Page 18 - Living Gems Thrive | April 2023

ANZAC Day 2023

Lest we forget

A colourful life

RAAF veteran tells tale of his youth in service

Being colour blind did not hinder “I received ‘callup’ papers to be food, a good bed, good friends, and a
Living Gems Gold Coast veteran at RAAF Station Amberley on 10 chance to see the world.
Neale Horrocks from embracing an December 1951. I was two weeks
Air Force career, which he credits for away from turning 18,” Neale says. “It seemed pretty good to me, and I
helping him find the right path in life. received an excellent rating with my
“I was processed, injected, yelled at, aptitude tests. But I was found to be
In December 1951, Neale, a 17-year- intimidated, and taught about the colour blind, which prevented me
old country boy, lived in a city power of authority. It wasn’t too bad, from becoming part of the aircrew or
boarding house. He was working unless you fought the system – and I being able to do any technical trade.”
at a job that was satisfying but had soon learned that you couldn’t win.”
no future. Suddenly, North Korea He was sent to Melbourne to do a
decided that they should own all the Neale made the momentous supply clerk course.
Korean Peninsula and the Korean decision to sign on as a ‘regular’ “Back in 1952, Melbourne was like
War began. where he was provided with good a foreign country because it was

18 Thrive