Divisional Staff, HMAS Leeuwin
46th DIVISIONAL LEADING HAND
... it was a long time ago - but I do have fond memories of my time at Leeuwin.
I was a JR in the 13th intake in 1965 - Marks Division.
When I was made divisional
leading hand of the 42nd intake in June 1973, I arrived in Perth with my then fiancee
(Jo).
I was only with the 42nd for six months until their passing out and then picked
up the 46th intake.
Given I had been a JR I knew how things worked and the sort of
things the JR's would get up to (which made me the perfect patsy). My responsibility
was to look after 50 or so JR's on the bottom deck of C block - teach them to wash &
iron etc and marching. In general a basic introduction to Navy life, and to be there
to sort out any minor dramas.
On numerous occasions I would spring the odd JR or two at the pub ( The Herdsman
and a bar in Murray St in the City) I never ran them in, but "the look" got the
message across.
I fondly remember when I left Leeuwin on leave in May 1974 to get married in
Brisbane, I was called up to the rec room by Leut Roberts and was presented with
a portable TV ( it was a big deal back in 74) as a wedding present, from the JR's.
When I returned to Leeuwin, it was only for 6 weeks and I was QM on the gate until
I was posted to HMAS Perth. The Perth was heading to Long Beach in the U.S. for 12
months for a weapons update refit.
Fortunately it was an accompanied draft, so
Jo and I had an extended honeymoon in the U.S thanks to the Royal Australian Navy.
I stayed on the Perth until I paid off in 1977. 
We moved to Queensland ( Caloundra and
later Kipparing) and had two girls. A job opportunity arose in late 1995, and as
we had always said we would love to live in Perth someday, we packed up and moved
over to the West and have been here ever since. My daughters both married, live
here and I have 2 grandsons (aged 6 & 3).
Yes, I'm still happily married ( to
the same woman).