• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Show Search
  • 0 items
Hide Search
Menu
  • Home
  • Research
    • Where to start
      • Research – We can help!
      • Self help
      • Naval Service Records
      • Library
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Resources
      • Articles
      • On This Day
      • Podcasts
      • Videos
      • Australian Military Ship Losses
      • RAN events on a  Google Earth Map
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Other
      • Newsletters: Call The Hands
      • Occasional Papers
      • Books
      • HMAS Shropshire
      • Book reviews
    • Close
  • Naval Heritage Sites
    • World Heritage Listings
      • Cockatoo Island
    • National Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
      • HMVS Cerberus
    • Commonwealth Heritage Listings
      • Garden Island NSW
      • HMAS Watson
      • HMAS Penguin
      • Spectacle Island Explosives Complex NSW
      • Chowder Bay Naval Facilities
      • Beecroft Peninsula NSW
      • Admiralty House, Garden and Fortifications
      • HMAS Cerberus
      • Naval Offices QLD
      • Garden Island WA
      • Royal Australian Naval College ACT
      • Royal Australian Naval Transmitting Station ACT
    • NSW Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Rushcutter
    • Close
  • Tours & Cruises
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, West
    • 81st. Anniversary Cruise: Sydney under Japanese Attack
    • Tour of Sub Base Platypus
    • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
    • Garden Island Northern Hill and Garden Tour
    • Tour Bookings
    • Close
  • About us
    • About Us
      • What we do
      • Our People
      • Office Bearers
      • Become a volunteer
      • Our Goals and Strategy
    • Organisation
      • Victoria Chapter
      • WA Chapter
      • ACT Chapter
    • Close
  • Membership
  • Shop
  • Become a volunteer
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Article topics / Publications / Naval Historical Review / A Naval Airman’s Christmas Carol

A Naval Airman’s Christmas Carol

Foster, P.O. · Dec 27, 1996 · Print This Page

Author
Foster, P.O.
Subjects
Humour, Poetry
Tags
Christmas
RAN Ships
None noted.
Publication
December 1996 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

Or “Who me, Joss?” (Courtesy – HMAS Albatross)


Jossman Wencelas looked out On the Feast of Stephen, When the R.P.O.s stood round about, Blancoed, crisp and even.

Loudly swore the Joss that night Like a London coster, When he found an N.A. bright, Missing from his roster.

“Hither Crusher, stand by me, If thou know’st it, spill it. This here N.A. – who is he? Where the hell’s his billet?”

“Joss, he lives a good league hence, And his name is Taffy. ‘Spect he’s having plonk and pies In Happy’s Heavenly Cafe”.

“Izzat so? Fall in, two men! Let us go and nick him. Thou and I will find him then And on defaulters stick him!

Joss and Crusher forth they went Though the night was lousy; Found the N.A. sweating hard In a game of Housey.

In the Jossmen’s steps he trod, With two men as flankers, Trembled at the Commander’s nod And got ten days Jankers.

Therefore N.A.s all, be sure, When you’re warned for duty, If you’re not there on the dot, You’ve had it – like this beauty. -P.O. Foster.

Glossary – for non-naval members.

  • “Jossman”  – Master-at-arms
  • “R.P.O.”  – Regulating Petty Officer – Ship’s police.
  • “N.A.” – Naval Airman “Crusher” (See R.P.O.)
  • “Housey” – Housey Housey – Bingo
  • “Jankers” – Punishment such as leave stopped, extra work etc..

Naval Historical Review, Humour, Poetry Christmas

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Latest Podcasts

  • The Case of the Unknown Sailor
  • Night of the midget subs — Sydney under attack
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 1
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 2
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 3

Links to other podcasts

Australian Naval History Podcasts
This podcast series examines Australia’s Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere.
Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the RAN Seapower Centre

Life on the Line Podcasts
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories.
These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher.

Video Links

  • Australian War Memorial YouTube channel
  • Royal Australian Navy YouTube Channel
  • Research – We can help!
  • Naval Heritage Sites
  • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
  • About us
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Facebook

  • Facebook
  • Members Area
  • Privacy Policy
  • Log Out

Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2023