At Kapooka
for Corporal James (Jim Tulty)
1st Recruit Training Battalion



One new platoon of raw recruits,
Each with newly shaven head,
Reach down to tug off brand new boots,
Then tumble thankfully into bed.

Eight and forty on parade,
Compelled to stand in rank and file,
Are chased by livid martinet,
Until at last they step with style.

Can slowly move yet not be seen,
With full kit run a mile or more,
Climb the rope, toe the beam, they can
Be blithely passed along to corp and later, Vietnam.

One new platoon of raw recruits,
Each with newly shaven head,
Reach down to tug off brand new boots,
Then tumble thankfully into bed;
Reflect - five hundred plus of them are dead.