Poets Corner Archives - CONTACT magazine

The author, 2 Cav Regt, Mt Bundy, NT, 1995.

Poets Corner

“I am still a Soldier…”

06/12/202106/12/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 159 Views 0 Comments By Spent Cartridge

I am still a Soldier… I am Ubiquitous, Paratus, and ready to Percute et Percute Velociter, A Vigilant soldier, who

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in El Alamein, Egypt, overlaid with battle scene. Wargraves photo by Corporal Christopher Dickson – digital overlay by CONTACT.

Poets Corner

THE SILENT SENTRY

06/12/202106/12/2021 Anndrà an Ruadh 108 Views 0 Comments

I look over the rolling hills, I see them standing there. Ever so silently and still, with only one care.

Poets Corner

Teutorburger Wald – completion

06/12/202106/12/2021 Mick Shave 87 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

Read Par I to III here And so in frenzied lust it ends, the killing; Vengeful hatred why they fought.

Poets Corner

Indians! Or Vegies!

02/12/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 115 Views 0 Comments By Spent Cartridge

Patrolling creek lines; re-entrants; and, saddles Even wrapping your pack up, to go for a paddle Moving forward to observe

Poets Corner

Yes! I’m a Veteran!

26/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 247 Views 2 Comments By Spent Cartridge

Morning Brian, At it again. Caution mate! This one is still hot! Originally it was “Oh! My friend Sleep!” But

Poets Corner

The French Disconnection

24/11/202124/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 410 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

Dear Mr Macron, there’s a sign I’d like to make, with an upright thumb – take your bloody submarines and shove them up your…!

Poets Corner

Teutorburger Wald

21/11/2021 Mick Shave 178 Views 2 Comments By Michael Shave

Describe a successful ambush to me, please: Teutorburger Wald (Part one) Caesar cries. An anguish riven home By news that

Poets Corner

Death from Over the Hill (Mortars – Dealers in Death!)

20/11/202121/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 188 Views 0 Comments By Spent Cartridge

They hump their kit here They hump their kit there They hump up hills and down ravines They hump with

Executive Officer HMAS Dechaineux Lieutenant Commander Darren White raises the 'Jolly Roger' on Collins-class submarine HMAS Dechaineux at Fleet Base West. Official Defence photo by Chief Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko.

Poets Corner

The Saltiest Ode to Submariners

16/11/202116/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 205 Views 1 Comment By Spent Cartridge

Once a “Jolly Roger” swam under the seven seas Deep in the bowels of one of our Collins-class submarines She

Major (read) James Joseph 'Jock' Smith MC and Bar – RIP 12 November 2021 aged 83.

Poets Corner

Until we are all together again

15/11/202115/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 214 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

In the mist of time, Jock’s fond familiar image reaches out Fleeting frames of determination, duty and a heart so

In celebration of their mascot, the Australian magpie, No. 75 Squadron applied a black and white commemorative paint scheme to F/A-18A Hornet A21-018. The aircraft will sport the new colour scheme ahead of the squadron's transition to the F-35A Lightning II in 2022. The squadron adopted the magpie because it is a belligerent defendant of its young with the courage to attack. Photo by Sergeant Pete Gammie.

Poets Corner

THE OLD MAGPIE

13/11/202113/11/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 168 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

YOU’RE A LONG WAY FROM THE WESTERN FRONT, THE OLD MAGPIE SAID AS HE GAZED DOWN ON THE POPPIES, IN

Army Privates Kate Larby and Maddison Lillie, and Victorian Department of Health Authorised Officer Daniel Green on patrol as part of a COVID-19 Household Engagement Program to support the Victorian State government’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Photo by Private Michael Currie.

Poets Corner

PANDEMIC 2021

12/10/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 293 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

The bells of peace, rang loud and long, 5 million lost in war But the pandemic about to break, would

One of thousands of photos taken by Billy Cunneen in Vietnam – 1966, Australian APCs of 1 APC Sqn and dismounted soldiers pursue retreating Viet Cong troops in Phuoc Tuy Province. Click to enlarge.

Poets Corner

VIETNAM – A CAVALRYMAN’S LAMENT

10/10/2021 Red/ACB! 333 Views 0 Comments Red/ACB!

The Infantry owned us. The Infantry owned the war. They brought Malaya to Vietnam. Out of place and out of

A Halifax B Mark II Series 1A of No. 78 Squadron RAF based at RAF Breighton, Yorkshire, UK, circa 1941. Photo by Flying Officer G. Woodbine, Royal Air Force – from Imperial War Museums collection, via Wikimedia.

Poets Corner

JUST ANOTHER NIGHT AT WORK (for “Deadly”)

06/10/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 444 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

I knew Ernie for many years, until he passed away He related to me this story, late one ANZAC Day

Poets Corner

ANZAC

30/09/202130/09/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 280 Views 0 Comments By William Croxon

Tonight as we lay down and before we go to sleep, I reckon if you be honest, The diggers would

Poets Corner

Duty First

27/09/202127/09/2021 Mick Shave 303 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

There is a soldier whose actions in Afghanistan are being investigated. A helmet cam of him shooting an apparently unarmed

Australian Army soldier Private Clayton Baird from 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, ready for a vehicle-mounted patrol during a training exercise in the Townsville Field Training Area. Photo by Major Al Green.

Poets Corner

Soldiering in the 51st

19/09/202119/09/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 541 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

Born on the sands of Egypt, christened with rum, then issued 303s Your sacred Cloths now stitched with proud deeds

Photo by Sergeant Brent Tero. Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Fuge and Keith Payne VC, share a non-alcoholic beer at Kandahar Airfield during Mr Payne's visit to Joint Task Force 633, ANZAC Day 2009.

Poets Corner

A Modern Polemic

12/09/2021 Mick Shave 364 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

As a gathering of Infantry Veterans meet in the Australian capital to commemorate their Battalion’s participation in the Vietnam War,

Poets Corner

The Squadron will never stay buried

09/09/202109/09/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 464 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

Can you hear the stirring sounds of band and drums? As ghosts of Two Squadron’s many generations march as one

Poets Corner

“BUSTER’S” BOMBER

08/09/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 421 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

I have little trust, in fate or superstition If religion is your soap box, it depends on what rendition I

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