Welcome Aboard and Enjoy
On the 9th of January 1973 a group of 15 year olds boys, to be known as Marks Morrow 42nd;
walked through the gates of HMAS LEEUWIN not knowing what to expect.
From it came a life time of great experiences, memories and a few yarns...
THIS IS OUR STORY ......
Since the Junior Recruit (boys aged between 15 and 17) Training Scheme started in 1960, in excess of 13,000 JR’s took up the challenge and were trained both at HMAS LEEUWIN and HMAS CERBERUS. The scheme continued until 1984, and over 12,000 Junior Recruits graduated from LEEUWIN during that 24 year period.
The scheme was designed to provide boys with a year of academic and basic Naval training, before we were sent to other bases for specialist training.
Many went on to lengthy careers in the RAN, with many reaching commissioned rank. In many ways the Junior Recruit concept and training was modeled on the boys training ship HMAS TINGIRA, (1912-27), which had trained boys between the ages of 14 and 16 for service in the RAN.
Contrary to popular belief HMAS LEEUWIN was not the biggest boys' boarding school in Australia as it was often labeled, however; it could claim to have been the only Australian school of its size (nearly 800 students) taking boys from such a wide variety of home and educational backgrounds to prepare them for a single career.
It is also one of the few places in Australia where students were taught academic and professional subjects side by side, inside a general framework of military discipline.
HMAS LEEUWIN was much more than just a successful school.
By the time it had been decided to introduce Junior Recruit training and LEEUWIN had been chosen as the most suitable location, the establishment had a first class site, but only two permanent brick buildings. As a result, the first intake of 155 junior recruits who arrived in July 1960 had to be accommodated in temporary buildings left over from war years.
The need for more modern accommodation became progressively more acute each year as the numbers of Junior Recruits increased - from 305 in 1961 to 380 in 1963, 407 in 1964 and 619 in 1965.
During its heyday in the early seventies, nearly 800 young men were in different stages of their Junior Recruit year at LEEUWIN, together with approximately 100 Officer Candidates. Recruits came from all over Australia and from many different family backgrounds. Nearly all were in the final stages of their third or fourth year high school studies. Recruits had to be between 15 1/2 and 16 1/2 on entry and satisfy academic testing and pass stringent medical examination.
During the first 10 days in the establishment we were allocated a Division, kitted-up, and given lectures on pay Naval Discipline and Conditions of Service.
We were organised in to two divisions (Marks & Morrow) on much the same lines as school houses. Each division was in the charge of an Officer helped by a Chief Petty Officer or Petty Officer, a Leading Seaman and one or two Able Seaman. They in turn were aided by selected "Leading Junior Recruits" organised in a Prefect system.
After a 10 day introduction, class work started in earnest with a four-week trial study period. We then sat a written examination and the results, together with academic backgrounds and natural talents, were considered where we were placed in classes. The full study programme then began and continued without interruption until we took our final examinations 40 weeks later.
Recruits faced mid-term and end-of-term examinations, which could result in either promotion or demotion in our classes.
The non-academic content of the studies programme included Parade Training, Seamanship, Fire Fighting, Damage Control, Swimming, PT, Rifle Drill and one period a week of religious instruction.
In the last 6 months we could choose the branch we preferred and personal preferences were considered when the selection board makes its allocations. At an earlier stage, all recruits had been given the chance to leave the Navy without obligation "if" our parents agreed.
When we completed our year on Tuesday 11 December 1973 we were posted to the Fleet for sea experience before starting our specialist courses at various Naval establishments.
Whatever we made of our subsequent Naval career
LEEUWIN gave us an excellent start in Navy and in life!
All contributions are very welcome.. ...
Please send comments, images, updates and stories to Don Hogarth
Marks Morrow
40 Year Reunion
CANBERRA
8-9-10 February 2013
Venue: Eastlake Football Club
For further details please go to Reunion Page
