1956

Red Socks On Parade

By Ray Alcorn.

his incident involved the Battery Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class Two Bull Story, School of Artillery, North Head, Manly NSW in early 1956.

The recruits were in their room preparing for the major weekly parade.   Cleaning the rooms and then dressing in our best and finest, even to the extent of having to polish the soles of our heavy, studded, black boots.   During this preparation I had noticed that Bull Story was hiding on the slight rise behind our quarters in some bushes.   I could just make him out and he was looking into our room.   I lost sight of him and went on preparing.   Gunner Gallagher had run out of socks and he only had a red civilian pair clean.   Someone suggested that he wear them underneath his gaiters etc.

Not long afterwards, we were all on parade and Bull Story was inspecting.   Gunner Gallagher was standing next to me.   Bull Story came up to him, looked him over and then said "Gunner, open your mouth".   We were all dumbfounded by the BSM's request but Gunner Gallagher opened his mouth.   Bull Story looked into Gunner Gallagher's mouth then yelled at him in a gruff voice "get those bloody red socks off and report to the Orderly Sergeant".

Afterwards, I realised that Bull Story must have seen everything from his hiding place in the bushes.