- 150 – That evening we performed another concert to a capacity audience. As the crowd was so responsive, it was a great night and all of the audience and performers thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Following a quick pack down and a short wait, it was time for another night helicopter flight, this time on a couple of Black Hawks. So for the first time since Christmas Day, the entire group was once again in the same location, at Camp Victory. It was here that we felt the cold the most—the two evening concerts saw most of us wearing multiple layers of clothing to help stave off the chill. We were, once again, lucky enough to be hosted on a couple of tours, getting the chance to see some of the former dictator’s homes and locations where many atrocities took place. I think surreal is the best word to describe our few days in Baghdad. We stayed within the camp lines for the entire visit, which made us feel safe, yet there was so much damage and pain close by. Most of us did not feel as though we were in a “war zone” yet it was all so close. Time to move on again; so back onto the Hercules with a short stop over to return our weapons, ammo and combat gear (a lot less kilos to wear from here on in). The second leg on the Hercules saw us arrive in our next location, Al Udeid. It was the venue for our New Year’s Eve concert. And what a concert it was. We started at about 1700 with the Jazz group. Beccy Cole played for an extra half an hour or so, as did the Navy Band—a great chance to perform all those extra charts that had to be cut to slim down the main show to two hours. The main show started at 2200 finishing just after midnight. It was a great night. The large crowd was very responsive and the band excelled. This show was definitely the musical highlight of the tour. Early New Year’s Day and time for another Hercules trip to our final destination. On arrival we had a very short time to get organised and then travel in to the Port (it was great to see water again!) to do a New Year’s Day concert onboard HMAS Parramatta. After the preceding night, the crowd was very small and quiet, but they seemed to enjoy it none the less. It was quite hard for us to believe that it was almost over, but at the same time it seemed so long ago since those initial brass quintet jobs just three weeks earlier. The last show went well with, once again, a very appreciative crowd. Our last day in the MEAO, and we were lucky to have a shopping day. Some people gave their bank balances a real beating and had to buy new bags to get all their gear home. Top marks go to Bessie and Geoff who came in 100 grams under the upper weight limit for the plane ride home. Throughout the tour, in every location, we were amazingly well looked after. All of our hosts were extremely gracious, and helpful with finding what we required, especially when our equipment didn’t want to play the game. Thanks to everyone who gave us such a warm reception and so much help along the way. During our tour we played for Australian and Coalition Forces, including personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Italy and Iraq. A tiring, but fantastic experience that I am sure will live with all of us for a very long time.
LEST WE FORGET BUGLES ENGRAVED TO COMMEMORATE OPERATION RIMAU Article by Leading Seaman Cassandra Mohapp In September 1944, when Singapore was under Japanese occupation, 23 British and Australian members of Services Reconnaissance Department / Z Special Unit travelled from Australia by submarine to the outskirts of Singapore Harbour. Their mission was to attack and destroy enemy shipping from small submersible boats using magnetic limpet mines. The party included six former member of the highly successful raid launched against the Japanese shipping Operation JAYWICH. Unfortunately, the raiding party was intercepted by Japanese Forces and in the actions that followed, thirteen were either killed in action or died of wounds. The remaining ten were captured and subsequently executed on 7 July 1945. The place of their execution is approximately 580 metres eat of the Junction of Clement and Dover Roads. After an approach from Major Tom Hall (rtd) and author of The Forgotten Heroes of Rimau, the Director offered to purchase four bugles in memory of the members of this operation.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage
