Arborfield Old Boys Association
AOBA
Arborfield Life
We then had a good look at the list of attendees. What a good job Dave Higman made
of his `appointment' as official recruiter for our 50th anniversary, 53A numbers
alone were up 400% on last year! Brilliant to see that George Hutchinson had made
it from Brisbane and Mike Jackson from the lower reaches of British Columbia! Food,
talk and beer (and a little arm wrestling for some!) until a late bed time and then,
surprisingly, up and at `em on the Saturday morning.
How the years roll back when
presented with the `standard issue' breakfast (thanks for the photo on the website
George!). I am now sure that my heart attacks are firmly based on my diet as a teenager
but what the hell -
The patience
of the RSM as he marshalled us for the parade was outstanding, as was our marching
when over 120 of us marched through the gates properly in step following the Reading
Scottish Pipe Band.
The Drumhead service was, as usual for me, pretty emotional though
I did have time to ponder on the changed nature of the perimeter fence. In my day
the fence existed to keep me in, now it is much fiercer and designed to keep the
world out, perhaps I served in simpler times? The bugler did his best but Fred Silvers
wouldn't have let him out of the practice room for a couple of months yet!
The usual
swank onto parade and then the march past. My only regret was that we didn't have
`Scotland the Brave' as we marched past but I suppose if we go down that route we
would be in half companies and slow marching as well! Strange though, Nev, who spent
his entire career avoiding parades, volunteered for this one <196> and very smart
he was too.
Back to the Mess for a super lunch and then it was off to SEAE. Lovely
helicopters, tanks, self-
Following
this tour I needed to rest my feet big time but when you're in a billet with mates
you haven't seen for years the one thing that doesn't get a rest is the tongue! I
managed to fill in some more names on my ancient photos and helped others with their
mysteries until teatime.
The chef really went to town with the fancies but most of
us were mindful of the Dinner to come and, because of the heat (OK Hutcho, it was
only a mild Queensland winter day!) most of us needed re hydrating rather than feeding.
This
year a record 250 Old Boys sat down to an excellent dinner and a good time was had
by all! I'm not really sure that our new Chairman realises exactly what he has inherited
but I'm sure he will be an asset to the AOBA. We, the Anniversary Boys, the shiny
53’ers exercised our prerogative and were last out of the bar having spent the evening
in `Do you remember' mode and (as we say in the North) `supping some stuff'.
What
a super 50th Anniversary thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen and particularly
all the 53 intakes that came. Please come next year and do try to locate and persuade
any other old boys you can to come and join us.
One last thought. What's the difference
between a group of responsible grandfathers and a bunch of teenage boys? Answer `not
much' or if you are into precision `four pints and couple of yarns'.
Thanks for the
memories; yes I was 7 feet tall and very slim once! See you next year.
Carl Hayhurst
53A
Intellectual copyright Carl Hayhurst
We had made it! Nev Dandy and I arrived about 1830hrs after a pretty warm trip down from the North. The new administration system worked superbly; the young female AT who took us to our billet was delightful. I would have been happy to claim her as a grand daughter! Nev was totally foxed by the changes in the geography so I took him on a `this is where that was' tour of the camp.
As recalled by Carl Hayhurst 53A
2003 reunion
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