This is a personal factual detailed account of the experiences of junior recruit over a six month period, after having been accepted by the rigorous Australian Army (officer) Selection Board into its elite Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon in Canberra.  He was just of one of 128 recruits of that particular intake out of a pool of more than 3000 applicants from around Australia and beyond.

This recruit being Australian-born, aged 18, gained his HSC, served in the school cadets to Corporal rank, two years in the Reserves gaining infantry skills, met all RMC’s Selection Board criteria for Army officer potential – had graduated well, having high IQ, displayed maturity, a balanced psychological profile and self-confidence, with a generous nature and classic Aussie Army larrikinism, military aptitude, ambition and a high level of fitness.

So he got in!

[Kokoda Company at Duntroon [RMC-D] is the most sadistic of bastardisation.

Questionable ‘borderline recruits’ from the Army Selection Board get invariably relegated to Kokoda Company upon acceptance and arrival into RMC Duntroon.  Perhaps the RMC commandants when younger were persuaded by Hollywood films ‘The Dirty Dozen ‘(1967) and ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ (1970) starring individualist Telly Savalas in both, such to assign RMC’s ongoing ‘borderline recruits’ to this ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ RMC Kokoda Company, as if for potential misfits?  But then so many ordinary Aussies who had in prior times had keenly and voluntarily enlisted into the military who endured the Boer War (Breaker Morrant), Gallipoli, Desert Rats, Kokoda Track, etc, etc, etc, etc – taking hardship on the chin and always standing by their mates in the face of adversity.

Kokoda barracks (ANZAC Block) lies out of sight from RMC Duntroon’s central parade ground, yet not out of mind of the RMC Commandant and his delegated senior cadet lynch mobs, dispatched daily to junior recruit sadistic rituals by ‘Lord of the Flies’ conditioning out of sight in-barracks to ‘weed out’ any unbecoming junior recruit.

Kokoda Company barracks is convenient adjacent to the Duntroon training assault course – handy for dispatching midnight extra-curricular junior cadet conditioning.  Such a slippery slope kicked in then by tried and tested bastardisation techniques duly applied since the notorious days of ‘old’ RMC Duntroon’s inception back in 1911.

Then RMC Commandant in 1987, Ret. Maj Gen Murray Blake has never wrote about RMC culture, but we’re enamoured to write about him and his oversight and condoning of RMC bastardisation that he dismissed as “hardening of recruits”.]

TRANSCRIPT (AFFIDAVIT) ACCOUNT (by a junior staff cadet) at RMC DUNTROON:

…”I had wanted to enlist in the Army for as long as I can remember.  From around the age of 12 my ambition was to emulate my father and become an officer in the Australian Army. During my school years my goal was to attend the Officer Cadet School (OCS) at Portsea (near the tip of the coastal Mornington Peninsula in Victoria).

As a precursor to military service I was a Boy Scout in the 1st Point Cook Scout Troop at RAAF Point Cook during 1976-1979 (during the ages 8-11). I rose to be a “Sixer” in the Cubs and a “Pack Leader” in the Scouts. In my last year as a Cub, I was awarded the prize for the most badge work completed but I was also demoted from “Sixer” to “Seconder” after pushing over another Cub.

During my entire childhood and adolescence, I inundated myself with all things military, books, movies, etc. I particularly liked the novels of Sven HASSEL, which were fictionalized accounts of his service in a German army punishment battalion during the Second World War.

My High School Cadet Service:

During 1982-84  (ages 14-16), I served as a cadet in the Norwood High School Cadet Unit (NHSCU), although I was a student at Fitzroy High School during this time (* The NHSCU was one of only two Army Cadets units in Victoria to accept cadets from outside their school).

Whilst a cadet in the NHSCU, I attended two annual camps and two training weekends. I also completed junior NCO and senior NCO courses in 1983, and I rose to the rank of corporal.

I also obtained the prestigious Adventure Training Award (ATA) in 1983. The Cadet Under Officer (CUO) of the NHSCU Senior Platoon in 1983 was CUO Jason THOMAS (CSC No 4758), who attended RMC/ ADFA during 1984-86 and who was a 2nd Class cadet at Duntroon in January 1987.

In 1984, I was on track to become one of the two CUOs at the NHSCU (The CUO course was the only cadet course I had not attended).  In March 1984, I transferred from Fitzroy High School to Melbourne High School, and I transferred from the NHSCU to the Melbourne High School Cadet Unit (MHSCU).

During 1984-85 (ages 16-17), I served as a cadet in the MHSCU. When I transferred to the MHSCU I kept the rank of corporal.

In mid-1984, however, I was discharged from the MHSCU after failing to attend a training weekend (I simply failed to turn up).  I was later allowed to re-join the MHSCU but I was forced to forego my rank.  I served as a cadet for the remainder of my time with the MHSCU.  I served in the unit’s 5 Platoon, the “adventure training” platoon (and also the platoon for demoted cadets or those cadets expelled from other platoons).  The platoon leader and platoon sergeant of 5 Platoon in 1985 were CUO Dechlan ELLIS (CSC No 5693) and Sergeant Patrick “Pat” BELL (CSC No 5678), both of whom (along with three other Melbourne High School cadets) attended the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1986 (* ELLIS would be awarded both the Sword of Honour and the Queen’s Medal when he graduated in December 1989).

Rather than strive to regain my previous rank I adopted an attitude that I coined “Digger’s Initiative” (Melbourne High School cadets will recall this phrase), and made insubordination, cheekiness, malingering and theft an art form. Instead of finishing my Army Cadets service with the highest rank (CUO), I finished it with the lowest rank (Cadet). The Melbourne High School yearbook for 1985, Unicorn 85, refers to me as the “Cadet Unit looney”.

Whilst a cadet in the MHSCU,  I attended  two annual camps and two training weekends, and three training weekends with the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment (an Army Reserve armoured reconnaissance unit).

During my service as a cadet, I marched as a guidon bearer in the ANZAC Day parades in Melbourne in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

On 28 July 1985 (at age 17), I applied for entry into the January 1986 intake of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

At the examination day on 13 August 1985, I was deemed to be not academically strong enough for ADFA, and I was told to re-apply for entry into the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC Duntroon), as soon as I was old enough (* Duntroon candidates had to be at least 18 ^1/2 years old upon entry to the college).  The final recommendation  f the army psychologist, Captain J.R. WARN, was recorded as being that I needed ‘more development. e.g. work for a year after HSC, ARES, and he could be a good prospect for RMC.  Too weak academically for D.A.’ [Defence Academy]

In November 1985, I completed my Higher School Certificate (HSC) at Melbourne High School. I knew that I only needed my HSC to gain entry into RMC Duntroon so I did not apply myself, I only aimed to pass. I was subsequently awarded my HSC in January 1986, with C-grade passes in five subjects (English, Australian History, 18th Century History, Geography, and Politics) and with an Anderson Score of 271/410 [66%, being ‘Credit’ level].

My Army Reserve Service:

On 1 October 1985 (age 17), I applied for enlistment into the Australian Army Active Reserve whilst still at school.  I was subsequently enlisted as a private on 26 November 1985.

From 4 December 1985 to 12 January 1987, I served as a Trooper in the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment (4th/19th PWLH).

In February 1986, I worked briefly as a door-to-door promoter.  During March-May 1986, I attended La Trobe University in Melbourne as an undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Arts degree course.

I withdrew from the course to devote my time to Army Reserve service.  For the remainder of 1986 I was unemployed and devoted most of my time to Army Reserve service and service at Puckapunyal’s Armoured  Centre. During 1986, I served over the maximum 100 training days allocated to Reservists.  I attended my 16-day Army Reserve Recruit Course in February 1986 (at age 17), an Assault Troopers Course in April 1986 (at age 18), an A Vehicle (M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier) Drivers Course during April-May 1986, and a Radio Operators Course in October 1986.

I obtained above average marks in all categories of assessment in my Recruit and Assault Troopers courses.  I initially did well on my A Vehicle Drivers Course, being chosen as one of two students to give a driving demonstration to a local TV news crew, but I developed a personality clash with my ARA instructor and I was later ejected from and subsequently failed the course. On my next course, my Radio Operators Course, I was the course’s Student of Merit.

During 1-15 February 1986, I attended my Recruit Course at the Army Reserve’s 3 Training Group at Puckapunyal.  I passed all the tests and examinations, and I was the top recruit in my platoon with ratings of ( 1′ in all the assessment categories (‘1’ being the highest grade on a scale of 4. – ‘4’ Unsatisfactory, ‘3’ Below Average, ‘2’ Average, and ‘1’ Above Average).

I attained all ratings when assessed at both the end of week one and at the conclusion of the course, with the assessment categories being the following: acceptance of discipline, self­ discipline, teamwork, determination, navigation, dress and bearing, personal organization, drill at halt, drill on march, weapons, field training, and physical assessment.

I passed my Physical Training Test [PTT] (* which had to be completed by all Army personnel on an annual basis and which required the completion of: 60 sit-ups in 2 minutes, 7 complete chin-ups to a high bar and a 5 km run in under 25 minutes) with a high B grade, and I ran the 5 km run portion of the PTT in 19:45 minutes.

My platoon commander, 2nd Lieutenant Max DE WAN, made the following Course Final Assessment:

“REC KNIGHT achieved good results throughout the course.  He worked hard to assimilate the training. REC KNIGHT invariably participated in platoon activities with enthusiasm. His dress and bearing was adequate but there was room for improvement in this area. REC KNIGHT displayed a good acceptance of  self  and military discipline. His physical fitness and co-ordination was good.”

During 4-20 April 1986, I attended my Assault Troopers (Tpr) Course at Site 6, Puckapunyal. My section corporal, Corporal John RAIKE, told me mid-way through the course that I was the best student on the course.  I slackened off towards the end of the-course for no real reason and another student became the course’s Student of Merit.  The course’s Senior Instructor, Captain G.L. SMITH, made the following comments in my Course Report:

‘Tpr Knight was adequately prepared for the course.  He participated in all course activities.  He readily assimilated most instruction with ease and rarely required additional assistance.  His dress and bearing was adequate.’

During 26 April-11 May 1986, I attended my A Vehicle (M113 APC) Drivers Course at 4th/19th PWLH’s A Squadron depot in Sale and at the Dutson bombing range.

I grasped the driving aspects of the course quite quickly, but I developed a personality clash with my ARA instructor, Sergeant Gary WYND.   On 6 May 1986, I failed the verbal test on Instant Panel Reactions.  On 7 May 1986, the twelfth day of the 16-day course, I failed the re-test Failing this re-test effectively meant that I had failed the entire course.

That afternoon a regional TV station sent a reporter and a camera crew to the Dutson range to file a story on the A Vehicle Drivers Course.  The training was suspended while two APCs were used to provide a demonstration of the recovery of an APC from a bog, and a display of cross-country driving. Two trainees were required to drive the two APCs used throughout the demonstration and the driving display. The two trainees chosen by the course’s Senior Instructor, Lieutenant O’DOWD, were Lance-Corporal BROWN (who was subsequently the course’s Student of Merit) and me. The TV crew filmed the recovery demonstration and the display of cross­ country driving. During the cross-country driving demonstration, the TV crew filmed me driving my APC from the back of Lance-Corporal BROWN’ s APC.  The story was broadcast that night during the TV station’s evening news broadcast.

The following morning, I was seen by the driving course’s ARA Trade Testing Officer (TTO), Warrant Officer Class 2 (W02) Kevin HUNTER, in one of the offices at the Sale barracks. W02 HUNTER informed me that I was being thrown off the drivers course because I had failed my Instant Panel Reactions re-test.

Sergeant WYND made the following comments in my Course Report:

‘Tpr Knight approached the course with an immature attitude. During the course he did not apply himself and required constant supervision. He lacks mechanical aptitude and will find this aspect difficult to improve unless he is prepared to get himself dirty rather than watch others work. Although he grasped the techniques of driving early in the course, he developed a brash and overconfident manner which at times placed both vehicle and crew in jeopardy.’

 

When I returned to B Squadron I sought a ‘Redress of Wrongs’ over being ejected from the driver’s course.  I was persuaded not to pursue this avenue after being told that I would not be prevented from attending a future course.  Despite not gaining my A Vehicle driver’s licence, I was permitted to drive APCs on a number of occasions after I failed my A Vehicle Drivers Course.  The two other trainee drivers in my crew both obtained their licences (one of whom caused an accident the first time he drove an armoured vehicle after the course).

During 3-19 October 1986, I attended my Radio Operators Course at Sale (eastern Victoria).  I was the course’s Student of Merit on the basis of my ‘hard work, determination and responsibility.’ The course’s Senior Instructor, Lieutenant CHAMBERS, made the following comments in my Course Report:

“Tpr KNIGHT was adequately prepared for the course.  He worked well throughout to achieve good results.  He is determined, aggressive in his studies and seeks responsibility.  Tpr KNIGHT has a good knowledge of all subjects.  To attend the next available A VEH [Vehicle] D & S [Driving and Servicing] Course.”

During the course I passed my PTT with a high: ‘A’ grade.

During my service with the 4th/19th PWLH Regiment I attended weekly training nights and various training weekends, and a number of Freedom of Entry and other ceremonial parades (i.e. Beersheba Day at the Shrine of Remembrance).  I also volunteered for camp advance parties, dining-in nights and general full-time service both with 4th/19th PWLH  and at Armoured  Centre, Puckapunyal.

In November 1986, I attended the 4th/19th PWLH Regimental Annual Range Shoot weekend at Puckapunyal, and attained the highest score in the Regiment with the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), at the time the Army’s standard issue weapon.

In November 1986, I also represented the 4th/19th PWLH Regiment in the annual 3rd Military District Army Reserve Inter-Unit Military Skills Competition at Fort Gellibrand, Williamstown.

My Application for RMC Duntroon:

In January 1986, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) opened in Canberra as a tri-service [Army/Navy/Air Force] officer training establishment as a campus under the auspices of the University of New South Wales (Sydney).   It replaced the Australia Defence Forces academic campuses respectively at the Army’s RMC Duntroon (adjacent) , the RAN’s Jervis Bay and the RAAF’s Point Cook officer training establishments.

The “old” RMC Duntroon, which had operated from 1911-1985 as a 4-year combined militarty and tertiary academic training college, was transformed into a “new” (much reduced and fast tracked) 18-month military-only officer training establishment.   It also replaced the long established and much renowned 12-month course at OCS Portsea [1952-1985].

Although I had dreamed of attending OCS Portsea, by the time I was old enough to enlist as an officer cadet it had been replaced by the “new” Duntroon.

On 4 March 1986, I turned 18-years-old.

On 30 July 1986, I applied for entry into the January 1987 intake of RMC Duntroon.  I do not know how many applicants there were for the January 1987 intake, but I believe it was in excess of 3,000.

On 1st September 1986, I attended the examination day for entry to RMC at the Defence Force Recruiting Centre in Melbourne.  I passed this stage of the selection process and proceeded on to the Officer Selection Board.

In the Commanding Officer’s Report to the Selection Board my Squadron Commander at 4th/19th PWLH, Major Peter ALKEMEDE, made the following final assessment of me:

“Tpr Knight has only served in B Sqn for a short time but since joining has impressed his NCOs with his enthusiasm and willingness to undertake additional duties. I consider that Tpr Knight is suitable for consideration by the Selection Board for Officer Selection.”

On 2 October 1986, I attended the Selection Board for RMC at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia. The Board consisted of four middle ranking serving officers (Lieutenant-Colonel P.E. BUNYAN (RMC Class of 1967, CSC No 2257), Lieutenant-Colonel J. ROBERTSON, Major STRACHAN and Major P.J. NEUHAUS (RMC Class of 1975, CSC No 3065)).

I later learnt that the Board believed that I had been “fully briefed” by my father before attending the Board.  This was not the case.  My (Army Training Captain) father was living in Townsville at this time.  I do not know how much this mistaken belief affected the Board’s assessment of me.

All of the Selection Board members rated me as borderline or satisfactory in nearly all of the assessment areas. They were unanimous in grading me as weak in Intellectual Potential and Academic Potential.

My Peer Group Assessment in both Friendship and Leadership were rated as good, the highest category.  The other members in my group, three serving soldiers and three civilian applicants, rated me as 1 in both categories, which was the highest mark of a scale of ‘1’ down to ‘6’.

The Selection Board members were also fairly consistent in their final evaluation of me as a potential ARA officer. In the ‘Comments’ section of their Profile Reports, three members of the Board expressed their opinion that I might not be able to cope with the academic work at RMC.

The President of the Board, Lieutenant-Colonel BUNYAN, noted that I ‘was able to contribute to most of the exercises and the rest were prepared to follow. He is well motivated to the Army and is keen to learn… He has more than he is showing although he may find the academic work at RMC difficult.’

The Board Psychologist, Lieutenant-Colonel ROBERTSON, wrote that I was a ‘strong performer’ who was ‘effective and supportive of others.’  He also noted that during the practical exercises in the gymnasium I ‘showed strong verbal skills and virtually ran the group.’  He also noted my ‘Strong motivation for the military.’

The Academic Member, Major STRACHAN, commented that I ‘presented strongly, he was confident and forthright in his manner.  He participated in and directed group activities. However considered ‘he may be overconfident and his ability may not match his belief in himself ‘.

The Military Member, Major NEUHAUS, noted that I was; ‘Generally a reasonable candidate’, although ‘his performance today was made to appear better because of a very weak group.’

Each member of the Selection Board was required to give an overall grade on a scale of:

1. Not Suitable
2. Not Yet
3. Marginal
4. Adequate
5. Satisfactory, or
6. Good.

Although I was graded as Adequate by the psychologist, I was graded as ‘Marginal‘ by the President, Military Member and Academic Member.

My Final Board Grading was Marginal, the lowest grade for acceptance to RMC.  This grade was defined as:

‘Has definite limitations which make him . .. a marginal selection.  Could develop into an adequate junior officer.’

As a result of my final grading, I was placed on the short list for the January 1987 intake at RMC.  One other member of my Selection Board group, Glynn LOVEGROVE (CSC No 5275), was also placed on the short list for the January 1987 intake.

[NOTE: It needs to be noted that LOVEGROVE was also accepted into the 1987 class, was in my section during initial training, and he graduated along with the rest of our class in June 1988.  LOVEGROVE was a civilian entrant with no prior military service.  If I was placed first in this group and LOVEGROVE was second or, at best, on par, the fact that he graduated would support a contention that I was also more than capable of graduating] .

On 16 October 1986, whilst undertaking the Army’s Radio Operators Course at Sale (Eastern Victoria) with my Army Reserve regiment, I was informed that I had been placed on the list of candidates for the January 1987 intake at RMC.

My Acceptance into RMC Duntroon:

Two months later, on 18th December 1986, I was informed by Army of my acceptance into the January 1987 intake at RMC Duntroon in Canberra.

[A overwhelming elation of official acceptance and recognition of one’s Army officer training suitability and of career opportunity prospects thereafter]

[A short pause]

ARMY PROCESSING:  On 12 January 1987 (at age 18), at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia (situated in north-eastern Melbourne), I enlisted in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) [from the Australian Army Reserves] as an officer staff cadet, bound for RMC Duntroon in the nation’s capital, Canberra.

[At Watsonia, it was a small and simple formal military ceremony, swearing allegiance to Australia and to Australia’s Head of State, being The Queen.  There was another Army form (or three) to sign.  There were a number of us enlisting from Melbourne, almost a bus load.  Each of us were dressed in casual civvies with one bag of personal effects (as was specified) – just a bunch of young blokes who had never met, no women in our case.

And then that was it.  I’d signed up and enlisted in The Army, so committed now….Next! ]

 

 

The following day travelled by Army bus along with the rest of the civilian entrants from Victoria a distance of over 650 km to the Australian Royal Military College at Duntroon situated in a semi-rural suburb of Canberra.

I was one of 128 recruit junior ‘3rd Class’ Staff Cadets in Duntroon’s January 1987 intake, all of whom were aged between 18 1/2 to 25 years.  We were out of a pool of about 3000 applicants for that particular intake – being the top 4% accepted.  It felt pretty good and positive.

At the time I entered RMC Duntroon there were already around 300 senior cadets (1st Class and 2nd Class respectively) there, so we were the junior ‘freshmen’ intake.

(* The 18-month course at Duntroon was divided into three 6-month “classes” as opposed to the two 6-month “classes” of the 12-month course at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, that it replaced).  [Note:  Cynically, RMC Duntroon required the additional six month to allow for distractions in bogging and bastardisation practices, which OCS Portsea couldn’t be bothered with].

I once asked a 1st Class (senior) cadet in Kokoda Company, Corporal Gavan CARTER (CSC No 4939) – who happened to have been one of last officer cadets from OCS to graduate in 1985 – “Was Portsea anything like this [Duntroon]?”

He instantly, and almost contemptuously, replied:

“Portsea was nothing like this!”

I must add that I found Corporal CARTER to be the most approachable of all the senior cadets I encountered at Duntroon.

As an aside, it is worth noting that OCS Portsea was never the subject of any “bastardization” scandals during its 33-year history).  [Note: Whereas OCS Portsea termed each student with the title ‘Officer Cadet’, RMC Duntroon termed each student with the title ‘Staff Cadet’ abbreviated in writing to ‘SCDT’.

The then Commandant of RMC was Major-General Murray BLAKE, AM, MC (* Commandant 1987-90). The Director of Military Art (OMA) was Colonel Rodney EARLE (* DMA 1985-87), the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Corps of Staff Cadets (CSC) was Lieutenant-Colonel David KIBBEY (* CO CSC 1986-87), and the Chief Instructor (CI) of the Military Training Wing (MTW) was Lieutenant-Colonel Simon WILLIS.  The  RMC Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) was WOl J.W. BURNS, OAM.

BLAKE (RMC Class of 1960, CSC No 1755), EARLE (RMC Class of 1964, CSC No 2025), and WILLIS (RMC Class of 1970, CSC No 2565) were RMC graduates. EARLE would retire from the Army as a Brigadier. WILLIS would go on to serve as Commandant of RMC during 1993-95 as a Brigadier, and would retire as a Major-General, AM, CSC, in 2004.

KIBBEY was a graduate of OCS Portsea (OCS Class of 1967) . He died in December 2021.

In January 1987, there were approximately 430 staff cadets at RMC Duntroon, divided into five companies (Alamein, Kapyong, Long Tan, Gallipoli and Kokoda) .

I was given the Corps of Staff Cadets (CSC) number 5266 and I was assigned to 45 Section, 15 Platoon, Kokoda Company.  Kokoda Company at that time was housed in ANZAC Block in the northeast corner of the college grounds.  Kokoda Company consisted of 78 staff cadets (of which 27 were 3rd Class “junior” staff cadets) divided into three platoons (13, 14 & 15 Platoons). The majority of senior staff cadets were ADFA graduates who had started their officer training at the “old” Duntroon.

There were two other 3rd Class cadets in my section, Staff Cadet Steven RIDD (CSC No 5303), who was 22-years-old, and Staff Cadet Christopher WHITTING (CSC No 5336), who was 23-years-old and married with two young children.

The Officer Commanding (OC) of Kokoda Company was Major Todd VERCOE (RMC Class of 1977, CSC No 3312).  The ARA Kokoda Company Drill Sergeant was Sergeant Craig A. JORGENSON.

My first week at RMC was spent at the college being issued uniforms, equipment and textbooks, receiving inoculations and being medically assessed, and undergoing other induction procedures . The next four weeks (17 January-9 February 1987) were spent undergoing Initial Corps Training (ICT) at the nearby Majura Field Firing Range, a 3,035 hectare site situated adjacent to the Canberra airport about 10 km from the college.

Initial Corps Training:

By the third week at Majura, I had become somewhat estranged from the eleven other 3rd Class staff cadets in my section.  The initial cause of the estrangement was my own immature larrikinism (tolerable in a trooper but not acceptable in an officer).

[NOTE:  It should be noted that the image of the larrikin World War I ANZAC digger with his hands in his pockets, his slouch hat perched on the back of his head with the chin strap under his bottom lip, and a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, is not one that is acceptable in the modern Australian Army.  If an Australian soldier behaved now like they did then, they would be in constant trouble or would most likely be discharged].

I displayed my immaturity by asking facetious questions and making “smart-arse” remarks in attempts to be funny.

For instance, I responded to a number of tactical  battlefield  problems by suggesting  the use of a (Chinese) “human wave  attack”.   The final occasion I made this remark, after a section-level attack across open ground into a tree line, the rest of the section broke into suppressed laughter.  Our section instructor, Sergeant Kim HOGAN angrily responded by snapping, “Shut your fuckin’ mouth, Knight!”

These type of comments drew the approbation of some of the instructors but particularly Sergeant HOGAN, who appeared to take an instant dislike to  me due to my Army Reserve background (I never mentioned my previous Army Reserve service, but it was immediately apparent from my seven-digit regimental number – Regular Army enlistees had six digit regimental numbers . He asked me about my Army Reserve service and I told him I had spent a year in an armoured reconnaissance unit as a trooper).

His dislike was apparent in his repeated unprovoked disparaging remarks in front of the other staff cadets regarding my Army Reserve background (e.g. “This idiot spent a year jumping out of the back of trucks”).  In a hierarchical, competitive environment like RMC, such comments tended to be instinctively adopted by your peers, much like children in a playground (Lego Land).

This occurred less in your presence, than behind your back.  When such comments and put-downs become universally accepted the result was that your reputation overshadowed your actual performance .  On one occasion I volunteered to lead the section during a contact drill because I wanted to show enthusiasm.  I did not do well in giving orders and at the end of the drill Sergeant HOGAN, in front of the section, snapped, “You’ve never done this!” (led a section attack).

I never said I had.  I did not respond to his comment and I did not volunteer again.

Sergeant HOGAN also seemed to take an intense dislike to Staff Cadet RIDD.  On two occasions I witnessed Sergeant HOGAN manhandle Staff Cadet RIDD; once when he found him reclining during a morning “stand-to”, and again when RIDD failed to stop when told to during a contact drill (RIDD did not hear the command due to the noise).  On the first occasion I stood up and slowly approached Sergeant HOGAN because I feared he was going to assault Staff Cadet RIDD.  Staff Cadet Lynda SHRIMPTON (CSC No 5311) witnessed this as we were both situated in the centre of the section position. (See Attachment 35) (* Staff Cadet SHRIMPTON was an ex-RAEME lance-corporal.  She ended up resigning from RMC in early in 2nd Class and subsequently left the Army).

The most disheartening comment concerning myself occurred around the third week at Majura.  I was told in confidence by one member of my section (who I have chosen not to name here) that another member of the section – Staff Cadet WHITTING – had said to the section when I was absent, that I was “trouble” and was “bringing the section down.”

I recall that after I was told this I sat on my stretcher and looked out over the Majura Range.  I remember that it was the loneliest I have ever felt in my life.  My isolation from my section was apparent by the end of the ICT during the end of course concert.  My section put on a skit without me – I wasn’t even told they had been rehearsing one.  Staff Cadet WHITTING never made any comment to me about my behaviour.  Unfortunately for me, he was also a member of my section at RMC.

Sergeant Kim HOGAN‘s first Field Report on me noted that I “constantly asked immature questions” and that I “tried to present an image of toughness.”

He later stated to Victoria Police that:

“Staff Cadet Knight performed adequately with all weapon training, his expertise was probably above average of his peer group. .. . In actual training in the field in the rifle group .. . for example he was actually leading and he performed well.  But in the camp environment and group discussions he had a problem of peer group acceptance because he was constantly making statements about whether the Australian Army minded if officers went over to the trouble spots of the world.  I picked this up fairly early with Knight and whereas sometimes this may be a settling problem I could see with Knight that this was going to be an ongoing problem.  I spoke to Knight and counselled him about his attitude and interests as he expressed them.  My assessment of him was recorded officially and passed on through chain of command . I particularly remember with Knight that I assessed him as being an immature person, despite his relative good performance in training.”

I consider this to be a fair assessment of me during the ICT at Majura Range.

During the ICT, I failed the Duntroon Physical Fitness Standard (PFS) test (* The minimum standard for male staff cadets was ‘C’ grade, which required the completion of:

1. A 3.2 km run in under 13:45 minutes
2. 7 complete chin-ups to a high bar
3. 60 sit-ups within 2 minutes
4. 25 complete push-ups with the requirement that the chest touch the floor between each push-up and the feet raised onto a 6-inch high bench
5. 40 dorsal raises

I passed my Physical Training Test (PTT) but only with a ‘C’ grade, an indication of my lack of effort and motivation.   I had I passed my previous PTT only three months previously with a high A grade, and even with a B grade when I underwent Army Reserve recruit training a year previously – see above.  After a month of full-time training I should have at least maintained an A grade standard.

After a 3-day field exercise (FEX) in the Mogo State Forest, near Bateman’s Bay in southeast NSW – FEX “First Run” – we completed our ICT.  Sergeant HOGAN’s final Field Report on me noted that I had improved.  He rated my performance as ‘satisfactory’, noted that I displayed ‘good aggression’, and rated me as ‘2’ in relation to Group Influence.

We returned to the college on 11 February 1987.

 

Lanyard Parade  (official training):

On Saturday 14 February 1987, the entire 3rd Class participated in the so-called Lanyard Parade, which formally recognized our acceptance into the Royal Military College.

The Military Ethic:

The Royal Military College Handbook (The Rushkin Press, Melbourne. RMC Publication No 30c, M87/ 24699 CAT NO 87 3288 7) issued to me and other staff cadets at Duntroon around April 1987 stated (at page iv) in relation to ‘The Military Ethic’ that:

“Graduation from the Royal Military College (RMC) means graduation into the Profession of Arms.  This profession, like others, adopts an ethical standard which guides the professional conduct of its members. As the Profession of Arms exists solely to serve and defend the nation, this profession cannot conduct its affairs honourably without the strongest moral and ethical base. It follows that the standard of conduct and behaviour in the Army, as part of this profession, must be in accord with the highest principles, and must exemplify the ideals and values of the nation.

Cadets, both in their time at the College, and after graduation as officers, must strive to live by the military ethic, which can be illustrated by three words: loyalty, responsibility, commitment.

There are two more words which serve as a guide to the actions of officers, and therefore should guide equally the actions of officer cadets. These words are duty and  honour. Questions of ethical standards should never  arise  if  officers strive to do their duty in an honourable way. The meanings of these two concepts are simple. Duty is what ought to be done, bearing in mind the demands of loyalty, responsibility and commitment. Honourable action is that which is morally right when judged by the highest standards of moral behaviour.”

Message from the Commandant:

The Handbook also contained (at page iii) a ‘Message from the Commandant’.

It read, in part’;

“The underlying spirit of the College and the standards expected of its Cadets are embodied in the military ethic.  This governs all aspects of Cadet behaviour and performance and requires a deep commitment from those aspiring to be professional Army Officers.

The military ethic stresses loyalty, responsibility, duty  and honour.  The reputation of our graduates has been built on these characteristics both in peace and at war.  In a modern society where these values are questioned and sometimes ignored I believe it is essential to preserve a code of conduct which emphasises self-discipline, trustworthiness, and the dignity of the individual.”

 

Major-General BLAKE later told the ABC for its “Hoddle Street” documentary that:

“I’d certainly make the point very clearly and firmly and empathetically that there’s no way I’d tolerate bastardization in the college. I’ve issued very implicit instructions to that effect and I go to great lengths to make sure that my instructions are carried out.”

[famous last words…]

Official Training Daily Routine:

The daily routine at Duntroon was/is the following:

• 0615  Reveille (bottom bed sheet to slung over their right shoulder at doorway of room)
• 0625-0655 1st Defaulters Parade (punishment)
• 0645-0730  Breakfast
• 0715  Sick Parade (at 5 Camp Hospital)
• 0730  Form-up for CSC Administrative Parade CSC Administrative Parade
• 0750-0810  Lectures/ Training Morning tea
• 0820-1040   (schedule varied)
• 1040-1100    (schedule varied)
• 1100-1230    (schedule varied)
• 1230-1310     (schedule varied)
• 1310-1320     CSC Mess Parade (10 minute lunch)
• 1330-1640    Lectures/ Training

• 1700-1800   Retreat (retire to barracks)
• 1710-1740    2nd Defaulters Parade (punishment)
• 1800-1845   Dinner
• 1850              3rd Defaulters Check Parade (punishment)
• 1930-2130    Evening lectures (most fell asleep)
• 2140              4th Defaulters Check Parade (punishment)
• 2200             Tattoo (retire to quarters)
• 2230              Lights out
• 2231-0614    [informal Fourthie bastardisation free-for-all by senior cadets!]

This is where Duntroon official training parts from unofficial ‘Duntroon Bastardisation’

DUNTROON BASTARDISATION

So the daily routine began (begins) in-barracks with Reveille at 0615 hrs.   At Reveille the 3rd Class cadets in 15 Platoon were initially required to stand in their doorways at attention with the bottom sheet of their bed slung over their right shoulder.  They were then required to yell in unison “Reveille! Reveille! Reveille!”

This requirement was dispensed with after a few days.  Junior cadets then mostly arose between 0530-0600 hrs in order to get a head start with their duties and uniform preparation.  After a few weeks, however, the senior cadets in 15 Platoon concocted an order that no 3rd Class cadet was permitted to leave his or her room before 0615 hrs, otherwise they would be charged with “disobeying a lawful order” [a similarly concocted charge].   The stated justification for this new order was that junior cadets moving around the barracks were apparently disturbing the ‘beauty sleep’ of the senior cadets.

Following Lanyard Parade, the universal ‘bastardization’ of 3rd Class cadets (by senior cadets) generally tapered off.

(However) by the end of the month only certain selected junior cadets were still being “bastardised” on a regular basis.  I was one of those (targeted) junior  cadets.

The reason for being targeted was unknown, especially given the fact that the worst offenders often had no experience of the junior cadet they targeted (i.e. they were in different platoons or even different companies).   One explanation is that one senior cadet took a dislike to a particular junior cadet – for whatever reason – then ‘spread the word’ to other senior cadets.

My main tormentors in Kokoda Company were 1st Class Cadets who were not even in my platoon; they were at Company HQ else in 13 Platoon or 14 Platoon, all respectively located in the other half of ANZAC Block.  I have attached photocopies of  the Kokoda Company group photographs  that appeared  in the June 1987 edition of the “Journal of the Royal Military College Duntroon”, at pages 31-32.

For the next three days (11-13 February 1987), we underwent further ‘assimilation’  (indoctrination).

While we were in the barracks we were under the total, unsupervised control of the senior staff cadets, which involved constant and universal ‘bastardization’ by the senior cadets in our companies.

Throughout the evenings the senior cadets would inspect the uniforms and equipment of the 3rd Class cadets in their section by using constant ‘Show Parades‘.   Show Parades in the barracks were compulsory parades where a junior cadet was required to be at a specific location at a specific time, specified by the senior cadet ordering the Show Parade, to present a uniform and/ or article of equipment for individual inspection.  An example of a Show Parade order would be the following: “Staff Cadet Knight, Show Parade your parade belt, your parade boots, your parade uniform and your rifle outside my room at 2130 hrs.”

These informal Show Parades could be given to junior staff cadets by senior staff cadets in addition to concocted formal ‘Extra Drills‘ (EDs) – which involved extra drill with a rifle on the main parade ground.  Worse, concocted ‘Defaulters Parades‘ involved being marched around the main parade ground with full pack, webbing and rifle at 0625 hrs and again at 1710 hrs.  ‘Check Parades‘ required a defaulter’s attendance to be checked at the RMC Battalion HQ.  Show Parades were a constant for all junior cadets during the evenings leading up to the official Lanyard Parade.

During this ‘assimilation’ phase, all junior cadets were required to observe a number of formalities.

Whenever a senior cadet entered a junior cadet’s room, the junior cadet was required to stand to attention.  Whenever a junior cadet passed a senior cadet in a hallway or on a footpath, the junior cadet was required to come to attention and say, “Excuse me, please” followed by the cadet’s rank.  The same requirement applied whenever a junior cadet wished to enter a senior cadet’s room or to talk to a senior cadet or was called over by a senior cadet.  A junior cadet was required to end all conversations with a senior cadet with the same “Excuse me, please” followed by the cadet’s rank, and then wait to be dismissed.

On Friday 13 February 1987, the eve of the junior 3rd Class Lanyard Parade, all the junior 3rd Class cadets were given a test on the history and organization of the college.  Those that passed the test, and only a very few did, were permitted to leave the college on local leave that night.  The remainder, of which I was one, were confined to barracks to prepare for the Lanyard Parade.  In Kokoda Company’s 15 Platoon, Show Parades to senior cadets commenced at around 1900 hrs and continued at regular intervals of 10-15 minutes until 2300 hrs.   At this point most of the 1st and 2nd Class cadets retired for the night and dispensed with ordering further Show Parades.

One 2nd Class Cadet in 15 Platoon, Staff Cadet Dale BURNSIDE (CSC No 4775 – a 21-year-old graduate of ADFA who had been at the “old” Duntroon), continued giving me Show Parades until 0200 hrs; the last one he conducted from his bed.

This was despite RMC (official) Standing Orders proclaiming that ‘all cadets are to be left in privacy between 2200 hrs and Reveille’ (CSC Standing Order 1304h).  Reveille was at 0615 hrs, although most junior cadets arose between 0530-0600 hrs in order to get a head start with their duties and uniform preparation.

It needs to be noted that BURNSIDE was also the subject of at least one other complaint to the DART [Defence Abuse Response Taskforce] .  I unsuccessfully tried to obtain a copy of this complaint through an FOI request.  My appeal against the decision to refuse access was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in 2021 (Case Ref: Knight v Commonwealth  Ombudsman  2017/ 5456; 2017/ 6279.  See Knight v Commonwealth Ombudsman (FOI) [2021] AATA 2504).  The AAT’s decision to dismiss my appeal is currently the subject of an appeal to the Federal Court of Australia (Case Ref: Knight v Commonwealth Ombudsman VID783 of 2022).

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   ‘Leaps & Jumps’

[NOTE:   RMC in-barracks discipline of junior cadets is delegated by RMC Army officers to senior cadets to do their dirty work – typically after hours and to avoid extra Army officers having to be on the payroll for night shift oversight of the bullying and sadism.  It’s been old Duntroon sick cultural tradition since the college’s inception way back in 1911] .

On one evening shortly after the Lanyard Parade the 3rd Class cadets in Kokoda Company were ordered to report to the hall in the middle of the second storey of barracks.  When they arrived they found all the senior cadets assembled and dressed in various costumes and comical dress.

One 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Brett FITZPATRICK (CSC No 5170), was wearing shorts with a Luftwaffe jacket and peaked cap.  Another senior cadet was dressed in a complete Ninja outfit.  Major VERCOE and Sergeant JORGENSON were present as was Kokoda Company’s cadet CSM, Under Officer Philip “Mongo” REED (CSC No 4592) (a 21-year-old graduate of the “old” Duntroon and ADFA), who informed the junior cadets that they were going to play “Leaps and Jumps” and that it was all in fun.

“Leaps” referred/ (refers) to an exercise where those participating were required to change into a specific form of military dress and return to the assembly area within a specified time.  The person directing the exercise nominated the form of dress and the time required in which to change.  For example: “Go back to your room, change into Battledress and be back here in 2 minutes…Go!”

The Kokoda Company cadets performed the “Leaps” exercise for around 40 minutes.   While the 3rd Class cadets ran to and from their rooms the senior cadets delayed and obstructed them using such tactics as using water pistols, blocking the hallways or stopping cadets to ask them ridiculous questions.  Although the exercise was taken in fun by all involved there were a few senior cadets who used “Leaps” as an opportunity to “rough-up the Fourthies” (a term for junior cadets carried over from when Duntroon was a 4-year course – see Bruce MOORE at page 147).

Selected junior cadets were pushed into walls, tripped, and pushed or thrown heavily to the floor.  During  one “Leap” Corporal William YATES  (CSC No 5148), a tall 20-year-old 1st Class cadet, grabbed me as I ran past and punched me hard twice in the stomach. (I have boxed in prison and sparred with heavyweight boxers.  I know the difference between a playful  tap and a serious punch.  YATES’ punches were delivered with full force).

Major VERCOE and Sergeant JORGENSON remained in the hall during the  “Leaps”, so they were unable to observe or control these hallway incidents.

[Duntroon pathetic conditioning]

1st ‘Charge’ *

[NOTE:   A ‘charge’ at Duntroon is not akin to a criminal charge by police, but rather an internal Duntroon form of bullying involving an accusation by a senior staff cadets against mostly a junior staff cadet for typically a petty misdemeanour, else concocted.  The hearing is a senior cadet kangaroo court and the penalty dished out is usually extra menial work].

On Monday 23 February 1987, I was among seven cadets in Kokoda Company who were charged with Failure to Comply With a Lawful General Order in breach of s.29(1) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (Cth) (” DFDA”). The charge related to having an insecure bayonet.  As a Security Store, bayonets were required to be secured in the cadet’s room when not in use.

The Kokoda Company barracks had been inspected that morning by Sergeant J.J. SMITH, one of the drill instructors, who had discovered that I and six other cadets had insecure bayonets in our rooms.  This charge was heard at an OC’s hearing held on 5 March 1987.  It was my first charge and it disappointed me as I had hoped to maintain an unblemished record at the college.  I was also annoyed because, like most of the 3rd Class cadets in the barracks, I had no room key and no keys for my wardrobe locks (The senior cadets had reserved nearly all the lockable rooms for themselves). As a result, I had simply hidden my bayonet amongst clothing in a drawer.

The situation regarding the rooms in the Kokoda Company barracks had existed for some time.  Only about two thirds of the rooms had door keys and these rooms were occupied mostly by senior cadets.  The remaining third of the rooms in ANZAC Block – all occupied by junior cadets – were unable to be locked due to poor carpentry associated with the door frames.

A similar situation existed regarding keys for the wardrobe locks and small safes in each room.  It was around three months after my arrival at RMC that keys for the wardrobe locks and safes were finally issued.  In many cases the keys were useless because of faulty locks and poor workmanship which made the closure and locking of wardrobe doors impossible.  This condition caused widespread anger and frustration amongst 3rd Class cadets due to the large amount of clothing, books and equipment that was either stolen or “borrowed” by senior cadets from our rooms.

At the time I was discharged from RMC in early July 1987, this situation with locks and keys still existed.

Bastardization of Junior Cadets

The “bastardization” of selected junior cadets consisted  of various practices that were applied on a continual basis throughout each day.

Sadistic practices included:

RMC bastardisation informal standing orders ##: 

• Repeated ‘show parades’, where a cadet was required to repeatedly parade an article of clothing or an item of equipment at designated intervals before a senior cadet for his inspection, on occasion until the senior cadet went to bed: e.g. “Show parade your shirt to me in 10 minutes” repeated endlessly. The issuing of “show parades” could intentionally or otherwise clash with a cadet’s other commitments (i.e. meal times or a Defaulters Check Parade). The cadet then bore the punishment for whichever commitment he chose to miss. No record was kept of these informal “show parades”.
• Being shouted at or abused when travelling through the company barracks or around the college grounds, then being made to stop and stand to attention to receive a repeat of whatever was shouted after being abused for not initially stopping and standing to attention (* N B. Junior cadets were required to stop and stand to attention whenever a senior cadet spoke to them). The greater rush the junior cadet was obviously in, the greater risk he ran of being stopped and delayed for no reason other than to be abused.
• Being sent on errands at the behest of senior cadets, regardless of what the junior cadet was doing at the time (e.g. being sent to the local store to purchase cigarettes for a senior cadet).
• Being sent on errands for no purpose other than to occupy and vex the junior cadet. The most frustrating example of this practice was to be given a nonsensical message and told to deliver it to a non-existent cadet in a barracks on the other side of the college grounds. Af ter a fruitless search the junior cadet would return and report that he could not locate the (non-existent) cadet in question, only to be abused for being incompetent and then sent off to attempt again to locate the named cadet. This process would be repeated until the senior cadets no longer found it amusing or tired of it (see below).
• Senior cadets “borrowing” (and sometimes outright stealing) junior cadets’ clothing, equipment, personal items, or even money, without asking. On one  occasion  I  went without dinner for over a week because I could not find my cummerbund, which was required for the evening mess unif orm (and I had  to  borrow  the  cummerbunds  of fellow junior cadets to attend evening Defaulters Check Parades). I finally located it by chance: a 1st Class cadet in my section had “borrowed” it because he claimed his was dirty (see below). On another occasion, I was late to a theory class because a 2nd Class cadet in my platoon had “borrowed” my peaked cap – I had left it momentarily on my bed whilst I went to the toilet in-between classes – because he needed to go on an errand outside the company barracks  and  he  “couldn’t be bothered” retrieving  his from his room nearby (see below). It needs to be pointed out that the above  two examples (both described in detail below) are only select examples of what was  a constant occurrence.
• Be awarded every unpopular, time consuming or tedious duty, even when it had originally been given to a senior cadet (e.g. substituting a junior cadet’s name for their own name on a company duty roster – which occurred to me when I returned from FEX”Samichon” – see below).
• Having one’s washing removed from the company washing machines or dryers in mid-cycle and tossed aside, when you weren’t present, so that a senior cadet could do his own washing. This occurred on a regular basis. Having name tags universally attached to clothing made it easy to see whose washing was in the machine.
• Storming into a junior  cadet’s  room  without  warning  and  then  abusing  the  cadet  for not immediately standing to attention (* N B. Junior cadets were required to immediately stand to attention whenever a senior cadet entered his room).  On one occasion a 2nd Class Cadet, Lance-Corporal Gavan REYNOLDS (CSC 4746), kicked open my  door then abused me for not immediately standing to attention  (Lieutenant-General REYNOLDS is the only one of the 430 staff cadets who were at RMC Duntroon in the first half of 1987 that is still in the Army).
• Continually awarding ‘Defaulters Parades’ or ‘Extra Drills’ for minor or non-existent ‘offences’ (I was officially punished on 18 occasions with an award of extra training between 25 February 1987 and 20 May 1987, and I was awarded a total of 4 Check Parades, 9 Extra Drills and 10 Show Parades).

[Duntroon bastardisation persists]

It needs to be noted that many of the extra training that was awarded to me by ARA instructors resulted from earlier ‘bastardization’ by senior cadets.

For instance, I was punished on four occasions for being ‘Late for instruction’ and on three occasions for being ‘asleep in class.’  In every instance this resulted from earlier interference by senior cadets (e.g. being delayed between classes and being given informal Show Parades or sent on errands until the early hours of the morning).

It has needs to be noted that I was given various awards of extra training for items of clothing or footwear being ‘NUTS’ (Not Up To Standard). My dress and bearing was never my strong point (see comment of Ares Recruit  Course  platoon  commander above) and not all extra training was undeserved . My reputation  of  being  slovenly was, however, undeserved. An examination of the photograph taken of  me  in February 1987 (see Attachment 4) shows that my dress is indistinguishable from the dress of the other staff cadet in the photo.

Causing a junior cadet to be charged, or awarded other punishments, then absolving themselves of any responsibility  (e.g. sending a junior cadet on an errand knowing that the cadet is required somewhere else at that time, then when the junior cadet is subsequently charged with being “absent from duty” denying that he sent the cadet on the errand).

I was subjected to all of the above practices on a repeated and constant basis.

These practices were applied only to certain junior cadets, which resulted in them standing out from their classmates. Those junior cadets who hadn’t been targeted – the vast majority – were generally left alone by the senior cadets.  Rather than complain of the “bastardization” or individual instances that would explain the cadet’s dirty uniform, late arrival for class, etc., junior cadets that were targeted – myself included – chose to “tough it out” and answer every request for an explanation by instructing staff with the standard response of “No excuse, Sir”.

All of the junior cadets that I am aware of being subject to targeted “bastardization” eventually resigned from Duntroon.  These included staff cadets Steven RIDD (CSC No 5303) (see Attachment 35) and Kim EXAUDI-LARSEN (CSC No 5245) – both of whom were in Kokoda Company – B.J. HILL (CSC No 5259), and S.S. MOODY (CSC No 5286).

On Wednesday 4 March 1987, I turned 19-years-old.

 

On Thursday 5 March 1987, I went before Major VERCOE to have my insecure bayonet charge heard. Cadets were required to get a senior cadet from their company to act as Prosecutor and another senior cadet to act as Def ending Officer. Senior cadets were not averse to appearing as either counsel at charge hearings as it meant that they could be excused from other duties. I managed to obtain Staff Cadet Peter EDWARDS (CSC No 5045), a 22-year-old 1st Class cadet, as the Prosecutor and my section leader, Corporal Peter CRANE (CSC No 5037), as my Def ending Officer. I plead guilty to the one count of Failure to Comply With a Lawful General Order in breach of s.29(1) of the DFDA. Corporal CRANE made a plea of mitigation on my behalf that Major VERCOE took into consideration before punishing me with a reprimand .

On the evening of Friday 6 March 1987, I went shopping in Canberra’s Civic district with Staff Cadet EXAUDI-LARSEN. After we had been shopping, we decided to have a few quiet drinks at the nearby Ainslie Hotel before we returned to barracks.  Both of us were on local leave and were dressed in neat civilian attire.  When we arrived at the hotel Kim reserved a booth for us in the rear of the bistro section, while I went to the bar to buy drinks.

As I left the bar I was halted by Staff Cadet Ashley “Ace” COLMER (CSC No 4716), a 2nd Class cadet in my section, who was seated with his girlfriend and a few other 2nd Class cadets. All of them, like me and EXAUDI-LARSEN, were on local leave and in civilian attire.  COLMER stopped me and ordered me to take my woollen jumper  ff because, in COLMER’ s opinion, it “looked stupid.” I hesitated because I was unsure as to what to do.  I knew that the senior cadets’ authority over junior cadets did not extend outside the college grounds whilst we were on local leave, but I was hesitant about disobeying COLMER anyway.  COLMER kept repeating the ‘order’.

Treating it warily as a joke I refused, telling him that I liked it on.  COLMER finally told me, “Remember who gives out the punishments back at the college” and that he could make my weekend “hell”.  I then took my jumper off.  I did not want to get treated any harsher than I already was.  I found it increasingly distressing that I was being harassed not only at the college but also whilst on leave in the local area. I feared disobeying senior cadets on leave because of the backlash it would have at the college.  This fear is highlighted by the events of 29-31 May 1987 (described in detail below).

On the day of the RMC inter-company sports carnival I decided to wear trouser braces with my RMC Recreational Dress (RMC blazer, grey trousers, white shirt and RMC tie). Although braces were acceptable according to the RMC Dress Regulations, they were considered unacceptable by a 1st Class cadet in 45 Section, Staff Cadet (recently demoted from lance­ corporal) James MUNTZ (CSC No 4876).  MUNTZ claimed that braces were a sign of individualism and individualism was not permitted until 2nd Class.  He then ordered me to remove the braces and borrow a belt, which I reluctantly consented to do. (* MUNTZ was eventually asked at the end of l st Class to “Show Cause” and was dismissed from RMC).

According to the senior cadets in 15 Platoon, the decoration of cadets’ rooms, with such items as posters or stereos, was also not permitted until 2nd Class-. This was not an official regulation but merely a decision made by the senior cadets. Their stance, however, was relaxed after the mid-term leave in April 1987 and they permitted junior cadets to have such items as posters, stereos and indoor plants in their rooms.

I became increasingly annoyed at these types of petty “commands” from senior cadets.

2nd Charge

On Sunday 15 March 1987, I was charged for the second time.  On this occasion it was for Absence From Duty in breach of s.23(1) of the DFDA.

Two days earlier, I had found a note taped to my door from Staff Cadet Matthew QUIN (CSC No 4743), a 2nd Class cadet in Alamein Company, informing me that I was required as an official for the 1st XVIII football team that Sunday afternoon.

The following morning, I attended at QUIN’s room but, finding him not there, left a note on his door informing him that I could not attend the football match because of ‘family arrangements’ and if a replacement could not be found, to ring me on the 15 Platoon telephone number.

I had still not been contacted by QUIN by mid-day Sunday so I went on local leave with some young women I had recently befriended.  A replacement had, in fact, been organized by QUIN but he also failed to attend the match.  As it was my name on the match sheet, it was me who was charged by Major VERCOE with being absent from duty.  This charge was heard at an OC’s hearing on 10 April 1987.

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:  ‘Bishing’

On the evening of Monday 16 March 1987, a spate of “bishing” broke out at the college.  Bishing was a traditional form of unofficial inter-company rivalry which originated in the “old” Duntroon.

It originally took the form of practical jokes but it developed into inter­-company water and flour/cocoa bomb fights, playful brawling and the taking of “hostages” (e.g. the rival company’s cadet CSM). Only cadets, of all three classes, were involved and although unofficial, the authorities were aware of the prevalence of “bishing”. It was supposed to be taken all in fun but, at times, it became serious in its nature and got out of control.

The “bishes” on 16 March 1987 resulted in a number of 3rd Class cadets being injured with a couple being hospitalised at 5 Camp Hospital. On the night of 16 March the Gallipoli Company barracks were “bished” and a number of cadets had their rooms hosed out with fire hoses.  This resulted in four cadets’ music stereos suffering water damage.

Also during the “bish” on Gallipoli Company a female 3rct class cadet, Staff Cadet Kelly SMITH (CSC No 5316), was chased down a flight of stairs which had been covered in water from the fire hoses.  She slipped and fell, seriously tearing ligaments in her hip.  She was hospitalised  at 5 Camp Hospital for a number of weeks and after her discharge from the hospital she was restricted  in participating  in training for many weeks  (*Staff Cadet SMITH was one of the 31 cadets from Class I/87 that did not graduate.  She obtained a medical discharge from the Army in 1st Class.  She subsequently instituted civil proceedings in relation to her injuries – see Smith v Department of Defence (unreported, Supreme Court of  NSW, Sperling J, 6 April 1998) Butterworths Unreported Judgment BC9801079) .

During the same night I witnessed  some senior cadets lose their tempers during the playful brawling and became violent, hitting junior cadets in the head or stomach.

On the morning of Tuesday 17 March 1987, the cadets of Kokoda Company formed up in three ranks on the road outside their barracks to move down to the college’s sports oval for the inter-company tug-o-war competition.  As we were forming up the Kapyong Company tug-o-war teams ran past in formation.  As they did so, two senior cadets from Kokoda Company sprayed them with water from a fire hose on a second storey balcony. The Kapyong teams ran on but then they rushed into the Kokoda Company barracks’ middle foyer and began hosing it down with a fire hose. I and a handful of other Kokoda Company cadets ran to the foyer to stop them.

Most of the cadets involved in the skirmish were laughing as it was taken in fun by both sides. I ran around the outside of the building and tackled the Kapyong Company senior cadet using the fire hose. I grabbed him in a bear hug from behind and pulled the cadet away from the doorway of the foyer.  As I did so someone behind me shouted  angrily, “Fucking Fourthie!” and pushed me from behind into the nearby rose bushes.

I let go of the Kapyong cadet with the fire hose and fell backwards into the thorny bushes . I disentangled myself from the bushes and  stepped back onto the concrete footpath. I was immediately set upon by five senior cadets from Kapyong Company.  They repeatedly punched me about the head and body, mostly to the back of the head, and kicked and kneed me as they pushed and dragged me to the ground.  Here the punches and kicks continued until a Kokoda Company 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet John “Steve” McQUEEN (CSC No 5281), broke from the ranks of the Kokoda Company junior cadets watching the assault from the foyer doorway, shouted, “Leave him alone!” and started running at them.

They immediately stopped their attack and quickly fled before McQUEEN could get to them.  As McQUEEN helped me to my feet I noticed that a trickle of blood was running down my left hand.  I also noticed the severe swelling and reddening of the back of my left hand and wrist, in addition to the mild paralysis I was feeling in my left hand.  I thought I may have broken my wrist.  I angrily strode back to the forming-up point at the front of the barracks cradling my left arm in my right hand.

When I walked towards CSM REED I bitterly remarked, “How do you press assault charges?”  REED simply laughed and asked “Why?”   In response, I held my left arm forward and displayed the obvious damage to my left hand and wrist.

REED instantly stopped laughing and a look of shock came over his face.  He turned around and detailed Staff Cadet Peter EDWARDS to escort me across the road to 5 Camp Hospital for treatment.

After x-rays and an examination, I was diagnosed by Army doctor Captain Sue STONES as having severe ligament damage in the dorsum of the left wrist: As a result, I had a back slab cast put on my left forearm, and my left hand and wrist remained in a sling during the period 17-24 March 1987.  On that day, the cast was removed and replaced with a restrictive bandage that remained until 10 April 1987.

Needless  to say, I was severely restricted  in participating  in physical  or practical training during this period. I effectively could not participate in any training activity that I required the use of both arms.  I was prevented from participating fully in FEX “Buna” in the Mogo State Forest during 25 March – 1 April 1987.

During this field exercise I acted as a platoon and company HQ signaller.  When Captain STONES examined me, I told her that he had fallen over in the foyer of the barracks. I lied due to a mixture of loyalty towards fellow cadets and a fear of retribution from senior cadets if the actual cause of my injuries was reported.  I was later told by a 2nd Class cadet in Kokoda Company, the company’s Administration NCO, Lance-Corporal Roger NOBLE (CSC No 4731), that the Kapyong Company cadets involved in the incident had been “spoken to” by the Kapyong Company cadet CSM, Under Officer Michael FULHAM (CSC No 5050).

(* In 2015, by then Brigadier NOBLE was questioned by an Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) lawyer during civil proceedings brought by me – see below – and claimed that he could not recall this incident.  He did not, however, swear an affidavit to this effect). No further action was taken by me or anyone else in response to what happened.

I have attached photocopies of three photographs that were taken of me during the time my arm was in a restrictive bandage taken in March 1987 at Duntroon (see photo below).

[More Duntroon bastardisation]

1st Guidance Interview

On the evening of Tuesday 17 March 1987, I was seen by my RMC Guidance Officer, Captain Ian P. GOSS, for the first time.  Captain GOSS’s official Record of Interview (CDT AMDT 1 – RMC Form 8) for that meeting read as follows:

“During this interview I discussed in detail how the member was settling in at RMC and how his maturity was developing. He is only 18 years of age and as a result he’s had some difficulty in relating to his peers. He was advised to think before he speaks and to listen and learn.”

I think it needs to be recognized that I was immature, but I was only 18-years-old.  Given that maturity often comes with responsibility, I submit that my maturity would have improved quickly as I became a 2nd then a 1st Class cadet ( see Captain GOSS’s report below).   I also feel compelled to note that having heard some of the comments of my classmates and seen their drunken antics whilst on leave, I was not alone in being somewhat immature.  (For my part, I behaved the same drunk as I did when sober).  My classmates at least had the sense not to behave this way in front of our instructors.

Trip to Private Bin  (a Canberra nightclub)

During the evening of Thursday 19 March 1987, myself and a fellow 3rd Class cadet in my platoon, Staff Cadet Craig SMITH (CSC No 5318), a 19-year-old ex-Rifleman from 1 RAR, decided to visit the Private Bin nightclub in (nearby suburb of Civic) in Canberra.  I cannot remember whose idea it was.

Third Class cadets did not have local leave on this night and we were spotted at the nightclub by the Kokoda Company cadet CSM, Under Officer (UO) REED, who told us to return to barracks.  We immediately did so and the following morning instead of being formally charged, we were “counselled” by UO REED.

3rd Charge

On Friday 20 March 1987, I was charged again with Absence From Duty in breach of s.23(1) of the DFDA.

On this occasion it was for failing to attend a programmed retraining lesson held by Captain M.G. BROWN for those cadets who had failed the navigation theory exam.  I was one of those cadets.  I thought that the retraining lesson was voluntary but I did not bother to find out whether it was voluntary or not.  The retraining was, in fact, compulsory for those who had failed the exam and Captain BROWN subsequently charged me for being absent.  This charge was, therefore, entirely my own fault.  The charge was heard at an OC’s hearing held on 7 April 1987.

Captain BROWN had mad me the regular butt of his jokes as early as our ICT at Majura Range.  For example, during one classroom lecture on personal development he said,

“We all have goals we wish to achieve in life.  For Staff Cadet KNIGHT, this would be one day losing his virginity.”

I originally thought that these comments were the result of affection, but I have since come to suspect that they made out of contempt, especially after reading his reported comments in the Brief for CO CSC on Ex-SCT J. KNIGHT.  His comments are also an example of how an 18-year-old who cracks jokes is considered immature but a 28-year-old who does the same thing is considered a wit.

Beginning in early March 1987, many of the senior cadets began to harass and victimize those 3rd Class Cadets whom that they did not believe were  ‘officer material’.   By late March 1987, this  ‘assimilation’ of these  junior  cadets  by  senior  cadets  had  continued  unabated.   The majority  of  senior cadets seem to have decided that it was their responsibility to determine which  3rd Class cadets were not suited to becoming Army officers.   They bestowed upon themselves the right to harass these chosen 3rd Class cadets out of  the college if the college authorities, the ‘Putsch’ (graduate officers) failed to do so. 

Standard practice at Duntroon was that once a given staff cadet, due to poor performance and/or other breaches, had been ordered before the RMC Director of Military Art and grilled to ‘show cause’ (as in, justify why the subject staff cadet should not be discharged from RMC), or else forced to involuntarily resign; many senior cadets became aware and so embarked on a concerted bastardisation regime to harass, victimise and persecute the subject staff cadet to such a sadistic extent until he/she voluntarily resigned.

In nearly all cases it was only the senior cadets, not the college authorities, who made the initial determination that the cadet in question was not officer material and, therefore, in need of “special treatment”. The attitude of the majority of senior cadets was best summed up by their regular declaration that, “If the ‘Push’ doesn’t get rid of them, we will!” It was this type of individualized, targeted treatment that distinguished the bastardization of the “new” Duntroon with that of the general bastardization of the “old” Duntroon. 

It was also a type of bastardization that did not exist at Officer Cadet School, Portsea.

The harassment I write of is not to suggest that all of my failings at Duntroon were attributable solely to bastardization. I accept that many of my failings were my own personal failings. One of my personal failings was that when I felt I was being singled-out by instructors I tended to ‘buck the system’ (as evidenced by my ejection from my A Vehicle Drivers Course), whereas when I liked my instructors I tended to strive for perfection (as evidenced by being the Student of Merit on my Radio Operators Course).  I was very much an individual who was severely affected by my level of morale.  Very much a case of either winning a medal or getting court-martialled and not much in-between.

I was not, however, the only 3rd Class cadet who was harassed, victimised and persecuted.  I cannot say that I was the 3rd Class cadet who received the worst treatment at the hands of senior cadets.  I am ashamed to admit that I did not do more to support other junior cadets who were subjected to bastardization, particularly Staff Cadet RIDD, who was  in  my section.

There were a number of other 3rd Class cadets who were subjected to constant abuse and victimization.  The 3rd Class cadets who were subjected to “special treatment” similar to the treatment I received were: Steven RIDD, Kim EXAUDI-LARSEN, S.S. MOODY, and B.B. TAYLOR (CSC No 5324).  On many occasions these cadets, like me, brought down punishment upon themselves, but in the main it  was  self-righteous  and  vindictive persecution from senior cadets.  RIDD and I, however, also gained reputations as ‘troublemakers’ because we would not back down when confronted by senior cadets.

By the end of July 1987, RIDD, EXAUDI­-LARSEN, MOODY, TAYLOR along with numerous other 3rd Class cadets, had resigned their appointments as staff cadets at RMC.  Myself, Staff Cadet RIDD and Staff Cadet TAYLOR resigned during 3rd Class.  Staff Cadet EXAUDI-LARSEN resigned early in 2nd Class. I am unaware of when Staff Cadet MOODY resigned.

On one occasion I asked a 3rd Class cadet in Kokoda Company’s 13 Platoon, Staff Cadet Stephen “Steve” GRACE (CSC No 5252), who was 24-years-old and both an ex-sailor in the RAN and a former soldier in an Army Aviation unit, what he had done the previous evening.  He replied that following afternoon lectures, he got changed and went to the mess for dinner, then did some laundry, prepared for the next day’s training and went to bed around 2200hrs. He then asked me what I had done. I told him:

“I didn’t have time for dinner and I got stuffed around and ran errands till 2 in the morning, then got up at 5.30 to get ready for the first Defaulters Parade.”

This exchange highlights the obvious difference in time management between a junior cadet that was left alone by senior cadets, and a junior cadet subjected to “special treatment” (compounded by deserved or undeserved ‘disciplinary’ measures).

The harassment, victimization and general persecution that drove 3rd Class cadets to desert or resign varied in frequency, degree and nature. I

In addition to constant pressure to resign, selected 3rd Class cadets were also subjected to many forms of persecution including:

• theft of personal civilian and Army-issue property
• verbal abuse
• ridicule
• derogatory remarks in relation to the cadet’s background
• derogatory references to civilian companions and friends
• the assigning of more duties than other junior cadets
• automatic charges instead of reprimands or Extra Drills awarded to other junior cadets
• unauthorized and covert ‘borrowing’ of their equipment which was then returned dirty or not at all
• excessive Show Parades
• the assigning of meaningless errands often involving the search for something or someone that did not exist
• the forced subjugation to ‘regulations’ that had been invented by senior cadets
• threatened violence
• physical attacks during “bishes”
• at other times, the fire hosing or cocoa/ flour/ shaving cream bombing of a staff cadet’s room
• forced subjugation to ‘orders’ whilst on local leave

This range of behaviour has previously and subsequently been reported.   (See particularly Bruce MOORE’ s book A Lexicon of Cadet Language: Royal Military College, Duntroon in the Period 1983 to 1985).

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   Theft & ‘Borrowing’

A major problem at the college whilst I was there was theft.  The theft of Army issue equipment, uniforms and training manuals as well as personal civilian clothing at Kokoda Company barracks can only be described as endemic.

The extent to which items were stolen made it impossible to attribute it to one or even a. couple of offenders.  Theft from the laundries, platoon storerooms and even cadets’ rooms was common.  What is interesting to note is that ex-serving soldiers were especially disgusted with the amount of stolen items as it far surpassed the extent of thievery they had experienced as private soldiers or junior NCOs (non-commissioned officers).

Theft of items occurred within a time span as little as 20 minutes from the time the items were last observed. This applied especially to thefts from the laundry.  Theft also occurred around the college.  On one occasion during a lecture I left my rare Army-issue green insert folder in an open locker outside the classroom.  When the lecture was over I returned to find that not only had the folder been stolen, but the thief had taken the time to empty the contents of the folder into the locker. The only personnel who had been present in the hallway during the lecture were senior cadets. The amount of theft I experienced at Duntroon far exceeded that I experienced at the various schools I attended, in the Army Cadets, in the Army Reserve, or even in the four Maximum Security prisons I have served time in over the past 35 years.

On one occasion, a 3rd Class cadet in Kokoda Company, Staff Cadet Craig SMITH (CSC No 5318), had his personal copy of a training manual stolen from his room. It was the same day that the 1st Class cadets were required to return their issued copies of that manual.  The manual was one of the texts issued to 3rd Class cadets half-way through 3rd Class and was not returned until half-way through 1st Class.  The next day all of the cadets in 3rd Class were issued copies of this manual.  By chance, Staff Cadet SMITH was issued his personal copy of the manual that had been stolen the day before.

The most serious incident of theft at Duntroon while I was there was the theft of three pay packets.  Three 3rd Class cadets in the Gallipoli Company barracks had their pay packets, each containing three weeks’ cash wages, stolen from their rooms.  On this occasion the 3rd Class cadets had been required to attend training immediately after attending a Pay Parade. As a result, they did not have the time required to bank their wages, so they left their pay packets in their rooms.  Whilst they were undergoing training, the three pay packets were stolen.  During this time, the only personnel in the Gallipoli Company barracks were senior cadets. The Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police investigated the thefts but no suspects were charged.  Not one of the Gallipoli Company senior cadets made a statement on the basis that they all “heard nothing, saw nothing, knew nothing” about the thefts.

Borrowing of equipment was also prevalent at the college even though it was an offence according to RMC Standing Orders (Standing Order No 1413).  Cadets of all classes regularly borrowed equipment of each other but it was the senior cadets who constantly borrowed items from 3rd Class cadets with and without (most often without) their knowledge.  It frequently occurred that a 3rd Class cadet would return to his or her room to obtain equipment needed for their next lesson, only to discover that it had already been ‘borrowed’ by a senior cadet.  Although rarely given, the most common excuse proffered by senior cadets for taking equipment or articles of clothing was that theirs was dirty or they did not have the time to find their own. In nearly all cases, it was left up to the 3rd Class cadet concerned to locate and retrieve, and then clean, the ‘borrowed’ item.  Senior cadets usually gave no explanation or apology for borrowing items without asking and they never left a message regarding the item’s whereabouts.  On a number of occasions such unauthorized borrowing resulted in myself, and other junior cadets, being late for lessons or spending hours searching for, locating and then cleaning missing items.

On one occasion, I was changing into my evening dress uniform when I discovered that my cummerbund – an essential item of the mess uniform – was missing from my room. I frantically searched for it and asked everyone in my platoon area if they had taken it.

As I was late for mess, I was finally forced to borrow a cummerbund off another 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Adrian MANNERING (CSC No 5339), who was not attending mess that evening. Over the next week I thoroughly searched my own room and the 15 Platoon storerooms, and questioned almost everyone in the platoon, but I failed to locate my cummerbund. A week had passed since the cummerbund had gone missing when I asked Staff Cadet MUNTZ, the only member of 15 Platoon I had not asked, if he knew the whereabouts of the cummerbund.  MUNTZ casually replied that he had needed a cummerbund one evening the week before so he had borrowed mine. He then turned around and produced the cummerbund from one of his drawers, then tossed it to me. MUNTZ’s own cummerbund was at that time draped over the back of his chair.

On another occasion, I returned to the barracks during a two-minute break between classroom lectures. I took off my peaked cap and left it on my bed while I went to the communal toilets. Upon returning a minute later, I discovered my cap had disappeared. I frantically searched for it and asked everyone in the vicinity if they had borrowed it but I failed to locate it. Five minutes later a 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet M. Harry WALDEN (CSC No 4629), walked into the hallway wearing my cap. WALDEN casually remarked that he had needed a cap to go on an errand and he did not have time to find his own, so he had gone into my room and grabbed my cap. I was, of course, late for the next lesson and after giving “No excuse” for being late, I was given two EDs (extra drills) by Sergeant P.R. HERNIMAN, the instructor conducting the lecture.

Incidents such as the above two examples were frustratingly common for me and other junior cadets. Although by :themselves they were relatively trivial, they occurred with sufficient frequency to damage the cadet’s reputation for punctuality and personal organization in the eyes of the instructors. The offer of “No excuse” for any unclean piece of “borrowed” equipment or clothing, or for being late to a lesson, was a standard response by junior cadets.

During my time at RMC, I also had senior cadets in my platoon ask for and demand a regular supply of cigarettes from me. They never repaid the favour and on one occasion, Staff Cadet WALDEN cheerfully said to me, “Don’t worry. In a couple of months you’ll have your own ‘Fourthies’ to scab off.”

Such minor irritating treatment also extended to petty, but nasty, abuse. I was constantly abused by many senior cadets for wearing Australian Rules football shorts because they did not “like the look of them.” I was ordered by numerous senior cadets to get rid of them because they were too tight for their own Rugby tastes. At times senior cadets also referred to my girlfriends and other civilian friends as sluts, dogs, bush pigs and “Boons”.

Such bitter treatment also extended, on occasion, to other 3rd Class cadets. During one evening in early March 1987, Staff Cadet MUNTZ was holding Shbw Parades with me and the two other 3rd Class cadets in 45 Section, staff cadets Steven RIDD and Christopher WHITTING.

During this inspection he threatened to stop Staff Cadet WHITTING from seeing his wife and children the following weekend.   WHITTING had not seen his family for nearly three months and he had been granted special leave to see them.  MUNTZ angrily stated that he did not care and that if WHITTING didn’t get his uniform up to MUNTZ’s standard, then MUNTZ would make sure that WHITTING did not go on leave.  After MUNTZ had dismissed us, WHITTING was so upset by MUNTZ’ s threat that he was almost in tears and was shaking with rage.

Complaint of Bastardization

Around this time a junior cadet in Kokoda Company complained  to instructing  staff  that there was ongoing “bastardization” of  select junior  cadets in Kokoda Company. The identity of the cadet was not revealed  but at the time I believed it may have been Staff Cadet Steven RIDD or Staff Cadet Kim EXAUDI-LARSEN.  (* In late 2021 Steven RIDD informed me that he was not the source of the complaint.  I wrote to Kim EXAUDI-LARSEN in late 2013 about this matter but he was working overseas and my letter was returned to me by a relative).

This report became known to senior cadets in the company and a meeting with the company’s junior cadets was held in the ANZAC Block common room one evening after instructing staff had left for the day.

 

[SENIOR CADETS CENSORSHIP OF JUNIOR CADETS]

At around 1930 hrs all the 3rd Class cadets in Kokoda Company were ordered to assemble in the company’s recreation room.   As soon as we were all present, we were then harangued for around half-an-hour by a group of around 4-6 senior cadets and told not to go to “the Push” (the Officer authorities) with complaints about mistreatment.

A very irate 2nd Class  cadet (and Kokoda Company Administration NCO) Lance-Corporal NOBLE  informed us that a 3rd Class cadet in Kokoda Company had gone to Major VERCOE and had complained about bastardization in the company.  NOBLE then warned us not to go to the OC with such complaints, but to instead use the cadet chain of command; section leader, platoon sergeant, CSM (positions which were all occupied by senior cadets).  NOBLE also told us that bastardization no longer existed at Duntroon and that if it did re-appear, then  the  senior cadets would “deal with it.” Although NOBLE did not name the junior cadet who had complained to the OC, he accused  him of overreacting and he warned everyone else not to do the same otherwise they would “get in the shit.”

 

During this assembly, NOBLE  also berated the 3rd Class cadets for not going to my aid when I was attacked  during the “bish” on 17 March 1987. (* In 2015, Brigadier NOBLE was questioned by an AGS lawyer during civil proceedings brought by me – see below – and claimed that he could not recall this incident. He did not, however, swear an affidavit to this effect). Any thought of reporting incidents of bastardization or victimization to the college authorities were swiftly dispelled by this lecture.

I should state that during my time in Kokoda Company I cannot recall a single instance of being “bastardized” by Lance-Corporal NOBLE.

Soon after the Show Parade incident with MUNTZ,  WHITTING moved out of the barracks to live with his family in the Canberra suburb of Hughes.  In the meantime, Staff Cadet RIDD went AWOL and later returned to the college to resign.

With RIDD’s departure and WHITTING’ s move out of the barracks, I was left as the only 3rd Class cadet in 45 Section outside of training hours.  This usually meant from 1700hrs until 0700hrs the following morning.  During these times, I had to complete any of 45 Section’s duties, work details or errands by himself (It also meant that Staff Cadet WHITTING avoided the attention of senior cadets out-of-hours and that his room could be kept in permanent inspection order).

Desertions

During my time at RMC Duntroon, two 3rd Class cadets deserted (as opposed to simply going AWOL for a brief period).

After weeks of constant abuse, Staff Cadet Steven RIDD went AWOL late one Sunday evening in March 1987, leaving on his bed a letter to the CO of his request to resign from RMC to to be promptly processed, given his repeated requests to the Co over recent weeks and that he would return to Duntroon the following Sunday if he was guaranteed that his resignation would be this time promptly processed.

RMC has recorded his date of resignation as 22 April 1987 and his date of discharge as 22 May 1987.  When he went AWOL and later resigned is not particularly important; why he did so is what is relevant).   After evading the Military Police in Melbourne and Queensland, he returned to Canberra a week later of his own volition.  RIDD duly returned to RMC as promised on the following Sunday, uncaptured by Military Police.  He rang the Commandant of RMC, Major-General BLAKE, and asked to return to the College if he was not court-martialled and was instead allowed to resign and be honourably discharged from the Army.   Major-General BLAKE consented to his request and RIDD returned to Duntroon, resigned and was discharged the same day.

Soon after RIDD’ s absence a female 3rd Class cadet deserted and was apprehended by the Military Police at her home in Perth.  She also returned to the college to resign her appointment and be discharged from the Army.  In both cases, AWOL charges were not proceeded with.

I also recall that a 2nd Class cadet in my section, Staff Cadet COLMER, was later found to be AWOL one morning. I recall his classmate, Staff Cadet DUNKLEY, being berated by the Kokoda Company commander, Major VERCOE, for not noticing his absence. Whatever the reason for Staff Cadet COLMER’ s absence, he later returned to the college and graduated with the rest of his class in December 1987.

Guidance Report

On Monday 23 March 1987, my Guidance Officer, Captain GOSS, wrote the following in a Leadership Assessment/ Observation Report:

“Scdt Knight’s performance has improved as he has settled in at RMC, however he is an immature cadet who has had trouble relating to his peers.  He has been given guidance in this area and at his age (18 years) I would expect his maturity to develop quickly.  He accepts criticism and has a positive attitude to guidance.”

I submit that this report is official recognition of my submission that I would have matured over the 18 months I would have been at Duntroon (see my comments on this point above).

FEX ‘Buna’

On Wednesday 25 March 1987, the 2nd and 3rd Class cadets began FEX ‘Buna’ [‘FEX’ = Field Exercise] at the Mogo State Forest on NSW’s south coast.  FEX Buna was an 8-day tactical field exercise involving section, platoon and company level training.

Due to my wrist injury, I was limited in the extent to which I could participate in the training. For the first half of the exercise I acted as the platoon signaller for W02 CULLEN’ s platoon.  I could only participate in the non-physical training but I did act as the “enemy” soldier during contact drills.  For the second half of the exercise I joined a handful of other injured junior cadets at the C Company HQ.  For the remainder of the exercise they acted as company signallers at the CHQ.

The C Company commander was Major G.R. PIKE, with W02 E.A. MADDEN as Company 2IC, and W02 G. MAPLE as CSM.  The HQ was a mobile HQ consisting of two Land Rovers, and it constantly moved location to remain within the vicinity of C Company.

4th Charge

At 0400 hrs on Sunday 29 March 1987, I finished my two-hour radio piquet and returned to the lean-to shelter where the company signallers were sleeping to wake my replacement, Staff Cadet Keith TURKINGTON (CSC No 5330).  I began shaking him and saying, “Wake­ up, Turks. It’s your turn for piquet!”  TURKINGTON stirred and replied “Yeah. OK.” I waited a few moments but TURKINGTON made no effort to get up so I shook him harder and repeated what I initially said except louder. TURKINGTON angrily retorted, “Yeah. Yeah. OK!” and began to get out of his sleeping bag.

Seeing this, I got into my own sleeping bag and turned on my side. I could hear TURKINGTON moving beside me so I closed my eyes and almost immediately fell asleep. When everyone awoke at 0600 hrs, we instantly noticed that the Company Command Post was unattended and the radios were unmanned.  I stared at the radio tent for a few moments then with exasperation realized that TURKINGTON had gone back to sleep after I had woken him earlier .

W02 MADDEN immediately investigated what had happened and questioned TURKINGTON then myself . Following her investigation, I was charged by W02 MADDEN with Leaving Post While on Guard Duty (my fourth military training offence) in breach of s.32(1)(d) of the DFDA.  I was angry with myself for not being more diligent in my efforts to ensure that my replacement was on duty before I retired (although I had been woken up in the same manner by the staff cadet on piquet before me).  TURKINGTON later made a statement for the prosecutor (which he did not tell me about) in which he claimed not to have been woken by me. He stated that he ‘was not woken up to carry out [his] radio picquet by SCDT KNIGHT’ (Statement by SCDT K.A. TURKINGTON, 5 Apr 87).  This charge was heard initially at an OC’s hearing held on 15 April 1987 and ultimately at a CO’s hearing on 24 April 1987.

On the last day of FEX “Buna”, Tuesday 31 March 1987, all the cadets who were injured in some way were transported to the exercise HQ to wait for the rest of the cadets to arrive. The group of injured cadets consisted of about ten 3rd Class cadets – including myself – and around five 2nd Class cadets.

Early that evening the group was waiting on the back of a truck to be driven back to the college when one of the instructors, W02 G. JACKA, dropped the tailgate of the truck and ordered everyone off to help pack up the HQ.  During the dismantling of the HQ tent and the loading of stores we [the 3rd Class cadets] noticed that the 3rd Class cadets were the only cadets present.  I returned to the rear of the truck and asked the 2nd Class cadets if they would help us pack up.  No-one replied so I returned to the HQ area. After all the stores had been loaded we [the 3rd Class cadets] returned to the truck to discover that the 2nd Class cadets had arranged our packs on the floor of the truck and were asleep on top of them.  Myself .and another 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet B.J. HILL, sarcastically thanked them for their help.

As we sat down I tried to retrieve my pack from underneath a 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Michael BATISTE (CSC No 4649).  He quickly sat up and snapped, “How long have you been at RMC?”  I asked him what that had to do with anything.  He replied that when we reached 2nd Class we would be exempt from such duties as well. When we returned to the college I was castigated privately by one of the other 2nd Class cadets who had been on the truck for criticising a senior cadet.  This was one of the examples of me supposedly “talking back” to senior cadets.

On Wednesday 1 April 1987, I was fronted before Major VERCOE to discuss my progress through the course.  Major VERCOE noted in the official Record of Interview that I recognized that I had to improve my personal organization, my attitude, and my dress and bearing.  Major VERCOE went on to note that:

“I confirmed this with him and told him I felt he had the potential to do better.’ He finally noted that I ‘accepted the counselling very positively.”

At 1730 hrs on Tuesday 7 April 1987, I went before Major VERCOE to have my Absence From Duty charge relating to my non-attendance at the navigation theory re-training heard. After I plead guilty to one count of Absence From Duty in breach of s.23(1) of the DFDA, Major VERCOE sentenced me to 4 days Restriction of Privileges (RP) and 4 days Stoppage of Leave (SOL), to be served concurrently. This meant that I was not to leave the college grounds, except on authorized duty such as attending sports matches, I was not to be present at any recreation or entertainment in RMC, including the cadets’ wet mess, I was not to consume any alcoholic beveridge, I was to attend all Defaulters and Check Parades, and outside working hours I was to remain dressed in the uniform ordered for the day.

Meeting with CI MTW

On Wednesday 8 April 1987, I was one of a number of 3rd Class cadets who were fronted before the Chief Instructor (CI) of the Military Training Wing (MTW), Lieutenant-Colonel Simon WILLIS. I was reprimanded by Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS for failing my first navigation theory re-test and for displaying ‘low personal standards and poor discipline’ on FEX “Buna”. Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS also told me:

“You are to work hard to improve your performance in both the [practical] and academic spheres and seek guidance as necessary.”

On Thursday 9 April 1987, I was ranked 103/118 in terms of leadership amongst 3rd Class Cadets at the college (*11 junior cadets had already resigned by this time) and 108/118 in terms of academics.  I understand that the academic ranking was done according to examination test results, but I do not know how the leadership ranking was done.

Meeting with CO CSC

On Thursday 9 April 1987, I was one of a handful of cadets who was seen by the CO of the CSC, Lieutenant-Colonel KIBBEY. By this stage, there were 118 3rd Class cadets remaining at the college, and I was one of a handful who had been raised for special mention at the RMC Board of Studies (BOS).  Part of the interview with Lieutenant-Colonel KIBBEY was recorded in an official Record of Interview:

KIBBEY:    “At my BOS you were raised for special mention because of your indiscipline – you have the worst record in the Class. Three charges, one of which is for AWOL. Why?”

KNIGHT:    “I have I have had difficulty making the transition from civilian life to RMC. ” 

KIBBEY:     “Have you been able to make the change now?”

KNIGHT:    “Yes, sir.”      [Was there an alternative response?]

KIBBEY:     “You are 103rd in leadership and 108th in academics. I don’t believe you are working to your potential. You must work harder and learn the lessons of the RMC routine here. Stay out of trouble. If you can’t then I have no option but to refer you to the DMA [Director of Military Art] for a formal warning.”

I had not, in fact, been charged with a count of AWOL [Absent Without Official Leave]; I had been charged twice only with Absence From Duty, a lesser charge. I accepted most of what Lieutenant-Colonel KIBBEY had to say except that I found it hard to believe that, in light of my test results, I was 108th in academics.

On Friday 10 April 1987, my initial Absence from Duty charge, which resulted from my non-attendance at the 1st XVII football match on 15 March, was heard by the OC of Kapyong Company, Major S.A. RODGERS.

Before the hearing, I went to see Staff Cadet QUIN in his room in the Alamein Company barracks.  I discovered that QUIN had received my note and had arranged a replacement official.  When I informed him that I was being charged over the incident and that I required a statement from him, QUIN claimed he could not remember the name of the replacement and that he would only go as far as stating that he received my note.  QUIN refused point blank to state anything further and finally, and reluctantly, wrote out a very brief statement on my insistence.  Such a statement, however, was practically useless and as a result, I did not have a defence to the charge.

I obtained Staff Cadet Charles SHAW (CSC No 5201), a 20-year-old 2nd Class cadet from Kokoda Company’s 15 Platoon, as the Prosecutor, and Staff Cadet David HARRIS (CSC No 5174), a 19-year-old 2nd Class cadet from Kokoda Company’s 13 Platoon, as my defending Officer.  I wanted to call QUIN as a witness but HARRIS refused to call him – a fellow 2nd Class cadet – because he thought, “it might get Quin into trouble.”

The hearing commenced before Major RODGERS at 0700 hrs in the Kapyong Company barracks.  As HARRIS refused to contest the charge, I had no option but to plead guilty to the one count of Absence From Duty in breach of s.23(1) of the DFDA. HARRIS did mention, however, my attempts to contact Staff Cadet QUIN by note and telephone in his plea of mitigation.  Major RODGERS considered  these submissions, and then sentenced me to 5 days SOL.  I was not impressed that I was found guilty of not performing my duty properly in the same manner that Staff Cadet QUIN had originally performed it; i.e. leaving a note on the staff cadet’s bedroom door and not confirming that he had received it.

In the first three months I was at Duntroon I saved over $1,000 of my salary in order to buy a second-hand car in Melbourne whilst on Easter leave.  On Wednesday 15 April 1987, I obtained a $6,000 car loan from the Canberra branch of the Defence Force Credit Union.  I considered that the total amount was sufficient to cover the cost of purchasing a second­ hand car, registering it and taking out insurance. I was also able to meet the amount of the weekly loan repayments on my staff cadet’s salary.

During 15-22 April 1987, I was in Melbourne on Easter leave.

On Sunday 19 April 1987, I purchased a second-hand 1974 LH model Torana SLR 5000 sedan for $5,800.  I had dreamed of buying a SLR 5000 for many years.  I recognized that as a car with a 5-litre V8 engine it would be expensive to run, but I intended to keep it for only 11 a year or so” and then buy ‘something sensible’.

On Thursday 23 April 1987, I drove back to the college from Easter leave.

On Friday 24 April 1987, my Leaving Post While on Guard Duty charge, incurred during FEX Buna’, was heard by the CO CSC, Lieutenant-Colonel David KIBBEY at the CSC HQ.  I obtained Staff Cadet COLMER as the Prosecutor and 2nd Class Staff Cadet Michael

DUNKLEY  (CSC No 4675)  as my Defending Officer. The college adjutant, Captain R.J. MARTIN (RMC Class of 1978, CSC No 3279), and the college RSM, WOl BURNS, were also present during the hearing.

I pleaded guilty to one count of Leaving Post While on Guard Duty in breach of s.32(1)(d) of the DFDA, and DUNKLEY made a plea of mitigation on my behalf.  He said that I believed that my replacement was awake and was prepared to arise and proceed to his post.  Another 3rd Class cadet who was at the C Company  HQ during FEX ‘Buna’, Staff Cadet GRACE, submitted a written statement that he was awoken by my and TURKINGTON’ s brief conversation that night.  Lieutenant-Colonel  KIBBEY  rejected this plea and severely reprimanded me before sentencing me to 14-days Restriction of Privileges (RP) and 21 days Stoppage of Leave (SOL) (the heaviest penalties that could be awarded at a CO’s hearing).

Duntroon Alcohol Culture:  Consumption & Storage

At 0600 hrs on Saturday 25 April 1987, ANZAC Day, all the cadets at RMC formed up outside their respective barracks to march down  to assembled  buses,  which  transported them to the nearby Australian War Memorial for the ANZAC Day dawn memorial service.

As Kokoda Company began to march down in formation to the buses a 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet FITZPATRICK, staggered into the rear of the formation. FITZPATRICK was extremely drunk and fellow 2nd Class cadets made a place for him in the rear of the middle rank in an attempt to conceal him.  As they marched down the road FITZPATRICK staggered and stumbled to such an extent that he had to be assisted by the cadets on either side of him.  He often giggled and loudly stated that he  had only stopped drinking  15 minutes  beforehand, and had only just made it back to the college in time.  I thought that it was a disgrace to turn up drunk to an ANZAC Day memorial service.

No action was taken against Staff Cadet FITZPATRICK.

The ANZAC Day incident was not the only incidence of intoxicated senior cadets at the college whilst I was there.  On one weekend afternoon in May 1987, I was washing my car in the 1st Class cadet’s car park at the front of the barracks.  I had no option but to wash my car there, as it was the only place where a hose was available.  The car park for Kokoda Company’s 2nd and 3rd Class cadets was on top of a hill behind the barracks overlooking ADFA.

As I was washing my car I was confronted by the Kokoda Company cadet CSM, Under Officer REED.  I was cleaning a rag near the tap when CSM REED pulled up next to me in his car. He lent out of the window and said to me:

“What’s your shit heap doing here?”

He was obviously intoxicated as his face was flushed, his eyes were glazed and his speech slurred.  He was also holding an opened can of Fosters beer in his right hand.  I told him that I was washing my car and I would remove it as soon as I had finished.  He then parked his car, got out and slowly staggered into the barracks drinking his can of Fosters.  He was dressed in a tee-shirt, shorts and sneakers.

Not only was the consumption or storage of alcohol in or around the barracks an offence against RMC Standing Orders (Order No 1403), but cadets were also told by the college authorities that driving under the influence of alcohol was punishable by immediate discharge from the college.

(Yet) Alcohol was frequently consumed and stored by senior cadets in the Kokoda Company barracks nonetheless. Beer and wine were regularly consumed by the 1st Class cadets in the recreation room, and senior cadets frequently stored bottles of spirits, usually whiskey or rum, in their rooms and the platoon storerooms.  On one occasion, myself and a few other junior cadets were watching a video in the recreation room when a 1st Class cadet, Lance-Corporal Craig THORP (CSC No 5133), walked into the room, sat down in a chair in front of me and consumed a take-away meal and a number of cans of beer.

On another occasion in mid-May 1987, myself and two 1st Class cadets in Kokoda Company, 15 Platoon’s platoon sergeant, Sergeant Gary STONE (CSC No 5129) and my section leader, Corporal CRANE, consumed a 4 litre cask of white wine in the recreation room over a period of about three hours late one night.  STONE and CRANE had already been drinking for about an hour before I walked into the room and STONE, over the quiet objections of CRANE, invited me to join him for a drink.  Most 1st Class cadets considered consuming alcohol in the barracks as a prerogative of senior cadets only.

During the drinking session in the recreation room, I followed STONE and CRANE’s example of using the room’s balcony to urinate off on to the ground below.  They did this simply because they were too lazy to use the nearby toilets.  This was the only occasion when I was invited to socialise with any senior cadet.

I should state that during my time in Kokoda Company I cannot recall a single instance of being “bastardized” by Sergeant STONE, and I was not treated overly harshly by Corporal CRANE.  In fact, I found Sergeant STONE to be one of the most conscientious and approachable 1st Class cadets at the college (He was later awarded the June 1987 graduating class’s Lithgow Small Arms Factory Trophy).

I also recall an incident when a 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Scott BECKWITH (CSC No 4771) consumed alcohol during a field exercise.  During FEX ‘Tobruk’ in early May 1987, I was present with another 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Trevor DARBY (CSC No 5242) on several occasions when BECKWITH ‘spiked’ his coffee with whiskey from a small flask he kept in his pack.   BECKWITH claimed that it woke him up in the morning and kept him warm. What concerned me was that there was one night during the exercise when all the cadets used live ammunition to repel a mock attack, and BECKWITH was firing from the dug-out trench adjacent to mine.

BECKWITH later commented adversely on me in Darren MOORE’ s book, Duntroon: The Royal Military College of Australia 1911-2001 (published in 2001 by RMC).

Senior cadets at RMC were not, however, totally free from disciplinary action.  While I was at the college a number of senior cadets were charged with various military offences.  One 1st Class cadet, Under Officer Paul ANGELATOS (CSC No 5012), was court martialled.  ANGELATOS was the cadet CSM of Gallipoli Company when he discovered the Directing Staff (DS) written solution to a forthcoming examination in a storeroom.  Before he handed it into the authorities ANGELATOS copied the solution without their knowledge.  His cheating was later discovered and he was charged under the DFDA. A NGELATOS had contravened one of the guiding characteristics of the Charter of the Royal Military College, which contained an outline of  The Military Ethic (see above).

The Military Ethic stated, in part, that: ‘There is an absolute requirement for integrity in a military officer and an officer cadet. Integrity demands the absolute exclusion of lying, cheating, dishonesty and evasion. It also demands that such behaviour not be tolerated in others’  (CSC Standing Orders, Order No 104).  Under Officer ANGELATOS was eventually tried and convicted of plagiarism by a Court Martial held at the college in mid-1987.  He was reprimanded, stripped of his cadet rank and transferred to Kapyong Company as a Staff Cadet.  Even with his conviction, ANGELATOS graduated as a lieutenant with the rest of his class on 16 June 1987.

5th Charge

During a Defaulters Parade on the RMC Parade Ground on Monday 27 April 1987, I was charged for a fifth time. At the commencement of the 0625 hrs Defaulters Parade the 1st Class cadet acting as the CSC Orderly Officer, Lance-Corporal Shane O’BRYAN (CSC No 5101) conducted an inspection of the Defaulters field back packs.

When he examined my pack he found that my steel cup canteen was dirty.  He flew into a rage, yelled at me and demanded an explanation.

I calmly gave the standard reply: “No excuse, corporal.”  O’BRYAN furiously threw the cup canteen across the parade ground.

At the end of the Defaulters Parade O’BRYAN paraded me before the 1st Class cadet acting as the CSC Orderly Sergeant, Sergeant Owen ROGERS (CSC No 5119).  ROGERS subsequently charged me with Failure to Comply With a Lawful General Order in breach of s.29 of the DFDA.  This was admittedly an example of a charge that was solely my own fault; I had not taken sufficient care in the cleaning of my equipment and had missed the cup canteen.

2nd Guidance Interview

During the evening of 27 April 1987, I was interviewed by Captain GOSS in another guidance session at the MTW building.

In the official Record of Interview Captain Goss wrote that:

“I discussed SCDT Knight’s charges and poor result on EX FEM (sic) [FEX ‘Buna’] and gave guidance on personal administration and discipline.  He was advised to improve his motivation and decrease his social activities.  SCDT Knight was made aware that any more charges would be seen in a very serious light.”

I must state that my social activities were no more than those of my classmates or of senior cadets.  I do not know the basis for Captain GOSS’s criticism of my “social activities”.  [COMMENT:  Knight was dobbed on by senior cadets, and Captain Goss had form in this respect/]

FEX ‘Tobruk’

During 1-6 May 1987, I attended FEX ‘Tobruk’ at the Majura Field Firing Range around 10 kms from Canberra.

EX ‘Tobruk’ was a training exercise in company-level defensive operations and, like FEX “Buna”, was a combined 2nd and 3rd Class field exercise, but excluding 1st Class cadets.  The exercise was conducted around entrenched defended positions in the northeast region of the Majura Firing Range.   For the duration of the eight-day exercise the command positions of section 2IC, section leader, platoon sergeant and platoon commander were filled by 2nd Class cadets on a rotation basis.  The 3rd Class cadets, and those 2nd Class cadets not in a command position, were employed as each section’s soldiers for the duration of the exercise.

On Exercise “Tobruk” each cadet was required to dig the necessary two-man “fire pits” (a slit ‘dug out’ trench with two covered sleeping bays in a ‘U’ shape), but the 2nd Class cadets believed that they were exempt from distasteful or tedious duties, even when they were being employed as private soldiers.  This attitude was based mainly on their belief that the status they had at the college vis-a-vis ‘junior cadets’ extended to training in the field.

Distasteful or tedious duties such as collecting meals from the company HQ, gathering stores from the company or platoon HQs, gathering foliage for the camouflaging of the fire pits, and the running of errands and delivering messages were seen by the 2nd Class cadets as the responsibility of hexamine stove (methenamine solid fuel tablets), everyone else was sitting  around their fire pits talking.

My assumption about the orderly was confirmed when I overheard the orderly tell the section leader that some stores were waiting to be picked up from the platoon HQ.  The section leader had his back to me and before he could turn around I turned to Staff Cadet SHRIMPTON, who was sitting on the edge of the pit next to me, .and said, “I betcha he picks me.” I then crouched down in my fire pit out of sight and told SHRIMPTON not to look down at me.

An instant later the section leader turned around and called out, “Where’s Knight?… Staff Cadet Knight!”  I could easily hear him but I remained in the bottom of the pit. Again the section leader called out, “Staff Cadet Knight!” I then stood up in plain view holding  up my dismantled rifle in one hand and with a cleaning brush in the other.  The section leader disregarded this (cadets were required to take their rifle with them everywhere when in the field) and ordered me to fetch the stores from the platoon HQ, located on an adjacent rise about 200 metres away.

When I looked around and saw that everyone else in the section, apart from Staff Cadet DARBY, were still sitting around doing nothing, I turned to SHRIMPTON and angrily muttered,

“I told you so, didn’t I?.  I fuckin’ knew it.  I’m hiding in the bottom of the pit and he picks me.  I’m the only one doing anything and he fuckin’ still picks me.”

The section leader then turned to Staff Cadet DARBY and detailed him to go with me. DARBY, with a spoon in one hand and holding a steel cup canteen over his stove with the other, stood up and made to protest but then muttered and threw the canteen to the  ground.

Captain BROWN and  Sergeant SAID’s Field Report on me for  FEX ‘Tobruk’ recorded that:

I..”did not dig with enough effort, did not take aimed shots in the live fire exercise, did not use a correct fire position, made immature statements and was not accepted as an equal by his peers”.

 

[Perhaps Duntroon’s negative leadership and bastardisation was taking a toll on his ‘trust’, ‘respect for authority’, ‘morale’ and ‘motivation’?   – unDuntroon terms]

As a result, I received a bare pass score for the exercise of 5/10, the second worst score in my section.   The worst score was attained by Staff Cadet DARBY who received  a score of 4/10, due mainly to the fact that he fell asleep in a fire pit during the large-scale mock attack late in the exercise that “woke up half of Canberra.”  (* It needs to be noted that Staff Cadet DARBY not only graduated with the rest of our class in June 1988 but graduated as an officer in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.  He resigned from the Army as a captain in 1995. The fact that Staff Cadet DARBY eventually graduated even after receiving lower scores than myself supports a contention that I was capable of also graduating.  I think it highly unlikely that Staff Cadet DARBY miraculously achieved a 10/10 score on his next field exercise).

6th Charge

On Thursday 7 May 1987,  I was charged for the sixth time.  After sports training that afternoon two Kokoda Company 3rd Class cadets, Staff Cadets Craig SMITH (CSC No 5318) and Doug “Bart” BARTLE (CSC No 5225), approached me in my room and asked me if they could borrow my car to get a take-away meal from the McDonald’s restaurant in Ainslie.

They knew that 3rd Class cadets did not have local leave but they had decided to take the risk of being caught off the college grounds. I had let them borrow my car on previous occasions, but on this occasion I told them that I would drive them there because my car had not been running well. Even though I was occupied with cleaning duties at the time, I did not want them to feel responsible if my car broke down.

We left the college with me and BARTLE in our RMC trackuits and with SMITH in his Patrol Blues Mess Dress uniform. As we were collecting our order from the drive-through take-away counter at the side of the restaurant, Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS, who was off-duty and in civilian attire, left the restaurant via the restaurant’s side entrance.  Almost immediately, he noticed SMITH sitting in the front passenger seat of my car.  Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS approached the car and questioned us.  We admitted that we did not have local leave so Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS took our names and ordered us to report to him the next morning.  We found out later that two senior cadets were in the car behind us and were also AWOL, and were lucky not to also get caught by Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS.

At 0800 hrs on Friday 8 May 1987, we reported to Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS in his office in the MTW building. He inf ormed us that we were charged with being Absence Without Leave, in breach of s.24 of the DFDA.  This charge was heard at an OC’s hearing held on 13 May 1987.  Both Sergeant JORGENSON Major VERCOE assumed that it was my idea to go to McDonald’s and that I had convinced SMITH and  BARTLE to come with me.

On 20 May 1987, Sergeant JORGENSON submitted a Leadership Assessment/Observation Report in which he wrote:

“…unfortunately he has started to pulldown two other members to his level.”

Major VERCOE  also submitted a Leadership Assessment/Observation Report that day in which he wrote:

“He is not well regarded by his peers and this stems from an inherent selfishness.  …He has had six charges since the last BOS [Board of Studies], and in one of them (AWL) [Absent Without Leave] he subverted two other better cadets who became implicated through his influence.”

The (incorrect) assumption that I had instigated this trip was to be crucial to the decision by the Board of Studies that I be asked to ‘Show Cause’.

Meeting with W02 Remin

Early on Friday 8 May 1987, I was seen by W02 (Warrant Officer Class 2) Siegfried REMIN regarding my copying of another staff cadet’s work on a map marking exercise.

A week earlier I realised only minutes before a map-marking lesson that I had forgotten to complete the four practice questions given as homework the previous evening.  It was far too late for me to complete the practice exercise, which had to be submitted the following lesson, so I asked Staff Cadet WHITTING for assistance.

WHITTING handed his completed exercise to me and told me to trace it, which I proceeded to do.  Minutes later we attended the map marking lesson and submitted our practice exercises.  The practice exercises were corrected and later returned to us on Friday 8 May 1987.

When I was handed my work I was told that the MTW instructor who had set the exercise, W02 Siegfried REMIN, wanted to see me in the MTW building.  Arriving at the MTW building I was ordered by W02 REMIN to go into his office. I stood to attention in front of his desk as he walked into the office and closed the door behind him.  As soon as W02 REMIN got behind his desk he began abusing me and accusing me of copying from another cadet.  He asked me whether it was me or the other cadet. I replied, “It was me, Sir.”

He told me that I was not worthy of a commission and added that:

“As long as my arsehole points to the ground you won’t be an officer in this man’s Army.”   I was then told that if I failed to improve he would take me on one of his “… little walks where strange things happen.  Just the two of us.”   I was told that on these walks, “The person who’s with me falls down and breaks their nose and I graze my fist and knee helping them up.” 

The implication was obvious.

In addition to this reprimand, I was given a sixty-five question map marking assignment’.  I believe W02 REMIN assumed I had copied off Staff Cadet WHITTING and not he off me because my map marking had been done freehand and Staff Cadet WHITTINGS’ s had been done with the issued template.  I do-not know whether it was just an assumption or whether he had questioned Staff Cadet WHITTING and he (WHITTING) had told him.  I never questioned either W02 REMIN or Staff Cadet WHITTING about it.

Later that day W02 REMIN submitted a damning Leadership Assessment/Observation Report about this incident. He wrote:

‘His decision shows a lack of integrity, an inability to organize or perform even the most simple tasks, a lack of application, no sense of responsibility, and a lack of maturity.’

This incident, and the unauthorized trip to McDonald’s (see above), was crucial in the decision by the Board of Studies that I be asked to ‘Show Cause’ (see below).

3rd Guidance Interview

During the evening of Monday 11 May 1987, I saw Captain GOSS in the MTW building for what would become my last guidance interview. Prior to the meeting I had missed the evening meal but I had quickly had a beer in the cadet wet mess.  Captain GOSS’s personal evaluation of my situation at RMC was recorded in the official Record of Interview, which stated:

“During this interview I advised SCDT Knight that I was extremely unhappy with his performance since my last interview [27 April 1987] in particular his lack of self­ discipline and maturity.  He has not learnt from past lessons or accepted advice from myself, his Coy Comd [Major VERCOE], CI [Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIS] or CO CSC [Lieutenant­ Colonel KIBBEY].   I believe his trouble stems from his lack of maturity and new found wealth resulting in a preference for social activities rather than applying himself at RMC. An example of his lack of self-discipline was that he reported to me for guidance with alcohol on his breath. The member has been lef t in no doubt [Captain GOSS’s emphasis] as to what will happen if his performance does not improve. I will discuss his performance further with his Coy Comd.”

Captain GOSS did not raise with me the smell of alcohol on my breath.  If he had, I would have told him that I had drunk one beer very quickly in the wet mess before rushing to the guidance interview.

On Wednesday 13 May 1987, SMITH, BARTLE and I each separately fronted Major VERCOE in his office to have our AWOL charge heard.  Due to the seriousness of the charge, Major VERCOE referred the charge against all three of us to the CO CSC for hearing.  I was the last to front Major VERCOE who, before he referred the charge, reprimanded me harshly.

He accused me of being the one who suggested the excursion to McDonald’s, and then he reprimanded me for dragging SMITH and BARTLE down with me, for getting them into trouble when it was all my fault. I felt that if I attempted to tell Major VERCOE what actually happened, I would be betraying two fellow cadets and I would only be accused of lying in order to protect myself .

As a result, I remained silent, looked straight ahead and accepted Major VERCOE’ s angry reprimand without protest.  It was only after my arrest and that I discovered that Major VERCOE’s (incorrect) assumption that the trip to McDonald’s was my idea and I had persuaded SMITH and BARTLE to come with me.  This was officially recorded by Major VERCOE and was a key justification in the eventual decision by the DMA’s Board of Study to recommend that I be asked to “Show Cause”.   I do not know why Major VERCOE accused me of being the one who persuaded the other two to go to McDonald’s.  I did not ask Major VERCOE or staff cadets SMITH or BARTLE.

It is relevant to note with respect to our respective judgment, that SMITH was involved in a car accident in Canberra while driving to report to Duntroon (I do not know who was ultimately found to be at fault), and BARTLE killed himself and injured two other staff cadets – one seriously (Staff Cadet McQUEEN)  – in a car accident in Canberra on 16 August 1987.   I understand that BARTLE was driving at excessive speed, lost control and crashed into a tree in Fairfax Street, O’Connor, just after midnight.  Bartle was killed instantly and the two injured staff cadets were trapped in the car for three hours (*I wrote to the ACT Coroner on 10 January 2022 in relation to the finding into Doug BARTLE’s death but did not receive a reply).

Around this time, I finally realised that if I did not begin to make a concerted effort to improve my performance, I ran the risk of being asked to ‘Show Cause’ (that is: why my appointment as a staff cadet should not be terminated), and so be thrown out of the college).

(So) I was now determined not just to pass my tests and examinations, but to pass them as well as I could. I was inspired by a renewed sense of motivation and I became dedicated to making a great comeback.  I was pleased with the feeling that my performance was steadily improving.  When the 3rd Class cadets did the PTT again I put in a determined effort and tried as hard as I could.  During the 5km run I finished 5th in my half-class and took two minutes off my previous time.

I tried to remain alert during classroom lectures instead of falling asleep as I had frequently done beforehand [as so many cadets had done due to required to prepare uniform (bogging) into the wee hours].   I tried to appear enthusiastic during practical lessons without being boisterous or ‘gung ho’.  I also took a sensible approach to training exercises held at the Majura Field Firing Range.  One test conducted at the Majura range was the 5km cross-country run which I found difficult but which I passed easily with a reasonable time.  I also tried to maintain a quiet, low profile in order to keep out of trouble, although I did occasionally seek responsibility and volunteer for extra duties.

Outside training hours, I visited any of my cadet friends who were in 5 Camp Hospital, and whenever I was going on local leave or to a sporting event I went around the Kokoda Company barracks, asking my fellow 3rd Class cadets if any of them needed a lift.

I believed strongly in helping my mates whenever I could.  In a letter to me after my arrest for the Hoddle Street shootings, a fellow 3rd Class cadet in Kokoda Company wrote; ‘I may have only known you for six months but during that time you were always a great mate, and would do anything for anyone.’

A confidential peer group rating, however, conducted within Kokoda Company on 15 May 1987, rated me as 23/26 of the 3rd Class cadets (one 3rd Class cadet – Steven RIDD – having already resigned by this stage after having initially gone AWOL).

Interviews conducted with several members of Kokoda Company produced the following comments:

(a)  He is a “character” who was “quite liked”

(b)  He is “too young” and has “no common sense”

(c)  He was a “skinhead” in Melbourne, made it common knowledge and enjoyed the image.

(d)  He had had “blues” in town with civilians.

(e)  He “dug his own grave” and made it worse for himself by talking back.

(f)  He didn’t attempt to “fit-in” and the comments directed towards him in terms of his dress and speech were “water off a duck’s back”.

This last comment suggests to me that the “peer group” interviewed consisted of senior cadets in the Company.

During my time at Duntroon I was never asked to participate in a peer group rating.  None of my classmates ever told me that they had been asked about me or had participated in a peer group rating.  I note that in spite of the negative comments, I was still not ranked at the bottom of the company.  I do not who the three staff cadets were who were rated as being lower than me or if they eventually graduated.

My renewed enthusiasm and determination to make a vast improvement was  not recognized by most of the senior cadets in Kokoda Company.  As far as they were concerned, I was not worthy of being an Army officer and they were determined to ensure that I resigned my appointment.

On 13 May  1987, my section leader, Corporal CRANE, noted that, ‘SCDT Knight continued to display a lower level of personal organisation than most members of Third Class.’ He also commented on ‘SCDT Knight’s lack of reliability’.  Instead of my situation in the barracks improving it significantly worsened.  By mid-May 1987, many senior cadets were subjecting me to regular abuse and harassment, sometimes for something I had neglected to do, but usually just for the sake of it or for light entertainment.

Three 1st Class cadets in Kokoda Company’s 14 Platoon in particular. Corporal Matthew THOMSON (CSC No 5132), Lance-Corporal Craig THORP (CSC No 5133), and Staff Cadet Nicholas EVERINGHAM (CSC No 4823) singled me out for “special treatment” and abused and victimized me at almost every opportunity.  Even though they were in 14 Platoon and their rooms were upstairs at the other end of the barracks to my room, they harassed me whenever they saw me.

I was warned by two 3rd Class cadets in 14 Platoon, Simon MACKS (CSC No 5276) and EXAUDI-LARSEN, that THOMSON, THORP and EVERINGHAM had it in for me.

During one conversation I had with Staff Cadet MACKS, he said, “They [THOMSON, THORP and EVERINGHAM] really hate you.”  I replied that I did not why.  I said that he “must hate being in their [THOMSON, THORP and EVERINGHAM’s] section.”  He laughed and said, “No, they’re as good as gold with us.” MACKS and EXAUDI-LARSEN also told me that they did not know why THOMSON, THORP and EVERINGHAM gave me such a hard time as they were “good mates” with all the other 3rd Class cadets in the Company.

I was just as bewildered.  I had not trained with, socialized with or had any personal clashes or “run-ins” with these three senior cadets prior to their victimization  of me starting, so I am at a loss, even today, to explain why they took such a dislike to me.

On one occasion Corporal THOMSON gave me a nonsensical message and told me to relay it to a certain 1st Class cadet in Gallipoli Company.  I went to the Gallipoli Company barracks and went room-by-room in a vain search for the named cadet.  When I reported back to Corporal THOMSON that I could not find the named cadet I was roundly abused by him in front of Lance-Corporal THORP and Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM, who both laughed.  I was told that I was a “fucken’ idiot” and to go back and have another look.  This process was repeated two more times before Corporal THOMSON tired of the exercise and told me not to worry about it.  During the second time I searched the Gallipoli Company barracks it dawned on me that the named cadet did not exist.  The whole incident lasted around two hours.

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   Hallway Incident

By mid-May 1987, I was having regular clashes with senior cadets in Kokoda Company.

One incident happened during the evening of Friday 15 May 1987.  I was walking along the hallway on the second storey of the south wing of the barracks, heading towards the south wing ablutions to have a shower.  I would have used the ablutions in the north wing of the barracks except the north wing’s hot water and heating system had completely broken down in early April 1987.   When I came across a group of about ten 1st Class cadets sitting on the floor on both sides of the corridor, I halted, stood to attention and requested permission to pass from the most senior cadet present (By this stage, I was the only 3rd Class cadet still being held to this initial assimilation requirement).

The most senior cadet present was Sergeant Stephen ALEXANDER (CSC No 5008), a 23-year-old ex-Wormald security officer who was the Platoon Sergeant of 14 Platoon.  Before Sergeant ALEXANDER could reply, Lance-Corporal THORP asked me, “How many times have you been charged, Knight?” I answered, “A few times, corporal.”  Corporal THOMSON then interjected, “Have you been charged with being a fuck-bucket yet?”  At this point the senior cadets present burst out laughing.  I told THOMSON I had not so THOMSON and THORP continued to ridicule me.  I quickly tired of the ridicule so I again requested permission from Sergeant ALEXANDER to pass.  ALEXANDER granted me permission over the ridicule of THOMSON and THORP so I walked on to the showers despite efforts by senior cadets to trip me up as I passed.

 

It should be noted that this incident is an example – one of many – where I conducted myself appropriately but was spoken to by senior cadets in the manner described. Any later criticism of me that I supposedly resented discipline, talked back or would confront senior cadets needs to considered with this in mind.  I also noted that the background of those that subjected me to the worst bastardization was usually one of private schooling and ‘old ‘ Duntroon/ADFA.

I do not recall a single example of a senior cadet who was a former serving soldier engaging in acts of bastardization.  These ex-Duntroon/ ADFA cadets would often say “I’ve been in the Army four years” (meaning three years at a military academy and a year at RMC).

It could also be said that of the instructors that those who tended to believe that surliness (hot temper) was a mark of toughness were those that had not seen active service.   I also recall a comment by Staff Cadet GRACE that the sailors he had served with in the RAN were “a lot tougher” than the soldiers he had served with.

In a sworn statement to the AGS on 10 April 2015, Sergeant ALEXANDER stated the following:

“I recall attending a meeting with Major Todd Vercoe, [CSM] Phil Reed and [13 Platoon Sergeant] Michael Thomson during which Knight was discussed.  I remember that the tone of discussion was positive in the sense that we discussed what could be done to help Knight.  We discussed options including moving him to another platoon to give him a fresh start, as he appeared to ostracize most of his fellow class mates.  I recall that we decided that moving him would not be productive at this late stage.”

The fact that my situation was raised with the Company OC (Officer Commanding the company) at a company meeting is proof that senior members of the company, including the Company OC, were aware that I was experiencing difficulties (persecution) with senior cadets within the company.

Parade Rehearsal

On another occasion in mid-May 1987, during a parade rehearsal the 2nd Class cadet behind me in the formation, Staff Cadet Robert HAMBURGER (CSC No 4548), a 22-year-old ADFA graduate, constantly abused me throughout the rehearsal for not being able to march.

HAMBURGER complemented the abuse by kicking my heels throughout the rehearsal.  I was more than competent in the skill of marching and had been marching since I joined the Army Cadets five years previously.  HAMBURGER simply did not like me and after the rehearsal he told a 1st Class cadet, Sergeant Michael THOMSON (CSC No 5131), a 25-year­ old former RAEME electrical technician, that I could not march and that I should be given Extra Drill parades.

Such punitive parades could only be awarded by 1st Class cadets and were conducted during the Defaulters Parades.  Sergeant THOMSON accepted HAMBURGER’ s accusations without question and immediately ordered me to attend two EDs.

It should be noted that Staff Cadet HAMBURGER entered the “old” Duntroon in 1983 but did not graduate until June 1988. He had to repeat his second academic year at ADFA and was later forced to repeat 1st Class at Duntroon due to an instance of dishonesty (he failed to attend a parade rehearsal and tried to cover it up).

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:  ‘Other Rank Tendencies’

In addition to being constantly told to resign my appointment, I was also constantly abused by senior cadets for supposedly having “Other Rank Tendencies” (ORTs).

Senior cadets claimed that ORTs were traits usually associated with private soldiers and which senior cadets considered to be un-officer like and unacceptable traits for officers.  ORTs were not, however, outlined in any manual or Standing Orders, and were not referred to by the authorities.  Nearly all of the traits that the senior cadets considered ORTs and which they complained about, were simply petty examples of their own personal prejudices.

I was, for instance, was constantly abused because of my crew cut hair.  Even though it was cut within regulation length, it was considered an ORT by senior cadets.  At one stage, I was ordered to grow my hair and Staff Cadet COLMER ordered me to “Show Parade a haircut” in a week’s time.  On another occasion, Staff Cadet BURNSIDE told me that, “Your men won’t respect you with hair like that!” (BURNSIDE’ s only military experience was as a cadet at the “old” Duntroon and at ADFA).

My sideburns were also considered an ORT by senior cadets, even though they were within regulation length.  They frequently harassed me over them and repeatedly ordered me to shave them off.  The fact that I constantly refused to shave them off angered them further.

During one evening in the barracks in mid-May 1987, I was warned by Staff Cadet BURNSIDE that, “If you don’t shave them off, someone might run in on you and shave them off themselves.”   Two evenings later, I was studying at my desk in my room when I noticed a group of about six 3rd Class cadets standing around my doorway.  They were staring at me and quietly laughing.  When I asked them what was going on they rushed into my room, pulled me struggling off my chair, and pinned me to the floor. I was held down as one of them plugged in an electric razor into a nearby wall socket and, despite my protests and my attempts to escape, completely shaved off my right sideburn.  They then quickly let go of me and hurriedly left the room laughing.

I was not impressed with having my sideburn shaved off but I took what happened in good cheer because it was fellow 3rd Class cadets who did it and who did it without malice. I later learnt, however, that they had done it at the instigation of senior cadets in the company.

I was also constantly abused by senior cadets for owning a Torana SLR 5000 because it was considered by senior cadets as “not a suitable vehicle for an officer.” This was regardless of the fact that the RMC authorities permitted staff cadets to own any type of vehicle except motorcycles. During the final stage of the ICT at Majura, I had even queried Major VERCOE about owning a Torana SLR 5000 and was told that it was quite alright to own such a car.

On a weekend in May 1987, I was washing my car in the car park outside the front of the Kokoda Company barracks when Corporal THOMSON, Lance-Corporal THORP and Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM walked out of the barracks’ middle foyer.  They were dressed in civilian attire as it was the weekend and they were all off-duty.  EVERINGHAM strode angrily over to my car and yelled at me, “What’s this fucking shit box doing here?!” I stated the obvious: “I’m washing it.”  EVERINGHAM screamed back “What?!” I calmly replied, ‘Tm washing it… Staff Cadet Everingham.”  EVERINGHAM mumbled something then curtly ordered, “Move that fucking heap of shit out of here as soon as you’re finished.” I simply nodded in reply as EVERINGHAM, THOMSON and THORP got into a nearby car and drove off.  This is another example of the manner in which I was spoken to by senior cadets.

I was even harassed by senior cadets over such things as my choice of music – “hard rock” groups such as AC/DC, The Angels and Rose Tattoo – and my choice of civilian clothes.

Many senior cadets also abused and ridiculed me for supposedly having “lout” friends, even though they did not know any of my civilian friends.  This was in addition to the abusive references they made to my girlfriends and other female civilian friends.  On occasions whilst on local leave senior cadets even went as far as sexually harassing my girlfriends or other female friends (see below).

The Australian Army is not as “rough and tough” as many believe it to be (see comment of Staff Cadet GRACE above comparing sailors with soldiers).  The social background of most of its members is actually quite conservative.  I found that the violence, regular interaction with police and widespread drug usage that I was exposed to living in inner-city Melbourne (I told fellow cadets I came from the Collingwood area because no-one had heard of Clifton Hill) was foreign to the experiences of my classmates.

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:  Sexual Harassment of (my) Female Friends 

In early April 1987, I began regularly seeing Meg RUMMERY, a 17-year-old Commonwealth public servant who worked in the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.

Meg later stated that:

“I was sexually harassed on at least two occasions by 1st Class cadets from Duntroon in order to stir up Julian.”

(Statement by Alice Meghan Rummery to Private Investigator Peter Tierney on the 17 November 1987, page 1).

 

On another occasion in late May 1987, Lance-Corporal THORP groped another female civilian friend of mine (Elizabeth “Liz” GLOVER) in front of me at the Private Bin nightclub.

I had gone to the Private Bin with Liz and Meg RUMMERY and a mutual friend, Deanne METCALFE.  We found a corner to drink in on the ground floor.  As Liz walked to the toilet THORP, who was sitting at a nearby table with a group of other senior cadets, lent out and grabbed Liz’s backside as she walked past.  When she turned around and objected, THORP and his mates laughed at her.

On one Saturday night in mid-May 1987, Meg and I had gone with other friends to the Private Bin nightclub at around 2000 hrs.  At around 2130 hrs, Meg and I decided to leave and go and visit friends in Belconnen.  At this stage of the night we were at the rear of the ground floor so we started to move towards the front door.  Another 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet J.C. TUNSTALL (CSC No 5329), was walking in front of me while Meg was walking behind me whilst holding my hand.

As we made our way through the crowd gathered in front of the main bar we passed a group of senior cadets who were also on local leave.  One 2nd Class cadet in the group, Staff Cadet Stephen MEEHAN (CSC No 5190), a 26-year-old former rifleman from 2/4 RAR, lent out and grabbed hold of each of Meg’s breasts in turn as she walked past.  I had stopped and turned around just as MEEHAN began to lean out.

After witnessing MEEHAN’ s actions, I stepped towards him and told him sternly to “Lay off.”  MEEHAN simply lent back on his seat, folded his arms, smirked and laughed.  I began to move towards MEEHAN  but Meg quickly stepped in front of me and quietly told me to “forget it.”

TUNSTALL had also noticed what was happening so he grabbed me from behind and warned me that if I did anything to MEEHAN, the senior cadets would seek retribution when I got back to the college.  Meg again told me to forget what happened so I reluctantly let her lead me to the door.

I never reported the incident but it remained ingrained in my memory.  I felt great anger and frustration over this incident, and other similar incidents, because it appeared to me that the senior cadets considered themselves a group of “untouchables.”  To have assaulted MEEHAN, or to have reported the incident, would have undoubtedly resulted in swift and severe retribution from the senior cadets at the college (* Staff Cadet MEEHAN was forced to repeat a class and did not graduate until June 1988).

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   TOC Incident

In one incident on a Saturday afternoon in May 1987, I was ordered to prepare tea, coffee and toast for some of the senior cadets in 15 Platoon.

This was for afternoon ‘TOC’ (Duntroon language for ‘tea or coffee?’ used to refer to tea breaks at the college) and was conducted in a spare room in the barracks converted into 15 Platoon’s ‘TOC room’.   The room was located directly opposite my room (cadet private quarters) in the Kokoda Company barracks.

I was initially instructed to prepare the TOC orders of senior cadets whilst I was on the TOC room floor, crawling from table to table. After about five minutes, I was instructed to prepare the orders without touching the floor, so I had no option but to climb over the tables and chairs. Throughout this [bastardisation] exercise the senior cadets present, which included 2nd Class Staff Cadets DUNKLEY and COLMER, yelled at me to hurry up with the orders or they changed their orders when their initial order was partially completed.

After about 10 minutes, I and another 3rd Class cadet, Staff Cadet Paul THOMPSON (CSC No 5328), were both given a piece of toast smothered in butter, honey and peanut butter.

We were then ordered to force our slices of toast unbroken into our mouths and eat them.  The winner of this “race” was the first to get the entire slice into their mouth. Soon after this “race”, Staff Cadet COLMER strode into my room, stood on my chair and stuck a piece of butter-covered toast onto the ceiling. When the slice eventually fell to the floor, COLMER wiped the residue butter off the ceiling and threw the slice of toast into my bin. The entire episode lasted about 15 minutes and was a  great source of entertainment to  the senior cadets involved . Staff Cadet THOMPSON and I, however, treated the incident warily as “all in good fun”. Even so, I considered it as juvenile “fun” that I did not particularly wish to participate in. It was apparent it was a custom of the “old” Duntroon and I did not wish to perpetuate it.

By mid-May 1987, I was feeling increasingly isolated and persecuted at the college. I felt disappointed in myself when I got myself into trouble, and I was becoming increasingly angry and bitter at the unprovoked treatment I was receiving from many – but not all – senior cadets. Instead of ignoring or reporting the victimization and harassment, l became defiant and sought to “tough it out”. I was too immature and too strong willed  to simply disregard the persecution and wait another month until the 1st Class  graduated  and  I became a 2nd Class cadet. I failed to recognize that by confronting the senior cadets I was simply worsening my own position. I felt that I had been singled out for “special treatment” with the aim of forcing me to resign, and the treatment I did receive only serves to confirm this assumption.

I was determined that I would be thrown out before I resigned of my own volition. In the evenings I began to seek solace by driving into Civic (even though it was an AWOL offence for 3rd Class cadets to go on local leave during Monday to Thursday), buying a few cans of beer, then returning to the Kokoda Company rear car park to drink and brood alone in my car. I drank alone in my car not out of respect for the ban on alcohol in the barracks, but because I wanted to avoid any interaction with senior cadets. When on local leave I tried to avoid the traditional hang-outs of Duntroon cadets, such as the Private Bin nightclub, and went to socialise in Belconnen or further afield.

My pent-up anger and suppressed frustration at the college coincided with increasing incidences of violence when I was on local leave. Although I was spending most of my local leave with my civilian girlfriend and our friends, and I was trying to avoid encountering senior cadets outside the college, I still frequented pubs and nightclubs which Duntroon and ADFA cadets also frequented.  This was practically unavoidable in Canberra.

Throughout mid-May 1987, I was involved in a number of fights with civilians at nightclubs in Civic. In the main, however, I did not instigate these confrontations. In one incident at the Civic Club I interceded  in a confrontation between Kokoda Company 3rd Class cadets Craig SMITH and Doug BARTLE and a small group of civilians. As I approached the group it appeared that Staff Cadet SMITH, who was very drunk, was about to be assaulted by the civilian he was arguing with so I rushed over and assaulted the civilian. The club’s bouncers broke-up the ensuing fight.

Fight with ADFA cadets

On the night of Friday 22 May 1987, I gave a lift to two 3rd Class cadets from Kokoda Company, John “Steve” McQUEEN and Eric GARDINER (CSC No 5251). Following a minor accident I had on Canberra Avenue, which incapacitated my car, Staff Cadet McQUEEN was given a lif t by a passing civilian to his dinner date, and I caught a taxi into Civic with Staff Cadet GARDINER. We arrived at around 2100hrs and we went directly to the Private Bin nightclub to meet up with other 3rd Class cadets.

While at the Private Bin, I drank heavily.  At around 0100 hrs on Saturday 23 May 1987, I left the Private Bin with Kokoda Company 3rd Class cadets Craig SMITH and Doug BARTLE. As we were leaving we crossed paths with a group of six ADFA cadets who were about to enter the club, two of whom were RAN midshipmen dressed in their White Jacket Mess Dress uniforms.  SMITH, who was drunk, made some loud derogatory remarks about the Navy as he passed them.   After further derogatory remarks by SMITH, a fight ensued between us and the ADFA cadets in a laneway near the Private Bin nightclub.  Although Staff Cadet SMITH had provoked the confrontation, I was the one who initiated the fight by throwing the first punch.  During this encounter I suffered a broken nose and two chipped front teeth.

When an ADFA cadet and I were the last ones fighting the fight was broken up by the intercession of the others present.  My injuries were treated at 5 Camp Hospital at around 0130hrs by the Medical Officer on night duty, Lieutenant K.E. MILLER (but my broken nose was not re-set or bandaged).  I told Lieutenant MILLER that I had been in a fight with civilians in Civic, but later admitted that it was with ADFA cadets.   I was kept in 5 Camp Hospital for observation and I was discharged at 0930 hrs by the duty Nursing Officer, Flying Officer D. THOMAS.

The failure of the medical staff at 5 Camp Hospital to set my broken nose has left me with permanent damage to the inside of my nose. This damage was -not detected until I was administered a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test by a prison nurse on 19 February 2022.  Although I had suffered breathing difficulties since leaving the Army I had not connected these difficulties to my previously broken nose.  Nor had I ever had cause – or the ability – to look up my own nose. On 2 February 2023, I was informed by prison doctor Dr Saji JOHN that I will require surgery to have this damage corrected.

7th Charge

After going on local leave on Saturday 23 May 1987, I spent the night with my girlfriend in my room in the Kokoda Company barracks (in contravention of Standing Orders relating to entertaining civilian friends in the lines).

Early the following morning we were leaving the barracks hand-in-hand when we passed an instructor, Major P.J. NEUHAUS (who was one of the officers on my Selection Board), as he was entering the barracks.  Although Major NEUHAUS said nothing at the time and simply kept walking, he later charged me with Failure to Comply With a Lawful General Order in breach of s.29 of the DFDA.  It was my seventh charge.  The fact that others entertained their girlfriends or other civilian friends in the lines was not an excuse.

On the morning of Monday 25 May 1987, I was examined at 5 Camp Hospital by a Navy doctor, Lieutenant P.J. NEWBERY, who sent me into Civic to have my head x-rayed at a medical centre. The x-rays indicated that I had an undisplaced nose fracture but no other cranial fractures. As a result, Lieutenant NEWBERY passed me as ‘Fit for Restricted Duty’ only, and recommended that I be employed as a “Command Post Warrior” (HQ signaller) during the upcoming field exercise FEX “Samichon”. Later that afternoon I attended the 21st Dental Unit, located in a wing of the 5 Camp Hospital, to have my damaged front teeth treated. The Army dentist, Captain A.J. LYNHAM, filed down the chipped lower front tooth and filled in the chipped upper tooth.

By the time I reported back on duty that afternoon the Battlecraf t testing, which was being held that day in the hills behind the college, was practically over. This was a major training assessment so my failure to complete it had a detrimental effect on my academic rating (see Attachment 6).

Aspects of Training

During my time at Duntroon there were a number of questionable aspects to the training.

Of the infantry W02 instructors, all were Vietnam War veterans except one, W02 REMIN. For whatever reason, W02 REMIN peppered his commands to staff cadets with supposed Vietnamese expressions taken from Vietnam War movies, such as “Di Di Mau.” I have asked Vietnamese prisoners about the Vietnamese spoken in Vietnam War movies and they tell me it is gibberish.  On the occasion we were completing the Bayonet Assault Course at the Majura Range W02 REMIN ran up and down the course firing blank rounds at us from an M60 machinegun.  His young son (aged around 7) accompanied him dressed in a child’s camouflage uniform.

The lecture we were given on handling or becoming POWs was given by an infantry W02 who was a Vietnam War yeteran.  He began with a laughing referral to the fact that Australians “didn’t take many prisoners in Vietnam.” The instruction in relation to both taking prisoners and to surrendering was along the lines suggested by the well-known Geneva Conventions (i.e. only to give name, rank and serial number) . I asked the question whether, if you were fighting an enemy known to torture prisoners, it would be better to keep the last bullet for yourself.  I was contemptuously told that I was “an idiot” and that “You can if you want to, but no-one else will.” As far as Australians having a reputation for not taking many prisoners, subsequent events in Afghanistan would seem to suggest that the Vietnam War-era attitude became inculcated in the Australian Army .

On one occasion at Majura Range we were given a firepower demonstration with LlAl SLR and M16 rifles, and an M60 machinegun, being fired by NCO instructors at a very large gun tree. As we sat in front of the tree the officer who introduced the demonstration pinned a white piece of paper behind the tree and challenged anyone to bet that the piece of paper would not be shot full of holes. I quietly said to Staff Cadet GRACE that there was no way those rounds were going to penetrate it (the tree was around 6′ in diameter – an Armour Piercing 105mm tank round would not have penetrated it!) A cadet sitting next to us said I didn’t know what I was talking about. In fact, I did. I owned a 7.62mm x 51calibre M14 rifle before attending Duntroon and I had fired it at trees of various thickness in the Tooborac/Puckapunyal area. Needless to say, of the hundreds of rounds fired at the tree at Majura, not a single one penetrated it.

I had participated in a handful of contact  drills during my  time in the Army  Reserve  and I was in no way proficient in these drills (and I never claimed to be). At times I tried to be innovative in giving orders during section contact  drills.  When  acting  as  a  section commander  during FEX “Samichon”  (see below) my solution to the section being caught on a ridgeline during a contact with an “enemy” rifleman was to order Staff Cadet MACKS to “Rip a ’66 [66mm Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon] into him!” I was criticized  for doing this by the Directing Staff. Having  watched  hours  of  news  reports  from  Iraq  and Afghanistan during 2001-2017, I have noticed that this particular ‘solution’ actually became commonplace.

It did not occur to me until after I left the Army that I was not expected to be innovative but to simply follow the drills taught to us so that my ability to give orders could be assessed.

Last Classroom Assessment

On 25 May 1987, I topped my group during a public speaking  exercise.  The  classroom exercise was a mock Royal Commission hearing based on the Tasman  Bridge  maritime disaster when a ship had crashed into Hobart’s road bridge. I was given the role of the ship’s captain. After the  exercise  concluded,  the  instructor,  Captain  L.A. GREENLAND,  praised me for my communication skills and told me, in front of the rest of the  class, that  I had topped the class (see Attachment  7). She also told me that she was pleased to see me making a much greater effort in class.

I am not suggesting that my commendable performance in this last classroom assessment outweighed my other, poor, results. I do submit, however, that it lends credence to my claim that I had decided at this stage to improve my performance. It is also an example of what I could achieve when I made an effort and what I could achieve vis-a-vis my classmates.

On the morning of Tuesday 26 May 1987, I reported to 5 Camp Hospital for an arranged check-up. I told the Army medic who examined me, Sergeant T. GIULIANI, that I felt well enough to patrol so I was passed ‘Fit for Restricted Duty’ with the only restriction being that I protect my nose which was having a problem setting.

FEX “Samichon”

FEX “Samichon” was held during 26-29 May 1987, and was a 4-day tactical operations exercise held in the Bateman’s Bay region of the Mogo State Forest on NSW’ s south coast.  The exercise was essentially training in patrolling, contact drills and counter-ambush drills at the 11-man section level.

As only 3rd Class cadets were attending the exercise, every cadet was rotated through the various positions in each section, including the command positions of section leader and section 2IC. The instructor assigned to each section assessed each cadet in the section on two occasions; once after the cadet acted as the section 2IC, and once again after he acted as the sectionJeader.

Each assessment was recorded on a Field Report card (known as “pinks”).  During FEX “Samichon” I was energetic and did my best to act as mature and responsible as possible, and to make as few mistakes as possible.  I was intent on making a good impression on my section instructor, Sergeant P.J. STILL, and I concentrated on maintaining a good performance throughout the exercise.  When there were section de-briefings following tactical manoeuvres I made thoughtful and sensible contributions, and I refrained from being a “smart-arse” or making stupid comments.  I was also overjoyed to be on a field exercise without 2nd Class cadets, and this was quite clearly displayed in my general manner and attitude. My overall performance on FEX “Samichon” was in direct contrast to my performance on the previous field exercise, FEX “Tobruk”, during which I had been constantly angry, unenthusiastic, had made as little effort as possible, and was generally indifferent to practically everything that happened on the exercise.

My determination and concerted effort to excel on FEX “Samichon”, however, turned to bitterness at the end of the exercise when I was shown my end-of-exercise Field Report card.  I  was disappointed at Sergeant STILL’s comments on the card, which concentrated almost entirely on the mistakes I had made while acting as section leader.  Even so, after some reflection, I accepted most of the criticisms.  Sergeant STILL had noted that I had run ‘around as if he’s bullet proof’, and that I used ‘Rambo tactics’ (the use of the 66mm SRAAW was an example given).  Sergeant STILL also noted that, ‘Knight’s navigation  is suspect’, due to a considerable error I made in pin-pointing the section’s location on the map after having only moved a short distance.  Sergeant STILL did, however, note that I gave clear and concise “fire orders” and that I had controlled the fire of the section’s machine gun group very well when I had acted as the section 2IC. What disappointed me was not the comments on the Field Report card, but the overall mark I received – 5/10 – the same mark I had received at the end of FEX “Tobruk”. I received the lowest mark in the section, along with Staff Cadet CG. HILL (CSC No 5258), who also received 5/10.

At the end of FEX “Samichon”, as we were driven back to the college, I felt bitter, withdrawn and deeply depressed. I felt defeated in my attempts to make a comeback and I felt a sense of impending doom.

I sat next Staff Cadet EXAUDI-LARSEN during the journey back to the college. Kim told me how he felt that succeeding at RMC would be his last chance to make his parents proud of him, and that if he resigned and went home his parents would be ashamed of him.  He said, therefore, that he would never resign of his own choice because he felt that if he did, he would have nothing to return home to.  Kim was adamant that if he did resign and return home, it would be in disgrace as far as his family would be concerned. I confessed to him that I felt that I was in a similar situation and that I too had been resolute in my decision not to resign. I told him that I had concluded, however, that at that stage it looked like I would eventually be run out of the college or be thrown out.

I point out that the fact that I had still not voluntarily resigned after months of constant bastardization by senior cadets could be construed as evidence of resilience on my part.

We arrived back at the college in the late afternoon of Friday 29 May 1987, and we assembled at the MTW building near  the  Kokoda  Company  barracks.  As was  the  usual  practice,  we had to clean  and  return  issued  weapons  and  equipment  before  we  would  be  dismissed.  After a couple of hours I was still cleaning some equipment  at the MTW armoury when  I was informed by another 3rd  Class cadet from Kokoda  Company, Staff  Cadet McQUEEN, that I was the Kokoda Company “Coy-Ord”  (Company Orderly) for the day and  that a 2nd Class cadet had been covering for me until then. ( * Each company had a Company Orderly rostered on every day of the week with both 211d and J rd Class cadets being rotated through the duty via a roster system.

It was a 24-hour duty commencing each day at 0600hrs). I asked McQUEEN if he was joking as we had just returned from a field exercise (* It was standard practice that a cadet was not rostered on as Company Orderly upon returning from a field exercise). McQUEEN replied that he was only telling him what a 211d  Class cadet, Staff  Cadet SHAW, had told him to tell him.

An hour later I finished cleaning the exercise equipment and returned to the Kokoda Company barracks. I immediately went to the company’s main noticeboard to read through the Kokoda Company Coy-Ord roster. The Company Orderly rostered for that day was, in fact, Staff Cadet SHAW and I was not due to relieve him until 0600hrs the following day. My anger began to rise as I made my way to the company’s recreation room where a group of cadets were watching a video. Staff Cadet SHAW was amongst them and when he saw me in the doorway he told me that I was the company’s Coy-Ord for the day. I retorted angrily, “Bullshit! I’ve seen the roster. I’m not doing your Coy-Ord duty for you.” SHAW spun around in his lounge chair to face me and yelled, “You’ll do what I fuckin’ tell you to do!” I responded by telling him he could “forget it!” as I walked off into the foyer.

A couple of hours later I got in my car and went on local leave. I drove straight to the Belconnen Mall and purchased a black-handled, stainless steel, imitation switchblade knife with a 4″ blade from the mall’s army disposal store. I chose that particular knife because it was easy to handle, was easy to conceal and had a double-edged blade with the leading edge fully sharpened, and the other edge partially sharpened near the tip of the blade.

I considered the fights I had recently been in with civilians and the increasing confrontations I was having with senior cadets, and I decided that it was wise to start carrying a knife for my own protection.

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   Jeans Incident at Private Bin (nightclub)

After purchasing the knife I left the Belconnen Mall and drove straight to my girlfriend’s house in the nearby Canberra suburb of Page.

My girlfriend, Meg RUMMERY, and I then left her house and arrived at the Private Bin nightclub at around 2130 hrs. We entered the ground floor bar and went to get a table by the door.  On the way, we passed Lance-Corporal THORP and Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM, who were on local leave and who were drinking by the bar.

EVERINGHAM sternly called me over and told me that he did not like the faded jeans I was wearing (he was himself wearing jeans) and, anyway, RMC Dress Regulations forbade the wearing of denim by cadets when they ere on local leave (* This ·was a regulation that was almost universally disobeyed by cadets of all classes). He told me that I should not be wearing them and I would be in trouble if any instructors caught me. He then ordered me to return to the college and change.

I told EVERINGHAM that I would take the risk of being caught and then I walked back to Meg at a nearby table.

RMC bastardisation informal standing order ##:   Bayonet Incident

At around 0730hrs on Saturday 30 May 1987, all the cadets at RMC attended a parade rehearsal for the upcoming Queen’s Birthday Parade.  The rehearsal involved drill with rifle and bayonet. The rehearsal finished at around 0930hrs and the cadets were marched off the college’s main parade ground.

As they were forming up into their respective companies to march back to their barracks, Lance-Corporal THORP angrily called me over to where he was standing on the road leading to the parade ground.  The moment I arrived THORP began abusing me over the jeans incident the previous night. As THORP ranted at me he had his unsheathed bayonet levelled a couple of inches from my chest.  He furiously told me that I “must be a fucking idiot” for wearing jeans on local leave, and for not returning to the barracks when instructed to by Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM.  When THORP had finished abusing me he quickly jabbed me in the chest with his bayonet (not tapped me on the shoulder with it as was later claimed).

I reacted instantly by angrily pushing THORP’ s arm away and striding off to form up with the rest of Kokoda Company.  I ignored THORP’s furious commands to return to where he was standing.

Kokoda Company marched off in formation and just before we halted at the Kokoda Company barracks THORP, who was behind me, told me to remain behind after we were dismissed. Moments later the company halted and was dismissed on the road in front of the barracks. THORP immediately told me that he was going to charge me with insubordination for walking off on him. I queried this but THORP interjected by shouting “Stand to attention when you talk to me!” I responded, “You can get fucked. I’m sick of this shit.”

Exasperated, I turned around and strode off. THORP yelled at my back, “Get back here, Knight!” He then added, “I’m going to charge you!” I shouted back over my shoulder, “Good! We’ll settle it at the charge hearing!”

I then mounted the steps into the barracks and walked to my room.  I had only just entered my room and thrown my cap and rifle on my bed when I heard someone yell from the hallway, “Get out here, Knight!  I ventured out into the hallway and saw Staff Cadet HAMBURGER striding down the hallway towards me and we met halfway down the hallway. As we came face-to-face, HAMBURGER started abusing me for walking off on Lance-Corporal THORP and told me, “You’re not going to push me around like you did little Thorp! I oughta’ punch you in the head!” He then told me that I was going to be charged with insubordination.  Whenever I attempted to speak HAMBURGER lent forward and shouted, “Shut your mouth!” On my third attempt to speak, HAMBURGER furiously shouted, “Shut your fuckin’ mouth!” I then calmly replied, “If you’re not going to listen to me, I’m not going to talk to you.” As I turned to walk back to my room HAMBURGER grabbed me by the front of my shirt with both hands, then quickly and violently pushed me backwards up against the wall and held me there.

By this stage, there were about ten 1st and 2nd Class cadets standing around me, including 15 Platoon’s platoon sergeant, Sergeant STONE and my section leader, Corporal CRANE.

The 3rd Class cadets in the area (Staff Cadets Craig SMITH, Stuart “Sid” CHROME (CSC No 5240) and Adrian MANNERING) all remained in their rooms. HAMBURGER continued holding me up against the wall and kept repeating “I oughta’ punch you in the head.  I oughta’ punch you in the fuckin’ head.” I believed that I was going to be attacked at any moment so I asked HAMBURGER to let go of me while gently trying to push his arms away. I noticed that the only 3rd Class cadet in the hallway, Staff Cadet CHROME, was standing a few metres away in the doorway of Staff Cadet MANNERING’ s room and was watching what was happening. I looked at him, raised my arms above my head and loudly asked CHROME, “Are you watching this?” CHROME stared back at me but remained silent as he walked into MANNERING’ s room out of sight. I was willing and able to fight the senior cadets in the hallway should I be attacked, but the fact that my classmates were not even prepared to bear witness to me being bashed, let alone come to my aid, was one of the most disheartening experiences I had at Duntroon.

As only senior cadets were huddled around me in the hallway, I feared that I was about to be bashed by them so I decided to strike first. I knocked HAMBURGER’ s arms away and angrily pushed him backwards. As I stepped forward to press home my attack a 2nd Class cadet, Staff Cadet DUNKLEY, quickly stepped in between us and held us apart. At this point, Corporal THOMSON barged through the crowd on my right side and shouted at me, “I saw that! You’re gone!  You’re getting charged with insubordination and assaulting a superior!” THOMSON concluded by confining me to my room and telling me to go there immediately.

I glared back at THOMSON for a moment then turned and angrily strode back to my room. When I got there I turned and started talking to Sergeant STONE and Corporal CRANE in the doorway. STONE asked me what had caused the confrontation with HAMBURGER, and I was just starting to explain when Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM ran up on my right side shouting abuse at me. EVERINGHAM was so enraged and he was yelling so hard that he was unintelligible. Sergeant STONE stepped forward and told EVERINGHAM to calm down, then he told me to step back into my room.

When I walked back into my room, Corporal THOMSON walked in behind me. When I turned around at the foot of my bed, THOMSON told me to take off my bayonet, which was still attached to my parade belt in a scabbarq. I asked aggressively, “Why?” THOMSON, who was standing near the door, replied, “Just do it.” I glared back at him for a few moments then, maintaining my stare at him, I unclipped my belt and tossed it onto the end of my bed .

THOMSON watched the belt land on the bed then inf ormed me, “You’re going to be charged with insubordination and assaulting a superior.” I snapped back, “Good! We’ll settle it at the charge hearing.” THOMSON stared back at me wide-eyed and then said, “You’re a fool, Knight”, as he backed out of the room. I flicked up my right hand as I angrily retorted, “Just get out!  We’ll settle it at the charge hearing.”

After THOMSON walked out Sergeant STONE walked into the room and calmly asked me what had caused the earlier incident. After I recounted the whole story, STONE told me to stay in my room and “cool off.”  I asked him if I was confined to my room.  STONE told me he I was not, but to stay there and relax. STONE then left.

A few minutes later Staff Cadet EXAUDI-LARSEN walked into my room and asked me what had happened earlier. I was flustered and quite angry by this stage. I lit up a cigarette and angrily paced up and down my room as I told Kim what had happened. Kim listened sympathetically and expressed his concern, but soon afterwards he had to leave as all the 3rd Class cadets in Kokoda Company had been ordered to clean-up the outside of the barracks.

I finished my cigarette alone in my room then noticed my fellow 3rd Class cadets were outside working dressed in shorts, sneakers and tee-shirts. Not wanting to sit in my room while my classmates were working, I got changed and joined them outside. As I moved around the outside of the northern end of the barracks I asked the various 3rct Class cadets who had been in the vicinity when the incident with HAMBURGER had occurred earlier – CHROME, MANNERING and SMITH – why they hadn’t come out of their rooms when they heard the commotion in the hallway. They all avoided looking at me and all of them said the same thing; they had stayed in their rooms because they did not want to get involved. This response depressed me even further.

Soon after I had finished talking with CHROME, MANNERING and SMITH, I was told by a 2nd Class cadet that I was to report immediately to CSM REED at his office in the south wing of the barracks.

When I arrived at REED’ s office, REED was sitting behind his desk and he snarled at me to enter the room.  I marched straight in and stood to attention in front of REED’s desk. As REED adjusted himself in his chair, I turned my head slightly to the right and noticed that Staff Cadet EVERINGHAM was sitting atop a filing cabinet in the corner behind me. REED proceeded to reprimand me harshly for what had happened earlier that morning, then he informed me that the charges of insubordination and assaulting a superior were not going to be proceeded with

(* charges that would have most likely resulted in time in the ADF’s military prison and a dishonourable discharge or, at a minimum, a dishonourable discharge, but which would have required the pressing of formal charges and the holding of a court­ martial).

REED said that instead of being charged, he was confining me to barracks for the weekend. He finished by sneering at me and muttering, “Now get out.” I began the mandatory, “Excuse me, ple …” but was cut off by REED snapping, “Get out of my sight!”

REED has subsequently claimed that he knew that I was going to be asked to “Show Cause” the following morning.  If so, then the question arises as to what was the point of confining me to barracks?  It would, if REED is correct, appear to have been one last pointless indignity. If the decision had not, at that stage, been made to ask me to ‘show cause’, then my stabbing of REED later that night was the crucial factor is the Board of Studies’ decision (I note that the Board of Studies – see below – was not held until the 3 June 1987).

As I strolled back to my room I felt demoralized and a sense of injustice. I was angry because I felt that REED had taken the course of military law into his own hands and, as a result, the RMC authorities would not be informed about what had transpired that morning. I believed that REED had acted independently to cover for his fellow 1st Class cadets, who probably feared that an official hearing would call some of their own actions into question. I recognized that REED had saved me from yet another charge hearing where I would no doubt be found guilty of some misconduct, but I also realized that REED’s motivation was to protect THORP, HAMBURGER, EVERINGHAM and THOMSON from any disciplinary action. I was also angered that REED had acted beyond his powers and had dispensed punishment as a self-established Summary Authority. I wanted my ‘1 day in court’; I wanted the matter to go before an official hearing even though I realized that I would also suffer from such a hearing.

I had only just returned to my room when Sergeant STONE told me to join him in his room at the end of the hallway. STONE was an even-tempered, fair, friendly and approachable 1st Class cadet who, unlike many senior cadets, never bastardized or victimized anyone in the company.  He was well liked and he was one of the very few senior cadets that I actually liked. When STONE talked to me that morning it was in an informal and unofficial manner while we were both seated around STONE’s desk. STONE told me that he was certain that I was going to be thrown out of the college.

I had prepared himself for this possibility, but when I actually heard someone say that it was about to happen, I was stunned. I had thought that my increased effort and my improved performance over the previous two weeks had saved me from a dreaded “Show Cause” hearing. STONE’s /1 off the record” revelation was a severe blow to me. I finally realized that my life-long ambition of a career as an officer in the Australian Regular Army was about to come to an abrupt end in the ignominy of what was essentially a dishonourable discharge. STONE advised me to write up my resignation over the weekend and hand it in on Monday morning.

He further advised me to re-enlist in the ARA as a private soldier before re-applying for Duntroon in a couple of years. I told him that I would write up my resignation over the weekend and present it to Major VERCOE on Monday morning.  I then got up and returned to my room where I sat resigned and dejected at my desk for the next half hour.

Later on Saturday 30 May 1987, I drove two other 3rd Class cadets to an oval in Manuka to attend a 2nd XVIII Australian Rules football match. On a return trip to the college one of my car’s wheel nuts snapped off and I spent most of the rest of the afternoon in the barracks.

I spent a lot of this time just brooding in my room. I was rostered on as the Kokoda Company Coy-Ord that day but one of my close civilian friends, Deanne METCALFE, was celebrating her 18th birthday at the Ainslie Hotel that evening.

I decided that considering I was about to resign and that I would soon be back in Melbourne, I would disregard my Coy-Ord duties that night and attend Deanne’s birthday celebrations instead. I was adamant that I was not going to miss her birthday celebrations and that I was not going to spend my last weekend in Canberra confined to barracks. I realized that when I did not report for duty I would be charged with Absence From Duty.

Even so, I felt assured that these charges would be withdrawn the moment I submitted my resignation. Even if they were not, I did not care anyway.

Given all the above, and the bastardisation in legacy and continues to this day, that it is no surprise that the Duntroon brand has continued to suffer a bad reputation.