Waterborne soldiers DPR/TV/1553

A group of Singapore-based Australian soldiers recently triumphed over the unpredictable Endau River...a muddy, sluggish artery which winds through southern West Malaysia. The soldiers, from Support Company of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, were taken 20 miles up the Endau River in Army assault craft and told to make their own way back. Leading the initiative test was Lieutenant Denis Cullen of Mount Isa, Qld. For the 21 soldiers it was a case of working to beat the clock. They had only three days to build two rafts and float them down the river. A dense area of bamboo was to provide most of the timber for the craft and, within minutes of landing, the jungle was ringing to the sound of machetes hacking and slicing. Lance Corporal John Kearns of Port Pirie, SA, was soon attacking the raft-building with a sting. He cut and trimmed bamboo for other soldiers to lash into the raft. Not far away was another South Australian, Corporal Russell McDonald of Burra. One group decided to build pontoons from the bamboo, while the second group selected heavy logs on which to float their craft. Building the rafts was not easy. Much of the timber had to be cut a fair distance from the water. With the pontoons constructed, it was all hands to the task of hauling them down the bank and into the river, ready for the decking to be lashed on. Both rafts were completed and launched within 36 hours. The intrusion of the soldiers into the remote area attracted the attention of nearby villagers. For some of them, it was the first time they had seen a European and their curiosity was open and evident. The big moment came when the two rafts were pushed off and, with a final wave, swung into the current for the long trip down river. Private Bill Crocker of Beenleigh, Qld, had the task of poling the raft through the shallows, while Private Ron Gatley of Leichhardt, NSW, lent a hand with a paddle. Then it was a case of sit back and take it easy as the current gently swung them towards home. The return trip was a lazy, unhurried affair, with the soldiers paddling only to keep in the main current. At the end of the trip most Diggers sported a deep suntan, a liberal sprinkling of blisters, and a sense of achievement. Also identified: Pte Small; Pte Mike Reason of Cleveland, Qld.