9th battalion royal australian regiment – 9 rar - 9rar roll...

9RARRollCallJOURNALOF9RARASSOCIATION(NSW):Issue1,April2018

ChangeofVenueAfter

March

Seeinsidefordetails

Entranc e to Cheer s, pos t-March venue

9RARASSOCIATION(NSW)CONTACTSMEMBERSHIPS&CORRESPONDENCE:EricPopeericpope@bigpond.comorphone(02)9774-5113ROLLCALL:C/-Barney(Rick)Bigwoodbarneybig@live.com.auorphone0488-727-475

CONTENTS

Editor’sReport 2

Vale 3,4

ANZACDay 5

NoticeofAGM 6

PresidentialPonderings 7

BookReview 8

RCBService 9

NewLongTanFilm 11

MatesCorner 12

Merchandise 13

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EDITOR’SREPORTWhatasadstart to2018 ,wehavelostsomegreatcomradesandcharacters.For me 2 in particular. Terry “Noddy” Jones who was in my section in 10Platoon. I had an email after the last issue of “Roll Call” from Terry’s sonJaessen.HeinformedmethathisDadhadpassedinAugustbutwantednofuss.Noddy asked him for a private cremation, no service and scatter his ashesacross Lake Macquarie which Jaesson did. I will remember him this ANZACDay.BelowisapicofNoddyonfarright,2Section10Platoon.Ialsofeltpersonal losswiththepassingof “Jimmy”Riddle from12PltDCoy.JimanexBritishRoyalMarinebeforejoiningtheAustralianArmysohecouldfight inVietnam.Heendedupservinginexcessof700dayswithservicein4RAR (2 tours), commanding the controversial 2ndD&Eplatoon, then9RAR,then8RARand1ARU.WehaveagrowingRAPlistasagedoeswearyussurvivors.DougCrombandEricPopeare the latest to battle theBIGC.Keep in touchwithour brothersfromdifferentmothersandsupporteachother.SeeyouallonANZACDAY. BarneyFROMTHEASSISTANTEDITORAsbothDougandBarneyhavementioned,thenumberofmembers thatweare losingseems tobe increasing.Every time Iput together andeditionofRollCall I amsaddened tosee all themembers that I list in theValesection.Thistimeitwasmorepersonalforme,withthepassingofBarryWakefield.Hewassuchagreatsupporttome in thisroleand Iwasveryupsetwhen I readofhispassing.Thankyou for everythingBarry.Rest easysoldier,yourdutyisdone.FinallyaspecialthankyoutoPopeye,whohasablytakenontheBookReviewertitleforme.

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VALEIt iswithdeep sadness thatweannounce thepassingof someofour formercomrades in arms and their wives. Our hearts go out to their families andfriendsasweextendourmostsincerecondolences.JimRiddle,4RAR/9RAR/8RARTerry‘Noddy’JonesNevTaylor8PltCCoyIanMcGrath,Doug’sbrotherBarryWakefield,3Sect4PltBCoyJohnPilkington

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BARRYWAKEFIELDYesterdayCplBarryWakefield217705was laid torest inSydney.More than20membersofthe9thBattalionformedaguardofhonourforBarry'sfamilyand fellow mourners as Barry was carried into the Chapel. Barry was anoriginal with the formation of the Battalion atWoodside South Australia in1967.He commanded 3Section 4 PlatoonB Coy 9RARwith thedistinction of notlosinganymembersKIA.Heisrememberedforhiswaxedmoustache,forbeinga stickler for discipline and sorting out differences in the boxing ring. Barrywasmarried twice, havinga sonbyhis firstmarriage and 2more sonswithEileen(hisrockthatsupportedhimthroughhistrialsandtribulations).BarryservedontheNSWCommitteeoftheAssociationformanyyearsandwastheresidentbookreviewerextraordinairefortheNSWmagazine"RollCall".He isatpeacenowafter a tremendousbattleaftersufferingmultiple strokesbefore the end of last year. TonyMullavey (ex 10Plt) and Sam Vecchio (32TransportCoy)fromtheStMary'strainoftheVVAAorganisedthroughDVAalltheequipmentandservicestoallowBarry tospendsometimeathomewithEileenandtheboys.

JIMRIDDLE’SSERVICESummaryofUnitName(s) StartDate EndDate1AustralianReinforcementUnit 23/12/1968 03/02/19694thBattalion,TheRoyalAustralianRegiment 04/02/1969 13/05/1969Headquarters,1stAustralianTaskForce 14/05/1969 16/06/19699thBattalion,TheRoyalAustralianRegiment 17/06/1969 27/11/1969AustralianReinforcementUnit 28/11/1969 08/12/1969Headquarters,1stAustralianTaskForce 19/01/1970 26/01/19708thBattalion,TheRoyalAustralianRegiment 27/01/1970 23/07/19701AustralianReinforcementUnit 26/08/1971 22/09/1971

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ANZACDAY2018RegimentalService:Commences0830hratRegimentalSquare,GeorgeStreet

FormUpPoint(MainMarch):BlighStreet,1030hrs.

AfterMarchVenue:DownstairsatCheersBarandGrill,561GeorgeStreet

CHEERSBAR:HowtogetthereanddetailsforthedayWhen the March finishes just continue 100 yards down Castlereagh Street to LiverpoolStreetandturnright.WalktwoblockstoGeorgeSt.andyouwillarriveattheBar,whichislocated on the SW side of George Street opposite theWorld Centre. I will be trying toarrangeforreducedparkingcostsattheWorldCentreforthosewhoaredriving.

• 9RARwillhaveexclusiveuseofthelowergroundfloor.

• Theroomshouldcomfortablytake150-200(whichwillincludechildren).

• Wewillbesellingourmerchandiseonthedayandconductingrafflestohelpwithourcosts.

• Audio visual equipmentwill be available. All A/V andmusic must be on a thumbdrive

• Therewillbeaprivatefunctionsignatthetopofthestairs.

• LiftaccesstotheareaviaRSLwillalsobeavailableifrequired.

• CloakRoomtobeavailableforthestorageofJacketsandbanners,

• Xboxtabletobesetupforchildren.NOADULTS

• Normalbarfacilitiesforbeerandcoffee.

• Localbeersat$6.00withHahnSuperdryat$5.50andXXXXat$4.70.Allotherspluswineandspiritsatusualprices.

• Foodpackage$8.00perheadforfingerfood,tobebroughtoutatvariousstagesthroughouttheafternoon.Someplatterstobereadyfor12.30pm.

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NinthBattalion(NSW)TheRoyalAustralianRegimentAssociation(Inc)

NoticeofAnnualGeneralMeetingTheAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheAssociationwillbeheldon25April2018at

theCheersBar,561GeorgeSt.Sydneyat13:00.

Thebusinessofthemeetingwillbe;

(a)toconfirmtheminutesofthelastAGM;(b)toreceivereportsofactivitiesoftheAssociationduringthelastyear;(c)toelectofficebearersandordinarycommitteemembersoftheAssociation;(d)toreceiveandconsiderthestatementofincomeandexpenditureforthepreviousfinancialyear;(e)toapprove,byspecialresolution,theadoptionoftherevisedconstitution.EricPope,Secretary

NinthBattalion(NSW)TheRoyalAustralianRegimentAssociation(Inc)

Nominationformforpositionsofcommitteemembersfor2018/2019We,theundersigned,nominate…………………………………………………….....................….Westate thatweare financialmembersofNinthBattalion(NSW),TheRoyalAustralian Regiment Association (Inc) and are entitled to nominate thenomineefortheposition.Note;twomembersmustnominatethenominee.Signed……………………………….Signed……………………………….Date…………………………………..ThisformwhencompletedmustbereturnedtotheHonorarySecretaryvia

emailtoericpope@bigpond.comorbymailtoEricPope9IngramAve.

MilperraNSW2214before30March2018.

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9RARASSOCIATION Patron:HisExcellencyGeneraltheHonourable

SirPeterCosgrove(Ret’d)AK,MC

DougMcGrath.NationalPresident1164PittwaterRoad,

CollaroyBeach.2097NSWP:(02)9981.2675M:0407.832.675E:panache26@optusnet.com.au

FromThePresident’sPen.

With Anzac Day looming it is timely to reflect on the events of WWI in France and the Western Front in 1918, which led finally to the allied victory a century ago this year.How things have changed in this time. I reflect also on the Anzac Day we shared while serving in Vietnam 49 years ago.Anzac Day this year, will bring with it some changes in Sydney.The Sydney March will be led by WO1 Mick Shave.Mick served 22 years in the RAR on top of 9 years in REME with the British Army. He completed two tours of Vietnam. 68-69 as a Corporal in Charlie Company 9RAR then two years later Mick went back for a tour with the legendary AATTV. His final posting was as the RSM of the Sydney University Regiment as a WO1With the New Windsor Hotel demolished to make way for the light rail we needed to find a new home.This we have done.We will gather at Cheers Bar, 561 George Street which is a short walk from the end of the march in Elizabeth Street and which we have exclusively for 9RAR. It has increased seating, food, inexpensive drinks, a PA and security so we are very happy to have found this new venue.As we all move into the 70’s sadly we are losing too many of our mates. January and February were tragic months for the 9RAR family as will be detailed.In this time, I lost my brother Ian to the dreaded cancer. He was a great supporter of 9RAR and all we did. He generously made the banner poles for our three banners before the Sydney reunion and was always on hand to assist with running repairs. His death was sudden and a great shock to the family.In his eulogy I urged our gathering of family and friends to live every day as it is your last; to do the things you want to do, tell those you love that you love them-every day and don’t put things off to tomorrow as tomorrow may never come.I commend you all to these thoughts.Look after each other,Hope to see you on Anzac Day,Cheers,Doug.

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BOOKREVIEW:TheTattooistofAushwitzPublisher:EchoDivision,BonnierPublishingAustraliaISBN:9781760403171(paperback)(277Pages)DearFolk, Despitethesubjectmatterofthisbook,toallyoublokes,makesureyourrespectivechildbrides, shewhomustbeobeyed,yourpartnereven, rascals, read thisbook,beforeorafteryou, itmattersnot.Why?Simplybecauseit isa lovestoryaswellasasurvivorsstory,gentlemen,wearenothingifnotsurvivors,sotomymind,thisstoryshouldresonatewithyouall.TheheroofthisbookisaSlovakian,‘Lale’LudwigEisenberg,32407isthenumbertattooedon his arm, at Auschwitz youwere a number, not a name. The heroine in the story, ‘Gita’ GiselaFuhrmannova,alsoaSlovakian,tattoonumber34902.GitaarrivedinAuschwitzonApril13,1942,LalearrivedApril23,1942.Lale speaks5 languages fluently, “Slovakian,German,Russian,French,HungarianandalittlePolish”.BothofthemwereassignedtoAuschwitz2-Birkenau.TwoincidentsdefineLale’sdrivetosurvive,thefirstoccursonhissecondnightinBirkenau,heneedstorespondtonaturescall,numberone,asheisabouttoleavetheshadowsofhishut,hehears two SS guards talking and smokingwith rifles slung, three othermen, fellow prisoners arequietlyconversingwhilst complyingwithnaturescallnumbertwowhilstperchedonaplankoverthe ditch used for this purpose. The SS flick there cigarettes and shoot the three men dead, thebodiesfallintotheditchwheretheyremain.TheSSwalkoff,laughingatthe“joke”theyhaveplayedon the the three dead men. Having witnessed this incident, Lale determines that he will surviveAuschwitzandtellwhoeverwilllistenoftheatrocitieshehasandwillwitness.Hardtobelieve?Notwhenyoureadonfurtherandcometothepartofthebookrelatingtotherockmovingfield.Ononesideofthefieldrocks,job,movetherockstotheothersideofthefield,simpleas.SScomplicationtothissimpletask,ifyouarethelastmantopickupthelastrockandyouhavemovedittothenowrockysideofthefield,youareexecuted.Thejobandtheexecutionsgoonallday.Laleatonepointinthedayissecondlast.Therockmovingisadailyoccurrence.TheotherdefiningmomentforLaleiswhen,havingbeen“apprenticed”totheTatowierer,he isworkingbesidehim tattooingwomen,eachwomenpassesa slipofpaper to the tattooist,hethen tattoos thenumber onto thewoman’sarm.His taskwith oneyoung lady is to re-do the firstattemptattattooinghernumber.Hernumberis34902.Thus,ourheromeetstheloveofhislife.Themomentisfraughtwithtensionanddanger,readthebooktofindoutwhy!!Lovelypeoplethisbookisnotlightreading,itrecountsthestoryofatimeandaplacethatdestroyedtheworldsinnocence.HerearesomestatisticsfromAuschwitz-Birkenau,1,300,000weresenttothecamp,900,000wereexecutedonarrivalTheycame from23countries,400,000were tattooedandworked in the factories, crematoria,gasovens, and in Canada, so named by the inmates, as itrepresented a place they felt would never allow such filth asAuschwitz to exist.200,000of themdied in the camp. ShouldyouwishtopursuefurtherinformationconcerningAuschwitz,Irecommend70auschwitz.orgasareliableresource. Howblessedwereourheroandheroine,asJews,ofthe1.1millionJewssenttoAuschwitz,1milliondied. Popeyes rating of this book, 10 spinach cans. Myrecommendation to you all, share it with your children andgrandchildren so than can understand our history, you seewhen they died both our hero and heroine were Australians,theylivedinMelbourne,Gitapassedin2003andLalein2006.TakeCarePopeyePS:Nextreviewisaspystory,youhavemyword.

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SYDNEYINFANTRYMANLUNCHEONEvent:InfantryLuncheonPurpose:Toeatgoodfood,drinkgoodwine,talkoldsoldiers’talkandwalkawayfeelingpleased!Required:Infantrymen,ANYnationality,anyarmywithserviceasinfantrywhilstonnominalrollofanyinfantrybattalion.Warserviceisnotessential.When:FirstThursdayofeverymonthWhere:RoyalAutomobileClubofAustralia,89MacquarieSt,SydneyTime:1200hrsfor1230hrsDress:Atleast,collaredshirtandshoesContact:MickShave(lynette111@live.com)orDaveJeffrey(dave.jeffrey@yahoo.com)fornoticeofattendance

9RARASSOCIATIONCOMMITTEEPresident DougMcGrath panache26@optusnet.com.au 02-9981-2675VicePresident TrevorMurdoch tmurdoch@customequitygroup.com.au 0414-015-204Secretary EricPope ericpope@bigpond.com 02-9774-5113Treasurer/Subs SteveNugent Cheryl.nugent@hotmail.com 02-9997-1552NewsletterEditor Rick‘Barney’Bigwood barneybig@live.com.au 02-9873-5209AssistantEditor EmmaBigwood emmabigwood75@gmail.com 0422-429-745WelfareOfficer TrevorMurdoch (asabove) (asabove)Members PeterNummy panddnummy@bigpond.com 0418-292-788 ColinSchofield cschofield1@optusnet.com.au 0409-789-336 RossCoughran cullychristine@gmail.com 0407-467-175 WarrenStickens w_stickens@hotmail.com 0409-151-614 PhilBarry philbarry@exemail.com 0409-313-410 JeremyFerguson annel@bigpond.com 02-9999-6969 TonyMullavey tmullavey@optusnet.com.au 0416-231-993 Gregg&KellyBarr-Jonesgbybuild@bigpond.net.au 0414-945-024

INSEARCHOFAWWIDIGGER:Canyouhelp?“BelgianJeanVanCampenhoutwasgrievinghisfather’sdeathwhenhediscovered an old photograph, and with it a family mystery.THE young geologist had found an Australian Imperial Force (AIF)group portrait, with a cross inked above a soldier in the photo –indicating themanwhowas his Australian great-grandfather. Sadly,no name was inscribed on the photo and Jean was left in the darkabouthisidentity.TheunknownAustralian soldier returnedhome inMarch1919, before the youngBelgianwomanhe had beencourtingwas even aware shewas pregnant. TheDigger neverknewthatonDecember7,1919,hissonRobertwasborn.”Intrigued?Headtothelinkbelowtoreadmoreandtoseeifyoucanhelp.

https://www.rslqld.org/RSLOutpost/RSL-Outpost/Military-History/In-Search-of-a-WWI-Digger-Can-You-HelpReprintedfromtheReturned&ServicesLeagueofAustralia,QueenslandBranchwebsite.

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RECOGNITIONOFRCBSERVICE“WelcometotheRifleCompanyButterworth(RCB)’sOperation“Exposure”site

OURPURPOSE:WeexistsimplytohavetheAustralianGovernmentgiverightfulrecognitionofthetruenatureofAustralianArmyRifleCompany’s(RCB)service–1970-1989atButterworth,Malaysia.ThiswasmilitaryservicetoprotectAustralia’sstrategicallydeployedRAAFForceatAirBaseButterworth(ABB),beingwarlikeinnatureandnotclassifiedaspeacetimeservice.

SuccessiveGovernmentsfailuretoacceptthesubstantialnewevidencediscoveredbytheRCBResearchGroup(RCBRG)fromnationalandinternationaldocumentsandprovidedtotheGovernmentleadsustoseekanindependentofgovernmentpublicinquiry.”TheaboveistakendirectlyfromtheRecognitionofRCBService.Formoredetailsheadtotheirwebsite:

https://recognitionofrcbservice.com/

TheObscenityofConscriptioncontemn:oldFrenchcontemner-todespise.Forustogotowar,theylied,Andthatiswhywewentanddied,Toaddourflagwiththeirstofly,Andnoonethoughttoreasonwhy.Conscripted,andwetrustedthem,Neverthinkingthey'dcontemntheirveryown.Thosethen,whoblindlycasttheirvotesSlaughteredus.Wethen,theirsacrificialgoats. ByMickShave

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Vikings actor Travis Fimmel starring in Long Tan movie to be filmed in Queensland By Chris O'Brien Updated 28 Feb 2018, A movie about the Vietnam War Battle of Long Tan will be made in southern Queensland, featuring Australian actor and Vikings star Travis Fimmel.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement in Los Angeles at the end of her trade mission to the US.

Ms Palaszczuk said the movie, provisionally titled Danger Close, would be filmed from the end of April in Nerang and Kingaroy.

"So that's great news for regional Queensland, but also sends a really strong message that you don't have to be in the Gold Coast or Brisbane to film a great movie," she said.

"It's probably a medium-range film. This is one of many that will be filmed in Queensland over the next few years.

"I think many people will know Travis Fimmel from his work in Vikings, and can I tell you he's not scary in real life."

Ms Palaszczuk said the movie's producer Martin Walsh told her he would like to employ 100-200 Australian veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns as extras for the project.

"So we're going to put a call out to those veterans to see if they would be interested in participating," she said.

"I was moved to hear that Martin, himself a former Australian Special Forces commando, is planning a major Anzac Day event during the shoot — bringing Long Tan veterans, cast, crew and locals together for a special memorial service," Ms Palaszczuk said.

The Premier said production would employ an estimated 120 full-time Queensland crew members.

PHOTO: Australian actor Travis Fimmel with Annastacia Palaszczuk in Hollywood. (Supplied: Premier's Department)ThisarticleisreprintedfromABCNewsandcanbefoundinitsentiretyatthelinkbelow.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-28/vikings-travis-fimmel-to-star-in-battle-of-long-tan-movie-qld/9492978

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MATESCORNERROLLCALLSUBMISSIONSIfyouhavesomeinterestingnewsorhumorousanecdotesaboutthe9RARFamilypleasesendittousforsubmission.

Barney(Rick)Bigwood:barneybig@live.com.auor

EmmaBigwood:emmabigwood75@gmail.com

FROMBILLYREEDS,VIABARNEYIwas chattingon thephone tomypartner in crime,Bill Reeds, Bill lives atTweedHeadsinnorthernNSW,hetoldmehehadrecentlyattendedareunionfor the 11th National Service intake held near him. He said he had a greattimer.BrianVickerywasinattendanceasaguestspeaker.Photosbelow.

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EMAILFROMBRIANABRAHAM(BrothertoRick10Plt,KIAJuly1969)Brian served inEMUFlight (ExperimentalMilitaryUnit) a compositeUSandAustralianHelicoptercompany.The only guys in 9 RAR that I know who were friends of Ricks are JohnRetschlagandJimConnolly.DidacruiseonashipupthecoastofNorwaylastOctober,andbuggerme,thecoupleinthecabinnextdoorwasTonyCreswick-Jacksonandwife.Didn’tknowhimpreviously,anddidn’ttalkabouthisArmytimeashiswife saidhewouldhavenightmares afterwards.Pity. Didmeet achapby thename of Powers fromBrisbane staying in the samehotel as I inSaigonbackattheturnofthecentury.IseetheunithadtwoPowers,notsurewhichone,otherthanhecamefromBrisbane.Mostupsetonmeetingmeinthefoyerandranofftohisroomintears.Wenttohisroomwithhiswifeandgottohave a talk, though forget what about now. Have had contact with GrahamCousinsyearsago,andstayedathisplacenearNewcastleonenightduringatripuptheeastcoast,youwouldn’thavehisemailwouldyou?Didanothertripto Vietnam two years ago with two fellow Navy guys, who I flew with incountry,andwives.WenttowhereRickwaskilled(toscratchanitch,I’msureyou’llunderstand)butsomewhatconfusedaspreviousresearchhadgiventwodifferentgridreferencesaboutoneclickapart(afteractionreportand9RARdiary).Countryhasbeenallclearedandnowjustshortgrass.Snapsbelow.

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The9thBattalion,RoyalAustralianRegiment:

The Battalion was formed on 13 November 1967 in South Australia. The Battalionserved inSouthVietnamfrom5November1968 to25November1969.TheBattalionthenremainedatEnoggerauntil31October1973whenitmergedwith8RARtobecomethe8th/9thBattalion,theRoyalAustralianRegiment(8/9RAR).TheBattalion’sserviceinSouth Vietnam resulted in the award of a Distinguished Service Order, two MilitaryCrosses,sevenMilitaryMedals,andelevenmembersoftheBattalionwereMentionedinDispatches.With theend of theVietnamWar lists theOCA CoyMajorW.McDonaldhad hisMID(MentionedinDispatches)upgradedtoaMedalofGallantryand2ndLieutenantGeoffreyLockewasawardedaCommendationforDistinguishedService.

© Copyright on all original items inROLLCALL isheldby the author andshould not be reproduced for profitwithout thewrittenpermissionof theauthor. Reproduction for non-profitnewsletters,militaryarchivesorstudypurposes in proper context isencouraged, but acknowledgementshould be given to the author andsource. Items reproduced in ROLLCALL are acknowledged whereverpossible.

We’reontheweb.Findusat:

www.9rar.org.au

IFUNDELIVEREDRETURNTO:9RARAssociationNSWPOBox253NarrabeenNSW2101

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