to produce a machine gun that can fire without
making a noise. Corporal Sands gave an excellent briefing over a cloth
model of the Gravel Knoll attacking area. Due to a slight mishap, one
of our attacking section leaders—poor fellow couldn’t tell the time—
came charging into the enemy area a little late. The battle had already
been won. We must not forget our eight-mile march to the river to
see Corporal Neibling and Lance-Corporal Martin carry out a river
crossing. We marched smartly back to bur camp for about a mile to
the skirl of the bagpipes. (We managed to cover the other seven miles.
some how.)
At the two shoots of the year, several of our members won their
crossed rifles. They were: U.O. Barnett, Sgt. Davies and Barnett,
Corporal Ament and Lucas, Cadets Copeland Close and Gartside. We
are also pleased to be able to report that Sgt. Vela has at last
qualified.
Our Q. Store was very efficiently run, the only mishap was by the
Q. Sergeant not Cpl. Gillis. Apparently, this person was carrying from
camp headquarters about 500 yards of string, but when he arrived at
our own camp he was dismayed to find that he only had 100 yards of
string but, "Be sure your sins will find you out,” for, stretched out
behind, was a long line of 400 yards of string.
For the second year, the camp’s combined Sunday parade was
commanded by a Wynnum U.O. This year, it was by U.O. Wilson and,
as you probably know, last year by U.O. Bilenberg, who is now at
Duntroon. Our pride and joy, “the band,” played at this parade and
however much we disregard it, we all felt proud of it and of “Mal.”
After twelve days of camp in which we learnt a great deal about
“jungle paths two feet wide and bordered on each side by a wall of
trees three hundred feet high” (U.O. Kydd), we returned home, battle
worn and scarred.
But a week later, a few of our keener members attended a bivouac,
that was organised by 9th Battalion, C.M.F., at Kenmore. Here, we
were “right royally” looked after by Sergeant Major Scott-Holland.
After an afternoon’s vigorous training we took part in a very unorthodox
lantern stalk. We slept in the open air in military style. The following
day, we inspected the positions of the support platoon who were
stationed some two miles south of our platoon. The machine-gun post
brought a flood of memories for Captain Griffith. As you know, he was
in charge of a machine-gun platoon during the last war and often we
have heard of his experiences in New Guinea. Indeed, it was a very
interesting week-end and we are looking forward to holding one of our
own.
As the exams were fast approaching, the 5th Formers wasted no
time in arranging a very happy social evening to say good luck and
thanks to the 6th Formers. We would like to thank Mr. Perry and our
three officers for coming along and for their campfire music.
All these thoughts ran through our minds as we listened to the
speeches at our Passing-out Parade. We were fortunate in having with
us, Colonel Kelly of the 9th Battalion, who inspected the parade. During
his speech, he commended the officers on their fine training of the Unit.
Awards were presented: Cafferky Shield to Intelligence Section under
the command of Cpl. Sands, Perry Cup. No. 7 Section, Cpl. I. Ament
and the Band efficiency prize to Cdt. Kimber. Colonel Kelly took the
salute. We were pleased to see so many spectators amongst whom were
Colonel Walsh and Major Fitzgerald, to whom we must say farewell,