It
was 3 am in the morning
When the train did arrive
Then I carried my port to the hostel
And the pain kept me alive.
Awakening
next morning
With a hundred new faces
And Sargent Price was on the ball
To put us through our paces.
Some
older boys from 44
Said I looked like Dick my Brother
So all through the years I was known as
Little Dick and I knew no other.
Then
off to Martins Gully
To School I had to go
Past the Guns, Negs and Bishops Court
Then down to school so slow.
I
remember August 45
With snow and rain and sleet
And very soon VP Day
Then our life was near complete.
Aldrin
Appleton Backer…1
The roll was on the way
Then in for meals we took our place
After we did prey.
The
Gun he was a fair man
Wheeled the cane with the best
Then Rudolf bloody Kripner
For years I did detest.
He
had a sidekick known as Posture Pete
Allan Barry was his title
I wonder how he handled it
When Krip he did skedaddle.
Rat
and Boss and Monkey Head
I remember from that time
I wonder where life took them to
And did they make it shine.
Thursday
was a special night
The menu I did know
Bunghole buns and fishpaste
Cooking cheese on the donkey was the go.
Saturday
was clean up day
And jobs they were allocated
The sink trap was a dirty job
And one we all hated.
Then
after lunch was freedom
To the pictures I did go
We walked down to the theatre
It was a cracker show.
Every
Sunday morning
To church we had to go
Polished shoes and Sunday clothes
On parade we had to show
Sarge
marched us up the hill
The long way we were sent
We were feeling pretty miserable
And our energy it was spent
Til
we crossed the railway line
The girls hostel on the left
Back in step with swinging arms
We marched along with zest.
Then
after church was over
We wandered home with glee
We could play or chase the rabbits
Because our afternoon was free.
Tis
near sixty years ago today
Some old faces may have gone
I will wonder around the place
To see the changes to St Johns.
This
time when we depart
Our memories will never sever
The only thing we leave behind
This plaque should last for ever.
In
memory of the boys who have departed.
