Dreaming of Tomorrow: Defence

Cadets and National Service
The end of World War II did not produce continued peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Instead, there were ongoing tensions which led to the Korean War in 1950, the Malayan Emergency in 1950 and the Vietnam War in 1962.

The importance of military preparedness was taken seriously in Australia in the post-war period, resulting in a resurgence in cadet activity in secondary schools and the introduction of national service.

At Ipswich Grammar School, the previous cadet corps had lapsed but was re-established in 1945. It was initially compulsory but after 1957, army restrictions limited it to 153 students - still more than half the school population at that time. Ipswich State High School had its own corps of around 70 cadets.

Former teacher Kingsley Neale was an officer for the IGS school cadets in the 1950s and 60s and recalled the weekly routine: Students came to school on Mondays in full khaki uniform. After school, .303 rifles were issued from the school armoury. A cadet parade was held, then boys were taught military skills such as stripping and cleaning a Bren gun or maintaining a rifle. A final parade took place about 4.45pm, then rifles and Bren guns were returned to the armoury.

Once a year, a combined camp was held at Greenbank Army Camp, involving perhaps 3000 cadets including students from IGS and Ipswich State High. Boys slept on canvas stretchers in tents, usually raised above mud level by timber boards.

Activities at camp included the inevitable parades but also practical exercises such as camouflage, map reading and target practice on the rifle range. As camps progressed, more challenging exercises were held, for example students would be taken out from Greenbank to the foothills of Mount Tamborine for an overnight navigation through heavy undergrowth. 

In 1951, a National Service Act was passed and every young man in the community had to undertake military training. The legislation provided for the compulsory call-up of men after their 18th birthday for service training of 176 days. Trainees were then required to remain on the Reserve of the Commonwealth Military Forces (CMF) for five years from initial call up. 

The training for the “Nashos” included three months in camp and for Ipswich residents, this was usually undertaken at Wacol. This form of National Service ceased in 1959.

Read about Cold War tensions, Korea the forgotten war, the part the Lincolns played in atomic tests, the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam in Ipswich in the 20th Century: Section 5.