Days of Old (continued)
On the social side of things, events took a turn for the worst. It would appear that my 21st Birthday party did not go down too well with certain elements of officialdom. The fact that it was probably the first pyjama party ever held at Woomera may have had something to do with it!!. Anyway about two weeks after the event, I was summoned before the Flight Commander (again) for interrogation. It appeared that on this occasion certain photographs had migrated to a tabloid newspaper in Adelaide and were going to be published under the banner of "Sex, drugs and rock and roll at secret rocket base".
Needless to say I admitted that it was all my idea, I planned it etc, etc, making sure that any of my co-organisers never got a mention and stating that only 1/3 of the banner headlines were true ( rock and roll lives at Woomera man!!). Yet again, more slapped wrists (off the record) plus a mention this time of "conduct unbecoming to a member of H.M. forces and conduct prejudice to the good order and discipline of same". Yet again no official action but a very strong hint that if ever the detachment to Broome came up I was to be first on the list.
You can therefore imagine my surprise when about six months later I was summonsed one Wednesday afternoon only to be told that I was to be promoted to Corporal. (It would appear they had been sitting on this promotion for over six months, but couldn't stop it due to the fact I had never officially been charged or found guilty of any misconduct and therfore had an unbleamished record).
To curb this newly promoted Cpl (and to bring him into line I suppose) I was immediately put in charge of the Barrack Block, followed by a quick talking to by the W.O.D. (RAAF Warrant Officer Discipline) on the conduct required by myself and from my charges. Basically:- No women, No parties, No Noise, No Pinups, cleanliness, inspections, and more importantly to make sure I was in quarters every night. (I was beginning to get this reputation as the only single fellow at Woomera to be living out, because nobody could ever find me in my quarters!!) This sudden good fortune immediately caused me a problem.
Yes you've guessed it, the coming Saturday we had arranged a party to basically invite all the marrieds and partners as a thank you for all the invites we had from them during the year. Venue :- one of the four-man rooms in the Barrack block. We had arranged somewhere to put all the bedding etc, the food and beer had been organised and it was too late to change venues, so we went ahead. One room for the beer, one for the food, one for sitting and chatting and the last one for dancing (good old Rock and Roll!!).
The evening was going down a storm, when on the stroke of midnight
the banging of the fly screen door announce two new arrivals. The W.O.D.
and his right hand man (Sgt somebody?). He walked to the bar, looked
me straight in the eye, and pausing at the right moment said (With a rising
tone to his voice)------ " CPL Chapman" (pause)-------- "I've
been here 5 minutes"(pause)------- "and you haven't offered me a
beer yet". Anyway he must of had a good time because this incident and
the party were never mentioned again.
Regards
Ed Chapman
E-mail: edchapman571@hotmail.com
(2 January 2003)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Memories of Woomera |
|