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Jack way back then
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Mr Jack Tattis is the Founding
and Inaugural Vice President of
the Australian Artillery
Association and like all Gunners Jack Tattis
started life a civilian, when in
1958 he received an invitation
(command) from the Government to
become a National Serviceman
which he graciously accepted (No
choice).
At this time he was a Building
Construction apprentice.
The Army and the Government
allowed him, as well as the
other apprentices in his
Company, to continue to go to
College whilst learning about
being in the Army.
Jack like a few other
apprentices, at least six of
them were allocated to 24
Platoon, E Company, 13 National
Service Training Battalion,
Ingleburn NSW. E
Company was tasked with training
Gunners and 24 Platoon
specifically Anti-Aircraft
Gunners.
During the day they learnt
exciting things such as
marching, drill field craft,
weapons handling, throwing
grenades, marching, more drill.
Spit and polish for Battalion
Parades. Rather than
waste our time sleeping at
night, we learnt about being
gunners. Such as the
Corps (Royal Australian
Artillery) ballistics,
deployments, equipment etc and
last but not least some kitchen
duties and to keep us fit
Physical Training (PT) early in
the mornings.
The powers to be were expert in
cramming a whole lot into this
short 3 months period.
After which they all marched out
and were posted to Citizen
Military Forces (CMF) Artillery
units as Infantry trained
Privates.
Jack was posted to the 9th Heavy
Anti-Aircraft Regiment at
Haberfield Training Depot in
NSW. Where after
some Corp training he was
promoted to Gunner, and
allocated to a Gun detachment.
Being dumb he accepted a
transfer to Radar Detachment and
was trained as Radar Operator
for Fire Control Radar (FC).
In mid 1962 Jack moved to
Brisbane and transferred to
111th Light Anti-Aircraft
Regiment a CMF unit at Annerley.
When he reported there he found
he had been posted to the 11th
Field Regiment and underwent a
crash conversion course to 25
pounder Howitzer field guns.
These were substantially smaller
than the 9 1/2 ton to 3.7 inch
Anti-Aircraft guns.
Commitments caused Jack to leave
the Corps mid 1965.
Jack is now retired. |
