The final performance in this trilogy took place in the Support Companymarque. Perhaps a couple of hours had elapsed since the commencement ofcelebrations, and as a consequence most of us were feeling less hungry andthirsty than we had been for quite some time. the party had lost much ofit's sparkle and was gradually nearing its end.

A few of the company officers were present, chatting to those who werestill capable of listening; but the number of drinkers and/or dinersactively performing were few as the abundance of food and drink hadalready taken its toll.

Meanwhile, standing just inside the entrance to the warque, a youngsoldier was carefully nursing a soup-plate full of diced bananas swimmingin thick custard. Although a little unsteady on his feet, he appeared asif he was waiting for a friend to accompany him to the Support Company's'stented area; and possibly because of this, no-one had bothered to ask himif he needed a helping hand.

Some moments later, a strident hullabaloo drew our attention to thedoorway, where a portly figure was writhing on the ground, screeching withpain. Initially it was difficult to identify the victim as his hair, face,and upper chest area were liberally plastered with blood and yellowcustard. But after a careful tidy-up it became evident that thecustard-carrier had smashed the plate and it's contents into the face ofMajor A.F.P.(Daddy) Lukyn, the Officer Commanding Support Company, who hadcome to wish us all a merry Christmas.

A broken nose, multiple facial lacerations and bruising ensured that theMajor would take no further part in the festivities; and the inebriatedmugger was taken into custody. Needless to say, this incident proved to bea prime source of social chit-chat within the battalion for some weeks tocome.

The following morning a patched-up Major Lukyn, before remanding thesoldier to the Commanding Officer, asked him the reason for his behaviour:"What on earth possessed you to attack me lad?" he enquired. Themalefactor was highly indignant that his Company Commander could think soill of him: "Jesus Sir," he confided "I had no intention of causing youany bother. I was waiting for the Minister for the Army!"

I regret that I cannot recall the punishment he was eventually awarded,but it did include a spell in the detention compound in Seoul.

The Australian Minister for the Army visited the Aussie troops in Korea,Xmas 1951. Tim Holt a witness, tells the story, in three "Acts".

Record of the Minister, the subject of the story:
Sir Josiah Francis (1890- 1964)
Enlisted lst AIF - April, 1916;
Was in France in April 1917 as a 2/Lt in15 Australian Infantry Battalion;
Was wounded in shoulder in March 1918;
Was RTV 15 Battalion, September 1918 and promoted Temp. Captain;
waspromoted substantial Captain 1918;
Discharged September 1919 Minister forArmy 1949-55
Knighted 1957 Retired from politics 1961
Died February 1964

At the time, Tim was a corporal in Support Company, commanded by "Daddy" Lukynwho features in the climax of his story.

After writing this story, Tim located the above record of MinisterFrancis and wrote:
"If I'd been aware ofhis army record, the story would have been less satirical."

Tim joined 3 RAR in February 1951 and found himself, "by chance, " in thefamous (and sometimes infamous) A Co. that was subsequently remembered forits particular role in the Battleof Kapyong, April, 1951.

A Co. in 1951 was composed essentially of volunteers for a Special Force("K. Force") recruited for the Korean War. A requisite for acceptanceinto K Force was battle experience. A Co. was, consequently, veryexperienced in every sense of the word: battle-wise and army- wise.

After the Korean War, Tim became a parachute jumping instructor atParachute Training Wing, Williamtown, NSW.

Leonard Russell ("Tim") Holt:
2/2782, 3 RAR from Feb. 1951 to March 1952
(NX20604 number atr enlistment, 1945; 2/400349
K Force till transferred to Regular Army in 1950)