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| THE 2006 GFL |
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One of the lasting truths about being a soldier is that friendships formed with comrades in arms are the deepest and most enduring General Fred Franks . US Army.
The origin of the term Skidd Rowe remains a mystery to me. Either that or failing memory
has once more advanced in open order and at the double! Yet Skidd Rowe were household words as early as 1962 , shortly after the birth of our Regiment .. they provided a nom de guerre for the single , living-in RLI Officers at the Officers Mess , Cranborne Barracks . The term became synonomous with the subaltern club , the dash and daring , the feisty humour and plain naughtiness of those key members of the Incredibles It , in no way , tainted their professionalism or conduct in the field.It simply explained what characters they were. And what characters they remain a quarter of a century later !
Following our political defeat ( and military victory ! ) in 1980 Skidd Rowe members , like all of us , split up and went underground for a period . Unknown to many , they, in tune with their true character revitalized a surprisingly long time ago and instituted annual get togethers to celebrate that true comradeship which applies soley to ex army men who have shared the pain of war.Unknown to most of us Skidd Rowe reunions have been taking place for several years , at various RVs , literally across the globe. These events have been accorded an official abbreviation : GFU , which translated means Get Fired Up .A gathering for a lunch is formally known as a GFL , a Get Fired Lunch.Such terminology could only originate from Skidd Rowes unique Band of Brothers !
The 2006 event was held in Kwa Zulu Natal , SA.. There were various venues over the two day period. 24 and 25 November. : Salt Rock , Ballito Bay and Kloof .in addition to a nearby Golf Course. I still cannot believe the generosity , kindness and true comradeship shown to me by Skidd Rowe. I remain shattered. I not only received an invite but was presented with a free air ticket and free road transport plus much more .Skidd Rowe had done it again ! I remain eternally grateful to them all ! Fortunately I was in Caprivi Strip at the time staying with my son . This was not fortunate for Rick Van Malsen , my former Adjutant and the last Adjutant of our Regiment and a Skidd Rowe veteran who served with much distinction. Rick gave me overnight lodging , some 52 hours free transport and companionship ; gifts that only Skidd Rowe can give
The initial RV was a quaint and comfortable pub in Kloof. With over 30 members present , together with a number of guests from various units and even the Blue Jobs , we gathered in the garden and at mid day commenced to get fired up . The faces were pages from history and despite the passage of over 25 years the characters were there , as they had been , so long ago . The steady reinforcement and replacement of deceased chibulis was stimulating but not essential to that joy of reunion. The unending recall of past days ,and absent friends ; the catching up with present times ;the never ending light heartedness and stream of jokes created an unending buzz ,reminiscent of Friday nights or R and R in the Mess.An informal lunch was served on demand. With the coming of darkness a bus carried us to Salt Rock where we invaded another attractive pub to enjoy yet more chibulis and an informal tasty supper. After midnight we retreated to our extremely quiet and luxurious accommodation nearby .
Day 2 saw the golfing fraternity descend on a very posh Golf Course nearby. Unfortunately the weather permitted an average of only 9 holes . We withdrew to the bar and the Management kindly opened the private bar to perhaps conceal what was a rather unusual and perhaps frightening, gathering of golfers and non golfers . The ambience , the interest and fun of day one had lost non of its charm and with a chibuli or two we all warmed up to thorough enjoyment once more.That afternoon , following orders we advanced by bus to Ballito.
The RV was an attractive glass fronted pub overlooking beach and sea.Our rejoicing culminated in watching South Africa wip the Poms at Rugby.on a group TV.As the day darkened we followed orders , em-bused and returned to our Salt Rock comfort. A Braai was held. Alas Roy Matkovich and Aged Aust had to bow down to old age and retired early to swap memories in our luxurious accommodation before collapsing . Conversely a fit Pat Armstrong enjoyed the braai and apparently wrought much laughter from all present. Sorry we missed it !
Next day , Day 3 , we disembarked at our initial RV in Kloof . There was much hand shacking , laughter and back slapping as we parted . A sad time for several of us who were now forced to leave for distant places where Skidd Rowe , the GFU club and those great Shamwaris are unknown. Memory , hold the door.
I remain very reluctant to mention names
so many, so special . There is neither time nor space to specify and describe all those old comrades It seems unfair to mention one or two. It is appropriate , however to mention the prime organizers , the High Command , who have and will continue, to organize GFU functions with such skill. My sincere congratulations and deepest thanks go to Simon Willar , Boerie Hume and the Walters brothers for their outstanding work in putting together and managing such a complex operation. They have not lost their skills . I make mention of Neill Bubbles Storey , Juggy Thornton and Rick Van Malsen , whose kindness , generosity and plain officer conduct will never leave me. And to my fellow oldies : Roy Matko, Pat Armstrong , Pete Hean . Indeed to ALL.. Cheers my comrades It was such a pleasure. May we meet again soon.
I am tempted to go on. There is so much to tell of each of those old soldiers. How well they have all done. How wonderful it was to see them again
.several from the far corners of the Earth I extend a special message.to Steve Walters and pray that he gets well soon .Farewell my comrades . We will meet again and we will never forget.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS : THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIEND
Charlie Aust.
Lt Col ( Retd)
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