This little ditty was found by Jason McGregor in a copy of the “Fort Critic” (newspaper) on 28th February 1918 … enjoy
The Queenscliff Dinkum
If you take the boat to Queenscliff When you land upon the pier You will see some dinkum soldiers – for a cert; For when they are not drilling Or the amber liquid swilling They are down there on the lookout for some skirt.
When they rise up in the morning At the orderly Sergeant’s warning For reveille is a sound they cannot hear; They do their turn at slavery Peel the spuds to make the gravy And then they help old Dave to brew the beer.
Having done these little trifles, Shaved and dressed and cleaned their rifles, And partaken of the porridge, fish and fruit, They put on their leather kit, Turn their ‘bays’ up till they fit, And fall in like any raw recruit.
At the last note of the ‘fall-in’, When the Sergeant’s finished bawlin’, Down marches George to do his little stunt. “Now, lards, back with your shoulders, Pay attention to my arders, And always look directly to your front”.
And just about ‘retreat’ When the sun has done its beat They sally forth to quench their thirst in beer Or catch some little peach To take down on the beach So goes the day for many a ‘rookie’ here.
(Note – George refers to George Howard – the Regimental Sergeant Major at the time.)
