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OLD GUILDFORDIANS WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR 1962 – 1972

DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO SERVED M F Fairhead

June 2011

2

Cover Photograph

(Australian War Memorial Negative No: EKN/67/0130/VN)

Infantrymen from 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in a Helicopter extraction from

near the fishing village of Lang Phuoc Hai on 26th August 1967 (see K J Bladen and D B Bryant).

OLD GUILDFORDIANS WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR

PREFACE

This Dossier on Old Guildfordians who served in the Vietnam War was prepared by M F (Fred)

Fairhead (School 1955-1959), based on an earlier list provided to the School’s Archives Office by J

D C (John) Burridge (Henn’s/Stirling 1956-1962) and M W (Max) Stephenson (Stirling/St George’s

1961-1964). A version of the Dossier, containing 37 names, was presented to the Old

Guildfordians Association Annual Dinner on 10th October 2009 and to the School Assembly on 14th

October 2009. Following that, Fred Fairhead was given a copy of the GGS Student Register (1896

to June 2009) which he used to check the names of all Old Boys born between 1925 and 1953.

These dates were selected to cover the main call-up period for National Serviceman, ie those born

between 1945 and 1950; and, to identify older servicemen, especially those who enlisted after

leaving School in the late 1950s and 1960s, mainly in the RAN. Some 3000 names from the register

were checked against the Vietnam Nominal Roll maintained by the Department of Veterans’

Affairs. This exercise identified a further 36 names, giving a combined total of 73 Old Boys who are

known to have served in the Vietnam War –see list at page 5.

A summary of the 73 who served is shown at pages 6 to 11, followed at pages 12 to 24 by

‘Accompanying Notes’ which provide a summary of each of the three Services’ role in the war. The

Dossier also gives details of individual military service in Vietnam including where known, the

actual duties performed and in some cases a description of the role of the unit in which the Old

Boy served, ie :

Navy: See ‘Accompanying Notes’ pages 15 to 16.

Army: See ‘Accompanying Notes’ pages 17 to 21 and additional detail for the following units:

104 Signal Squadron , RA Sigs (see R B Armstrong),

110 Signal Squadron, RA Sigs (see K L Fowler),

Detachment 1st Division Intelligence Unit (see J L L’Epagniol),

1st Field Squadron, RAE (see A G Rossiter),

17 Construction Squadron RAE (see A E George),

32 Small Ships Squadron, RAE (see J A G Maxwell),

Assault Pioneer Platoon , 6RAR (see I S Izatt),

87 Transport Platoon RAASC (see R M Ward),

1st Australian Field Hospital (see C A Wallace).

Air Force: See ‘Accompanying Notes’ pages 22 to 24.

4

Significant events are included, eg honours awarded, being wounded in action etc; and, where

known, details of other military service before and after Vietnam are summarised. Details of

service in Vietnam were obtained from files maintained by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

(www.vietnamroll.gov.au/), from Unit War Diaries and Operations Logs held by the Australian

War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/diaries/seasia/index.asp) and by individual interviews and/or

correspondence with most of the veterans. In the case of RAN Officers and Ratings, career paths

were tracked to some degree by researching The Navy List

(www.navy.gov.au/Publication:Navy_List) and the National Archives (www.naa.gov.au) however,

both of these sources had period constraints, the former finishing in 1973 and the latter 1970.

However, the Sea Power Centre, Department of Defence, Canberra and Rear Admiral D G

Holthouse (Retd) AO were most helpful in providing information on B S Castles and L G Terry.

Similarly the Central Army Records Office in Melbourne gave considerable assistance in the

preparation of files for J S Cannon, D P Gratwick, J A Maxwell, C J C Partington, K C Thomas, J D

Van Ooran and M S Wheatley.

Photographs of Old Boys were sought and where received, added to individual pages, mainly on

the reverse side. In a number of cases photographs were not provided, for whatever reason. Some

photographs were downloaded with permission from the Australian War Memorial collection.

This latter exercise also provided some information on Old Boys who could not be contacted

personally, ie from the captions that accompanied the photographs.

Badges of the House(s) the Old Boy was in at School have been included and the badges of the

Army Corps or Regiment in which the Old Boy was serving in Vietnam, eg 1st Armoured Regiment.

Also, the Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment have been coloured coded according to the

Battalion’s lanyard, eg 5RAR-gold, 6RAR-khaki. Similarly, RAN Ships Crests have been included, eg

HMAS Perth, Hobart and Brisbane and RAAF Squadron Badges eg 2 Squadron and 9 Squadron.

Individual files are listed from page 25 to page 155.

Mrs Rosemary Waller School Archivist Guildford Grammar School June 2011

http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/

http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/seasia/index.asp

http://www.navy.gov.au/Publication:Navy_List

http://www.naa.gov.au/

5

LIST

Royal Australian Navy

Brown R

Castles B S

Dow A D

Eccleston A L

Harvey B L G

Holthouse D G

Lee M A

Mills C M

Partington R E

Pritchard K F

Roberts N D M

Shenton R B

Terry L G

Wilkins C R W

(14)

Australian Army Abé D P

Armstrong R B

Barrett-Lennard R

Bladen K J, AM

Brathwaite G R

Bryant D B

Burridge J D C ,MG,MID

Cannon J S

Church J M,DSO

Colegate B T

Crane R B

Deykin J D

Dixon E V

Eddington R W

Evans C G

Fairhead M F

Fowler G P

Fowler K L

George A E

Gillam G D

Graham K T

Gratwick D P

Harris R W

Herbert G P

Hicks B S

Izatt I S

Jones W M

Klem R R

L’Epagniol J L

Loveridge G A

Maschette W E

Maxwell J A

Millsteed R J

Partington C J C

Piper W A

Quealy M V

Richardson A R

Roberts M C

Roberts W G

Roe M J

Rossiter A G

Stephenson M W

Stove A M

Taylor M F

Thomas K C

Treleaven P J C

Tripp M T, OBE

Van Ooran J D

Wallace C A

Wallis E L

Ward R M

Wheatley M S

White E A

(53)

Royal Australian Air Force Abbott A L H, MID

Bladen P M

Cranswick T J

Downing F J L, DFC, DFC (US)

Hubble J W, CBE, DSO, AFC and Bar, MID

Sugden C J, QC, DFC and Bar (6)

6

OLD GUILDFORDIANS WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR SUMMARY OF SERVICE

NAME HOUSE VIETNAM WAR SERVICE REMARKS

UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT

ABBOTT A L H DOB: 25/12/1937 (Perth WA)

STIRLING/ SCHOOL 1950-1955

RAAF Transport Flight

(1965-66)

Flight Lieutenant

Pilot Permanent Air Force Officer who was awarded a Mention In Dispatches

ABÉ D P DOB: 17/3/1945 (Corrigin WA)

HARPER 1958-1960

1ARU(1)

6RAR(2)

(1966-67)

Private Signals Platoon

Linesman

National Serviceman

ARMSTRONG R B DOB: 1/9/1945 (Geraldton WA)

HARPER 1958-1960

104 Signals Squadron

(1967)

Signalman Radio Operator National Serviceman who was wounded in action

BARRETT-LENNARD R DOB: 21/4/1950 (Beverley WA)

ST GEORGE’S 1963-1966

1 Field Squadron (1971)

Sapper Driver National Serviceman

BLADEN K J DOB: 8/7/1934 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1949-1952

7RAR (1967)

Major Company Commander

Regular Army Officer.

BLADEN P M DOB: 27/2/1940 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1953-1957

2 Squadron RAAF (1971)

Squadron

Leader

Medical Officer Reserve Air Force

Officer

BRATHWAITE G R DOB: 15/1/1920 (Bathurst NSW)

PREP/SCHOOL 1929-1934

SAS Regiment(3)

(1966) Lieutenant

Colonel

Commanding Officer

Regular Army Officer who also served in WWII.

BROWN R DOB: 13/1/1945 (Merredin WA)

PREP 1953-1954

HMAS Vampire (1965,1966) HMAS Hobart (1970)

Leading Engineering Mechanic Petty Officer

Mechanical Engineer

Permanent Navy

BRYANT D B DOB: 9/3/1947 (Mt Lawley WA)

STIRLING/ WOODBRIDGE 1960-1963

7RAR (1967-68)

Lance

Corporal

Forward Scout/ Section Commander

National Serviceman

BURRIDGE J D C DOB: 9/5/1947 (Perth WA)

PREP/HENN’S/ STIRLING 1956-1962

5RAR (1969-70)

Corporal Machine Gunner/ Section Commander

National Serviceman who was wounded in Action and awarded a Medal for Gallantry (MG)

CANNON J S DOB: 15/6/1947 (Perth WA)


HQ AFV(4)

(1971) Lieutenant Public Relations

Officer

National Service Officer

CASTLES B S DOB: 2/7/1948 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1958-1964

HMAS Anzac (1968) HMAS Sydney (1968,1969)

Sub

Lieutenant

Supply Officer Permanent Naval

Officer

Note (1); 1ARU = 1st

Australian Reinforcement Unit. Note (2): 6RAR = Sixth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment; Note (3): SAS = Special Air Service; Note (4): HQ AFV = Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam

7

NAME

HOUSE VIETNAM WAR SERVICE REMARKS

UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT

CHURCH J M DOB: 11/5/1928 (Perth WA)

PREP/HENN’S/ STIRLING 1940-1942

2RAR

(1970-71) Lieutenant Colonel

Commanding Officer

Regular Army Officer who also served in Korea. Was wounded in action and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

COLEGATE B T DOB: 25/3/1946 (Three Springs WA)

HENN’S 1959-1961

55Advanced Engineer Stores Squadron

(1967-68)

Sapper Storeman/ Technician/Fork Lift Driver

National Serviceman

CRANE R B DOB: 11/8/1947 (Moora WA)



Lance

Corporal

Combat Engineer National Serviceman

CRANSWICK T J DOB: 20/1/1940 (Wynyard Tasmania)


9 Squadron RAAF (1968-69)

Leading

Aircraftman

Motor Mechanic Permanent Air Force

DEYKIN J D J DOB: 17/12/1933 (Nedlands WA)

HENN’S 1946

A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment (1971)

Major Visitor CMF Officer

DIXON E V DOB: 23/3/1947 (Lake Grace WA)

HARPER 1960-1962

1ARU 3RAR HQ 1 ATF D&E Platoon

(5)

(1968-1969)

Private Private Private

Rifleman/ Scout/ Machine Gunner

National Serviceman

DOW A D DOB: 10/6/1950 (Red Cliffs Victoria)

HENN’S 1964-1965

HMAS Derwent

(1969) Electrical Mechanic Power

Electrician Permanent Navy

DOWNING F J L DOB: 19/4/1934 (Nedlands WA)

PREP 1943-1944

2 Squadron RAAF (1970-71)

Wing Commander

Commanding Officer

Permanent Air Force Officer who was wounded in action. Awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and a US Air Force DFC.

ECCLESTON A L DOB: 28/2/1935 (Kasauli Punjab India)

HENN’S/ STIRLING 1947-1951

HMAS Melbourne (1965)

Lieutenant Observer in Wessex ASW Helicopter

Permanent Naval

Officer

EDDINGTON R W DOB: 4/6/1950 (Williams WA)

HARPER 1963-1965

104 Field Battery 12 Field Regiment (1971)

Gunner Gun Number National Serviceman

EVANS C G DOB: 3/7/1935 (Perth WA)

PREP 1943-1944

1 RAR (1965-66)

Sergeant Assault Pioneer Platoon Sergeant and Acting Platoon Commander

Regular Army Soldier who was awarded a US Silver Star for bravery

FAIRHEAD M F DOB: 3/8/1941 (Wiluna WA)

SCHOOL 1955-1959

6RAR (1969-70)

Captain Intelligence Officer/ Company Commander

Regular Army Officer who was awarded a Commander AFV’s

Commendation. FOWLER G P DOB: 21/2/1950 (Wongan Hills WA)

HENN’S 1963-1965


Sapper Driver National Serviceman

Note (5): HQ 1ATF D&E Platoon = Headquarters 1st

Australian Task Force Defence and Employment Platoon

8


UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT FOWLER K L DOB: 29/9/1944 (Cunderdin WA)

HARPER 1958-1959

503 Signals Troop 110 Signals Squadron (1967-68)

Lance

Corporal

Switch Board Op Regular Army Soldier

GEORGE A E DOB: 25/7/1947 (Leonora WA)

STIRLING 1960-1963

17 Construction Squadron (1969)

Sapper Combat Engineer National Serviceman

GILLAM G D DOB: 29/11/1948 (Geraldton WA)

WOODBRIDGE/HARPER 1962-1966

1 ARU 5 RAR 8 RAR (1969-70)

Private Mortar Platoon in 5RAR, Platoon Signaler in 8RAR

National Serviceman

GRAHAM K T DOB: 27/12/1936 (Subiaco WA)


HQ AFV (1968-69)

Captain Force Ammunition Technical Officer

Regular Army Officer who was injured on

duty.

GRATWICK D P DOB: 8/4/1944 (Fremantle WA)

PREP 1953

1 Field Regiment (1966-67) 12 Field Regiment /1 Field Regiment (1969-70)

Bombardier

Sergeant

Battery Surveyor

Gun Sergeant

Regular Army Soldier

HARRIS R W DOB: 5/6/1948 (Fremantle WA)


1 RAR HQ AFV 2 SAS Squadron (1968-69, 1971)

Sergeant Unit Armourer Regular Army Soldier

HARVEY B L G DOB: 9/12/1946 (Northam WA)

HARPER 1960- 1962

HMAS Derwent (1966) HMAS Brisbane (1969)

Electrical Mechanic Power

5” gun number Permanent Navy

HERBERT G P DOB: 26/1/1943 (Perth WA)


1 SAS Squadron (1967-68)

Private SAS Patrol Member

Regular Army Soldier

HICKS B S DOB: 26/10/1932 (Collie WA)

HENN’S 1942-1945

7RAR (1970-71)

Captain Company Second

In Command

Regular Army Officer who also served in Korea.

HOLTHOUSE D G DOB: 16/1/1936 (Port Hedland WA)

SCHOOL 1949

HMAS Melbourne (1965-67) HMAS Hobart (1968)

Lieutenant Commander

Engineering

Officer

Permanent Naval Officer who was awarded a Naval Board

Commendation. HUBBLE J W DOB: 20/11/1923 (Mt Lawley WA)

HENN’S 1936-1941

HQ RAAF Contingent Vung Tau

(1967-68)

Group

Captain

Commanding

Officer

Permanent Air Force Officer who also served in World War II and Korea. Awarded a CBE.

9


UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT IZATT I S DOB: 30/1/1947 (Brisbane Queensland)

STIRLING 1963- 1964

6RAR (1969)

Lance

Corporal

Assault Pioneer National Serviceman

JONES W M DOB: 3/3/1945 (Subiaco WA)

STIRLING 1957- 1961

1 ARU 1 APC Squadron A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment (1966-67)

Trooper APC Driver National Serviceman

KLEM R R DOB: 7/9/1949 (Perth WA)

PREP/ WOODBRIDGE 1961-1963

3RAR (1971)

Private Forward Scout National Serviceman

LEE M A DOB: 18/9/1941 (Hanley UK)

STIRLING 1957- 1958

HMAS Yarra (1966) HMAS Stuart (1968)

Lieutenant Ship’s Doctor Short Service Officer

L’EPAGNIOL J L DOB: 22/11/1933 (Samarang Java)

PREP/HENN’S 1943-1949 STIRLING 1950

HQ 1ATF (1967) Divisional Intelligence Unit (1968-69)

Captain

Major

Staff Officer

Commanding Officer

Regular Army

Officer

LOVERIDGE G A DOB: 19/4/1946 (Midland WA)

STIRLING 1959- 1961

4RAR (1968-69)

Private Rifleman/Machine Gun Group

National Serviceman

MASCHETTE W E DOB: 12/12/1946 (Armadale WA)

STIRLING 1958- 1963

8RAR (1969-70)

Private Regimental Signaler National Serviceman

MAXWELL J A DOB: 2/4/1949 (Maitland NSW)

WOODBRIDGE/ SCHOOL 1962-1965

32 Small Ship Squadron (1970-71)

Sapper Seaman Crew Member National Serviceman

MILLS C M DOB: 27/6/1947 (Perth WA)

PREP/HARPER 1959-1960

HMAS Perth (1967-68-69)

Leading Engineer Mechanic

Engineering Mechanic RAN

MILLSTEED R J DOB: 3/2/1949 (Northam WA)

HENN’S 1962-1966

A &C Squadrons 1 Armoured Regiment (1970-71)

Trooper Gunner/Operator/Mess

Manager

National Serviceman

PARTINGTON C J C DOB: 4/2/1945 (Calcutta India)

STIRLING 1957


Sapper Technical Clerk National Serviceman

PARTINGTON R E DOB: 4/11/1947 (Calcutta India)

PREP 1957

HMAS Melbourne (1965) HMAS Perth (1967-68)

Electrical

Mechanic

Power

Electrician Permanent Navy

PIPER W A DOB: 29/12/1932 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1945-1950

HQ 1ATF/ 1RAR (1966-67)

Major Staff Officer (Intelligence)

Regular Army

Officer

10


UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT PRITCHARD K F DOB: 26/2/1950 (Darwin Northern Territory)


HMAS Sydney (1967)

Ordinary Seaman (Engineering Mechanic)

Seaman Permanent Navy

QUEALY M V DOB: 18/3/1929 (Perth WA)

ST GEORGE’S 1941

HQ AFV (1965-66)

Major Logistics Staff Officer

(DAQMG)

Regular Army

Officer who also

served in Korea

RICHARDSON A R DOB: 12/2/1946 (Brisbane Queensland)

SCHOOL 1960-1962

1 ARU 6RAR 2RAR (1967-68)

Private Rifleman/Machine

Gunner

National Serviceman

who was wounded

in action

ROBERTS M C DOB: 10/8/1931 (Penang Malay States)

PREP 1939-1942

8RAR (1970)

Major Visitor CMF Officer

ROBERTS N D M DOB: 1/12/1944 (Georgetown British Guiana)

PREP/STIRLING 1954-1959


Leading Electrical Mechanic

Radio Mechanic Permanent Navy

ROBERTS W G DOB: 11/12/1946 (Bunbury WA)


1 Transport Platoon (1966-67)

Private Driver Regular Army

Soldier

ROE M J DOB: 28/1/1945 (Perth WA)


5RAR (1966-67)

Second Lieutenant

Platoon Commander National Service

Officer who became

a Regular Army

Officer

ROSSITER A G DOB: 12/4/1947 (Perth WA)

SCHOOL 1960-1963

1 Field Squadron (1968-69)

Sapper Combat Engineer Regular Army

Soldier who was

wounded in action

SHENTON R B DOB: 6/12/1947 (Subiaco WA)


HMAS Sydney (1965) HMAS Parramatta (1968)

Able Seaman Clearance Diver

Clearance Diver Permanent Navy

STEPHENSON M W DOB: 10/1/1948 (Perth WA)

PREP/STIRLING/ ST GEORGE’S 1961-1964

1ARU 5RAR (1969-70)

Private Rifleman/Forward

Scout/Platoon Medic

National Serviceman who was wounded in action

STOVE A M DOB: 17/4/1941 (Port Hedland WA)

STIRLING 1955-1959

2 Advanced Ordnance Depot (1967-68)

Captain Senior Logistics

Operations Officer

Regular Army

Officer

SUGDEN C J DOB: 3/4/1922 (York WA)

SCHOOL 1936-1937

RAAF Transport Flight (1964-65)

Squadron

Leader

Officer Commanding Permanent Air Force Officer who also served in World War II and Korea. Awarded a DFC

11


UNITS(s) RANK APPOINTMENT TAYLOR M F DOB: 20/5/1941 (Subiaco WA)

STIRLING /HARPER 1953-1958

HQ AFV (1967-68) HQ AFV (1971-72)

Captain Major

Public Relations Officer Regular Army

Officer

TERRY L G DOB: 27/3/1937 (Margaret River WA)

SCHOOL 1949-1950

HMAS Brisbane (1971)

Lieutenant

Commander

Communications Officer

Permanent Naval

Officer

THOMAS K C DOB: 16/10/1945 (Bridgetown WA)

PREP/ST GEORGE’S 1956-1962

6RAR (1969-70)

Private Platoon Signaler National Serviceman who was wounded in action

TRELEAVEN P J C DOB: 18/4/1942 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1955-1959

105 Field Battery (1965-66) 1 Field Regiment ↓1969 HQ 1 ATF

Captain Forward Observer Gun Position Officer Liaison Officer

Regular Army

Officer

TRIPP M T DOB: 8/2/1925 (Kasauli Punjab India)

HENN’S 1941-1942

HQ AATTV(6)

(1967-68) Lieutenant

Colonel

Commanding Officer Regular Army Officer who was wounded in action and awarded an OBE.

VAN OORAN J D DOB: 20/11/1930 (Perth WA)

PREP 1942

HQ AFV (1970-71)

Sergeant Technical Clerk Regular soldier who also served in Korea with 1 and 3RAR.

WALLACE C A DOB: 24/4/1947 (Rawalpindi India)

PREP/STIRLING 1956-1965

1Aust Field Hospital (1970-71)

Corporal Lab Technician National Serviceman

WALLIS E L DOB: 24/9/1948 (Wagin WA)

HARPER 1961-1963

1ARU 8RAR 2RAR (1970-71)

Private Mortar Number in both

Battalions

National Serviceman

WARD R M DOB: 14/1/1945 (West Midland WA)

PREP/ WOODBRIDGE 1952-1957

87 Transport Platoon (1966-67)

Private Driver National Serviceman

WHEATLEY M S DOB: 23/3/1930 (East Perth WA)

SCHOOL 1943-1945

AFV Amenities and Welfare Unit (1969-70)

Warrant Officer Class 2

Administrative Officer Regular Army

Soldier

WHITE E A DOB: 1/2/1925 (Perth WA)

STIRLING 1937-1941

A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment (1969)

Major Visitor CMF Officer who also served in WWII and BCOF and Commanded the 10

th Light Horse

WILKINS C R W DOB: 20/9/1941 (Colombo Ceylon)

PREP 1949-1950


Petty Officer Radio Mechanic Permanent Navy

Note (6): HQ AATTV = Headquarters Australian Training Team Vietnam

12

OLD GUILDFORDIANS WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR ACCOMPANYING NOTES

Introduction

These notes are designed to provide an overview of the background and extent of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. They are deliberately linked to the service in the war by Old Guildfordians and by necessity therefore, a number of major milestones in Australia’s involvement and major battles fought are not mentioned. For the purpose of this document the criterion used to describe major battles was that an Old Guildfordian must have been directly involved. For example: the Battles of Long Tan on 18th August 1966 which involved 1st Field Regiment RAA (P J C Treleaven), Operation Bribie on 17th February 1967 which involved 6RAR (D P Abé) and A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment (W M Jones) and Suói Châu Pha on 6th August 1967, which involved A Company 7RAR (D B Bryant) are briefly described ; however, the Battle for Binh Ba fought by D Company 5RAR on 6th June 1969 is not because J D C Burridge was on a promotion course at Nui Dat that day.

The Indo China Wars

The Vietnam War or, as it is also known, the Second Indo China War, was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1955 until 1975 when Saigon fell. The war followed the First Indochina War which was a war of national liberation fought in French Indochina from 1946 to 1954, between the Colonial French , supported by the Vietnam Emperor’s National Army, and the Communist forces of Ho Chí Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap (Viet Minh or People’s Army of Vietnam). Most of the fighting took place in Tonkin in Northern Vietnam, although the conflict engulfed the entire country and also extended into the neighboring French Indochina protectorates of Laos and Cambodia. The fighting ended with a massive French defeat in May 1954 at the battle of Dien Bien Phu.

Australia’s Involvement in the War

The involvement of Australian forces in the Vietnam War was a gradual process of escalating commitment which took place over a period of several years against a background of Government concerns with regional security and fear of Communist expansion. The cornerstone of Australian defence planning in the early 1960s was 'forward defence', a concept which complemented the United States policy of 'containment' of Communism in south-east Asia and embraced Australia's obligations under the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO). On the other hand, the North Vietnamese, supported by insurgent forces in the South, the Viet Cong, again saw it as a war of national liberation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_war

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_war

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Indochina_War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Indochina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Indochina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Union

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_National_Army

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_National_Army

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%E1%BB%93_Ch%C3%AD_Minh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B5_Nguy%C3%AAn_Gi%C3%A1p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vi%E1%BB%87t_Minh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonkin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protectorate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia

13

In 1961 and again in 1962 the South Vietnamese requested assistance from Australia to improve security and assist in economic and social development. In August 1962 a small team of thirty Australian Army advisers was sent to Vietnam to operate within the United States military advisory system of over 2,000 advisers already there. In 1965, at the request of the US, Australia committed combat troops which were significantly increased in 1966 and again in 1967- 1968– see 1stAustralian Task Force at pages 17 and 18. Some 60,000 servicemen and women served in the war, of which 18,000 were National Servicemen. These were 20 year old young men who were selected by a ballot or in other words a raffle based on birthdays to compulsorily serve in the Army for two years. In doing so they provided the Army with an influx of soldiers of the very highest calibre who were praised by all commanding officers for their professionalism and commitment to duty. Of the 53 Old Guildfordians who served in the Army in Vietnam, 28 of them were National Servicemen.

Australian Withdrawal from the War

In June 1969, as the South Vietnamese armed forces assumed greater defence responsibility, President Nixon announced that the US would begin to withdraw its forces. Following US withdrawals in 1970, Australia announced a reduction of one battalion from the 1st Australian Task Force when 8RAR was not replaced. Throughout 1971 and 1972 the reduction of Australia's forces continued until by the end of 1971, the Australian Army presence had been reduced to 2300 and by mid-1972 less than 200 remained. See also RAN Section and RAAF Section for a concomitant reduction in ships and aircraft. It needs to be recognised that when the Australian forces withdrew from the conflict, there is no doubt they held the upper hand, particularly in what had been 1ATF’s area of operational responsibility in Phuoc Tuy Province.

The War’s End

After the withdrawal of Allied Forces the war escalated, with the Soviet-equipped North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong overwhelming the South Vietnamese. In April 1975, after a victorious campaign, the North Vietnamese Army entered Saigon and the President of the Republic of Vietnam surrendered unconditionally. The formal announcement of the reunification of the two Vietnams was made in 1976 with the declaration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Some 500 Australians died in the conflict and about 3000 wounded. About two thirds of these casualties were Officers and Men of the Royal Australian Regiment.

“I Was Only 19” On 21st July 1969, Man landed on the Moon and but a few moments later , the Platoon Commander of 3 Platoon A Company 6RAR (Lt Peter Hines) trod on an M16 land mine which mortally wounded him and wounded 17 others in the Platoon. Some hours later after the wounded had been evacuated, the Battalion Doctor (Capt Trevor Anderson) detonated another mine, blinding him, wounding 5 others including the Battalion Commanding Officer (Lt Col David Butler) and killing the last surviving NCO (Cpl John Needs an Old Scotch Collegian from Perth).One of the wounded was Pte Mike Storen, a National Serviceman from Adelaide whose sister later married John Schumann, leader of the pop group ‘Red Gum’. Thus some years later the events of 21st July 1969 are the genisis of the song “I Was Only 19” which became the enduring song of remembrance for the tragedy that was the Vietnam War.

15

Royal Australian Navy

The RAN’s commitment to the combat zone of the war involved the US built Charles F Adams Class Destroyers: HMA Ships Hobart, Perth and Brisbane; the Australian built Daring Class Destroyer HMAS Vendetta; and, the converted Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney which in her role as a Fast Troop Transport carried most of the Infantry Battalions to and from Vung Tau in Vietnam and was thus known as the “Vung Tau Ferry” (see B S Castles and K F Pritchard).

In addition, the Navy operated a Clearance Diving Team based in Vung Tau and a RAN Helicopter Flight integrated with the US Army’s 135th Assault Helicopter Company which was based variously at Vung Tau, the US Army Camp Blackhorse near Xuan Loc , Bear Cat near Saigon and Dong Tam in Dinh Tuong Province. The RAN also provided aircrew for RAAF Helicopters (see 9 Squadron RAAF). The role of the Destroyers was in support of US Navy 7th Fleet operations in the Gulf of Tongkin (North Vietnam) and the South China Sea (South Vietnam), mainly on the “Gunline” (see map) providing naval gunfire support to allied forces, including 1 ATF in the south as HMAS Brisbane did in 1971 (see LG Terry). The ships also deployed as Destroyer Screens for USN Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups conducting airstrikes from ‘Yankee Station’(see map), often 24 hours a day from 3 Carriers in tandem.The Australian Destroyers also participated in ‘Operation Sea Dragon’ an operation to interdict sea lines of communications and supply going south from North Vietnam to South Vietnam, and involving enemy supply ships which ranged in size from large self propelled barges down to small junks and sampans.

HMAS Sydney enroute to Vietnam with a cargo of vehicles and troops

HMAS Brisbane DDG 41 – ‘The Steel Cat’

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Vietnam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Vietnam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barges

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_(ship)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampans

16

Other RAN ships also visited Vietnamese waters (Vung Tau) when escort for HMAS Sydney, eg HMAS Yarra (see R Brown), HMAS Derwent (see A D Dow) and HMAS Parramatta (see R B Shenton).

During these operations the Destroyers came under fire many times from enemy shore based batteries and on 18th October 1967 HMAS Perth was hit by an enemy shell (see C M Mills). On 17th June 1968, HMAS Hobart (see D G Holthouse) was one of a number of ships attacked in error by US 7th Air Force fighter bombers. Hobart was hit by four missiles which killed two sailors and wounded another seven. The US pilot had apparently mistaken the aircraft’s radar picture of the ship as being an enemy helicopter. Ed Note: Some RAN Old Boys who are listed on the Vietnam War Nominal Roll (DVA website) served in ships that made

visits to the area for various reasons including as escort for HMAS Sydney on her voyages to and from Vietnam. These men

have been included on the List and Summary table but for the purpose of this Dossier have not had individual files prepared.

They are: A L Eccleston (HMAS Melbourne); M A Lee (HMAS Yarra and HMAS Stuart); N D M Roberts (HMAS Melbourne)and

C R W Wilkins (HMAS Melbourne).

HMAS Hobart (The Green Ghost)

HMAS Vendetta

AWM Navy MO785A/07

HMAS Perth

17

Army

(See also Preface, second paragraph for a list of individual’s files which contain further information

on the role of various Army units)

The involvement by the Australian Army in the Vietnam War commenced in 1962 with the arrival of training advisers with the Australian Army Team Vietnam (AATTV) . It had a Headquarters in Saigon (HQ AATTV) (see M T Tripp), and comprised Officers and Warrant Officers as Advisers/Commanders to South Vietnamese Army Units, including Special Forces. In 1965 the first major unit was sent to the war, ie the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) (see C G Evans) followed shortly by 105 Field Battery (see P J C Treleaven), Combat Engineers and a Headquarters located in Saigon, ie HQ Australian Force Vietnam (HQ AFV), (see J S Cannon, M T Quealy, M F Taylor and J D Van Ooran). In 1966, the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) was deployed to Phuoc Tuy Province and based at Nui Dat (see maps on pages 14 and 18). 1ATF was the operational component of the Army’s involvement from 1966 to 1971. At its height, the Task Force comprised a Headquarters (see W A Piper), three Infantry Battalions (see page 19), a SAS Squadron (see G R Brathwaite, R W Harris and G P Herbert), a Squadron of each Main Battle Tanks and Armoured Personnel Carriers, a Field Regiment of Artillery, including a New Zealand Battery, augmented by US Army medium and heavy artillery, a Squadron of Field Engineers (see R Barrett-Lennard, R B Crane, G P Fowler, C J C Partington and A G Rossiter) and an Engineer Construction Squadron (see A E George), a Flight of Army Aviation Light Aircraft, Tactical Communications (see R B Armstrong), Intelligence (see J L L’Epagniol), a Reinforcement Unit (see E V Dixon, A R Richardson, M W Stephenson and E L Wallis), Survey, Civil Affairs, Medical, Transport, Supply and Repair Units. The total strength of the Task Force was about 5000 men. Logistic support for 1ATF was provided by the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group (1ALSG) located at Vung Tau. The group of units included an Ordnance Depot providing combat supplies (see A M Stove), a Field Hospital (see C A Wallace), Engineer supplies (see B T Colegate), Transport (see W G Roberts and R M Ward), Repair, Communications (see K L Fowler), Military Police units and an Amenities and Welfare Unit (see M S Wheatley) which included a Rest Centre (The Badcoe Club) for out-of-operations leave. In addition, 32 Small Ship Squadron operated out of Vung Tau (see J A G Maxwell) .1 ALSG’s total strength was about 1100 men and women.

A vintage Vietnam patrol photograph of Sergeant Peter Buckney, 11 Platoon, D Company 8RAR during Operation Atherton, December 1969 (see also W E Maschette). AWM WAR/70/0026/VN and permission of Peter Buckney

18

1ATF Unit Locations at Nui Dat circa June 1966

5RAR (-) with the left forward

company (A Company) split either side of Route 2

D Company 5RAR (see MJ Roe).This hill (Núi Dât) would later become the SAS Base and named ‘SAS Hill’.

6RAR, with all four rifle

companies on the perimeter. (see DP Abé)

1 Field Squadron (Combat Engineers)

Headquarters 1 ATF (see WA Piper)

1st

Field Regiment, Headquarters and three Field Artillery Batteries (see DP Gratwick and PJC Treleaven)

US Army Medium Artillery Battery

1st

APC Squadron (see WM Jones)

1 Aust Reinforcement Unit

Kangaroo Helicopter Pad

Task Force Logistic Units (see WG Roberts and RM Ward)

To Long Tan ≈ 5 Km

To 1 ALSG ≈ 25 Km

To Binh Ba ≈ 5 Km

Ed Notes: 1. In about June 1966, there were 8 Old Guildfordians in and about Nui Dat.

2. In June 1966 the enemy with superior strength was operating freely in the vicinity of Binh Ba and Long Tan and the under manned Task Force was potentially at great peril. One can only speculate why a properly constituted force, ie a full Brigade, wasn’t deployed from the start rather than the gradual build up to achieve the capability needed in 1968/69 (see page 15).

19

The primary combat units which engaged Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army Units in Phuoc Tuy and adjacent Provinces (Bien Hoa, Long Khanh and Binh Tuy) were the Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. All nine Battalions of the Regiment served a one year tour of duty in Vietnam and with the exception of 8RAR and 9RAR all served two one year tours. The Battalions were given a variety of operational tasks, including:

cordon and search of villages suspected of concealing enemy guerillas, weapons and supplies;

company patrols and ambushing (usually at platoon level);

with supporting arms (armour etc), reconnaissance into known enemy occupied areas within a prescribed area of operations. Known as ‘Search and Destroy Operations’, the rifle companies and platoons usually operated independently of each other within that area. Contact with the enemy occurred mainly at platoon and company level and frequently with the enemy in defensive positions, known as ‘Bunker Systems’;

Battalion operations within the populated areas of the Province, known as ‘Pacification Operations’ where the objective was to separate the enemy from the civilian population thus denying food supplies. It was during these operations that the enemy’s use of land mines mainly occurred;

Battalion operations during specific threats, eg Tet Offensives when battalions were deployed across likely enemy approaches to vital areas, eg Saigon.

The method of deploying battalions on these operations also varied however, in the main they were either by helicopter…….

……or, by Armoured Personnel Carriers

Airborne assault by 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC)

Battalion leaving Nui Dat to Area of

Operations Curtin on 3rd

November

1968 (See G A Loveridge)

Photo by courtesy of Gerry Loveridge

Soldiers from 6RAR (see D P Abé ) boarding

APC’s of A Squadron 3rd

Cavalry Regiment

(see W M Jones) at Nui Dat for Operation

Ingham in November 1966.

AWM PO 1404.030

20

…or, in the traditional Infantry way – by foot

Each Battalion comprised a Headquarters (see J M Church and M F Fairhead), four rifle companies comprising about 100 men in a HQ and three Platoons (see M J Roe, G D Gillam and K C Thomas) each with three sections of 10 men (see D B Bryant, J D C Burridge, E V Dixon, R R Klem, G A Loveridge, A R Richardson and M W Stephenson), a Support Coy (see K J Bladen) with Mortar, Assault Pioneer (see C G Evans and I S Izatt), Tracker and Signals Platoons ( see D P Abé and W E Maschette) and an Administrative Coy (see B S Hicks) providing logistics, transport and medical services. ‘ANZAC Battalions’, ie 2RAR, 4RAR and 6RAR had five rifle companies (three Australian and two New Zealand) and additional New Zealand Support Coy assets, eg Mortars. A standard Mortar Platoon comprised three sections each with two 81 mm mortars and a crew of 4 men for each mortar (with the Number 1 in charge (see G D Gillam and E L Wallis). The 81 mm mortar fired High Explosive, Smoke (White Phosphorous) and Illuminating rounds over ranges from 150 to about 4,000 metres. The primary fire support for Infantry Battalions however, came from 1ATF’s Artillery Field Regiments eg 1st Field Regiment. A Field Regiment had three Field Batteries, eg 104 Field Battery, each with 6 M2A2 105mm howitzers which could fire a 15kg projectile over a maximum range of 11,000 metres. Each howitzer had a crew of 7 (see R W Eddington).

A Field Battery was usually allotted in direct support of an Infantry Battalion and moved with the battalion on operations, based in Fire Support Bases and co-located with the Battalion Headquarters. The battery attached a Forward Observer Party to each rifle company to provide immediate fire support (see P J C Treleaven).

An M2A2 Howitzer of 101 Field Battery firing at night in support of 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion from Fire Support Base Peggy in January 1970. AWM FAI/70/0169/VN

3RAR soldiers advancing through the Binh

Ba Rubber Plantation in January 1968.

AWM CAM/68/0003/VN

21

Also providing very close fire support to the Infantry were the Main Battle Tanks of the Armoured Squadrons eg, C Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment (see R J Millsteed)….

……and the heavy machine guns of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) of the Cavalry Squadrons eg, A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment (see W M Jones)

Ed Note: Some Old Boys serving in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) visited Vietnam and were attached to units in Vietnam

for about two weeks. These men are included on the List and Summary table but for the purposes of this Dossier have not

had individual files prepared. They were: J D J Deykin, M C Roberts and E A White.

The Centurion Main Battle Tank first saw combat service with the British Army in Korea. It weighed about 50 tonnes and provided very mobile and heavy firepower with its 20 pounder (84mm) gun. It had a crew of four – a Commander, a Driver, a Gunner (see R J Milsteed) and an Operator (who operated the radio sets and was the ammunition loader for the 20 Pdr Gun). In Vietnam C Sqadron had five tank troops each with four tanks. The Squadron’s primary tasks were to: support Infantry Battalions (as 4 Troop did in December 1970 for 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion – see J M Church); night ambushing; and, the protection of Engineer Land Clearing operations (see A E George).

AWM THU/68/0720/VN

Tracker Dog and Sentry 7RAR, circa 1967 (see K J Bladen and D B Bryant). AWM COL/67/0552/VN

The M113 APC was a 10.5 tonne tracked armoured vehicle

armed with .50 calibre and .30 calibre machine guns and with

two crewmen, a Commander and a Driver( see W M Jones).

Each vehicle could carry an Infantry section (10 men

commanded by a Corporal - see J D C Burridge) which could

exit via a rear ramp. The vehicle was also used as an armoured

ambulance for medical evacuations; as mobile machine-gun

and mortar platforms; and as armoured command vehicles, eg

for field headquarters. The APC Squadron provided armoured

support for the Infantry; it inserted, redeployed, and extracted

troops, including patrols conducted by the Special Air Service;

served as a ready deployment force; protected convoys and

escorts; conducted reconnaissance; and, supported cordon-

and-search operations.

AWM PO 5132.012

22

Royal Australian Air Force

The RAAF operated three main units in Vietnam as well as logistic support from Australia and aero medical evacuation to Australia.

9 Squadron The Squadron deployed to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney in June 1966 and whilst based at Vung Tau, it often operated on a daily basis from Nui Dat (Kangaroo Pad). The Squadron initially flew UH-1B Iroquois Helicopters (known as Hueys and with a radio callsign of ‘Albatross’) which were replaced by UH-1H models commencing in 1968. At its peak the Squadron operated 16 Helicopters in a number of roles mainly in support of 1ATF. These included: the deployment and extraction of Infantry Rifle Companies and SAS Patrols, sometimes when the enemy was present; the evacuation of wounded from the battlefield known as Dustoff Aircraft (see A E George, A R Richardson, A G Rossiter and M W Stephenson); resupply of units and subunits on operations; Command and Control aircraft for the 9 Squadron Commander and Battalion Commanders and their staff during the insertion of rifle companies on operations (see M F Fairhead); and, close air support to infantry in contact with the enemy (see D B Bryant and M W Stephenson).In 1969, four Helicopters were converted to Gunships with the radio callsign ‘Bushranger’; these aircraft were equipped with mini guns and rocket launchers in addition to the door mounted machine guns. The Gunships usually operated in pairs called a Light Fire Team, one of which was often maintained on immediate alert each day at Nui Dat. 9 Squadron returned to Australia in December 1971.

A Dustoff Helicopter retrieving a casualty from the field…….

….and landing at 1 Aust Field Hospital’s ‘Vampire Pad’ at Vung Tau

9 Squadron helicopters at Kanga Pad Nui Dat Bushranger 71

23

35 Squadron Based at Vung Tau, it was originally designated RAAF Transport Flight

Vietnam (see C J Sugden and A L H Abbott) when Caribou Aircraft deployed from RAAF Butterworth,

Malaysia to Vietnam in August 1964. It was renamed 35 Squadron in June 1966 and was under

operational control of the USAF 7th Air Force. Known as ”Wallaby Airlines”, the Squadron flew

missions often to remote areas with crude airstrips and included flying supplies to US Army Special

Forces Camps, the Australian Army Training Team, military and civilian passengers and general cargo

(food, fuel, livestock, ammunition and spare parts). At its peak the Squadron operated seven Caribou

Aircraft many of which were involved in major accidents, mostly at landing. One aircraft was lost to

enemy action, on 1st March 1970 by mortar fire at That Son, south west of Saigon near the Cambodian

Border. Three aircraft returned to Australia in June 1971, with the remainder of the Squadron

returning in February 1972.

2 Squadron The squadron deployed to Vietnam from Butterworth in April 1967 and was based at Phan Rang (see map), where it was integrated with the United States Air Force’s 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. The Squadron flew Canberra bombers and used the radio callsign ‘Magpie’. It operated eight bombers on day and night missions including what was known as ‘combat sky spot’ missions, flown mainly at night with the aircraft guided to the target by radar. Its main task however, was low level precision bombing missions against enemy targets ranging from the demilitarised zone in the north (the border between North and South Vietnam) and the Mekong Delta in the south. On many occasions the Squadron flew missions in support of 1ATF Units including in April 1967, by four aircraft in support of 7RAR (see K J Bladen and D B Bryant). The Squadron lost only two aircraft during

A CH4 Caribou Aircraft of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, taxing at Vung Tau in 1964.

AWM PO5583.010

24

the conflict: one disappearing on a night bombing mission in 1970, with its crew listed as “missing in action” but whose remains were recovered in 2009. The other aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile near the demilitarised zone in 1971(see F J L Downing). The Squadron left Vietnam in June 1971.

36 Squadron 37 Squadron

The RAAF was also involved in carrying out logistics tasks and importantly, aero medical evacuations (Medevac) of wounded soldiers from Vietnam to Australia by C-130 Hercules aircraft operated by 36 and 37 Squadrons based at Richmond in New South Wales. In the early days the evacuation process was fairly rudimentary involving the older C130-A aircraft which was not suitable for the task. In addition, aircraft range and strained relationships with Indonesia meant patients were flown over a very long journey from Vung Tau via Butterworth in Malaysia to the Cocos Islands, to Perth and thence to Richmond. This unsatisfactory situation was resolved when the new C130-E aircraft from 37 Squadron came on line in 1967 which, besides having much improved accommodation, could also fly direct from Vung Tau to Richmond. On these flights, patients were cared for by members of the RAAF Nursing Service, over one hundred of whom served during the Vietnam War.

Ed Note: One of the men on the Summary List was P M Bladen (the brother of K J Bladen). He was a Medical Officer who spent the last 5 weeks of 2 Squadron’s time at Phan Rang. For the purpose of this Dossier he has not had an individual page prepared.

RAAF Canberra Bomber at Phan Rang Airfield.

C130-E Hercules at Vung Tau 1970 C130-A Hercules at Vung Tau 1970

25


Name: ABBOTT Anthony Lempriere Harley

DOB: 25/12/1937 Place: Perth WA

Years at GGS: 1950 - 1955 House: Stirling School

Military Details (At the time of service in Vietnam)

Regimental No: O55138 Rank: Flight Lieutenant

Service: Royal Australian Air Force

Unit(s) Served: RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam

Dates (In Country): 2nd June 1965 to 2nd February 1966 (246 days)

Remarks: A Permanent Air Force Officer who was commissioned as a pilot in 1960 at the 1st Advanced

Flying Training School (1 AFTS), RAAF Base Pearce in WA. He was then posted to 10 Squadron RAAF in

Townsville flying Maritime Patrol Aircraft and then to 38 Squadron at Richmond in NSW to fly Caribou

transport aircraft. In May 1965, he flew a Caribou to Vung Tau, Vietnam commencing operations on

2nd June with the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam. The Flight, which was renamed 35 Squadron RAAF in

June 1966, flew missions in support of ground operations including flying supplies to US Army Special

Forces Camps and the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) (see ‘Accompanying Notes’ pages 17

26

and 23). For his service in Vietnam he was awarded a ‘Mention In Dispatches’ (MID). After his tour in

Vietnam he returned to 38 Squadron before in July 1966, joining the Squadron’s Detachment in Papua

New Guinea which among other things supported the 2nd Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment at

Wewak and Vanimo (see M F Fairhead). In 1967 he did a Flying Instructors course at the Central Flying

School, East Sale, Victoria and was then posted as an Instructor to 1 AFTS at RAAF Base Pearce. He

was promoted to Squadron Leader in 1968 and retired from the Air Force with that rank in 1971.

27


Name: ABÉ David Patrick

DOB: 17/3/1945 Place: Corrigin WA

Years at GGS: 1958 - 1960 House: Harper


Regimental No: 5713758 Rank: Private

Corps: Royal Australian Infantry

Unit(s) Served: 1. 1s t Australian Reinforcement Unit (1ARU)

2. 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Dates (In Country): 1. 15th to 17th August 1966.

2. 18th August 1966 to 14th June 1967 (304 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in September 1965 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria was posted to the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) in Woodside,

SA. After completing Corps training at 3RAR and at the Jungle Training Centre, Canungra, he was

posted to the Infantry Centre at Ingleburn, NSW. A few months later he was posted as a

reinforcement to 1ARU and then joined the Sixth Battalion (6RAR) on the day the Battle for Long Tan

was fought, and won! He served in the Signals Platoon of Support Company (see ‘Accompanying

Notes’ page 20) as a Linesman involving the laying and maintenance of telephone cable for field

28

telephones. His work was mainly with Battalion Headquarters, especially when it was deployed on

operations. He returned to Australia with the Battalion and after marching with the Battalion through

Brisbane, he was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta prior to his discharge from the Army in

September 1967.

Private David Abé, taken at Boans

Store in Perth before leaving for

Vietnam in June 1966. He is wearing

‘Battle Dress’ (winter) uniform with

the shoulder flash and hat badge of

the Royal Australian Regiment.

Photo by courtesy of David Abé

29


Name: ARMSTRONG Reginald Beresford

DOB: 1/9/1945 Place: Geraldton WA



Regimental No: 5714011 Rank: Signalman

Corps: Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Unit(s) Served: 104 Signal Squadron

Dates (In Country): 3rd May to 20th December 1967 (232 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up on 14 February 1966; he completed Recruit

training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the Marconi School of Wireless in Sydney and

the School of Signals at Balcombe, Victoria. He was then posted to 2 Divisional Signal Regiment,

Sydney and then to 104 Signal Squadron which first deployed to Vietnam in April/May 1967. The

Squadron operated a Communications Centre at the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) Base at Nui Dat

providing telephone (Ebony Switchboard) and telegraph to all 1ATF units as well as Dispatch Riders

and Signals Delivery Services at Nui Dat. Importantly, the Squadron also operated the Task Force

(voice radio) Command Net between the Task Force Headquarters Command Post and all units,

including when they were deployed on operations, eg Infantry Battalions. It was this Command Net

that Sig Armstrong was employed on as a Radio Operator. On 12th July 1967 whilst on a detachment

with a Liaison Officer (1) attached to the HQ of the US Army 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division (2), he was

30

wounded in action from enemy mortar fire. He received a shrapnel wound to his right thigh and was

evacuated to the 7th US Surgical Hospital at the US Army’s ‘Blackhorse Base’ and then to 8 Field

Ambulance located at the Australian Logistic Support Base at Vung Tau. After recovering from his

wounds, he returned to his unit on 31st July and participated in further operations before returning to

Australia in December. On his return he was on leave before being discharged from the Army on 14

February 1968.

(1).The Liaison Officer was Captain Ian Wells, an Old Scotch Collegian from Perth who at the time was

serving with the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV).

(2). In July 1967 1 ATF and elements of the US Army’s 9th Infantry Division conducted Operation

Paddington near Xuyen Moc in the east of Phuoc Tuy Province. 1 ATF’s forces included 2RAR (see A R

Richardson) and 7RAR (see K J Bladen and D B Bryant).

Signalman Reg Armstrong at the School of Signals, Balcombe, Victoria in September 1966. Photo by courtesy of Reg Armstong

31


Name: BARRETT-LENNARD Richard

DOB: 21/4/1950 Place: Beverley WA

Years at GGS: 1963 - 1966 House: St George’s


Regimental No: 5717811 Rank: Sapper

Corps: Royal Australian Engineers

Unit(s) Served: 1st Field Squadron

Dates (In Country): 29th July 1971 to 18th November 1971 (113 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in September 1970 and after Recruit training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW he attended a Driving Course at the Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC) Training Centre at Randwick, NSW. In July 1971 he was posted to I Field Squadron as a Driver in Headquarters Troop, based mainly at Nui Dat (see also Fowler G P). The Squadron redeployed to Vung Tau on 16th October 1971 as part of the 1st Australian Task Force withdrawal from Nui Dat. He left Vietnam on 6th November on HMAS Sydney with the Main Body of the Squadron’s withdrawal from the war. The ship arrived in Sydney on 18th November 1971 and the Squadron moved to the Holsworthy Army Base. Shortly after returning to Australia he was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta before being discharged from the Army shortly thereafter (as were most National Servicemen after Australia’s involvement ceased).

33


Name: BLADEN Kenneth John (Ken)


Years at GGS: 1949 - 1952 House: Stirling


Regimental No: 52765 Rank: Major


Unit(s) Served: 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Dates (In Country): 8th April 1967 to 28th November 1967. He also undertook a Visit from 22nd to 31st

January 1963. (245 Days total)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in June 1954.

In Vietnam he served as the Commander of Support Company, 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment

(see ‘Accompanying Notes’ page 20) however, his tour was cut short when he was recalled to

Australia in December 1967 to attend the Army Staff College in 1968. He had previously served in the

Royal Australian Regiment : in the Special Air Service Company RAR from 1957 to 1960; then in the

First Battalion as a Platoon Commander; and, as the Adjutant of the Second Battalion in Malaya 1962-

63. He also served on the Tactics Wing of the Jungle training Centre Canungra in 1971-73. In 1972 he

was posted to Thailand for a four month attachment on the planning staff at SEATO in Bangkok. On

promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he commanded the Third Cadet Brigade in Victoria before

transferring to the Army Reserve (ARes) in 1975. He retired from the Army in 1984. From 1975 he sang

34

part time in the male chorus of the WA Opera Company and later served as State President of the RSL.

He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia

(AM) the same year. He also holds the Queens Medal for Champion Shot of the Army which he won in

1969.

Major Ken Bladen on 23rd July 1967,

some 10 Kms north of Nui Dat during

Operation Southport.

Photo by courtesy of Ken Bladen

35


Name: BRATHWAITE George Robert (Bill)

DOB: 15/1/1920 Place: Bathurst NSW

Years at GGS: 1929 - 1934 House: Prep School/School


Regimental No: 57534 Rank: Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: SAS Regiment

Unit(s) Served: Visit to the operational area.

Dates (In Country): 13th November 1966 to 19th November 1966 (7 Days)

Remarks: He initially enlisted in the Army Militia in 1936 at age 16 in the 7th Battery of 3 Field Brigade

a Horse drawn Artillery Battery. When World War II broke out he enlisted in the 2nd AIF and the

battery was re-designated as 6th Battery 2/3rd Field Regiment which served in Britain, Greece and

Crete (where he was wounded in action). He then transferred to the 2/3rd Independent Commando

Company (later Squadron) during the Salamaua campaign in New Guinea in 1943 where he was twice

wounded in action. He was commissioned in 1944 and transferred to Z Special Unit for operations

behind enemy lines in Borneo. He was discharged from the Army in 1945 and served in the Citizen

Military Forces (CMF) as the Adjutant of the 28th Battalion before reenlisting in the Regular Army in

1951. He attended the Army Staff College in 1955 and after various staff appointments including on

the planning staff at South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) in Bangkok and at HQ Western

Command, he was appointed as the first Commanding Officer (CO) of the Special Air Service Regiment

(SASR) on its formation in August 1964. Whilst he was CO, the Regiment deployed Squadrons for

36

operations in Borneo from 1964 to 1966 and in Vietnam in 1966. He relinquished Command of SASR in

1967 and retired from the Army that year.

Major Bill Brathwaite (left) with the Governor- General, Lord De L’Isle,

early in 1965. He was promoted to

Lieutenant Colonel a short time later. Photo by courtesy of David Horner’s History of the SAS.

37


Name: BROWN Rex

DOB: 13/1/1945 Place: Merredin WA

Years at GGS: 1953 - 1954 House: Prep School


Regimental No: R59255 Rank: Leading Engineering Mechanic (HMAS Vampire), Petty Officer (HMAS

Hobart)

Service: Royal Australian Navy

Ship(s) served in: 1. HMAS Vampire 2. HMAS Hobart Dates (In Country): 1. 31st May 1965 to 22nd June 1965 and 27th April 1966 to 9th May 1966 2. 16th March 1970 to 9th October 1970 (244 Days) Remarks: He joined the Navy in 1962 and after completing recruit training at HMAS Cerebus in

Westernport, Victoria and further specialist training and postings in HMA Ships Anzac and Sydney he

was posted to the Daring Class Destroyer HMAS Vampire as an engineering mechanic. He was in the

ship’s company when Vampire escorted HMAS Sydney on her first and second voyages from Australia

to Vietnam, the first voyage (1965) had the First Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR)

embarked (see C G Evans); the second voyage (1966) transported 1st Australian Task Force stores and

equipment as well as elements of 1ATF units including 5RAR (see M J Roe). After postings to HMAS

Creswell and HMAS Brisbane, he returned to Vietnamese waters in HMAS Hobart which was on her

third tour of duty in support of US Navy 7th Fleet operations in the Gulf of Tongkin (North Vietnam)

and the South China Sea (South Vietnam). The Ship’s main role was being on the ‘gunline’, providing

naval gunfire support to allied forces. The ship also participated in Operation ‘Sea Dragon’ (see

38

‘Accompanying Notes’ page 15). After his tours of duty to Vietnam he served for another year before

leaving the Navy in 1971 with the rank of Petty Officer.

HMAS Vampire on escort duty in

the South China Sea circa April

1966

39


Name: BRYANT David Bruce

DOB: 9/3/1947 Place: Mt Lawley WA

Years at GGS: 1960 - 1963 House: Stirling Woodbridge


Regimental No: 5714462 Rank: Lance Corporal



Dates (In Country): 8th April 1967 to 26th April 1968. (385 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in June 1966 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal in Victoria and Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Singleton, NSW he was posted to

7RAR which deployed to Vietnam in April 1967. He was a Forward Scout in 1 Platoon A Company and

on 6th August 1967, the Company fought a major company action against a similar sized force from the

enemy’s 274th Main Force Regiment adjacent to the River Chau Pha (Suói Châu Pha). The battle was

substantial with heavy casualties to both sides however, with the help of Artillery, Mortar and armed

Helicopter fire support (some of which was dangerously close) and airstrikes, A Company won the day

with the enemy retreating with most of its casualties. To this day the 7th Battalion remembers the 6th

August as ‘The Battle of Suói Châu Pha’. After this action he was promoted to Lance Corporal as a

Section Commander and was involved in many more operations and actions with the enemy. He

40

returned to Australia with the Battalion in April 1968 and was posted to the Personnel Depot at

Karrakatta prior to his discharge from the Army in June 1968 with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Private David Bryant wearing

summer dress , the badge of the

Royal Australian Regiment on his

slouch hat and the lanyard of the

Seventh Battalion on his left

shoulder. Taken in Perth before he

left for Vietnam in 1967.

Photo by courtesy of David Bryant

41


Name: BURRIDGE John Douglas Campbell (John)


Years at GGS: 1956 -1962 House: Prep School/Henn’s Stirling


Regimental No: 5715816 Rank: Corporal

Corps: Royal Australian Infantry Corps


Dates (In Country): 8th February 1969 to 5th March 1970 (387 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in May 1968 and after Recruit Training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria he was posted to 5RAR at Holsworthy, NSW in July 1968. He travelled with the

Battalion to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney (see B S Castles) where he served as a Machine Gunner in 11

Platoon D Company 5RAR. On 4th April 1969 (Good Friday) his Platoon came under heavy enemy

Machine Gun and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire. Then Private Burridge, acting on his own

initiative, moved forward to engage the enemy and in doing so prevented the enemy from

overrunning 11 Platoon. During this action he was wounded in both legs from RPG shrapnel but

continued to keep the enemy at bay. For his courageous action he was awarded a Mention in

Dispatches (MID) but which was subsequently upgraded to the award of a Medal for Gallantry (MG).

This award is the equivalent of a Military Medal (MM) which is what he should have been awarded in

the first instance. In May 1969 he was promoted to Corporal and commanded a Section in 11 Platoon.

On 6th February 1970, he was again wounded, by grenade fragments which also wounded the

42

Company Commander. This occurred a few days after D Company had secured the approach through

the Nui May Tao mountains for the passage of Matilda Force (see M F Fairhead). He returned to

Australia on HMAS Sydney and following leave was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta

before being discharged from the Army in May 1970 with the rank of Corporal

.

Medal for Gallantry awarded for an act of gallantry in action.

Pte John (Blue) Burridge, Machine Gunner, 11 Platoon D Company, 5RAR in March 1969 returning from patrol to the Company defensive position during Operation Federal. Photo by courtesy of David Wilkins, ex 5RAR.

43


Name: CANNON James Spencer


Years at GGS: 1958 -1962 House: Stirling Woodbridge


Regimental No: 5716793 Rank: Lieutenant


Unit(s) Served: Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam (HQAFV)

Dates (In Country): 11th March 1971 to 16th December 1971 (281 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was enlisted in July 1969 and in December 1969, after

graduating from the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville, NSW (see M J Roe and M F Fairhead) he was

posted as a Platoon Commander at the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Singleton, NSW. After a posting

at HQ Southern Command as a Public Relations (PR) Officer, he was promoted to Acting Lieutenant

and posted in March 1971 as a PR Officer to HQ AFV, Saigon (see also M F Taylor). After his Vietnam

service he was discharged from the Army in February 1972 with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

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Name: CASTLES Brian Stanley




Official No: R94594 Rank: Acting Sub -Lieutenant


Ships served in 1. HMAS Anzac 2. HMAS Sydney Dates (In Country): 1. 20th May to 7th June 1968

2. 13th to 28th November 1968; 8th to 25th February 1969; 8th to 30th May 1969 ; 17th November to 5th December 1969 (95 Days)

Remarks: He joined the Navy in January 1965 and after completing recruit training at HMAS Cerebus

in Westernport, Victoria, he was selected in 1967 for Officer Training at the RAN College HMAS

Creswell. During that training he went to sea in HMAS ANZAC when she escorted HMAS Sydney to

Vietnam with the Fourth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) embarked (see G A Loveridge).

He joined HMAS Sydney in late 1968 as a Midshipman undergoing training and did four deployments

to Vietnam including in February 1969 with 5RAR embarked (see J D C Burridge) , in May 1969 with

6RAR embarked (see I S Izatt and K C Thomas) and in November 1969 with 8RAR embarked (see

46

W E Maschette). He was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant in December 1969 and in 1970 and 1971

he underwent training at the RN College at Dartmouth, UK and at HMAS Cerebus respectively. In 1971

he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant and served in the Office of the Flag Officer Commanding the

Australian Fleet before being posted in 1972 to the Escort Maintenance Ship, HMAS Stalwart where

he was promoted to Lieutenant as a Supply Officer. In 1974 he was posted to the Apprentice Training

Establishment, HMAS Nirimba (Quakers Hill NSW) and in 1976 to the Naval Radio Station, Darwin

(HMAS Coonawarra), in both cases as a Supply specialist. In 1977 he returned to sea as the Supply

Officer in the Destroyer HMAS Stuart. After further shore postings at HMAS Stirling and Lonsdale he

was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1980 whilst serving at the Junior Recruit Training

Establishment (JTRE) at HMAS Leeuwin. In 1982 he was posted to Navy Office (Canberra) as a member

of the Patrol Craft Project and on promotion to Commander in December 1984, as a member of the

Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) Project. In 1987 he served in the Directorate of Naval Integrated Systems

Management until his retirement from the Navy in 1988 with the rank of Commander.

47


Name: CHURCH John Murray (John)


Years at GGS: 1940 -1942 House: Prep School/ Henn’s Stirling




Unit(s) Served: 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

(In Vietnam, the Battalion was designated 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) because of the Royal New Zealand

Infantry Regiment component)

Dates (In Country): 29th April 1970 to 1st June 1971, plus three visits in 1963, 1968 and 1969. (439 days

total).

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who in Vietnam was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), for which he was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). In November 1970 he was wounded in action when his reconnaissance helicopter was shot down. He graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1948 and was posted as a platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion, RAR in Japan and then Korea where he commanded 2 Platoon A Company. In March 1951, during a battalion attack, he was wounded in action and evacuated from the field of battle. In 1953-54 he was an Instructor at the Officer Cadet School Portsea. Following parachute training in the UK in 1957 he was posted as the Senior Army Instructor at the RAAF Parachute Training Wing at Williamtown. Following attendance at the Army Staff College (ASC) in 1961-62, he served as a company commander with first 2RAR and then 3RAR in Malaysia during

48

‘Confrontation with Indonesia’. In 1964 he was appointed Brigade Major of 28th Commonwealth Brigade which included contingency planning for SEATO. In 1966 on promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he was a member of the Directing Staff at ASC, following which he became CO of 2RAR from 1968 to 1971. After Vietnam he was promoted to Colonel to command 11th Infantry Brigade (1972-73) and was also made an honorary ADC to the Governor General. Following further senior staff appointments in Sydney and Canberra, from 1978 to 1981 he was the Australian Defence Attaché in the Pakistani Capital of Islamabad and was accredited to the Governments of Afghanistan and Iran. He retired from the Army in February 1982 with the rank of Colonel. In retirement, he completed an honours degree in archaeology and in 1995, he published a book entitled ‘Second to None: 2 RAR as the Anzac Battalion in 1970-71’, in which he followed the fortunes of an Australian infantry battalion at war.

Distinguished Service Order awarded for distinguished service by officers during war, usually in actual combat.

Lieutenant Colonel John Church in an Army Sioux (‘Possum’) Helicopter about to visit his forward companies – circa 1970. Photo by courtesy of John Church

49


Name: COLEGATE Brian Thomas

DOB: 25/3/1946 Place: Three Springs WA

Years at GGS: 1959 - 1961 House: Henn’s




Unit(s) Served: 1. Detachment, 55 Advanced Engineers Stores Squadron 2. AFV Detachment, 55 Engineer Workshop and Park Squadron Dates (In Country): 1. 28th July 1967 to 20th March 1968 2. 21st March 1968 to 23 July 1968 (362 Days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in September 1966 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at The School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW he was

posted to 55 Advanced Engineer Stores Squadron (55 AESS) at Penrith NSW. In July 1967 he was

posted to the Detachment of 55 AESS located in Vung Tau as part of the First Australian Logistic

Support Group (1 ALSG) which managed all logistic services for Australian Forces in Vietnam. Sapper

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Colegate was posted as a storeman technician and also as a forklift and truck driver. Det 55 AESS

supplied all engineering construction stores to the Australian Forces either from the supply ship

‘Jeparit’ or from US sources, mainly provided by a civilian contractor, Pacific Architects and Engineers.

In March 1968, the Detachment’s name was changed to 55 Engineer Workshop and Park Squadron. He

returned to Western Australia in July 1968 and after leave, he was discharged from the Army in

September 1968.

Sapper Brian Colegate in an Iroquois Helicopter flying over the Mekong Delta in early 1968. Photo by courtesy of Brian Colegate

51


Name: CRANE Rodney Bruce

DOB: 11/8/1947 Place: Moora WA






Dates (In Country): 2nd April 1969 to 19th November 1969 (232 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in July 1968 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria he underwent Corps training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula,

NSW as a Plant Operator. On posting to 1 Field Squadron in April 1969 however, he was posted to 1

Field Troop as a Combat (Field) Engineer who forever carry the name of a ‘Tunnel Rat’. Field Engineers

supported other combat units, especially Infantry Battalions, including in: preparing fortifications;

demolition of enemy fortifications; mine and booby trap clearance; bridge and road repair; and,

airfield construction. Between May and August 1969 Battalions of the Task Force conducted

operations astride Route 44 in the South of Phuoc Tuy Province. In what became known as the ‘Battle

of the Box,’ the men of first 9RAR, then 5RAR (see J D C Burridge) and finally 6RAR (see M F Fairhead,

52

I S Izatt and K C Thomas) were exposed to an enemy campaign of using M16 anti-personnel land

mines (taken from the Australian minefield) with devastating effect. The response by small groups of

combat engineers to assist the infantrymen in mine clearance tasks was done with skill and courage

and often under very dangerous circumstances. One such incident occurred on the night of 4th July

1969 when Sapper Crane and his Corporal were taken in darkness by helicopter to assist a platoon of

5RAR that had struck 2 mines with the loss of 3 dead and 14 wounded. It wasn’t until near dawn that

their task was completed.

In November 1969 he returned to Australia on compassionate grounds due to his mother’s ill health.

After taking leave he was then posted to 13 Field Squadron at Karrakatta and was involved in the

construction of a dam in the Bindoon Training Area. He was discharged from the Army in September

1970 with the rank of CorporaI.

Left: Sapper Rod Crane (left rear) with other members of 1 Field Troop; and Right: in his tent - both at Nui Dat circa 1969 Photos by courtesy of Rod Crane

53


Name: CRANSWICK Thurstan John

DOB: 20/1/1940 Place: Wynyard Tasmania



Regimental No: A55311 Rank: Leading Aircraftman


Unit(s) Served: 9 Squadron RAAF

Dates (In Country): 31st March 1968 to 2nd April 1969 (368 days)

Remarks: He entered the RAAF in 1957 as an Apprentice Motor Transport Fitter (Motor Mechanic) at

RAAF Wagga NSW. After graduation he served at a number of RAAF bases including Laverton, Darwin

and Pearce before he was posted to the Base Support Squadron at Ubon, Thailand which supported

79 Fighter Squadron (see J W Hubble). In Vietnam in 9 Squadron (see ‘Accompanying Notes’ page 22)

he was a part of a team that maintained all of the squadron’s ground support equipment, including

ground transport. He also trained as standby helicopter crewman and on one occasion was a crewman

for JW Hubble. After Vietnam he had further postings at Pearce, Darwin in 1974 (when Cyclone Tracy

54

destroyed the city) and Laverton where he worked on Radar equipment. He retired from the RAAF in

1977 with rank of Corporal but then joined the RAAF Active Reserve in 25 (City of Perth) Squadron

based at RAAF Base Pearce. In WWII the Squadron had flown B-24 Liberator bombers and

shortly after, Vampire fighters. By 1977, its role was to provide ground support for other RAAF units at

Pearce including 1 Advanced Flying Training School (see A L H Abbott) which from the late 1960’s flew

the Macchi jet trainer aircraft. In 1989, 25 Squadron resumed flying operations with the Macchi jet

trainer aircraft and as such was the only RAAF reserve unit with operational aircraft. He retired from

the reserve in 1989 with the rank of Sergeant.

L A C Cranswick outside the 9 Squadron Maintenance Hangar (left)

and in the cabin of a US built Fuel Truck circa 1968.

Photos by courtesy of Thurstan Cranswick

55


Name: DIXON Edward Vernon (Ned)

DOB: 23/03/1947 Place: Lake Grace WA

Years at GGS: 1960 -1962 House: Harper




Unit(s) Served: 1.1st Australian Reinforcement Unit (1ARU)

2. 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) 3. Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Dates (In Country): 1. 25th June to 22nd July 1968 2. 23rd July to 14th November 1968 3. 15th November 1968 to 25th June 1969 (366 Days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in October 1967and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria, Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Singleton, NSW and pre –Vietnam

training at the Jungle Training Centre , Canungra he was posted to 1ARU in Vietnam. He was then

posted to 2 Platoon A Company 3RAR as a Rifleman/Forward Scout. When 3RAR returned to Australia

he transferred to the Defence and Employment (D&E) Platoon at the Task Force Headquarters at Nui

Dat. He served as a Machine Gunner in the D&E Platoon which as a infantry rifle platoon was used by

the Task Force Commander for a variety of operational tasks including some that were very

dangerous, eg reconnaissance missions and long range patrolling. He was the forward Machine

Gunner involved in an action by the D&E Platoon with a company size enemy group in the Courtenay

56

Rubber Plantation in the far north of Phuoc Tuy Province on 27th May 1969. The Platoon Commander,

2nd Lieutenant Mick Woolan, was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership in this action. On his

return to Australia he took leave and was then posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta prior to

his discharge from the Army in October 1969.

Private Ned Dixon (second from

right) with an M60 (7.62 mm)

Machine Gun Group having a break

in the Vietnamese Village of Binh Ba

while on patrol with the 1ATF

Defence and Employment Platoon in

early 1969. The other three soldiers

are armed with M16 (5.56mm) rifles.

Photo by courtesy of Ned Dixon

Private Ned Dixon as a Rifleman with 2

Platoon, A Company 3RAR in October

1968. He is carrying a 7.62mm Self

Loading Rifle (SLR) and an M72 Light Anti

Tank weapon, slung under his left arm –

good for breaking up enemy bunkers.

Photo by courtesy of Ned Dixon

57


Name: DOW Alan Douglas

DOB: 10/6/1950 Place: Red Cliffs Victoria



Official No: R95240 Rank: Electrical Mechanic Power


Ships served in 1. HMAS Derwent

Dates (In Country): 1. 10th to 18th February 1969 (8 Days) Remarks: He joined the Navy in January 1966 and after completing recruit training at HMAS Leeuwin

in WA, he was posted in 1967 to HMAS Melbourne and then later that year to HMAS Cerebus in

Westernport, Victoria for specialist training as an electrician. In 1968 he was posted to the River Class

Destroyer Escort HMAS Derwent and was in the ship’s company when she escorted HMAS Sydney (see

B S Castles) to Vietnam with the Fifth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) embarked (see J D C

Burridge). After Vietnam he served in various appointments until leaving the Navy in 1986 with the

rank of Petty Officer.

58

HMAS Derwent at Anchor in Vung Tau Harbour February 1969 and (below) at speed in the South China Sea. AWM Navy MO617/19

59


Name: DOWNING Francis John Leonard (John)

DOB: 19/4/1934 Place: Nedlands WA

Years at GGS: 1943 - 1944 House: Prep School


Regimental No: O34496 Rank: Wing Commander


Unit(s) Served: 2 Squadron RAAF

Dates (In Country): 29th October 1970 to 22nd March 1971 (145 days)

Remarks: A Regular Air Force Officer who graduated from the RAAF College, Point Cook, Victoria in 1954 as a Pilot Officer. After completing a conversion to Vampire fighters at Williamtown, NSW, he was posted to the School of Air Navigation at East Sale, Victoria as a staff pilot on Dakota Transport aircraft and Lincoln Bomber aircraft. On completion of a Flying Instructors Course in 1957, he was posted back to RAAF College and served there until being posted as a Flight Lieutenant to 6 Squadron based at Amberley, Queensland, flying Canberra bombers in 1959-60. In 1961 he was posted as a Flying Instructor at 1 (Bomber) Operational Conversion Unit also at Amberley. In 1963 he was posted to RAAF Support Command as ADC to the Air Officer Commanding before returning to No. 1 (B) OCU as a flight commander. Following promotion to Squadron Leader and completion of RAAF Staff College in 1967, he served in a staff posting in the Department of Air before promotion to Wing Commander

60

and returning to flying, first as CO No. 1 (B) OCU and then as CO No.2 Sqn, Vietnam, in 1970. For operations with No.2 Sqn he was later awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). In February, 1971, he flew a vital mission for close air support at low level for allied troops in contact and his aircraft was hit by exploding bomb fragments. For this mission both he and his navigator/bomb aimer were awarded the USAF DFC. Later, in March 1971, his aircraft, while on a bombing run near the DMZ/Laotian border, was hit by a Surface to Air Missile forcing his navigator and himself to eject from the badly damaged Canberra. They were rescued next day after a recovery operation organized by the USAF. Both he and his navigator were repatriated to Australia due to injuries. Following service in Vietnam, he was posted as Military-Secretary to the Governor-General, followed by other staff jobs including Director of Air Force Safety. He resigned from the RAAF in July 1977 to become an aircraft accident investigator with the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI). He resigned after 14 years with BASI retiring from the position as Superintendent of SA/NT based in Adelaide.

Distinguished Flying Cross,

awarded for gallantry whilst

flying in active operations against

the enemy.

Distinguished Flying Cross (US),

awarded for heroism or extraordinary

achievement while participating in

aerial flight.

Wing Commander John Downing

doing pre-flight checks on his

Canberra before a bombing mission

in November 1970.

Photo by courtesy of John Downing

61


Name: EDDINGTON Robert William

DOB: 4/6/1950 Place: Williams WA



Regimental No: 5717796 Rank: Gunner

Corps: Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery

Unit(s) Served: 104 Field Battery 12th Field Regiment

Dates (In Country): 4th May 1971 to 17th December 1971 (228 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up on October 1970 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal and Corps training at Holsworthy, NSW he was posted to 104 Field Battery, 12 Field

Regiment in Townsville in April 1971. 104 Field Battery replaced 107 Field Battery in Vietnam in May

1971. Gunner Eddington was a Gun Number (see Accompanying Notes page 20) in the Battery which

was allotted as the Direct Support Battery to 4RAR/NZ(ANZAC) Battalion. Between June and October

1971 the Battalion had a forward operational base on Courtenay Hill on the northern border of Phuoc

Tuy Province and 104 Field Battery was located adjacent to Battalion Headquarters in Fire Support

Base ‘Debbie’. The Battalion and the Battery returned to Nui Dat in October 1971 and were the last

major units to occupy the base after the Task Force Headquarters and all other units relocated to

Vung Tau on 16th October 1971. The Battalion and Battery also relocated to Vung Tau in early

November 1971 and finally left Vietnam on HMAS Sydney on 9th December, arriving in Townsville on

17th December 1971. He disembarked in Sydney on the 23rd December 1971. On his return to Australia

he was posted to Holsworthy before being discharged from the Army on 29th March 1972.

62

Gunner Bob Eddington as Number 2 on the 105 mm Howitzer has just fired the weapon during a Fire Mission at Nui Dat in June 1971. AWM/FOD/71/0313/VN

Gunner Bob Eddington (right) removing the expended shell case as the Number 1, Gunner Doug Winterbotham, checks the Howitzer’s sights. AWM/FOD/71/0314/VN

63


Name: EVANS Colin George


Years at GGS: 1943 -1944 House: Prep School


Regimental No: 53433 Rank: Sergeant


Unit(s) Served: 1st Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment

Dates (In Country): 5th June 1965 to 5h February 1966 (246 Days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Soldier who enlisted in 1958 and after Recruit Training at Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW and Corps (Infantry) Training in the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at Ingleburn, NSW he was posted for further training at the Jungle Training Centre Canungra, Qld. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion (1RAR) as an Assault Pioneer in Support Company and in September 1959 he embarked with the Battalion on MV Flaminia enroute to Singapore for operational duty in the closing stages of the Malayan Emergency. In early 1965 when the Battalion was warned for operational duty in Vietnam he was the Platoon Sergeant of the Assault Pioneer Platoon (see Note 1). 1RAR was the first Army Battalion to deploy to Vietnam and it was attached to the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade based at Bien Hoa ( see map with ‘Accompanying Notes’) together with an Artillery Battery – 105 Field Battery (see P J C Treleaven). After a few months in country he was made the Acting Platoon Commander of the Platoon and remained in that role until he was injured requiring him to be evacuated back to Australia. For his service in Vietnam he was awarded the United States Silver Star, the third highest US decoration for bravery. After Vietnam his postings included:

On the staff of the Assault Pioneer Wing at the Infantry Centre, Ingleburn NSW;

as the CSM of the CMF Officer Cadet Training Unit at Karrakatta;

RSM of the WA University Regiment where he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One (WO1);

An instructor on the Warrant Officer Qualifying Wing at the School of Infantry (now at Singleton, NSW).

64

In 1975 he was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville. In 1977 he was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and was then posted as the RSM of 5th Military District in Perth. He retired from the Army in 1979 with the rank of WO1. Note (1): The Assault Pioneer Platoon was structured similarly to a rifle platoon and in Vietnam was often used in that role, especially to provide protective security for Battalion Headquarters. It’s main function however, was in providing minor field engineering tasks (see A G Rossiter) especially field defences, booby trap and mine clearance and disposal and the construction of underground bunkers, eg the Battalion Headquarters Command Post when on operations in the field.

Shoulder Patch of the US Army’s 173 Airborne Brigade

US Silver Star awarded for

conspicuous gallantry against an

enemy of the United States

Sergeant Colin Evans in May 1965

prior to his departure to Vietnam

with the 1st Battalion Royal

Australian Regiment.

Photo by courtesy of Colin Evans

65


Name: FAIRHEAD Maurice Frederick (Fred)

DOB: 3/8/1941 Place: Wiluna WA

Years at GGS: 1955 -1959 House: School


Regimental No: 57064 Rank: Captain


Unit(s) Served: 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (In Vietnam, the Battalion

was designated 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) because of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment component)

Dates (In Country): 7th May 1969 to 28th May 1970 (387 days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1963. In Vietnam he served as the Battalion Intelligence Officer (see Note 1) and Rifle Company Commander for which he received a ‘Letter of Commendation’ from the Commander of Australian Forces in Vietnam. He commanded B Company in January 1970 when it was part of ‘Matilda Force’, an armoured force supported by an Infantry Company which deployed into the neighbouring Province of Binh Tuy and then back into Phuoc Tuy Province via the gap between the Núi Mây Tào and Núi Bé mountains - secured by D Company 5RAR (see J D C Burridge). He initially graduated from RMC into RA Signals but transferred to Infantry in 1965 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Pacific Islands Regiment, in Wewak, PNG. He was posted to 6RAR in July 1967 as the Commander of D Company which, on its return to Australia after the Battalion’s first tour in Vietnam, was sent to the Jungle Training Centre at Canungra, Queensland as the ‘Demonstration Company’ for Battle Wing. After Vietnam he was

66

promoted to Major and posted as the Senior Instructor Field Training at the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville (1970-72) and the Senior Instructor Tactics for the Officer Cadet School Portsea Wing at Scheyville. He was then appointed the Brigade Major of 9th Brigade in Adelaide (1973-74). After attendance at the Army Staff College in 1975 he was posted as Second in Command of the 8/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1976-77). He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1978 and at Army Headquarters was given responsibility for managing all aspects of the Army’s ammunition needs. After attending the Joint Services Staff College in 1981 he became the senior staff officer on the Joint Staff (now Headquarters Australian Defence Force) responsible for all ADF joint training exercises and all ANZUS exercises. He retired from the Army in 1985 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Note 1: The Battalion Intelligence Officer’s (IO) main duties were in providing information on the enemy’s locations, capabilities and intentions and advice on topographic and meteorological conditions that might affect operations. In addition, the IO in many Battalions acted as a personal staff officer to the Commanding Officer and as such would accompany the CO on reconnaissance and planning missions. During the insertion of rifle companies into an operational area by helicopter (Air Assault) he would also accompany the CO, together with the Artillery Battery Commander in the Command and Control Helicopter. Fairhead did six such operations in his year in Vietnam.

Captain Fred Fairhead, with his IO’s ‘kit’

(maps etc) at Fire Support Base Wilton

on 28th Feb 1970, and……..

Photo by courtesy of Fred Fairhead

……at the Battalion Officers’ Mess at

Nui Dat on 4th January 1970. At 2 am

that day he was commanding A

Company at the Horseshoe defensive

base when the company received 12

rounds of 82mm High Explosive

ammunition fired from an enemy

mortar in the village of Dat Do. One

soldier was slightly wounded.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Fred

Fairhead on 3rd August 2006 in the

uniform he was wearing when he

retired from the Army in 1985. No

incoming that day!

Photos by courtesy of Fred Fairhead

67


Name: FOWLER Gary Peter

DOB: 21/2/1950 Place: Wongan Hills WA






Dates (In Country): 29th July 1971 to 20th October 1971 (84 Days)


Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW he

attended a Driving Course at the RAASC Training Centre at Randwick, NSW. In July 1971 he was posted

to I Field Squadron as a Truck Driver in Headquarters Troop, based mainly at Nui Dat (see also R

Barrett-Lennard). The Squadron redeployed to Vung Tau on 16th October 1971 as part of the 1ATF

withdrawal from Nui Dat. He left Vietnam on 20th October 1971 by C130 Hercules aircraft on the

Squadron Advance Party as part of the Unit’s withdrawal from Vietnam to Holsworthy NSW. Shortly

after returning to Australia he was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta before being

discharged from the Army in September 1971.

69


Name: FOWLER Kevin Lindsay

DOB: 29/09/1944 Place: Cunderdin WA




Corps: Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Unit(s) Served: 1. 503 Signal Troop 2. 110 Signal Squadron Dates (In Country):

1.10th October to 29th November 1967 2.30th November 1967 to 29th October 1968 (386 days)

Remarks: A Regular Soldier who enlisted in July 1966. The unit in which he did most of his service in

Vietnam, ie 110 Sig Sqn, was responsible for providing “Force Signals”; this involved providing rear

link communications between HQ AFV (Saigon), HQ 1ATF (Nui Dat) and HQ 1ALSG (Vung Tau) and

between these locations to and from Australia, ie 6 Sig Regt at Watsonia Barracks in Melbourne and

Army Headquarters in Canberra. The Sqn also operated a telephone switchboard at Vung Tau (Emu)

and when required, deployed radio relay equipment to forward tactical headquarters usually located

in Fire Support Bases. Sig Fowler was a switch board operator in 503 Sig Troop and in 110 Sig Sqn (as a

Lance Corporal) at the Emu switchboard in Vung Tau. After his tour of duty in Vietnam his service

included with 800 Signal Troop in Papua New Guinea and with various other Signals Units in Victoria,

70

ACT, Northern territory and Queensland. He also served in the Directorate of Military Intelligence and

was discharged from there in July 1986 with the rank of Sergeant.

Various photographs of Kevin

Fowler, including in Vietnam,

taken at the Nam Binh

Orphanage circa 1967.

Photos by courtesy of Kevin Fowler

71


Name: GEORGE Arthur Edward (Ted)

DOB: 25/7/1947 Place: Leonora WA





Unit(s) Served: 17th Construction Squadron

Dates (In Country): 21st May to 3rd November 1969 (167 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up on 2nd October 1968 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria, Corps training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW and pre

Vietnam training at the Jungle Training Centre , Canungra, Queensland he was posted to 17

Construction Squadron as a Field (Combat) Engineer. In that role he was involved in a number of field

operations, mainly in support of Squadron tasks (see Note 1 ) including the detection and disposal of

mines and booby traps, eg in clearing the way for Land Clearing operations. On returning to Nui Dat

from operations in the Long Hai Hills he was badly injured in an accident which required him to be

medically evacuated in a ‘Dustoff Helicopter’ (see ‘Accompanying Notes’ page 22) to 1 Australian Field

Hospital (see C A Wallace) for emergency surgery. Following that he was evacuated to the RAAF

Hospital at Butterworth , Malaysia, then to the Repatriation Hospital in Concord, Sydney and finally to

72

Hollywood Repatriation Hospital in Perth. After convalescence he was discharged from the Army in

October 1970.

Note 1: In 1969, 17 Construction Squadron was based at Nui Dat with a detachment at Vung Tau. Its

main roles were:

Plant for road construction and maintenance including major bridges and causeways and associated quarrying at the Nui Dat Quarry (100,000 tons of rock in 1969);

Erecting prefabricated Windmills (and well boring) in some of the smaller villages which were often in areas under Viet Cong (VC) control and where there were old French minefields dating from the First Indo China War.

Land Clearing, to expose enemy movement from and to forested areas including rubber plantations.

Building construction (such as the new 1ATF Command Post) and maintenance, including civilian buildings such as the Baria (Provincial Capitol) Hospital. The Vietnamese building sites had to be secured and cleared of mines every day and often local children would warn the Sappers whether the VC had been around.

Sapper George on pre-embarkation

leave prior to his departure for

Vietnam, circa May 1969.

Photograph by courtesy of Ted George

73


Name: GILLAM Gordon Douglas

DOB: 29/11/1948 Place: Geraldton WA

Years at GGS: 1962 -1966 House: Woodbridge Harper




Unit(s) Served: 1. 1stAustralian Reinforcement Unit


3. 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment Dates (In Country):

1. 1st to 21st October 1969 2. 22nd October 1969 to 9th February 1970 3. 10th February to 1st October 1970 (366 days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in January 1969 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Singleton, NSW did specialist

Mortar training at Ingleburn, NSW. He was then posted to 1ARU and then to the Mortar Platoon,

Support Company 5RAR as a Mortar Number 1 (see ‘Accompanying Notes’ page 20). When 5RAR

returned to Australia he transferred to 8RAR as the Platoon Signaler in 2 Platoon, A Company. After 12

74

months of service in-country he returned to Australia a few weeks before the Battalion by charter

Qantas B 707 aircraft and after leave was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta prior to his

discharge from the Army in January 1971.

Private Gordon Gillam at the 5RAR

Mortar Platoon Lines at Nui Dat circa

1969 and …..

…….carrying the 2 Platoon radio set

in A Company 8RAR in July 1970

during Operation Petrie conducted

on the Phuoc Tuy and Long Khanh

Provincial Boundary.

Photos by courtesy of Gordon Gillam

75


Name: GRAHAM Kevin Thomas

DOB: 27/12/1936 Place: Subiaco WA




Corps: Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps

Unit(s) Served: Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam

Dates (In Country): 24th September 1968 to 10th March 1969 (168 days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from Officer Cadet School Portsea in December 1958

into the Royal Australian Engineers. He had previously graduated from the Army

Apprentices School at Balcombe in Victoria. He subsequently transferred to RAAOC and in Vietnam he

served as the Force Ammunition Technical Officer in which his duties included Explosive Ordnance

Disposal (EOD)

In March 1969, he was wounded by an exploding White Phosphorous grenade which required him to

be medically evacuated back to Australia. Post Vietnam, he served all over Australia, Papua New

76

Guinea and trained in the UK, Canada and the USA for 18 months. He subsequently served as the

Commanding Officer of 4 Army Quality Assurance Unit (4AQAU) in South Australia before retiring

from the Army in 1980 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years service.

Captain Kevin Graham at 1ALSG,

Vung Tau, in late 1968.

Photo by courtesy of Kevin Graham

77


Name: GRATWICK David Percival

DOB: 8/4/1944 Place: Fremantle WA

Years at GGS: 1953 House: Prep School


Regimental No: 54411 Rank: Bombardier/Sergeant


Unit(s) Served: 1. HQ Battery and 103rd Field Battery 1st Field Regiment

2. 105th Field Battery , 1st Field Regiment

Dates (In Country): 1. 22nd May 1966 to 3rd May 1967 2. 28th January 1969 to 4th February 1970

Remarks: A Regular soldier who enlisted in December 1961 and after Recruit training at Kapooka,

Wagga Wagga, NSW and Corps training at the School of Artillery , North Head, Sydney he was posted

to 1 Field Regiment in Sydney , NSW . In 1965 he served as a Gun Number in 102 Field Battery when

the battery was part of 4th Light Regiment Royal Artillery supporting Commonwealth Forces in

Borneo. In 1966 he was promoted to Bombardier (Corporal) and joined 103 Field Battery as a Battery

Surveyor. During his tour he completed a Vietnamese Language Course in Saigon (see photograph)

78

and carried out interpreter duties in support of the Australian Advisor team, and later as an Artillery

Forward Observer Assistant with 5 RAR (see M J Roe). On his second tour of Vietnam he served as a

Gun Sergeant, 105 Field Battery (1 Field Regiment) which was in support of 5 RAR (see J D C Burridge).

After Vietnam he served in a number of postings including the Army Guided Weapons Trials Unit and

16 Air Defence Regiment. On being commissioned in 1976 he served at the Officer Training College

Lae, Papua New Guinea, and other Logistic positions in Australia until he left the Regular Army in

1983. He served in the Army Reserve, becoming a Battery Captain and later a Forward Observer of

the 13 Field Battery RAA and retired in 1999 with the rank of Captain.

Air Commodre Dowling, Commander RAAF Forces Vietnam, presenting Bombardier Gratwick with his Language Course Certificate with his language instructor present – October 1966……… AWM VN/66/0077/05

……and the previous year in Sarawak with 102 Field Battery. Seen here (right) servicing a 105 mm L5 pack howitzer. AWM CUN/65/0784/MC

79


Name: HARRIS Roy Walter

DOB: 5/6/1948 Place: Fremantle WA

Years at GGS: 1961 -1965 House: Stirling Woodbridge



Corps: Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME)

Unit(s) Served: 1. 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

2. Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam

3. 2nd

Special Air Service Squadron

Dates (In Country): 1. 23rd July 1968 to 13th February 1969 2. 14th February 1969 to 23rd July 1969 3. 10th February 1971 to 11th October 1971 (609 days) Remarks: He enlisted in the Regular Army in January 1966 and after undergoing Recruit training at Kapooka NSW and Armament Fitter training at the RAEME Training Centre at Bandiana in Victoria he was posted to 101 Field Workshops Ingleburn, NSW. He was then posted as a Corporal reinforcement to 1RAR in Vietnam where he became a Battalion Armourer and responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Battalion’s weapons. When 1RAR returned to Australia he was posted to the Equipment Inspection Section (HQ AFV), mainly at the Task Force Base at Nui Dat with working trips to Saigon and Vung Tau. On his return to Australia he was posted to the First Advanced Ordnance Depot Bandiana,

80

Victoria and then to Western Command Workshops which in then located at Midland. He was then ‘recruited ‘by the SAS Regiment to become an Armourer with 2SAS Sqn. After SAS induction training (cadre and parachute course) and training with 2SAS Sqn in PNG he returned to Vietnam as the Sergeant Armourer for the Squadron. On his return to Australia he was posted to the Base Sqn SAS Regiment, Swanbourne and was discharged from the Army in January 1972 with the rank of Sergeant.

Sergeant Roy Harris in 1971 at

work in the Armourer’s workshop

in 2SAS Squadron, Nui Dat.

Photos by courtesy of Roy Harris

Corporal Roy Harris in 1968 with 1RAR

at Nui Dat. He is holding a captured

enemy light machine gun.

Corporal Roy Harris on the eve of his departure to Vietnam

for his second tour of duty in February 1971. He is wearing

an SAS Beret and Wings and a RAEME Badge.

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Name: HARVEY Bernard Leslie George

DOB: 9/12/1946 Place: Northam WA



Regimental No: R62860 Rank: Electrical Mechanic Power


Unit(s) Served: 1. HMAS Derwent 2. HMAS Brisbane

Dates (In Country): 1. 26th May to 13th June 1966 2. 20th March to 13th October 1969 (227 days) Remarks: Joined the Navy in 1964 and after completing recruit training at HMAS Cerebus in

Westernport, Victoria he was posted to HMAS ANZAC. He returned to Cerebus in 1965 to complete

electrician training and was then posted to HMAS Derwent. He was in the ship’s company when

Derwent left its station in Sabah, Malaysia where it had been providing Naval Gunfire Support to

Commonwealth forces engaged in operations against Indonesian forces, to escort HMAS Sydney on its

third voyage from Australia to Vietnam with troops and materiel embarked. In 1967-68 he went to the

US to join HMAS Brisbane when it was commissioned and had its weapon systems activated during

trials at various US bases on the west coast. He was in the Ship’s company when it deployed to

Vietnam on its first tour of duty, relieving HMAS Perth (see C M Mills). Brisbane supported land

operations in the Mekong Delta and on the ‘gunline’, providing naval gunfire support to allied forces

82

(see ‘Accompanying Notes’). During the tour the ship’s forward 5” gun turret had to be removed (at

the USN Base in Subic Bay) after a shell detonated prematurely in the barrel. After his tours of duty to

Vietnam he served as an electrician in various postings, including in 1970-71 on the staff at HMAS

Cerebus, in 1971 on the Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Frigate HMAS Queenborough and in 1972 on

the Guided Missile Destroyer, HMAS Hobart. He left the Navy in 1973 with the rank of Electrical

Mechanic Power.

Electrical Mechanic Power Bernie

Harvey working at the control panel

in HMAS Brisbane’s forward 5 inch

gun mount during a bombardment

mission on the ‘Gun Line’ in May

1969.

AWM NAVY 19487

83


Name: HERBERT Gordon Patrick


Years at GGS: 1955 -1958 House: Prep School/ School


Regimental No: 5411594 Rank: Private (Private Rank in the SAS was subsequently renamed Trooper)


Unit(s) Served: 1st Special Air Service Squadron

Dates (In Country): 21st April 1967 – 26th February 1968 (312 days)

Remarks: A Regular Soldier who enlisted in 1965 and after Recruit training at Kapooka, Wagga Wagga,

NSW and Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Ingleburn, NSW, he was posted to the RAR

Reinforcement Wing for deployment to Vietnam. In 1966 he was selected for SAS Cadre Course

training following which he did parachute training at the Parachute Training School at RAAF Base

Williamtown, NSW. In 1967 he was posted as a reinforcement to 1SAS Sqn located at Nui Dat. In

Vietnam he served as an SAS Patrol member on 5 man patrols that operated on long range

reconnaissance missions and other designated tasks throughout enemy occupied territory. After

Vietnam he was discharged from the Army before re-enlisting in 1969 back into SASR. He then

completed Indonesian language training at the RAAF School of Languages located at Point Cook,

84

Victoria. He then transferred to the Australian Army Intelligence Corps before being posted

to 7 Signals Regiment for employment as an interpreter in the Defence Signals Division. He was

discharged from the Army in 1971 with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Private Gordon Herbert wearing a

SAS Regiment Beret and wings;

taken on the eve of his departure

from Perth to Vietnam, circa April

1967.

Photo by courtesy of Gordon Herbert

85


Name: HICKS Brian Stephen

DOB: 26/10/1932 Place: Collie WA

Years at GGS: 1942 -1945 House: Henn’s





Dates (In Country): 10th February 1970 to 25th February 1971 (381 Days)

Remarks: A Regular Soldier who enlisted in 1953 and after Recruit training at Kapooka, Wagga Wagga,

NSW and Corps training at the School of Artillery, North Head, NSW he was posted to the RAR

Reinforcement Battalion (4RAR) for deployment to Korea which he did with 1RAR in 1955-56. In 1967

he attended an Officers Training course at the Jungle Training Centre Canungra and was

commissioned as a Captain and after various postings he joined 7RAR and was posted as Second in

Command of Administrative Company for the Battalion’s second tour of duty in Vietnam. After

Vietnam he had a series of postings including as Adjutant of 28 RWAR in Perth; on promotion to Major

as the Officer Commanding 2 Training Centre in Randwick, NSW; as a Grade Two Staff Officer at

86

Headquarters Training Command in Sydney, and finally as the Officer Commanding the Army

Recruiting Unit in WA. He retired from the Army with the rank of Major in 1979.

87


Name: HOLTHOUSE David Guy

DOB: 16/1/1936 Place: Port Hedland WA

Years at GGS: 1949 House: School


Official No: O561 Rank: Lieutenant Commander


Unit(s) Served: 1. HMAS Hobart Dates (In Country): 22nd March to 11th October 1968 Remarks: He joined the Navy as a Cadet Midshipman in 1950 at the Royal Australian Naval College

and after graduation in 1953 did further training with the Royal Navy in HM Ships Triumph and Enard

Bay where he was awarded HM the Queen’s Sword, and as a Midshipman in HM ships Glory, Eagle

and Rattlesnake and as a Sub Lieutenant at HMS Thunderer, the Royal Naval Engineering College. He

specialized in Marine Engineering and served in HMA Ships Melbourne (twice), Anzac, Sydney,

Queenborough and HM submarine Anchorite as a Lieutenant and again in HMAS Melbourne as a

Lieutenant Commander. Between 1963 and 1965 he studied nuclear reactor engineering at the UK

Atomic Energy Authority, Harwell, and worked in the Royal Navy’s nuclear design office at Scotstoun

on the Clyde near Glasgow in Scotland. In 1968 he joined HMAS Hobart as the Engineer Officer when

the ship deployed to Vietnam on its second tour of duty for which he received a Naval Board

Commendation (see RAN section of Accompanying Notes). After Vietnam he was promoted to

88

Commander and served in various postings including at Navy Office, in HMAS Supply as Commander

(E) and on the Fleet Staff before being promoted to Captain in 1976.In 1978 he became the

Commanding Officer of the training establishment HMAS Nirimba. In 1981 he was promoted to

Commodore and appointed as Director General Fleet Maintenance. Between 1985 and 1987 he was

the Naval Attaché/Naval Adviser in Washington and Ottawa and commanding officer of HMAS

Waratah before being promoted to Rear Admiral with effect from 1986 and was appointed as the

Chief of Naval Engineering. He served two further postings at Navy Office as Assistant Chief of the

Naval Staff (Logistics and then Personnel) before his final posting as the Flag officer Naval Support

Command. He retired in 1993 with the rank of Rear Admiral. He was made an Officer of the Order of

Australia (AO) in 1990. Following his naval service he worked as a consultant within the Defence

industry followed by 10 years at ASX where he was responsible for international affairs.

.

Lieutenant Commander David Holthouse

(standing) with Navy Minister Kelly in

HMAS Hobart’s Damage Control Centre,

at sea off Da Nang following repairs at

Subic Bay (see accompanying notes)

AWM NAVY 19487

89


Name: HUBBLE John Wilkins

DOB: 20/11/1923 Place: Mt Lawley WA



Regimental No: O5833 Rank: Group Captain


Unit(s) Served: 1. Headquarters RAAF Contingent Vung Tau Dates (In Country): 1. 7th October 1967 to 13 October 1968 (373 days) Remarks: He enlisted in the RAAF in 1942. In Vietnam he commanded the RAAF Contingent based at

Vung Tau which included 9 Squadron and 35 Squadron (see ‘Accompanying Notes’). As the

Commander he was largely instrumental for the proposal to develop a Helicopter Gunship capability

mentioned in the notes. For his service in Vietnam he was awarded a Commander of the British

Empire (CBE). Previously as a Flying Officer he had been awarded a Mention in Despatches (MID)

when flying in 10 Operational Group (1st Tactical Air Force) in World War II. As a Wing Commander he

was awarded an Air Force Cross (AFC) and Bar and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for

commanding 77 Fighter Squadron in Korea in 1952-53. The DSO was presented by HM The Queen at

Government House Perth on 27 March 1953. Also prior to his Vietnam service he commanded 77

Squadron in Butterworth and 79 Squadron when it deployed in 1962 to the US Air Force Base in Ubon

90

Thailand under commitments to the South East Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO). After Vietnam he

was promoted to Air Commodore and his postings included: Director General Personnel in the

Department for Air (1970-72); Officer Commanding RAAF Base Richmond (35, 36 and 37 Squadrons –

see ‘Accompanying Notes’); Officer Commanding RAAF Base Pearce (1978-79, see T J Cranswick). He

retired from the service in February 1979 with the rank of Air Commodore.

Commander of

the British Empire

Group Captain John Hubble (far left)

with Prime Minister John Gorton

meeting members of 9 Squadron at

Vung Tau June 1968.

AWM VN/68/0058/18

91


Name: IZATT Ian Stuart

DOB: 30/1/1947 Place: Brisbane Queensland

Years at GGS: 1963 -1964 House: Stirling







Dates (In Country): 8th May 1969 to 10th September 1969 ( 126 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in October 1967 and completed Recruit Training

at Singleton, NSW in December 1967. He then did Corps training at the Infantry Centre also at

Singleton until March 1968 when he was posted to the Assault Pioneer Platoon, Support Company

6RAR in Townsville. The Assault Pioneer Platoon was structured similarly to a rifle platoon and in

Vietnam was often used in that role, especially to provide protective security for Battalion

Headquarters. It’s main function however, was in providing minor field engineering tasks (see A G

Rossiter) especially field defences, booby trap and mine clearance and disposal and the construction

of underground bunkers, eg the Battalion Headquarters Command Post in Fire Support Bases on field

operations. In 6RAR, this was a significant and important role for the Platoon. It is also worth noting

92

that the Platoon was responsible for the construction and erection of the original memorial cross at

the site of the Battle of Long Tan three years after the battle in August 1969. Along with others in his

National Service intake he returned to Australia in September 1969 prior to discharge from the Army

in October.

Private Ian (‘Ringer’) Izatt in the

Assault Pioneer Platoon lines in Nui

Dat, with a friend circa 1969.

Photo by courtesy of Gus Guthrie, ex 6RAR

93


Name: JONES Wilfred (Wilf) Mervyn DOB: 3/3/1945 Place: Subiaco WA

Years at GGS: 1957-1961 House: Stirling

Military Details (At the time of service in Vietnam) Regimental No: 57173672 Rank: Trooper

Corps: Royal Australian Armoured Corps

Unit(s) Served: 1. 1stAustralian Reinforcement Unit 2. 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron

3. A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment

Dates (In Country): 1. 22nd August to 29th November 1966 2. 30th November 1966 to 15th January 1967 3. 16th January to 25th April 1967 (247 Days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called-up in July 1965. After completing Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training with 1 APC Squadron (which had been raised at Puckapunyal

in July 1965) he remained with the Squadron until August 1966 when he was posted as a

reinforcement to Vietnam. In November 1966 he was posted to Headquarters Troop 1 APC Squadron

and then subsequently to 3 Troop as an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Driver (see Accompanying

Notes page 21). In January 1967 1APC Squadron was renamed as A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment and

he remained as an APC Driver in 3 Troop for the rest of his time on operational service. On 17th

February 1967, 6RAR (see D P Abé) deployed by helicopter and APC’s to an area called the Light Green

in an attempt to cut off an enemy force. As it turned out, two of the rifle companies deployed by air

94

assault landed next to a well prepared enemy defensive position. After a fierce battle lasting several

hours the battalion managed to see off the enemy with the help of A Squadron including 3 Troop.

Known as ‘Operation Bribie’, casualties were heavy on both sides and included an APC. This operation

was the catalyst for Main Battle Tanks to be sent to Vietnam. After being involved in support of 5RAR

operations at the Horseshoe Defensive position (see M J Roe) and with his National Service obligation

drawing to a close he returned to Australia in April 1967. After leave he was posted to the Personnel

Depot at Karrakatta and discharged from the Army in July 1967

APCs of 3 Troop A Squadron 3rd

Cavalry Regiment during Operation

Bribie on 17th February 1967

AWM PO 2629

Leaving Vietnam May 1967

Photo by courtesy of Wilf Jones

95


Name: KLEM Ralph Raymond


Years at GGS: 1961 -1963 House: Prep School/ Woodbridge




Unit(s) Served: 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Dates (In Country): 15th February to 13th October 1971 (241 Days) Remarks: Joined the Army’s Citizens Military Forces (CMF) in 1967 and served in 36 Water Transport

Squadron RAE .He was called up as a National Serviceman in April 1970 and after Recruit

training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Singleton, NSW, he was

posted to 3RAR in Woodside, SA as a Forward Scout in 12 Platoon, D Company. The Battalion

deployed to Vietnam by air and sea (HMAS Sydney) and commenced operations in February 1971. On

1st March In 3RAR his Platoon had the first contact by the Battalion with the enemy with D Company

subsequently being attacked by a large enemy force the next night resulting in two Australian deaths

and several wounded. 3RAR was the second last battalion to serve in Vietnam and was withdrawn to

Australia in early October 1971. After taking leave he was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta

prior to his discharge from the Army in December 1971.

96

Private Ralph Klem, Forward Scout on patrol in late May 1971 when D Company was operating from Fire Support Base Ziggie, located at Thua Tich in north east Phuoc Tuy Province. Photo by courtesy of Ralph Klem

97


Name: L’EPAGNIOL Jack Louis DOB: 22/11/1933 Place: Samarang Java

Years at GGS: 1943 - 1950 House: Prep School/ Henn’s Stirling


Regimental No: 52415 Rank: Captain/Major

Corps: Australian Intelligence Corps

Unit(s) Served: 1. HQ 1 ATF 2. Detachment, 1st Division Intelligence Unit (1Div Int Unit) Dates (In Country): 1. 28th September to 1st November 1967 2. 13th August 1968 to 13th August 1969 (401 days) Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from OCS Portsea in December 1952 into the Royal

Australian Infantry Corps. His first posting was to 17 NS Training Battalion as a platoon commander

followed by a posting to 3RAR in 1955. In 1957 he served two years as a Patrol Officer (Kiap) with the

civilian administration in Papua New Guinea. In 1959 he was again posted to 3RAR as Adjutant (under

Bill Brathwaite who commanded at the time).He transferred to the Australian Intelligence Corps in

1961 and after 6 months Corps training, served in the 1 Div Int Unit followed by two years as an

instructor at the School of Military Intelligence (SMI). In 1966 he was posted to Headquarters 28th

Commonwealth Brigade in Malaysia as the Intelligence Staff Officer (GSO3 Int). His first tour in

Vietnam was on detachment from 28 Bde as a Staff Officer at HQ 1 ATF. On his second tour in 1968-69

he commanded the Detachment of 1 Div Int Unit (see note 1). He served on Headquarters Western

Command from July 1969 before attending the Army Staff College in 1970. He was then posted to

Army Headquarters where he served two years in the Directorate of Operations and Plans before

serving in an exchange appointment in UK as an Instructor at the School of Service Intelligence. On his

98

return to Australia in 1975, he became Deputy Director of Military Intelligence. He retired from the

Army in 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Note 1: The Det 1 Div Int Unit was the main Intelligence Corps unit to serve in Vietnam, arriving in 1966 and returning to Australia as part of the Task Force withdrawal in October 1971. The Detachment based at Nui Dat included: a captured document examination and an interrogation group; an air intelligence group which processed intelligence from aerial reconnaissance and surveillance systems used in support of the Task Force; and, a counter-intelligence group which mainly targeted people located in towns and villages suspected of assisting the enemy’s operations. The primary target group was the Viet Cong Infrastructure (VCI) which provided a physical link between the civilian population and Viet cong units , ie as a means of obtaining supplies, recruits, intelligence on Australian operations and in later years attacking Infantry operations by the use of M-16 land mines lifted from the Task Force minefield. The operations against the VCI were termed ‘Acorn Operations’ and involved capturing suspect people by ‘snatch operations’. Whilst extremely effective, these operations were nevertheless, replaced by the much less efficient US sponsored and infamous ‘Phoenix’ programme which was directed more at assassination than capture.

Major Jack L’Epagniol after an ‘Acorn

Operation’ (see notes above) – at An

Nhut village in September 1968.

Photo by courtesy of Jack L’Epagniol

99


Name: LOVERIDGE Gerald (Gerry) Alan

DOB: 19/4/1946 Place: Midland, WA








Dates (In Country): 21st May 1968 to 21st May 1969 (366 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in June 1967 and after completing Recruit

Training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Infantry Corps Training at Singleton, NSW he was posted to

4RAR at Enoggera (Brisbane), Queensland. The Battalion deployed to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney (see

100

B S Castles). In Vietnam he served as a Rifleman and member of his Section’s Machine Group in 11

Platoon D Company. The Battalion relieved 2RAR on 2nd June and by the 23rd had deployed into an

area of operations north of Bien Hoa; there a few weeks earlier, 1RAR and 3RAR had very heavy

contact with enemy forces in what became known as the Battles for Fire Support Base ‘Coral’ and

‘Balmoral’. 4RAR continued its heavy workload during its year of duty and when it was relieved by

6RAR (see M F Fairhead, I S Izatt and K C Thomas), he remained at Nui Dat temporarily with the 4 RAR

Rear Party – thus 4 Old Guildfordians were in the same lines at the same time without knowledge of

each other! He returned to Australia by air and after leave was posted to the Personnel Depot at

Karrakatta before being discharged from the Army in June 1969.

Private Gerry Loveridge manning an

M60 Machine Gun on sentry at the

checkpoint entrance to the

Horseshoe Defensive Outpost.

Photo by courtesy of Gerry Loveridge

101


Name: MASCHETTE Wayne Edward

DOB: 12/12/1945 Place: Armadale WA






Dates (In Country): 17th November 1969 to 12th November 1970 (361 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in 1966 but was deferred for study reasons until 1969. After Recruit Training at Puckapunyal, Victoria he was posted to 8RAR for Infantry Corps training at the Greenbank Range complex south of Brisbane followed by Signals training at the Battalion at Enoggera Barracks (Brisbane).He travelled to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney (see B S Castles) and in Vietnam, served as the Commanding Officer’s Signaler (Radio Operator) including in the Battalion Headquarters Command Post located in Fire Support Bases (FSB) which were established for each operation conducted by the Battalion, including FSB Isa on the western flank of the Long Hai Hills. Initially established to protect a quarry operated by 17 Construction Squadron (see A E George), FSB Isa became the command centre for 8RAR’s operations in February/March 1970 in the mine infested Long Hai Hills. During this operation the Battalion located and destroyed one of the enemy’s major strongholds in what was known as the Minh Dam Secret Zone. He returned to Australia with

102

the Battalion on HMAS Sydney and after leave was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta for discharge from the Army in December 1970.

Pte Wayne Maschette, 8RAR Signals Platoon in ‘Patrol Order’, outside his tent at Nui Dat, prior to deploying on Operation Atherton in December 1969. He is carrying an AN/PRC – 25 Radio set with the handset in his left hand. Photo by courtesy of Wayne Maschette

103


Name: MAXWELL John Alexander

DOB: 2/4/1949 Place: Maitland NSW

Years at GGS: 1962 - 1965 House: Woodbridge School




Unit(s) Served: 32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1356 Clive Steel) ”Jamias Être Remorqué”

Dates (In Country): 11th July to 3rd September 1970 and 2nd March to 12th March 1971 (66 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in October 1969 and after Recruit Training at Puckapunyal, Victoria he was posted to the Royal Australian Engineers and underwent 12 weeks Corps Training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW. He was then posted to the Army Transportation Training Centre, Chowder Bay, Sydney, for training as an Army seaman. The 8 week course involved basic seamanship including navigation, boat handling, ship design, maintenance of watercraft and emergency procedures. He was posted to 32 Small Ships Squadron at Woolwich, Sydney and continued his training on an operational Landing Ship Medium (see Note 1). His main duties involved: manning a 40mm Bofors gun or .50 calibre and 7.62 machine guns; Watch keeping including helmsman on the ship’s wheel; opening and closing the bow doors and raising and lowering the ramp (see photograph); and, being prepared for emergency procedures . Sometimes these tasks were carried out during heavy seas with the ship often rolling up to 60 degrees. The July – September 1970 voyage by the Clive Steel was from Darwin to Vung Tau with two Main Battle Tanks and a bulldozer, followed by a series of voyages with cargo mainly for the US Army (artillery and mortar ammunition, fuel, vehicles and general stores) from Vung Tau to Saigon, Phan Rang and Cam Ranh Bay. The voyage in March 1971 was to bring three Main Battle Tanks (see Accompanying Notes page

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21 and R J Millsteed) from Australia and after, transporting cargo to Phan Rang and Cam Ranh Bay the ship returned to Australia with a backload of damaged Main Battle Tanks. Following his return to Australia he was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta before his discharge from the Army in September 1971 with the rank of Sapper. Note 1: 32 Small Ship Squadron was a Royal Australian Engineers Unit based in Sydney with a fleet comprising a 1400 ton cargo ship ( AS 3051 John Monash) and 4 Landing Ships Medium (LSM) which were purchased from the United State Navy in 1960. The LSMs were commissioned at the end of WW II and served in the Korean War before transferring to the Australian Army in 1959 basically as a means of transporting Main Battle Tanks. They were 60m long, displaced about 500 tons, had a speed of 14 knots and a crew of about 50 officers and men. The ships served extensively in New Guinea including in support of Pacific Island Regiment operations (see M F Fairhead) and two of them served in Borneo during confrontation with Indonesia in 1964. All ships served in Vietnam and were generally based in Vung Tau commencing when the Task Force and Logistics Base was established in June 1966. They operated to and from Australia and to Vietnamese ports, particularly Baria, Saigon, Phan Rang (see 2 Squadron RAAF), Qui Nhon, Can Tho and the USN base at Cam Ranh Bay.

LSM AV 1356 Clive Steel with a Sea Container being delivered at sea by a US

Army CH 54 Tarke (Sky Crane) Helicopter (see shadow on Port side).

Clive Steel loading a battle damaged Centurion Main Battle Tank at Vung Tau in 1969

(Photos by courtesy of 32 Small Ship Squadron Association)

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Name: MILLS Christopher Munson


Years at GGS: 1959 - 1960 House: Prep School/ Harper


Regimental No: R65010 Rank: Leading Engineering Mechanic (LME)


Unit(s) Served: 1. HMAS Perth 2. HMAS Perth Dates (In Country): 1. 2nd September 1967 to 10th April 1968 2. 19th September 1968 to 12th April 1969 (428 days) Remarks: He joined the Navy in 1966 and after completing Recruit Training at HMAS Cerebus in Westernport, Victoria and after further specialist training he was posted to HMAS Perth as an engineering mechanic. He was in the ship’s company for the first two deployments by Perth to Vietnamese waters in support of US Navy 7th Fleet operations in the Gulf of Tongkin (North Vietnam) and the South China Sea (South Vietnam). The Ship’s main role was being on the ‘gunline’ providing naval gunfire support to allied forces. Perth also served on Operation ‘Sea Dragon’, a naval operation which intercepted enemy supply vessels travelling south from North Vietnam and engaging land military and logistic targets in North Vietnam (see Accompanying Notes). During these operations the ship came under fire from enemy shore batteries on a number of occasions and on 18th October 1967 was hit by an enemy shell wounding 4 sailors. As well as his duties of watchkeeping in the Boiler and Engine Rooms, LME Mills was instrumental in establishing a shipboard ‘radio station’ on HMAS Perth to provide entertainment to the Ship’s company, a service which was dubbed the’ Mad Dog Mills

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Show’! After his tours of duty to Vietnam he also served in various RAN appointments until leaving the Navy in 1976 with the rank of Petty Officer.

LME Chris Mills, Christmas

1967.

LME Chris Mills on the Quarter Deck of

HMAS Perth. The ship was alongside

Riviera Pier Subic Bay, Republic of the

Philippines for maintenance during the

1967-68 tour of Vietnam.

Photos by courtesy of Chris Mills

HMAS Perth under fire from enemy shore batteries on 18th October 1967.

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Name: MILLSTEED Robin James

DOB: 3/2/1949 Place: Northam WA

Years at GGS: 1962 -1966 House: Henn’s


Regimental No: 5717050 Rank: Trooper


Unit(s) Served: 1. A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment 2. C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment Dates (In Country): 1. 19th November 1970 to 16th December 1970 2. 17th December 1970 to 26th August 1971 (281 days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called-up on 1st October 1969 and after completing Recruit

training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal, he was

posted to the 1st Armoured Regiment, also at Puckapunyal and equipped with Centurion Main Battle

Tanks (see Accompanying Notes page 21). He deployed to Vietnam in November 1970 to join A

Squadron as a Gunner in 4 Troop. When A Squadron was relieved by C Squadron in December 1970 he

remained in 4 Troop. In mid February 1971 he became the Operator in the same Tank. A few weeks

later he was posted as the Manager of the Squadron’s Other Ranks Mess in Nui Dat. Following the

Australian Government’s announcement on 18th August 1971, of the Army’s withdrawal from Vietnam

he returned to Australia with the bulk of the Squadron returning in September 1971. On his return to

Australia he was posted to Karrakatta and discharged from the Army on 30th September 1971.

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Trooper Rob Millsteed, the ‘bronzed Anzac’, at

the Horseshoe Defensive position in late

January 1971 when 4 Troop was in support of

7RAR.

Trooper Rob Millsteed carrying a 20

pounder High Explosive round and

draped in .50 and .30 calibre

machine gun ammunition. Taken at

the Squadron ammunition

compound at Nui Dat in November

1970.

Trooper Rob Millsteed sitting on his Tank having a chomp in February 1971. Photos by courtesy of Rob Millsteed

109


Name: PARTINGTON Christopher James Clode

DOB: 4/2/1945 Place: Calcutta India

Years at GGS: 1957 House: Stirling





Dates (In Country): 18th February to 12 December 1967 (298 Days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in February 1966 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the School of Military Engineering (SME)` at Casula, NSW

he was posted to SME as a Technical Clerk. After pre Vietnam training at the Jungle Training Centre

Canungra, Queensland he was posted to 1 Field Squadron in Vietnam as a Clerk on Squadron

Headquarters based at Nui Dat. He returned to Australia in December 1967 for leave prior to his

discharge in February 1968.

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Name: PARTINGTON Roger Eric

DOB: 4/11/1947 Place: Calcutta India



Regimental No: R942850 Rank: Electrical Mechanic Power


Ships Served: 1. HMAS Melbourne 2…HMAS Perth Dates (In Country): 1. 31st May to 22nd June 1965 2. 2nd September 1967 to 10th April 1968(245 days)

Remarks: He joined the Navy in 1964 and after Recruit training at HMAS Leeuwin and a short posting

to HMAS Sydney, he was posted to HMAS Melbourne and was in the ship’s company when it escorted

HMAS Sydney on her first voyage to Vietnam with 1RAR embarked (see C G Evans). After a posting to

HMAS Cerebus for further specialist training he was posted to HMAS Perth in September 1966 and

was in the ship’s company on her first tour to Vietnam (see Accompanyning Notes and also C M Mills).

After Vietnam he was posted to HMAS Waterhen in 1969 before being discharged from the Navy in

January 1970 with the rank of Leading Electrical Mechanical Power.

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Name: PIPER William Alexander




Regimental No: 57035 Rank: Major


Unit(s) Served: 1. Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force

2. 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

3. Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force

Dates (In Country): 1. 19th April 1966 to 25th April 1966 2. 26th April 1966 to 1st May 1966 3. 2nd May 1966 to 14th April 1967 (361 days) Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1954. In Vietnam

he commanded the 1st Australian Task Force Headquarters (1ATF) Advance Party when it first

deployed to Vietnam. During this build-up stage he was detached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal

Australian Regiment which had been at Bien Hoa for a year, to learn about operational experiences.

After a further detachment as the 1ATF Liaison Officer to the US Army’s Operational Headquarters he

was posted to 1ATF as the Headquarters Intelligence Staff Officer (GSO2 Int) – see location of HQ 1ATF

on the map at page 18. Other Army service included as a Platoon Commander with the 2nd Battalion,

The Royal Australian Regiment in 1955-57 during the Malayan Emergency. In 1969-70 he was a

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student at the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He retired from the Army in July 1975

with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

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Name: PRITCHARD Kenneth Francis DOB: 26/2/1950 Place: Darwin Northern Territory

Years at GGS: 1962 - 1965 House: Prep School / School


Regimental No: R95160 Rank: Ordinary Seaman (Engineering Mechanic)


Ship Served: HMAS Sydney Dates (In Country): 8th to 22nd April 1967, 28th April to 12th May 1967, 19th May to 14th June 1967 (57 days) Remarks: He joined the Navy in October 1965 and after completing Recruit training at HMAS Leeuwin,

WA, he was posted to HMAS Sydney as an Ordinary Seaman. He was in the ship’s company when she

deployed the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) to Vietnam (see K J Bladen and D B

Bryant) and returned with the 5th Battalion RAR (see M J Roe). His last voyage deployed the 2nd

Battalion RAR to Vietnam and returned with the 6th Battalion RAR (see D P Abé). After his service in

Vietnam he did training as engineering mechanic (Diesel) at HMAS Cerberus in Westernport, Victoria

He then served in a variety of HMA Ships including the Minesweepers, Snipe & Curlew, Patrol Boats

Buccaneer & Assail and the Survey Ship Moresby. In 1973 he was promoted to Petty Officer and

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served on a number of ships including the Survey Ship Cook and back to HMAS Leeuwin where he was

discharged in 1977.

Ordinary Seaman Pritchard on

HMAS Sydney circa 1967.

Photo by courtesy of Ken Pritchard

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Name: QUEALY Matthew Vernon


Years at GGS: 1941 House: St George’s


Regimental No: 57007 Rank: Major, Lieutenant Colonel


Unit(s) Served: 1. Headquarters, Australian Army Force Vietnam 2. Visit (Army Staff College Writing Team) Dates (In Country): 1. 26th May 1965 to 25th April 1966 2. 26th November to 9th December 1968 (349 Days) Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1950. After

qualifying Bachelor of Civil Engineering in Melbourne, he served with the British Commonwealth

Engineer Regiment in Japan and Korea (1956); followed by further service with the Royal Engineers in

UK and in the British Zone of West Germany. After attending the Army Staff College in 1961-62, he

was posted as the Engineer Instructor at RMC Duntroon in 1963-64 (when M F Fairhead, A M Stove

and P J C Treleaven were cadets). In April 1965 he was posted from RMC to HQ Australian Army Force

Vietnam as the DAQMG (the senior logistics staff appointment) for the arrival of the initial contingent

of Australian Combat troops, including 1RAR (see C G Evans) and 105 Field Battery (see P J C

Treleaven). Working with US counterparts, he also covered the in-country logistic planning for the

1966 introduction of the Australian Task Force into Vung Tau and Nui Dat (see A W Piper). After

Vietnam he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and appointed as the Chief Engineer of the First

Division in Victoria Barracks, Sydney. In 1968 he was posted as the Engineer Member of the Directing

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Staff at the Australian Staff College, Fort Queenscliff, Victoria. As the Logistics Member of the Staff

College Exercise Rewriting Team, he visited Thailand (Ubon USAF Base) and Vietnam (again) to get

current information, particularly from the Australian Task Force operations in the 1968 Tet Offensive.

He retired from the Regular Army in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Major Matt Quealy (right) being introduced to the Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sir John Wilton by Lieutenant Colonel Alec Preece (left), then Commanding Officer of AATTV and later 1RAR (see CG Evans). Taken in 1965 at Headquarters AFV, Saigon. Photo by courtesy of Matt Quealy

Matt Quealy sharing a joke with

General Wilton.

Photo by courtesy of Matt Quealy

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Name: RICHARDSON Angus Roderick DOB: 12/2/1946 Place: Beaudesert Queensland

Years at GGS: 1960 -1962 House: School Military Details (At the time of service in Vietnam) Regimental No: 5714586 Rank: Private


Unit(s) Served: 1. 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit


3. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Dates (In Country): 1. 3rd March 1967 to 25th April 1967 2. 26th April 1967 to 28th May 1967 3. 29th May 1967 to 12th February 1968 (347 days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up on 13th July 1966 and after completing Recruit training at Puckapunyal and Corps training at the Infantry Centre at Singleton, NSW he was posted to 1ARU in Vietnam. In April 1967 he joined 4 Platoon B Company, Sixth Battalion as a reinforcement for the losses it had suffered on Operation Bribie in February 1967 (see W J Jones). He served in 6RAR as a Rifleman/Machine Gunner and when 6RAR returned to Australia in May 1967, he was posted to B Company 2nd Battalion in which he served as a Rifleman/Machine Gunner in 4 Platoon. During the

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Enemy’s 1968 Tet Offensive the Task Force, including 2RAR, deployed out of Phuoc Tuy Province for the first time on Operation Coburg. On 31st January 1968, during a Company attack on an enemy defended position he received gunshot wounds to the left leg and was evacuated by ‘Dustoff’ helicopter (in darkness) firstly to a US Field Hospital, then to the 1st Australian Army Field Hospital at Vung Tau (see C A Wallace) and subsequently to Australia (see Accompanying Notes page 24, 37 Squadron RAAF). After recovering from his wounds he was posted to Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta before being discharged from the Army on 12th July 1968.

3 Section, 4 Platoon, B Company,

2RAR taken at Nui Dat mid 1967.

Private Angus Richardson is on the

far left with belts of 7.62mm

machine gun ammunition encased in

plastic slung around his shoulders,

and ………

….. Angus and Leslie Richardson at their Wedding on 4th September 1968 at the School Chapel Photos by courtesy of Angus and Leslie Richardson

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Name: ROBERTS William Garner

DOB: 11/12/1946 Place: Bunbury WA

Years at GGS: 1954 -1961 House: Prep School/School



Corps: Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC)

Unit(s) Served: 1 Transport Platoon RAASC

Dates (In Country): 25th May 1966 to 24th April 1967 (335 Days) Remarks: A Regular Army soldier who enlisted in 1965 and after Recruit training at Kapooka, NSW and

Corps training at the RAASC Centre, Puckapunyal, Victoria, he was posted to 1 Company RAASC in

Ingleburn as a Driver. In May 1966 1 Company deployed to Vietnam in HMAS Sydney with two

Transport Platoons, 1 and 87 (see R M Ward). The Company was based at the 1st Australian Logistic

Support Group (1ALSG) at Vung Tau (see Accompanying Notes page 17) and commenced operations in

support of 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) when it moved to Nui Dat on 6th June 1966 (Operation

Hardihood). 1 Transport Platoon was equipped with 33 International 2⅟2 Ton Trucks and its main task

was the transport of combat supplies, eg ammunition, rations, fuel and defence stores from 1 ALSG to

1 ATF units in Nui Dat. In 1966 this occurred as daily maintenance convoys, often of 50 vehicles or

more. In April 1967 1 Company RAASC was replaced by 5 Company RAASC and both 1 and 87

Transport Platoons returned to Australia by RAAF C130 Hercules to Darwin and then by charter jet to

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Sydney. On his return he was posted to 90 Transport Platoon as a Driver. He then transferred Corps

from RAASC to RAE and after training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula, NSW he was

posted to 22 Construction Squadron as a Plant Operator. He was discharged from the Army in 1971

with the rank of Sapper.

Pte Bill Roberts with an Automatic

Rifle in Vung Tau (1ALSG) about July

1966.

Photo by courtesy of Bill Roberts

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Name: ROE Melford James (Finny)


Years at GGS: 1954 -1962 House: Prep School/School


Regimental No: 5713714 Rank: 2nd Lieutenant



Dates (In Country): 19th April 1966 to 12th May 1967 (389 days)

Remarks: National Serviceman/ Regular Army. He was conscripted with the first intake of national

servicemen and graduated top of his class from the Officer Training Unit (OTU) Scheyville in December

1965, winning the Sword of Honour and Governor General’s Medal. In Vietnam he served as a Platoon

Commander in D Company, 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR). In May 1966, 5RAR was

the first battalion to occupy the 1 ATF Base at Nui Dat (see Accompanying Notes page 18) which it did

by air assault from Vung Tau. Together with 6RAR, the Battalion spent most of its year in Vietnam

successfully wresting control of Phuoc Tuy Province from the Viet Cong which in May 1966 extended

to all parts of the Province except a narrow corridor between Vung Tau and the Provincial Capital

Baria some 20 Km to the north.

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As one of the first national servicemen to serve in a war zone, he had the distinction of meeting Prime

Minister Harold Holt on his visit to Vietnam in April 1966. He re-enlisted in the Regular Army in May

1971and his 21 year Army career included: service with the Special Air Service Regiment as a

Squadron 2IC; the 5th/7th Battalion, RAR, as the Regimental Signals Officer, and the 2nd/4th Battalion,

RAR, as a Company Commander and Operations Officer. He graduated from the RAAF Staff College in

1982, and in the latter part of his service, he helped develop computer systems for the headquarters

in Perth and the Army's Training Command. He retired from the Army in May 1990 with the rank of

Lieutenant Colonel.

Second Lieutenant Melford Roe

outside Hoa Long Village with his

Vietnamese Interpreter and Police

Liaison – January 1967.

Photo by courtesy of Melford Roe

125


Name: ROSSITER Alan George


Years at GGS: 1960 - 1963 House: School





Dates (In Country): 30th April 1968 to 27th January 1969 (273 days)

Remarks: A regular soldier who enlisted in late 1967. After Recruit training at Kapooka in NSW he was

allotted to the Royal Australian Signals Corps and did communications training at the School of Signals

in Balcombe, Victoria and at a specialist unit at Carbarlah in Queensland. He then transferred to the

Royal Australian Engineers and after training at the School of Military Engineering at Casula in NSW

was posted to 2 Troop, 1 Field Squadron in Vietnam as a Field Engineer. Field Engineers supported

other combat units, especially Infantry Battalions, including in: preparing fortifications; demolition of

enemy fortifications; mine and booby trap clearance; bridge and road repair; and, airfield

construction. On 15th January 1969, 2 Troop was assisting the Squadron Reconnaissance Officer in

clearing culverts and bridges on Route 15, the main highway to Saigon. Sapper Rossiter detonated an

M16 anti personnel mine in a culvert and was seriously wounded, requiring him to be evacuated by a

medevac helicopter (Dustoff) to the Army Hospital in Vung Tau (see C A Wallace) and then

subsequently to Australia. After recovering from his wounds he was posted to 13 Field Squadron at

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Karrakatta which at the time was constructing an airfield at Bindoon for use by the SAS Regiment. He

was discharged from the Army in late 1969.

127


Name: SHENTON Raymond Barry


Years at GGS: 1959 - 1962 House: Prep School/School


Regimental No: R63326 Rank: Able Seaman Clearance Diver


Ships served in: 1. HMAS Sydney 2. HMAS Parramatta

Dates (In Country): 1. 27th May to 29th June 1965. 2. 5th to 17th April 1968 (44 days)

Remarks: He enlisted in the RAN in 1964 and after completing Recruit Training and initial Clearance Diver training at HMAS Cerebus in Westernport, Victoria he was posted for further Clearance Diver training at the RAN Diving School at HMAS Rushcutter on Sydney Harbour. The primary role of clearance divers was the location, identification and disposal of Mines underwater. When HMAS Sydney was anchored in Vung Tau harbour, clearance divers also had the task of protecting the ship against possible Viet Cong sapper attacks. His first tour to Vietnam in HMAS Sydney as an Ordinary Seaman (Clearance Diver) was with 1RAR embarked (see C G Evans) with the Battalion disembarking

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at Vung Tau. After further training at HMAS Rushcutter he was promoted to Able Seaman Clearance Diver and posted to HMAS Parramatta in 1967. He returned to Vietnamese waters in April 1968 when the ship was escort for HMAS Sydney (again with 1RAR embarked) and returning to Australia with 7RAR embarked (see D B Bryant).After Vietnam he remained in HMAS Parramatta until he was discharged from the Navy in February 1969 with the rank of Able Seaman Clearance Diver.

Clearance Diver Ray Shenton going

over the side of HMAS Parramatta in

Vung Tau Harbour.

AWM Navy 08099A

129


Name: STEPHENSON Maxwell William


Years at GGS: 1961 -1964 House: Prep School/Stirling St George’s




Unit(s) Served: 1. 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit (1ARU)

2. 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR)

Dates (In Country): 1. 11th March 1969 to 29th April 1969 2. 30th April 1969 to 5th March 1970 (360 days) Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in July 1968 and after Recruit training at Puckapunyal, Victoria and Corps training at the Infantry Centre, Singleton, NSW, he was sent in March 1968, as a reinforcement to Vietnam and posted to 1ARU. On joining 5RAR in April 1969 he was posted to 3 Platoon A Company as a Rifleman but he also operated as a Forward Scout and in the main also as the Platoon Medic. On 21st August 1969 his Platoon, together with the 5RAR Assault Pioneer Platoon and an element of Company Headquarters commanded by the Company Second in Command, encountered a large enemy force in a well organized defensive (bunker) position located in one of the enemy’s strongholds called the Hat Dich. One Australian was killed and 37 wounded in action including Private Stephenson. The more seriously wounded were evacuated by Dustoff

130

Helicopters whilst the enemy was held at bay including with machine gun fire support from Helicopter Gunships and bombs from USAF Mohawk ground attack aircraft. He was also subsequently evacuated but returned to his Platoon, taking part in a number of other operations and major battles with the enemy before the Battalion left Vietnam in March 1970. On his return to Australia he took leave and then rejoined the Battalion at the Holsworthy Barracks in western Sydney. He was then posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta before being discharged from the Army in July 1970.

Private Max Stephenson wearing winter dress uniform with a 5RAR lanyard and RAR collar badges. Taken in Perth after his return to Australia from Vietnam in March 1970. Photo by courtesy of Max Stephenson

131


Name: STOVE Anthony Milton (Tony)

DOB: 17/4/1941 Place: Port Hedland WA

Years at GGS: 1955- 1959 House: Stirling



Corps: Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps

Unit(s) Served: 1. 2nd Composite Ordnance Depot

2. 2nd Advanced Ordnance Depot

Dates (In Country): 1. 11th March 1967 to 31st December 1967

2. 1st January 1968 to 12th March 1968 (368 days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1963. In Vietnam

he served as the Senior Warehousing & Logistics Operations Officer at 2 Advanced Ordnance Depot

located with the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group at Vung Tau. There he was responsible for the

provision of all combat supplies to the Task Force at Nui Dat (see Accompanying Notes). Other

Military career highlights included in 1965-66, secondment to the Royal Regiment of Australian

Artillery, as a Forward Observer and Battery Captain in 4th Field Regiment. In 1974-

75 he completed a post graduate degree at Manchester University (UK) and was then attached to the

Royal Army Ordnance Corps serving in the UK and with the British Army On the Rhine (BAOR) in 1975-

76. In 1977 he attended the Australian Army Staff College and was then promoted to Lieutenant

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Colonel as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps Centre 1979-82. In

1984-87 he was on the Australian Army Staff at the Embassy of Australia, Washington, DC. He retired

from the Army in 1987 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Captain Tony Stove at Vung Tau in

May 1967.

Photo by courtesy of Tony Stove

133


Name: SUGDEN Christopher John

DOB: 3/4/1922 Place: York WA



Regimental No: O5813 Rank: Squadron Leader

Corps: Royal Australian Air Force

Unit(s) Served: RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam

Dates (In Country): 20th July 1964 to 6th April 1965 (261 days)

Remarks: He enlisted in the RAAF on 28th April 1941 aged 19. In Vietnam he was the first Commander of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (later renamed 35 Squadron – see ‘Accompanying Notes’). For his service in Vietnam he was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that had been awarded for service in the Korean War (flying Meteor jet fighter bombers in 77 Squadron – see J W Hubble). The DFC was awarded when, as a Flight Lieutenant, he demonstrated courage and planning in attacking enemy convoys. He was also awarded a Queens Commendation during his Korean War service. He retired from the RAAF in 1966.

134

Distinguished Flying Cross,

awarded for gallantry

whilst flying in active

operations against the

enemy.

Sqn Ldr Chris Sugden at the

controls of a Caribou

aircraft circa 1964.

AWM PO 5583.077

135


Name: TAYLOR Murray Frederick


Years at GGS: 1953- 1958 House: Stirling Harper


Regimental No: 1200389 Rank: Captain; Major

Corps: Royal Australian Army Education Corps (Public Relations)

Unit(s) Served: 1. Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam

2. Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam

Dates (In Country): 1. 26th May 1967 to 28th May 1968

2. 11th May 1971 to 7th March 1972 (671 days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who in November 1964 when working as a Journalist with the

Courier Mail was given a short service commission to serve in the Education Corps as a Public

Relations (PR) Officer. In Vietnam he served as a PR Officer and on his second tour as a Senior PR

Officer. On both tours of duty he was detached from HQ AFV (Saigon) to Headquarters 1st Australian

Task Force (1 ATF) at Nui Dat. On his second tour he was one of the last officers to leave Nui Dat

during the Australian withdrawal from Vietnam. Other service included: in 1968 as a PR Officer with

the Australian Army component of Headquarters Far East Land Forces ( HQFARELF) Staff in

Singapore; as the Deputy Assistant Director Public Relations at Headquarters Western Command

(Perth) ; the Assistant Director Public Relations Headquarters 3rd Military District (Melbourne); the

Deputy Director of Defence Public Relations; and, finally in the Office of the Chief of the General Staff,

136

the Director of Army Public Relations .He retired from the Army in 1985 with the rank of Lieutenant

Colonel.

Captain Murray Taylor (right), in an

interview with a journalist (left) in

July 1967. The soldier in the middle

is a Public Relations Sergeant from

HQ AFV. The interview was regarding

a recent operation by 2RAR (see AR

Richardson).

AWM GIL/67/0543/VN

137


Name: TERRY Leonard Giles

DOB: 27/3/1937 Place: Margaret River WA



Official No: O1153 Rank: Lieutenant Commander


Ship Served: HMAS Brisbane

Dates (In Country): 16th March to 11th October 1971 (210 days)

Remarks: He enlisted in the RAN in January 1951 as a Cadet Midshipman at the RAN College, Flinders

Naval Depot, Victoria. After Graduating as a Midshipman in 1954 he underwent further training with

the Royal Navy (RN) and in HMAS Melbourne before promotion to Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1957,

followed by further training with the RN. In 1959 he was promoted to Lieutenant whilst serving in the

Frigate HMAS Diamantina. After various shore postings and again in HMAS Melbourne he returned to

the RN in 1965 for Communications training before sea service in the light cruisers HM Ships Tiger and

Lion and the Leander Class frigate HMS Juno where he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in

1967. In 1969 he returned to Australia to the RAN Trials and Assessing Unit in Sydney before, in

December 1970, he was posted to HMAS Brisbane as the Communications Officer. The ship deployed

for its second tour of duty in March 1971 (see ‘Accompanying Notes’). After Vietnam he served in

Navy Office (Training Directorate) and on promotion to Commander in 1972, in the Personnel Services

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Branch. In 1974 he attended the Joint Services Staff College and was then posted as the Deputy

Commander of the Naval Communications Station (Harold E Holt) at Exmouth. In 1975-76 he was

attached to the RN Directorate of Naval Warfare at the Ministry of Defence, London. In 1977 he was

appointed as the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Naval Communications in Navy Office until

1980 when he was posted to the Directorate of Naval Logistics Planning as Assistant Director. He

retired from the Navy in 1980 with the rank of Commander.

139


Name: THOMAS Kim Charles

DOB: 16/10/1945 Place: Bridgetown WA

Years at GGS: 1956 -1962 House: Prep/ St George’s







Dates (In Country): 8th May 1969 to 12th May 1969 (370 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in July 1968 and after Recruit Training at

Puckapunyal , Victoria and Corps training at the Infantry Centre, Singleton NSW, he was posted to 1

Platoon A Company 6RAR in Townsville. In Townsville he did a Regimental Signalers Course and

became the Platoon Signaler for 1 Platoon. He deployed with the Battalion Main Body to Vietnam on

HMAS Sydney (see B S Castles). In January/February 1970, A Company was based at the Horseshoe

Defence Base, a permanently manned position some 10 kilometres south east of Nui Dat. The

Company’s role there was to train South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) troops in Infantry/Armoured

operations including small scale operations into an enemy area called the Long Green further to the

south east. On 10th February 1970 the APC (see Accompanyning Notes page 21) Thomas and others

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were riding on struck an M16 land mine which wounded 6 soldiers including Thomas. He was

evacuated to 1 Aust Field Hospital (see C A Wallace). After recovering from his wounds he returned to

1 Platoon as the Platoon Signaler. He returned to Australia with rest of the Battalion by air and after

leave was posted to Karrakatta prior to discharge from the Army in July 1970. In July 1988 he re-

enlisted in the Regular Army and in August 1988 was posted to the Special Air Service Regiment

(SASR) as a Corporal Driver. In May 1992 he was promoted to Sergeant in an SAS Troop as the Troop

Sergeant and in December 1992 as a Coxswain in the Operational Support Squadron. He was

discharged from the Army in March 1996 with the rank of Sergeant.

Private Kim Thomas (left front) with

AN/PRC – 25 radio set. Taken at the

Horseshoe defensive position in

early 1970; with other men from 1

Platoon (rear, left to right, Platoon

Sergeant, Roy Pollock, Platoon

Commander 2nd Lieutenant Rex

Wigney and Private Doug Tanner),

plus five trainee Assault Troopers

from the ARVN’s 5th Armoured

Cavalry Regiment.

Photo by courtesy of Doug Tanner

141


Name: TRELEAVEN Peter John Cole


Years at GGS: 1955- 1959 House: Stirling




Unit(s) Served: 1. 105th Field Battery

2. 1st Field Regiment 3. Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force Dates (In Country): 1. 14th September 1965 to 5th June 1966 2. 6th June 1966 to 24th September 1966 3. 18th March 1969 to 16th April 1969 (406 days) Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1963 and after training at the School of Artillery at North Head in Sydney he was posted to 105 Battery as a Forward Observer (see Accompanying Notes page 20). The Battery was the first Australian Artillery unit to serve in Vietnam and was under operational control of the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, which included the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) (see C G Evans). After operations in the

142

area around Bien Hoa, in June 1966 the Battery joined 1st Field Regiment at Nui Dat as part of the deployment of 1 ATF (see Accompanying Notes page 18). In 1 Field Regiment he served as a Gun Position Officer (GPO) and as a Forward Observer with B Company 5RAR. He was in his GPO role when 1 Field Regiment provided artillery support to D Company 6RAR at The Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966. D Company became engaged with an enemy force of several Battalions in a Rubber Plantation during a monsoonal storm. After some three hours of fierce battle the combined arms skills of Australian and New Zealand Infantry, Artillery and Armoured Cavalry resulted in a massive defeat for the enemy; it was a defining battle because the enemy was never again able to mount a major threat to the 1ATF Base at Nui Dat. On his second tour of duty Captain Treleaven served as the Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Liaison Officer at the Fire Support Coordination Centre at Xuan Loc. After Vietnam his postings included: as a Senior Instructor on Battle Wing, Jungle Training Centre Canungra; and, as the Adjutant of 3rd Field Regiment. He retired from the Army in November 1969 with the rank of Captain.

143


Name: TRIPP Martin Terence (Terry)

DOB: 8/2/1925 Place: Kasauli Punjab State India

Years at GGS: 1941- 1942 House: Henn’s




Unit(s) Served: Australian Army Training Team Vietnam

Dates (In Country): 12th February 1967 to 20th February 1968 (374 days)

Remarks: A Regular Army Officer who graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1944. In Vietnam

he was the Commanding Officer of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) (see ‘Accompanying

Notes’) for which he was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); he was

Wounded in Action on 12th August 1967. Other Army service included: served as a Lieutenant in World

War II; was an ADC to the Governor General in 1948; attended Staff College in Wellington, India in

1957/58; was seconded to the British Army Gurkhas during the Malay Emergency in 1960/61; was

Chief Instructor at the School of Armour 1964 to 1966. After Vietnam he was promoted to Colonel as

the Director of Military Arts at RMC Duntroon and subsequently as the Chief of Staff of HQ 3rd

Division. He retired from the Army in 1979 with the rank of Colonel.

144

. .

Order of the British

Empire (OBE)

Lieutenant Colonel Tripp, CO AATTV with Army Minister Fraser in Saigon July 1967. AWM MISC/68/0018/VN

145


Name: VAN OORAN John Desmond






Unit(s) Served: Headquarters AFV

Dates (In Country): 18th February 1970 to 11th January 1971 (359 days)

Remarks: A regular soldier who enlisted in June 1949. After Recruit training at Kapooka in NSW he was allotted to the Royal Australian Engineers and after corps training was posted to 7 Field Squadron as a Field Engineer. He was then posted to HQ 1 Field Engineer Regiment before in 1954, he was posted to the Assault Pioneer Platoon (see C G Evans) of the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and then in 1955 to the 1st Battalion – both in Korea. After postings as a Corporal to 55 Advanced Engineers Stores Squadron (see B T Colegate), 1st Field Squadron in 1964-66 (see A G Rossiter) as a Temporary Sergeant and as Sergeant Clerk in 35 Water Transport Squadron (1968-70). In 1970 he was posted as a Clerk on HQ AFV in Vietnam. He was discharged from the Army in April 1971 with the rank of Sergeant.

Headquarters Australian Force

Vietnam in Saigon.

AWM EKT/71/0720/VN

147


Name: WALLACE Christopher Andrew

DOB: 24/4/1947 Place: Rawalpindi India

Years at GGS: 1956- 1965 House: Prep School/Stirling


Regimental No: 5717078 Rank: Corporal

Corps: Royal Australian Army Medical Corps

Unit(s) Served: 1 Australian Field Hospital

Dates (In Country): 12th December 1970 to 16th October 1971 (309 days)

Remarks: A National Serviceman whose call up was deferred until February 1970 and as a

consequence he did his Recruit Training with Regular Army recruits at Kapooka (Wagga Wagga, NSW).

He was selected for Officer Training at the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville (see M F Fairhead and M J

Roe) but had to return to Perth because of family illness. After doing his Corps Training at the School

of Army Health, Healesville, Victoria he was posted to Wacol Camp near Brisbane where he did

further training at the now defunct Ist Military Hospital at Yeronga. After pre Vietnam training at JTC

Canungra he was posted to 1 Aust Field Hospital in Vung Tau where he worked first as a Medical

Orderly in the wards and then in the Pathology Department where he ran the STD Clinic. On his return

to Australia he was discharged from the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta in November 1971.

148

Note 1: As Australian involvement in Vietnam grew so did the medical services provided. On the 1st April 1968 the 1st Australian Field Hospital (1AFH) was raised. 1 AFH took over from 8th Field Ambulance and formed part of 1ALSG at Vung Tau. By 1970, the Hospital had a staff of some 30 Officers and about 100 Other Ranks to run 106 beds comprising a surgical and a medical ward of 50 beds each and a 6 bed Intensive Care Unit with Triage and Operating Theatres. Pathology, X-ray, Dental, Pharmacy, RAP, Physiotherapy and Psychiatry services were also provided. The Hospital was supported by a Q Store, Orderly Room, Messes and accommodation; the elements essential to running a field hospital. Citizen Military Force (CMF) medical specialists from Army, Navy and RAAF Reserves and Civilian Specialists maintained the surgical capability. Most did three-month tours of duty. Regimental Medical Officers (RMOs) came mainly from the Australian Regular Army (ARA), supplemented by CMF medical officers on full time duty. Also attached were the 33rd Dental Unit, 1st Field Medical and Dental Stores, 1st Field Hygiene Company, Chaplains and Australian Red Cross representatives.

Pathology Department 1AFH

AWM PO 5104.016

1AFH Circa 1970

Photos by courtesy of 1st Australian Field Hospital Association

149


Name: WALLIS Eric Leslie (Ric)

DOB: 24/9/1948 Place: Wagin WA

Years at GGS: 1961 -1963 House: Harper




Unit(s) Served: 1. 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit

2. 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

3. 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment


Infantry Regiment component) Dates (In Country): 1. 4th June to 21st July 1970 2. 22nd July to 3rd October 1970 3. 10th October 1970 to 21st April 1971 Remarks: A National Serviceman who was called up in July 1969 and after Recruit training at

Puckapunyal, Victoria, Corps training at the Infantry Centre, Ingleburn, NSW and pre-Vietnam training

150

at the Jungle Training Centre, Canungra he was posted to 1ARU at Nui Dat. On joining 8RAR in July

1970 he was posted to the Mortar Platoon, Support Company as a Mortar Number (see

‘Accompanying Notes’ page 20). After 8RAR left Vietnam in October 1970 and a short posting again to

1ARU, he was then posted to the 2RAR, Support Company Mortar Platoon. In October 1970, the CO of

2RAR (see J M Church) was using Support Company as a Rifle Company to protect Engineer land

clearing operations in the north of the Province. During this time he was employed as a Rifleman and

as a Forward Scout. When 2RAR completed its tour of duty in May 1971 he returned to Australia by

air and was posted to the Personnel Depot at Karrakatta before being discharged from the Army in

July 1971.

Private Rick Wallis as the Number One of an 81 mm Mortar of the 8RAR Mortar Platoon. The Platoon was in support of company ambushing operations around the village of Hoa Long.

Private Rick Wallis of Support Company, 2RAR. On sentry duty at Defensive Position ‘Garth’ adjacent to the Courtenay Rubber Plantation (seen in the background). Photos by courtesy of Rick Wallis

151


Name: WARD Ronald Murray

DOB: 14/1/1945 Place: West Midland WA

Years at GGS: 1952 -1957 House: Prep School/Woodbridge




Unit(s) Served: 87 Transport Platoon RAASC

Dates (In Country): 4th November 1966 to 18th April 1967 (166 Days)


Puckapunyal in Victoria and Corps training at the RAASC Centre, Ingleburn in NSW he was posted to

various units in NSW and Queensland as a driver. In November 1966 he joined 87 Transport Platoon in

Vietnam as a driver. The Platoon together with 1 Transport Platoon (see W G Roberts) comprised the

transport elements of 1 Company RAASC which was the first transport unit to deploy to Vietnam (in

May 1966). 87 Transport Platoon operated three sections of dump trucks and two sections of cargo

trucks. Based at the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group at Vung Tau, the Platoon’s main task was

unloading stores from HMAS Sydney and providing materiel for the construction of Task Force roads

and gun emplacements at the new base at Nui Dat. Private Ward drove both dump trucks at Nui Dat

and cargo trucks in supply convoys from Vung Tau to Nui Dat. The Platoon returned home to Australia

in April 1967 being replaced by 5 Transport Company RAASC. Private Ward remained in the Platoon at

152

Puckapunyal as a driver before being posted to Karrakatta just prior to his discharge from the Army on

28/09/1967.

Private Ron Ward in the RAASC

Other Ranks Club, 1 ALSG Vung Tau

circa 1967.

Photo by courtesy of Ron Ward

153


Name: WHEATLEY Michael Stuart

DOB: 23/3/1930 Place: East Perth WA

Years at GGS: 1943 -1945 House: School


Regimental No: 29951 Rank: Warrant Officer Class Two


Unit(s) Served: AFV Amenities and Welfare Unit

Dates (In Country): 23rd August 1969 to 10th October 1970 (384 Days)

Remarks: A Regular Soldier who enlisted in July 1958 and after Recruit training at 1st Recruit Training

Battalion, Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW, he was posted to the 4th Battalion Royal Australian

Regiment (4RAR) where he did his Infantry Corps training. In 1959 he was posted to 1RAR as a Private

Signaler and served with the Battalion in Malaya in the closing stages of the Malayan Emergency (see

also C G Evans). 1RAR returned to Australia in 1961 and in 1963 he transferred Corps from Royal

Australian Infantry to RAASC. In 1965 he was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant as the Cinema

Projectionist at the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and from 1967 to 1969 at the Royal Military College.

In 1969 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) and in Vietnam he was an

administrative officer with the AFV Amenities Unit which was located at Vung Tau. His duties would

have included being the projectionist in the base picture theatre.

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After Vietnam he was posted as an administrative officer to HQ Southern Command in Melbourne and in 1974 as the Quarter Master Sergeant in 135 Signals Squadron. In 1981 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) at 3Training Group. He was discharged from the Army in 1983 with the rank of WO1

AFV Amenities Unit Club at 1 ALSG,

Vung Tau. It was named the Badcoe

Club after Major Peter Badcoe VC.

AWM EKT/71/0748/VN

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