Duncan
Bernard Paul
I served with Duncan in Cambodia in early 1992. For a
while we bunked in the same room at Pteah Australii, which later became the SGTs
Mess.
He had a multitude of stories to tell about his
twenty plus years in Armoured corps. I'll never forget the day
I asked him why his unit chose him to come to Cambodia. He answered
"it's a present from my boss for doing twenty years in the Army"
- very good present.
On
the 4 Jul 1992, Duncan was happier than normal and spruking about
American Independence Day. I asked him why he cared so much about
an American tradition and he said "I don't but it's my birthday
today". Had to head out to the markets and get him something -
no idea what it was.
One day while in the orderly room Duncan came in
with a gold chain that was thick enough to lock up a Harley
Davidson. He was complaining about the pay office only letting
him have $US1,000. I asked him why that was a problem and he said
that the crucifix on the chain was going to to have diamonds but
without the extra dollars he could only get emeralds. A week later
he got the extra money and headed to the markets to get the emeralds
replace with diamonds. I later heard that he was quite wealthy
and own a fair bit of real estate in Puckapunyal and Melbourne.
Duncan was a great mate and I loved hearing his
stories.
Tragically Duncan died in a car accident on the
Hume Highway heading back to Puckapunyal in the late 1990s. I have
always regretted not being able to make it to his funeral as I
was on a course at the School of Sigs at the time. I don't know
the full details of the accident or much about Duncan after Cambodia
but I have contacted the
1 Armd Association who is
getting me move information which I will post here.
