Poets Corner Archives - Page 6 of 12

Duty First

27/09/202127/09/2021 Mick Shave 1600 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 2280 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 1707 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 1988 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 1849 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

Poets Corner

BLUEY TURNER’S DEAD

28/08/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1742 Views 0 Comments By Bob Lange

“Bluey Turner’s dead” Phil said, As he slumped down on the bed. “He was on his second trip,” he said,

Graves of unknown soldiers who died during World War I but who's identity remains unknown are marked "Known Unto God".

Poets Corner

The Final Judgement

28/08/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1565 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

He was just a lad when his luck ran out and he fell in mortal sleep While a world away

Private Frank Jelen of 3RAR sitting on an armoured recovery vehicle during Operation Overlord on the border of Phuoc Tuy and Long Khanh Provinces, June 1971.

Poets Corner

THE PARTING SHOTS – Commemorating the Battles of Long Khanh and Nui Le

08/08/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1545 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

He was just a kid with acne, when he first wore his jungle greens About to learn the hard way,

RSM on parade digital composition by CONTACT.

Poets Corner

Platitudes

02/08/202102/08/2021 Mick Shave 1626 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

A certain Australian Infantry warrant officer, a notorious recruit drill instructor, on arrival at Tan Son Nhut airport for war

Special Forces Task Group (SFTG) members fire vehicle-mounted heavy weapons at night on a range at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Afghanistan. File photo – 2005 – by Sergeant John Carroll.

Poets Corner

Polemic – as you like it

02/08/2021 Mick Shave 1592 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

Soldiers do as they are told, It isn’t fair that when they’re old, Those well trained men (and so well led)…

Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie (rear) and No 2 Flight Training Squadron instructor Squadron Leader Shannon McGuckin give the thumbs up before a flight in a PC-21 at RAAF Base Pearce. Photo by Petty Officer Yuri Ramsey.

Poets Corner

Using Facebook

01/08/202102/08/2021 Mick Shave 1668 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

It is good to be proud of your service, Remembering what you have done. The trials and the tribulations, The

Poets Corner

When will someone in Canberra crack the whip?

31/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1359 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

With familiar sounds of whips cracking, Down Under led the Planet’s pack Visionary, bright, united and proud, we never ever looked back

Fromelles headstones. Photo by Petty Officer Mez Merrill

Poets Corner

DON’T FORGET ME COBBER

30/07/202131/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1814 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

“Don’t forget me cobber,” the cry rang out from hell that was Fromelles bloody battlefield, where five thousand diggers fell

The Vietnam Memorial in Canberra. Photo by Laura Larking.

Poets Corner

HER ONLY SON

30/07/202130/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1552 Views 0 Comments By Bob Lange

She sits there in the country sun, With the photo in her hand. It shows the face of her only son, Who went to Viet Nam.

Boy greets Aussie soldiers on patrol in East Timor, Photo by Corporal Brian Hartigan.

Poets Corner

Children In War

30/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1371 Views 0 Comments By A T Kenos

You do not hear the sounds of happy children in war, There are no games to play, Nor are there other children to play with.

The Queen’s and Regimental Colours of all nine Royal Australian Regiment battalions were paraded together for the first time at the Australian War Memorial to mark the 50th Anniversary of the regiment.

Poets Corner

Genesis – The Royal Australian Regiment

23/07/2021 Mick Shave 1477 Views 2 Comments By Michael Shave

Comprised of three battalions and veterans every man, The brigade we sent from Moratai to occupy Japan.

Australian soldiers undergoing casualty evacuation training in the Middle East. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

Poets Corner

All Blood Runs Red

20/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1490 Views 0 Comments By A T Kenos

All blood runs red Regardless of whose army you serve All blood runs red And it tests every man’s nerve

Poets Corner

A Killing Viewed Objectively

18/07/2021 Mick Shave 1585 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

I once killed a man briefly – for eternity.But first I watched him: He is untangling a vine that stops his progress. Engrossed.

Bocker on Remembrance Day 2019 – superimposed over a slouch hat and boots. Background photo by Corporal Nunu Campos – Bocker's photo supplied by Tomas Hamilton – digital composition by CONTACT.

Poets Corner

BOCKA’S BOOTS

18/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1940 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

THERE’S A PAIR OF BOOTS, WITH A DIGGER’S HAT, MOUNTED FOR ALL TO SEE – A SILENT IMMORTAL TRIBUTE, FOR THEY’RE SURE TO OUTLAST ME.

Group photo of troops involved in a complex assault during combined-arms training near Townsville, including 3rd Brigade, 11th Brigade, Royal Yeomanry and Queens Dragoon Guards. Photo by Major Al Green, digitally altered by CONTACT.

Poets Corner

Another time – another life

18/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1196 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

Such a sacred oath to swear Of duty, discipline, and risk of life itself A proud flag to carry, and the nation’s cloth to wear.