photos of 12 pl d coy madang
The Madang Platoon of PNGVR commenced in April 1954 when a platoon designated 2 Pl A Coy under Lt Peter Harbeck was formed.
On 1st April, 1960 the Madang Platoon was redesignated 7 Pl C Coy with Lt L.G. (Chicka) Hutson as Pl Comd.
In 1963 the Madang Platoon again became a part of A Coy being designated 3 Pl A Coy with S/Sgt Stan Gould as Pl Comd.
On 4th March, 1966 the Madang Platoon became 12 Pl D Coy with S/Sgt Stan Gould as Pl Comd.
On 1st April, 1960 the Madang Platoon was redesignated 7 Pl C Coy with Lt L.G. (Chicka) Hutson as Pl Comd.
In 1963 the Madang Platoon again became a part of A Coy being designated 3 Pl A Coy with S/Sgt Stan Gould as Pl Comd.
On 4th March, 1966 the Madang Platoon became 12 Pl D Coy with S/Sgt Stan Gould as Pl Comd.
12 Platoon D Company Madang Depot
On parade for ANZAC Day 1971. Note the Police station in the background. SGT Arua Paru calling the roll.
CPL Duncan Wamatabe (L) and SGT Arua Paru. Stalwarts of 12 PL. Not sure why the CPL was wearing the red sash and not the SGT?
This Japanese anti-aircraft gun was pulled out of the bush near Alexishafen... not a bad effort considering we had no cranes or proper lifting gear. I think that it was about 3 inch calibre. It was placed in the front of the depot. It was removed after PNGVR was disbanded and is now on display in the Canberra war memorial.
Col Gould.
Col Gould.
What the well dressed SIG wore. SGT Trevor Connell ready for camp - 1972 Note the SMG F1.
Can't recall why we had a DP Bren gun
SGT Trevor Connell
Even the gardener wanted his photo taken !
The two .50 cal HMGs that lived in the armoury
These guns were salvaged from a crashed aircraft (by Stan Gould?) They differ from a vehicle mounted gun in that they have the air cooling over the barrel and no trigger (the far one had been modified by someone in 12 Platoon! It actually worked!). They were fired electrically with a solenoid.
Refurbishment of one of the .50 cals. Handles were made and the cocking handle fitted. This was necessary as they were out of an aircraft.
A bivouac near Madang circa 1972. An apparently relaxed event...
PTE Rafael Kasar in a crashed BOSTON aircraft just north of Madang
The ammo for the .50 cals was kept in the garden shed at the back of the depot! It was eventually taken and dumped in a creek on the way to Rempi on the orders of the CO.(L-R) PTE ?, PTE Rafael Kasar, SGT Trevor Connell
7 Pl C Coy Madang - 1959. Note that in this photo those that had been in for some time had the PNGVR shoulder flash and the Northern Command flash. Those that had just recently joined were not issued with the Northern Command flash. In the 1960 & 61 photos no flashes were worn so it can be assumed that in 1959 the Northern Command flash was withdrawn and in 1960 the PNGVR flash was withdrawn.
Front row. Sgt Lionel Fox, Lt L.G.(Chicka) Hutson, Sgt Joe Fisk.
Back Row. Pte Eugene Leuwin, Pte Brian Andrew, Pte Fox, Cpl Bill Honisett, Pte Joe Berger, Pte Percy Neville, Pte Bernie Arnold, Pte Bob Collins.
Front row. Sgt Lionel Fox, Lt L.G.(Chicka) Hutson, Sgt Joe Fisk.
Back Row. Pte Eugene Leuwin, Pte Brian Andrew, Pte Fox, Cpl Bill Honisett, Pte Joe Berger, Pte Percy Neville, Pte Bernie Arnold, Pte Bob Collins.
7 Pl C Coy Madang - 1960. Front Row. Pte Eugene Leuwin, Lt John Frewen, Lt L.G.(Chicka) Hutson, Pte Mick Brown.
Standing. Sgt Ron Strand, Pte Joe Berger, ??, Sgt Lionel Fox, Pte Bob Collins, Cpl Brian Andrew, 2Lt Malcolm (Mac) Farland. Inserts Cpl Percy Neville, Pte Bob Loh.
Thanks Bob Collins
Standing. Sgt Ron Strand, Pte Joe Berger, ??, Sgt Lionel Fox, Pte Bob Collins, Cpl Brian Andrew, 2Lt Malcolm (Mac) Farland. Inserts Cpl Percy Neville, Pte Bob Loh.
Thanks Bob Collins
7 Pl C Coy Madang - 1961.
Front Row. Pte Bob Collins, Pte Mick Brown, 2Lt Ron Strand, Cpl Percy Neville, ??, Pte Evan Wham.
2nd Row. Pte Eugene Leuwin, ??, Pte Jack Hobbins, ??,??
Back Row. Sgt Malcolm (Mac) Farland, Sgt Lionel Fox, ??, Cpl Bill Honisett, Cpl Brian Andrew, Sgt Bill Smith. Seated in front. Depot Boy who I believe later joined PNGVR.
The Edwards Shield
The photo of 7 Pl C Coy PNGVR Madang 1961 shows Sgt Lionel Fox holding the Edwards Shield.
When PNGVR was formed in 1961 the first CO, Lt Col McLeod called for suggestions from the public for the design of a Regimental Badge. Designs were to be limited to two colours. The final choice of design was left to the last CO of the NGVR, Col W.M. Edwards.
The accepted design had a St Edwards’s Crown at the top, a laurel wreath coming out of the crown as a circle on each side culminating in a bow, with PNGVR at the base; in the circle of laurel were two crossed .303 Lee Enfield rifles.
Col Edwards later presented the Edwards Shield for intercompany proficiency in Tactics and Drill.
In 1960 and 1961 C Coy PNGVR held the shield and 7 Pl C Coy was allowed to keep it as they had won the Inter Coy competition in 1960. However during 1962/3 Capt Peter Harbeck, who had commenced the Mt Hagen/ Banz/ Minj 9 Pl C Coy, PNGVR walked, with several of his Platoon members from Mt Hagen to Madang and claimed the title of “Best Platoon in C Coy”. They flew back to Mt Hagen with the shield.
Courtesy Bob Collins
Front Row. Pte Bob Collins, Pte Mick Brown, 2Lt Ron Strand, Cpl Percy Neville, ??, Pte Evan Wham.
2nd Row. Pte Eugene Leuwin, ??, Pte Jack Hobbins, ??,??
Back Row. Sgt Malcolm (Mac) Farland, Sgt Lionel Fox, ??, Cpl Bill Honisett, Cpl Brian Andrew, Sgt Bill Smith. Seated in front. Depot Boy who I believe later joined PNGVR.
The Edwards Shield
The photo of 7 Pl C Coy PNGVR Madang 1961 shows Sgt Lionel Fox holding the Edwards Shield.
When PNGVR was formed in 1961 the first CO, Lt Col McLeod called for suggestions from the public for the design of a Regimental Badge. Designs were to be limited to two colours. The final choice of design was left to the last CO of the NGVR, Col W.M. Edwards.
The accepted design had a St Edwards’s Crown at the top, a laurel wreath coming out of the crown as a circle on each side culminating in a bow, with PNGVR at the base; in the circle of laurel were two crossed .303 Lee Enfield rifles.
Col Edwards later presented the Edwards Shield for intercompany proficiency in Tactics and Drill.
In 1960 and 1961 C Coy PNGVR held the shield and 7 Pl C Coy was allowed to keep it as they had won the Inter Coy competition in 1960. However during 1962/3 Capt Peter Harbeck, who had commenced the Mt Hagen/ Banz/ Minj 9 Pl C Coy, PNGVR walked, with several of his Platoon members from Mt Hagen to Madang and claimed the title of “Best Platoon in C Coy”. They flew back to Mt Hagen with the shield.
Courtesy Bob Collins
Rempi Training Camp north of Madang.
Ok... it's not PNGVR but this was the Police contingent at Independence Day. Note the Independence badge and the No 4 SMLE .303's. We used SLR's, they only had .303's .... but it sounded impressive to the locals when they worked the bolt to cock the rifle! ... much better than an SLR. The legend was that SUPT Mike Thomas, when he was in charge of Pt Moresby and there was trouble at the lower pub, he would take his police squad in, order them to load and ..... there would be instant silence and order!!!
SGT Trevor Connell having breakfast on a bivouac (note the small tin of ham and eggs!) He is sitting on the cushion out of the Land Rover. Ignore the grumpy look! ... it is probably because someone said "Packs on, Move out!"
Anyone who has been to Madang will recognise the Coastwatcher's Memorial at the entrance to the harbour.
12 Platoon, D Company on a parade at Igam Barracks. SGT Trevor Webb (L) with SGT Trevor Connell in front of him.
Japanese helmet, gas mask filter and bayonet salvaged from near Madang by Trevor Connell.
A Japanese 'Betty' bomber at the Alexishafen (Sek) airfield. Note the red markings still visible on the fuselage.
SGT Trevor Connell and PTE Rafael Kasar in the Canteen. Note the Nobanob Cup in the shelf. There was some ritual involving this which I have yet to discover. Colin?
Who can forget the SP greenie!
