Private Richard Streeter

Joined 1 Para in August of 61 and was trained as company radio op. Was in 1Para running team with Sgt Birt (Bert?) Then forced to go on a clerk's course at Warminster-hated it and failed gloriously. Joined 1 Para in Bahrain- then for some unknown reason was on temp transfer to the Scot's Greys-learned to drive the good old ferret and had fun for a few months, then back to 1 Para and dear old (then CSM)Nobby Clark. Transferred to Defence Platoon in Brigade HQ for specialist training. Deployed to Cyprus in December 63 (6 days after being married)and spent an exciting time dashing from one flash point to another with Brigade officers- felt sorry for my old 1 Para mates stuck in the Nicosia Club. Then to Troodos just before the Useless Nongs (UN) took us over and turned us into nurse maids. Had enough of the fantasian warfare and successfully joined the 23PFA - the greatest time in my early army life worked in the operating theatre as an OTT - learned very quickly what life and death was all about-never met such a great bunch totally dedicated misfits MASH had nothing on them. Came to Australia in 1968 joined 27th SAR as an infanteer, then joined RAAF resigned my commission as a Pilot Officer in 1977-back to University for a Business Degree. Thirteen years with Telecom ending up as Queensland State manager then back to Uni for a teaching degree...Taught in a business college and at the same time was a Sergeant Instructor in the 1st Field Force Intelligence (Reserve Army)ended up in UAE as a lecturer in Business and English. What a transformation from the 60's... Sharjah RAF base remembered for their wonderful showers all gone, Dubai now an International city and AL Ain once just a dusty hot village now a large modern city. Had a great seven years teaching, then back to Aus to work as Head of Senior School here in Sydney. Now semi-retired running my own tutoring business.