
© Ron Shambrook AM
2IC B Coy & OC C Coy
1st Tour |
 |
The early days and
weeks of establishing the main battalion base at
what we then called Ap An Phu just north of Nui
Dat (D company’s location) were really hectic
with so much to do in the new base area as well
as operations away from the base and local
patrolling. Digging defensive positions,
erecting defensive barbed wire, sandbagging and
erecting 16’x16’ tents for accommodation also
took much time from the already tired troops.
Each company established a number of locations
for troops to shower using canvas shower
buckets. The early latrines were open pits and
sapling railings for ‘seats’.
In late June/early July 1966, my platoon, the QM
Platoon, was the first location in the main
battalion base to have a more permanent toilet
built. The Engineers came with a large auger
operated from the back of a truck proceeded to
dig deep into the rich red soil. A concrete slab
was laid over the hole/s and four galvanized
metal toilet canopy seats placed on top of the
concrete. The toilet was completed with
galvanized corrugated iron on half walls and
roof and the door and upper sections were
completed with insect screening.
Whilst
the construction was underway I decided to
enlist the aid of the Bandmaster Bob Taylor to
gather back a number of his band from their
other task, that of stretcher bearers and come
down and play a few melodies. I also approached
the Battalion Padre Father John Williams and
asked that he officiate.
My purpose to have an opening ceremony for the
toilet was to have a little fun and hopefully
reduce the tensions some of the soldiers were
experiencing. On opening afternoon we had a few
beers the band played a few numbers and then we
had the “official opening”. I called on the band
to play Bless this House and on completion asked
the Reverend Farter Williams to officially open
the building and sprinkle. He went inside and
sprinkled with good accuracy. All enjoyed the
low key light hearted activity.
A
couple of weeks later Father Williams showed me
a note he had received from his Bishop in
Australia. Someone must have written up the
story and sent it to a Sydney newspaper. There
before me was a newspaper clipping of our toilet
opening event attached to a note from the Bishop
admonishing John Williams and stating “that he
thought he should have had more important things
to do than open dunnies.”
In September 1982 I was the Controller of the
Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games
in Brisbane. A few days later I received a note
from Adelaide from Father John Williams which
read: "Ron, Saw the opening of the games on TV.
Great Show – congratulations. Almost as good as
the show you put on when we opened that toilet
in SVN." Signed "Farter Williams."
TALES FROM THE TIGER
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