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| Traditions |
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Holy Ground |
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A large circle in front of Battalion
HQ had be tradition, been christened “The Holy Ground”.
On the original plans of the barracks, an open-air pulpit was designed
in the centre of the circle for Battalion Church Parades but, this
was later dispensed with due to lack of funds.
On the appointment of Lt. Col. R. EDWARDS, DSO., MC, as Commanding
Officer he, accompanied the then RSM WO1 R. REID-DALY, MBE, stepped
out to the centre of the circle and pronounced the area “unholy”.
Paths were then constructed across the circle. In keeping with the
original concept of “HOLY GROUND” no bicycle or wheeled transport
was allowed to be ridden or driven across it and the paths were
to be strictly adhered to. |
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Triangular Night |
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The occasion took place at Makuti where
Battalion HQ was deployed, not Kariba, as previously thought. All
the Commandos were deployed elsewhere, for example 3 Commando which
was commanded by the late, then, Capt. H. J. Rowley, was deployed
to Thornhill Air Base in Gwelo. The occasion did not take place
on 11 November 1965, it was a week or two later when Battalion HQ
moved to Makuti from Kariba. It was a impromptu and for obvious
reasons a very low key affair, where all the officers, warrant officers,
sergeants, junior NCOs and ORs got together under a tarpaulin.
The CO, Lt.-Col. G.P. Walls, addressed us. He then toasted Rhodesia
and then the Battalion.The RSM, WO1 Tarr O. R., then followed this
up with leading in the singing of The Saints, with the volume kept
right down. Maj. P. A. Conn was the 2IC, the late Capt. D. G. Parker
was the Adjutant. and the late Lt. H. Meyer was the RSO. This is
how that tradition was initiated. Thereafter the occasion was celebrated
on 11 November every year on the anniversary of UDI. |
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Christmas |
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a. CHRISTMAS MORNING: An officer from
each sub-unit is to be appointed by the Commanding Officer to dispense
the traditional “GUN FIE” ie: rum & coffee to all troops in bed
at 0700 hours on Christmas morning.
b. DUTIES: CHRISTMAS DAY: The Adjt. And ORQMS are to fulfil the
duties of Orderly Officer and Orderly Sergeant on Christmas Day
and are to supervise the “GUN FIRE”.
c. TROOPS CHRISTMAS LUNCH: As near as possible to Christmas the
Troops Christams Lunch is held in the Main Dining Hall.
A V.I.P. guest is invited to propose the toast to the Regiment and
Officers and NCO’s then commence the time honoured tradition of
serving lunch to all ranks below Sergeant. On completion of the
lunch, the Officers and NCO’s are called forward one by one to drink
a pint of beer to the loud accompaniment of crashing cutlery on
the tables. The V.I.P.s are escorted by the Officers and NCO’s to
the Corporals Dining Room for a buffet lunch. Over the years a practice
of the RSM opening his Mess to all “Servers” at the Christmas Lunch
had become traditional. |
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