Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

I was training at SME between January and June 1970, and WO Brett Nolen was setting up a great mine warfare display at SME for a group of trainee officers from one of the OTU schools (can't recall which one).

There was a large grandstand structure set up, with tiered seating. complete with a canvas roof.
Under the grandstand was a storage area for equipment, including mine replicas, gunpowder for explosive effects, and whatever else Brett needed to provide a great "VC mined area" display for the officer trainees.
This storage area was accessed via a ground level door at the rear.

During the night before our display, we had some fairly heavy rain, and the canvas roof filled with a large quantity of water.
Brett was racing around setting up "mines" and other explosive effects to impress the officer trainees.

Meantimes, a group of us were instructed to go up into the top tiers of the grandstand and push the canvas roof up, and displace all the collected water.

All this was organised without informing Brett (typical Army organisation!) - and you would not believe it - but just as we all pushed the canvas up to displace about 500 litres of rainwater (which all fell over the back of the granstand) - Brett came running out of the open doorway to the storage area, carrying a sizeable amount of gunpowder, which he was trying to keep dry - and most of that 500 litres of rainwater fell right on top of Brett!! LOL

But - he didn't get angry or frustrated - he kept his cool and continued on with his setting up of mines and booby traps, despite being wetter than a shag on a rock!

This funny event is one that is forever indelibly impressed in my memory - but I also have the memory that Brett was a top class NCO with a good nature, and an excellent, dedicated mine warfare trainer.

Sincerely,

L/Cpl Ron Nash, 5717102 - 17th Construction Sqdn, Plant Troop.