Shakey985

Here are some pics of a MRV based on the standard M113A3 (our M113 fleet is currently being rebuilt into the M113A4, lengthened with one extra road wheel, new engine, new steering and new turret as an infantry vehicle) We trialed the British series of vehicles available in the 60s but chose the M113 family of vehicles. Our MRV is fitted with a Scorpion turret and so cant be up graded. Tracks are live pin type from Canada T130 or rebuild T130E with pads. Torsion bar suspension with support arms 4 shock absorbers. the road wheel hubs are the old type with viewing holes for the oil level now filled with grease Track shrouds and buoyancy tanks are fitted to the front and sides

The forgotten War? with all the interest on the site centering around Europe, what do we know about the Burma Campaign. There is 818 photos on the IWM web site most are from the RAF/RN. There is one of Diamond Ts winding up a hill side, lots of tanks. My attempts to trace RCT history failed partly due to there amalgamation into RSC. The Burma Star association has some information on the units involved but that's it. One should compare the war in Europe with the war in Burma and ask were would you rather be, fighting the Germans or Japanese, in the European country side or the Jungles of Burma. Any Help tracing the tank transport squadron would be appreciated as I said they were partly manned from a London theatrical company so there should be photos?. Remember them all

I have just finished reading Burma the longest war by Louis Allen, it is a great read providing a lot of detail of the campaign to regain control of Burma from the Japanese. An interesting part was on a Tank transport squadron made up of members from a Theatrical touring company in England. Question, What information is there on this Squadron, having spent some time in Malaysia, Singapore and Sarawak I know the difficulty's faced with operating in this type of terrain on foot let alone moving a Tank Transporter with tank into this area. The book indicates that the tanks were constantly loaded and unloaded and in fact traveled for a third of the distance under there own power at times assisting the trucks.

Ted Egan has just finished a 3 year stint as the Chief Administrator of the Northern Territory ( Queens Rep). I Lived in Darwin from 1992 to 1997 so am reading your story with interest as I have traveled this road many times with the Army and family. My favorite spot was Mataranka springs, which I first visited in 1988 when I drove from Puckapunyal in one of our Mack R600s to pick up a troop of M113s from Katherine.

The boss of the museum was in this week and I tried to convince him that we needed a Diamond T with 45ton rogers trailer, we will see what happens. We nearly had one from the proving ground at Monegeeta, but it went to the engineers museum. Out of all the trucks I have looked at on the forum, the Diamond T with trailer and Yeramba, out the front of the pub is my dream. One day?

I was over at Tallarook on Tuesday and meet a fella that did his Nachos in 1951 and he told me how they would pinch a jeep in Pucka and drive over for a beer, they would get a load of take aways, hide the jeep in the scrub and go in for a session. One day they did this and came out to find the jeep missing and had to walk the 10 miles back to Pucka, on return they found the jeep in the motor pool but no beer. Rick just let me know when your coming over, I am at Pucka every Tuesday and some Wednesdays. Morris come and get it with that vehicle, it would back a great pub run around just what I need

Thanks CW I will do that, the silencer is down the side. It is in the same condition we received it in 1980s. I assumed this was a mod done over here by the Army? Just checked and it is registered WN1 3511

Here is a pic of our Champ, we just got it out from behind the Vickers and gave it a wash. Another one waiting restoration.

Should this be Sugarloaf Creek Hotel/HMVF Club house Downunder ? The bar was opened on the 31st of August 2008, for the first time since November 1957 after the license was surrendered. It was thought that the Army were going to contest the renewal due to solders drinking to much. For all HMVF members I will provide one free drink if you park your military vehicle out the front. Just PM me with what you drink. I am now on Goggle earth just type in sugarloaf creek vic aust, there is a bit of history on the sight from Bill Kelly who just happens to have a Blitz in his shed. hope to see you soon

All our vehicles were named but they had to start with the letter of there Squadron ie Support Squadron

Dads Diary Monday June the 24th 1940 Beginning of a another week have spent yesterday with her people who came up the day before to see her 25, Sergeant went to see his wife today started to make ?n gean'a house (model of) 26, getting on with model ( dad was an architectural model maker) July 3 Finished Jeans house just in time for we thought she was leaving 7, Today I was transferred with the rest to another hospital in Belgium, Madame Gratte and Sergeant Gambier did not come but may follow, meet snowy as soon as I arrived 10, So far Madame Gratte and Sergeant Gambier have not turned up 11, My dressing was changed today by a Corporal (french) and he was surprisingly gentle 12, end of seventh week first week in Belgium 15, Completion of 9 months service 19, end of 8th week 2nd in Belgium 21, had a very good day as regards food 23, two calender months 26, 9 weeks Friday 2nd of August 1940 Ten weeks and I am walking with the aid of crutches 3, Vera ? Birthday 21 (?) 30, 14 weeks in hospital-today the only news we received lately is that England has bombed Germany and Germany has done vies versus September 6, 15 weeks 13, 16 weeks November Friday the 8th Arrived in Germany in Ruhr Valley 11, after 22 years and I am in a Prison camp of the Second Great war 20, Disinfected and put into better rooms Beds again 22, 26 weeks 23 6 months December Sunday the 1st In hospital at Lamischorf ? quite good here grub not bad 9, Just over a week here and Doctors removed another piece of ---? from my back today rather painful process This is the end of his Diary Some other notes no 2 A.R.R.L.S. c/o A.P.M. 2 Corp B.E.F. France Kriegsgefangenenposg Prisoner-of- war-Post ? there are a lot of names and addresses of possible room mates should I include them Dad in Stalag 9 ? Front left Madame Jean Gratte ? Dad was repatriated back to England in 1943 being discharged on the 21st of December 1943 at the Savoy Hotel Bournemouth Dad died on the 16th of February 1980 aged 61 years, he died of Bone cancer partly due to the wounds sustained so long ago He is not forgotten by his sons and daughter, Granddaughters and great grandsons Lest we forget

Thanks for that Alien and Snapper, it all helps to fill in the story. the gum trees are fine and the kangaroos are numerous. Dads Diary Thursday 23rd of May -?a-? with gerry wounded in back side ( From what he told his 3 sons the following happened) they were in a truck when ambushed and he bailed out opening fire with a bren gun and was shot, he was then left as dead with the rest becoming POWs. The French feed him on chocolate but he was to badly wounded. The wound it self was just above the left hip entering from the front and with a large exit wound at the rear. Friday 24th Lay in ditch until -? day when taken prisoner taken to a French -? -? at St Onelet? Sat 1 June Have been in Hospital for a week and a day it is sheer agony though -----? I cannot sleep at night and have to lie in the same position all the time. 2, -? I did not sleep at -? nothing happened today of ----? 3, Today I wonder why I continued in such bad health and at last I was able to explain that I wanted some thing to do they are seeing to it 4, I lay on a stretcher out side today for an -?-? of the fellows are going today both with the english 7, Please God I can-? by- 1/6/40 9, I am get along each day ---? I suppose my wound is healing I cannot see it as it is in my back 13, Three weeks have passed since received the wound 16, Getting along nicely but it will take another three weeks I think to heal up 17, Nurse's birthday 20, I have know been wounded for a month but it is closing quite rapidly now 21, 1 month or 4 weeks in hospital

Re Fathers Diary 17 March 1940 Went for a walk into Lyuines and got of with two french girls frenh inproving 18, On guard at night 19, Paid visit to Guinnes 20, Farewell party for the R.C.p? who handed the station over to us 21, On guard at night 22, Paid visit to Guines and meet an officer of the french army who had just returned from leave 23, Went to Calais in the afternoon paid a visit to the local cafes etc a somewhat dearer place than Guines 25, Getting ready to go out on ? each day seams different either working all day or doing absolutly nothing 26, On site about a mile from headquarters not a very good day for outdoors ? it rained most of the time on guard at night 27, Cleaning my remaining equipment on guard at night 28, My Birth where am I? in france someware quite good weather it snowed today 29, Out on detachment until 1200 when we received orders to pack up and clear the sight we recond to be moving soon into ? Octi---? 30, Out again cleaning a nissen hut from another unit it took all day, from 0930 until 180 at night and we had no dinner, We were supposed to be ready to move by 1630 31, Out again to clean up nissen hut sites,back by 1400 in order to go to Calais. I do not consider as a place of recreation or ammusment 1 April, Went to Calais to have a bath, Maintenance in the afternoon 2, Cooking fatigues in the morning cinema show in the afternoon, guard in the evening about the best guard I have done so far 3, Route march for 7 miles in drizziling rain most of the way Rest of April Missing Friday 10 May 1940 The war starts in France for us perhaps 11, Germany enters Holland and Belgium joins in with Lucsenborrg 14, Sent into Regiment to go to Intelligence looks permanent 15, end of 6 months service 20, Intelligence got sacked was sent back to 2nd Search Light Regiment I would be appreciative if some one could give me the correct spellings of town names were required. there is more of the story to follow, as you can see the army hasn't changed much, you are either siting around doing nothing ore flat out.

I am still watching it, the best show on TV

My family name is SUDUL with some different spellings, we are all from the area Hertford Shire,Essex, London and Middlesex. These are all great great uncles in WW1 Frank Edward 1914-1920 Honourable Artillery Company 7485 Private, later Essex Regiment Second Lieutenant. Harry 1914-1920 Border Regiment 28871 Private. George 1914- 04 October 1917 Middlesex Regiment 3rd/10th Battalion 291317 Corporal. He is buried in Cement House Cemetery and has his name on a plaque in Waterloo Station as prior to the war he was employed there as a clerk. Arthur J 1914-1920 Royal Garrison Artillery 16432 Gunner. My grandfathers were to young for the first world war and to old for the second world war, one served in the home guard ( mothers side) and RNVR (fathers side he was also with the ministry for war transport). My father, Harry, 1521126, Gunner, enlisting in Yeovil on the 15th of November 1939. From his solders service and pay book and Diary he did his training with 131 Battery, 220 Regiment Training RA. From his 1940 Diary he is in 2nd Searchlight Regiment RA. Embarked for France Friday the 15 of march 1940 from Hereford at 1130 at night. Arrived Dover at 0900hrs next day, left 1530 for Boulogne went onto Campagre, arriving about 1900hrs. The spelling of places in Europe are as I have decifed from my fathers Diary, so if you have the correct spelling of towns please let me know. There is also 2 great uncles that went to Canada to do there flight training, returned to fight as pilots in the RAF, they then emigrated to Canada and started a Sudul clan over there.

There is nothing like a bit of rope and a thew truckies knots or twisting it like a rubber band it just takes time. Fence strainers and some ones fence also works. For armoured vehicles , 2 pieces of chain and a length of wood of a suitable size works by securing the wood to your tracks and then dragging the wood under the vehicle. The vehicle ether drags the wood threw the mud and you stay there or the wood stays where it is and you drive on top. Off course the wood could break, see suitable size.

No they are Tiepans, South African trial Vehicle's. The Bushmaster survived the trials and after a lot of modification including an internal weapons system, it is now a very good vehicle. It would appear that a lot of country's are looking at them. Here are some more of the S-Tank next to a Leopard give an idea of its hight when in its normal running condition.

The battery pack works fine on all our vehicles, with 80 plus vehicles battery's are always a problem. I haven't used it on a Leopard but in starts all our M113 fleet, S tank, IKV and other vehicles. We used it when we went to Corowa for a M113 and had no problem even thou we never put it on charge for a week. I find that it is the answer to dead and I mean Dead battery's at around $200 and you can take it out and put it on charge.

Thanks for that Andy I have some work to do mine looks like it earns a living.

The original property was around 20 acres and they had there own sports ground for cricket and football. Also at some stage they put in a track for cycle racing. Boxing Day was a big day with wood chopping and highland dancing. The 2/8th Armoured Regiment recorded in there history a cricket match between the officers and NCO s. I am sure that if 5 acres isn't enough the Lieutenant Colonel up the road mite let you on his property. Here are some photos of the inside. The bar was an old glass display cabinet from what you would call a NAAFI. You have to bear in mind that as far as the council is concerned this is a shed and the builders are 2 ex tankies, the procurement officer is not yet an ex tankie as he is still serving part time. The other day a retired Major General (Tankie) visited and was impressed with what old soldiers get up to.

After reading this post,DHM and reading the comments also not trying to tell some of you how to suck eggs but an incident like this is DEADLY (in my M816 photos there is part of a memorial garden to all the solders killed in training accidents). As a driver and crew commander of the M113 Light AFV family of vehicles for 21 years may I make some suggestions? 1 Put some red dye in the final drives, this will help you identify any seals that become damaged. Richard should know what sort of dye. 2 Conduct a proper first parade/ halt parade/ last parade every time the vehicle is used.

You are all welcome, bring your toys I have 5 acres to play on with a creek crossing as well.

I see that an M816 won in the heavy vehicle section at War & Peace, doses any one have some photos and can they post them here please

It looks good Joris all be it on a different scale to the building of my pub. I wish you well and hope that there isn't to many problems/delays as I have discovered when building. I will have a beer when you move in.

The Sugarloaf Creek Hotel by Denis Seymour On a back road out from Broadford, Where the fence wire gave some turns, You travelled for a mile or so And there it was, “AHEARNE’S”. Just past Kelly’s turn-off, A hundred yards or so, With its stone built-in veranda, We hadn’t far to go. “The Sugarloaf” they called it, A pub of great renown, Where the beer and hospitality Could not be matched in town. It was an institution That was there for many a year; And a product of the old man’s Was sold as well as beer. Made from potatoes in a boiler, And bottled on the place, T’was handy when the rains came, In coffee, as a “lace” On “Bona Fides” Sundays, When it was hard to get a drink, They ventured out from Melbourne Their vans loaded to the brink. While the young ones played at football, And the ladies watched a kid, The elderly supporters Went in and “cracked a quid”. Although it was Sabbath The liquid fairly flowed, The driver drank his squashes To the unwritten code. Tommy was the publican And his brother, Frank, was there If the bar was filled with drinkers, Or it only held a pair. The local farmers made it, A meeting place and more, The Farrell’s, Ryan’s, Sanderson’s, And others buy the score. In the days I was at Lochmore, The dip switch I twice trod To tell them I was a customer, Not one of the “flying squad” For, off on a summer’s even, When the air was rather still, I’d sneak down in the Plymouth, To the pub without a “swill”. “Where’ve you been, Dinny Seymour?” “Where’ve you been, Mickey Leahy?” Came their mothers’ chorus Late on each Saturday. “Where’ve we been?” came the answers “A lie we cannot tell, We’ve been down to see Frank and Tommy At the Sugarloaf Creek Hotel” The transport boys from “Pucka”, When the war was raging wide Would happen at the crossing, “Taking this heap for a drive” They drove down past “Wattle Park” And splashed across the ford, Struggled up Bidstrup’s cutting With the accelerator floored. Being hot and dry and thirsty, They would stretch their legs nearby, And wander to the veranda To taste the wares inside. It’s strange how things happen, For, to “Pucka” I was sent. We marched along the dusty road; My pack, my back, it bent. But I was home again Among the tall gum trees; We camped just where I used to sit In wait for the southern breeze. Down below there was the creek, And the road I knew so well; The one that went by the school To the Sugarloaf Creek Hotel. But Tommy and Frank were gone then, To strangers, it had been sold: But on the veranda, no doubt Still many a tale was told. The old place has gone now, But fond memories linger still, Of the times I spent with Martin, And dear old Uncle Will.