From
the Fire Escape - C Block, Top Deck. Jrs from left are members of
Morrow Division - Stephen 'Lionel' Gaston, Bowen Nth Queensland, Bob
Allen (with syringe of burning lighter fluid) Launceston, Tasmania,
Cliff Sunderland, Wangaratta, Victoria, Steve 'Jerp' Town, Sydney,
NSW, Pete Russell, Melbourne, Victoria, Col Litton, Albert Park, Victoria.
From
Bottom Left, Clockwise - JR 'Fish' Fisher, JR John Pollard, JR Bob
Allen, JR John Bird, LJR Kevin Cross, JR Vallotto (Back Center), JR
Bowen (front center), JR Shepherd, LJR Jock Gardener, JR Leigh Dwyer,
JR 'Goofy' Mathews, JR ' Polly' Farmer. - LJR's had the privilage
of having only 2 single bunks to a cubicle instead of the normal 2
double bunks or 4 JR's to a cubicle.
Above: Some boys
together In the Leading Junior Recruit's Cubicle (LJR's). What is
probably not thought of by most people is that it is still current
practice to 'Promote' a new recruit to an 'Acting Leading Recruit'
not long after the intake first arrives. If any boys are seen to outwardly
show potential leadership qualities in the early days, they may be
selected to become an 'Acting Leading Junior Recruit'. The purpose
of this is that in the navy there must always be someone to "Take
Charge" when things are going belly up and if we are just a rabble
of JR2s with no direction then where would we be. These and other
phrases were repeated over and again on a daily basis -
"Take Charge
of your rifle!", "Take Charge of that Squad, Squad Leader!",
"Take Charge of that Mop, Snow!", Take charge of yourself,
dickhead"!, "Take Charge of that Rope"!, "Take
Charge of that boat!" "Take charge of that Broom"!,
Take Charge of that oar!", "Take charge of that bayonet"!
Yes a very well used turn of phrase.
Also scapegoats
and people to blame are necessary and mandatory in a system such as
this. It was drummed into us very early to "Take Charge!",
for we all had to become competent class leaders during our tenure,
this included taking responsibility for the drill and bearing and
also behaviour of your squad or class whilst you were its leader.
You were put in charge to be the first cab off the rank for disciplinary
action when things stuffed up.
For an LJR it
was more difficult again for he was often confronted with moral dilemmas
and awkward situations where his loyalty to his mates, his class or
division was put to the test quite regulary by the conflicts between
the RAN System and the antics of his 15 and 16 year old peers.
Sometimes the
Instructors and Divisional Staff chose these fine lads wisely and
at other times not so wisely.
Some would have
their LJR status removed within the first 3 months of course, after
a kid was at last recognised for what he really was, either an absolute
rogue or grossly incompetent, funny thing though the "power trippers"
or those consumed with their new found authority were generally left
to carry on pissing everyone off and were not discouraged at all from
behaving like Adolh Hitler on speed.
I am not sure
I remember whether I was disappointed or not for not being selected
as an LJR because I do recall the Old Man giving me some advice about
keeping your head down and not volunteering for anything. As it turned
out I am pleased I never did - I would not have lasted that's for
sure. I do think it had some strange effects on some of the lads now
when I think about it. For once they left Leeuwin and headed for the
fleet it was all over being an LJR - Don't forget some of these blokes
had been asserting, sometimes fairly heavy, authority for almost 12
months plus enjoying prvilages not shared by their peers. A quick
tumble back to earth for some, although, naturally the majority handled
it ok.
Below:
Morning Divisions
JRTE Parade Ground
