The Airman's Mess was a massive dining hall that catered for 800 or so apprentices, adult trainees and base support staff below the rank of Sargeant. The food was not like Mum's and it took some getting used to but it was filling and there was always plenty. One of the RATS, "Dasher" Dyball got his nickname because he was always the first to the mess doors at lunchtime. Dasher loved the RAAF food so much he stayed in for nearly 40 years. But I digress...

After dinner we made our way back to the blocks to find out what the senoir apprentices had been planning. We had been 'rumbled' all of our gear including beds and personal effects had been upended by the senior apprentices. Members on upper floors found their gear strewn on the lawn below.

Welcome to the RAAF Apprentice School!

Day 2 dawns (about 0500 hours) and we were woken by the drill instructors going through the blocks and waking us all for breakfast. We were told to shower, dress in overalls and boots.

After breakfast we formed up (if that was the description) outside the blocks. We were broken up into 6 Flights of about 20 then introduced to our drill instructors whose job it was to teach us everything RAAF apart from our trades. Mostly though it was marching. For the first six months we marched every day, Rain - Hail - Shine we marched, Left-Left-Left-Right-Left. And we got good at it too.

Alongside the marching we attended school or the RAAF equivalent. Some of us were poor in maths so they were schooled in Math. We did other subjects too but mostly we spent our time learning how to be tradesmen. The Basic Training hanger was on the other side of the railway line which bisected the base. It was hot in summer and freezing in winter. The trainers were amazing. Together they taught us to use hand tools, drill presses, lathes, welders and we were even taught blacksmithing.