Welcome 3rd. Intake Leeuwin Junior Recruits

leeuwin-photos

July 1961 saw 150 of us, the cream of Australia’s youth (that’s what they told us) make that momentous journey across the country to begin twelve months Junior Recruit training at HMAS Leeuwin on the banks of the Swan River near Perth Western Australia. We were only aged between fifteen and  sixteen and a half but men of the world.

Most of us had no idea of what we were getting  into but at least we had a job and our medical and dental was taken care of, that made the folks happy. However my experience with the dentist at Leeuwin scarred me life. There are many reminiscences that can be told and my hope is that they may appear on these pages.

Please remember to be cautious in what you post as it will be readable by all. No profanities please.

Currently the blog is self-registered but that will change if  SPAMMING becomes a problem.

Who am I? Allan “Pony” Moore, the FAT kid in Winjan who went on to become a Phot spending the 12 year enlistment in the Photographic Branch paying off as POPHOT. Promotion in the branch was non-existent with only one CPOPHOT. It took another 8 years before the next Chief was promoted. Forty seven years later I am still involved with photography but in an educational role.

Pony

30 thoughts on “Welcome 3rd. Intake Leeuwin Junior Recruits”

  1. Hi Pony, just managede to get into this page, I seem to be getting the hank of it. Top photos and I can see myself in one of them aboard the SDB. I have some Leeuwin shots if you would like to post them, I guess I just scan them and send them to you via electronic mail. I had a great time at Leeuwin, really just an extension of boarding school and seeing I attended 6 years of that, Leeuwin was a breeaze foe me. Poor old Taffy Evans and Charlie Back, they were really slow learners.
    I was pleased to be part of the JRs Memorial and I must add here that Ken Dobbie was the bestest bloke to drive that and I am sure it wouldn’t have been completed without his hard work. I don’t go to Freo and not swing by to lay some flowers in memory of the fellows I joined up with.

    Looking forward to catching up in 2011. My wedding photos are still the best ever and Margot and I pull them out at times and remark at your top job.

    Many thanks

    Yours Aye

    Paul

  3. Hi Trotty,

    Love to see your photos – I have given more instructions on the opening page but if you are unsure then please email them to me and I will post them for you.

    Pony (All Moores were called Pony – I became Pony the Phot) And still am.

  4. Hey Rob Hall, when you mentioned “old Nobby Clark’ I wondered, now that we are in our sixties, just how old was “Old Nobby’ was back then. We are in our sixties? It’s sometimes difficult to comprehend isn’t it?
    And Pony, ( I don’t remember that nick name) I haven’t been able to work out how to upload pics. I have heaps of them that will stir up memories. Thanks again for setting this up, oh! the flashbacks are incredible. Trotty.

  5. Very sad to hear about Clive, last saw him when we were both on Anzac in ’64 and the “Skipper” was our old CO Nobby Clarke. Chris Jensen also lives up here in Cairns, will contact him to let him know about next year, if he doe not already know.

    cheers

    Nobby Hall

  7. What a surprise to find this website. I just tapped in Leeuwin 1963 and up it came. I was the skinny kid back then, not now. The memories of that year have never left me. I was in Freemantle four years ago and couldn’t find the old place, now I know why. Peter Retallick was a good friend then as were Pommie Birch, Bob Dougherty Greg Beck and many more names that have faded from my memory. I have many black and white photos of Leeuwin, the Diamantina and lots of JR’s. God, we were so young. I still work full time but not by choice, I live in Geelong, married, have two daughters and three grand daughters. Thank you Allan for setting this up, you have stirred up many memories and emotions. Robert Trott.

  8. That is SO sad to hear about Clive Pember ending up that way – he was a really nice guy, and from Esperance, I think.

    Max – do you have Pete Retallick’s email? The last one I had was from his courier business which I now cannot find.

    Chased up Barry Grierson recently. lives in Rocky.

    Pony

  9. Hi Nobby Hall,
    I remember you as well, as soon as I saw your name I remembered your face! Amazing at times what the mind can produce. You mention Clive Pember, sadly I went to his funeral last year, he died a pretty lonely guy in Mandurah (south of Perth if you can recall), I saw his name in the death notices and attended and was able to recite the ode. The State had to pay to bury him! He ended up as a sparky on submarines but had no family left in WA, apparently was one time married to a girl from Sydney and had kids but they didn’t bother turning up for funeral.
    I have to admit to not remembering Derek, but as I said earlier the mind does some things but not others.
    I still manage to catch up with Charlie Back and Pete Retallick from time to time……..
    Regards
    Max Hasson

  10. Hi Alan,
    great to see this web site, will be looking forward to catching up with you in July, next year. Well do we all remember Wally, I bet Clive Pember will never forget him, or the blood nose he gave him whilst doing rifle drill. I was in Mokare division with Geoff and Max, keep in contact with Geoff every Xmas, will join him in retirement in about 12 months, when Wyn & I head off into the wide blue yonder for abit of camping. The trips to Rotty and Garden Island, days on Diamantina, all fond memories of Leeuwin. Currently living in Mareeba in Far North Qld, work for Qld Health as Supply Manager,

    regards

    Nobby Hall

  11. Hi Derek,

    Welcome aboard! I do remember you, and many others. My problem these days on meeting old colleagues is that the don’t recognize me as I am no longer FAT!

    Saw Geoff Broomhall 3 weeks ago, he has RETIRED – not me, 3 days a week does me just fine.

    I had forgotten about LPM Hammond, he was really creepy.

    I also enjoyed the whale boats and the trips to Rotty and GI. We once sailed back to Freo in a gale. The mizzen sail was ripped down as we sailed through breakers – we made it OK except my one packet of fags were waterlogged!

    Pony

  12. I guess that no one would remember me , however I do remember Geoff Broomhall. I was a scrawny timid kid who was terrified most of the time at Leeuwin. To this day I do not know what entered my mind that I would be a suitable Sailor. The Gym terrified me although now I am a bit of a Gym junkie. Good memories were the boat trips to Rottnest and Garden Island and ‘pulling’ the ‘whalers’ up the Swan River. Also I recall being dropped at some huge reservoir, east of Fremantle and told to ‘get to the Coast’ Marching to church on Sunday through the suburbs was another memory (not that I am religious). LPM Hammond was another not so pleasant person and i recall the most terrifying incident was the first time I operated on of those ‘Industrial’ floor polishers up in the Wardroom and the bloody thing got away from me. Funny now, not then. Went on to be a Scribe, after failing to pass the T.O. exams. Ended up a Chief, served 20 years got my ‘War Service’ on “Derwent’ in the Malacca Straits and am now retired. A family of wife, 2 kids and two Grand-daughters. Am an avid road bike (as in cycle) rider. Take on lengthy rides incl Sydney-Surfers and Sydney-Melbourne, to raise money for Charity. Later this year will undertake a 210k ride around Port Phillip Bay to raise cash for the Children’ s Cancer Research Institute. Live in Adelaide. Hope to continue to contribute to this great site. Derek.

  13. Age shall not weary us…. “Tingira” came from the shoulder badges that we wore (see the Photo page) that referred to the original boys training ship in 1911 (or there about). I last saw you in the “Tilbury Hotel” in about 1965. I was posted to GIC (Gunnery Instruction Centre) next door where we used to slip across the lane in our grey dust coats for morning, noon, and afternoon tea…..

    Some of our Winjan colleagues went on to high rank; a Captain I believe.

    Pony

    PS I’m no longer FAT!

  14. i must admit i don’t recollect many proper names myself – mostly names made up by others. i should correct my 1st email in that i was a member of winjan div (i don’t know where tingira came from -you might help my memory).anyway pony, its good to know there are blokes like you to satisfy our pinges of curiosity for people we were once close to. i left the navy in ’63? and have wondered from time to time how my mates of those days have got on. keeping the channels open thru you and this site is magic.
    regards dallas

  15. Just browsing and pleased to locate you. have strong memories of leeuwin and 1961-2. would be pleased to know what happened to all those from tingira.
    regards dallas

  16. Gday mate,
    same as Max having trouble with my password must be reading it wrong.Anyway thanks for the site,we all seem to have the same fond memories of the staff at Leeuwin.I have been following all the reunions for all the different intakes and branches and am looking forward to next year.I am retired and have the obligatory caravan and do a fair bit of travelling.Thanks again Pony .
    Cheers Kevin Roper

    1. Hi Kev,

      Welcome aboard – long time since drinks also! I have a caravan too but I am NOT RETIRED, I’m much too young for that! Your password should be OK, let me know if it isn’t.

      Cheers,

      Pony

  17. Hi David,

    I remember you well also. The 3rd was lacking a voice so I figured I would volunteer once again. Hopefully we will pick-up some more starters.

    I’m glad that you mentioned the dentist and his scare tactics – mine was that he “…would pull out all of my teeth if I didn’t call him Sir!”. That did make me cry!

    Lt. Riley our Navigation teacher was not the nicest chap either……..

    Cheers,

    Pony

  18. Hi Pony

    I remember you well, congratulations on creating a web presence for the 3rd intake. Have been looking at all the Leeuwin reunions over time and didn’t think the 3rd would ever get a mention. Must admit for quite a long time I imagined it all must have been a ‘dream’. Poor choice of words.

    Funny the dentist is a consistent finalist in the memories department…I recall him threatening to put me on a charge if I moved whilst he was ‘operating’ on my teeth. Still have PTI phobia and remember vividly Owens kicking me in the tail for loosing off a round during the ‘siting’ phase of the snap (?) shooting.

    Am retired now and hope to see you at the 2010 reunion.

    Cheers, David ‘Pommy’ Adams

  19. Boyd – the bastard!!!

    Gascoygne? was the Chief PTI – physical jerks punishment around the oval; I’ve forgotten the term for crouching down them jumping up – another bastard. (please don’t sue)

    There was a third curly headed guy that was OK.

    My second fear at Leeuwin after the dentist was somersaulting over the vaulting horse – go over it or else!

    Pony

  20. Hi Pony,
    Password worked ok, thanks! Talking about senior sailors when we were at Leeuwin, do you remember the name of the red haired PTI who used to make us run and climb the ropes in the drill hall until some of us threw up?
    Max

  21. Hi Pony,

    Great to see a 3rd intake web site. Well done. I was in Kiaber division and spent most of my time in the the navy down the hole. Payed off as a Mechanician.

    Now retired living in WA. I hope to catch up with every one at the Reunion.

    Les

  22. Hi Pony,
    Firstly, great site so far! I am trying to get a password to log on but the password sent to my email address doesn’t seem to want to work.
    Will have some more reminiscences to add later…..
    Who could forget PO Wally Owens!
    Regards
    Max Hasson
    LRO

    1. Welcome aboard Max! Your password should be OK as I have set-up the site so that I have to approve comments in order to catch the spam. Indeed, who could forget Wally Owens! And Chief Utting? He was the one who used to have the chook men charging at each across the parade ground (Taffy might have been in that lot!!!!!)

      Pony

      PS And while we are at it, LEM Green -what a prick he was (please don’t sue)

  24. Oh this dentist must have been specially Drafted to Leeuwin to inflict pain and terror on we small kids.I too had a root canal done but it did’nt turn black and in fact is still in place.Yes I remember Stiff Shit No Chit come backa tomorrow Capochello. Actually I ran into him at Nirimba on one of our visits there to take ID phots.
    And the pain of doing our “Chooks”. endless times around the perimeter of the sacred acre with rifle(Bayonet attached) and the quiet discussions as to who would be next to fake a fall so we could have a rest!All good fun eh Charlie(Back).I have a huge number of reminiscences to add but I will add them a little at a time so as to get peoples’ minds ticking over.
    Taffy Evans LS Phot.

  26. G’day Pony, thanks for the info on the web site. I remember it well the “cream of Australia’s youth” comment. Funny also one of my worst memories of Leeuwin was the dentist. Being a country kid from WA we didn’t see a dentist much and apparantly my dental situation was not good at the time and the first thing they did to me was to take the nerve out of a front tooth, which subsequently went black and was later removed. I ended up with my first denture. When I went home for my first leave, my sister was about 13 at the time and she screamed when I took my teeth out. Never seen it before. Another fond memory was SBA “Still S**t, no chit” – (name withheld). Looking forward to the reunion. I havn’t registered yet but I am sure we will be there. Retiring in March this year so no excuse really. Fingers crossed on the current financial issues improving.
    Cheers mate.
    Geoff Broomhall

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