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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1986 - Page 0094

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1986
Transcription [HE 9TH/IZTH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
l troops. I enjoyed the exercise tremen-
dously, a totally different scene to the
landscapes of W Germany. In the bush
movement by night was very slow with
navigation much of the time by stars
and contours. During the day movement
on trucks was excwdingly dusty which
was uncomfortable when coupled with
the sun blazing down at around 30" cel-
cius.
After the exercise the second safari
was quickly brought into action. Ex
Ben Hut was a week‘s camping out in
the bush around the homesteads. With
many different weapons and a jeep at
our disposal we would hunt wild pig and
Roos. Both animals are great pests to
farmers. Without dogs we had to chase
the pigs through the hush potting off in
the odd clearing; great fun but fairly
hazardous.
The rest of my time was spent around
the barracks, taking weekends off
scuba diving and trying to acquire a sun
tan on the gold coast and surfers para-
disc.
The whole four months was ‘bigger
than Ben Hur’, as we coined the phrase.
the Aussies were a tremendous people,
very kind, ‘laid back‘ and fairly happy
with their lot. I must admit I have never
continually drunk so much beer in my
life. I think the Aussies would often
drink to get drunk rather than to social-
IZC.
The soldiers (Diggers) were great.
One got to know them really well and
this I did enjoy l was known as the POM
for the duration of my stay. l like to
think it was more a term of endearment
than derogatory. (Prisoner of Her
Majesty.)
I will not forget my four months stay
for, although a fairly hard bunch of
people, perhaps not too cultured, they
were the kindest and most hospitable
group I have ever had the pleasure to
know.
A.GrT.W.
92
Ex Tannin Warriors A break after a duty patrol
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