Some SAAF Memories

Well it has been 27 years since we all climbed on the train for that "Op Fok" they call basic training in Valhalla. I must admit that I was a little nervous at the prospect of coming face to face with some "dutchman" corporal that I knew would want to beat the crap out of me because I had come from Durban. The belief was that having come from Durban we all smoked "DAGGA" and surfed..... Well who can blame them... they only got to wear shoes when the SAAF issued them.... At the time the thought of leaving my family and friends was nerve wracking but looking back on the whole experience I have to say that I met some of the greatest chaps one could wish to meet and developed friendships that would last a lifetime....

The trip to Pretoria was interesting to say the least .... but it gave us all an opportunity to relax and get to know one another...... on arriving at Voortrekker Hoogte the train stopped and we were told to get our things climb into the waiting Bedfords..... now I had been warned of the infamous "Roof Ride" and had been advised to get as close to the cab as possible... this way the ride would be less stressful on the still untrained body. I was second onto the truck......... headed straight for the rear of the cab. In my rush I failed to see a large steel object lying in the back of the truck and almost broke my leg..... I limped to the seat nearest the cab and enjoyed a leisurely trip to camp..... so much for the "Roof Ride".

Waiting to be allocated a bungalow was intense as the Durban chaps wanted to stay together... and there was one instructor in particular that we did not want to be training under....Senekal... He would have made a perfect Nazi... he had such cold eyes....
Eventually they calle my name and I was fortunate enough to be bunking with 20 other chaps from Durban. The only problem was ................ Senekal was our instructor. Senekal turned out to be a great chap.... he was moved about a month into basics.... we were not happy...

We were taken to our bungalow and were horrified to see that our bungalow resembled a pig stye..... this we were expected to clean and have ready for inspection the next day...... we had no idea. We were each given a "trommel" with bedding etc and some cleaning material that we would all use to get the place clean.... much to my amasement and delight the floor was sparkling that night and the place looked less like a stye. In fact this was to be our home for the next 3 months. And a very neat home at that.



Inspection..... that dreaded daily ritual that the instructors loved. Note how shiny the floor is.

That first day was the last day that we walked on the floor without "Taxi's". These were pieces of blanket that were placed under your boots before walking into the bungalow. You had to slide wherever you wanted to go. This also aided in keeping the floor shiny.

Six weeks after ariving in Valhalla we were eligable for our first pass... naturally the instructors would have loved to take it from us but we were having none of that. We all were given our pass on Friday afternoon. A group of us had decided to fly home rather that "hitch". Well worth the price. The hour long trip seemed like hours but eventually we landed in Durban. Family and friends there to meet us. What a weekend.... all to short.... but full of fun.






Picture of yours truely taken on that first pass to Durban

That was the first and last time that I flew home. From then on out Kenny Williams, Peter Henderson, Dave von Blomenstein, Dave Uberstein and myself made the trip to Durban in Dave Ubersteins Datsun 1200. It was a tight squeeze but a fantastic trip. I acn never listen to the Breakfast in America album by Supertramp without having a flashback to the trips down to Durban. Thanks chaps for the great memories.

At Addington beach. Goat and I went to the beach on the pass directly after the passing out parade












Paul Trimborn, Dave von Blommenstein, Dave Uberstein, Ronny Muller, Ken Ridgway, Terrance Kane & Peter Henderson, squatting, in front of the Datsun that took us home so many times. Thanks for that Dave. P.S. This picture was taken in the training camp at Valhalla

On the weekends we were unable to travel in Daves car, Ken Williams and myself would "hitch" a ride to Durban. The one afternoon just outside of Alberton, Ken and I were standing under a bridge in an effort to keep dry. We were in the middle of a Highveld thunder storm. You have to experience it to appreciate the thunder and rain. Anyhow, we were holding up a board that said ND, Durbans registration, when a car pulled up. Ken and I sprinted to the car, opened the door and asked the elderly couple if they were going to Durban. They replied "yes", we jumped into the rear seat and closed the door with a huge thanks and lots of smiling. The couple looked confused and asked us if we were the police... we said no and they explaind that they thought we were the police that is why they stopped. Needless to say we were not getting out of the car and got a lift to Durban. En route the elderly chap asks if any of us had a license as he was tired and would like one of us to drive. Ken replied "yes", got into the drivers seat and drove us all the way to his home in Old Mill Way, Durban North. What a trip.




Ken Williams proudly wears his "Long John's". For the life of me I cannot remember who the artist was. Ken if you see this let me know.




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The chaps outside Bungalow 0058















Louis Rodreguez, Ken Ridgway & Paul Trimborn











Ken in the bin ...... note how shiny it is... lots of hard work and steel wool was required to get it to look like this




















Ken in front of Bungalow 0058













No entertainment..... we made

our own... Ken taking a walk on crutches
















A new way to clean the floor.... Alton Thomson pulling Ken with Peter Henderson pushing and Paul Trimborne looking on.

Before going to the SAAF this is something we did in private... we had to make a few adjustments..... picture taken at Rashoop.















The chaps in front of the tent at Rashoop. Remember the runs through town...















The gang outside 0058











A fun pic.... Ronny Muller acting real tough...











The chaps in Bungalow 0058

If anyone from July 1979 intake to the SAAF Gymnasium in Valhalla would like to contact me my e mail address is kennethridgway@hotmail.com.