PNGVR ANNUAL CAMPS
1959 - 1963
1959 - Goldie River
The first PNGVR Annual Camp was held at Goldie River Training Area, near Port Moresby, in 1959. Nearly 100 men of the PNGVR attended this camp. Training included map reading, platoon attacks, grenade throwing, mortar and rifle shooting, wiring and mining, night firing, ambushes, gas chamber tests and other combat practices. A Platoon of PIR was made available for demonstration purposes throughout the camp.
Also in 1959 the first CMF Unit from Australia, the First Mobile Malaria Control Company came to Goldie River as part of their Annual Camp. This was the first CMF unit to hold its annual camp outside the mainland. Other CMF units were to visit PNG during the following years.
The first PNGVR Annual Camp was held at Goldie River Training Area, near Port Moresby, in 1959. Nearly 100 men of the PNGVR attended this camp. Training included map reading, platoon attacks, grenade throwing, mortar and rifle shooting, wiring and mining, night firing, ambushes, gas chamber tests and other combat practices. A Platoon of PIR was made available for demonstration purposes throughout the camp.
Also in 1959 the first CMF Unit from Australia, the First Mobile Malaria Control Company came to Goldie River as part of their Annual Camp. This was the first CMF unit to hold its annual camp outside the mainland. Other CMF units were to visit PNG during the following years.
A typical accommodation hut at Goldie River Training Area. 1959
1960 - Goldie River
The 1960 Annual Camp was also held at Goldie River. The Camp began with an exercise defending Ward’s airstrip which ended with the long march to the Goldie River Camp, with lunch on the Laloki River as a break.
One of the soldiers, Pte John Holland, kept his pay slip which showed he was paid 33 shillings and 5 pence a day for the 14 days ($3.35).
The 1960 Annual Camp was also held at Goldie River. The Camp began with an exercise defending Ward’s airstrip which ended with the long march to the Goldie River Camp, with lunch on the Laloki River as a break.
One of the soldiers, Pte John Holland, kept his pay slip which showed he was paid 33 shillings and 5 pence a day for the 14 days ($3.35).
Goldie River Annual Camp
L-R: Malcom Farland, Ken Dean at rear, Des Martin, Stewart Lewis (with his hand over his mouth), ? , Pte Dunlop Allan bell (3rd from right),Preparing for the morning exercises. This was the last PNGVR camp where the .303 Lee Enfield SMLE was used. There was still a mixture of old and new gaiters too.
L-R: Malcom Farland, Ken Dean at rear, Des Martin, Stewart Lewis (with his hand over his mouth), ? , Pte Dunlop Allan bell (3rd from right),Preparing for the morning exercises. This was the last PNGVR camp where the .303 Lee Enfield SMLE was used. There was still a mixture of old and new gaiters too.
1961 - Goldie River
About 80 soldiers attended Annual Camp 1961, also held at Goldie River. Training again was with an integrated PIR Platoon and consisted of the usual Patrolling, ambushes, night navigation and patrolling and river crossings, etc. On this camp much of the patrolling was carried out with PNGVR and PIR having integrated Sections and PIR supplying the enemy parties.
At the commencement of this Camp the 7.62 L1A1 SLR (self loading rifle) was introduce to replace the Lee Enfield .303 rifle so much time was spent in weapon familiarisation.
One of the exercises was the crossing of the Goldie River via a rope bridge, which was erected one afternoon. Unfortunately heavy rain both at Goldie River Depot and upwater in the Goldie River caused the bridge to be almost under water, so the tactical exercise had to be replaced by careful, non tactical crossings without weapons or equipment.
OR's accommodation Goldie River 1961. The hut had been improved slightly but the bedding (below) was still spartan.
An exhausted Bob Collins returning from a day's exercise.
A combined group of PNGVR and PIR prepare for a river crossing.
The final river crossing after the Goldie River had risen sharply overnight, conducted without weapons and equipment.
Ptes Percy Neville and Bob Collins from 7 Pl C Coy, Madang, crossing.
Capt Tony Milan, Sgt John Lewis, ?.
Bruce Johnson, ?. Bill Kelly
1962 - Taurama Barracks
Annual Camp 1962 was attended by 90 CMF and ARA personal at Taurama Barracks, home to 1 PIR. PNGVR was organised as Bn HQ, Admin Group, Training Group and a Rifle Coy with 3 Rifle Platoons.
Annual Camp 1962 was attended by 90 CMF and ARA personal at Taurama Barracks, home to 1 PIR. PNGVR was organised as Bn HQ, Admin Group, Training Group and a Rifle Coy with 3 Rifle Platoons.
PNGVR at Taurama Barracks. Annual Camp 1962.
Front row from left
7-Ian Parsons, 9-Alan Booth, 10-Harvey Booth, 13-Pte Dunlop, 17-John Thorton
Second row from left
8-CAPT Chicka Hudson, 9-Peter Harbeck, 10-A.E. Anderson, 12-RMO John Jamerson, 16- MAJ Dick Newman,17-Bill Walsh (ARA QM), 18-Des Martin, 19-Bruce Johnson, 20-Tony Milan, 22-Ron Furlonger.
Third row from left
1-Joe Fisk in cap, 4-Bill McGrath, 13-Noel Kenna, 16- Stewart Lewis, 18-Bernie Gough, 19-Garth Blackman, 20-Malcolm (Mac) Farland, 21-Ken Weare ?, 22-Darryl Sears.
Back row from left
12-Peter Rogers, 13-Jeff Kenny, 15-Vince Keenan.
Front row from left
7-Ian Parsons, 9-Alan Booth, 10-Harvey Booth, 13-Pte Dunlop, 17-John Thorton
Second row from left
8-CAPT Chicka Hudson, 9-Peter Harbeck, 10-A.E. Anderson, 12-RMO John Jamerson, 16- MAJ Dick Newman,17-Bill Walsh (ARA QM), 18-Des Martin, 19-Bruce Johnson, 20-Tony Milan, 22-Ron Furlonger.
Third row from left
1-Joe Fisk in cap, 4-Bill McGrath, 13-Noel Kenna, 16- Stewart Lewis, 18-Bernie Gough, 19-Garth Blackman, 20-Malcolm (Mac) Farland, 21-Ken Weare ?, 22-Darryl Sears.
Back row from left
12-Peter Rogers, 13-Jeff Kenny, 15-Vince Keenan.
1963 - Murray Barracks and Goldie River
The 1963 Annual Camp consisted of the largest number of CMF personnel for a PNGVR Camp, more than 150. The first week was spent at Murray Barracks carrying out drill and weapon training, followed by a 5 day exercise based in the Goldie River training area with Immediate Action drills, patrolling and minor infantry tactics. During this camp PNGVR was introduced to the GPMG M-60 light machine gun which was to replace the Bren Gun, and the newly completed Goldie River rifle range received a lot of use.
Annual Camp 1963 was PNGVR’s last use of the Goldie River Training Area.
The 1963 Annual Camp consisted of the largest number of CMF personnel for a PNGVR Camp, more than 150. The first week was spent at Murray Barracks carrying out drill and weapon training, followed by a 5 day exercise based in the Goldie River training area with Immediate Action drills, patrolling and minor infantry tactics. During this camp PNGVR was introduced to the GPMG M-60 light machine gun which was to replace the Bren Gun, and the newly completed Goldie River rifle range received a lot of use.
Annual Camp 1963 was PNGVR’s last use of the Goldie River Training Area.
