National Servicemen celebrate 70th anniversary in Toowoomba

After 70 years Toowoomba gathers to commemorate the men who made up Australia’s first intake of national servicemen.

Murray Handley left his family’s dairy farm near Hodgson Vale for a draughty tent in the Wacol Army Camp 70 years ago.

The 18-year-old spent the next 14 weeks training hard, making friends and forming memories at Nashos, a time in his life he still thinks of fondly.

Mr Hendley was among dozens of former National Servicemen who gathered at East Creek park on Sunday, February 14 for the 70th Anniversary since the Liberal and Country Party alliance Government made the decision to have all 18-year-old men enlist for compulsory military training.

Member of the first intake of National Servicemen in 1951, Murray Handley lays a wreath at the National Service 70th Anniversary memorial at the ceremony in East Creek Park, Toowoomba.

In the first National Service scheme between 1951 and 1959, a total of 227,000 Australian teenagers were called up in either the Army, navy or Air force and were expected to train for 176 days followed by five years as reservists.

Mr Hendley said his time in National Service was among some of the best in his life and strongly believes all Australian teenagers should have to complete some form of compulsory military training before they enter adulthood.

At the National Service 70th Anniversary at the memorial in East Creek Park, Toowoomba. Murray Handley (left) and Peter Mackie, of Toowoomba both had great memories of their time in the National Service 70 years ago.

“My time in Nashos taught me a great deal of discipline and respect and I met new friends who I kept for life,” he said.

Now 88-years-old, Mr Handley was among the first intake and second call up of National Servicemen to complete his training at Wacol Army Camp.

Peter Mackie who also hails from the Toowoomba region was among the very first intake and call up.

“I was born on November 1, 1932 which was the day Peter Pan won the Melbourne Cup, so my mother named me Peter,” he said.

Serviceman catching up at the National Service 70th Anniversary memorial in East Creek Park. National servicemen, Ron Bryant (left) and Burt Hayter, from Brisbane.

“I was a bugger of a kid to tell you the truth so Nashos was great because it really sorted me out and made me grow up.

“Training on the bullring was tough, particularly if you had a strict British sergeant and we had to live in tents until our igloos were built so it was pretty rough going but we had a great time when we weren’t marching about and receiving orders.

“I still remember our Pommy sergeant actually got the sack for bringing in a carton of stubbies!
“There was a lot of good friendships and memories made at Nashos.”

At the National Service 70th Anniversary in Toowoomba.

Mr Mackie said renewing National Service in Australia would benefit Australian youth and reduce crime rates.

“Both young men and women should have to do their service, it’s the best thing that could have happened to me and I think it would straighten a lot of them out.

“Coming here today for the anniversary was fantastic, it brought a lot of memories back from a time I still think of very fondly.”

At the National Service 70th Anniversary memorial in Toowoomba. The first intake of National Servicemen from 1951, (back row left to right) Alex Garlin (National Servicemen's Association of Australia Queensland President), Murray Handley, Trevor Wighton, John Crossley, John Green, John Tate (front row left to right) Trigger McCafferty, Burt Hayter and Peter Mackie.