Personal Recollections by

Nigel Moth

126 Signal Squadron [Special Forces] at South Melbourne
by Nigel Moth 18 Jun 2007
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Prior to joining 126 Signals Squadron, I served 2 years full time UK National Service in the Royal Signals mostly as a Cpl and A/Sgt with ALFCE Sig Sqn, based in Fontainebleau, France, providing base and field secure communications support to multi-national NATO intelligence recce patrols. After a 3 year compulsory TA Reserve commitment and moving to Australia, I served 4 years with 3 Signals Regiment.
On 14 June 1966, I transferred to 126 Sig Sqn as a S/Sgt, [Acting CMF SSM] joining Capt Bob Dettering, Lt Jon Guymer, L/Cpl Graham Dadswell, and Sigs Dick Wymer, Fred Edwards and Phil Noonan. With such a small number on deck at that time, my role as SSM left time to train and instruct in several specialist skills in addition to my admin or organisation tasks.
It was quickly apparent that the Special Forces title applied to the ARA Cadre's operational role. They tended to disappear for days or weeks and then turn up as if nothing had happened. With their help and guidance our training focussed on developing a CMF 'shadow' that would quickly become capable of supporting and eventually integrating with the ARA component, and thereby justifying its place in a Special Forces unit.
Throughout my time with the Squadron we had excellent encouragement and support from experts such as Sgts Ted Blacker BEM, John Gunst, Pete Donaldson, and Bob Pullinger, and from junior members such as Cpl Stumpy Ewell. They set high standards and worked at helping us achieve them - an attitude and involvement quite unlike my previous CMF experience. Our OC at that time was Major Redgwell who, with his highly polished tree root called "Incentive", kept a close eye on our progress. That club would have made a Maori Warrior proud.
My lasting impression from the first 3 years of the Unit's history in Melbourne is that discipline was never a problem either at the Depot or during field exercises in spite of a rigorous training program and heavy demands on personal time. I believe this reflects the calibre of the CMF personnel who managed to join the Unit, their understanding of what was required, willingness to help each other, and a strong desire to meet the high standards set by the ARA Cadre. There was also the knowledge that failure to meet those standards would result in a more leisurely life in some other CMF unit.
Recruiting was slow at first and always selective. It became obvious that to get enough of the right people we would need to raise the Unit's local profile, and make entry more of a challenge than joining the average CMF Units of that time.
September 1966 saw Lt Jon Guymer, S/Sgt Nigel Moth, L/Cpl Graham Dadswell, Sigs Phil Noonan and Dick Wymer [and Fred Edwards ??] attend 33/66 Basic Parachute Course at RAAF Williamtown, NSW. We were the first CMF soldiers from the Sqn's Sth Melbourne incarnation to volunteer for para training. We were told that CMF para courses were pretty much 'owned' by 1 and 2 Commando Companies. It was already evident that 2Cdo was not excited about this new Special Forces CMF Unit in Melbourne, so we expected a bit of flak during the 4-week course but saw it as another incentive to qualify.
Our first jump was early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. To brighten our spirits as we sat in a Caribou all kitted up waiting to taxi out to the runway, several large empty Fosters cans rolled out of the cockpit into the cargo area. The PJI's told us that the RAAF pilots were not happy at having to get up early and go to work for us [an unlikely story but it added to the atmosphere]. It was a very quick take off as they ran up the engines under full brakes and demonstrated the Caribou's short take off capability. Those of us sitting next to the ramp had a very good view of the rapidly receding ground, and were glad we had seat belts.
Incentive is important. Early in the course during a friendly soccer match an enthusiastic individual unskilled in the fine art of soccer landed a hefty kick on my foot. Dencorub and an elastic bandage didn't help much so for 2 days I watched practice landings, insisted that my foot was improving, and avoided RTU. Then, using yards of adhesive bandage I continued training, trying to disguise one-footed landings. After qualifying and returning home, our local doctor decided that two broken bones had knitted more or less correctly.
By February 1967 the lack of military driving licences was limiting our field training, so five CMF soldiers attended a driving course run by 3 Sig Regt. Before joining 126, I had instructed on many of their driving courses and was licensed to drive A, B1, B2, C, E, K1 & K2 vehicles [later simplified as B2 to B5] so I attended as an instructor. Our assessment meetings during and after the course recommended that students from 126 be granted licences for all vehicle types used on this course, with one exception of Dick Wymer who had an encounter of the vehicular kind. The instructors nearest Dick, who was driving a Studebaker 6x6 at the time, believed that the privately owned Ford Zephyr was travelling unreasonably fast and using a lot of road. We all agreed that the accident was not entirely Dick's fault but under the circumstances a fail was the only option. To make things worse, somehow 3 Sig Regt lost the course paperwork so our lack of licensed drivers continued.
At about this time our first recruiting campaign was organised by Capt John Olsen. Recruiting was a serious event, not a "walk in any time" approach. Some 60 applicants, whether off the street or hopeful transferees, faced a range of physical tests, such as sit-ups, push-ups, and a timed run around Albert Park Lake. Some of our existing CMF members, all of whom could do the run in less than 20 minutes, would join in to set the pace. Another hurdle was that the Unit required 2 night parades, at least one weekend each month, the annual camp of 2+ weeks, and probably a full time specialist skills course each year. Applicants were asked to check that family and employer were aware and supportive of this demanding program. Even so, we enrolled about 30 new members.
At the range practice on March 1967 I qualified 1st class with the OMC, which for those of much younger years means the venerable Owen Machine Carbine of WW2 vintage, an effective weapon but much given to long bursts, stoppages, and a tendency to climb high right.
Our first Annual Camp was held at Benalla Airfield in April 1967, and was primarily a recruit-training program with the usual basic drill, field craft and weapon training. One night during a field craft exercise to teach use of shadow, I was helping Sgt Ted Blacker teach movement at night. We were watching the recruits cope with moonlight and shadow as they crawled across fairly open ground towards us. We were just inside a stand of gum trees comparing notes about their progress when I realised Ted had disappeared. He had moved away across the dry eucalypt litter and into the trees without making a sound. Later, he explained the technique to everyone.
We also set up a navigation course out near Lake Mokoan with overlapping bearings and each new bearing and distance on a piece of paper inside a tin can upended on a star picket or fence post. The overall course was long enough for soldiers to get off track but still on bearing when avoiding obstacles. The same idea was used again for the recruit course at the 1969 camp in Benalla.
We also introduced the A510 HF radio, which gave Sgt Bob Pullinger an opportunity to raise his profile and establish a reputation [Editor - this confirms a point already made - nam]. The related topic of aerial theory was also introduced with the ARA Cadre giving theory and practical examples from their operational experiences. My time with UK Sigs in NATO, with 3 Sig Regt, and with DSD giving lectures on radio propagation and security to the Army School of Signals at Balcombe provided the experience to assist with this training program.
On 24 May 1967, after qualifying in subjects A and C, I was promoted Temporary WO2 and confirmed as CMF SSM. Subject B qualification was in August 67
During 4 - 13 August 1967 the Sqn ran 1/67 Basic Unarmed Combat Course on a full time basis at the Depot using instructors from 2Cdo. Although a couple of soldiers dropped out when sprains and bruises didn't repair quickly enough, this new skill encouraged our CMF soldiers in particular to use the mats and practice after Monday night parades. Fortunately, some basic unarmed combat with the UK Army in NATO, and a Judo Brown Belt helped offset some time lost due to the imminent birth of our third child - he was born at the Alfred Hospital on 10 August. I qualified as an Assistant Instructor.
During the week 12 - 17 March 1967 those of us who qualified in September 1966, attended Para Continuation Training with 2Cdo at Ripponlea for ground training and then at RAAF Laverton. Orders called for an early start at Laverton to complete 3 jumps before a strong wind front moved up the Bay towards Melbourne. The first two descents went to plan - collect kit, equipment checks, emplane, more equipment checks, exit the C130 from two doors, roll-up and return parachute, and get ready for the next jump.
The wind arrived early pushing one stick into the other, making it rather crowded as we all tried to find clear space. There were a few bruises and sore ankles but no serious injury that I can recall, even though soldiers were landing on concrete aprons, the runway, a hangar roof, and close to a parked Neptune. Training showed its value when a Cdo hit my canopy and his collapsed. After we exchanged a few words of advice, I kept my parachute open while he slid down the rigging lines to stand on my shoulder and stop his parachute getting inside the one we shared as we watched the rapidly approaching patch of dirt below. Flying a Reserve was definitely not an option. Inevitably we had a fast landing, hitting the ground together with nothing worse than a few bruises and a torn shirt and an increased heart rate. All jumps after that were pretty ordinary, but this was another example of the excellent training received by the Special Forces CMF units.
Late in 1967 the idea of a red beret or red colour patch behind the Signals badge [aka Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods but also known informally as Jimmy]. Red was mooted first because of its Parachute Regiment connection but green, the Commando colour, gained favour as the Unit's CMF strength increased and our training program slowly developed closer ties with 2Cdo. It was a popular idea in the CMF ranks but took some time to gain official support and even longer for final approval.
We got a copy of 2Cdo's Green Beret Tests late in 1966 and this influenced our physical skills training program. It was not unusual for our CMF soldiers to organise voluntary activities after the normal evening parade. Special weekend events included 10km and 20km speed marches out near Yarra Glen, and occasional 50 km treks across country in the ranges north-east of Melbourne. More CMF soldiers continued to qualify at Williamtown, and our field craft and weapon training went well beyond the normal CMF activity.
As a result of this enthusiasm, several of the 1966 intake completed the Green Beret tests, including the fully clothed swim from the end of St Kilda Pier with boots round the neck, and qualified in at least one special forces skill, but without formal or distinctive recognition. Within the Squadron, our CMF soldiers felt they were starting to justify their place in the Unit, and that was the more important issue at that time. Also, the relationship with 2Cdo was still rather tenuous but with some recognition that the two Units shared common interests and objectives.
It was well into 1968 before Sgt John Gray [ex-RAN], with Major Meredith's support, prepared the first formal submission. During the ensuing years, two further submissions seeking approval for a distinctive beret were prepared, but another 10 years passed before the Authorities finally approved the distinctive Green Beret for qualified members of the Unit.
1 - 13 April 1968. Encouraged by the OC, I attended and qualified at 20/68 Navigation and Patrolling Course [ARA/CMF] at Jungle Training Centre, Canungra. The course was good value. Students were mostly Cdo and RAR, and several instructors had AATTV experience. The program included navigation in difficult terrain, patrolling technique with students taking turns as commander, movement under fixed-line live fire, survival, lousy wet weather, speed marching with full kit, and a serious confidence course that ended in a large dam. Several Cdo's and I formed a Stick on the confidence course tower and did a 'para exit' into the dam. The instructors were not amused.
Our 17-day Annual Camp in April - May 1968 was at Swan Island. It was our first serious opportunity for 596 Sig Troop to provide forward base communications support to field patrols operating in various parts of southern Victoria. For most operators, Morse speed was slow but readable. A recent recruit - not a young lad - had been a Marconi School operator who could comfortably work two links concurrently. He clearly preferred working at much faster speeds, preferably with a 'bug' key, but understood the issues and helped others to improve speed and readability.
By this time, 596 Sig Troop was able to provide Forward Base communications with some soldiers operating in the field, so 571 Sig Troop was formed to provide a radio-teletype Rear Link capability. Full time service with UK Signals in NATO, and later with DSD in Australia, gave me extensive international experience using teletype over landline and microwave links plus a good knowledge of the Z-codes used in these networks, so I became involved in training teletype operators for 571.
The Unit had a weapon-training weekend on 9 - 11 August 1968 at the individual tactical live firing range in Gisborne. This was a long winding and untidy creek bed with a couple of fallen trees across it. The idea was for each CMF soldier to walk through firstly with an SLR and then with an F1 SMC, plus spare magazines. An ARA instructor walked along behind activating pop-up targets and releasing others that ran down wires towards the gully. One of the traps was a low-lying fallen tree at a sharp bend in the gully. Failure to get low and check before ducking under produced the advice that "shotgun blasts have just taken your bloody legs off". The gully ended in a clearing with 'home' on the other side but it was not a safe area. Moving into the clearing brought 4 or 5 targets screaming down an array of wires. Failure to have a near full magazine at that point was a virtual fatal error. This was a brilliant training area giving a touch of realism never achieved at routine range practices, and in my case resulted in 1st Class qualification with both SLR and F1.
Partly due to a demand from recent recruits for another unarmed combat course, 1/68 Unarmed Combat Course was held during 28 August - 15 September 1968. This course was well attended and successful, resulting in more CMF members qualifying at the basic level, a couple more qualifying as Assistant Instructors, and I qualified as an Instructor.
In October 1968 or thereabouts, WO2 Peter Towers, ex- ARA and UK Parachute Regiment, joined the Squadron initially in a training role, but took over as SSM when I was confirmed WO2 with a new posting as Signals Centre Supervisor.
By the end of 1968, Major Meredith was talking of a WRAAC Detachment joining the Unit specifically as CW and keyboard operators to handle base communications. Surprisingly, this idea gained formal agreement and within a few weeks the Unit had an enthusiastic group of female members led by Val Tibberts. Sgt Jon Gray won the task of teaching them Morse to a workable proficiency before the 1969 annual camp. This was yet another example of the things that 126 could do that would be virtually unthinkable for most other CMF Units at that time.
February 1969. On advice from the OC, Major Meredith, I transferred to OCTU with the intention of gaining a Commission. However, the OC there told me that in spite of being a WO2, OCTU regarded me as a recruit for 12 months and I would have to re-sit Subjects A, B, C for Corporal and Sergeant before attempting exams for 1St Appointment [2nd Lieutenant].
The fact that my Service Record showed qualification in subjects A, B, C, for Cpl, Sgt and Warrant Officer, and that I had qualified in December 1963 for subjects A, B, C, and D for 1st Appointment, was declared irrelevant so I returned to the Squadron, missing only one parade night and probably recording the shortest attendance ever at OCTU.
At the time I had no regrets as I thoroughly enjoyed my service with 126 Sig Sqn. It is only in more recent times that I occasionally regret not being more pragmatic at the prospect of a relatively quiet 12 months at OCTU. Also, perhaps the OC at OCTU could have applied pragmatism [or initiative] and used my experience for 12 months in his training staff. Strangely, my service record shows that it was February 1970 before OCTU d formally posted me back to the Squadron, long after I had moved to Canberra.

Annual Camp in February-March 1969 was back to Benalla airfield, and was an ideal opportunity for another full time recruit course, this time run largely by WO2 Peter Towers. I recall that Camp quite well for various reasons, having been involved in recruit training and also working on Base communications as the Signals Centre Supervisor.
However, this camp was primarily a serious communications exercise for the CMF soldiers, with a strong operational involvement from the ARA 660 Sig Troop. Most of 596 Sig Troop was despatched on vehicle patrols to gather and report information about interesting targets in various parts of Victoria. Two of the original intake - Graham Dadswell and Richard Wymer - having achieved real CW proficiency joined a couple of ARA 660 members and went to Amberley, Qld. Another small ARA 660 team went to Richmond, NSW.
It was probably pure coincidence that the RAAF had recently received and stationed the new F-111 aircraft and a large stock of maintenance spares at Amberley. However, a rumour said that the security fence around the Amberley airbase had a large hole in it where locals took a short cut to work. A later rumour suggested that some of the Mobil Pegasus insignia - the flying red horse - found their way into the Roundels of a few new aircraft. It would also be coincidence that Capt John Olsen worked for the Mobil Oil Company. From other sources I did hear that the hole in the fence was repaired about that time but, again, that would be coincidental.
Another rumour circulating about this time was that a recce patrol had checked out the fences at a large industrial complex near Portland in Western Victoria. Obviously it's most unlikely that the Sqn would have been involved in such escapades; on the other hand it was an ideal instrument for such tasks.
By this time, we had seen and a lucky few had used, a new map-pocket sized HF radio obviating the need for the much heavier A510 set. However, one of the downsides of long patrols was that radio batteries were bulky, heavy, short lived and not rechargeable. An alternative used by the Sqn was the pedal generator, a brilliant invention designed to help a patrol keep very fit while lying down resting, and at the same time giving the CW operator and receiver nightmares as the current - and therefore signal strength - varied according to the energy input from the pedal pusher.
These longer-range patrols also tested the CMF ability to figure out direction and type of aerial necessary to reach the base station. My own experiences caused me to encourage lateral thinking. Knowledge of the mathematics and theory was necessary, particularly when setting up a base stations, but didn't always guarantee a good signal in the field. There were always situations when strict use of theory was difficult, particularly without convenient trees, portable masts, climbing irons, etc. Some very unusual aerials were successful, such as a wire fence beside a paddock with some sort of insulation at either end of the 'aerial' section, and a good signal being sent within a railway marshalling yard.
This was the first time that our WRAAC Detachment joined us for an Annual Camp. The girls did a wonderful job working the base communications for our 596 and 660 roving patrols. I recall that because officialdom was a bit wary of bush bivouacs and mixed camp, we had all sorts of rules [short of barbed wire] to ensure adequate separation during off duty time. Also, from the day they first arrived at the Depot, the girls had been very insistent that they participate fully in Sqn training, including field craft, bush camps and weapon training. Looking at the Squadron's history after I had to transfer to 3RNSWR in Canberra it is no surprise to me that the Detachment became fully integrated, with quite a few of the girls eventually being awarded the Green Beret. Once again, the Squadron proved the worriers and doubters wrong, achieving something unique in the CMF / Army Reserve.
One evening, Major Meredith invited the local dignitaries to the Unit. He asked me to arrange an unarmed combat demonstration as part of the entertainment. There was no shortage of qualified participants to perform a realistic routine covering most of the techniques in our repertoire. Afterwards, the OC told me that the demo was perhaps a bit too realistic. Seems the use of SLR's with fixed bayonets, open bladed knives; full-blooded kicks, blocks and blows, break falls, multiple attacks etc worried some of the visitors. My view was that it was supposed to be a demonstration of capability, and we did the right thing by not using Blanks.
In July 1969 I was offered a job in Canberra to manage an Australia-wide secure departmental teletype network with links to Defence establishments, Foreign Affairs, and related agencies in the UK and the US. It was a promotion too good to refuse so I reluctantly left 126 Signals Squadron and transferred to 3RNSWR, initially as the Regimental Signals Officer but then as CSM, A Company and finally as the CMF RSM.

This extract from the Melbourne Herald was cut from the paper sometime between 1967 and 1969 during my time with 126 but I cannot remember the exact date. As I recall, Exercise Big River centred in NE Victoria and the Goulburn River when my civilian job with Defence Melbourne required yet another round of inspection visits to secure communication centres in NSW and the Weapons Research Establishment in South Australia. A text search of the current Anecdotal History CD does not find any reference to Exercise Big River. [ WO2 Nigel Moth.]
Troops to Mind How They Go. Troops from the Australian Army's elite Special Air Service Regiment will "hunt" parties of 126 Signals Squadron [Special Forces] through the Victorian bush later this month but they are going to have to be tidy about it. All troops to take part in exercise Big River have been warned that they must pay strict attention to conservation measures while engaged in their war games. The SAS men will be joined in the exercise by CMF Commando units from Melbourne and Sydney. The manoeuvre will be near Eildon.

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