I say it was the Bren. Came back and couldn´t hear a thing for a whole day. Couzd also have meen mortars. Anyway, I´m now partially deaf. My quite loud motorbike is now no bother at all. And living near a major airport is ok too. But it might just be hereditory as my dad was the same (although he was cavalry).
Like most of us as a young soldier I just accepted that the ringing in the ears that lasted a week after a heavy range day was part of the job back then. We weren't issued any form of hearing protection then. Blokes getting out after coming home from Vietnam who complained of hearing losses were basically told "stiff s***". It all took a toll - the noise from weapons to helicopters and vehicles. I think the first to get any compensation was Normie Rowe, ex-rock singer, ex-Nasho, ex-gunner.
Me? I'm in my late 60s now and deaf as a post without serious hearing aids.
In my early Army days, 1966 on, we were issued a packet of Bilsom, tear a piece off, roll it up and insert into ears.
Problem with that stuff is we would be constantly needing it dug out by the RAP lads.
But it was used as an excuse by the OZ Gov. not to pay out on ear damage, as they had provided protection.
Hey, thgere's a name I remember well........ Normie Rowe. He was a rock singer when I was there. I didn't know that he'd won the ballot too! Anyone in Oz remember a band/group called The Easy Beats? Good band at the time. I heard that one of that band won the ballot too! I was in 8RAR when we got the little plastic thinggies
An Aussie group who made a massive impact here in the UK:
Yes we might be going off the thread a bit, but it was headed "Something for Peter Laidler and a few others"
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Judith Durham was definately something for Peter Laidler. A nice morningtown ride with Judith would help the day pass............ In my dreams! Just listened to it. Didn't realise what a lovely voice she had. Nice to hear again. They also did some Fijian songs that we used to sing along to when we were training Fijian NCO's in Waiouru(?). EEsa EEsa is one I can still remember the words to............. and another about the Fijian Army going off to fight in Malaya in the 50's. Happy days - or just a charmed life..........?
Last edited by Peter Laidler; 06-04-2015 at 04:22 AM.
Still going strong but sad to hear she had a brain hemirage, God bless her:
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 06-04-2015 at 02:10 PM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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