Poets Corner Archives - Page 7 of 12

MONITOR MADNESS

06/07/202106/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1883 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

The military has long had mascots, eagles, bulls and sheep, But when parades are over, someone has to sweep, The droppings…

One of thousands of photos taken by Billy Cunneen in Vietnam – a 6RAR soldier dives for cover as firing breaks out during Operation Ingham.

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Acrostic – 9th Battalion

05/07/2021 Mick Shave 1672 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

November, many years ago, In youthful number, innocent; National Service trained then sent Them off – to Vietnam they went.

Self medicating. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

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NIGHTMARE

05/07/202105/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1834 Views 0 Comments By Lee O’Neill

Every night the nightmare waits Haunting, taunting, my mind it baits. Staying up late not wanting to sleep But my date with the nightmare…

Soldiers from 7th Brigade are welcomed home from deployments overseas by the people of Brisbane with a parade through the city's streets on 17 September 2016. Photo by Corporal Max Bree

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There are no winners

04/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1199 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

No matter age or season, the God of War is never far away One small chink in a tribe’s armour,

Members of the Australian medical contingent carry trunks to the Landing Zone at Camp Bradman for backloading to Islamabad, during Operation Pakistan Assist in 2006. Photo by Corporal Damian Shovell.

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THE OLD TEA CHEST

30/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1963 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

It’s just a battered tea chest, with its’ secrets long secured Within its tired and weathered frame, their future was

CONTACT Editor Brian Hartigan (not a Nasho) on the bayonet assault course with SLR, 1990.

Poets Corner

Bayonet drill for recruits

30/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1866 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

Oh, how old soldiers remember past days with bayonet drill The shrieking orders; “on guard, thrust, parry, feint” “Go for

Australian soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan aboard a Bushmaster. Photo by Corporal Bernard Pearson.

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Unsung

25/06/202125/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1433 Views 1 Comment By Angus Green

I’ve never been a hero though I’ve served with quite a few, just everyday Australians just the same as me and you.

Families wave goodbye as HMAS Melbourne departs Sydney for a Middle East deployment in 2012. RAN photo.

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No Tears Dad

22/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1634 Views 0 Comments By Angus Green

He doesn’t show his tears As he brings the kids around The terminal loudspeakers yell All passengers boarding now.

Members of Overwatch Battle Group–West get ready to participate in an ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Talil, Iraq, 2008. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

Poets Corner

Our leaders of tomorrow

20/06/202120/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1457 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

You, precious youth, are our nation’s future Look back beyond yesterday to unfold true history

Australian Army Private Sam Randall and Corporal James Milne from the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on Exercise Wolf Crawl, at the Canungra Field Training Area, Queensland. Base photo by Private Jacob Hilton. Digitally added to by CONTACT.

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The Choko Vine

15/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2333 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

I had not long left the service and had so much time on hand, I tried to set up a vegie patch, on my little piece of land.

Australian Defence Force Academy Air Force trainee officers stand at attention during the raising of the RAAF Ensign at Commonwealth Place on 31 March 2021. Photo by Lannon Harley.

Poets Corner

AVIATOR (they can’t be bloody serious)

11/06/202128/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2121 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

After 30 years in the RAAF, I thought I’d heard the lot And there are times I’m sure, someone has

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When CSM at Duntroon

09/06/2021 Mick Shave 1464 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

When I was posted at Duntroon As C.S.M of ‘weeds and seeds’, Its grounds I’d walk each afternoon, Reflecting on

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Stan the Ram

09/06/2021 Mick Shave 2511 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

When I was stationed at Enoggera, as a young platoon sergeant with 9RAR, a Merino ram was offered, and accepted,

Soldiers from Mentoring Task Force – Three (MTF-3) move away from a helicopter landing zone, after loading Australian casualties wounded by an improvised explosive device on a Bushmaster, in the Chora Valley, southern Afghanistan. Photo by Able Seaman Jo Dilorenzo.

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The battle line

07/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1401 Views 0 Comments By Ian O'Loughlin

His heart and mind was racing, he struggled to hold back his tears, He had no choice now and had to face his greatest fears.

Snipers from Mentoring Task Force - Three form a guard around their recently fallen comrade, Private Matthew Lambert, at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. Photo by Able Seaman Jo Dilorenzo.

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REMEMBER THE AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER

06/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2840 Views 0 Comments By Captain Lisa Ride

I am an Australian soldier; I stand tall and proud and trueI train and fight for freedom; I honour my country and I protect you.

Queen Elizabeth talks with members of the ships company of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth on 22 May 2021, just hours before the UK Carrier Strike Group sailed for its first operational deployment. UK MoD Crown copyright. Photo by Petty Officer Jay Allen.

Poets Corner

THE MONARCH

02/06/202102/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1903 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

In the canyon of Her chapel, She prays there on Her own, The Monarch of our Commonwealth, now She sits alone.

The Charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade at the New 7 August 1915. Painting (cropped) by George Lambert, 1924.

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Men Such as These

02/06/202102/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1965 Views 0 Comments By Alistair Pope

Harold Rush woke with a yawn, A touch of grey light beckoned the dawn, The Light Horsemen were ready that day, Unafraid of entering the fray.

Members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) prepare to fly into Oruzgan's Baluchi Valley and Chora regions in support of an MTF1 mission, in 2010. Photo by Lieutenant Aaron Oldaker.

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THE ANZACS WILL NOT BE HAPPY

26/05/202127/05/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1187 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

We swore sacred vow for very good reason For love of country, not broken promise and false gold Ready to give all, many did in bloody season

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Take a Deep Breath

23/05/202127/05/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2745 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

A sub unit, without trial, has been struck from the order of battle, and with it a once-loyal and dedicated military family cast to the wind.

Australian Army soldiers from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, move on foot into the isolated community of Gipsy Point, north-west of Mallacoota, Victoria, to provide health support. Photo by Major Gavin Cole.

Poets Corner

THE MEDIC

22/05/202122/05/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1998 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

Young Jamie watched the old men, march on every Anzac Day And he wondered why his father, had always stayed