The 2 RAR Historical Collection in Townsville, Queensland | Arts and entertainment

The 2 RAR Historical Collection

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 419 749 198

Address: 2nd Battalion 4813 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: https://www.thecollectingbug.com/2rarmuseum

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25.01.2022 10th February 6 RAR items We have been going through the collection over the last year with COVID and have found items from other Battalion’s. I found some great little items that I am sending to Stan, the 6 RAR Historical Collection Curator. One significant item, is an original program from the 1969 dedication ceremony of the Long Tan Cross during 6 RAR’s second tour as a ANZAC Battalion in South Vietnam. Included also is a Delta Company, 6 RAR T Shirt, A map from when 6 R...AR occupied Long Tan lines in Lavarack barracks and some negatives from their time in Townsville, including some from their farewell to South Vietnam. Also included is a 6 RAR 2004 Battalion yearbook. They (6 RAR) have a call out to secure yearbooks from all years, so if you have some at home help them fill a whole set so that the Battalion (6 RAR) has its History. In the 2 RAR Historical Collection we like to collect within our scope, and if we can help items to find their most appropriate home we do. Over the last year we have returned items, to 1 RAR, 3 RAR, 3 CSR, RAAF Heritage Collection and The Army Museum of North Queensland. Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

24.01.2022 With legacy week just past, see the great story about Joan, widow of Tom Birnie of B Coy, killed on the Battalion's second tour of South Vietnam in 1970/71. Joan is a great supporter of the 2 RAR Historical Collection, with her donation of many items from Tom, including his original medals for display

23.01.2022 This evening we commemorate the service and sacrifice of 34675/1200750 Sergeant John Warren Twomey, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, of Melbourne, Vict...oria, who died of wounds on this day in 1967, aged 33. His sacrifice is commemorated in the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium, Brisbane. The 2 RAR was on its first tour at the time, which ran from May 1967 to June 1968. During its 13 month tour it undertook a total of 23 operations, latterly with a company of New Zealanders attached. These operations were conducted in Phuoc Tuy and Bien Hoa provinces, and involved a constant schedule of patrols and ambushes in its area of operations in order to keep the Viet Cong off balance. John's patrol was ambushed in Xa Bong on 20 September 1967, and he was casevaced to the US 7th Surgical Hospital in Long Giao, but died of his wounds. After John's death, 2 RAR conducted its most significant operation, Operation Coburg, which was mounted between 24 January and 1 March 1968 in the border area between Phuoc Tuy and Long Khanh provinces. 2 RAR returned to Vietnam from May 1970 to May 1971. During the two tours, the battalion lost 32 killed and 182 wounded. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest we forget. Ian Smith Chair Anzac Day Committee Portrait of John Twomey: VWMA

22.01.2022 5th January 2021 Australian Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion (Amphib), The Royal Australian Regiment and Hydrographic Systems Operators from the Royal Australian Navy prepare a Zodiac to survey water depth around the island of Galoa, Fiji before additional force elements can be brought on shore. Soldiers from 6 Engineering Support Regiment and 2nd Battalion (Amphib), The Royal Australian Regiment and Hydrographic Systems Operators from HMAS Waterhen have disembarked on th...e island of Galoa, near Vanua Levu, in Fiji and are assisting members of the Republic of Fiji Military Force. On Thursday 24 December 20, over 600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel deployed on HMAS Adelaide for Fiji to assist with the Fiji Government’s disaster relief in response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa. ADF elements are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to provide assistance to thousands of Fijians, including many from remote islands, whose homes, schools and other local infrastructure were damaged or destroyed by the category 5 cyclone. Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

22.01.2022 RIP Tom Malone Tom Malone served in the Battalion in Korea in 1953/54 with A Company including at The Hook. He went over with the Battalion by ship on the MV Australia and served the whole time with 2 RAR. Later he served on the First Tour of Malaya in 1955 to 1957 with A Company, 2 RAR. He passed away on 28th December 2020 after a long illness. His funeral was a Private affair... Our Deepest condolences to his family and friends RIP Tom Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

22.01.2022 3rd September 2020 Army Newspaper This Thursdays Army Newspaper will feature an article on 2 RAR (Amphib)s deployment as part of the Regional Presence Deployment 2020 (RPD 20) Cheers... The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

22.01.2022 29th August 2020 Did you know? There is a Memorial Garden, at the side of the Lavarack Barracks Chapel, that has stone features with all the serving members of Units on Lavarack Barracks that have died while serving during peacetime and are not on the Unit's Rolls of Honour for the Units of Lavarack Barracks since its existence. The Battalion moved to Lavarack Barracks as 2 RAR before its Second Tour of South Vietnam in 1970 and moved into the Battalion location where 1 RAR ...is today. It toured South Vietnam and returned to the Battalion position where it is today, in 1973 the Battalion was linked with 4 RAR into the rear Battalion position on Lavarack barracks, that is now where 3 Brigade Headquarters is, and stayed there past de-linking, where it was reformed as 2 RAR, till 2003 where it moved to its current location. The memorial features a Bell, a flag pole, rock wall that features the rising sun and says ' We Remember Them' and seven stone plinths with the name plates. There are many names, however the Battalion's begin with PTE William Laracy in 1968. There are a few plates not on there from recent soldiers, including PTE Storey and PTE Madden so this will be project to get this rectified. We will also look to see if we cant get something inside 2 RAR (Amphib) as well. There are many names of soldiers that I know personally and most people who served in the Battalion will have known one or more of these soldiers, so it is a deeply personal experience. What we are seeking is Pictures, news articles, memorabilia, and information on each person from these plates plus Contact details of a Next of kin for each one please. These can be emailed to [email protected] We are also seeking names of soldiers that died in service from when the Battalion returned in December 1948 from Japan as 2 AR to Puckapunyal all the way till 1968 when the first plaque starts here at Lavarack Barracks to formally complete the Roll of Remembrance for the Battalion. RIP fellas Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

21.01.2022 14th February 2021 - National Serviceman's Day Today, commemorates the four periods of National Service, with the last during Borneo and South Vietnam. 2 RAR had many 'Nasho's' serve in the Battalion as proud members completing their commitment. The cessation of this last period and the draw down of commitment to South Vietnam caused the linking of 2 RAR and 4 RAR and in-turn, the RAR was reduced from 9 Battalion's to 6 Battalion's. We thank them for their Service... Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

21.01.2022 3 September 2020 SOLDIERS from Townsvilles 2nd Battalion rolled up their sleeves and volunteered their time to Townsville Legacy by tidying the yard of widow Margery Lawrence yesterday. Legacy is a national charity dedicated to supporting the families of deceased or injured veterans since 1942.... Legacy Week began last Sunday and runs all week raising money to support the charity. Over the week local Legacy branches will collect donations from members of the community. The Townsville branch of Legacy cares for more than 650 people, including 200 women aged between 90 and 100 years of age across North Queensland. The 2nd Battalion have volunteered their time to Townsville Legacy by tidying the yard of legatees like Margery Lawrence. Mrs Lawrences husband, the late Alexander Lawrence, served with the Gordon Highlanders in the British Army during World War Two. Mrs Lawrence was pleased with the support she has received from Legacy over 13 years. What theyve done with the yard, is simply amazing, Mrs Lawrence said. Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Lieutenant-Colonel Judd Finger, said that local ADF forces have been involved with Townsville Legacy for several decades. The army is from the community, and members of the army strive to give back to the community. Legacy is a prime example because its directly connected to the servicemen and servicewomen, its a great opportunity for them to get out and help at the homes of those who rely on Legacy, Lt-Col Finger said. Nicole Hayes, CEO of Townsville Legacy, said tomorrow members of Townsvilles 3rd Brigade would be deployed with buckets to spearhead a new initiative for the organisation. Hundreds of soldiers will be around the city collecting donations for Legacy as a part of the Legacy Appeal. If you see soldiers carrying buckets feel free to chuck in a gold coin if you can. This is the only fundraising weve been able to do this year, everything else has had to be cancelled due to COVID. Given the financial uncertainties people are facing, they have been extremely generous, and we really appreciate that, Mrs Hayes said. >>Businesses that would like to arrange for ADF personnel to visit and collect donations for Legacy are encouraged to call 4772 7533 or send a message to the Townsville Legacy Facebook page. Alternatively, you can donate online via legacydonations.com.au

20.01.2022 The Horseshoe Memories of Vietnam Continued Part 8 Midnight, Mortar Defence, Morning Patrols and Mail from home... Another ‘on guard’ incident of note occurred during our time at the Horseshoe. It was shortly after the platoon had discovered the freshly dug ‘fire pits’, not too far distant to our North East, inside the Bamboo thickets and within the imagined ‘Umbrella of Safety,' which was , in theory, cleared of Viet Cong activities. I was, with another section member, completing my nightly shift, on guard, in the very early morning hours. The night was very still and very dark. In such conditions noise and light seem to be magnified. As we sat in silence with no lights, no smoking, no conversation, always aware that any movement or light exposure may result in sniper fire, concentrating on the possibility ‘enemy’ movement. In the daylight hours the view was down the side of the extinct volcano crater, across the patchwork of rice paddy fields to a treed winding natural watercourse which would provide the cover of ‘dead ground’ for any movement some 500 meters to the horizon. Cover for an ‘enemy’ observing and reconnoitring our stationary position. Mapping our machine gun posts, massing to prepare a dawn attack, waiting for the flare and then glow of a lighted cigarette At some point we convinced ourselves that we had seen, in the distance, a flare of light, some movement. In the darkness of night and the tension of arousal, the mind races through a raft of possibilities. A farmer who has not returned to the village after curfew? A lone sniper? A reconnoitring patrol? A battalion of Viet Cong massing before a dawn attack? A vivid imagination beyond belief? And then the What if I report this, it turns out to be nothing and I am regarded as a mad ‘Panic Merchant’ and general ‘dill’? While on these guard posts there was always constant radio contact with the Horseshoe Command Post. I choose to notify and suggest mortar support reasoning that if there were massing VC a few mortar shells would surely provoke a response. Having never before ‘called in’ mortar fire in daylight, let alone a pitch black night apart from the target being approximately 500 meters east of out post we had no idea where to direct the fire. Those in command were not deterred, in retrospect they were probably ‘just waiting’ to test their response capability. In a now situation of ‘heightened urgency’ the reaction period from calling support to mortar shells falling somewhere near the target feels like a lifetime. In the dead of the night the mortar team are not standing by in their mortar pits ready to drop shells down the barrel. They are in their bunks, they have to wake and scramble into position, prepare their weapon then fire. This may take five minutes. Sitting in a bunker, on the side of a hill, in an anxious state of alert, five minutes is an eternity. Eventually, you hear the ‘crump’ as the shell explodes from the barrel, lifts high into the darkness and explodes ‘somewhere’ near to where you think the target is, with a bedding shot. Down 50 to the left you near whisper into the radio handpiece, with a degree of calmness you never knew existed. After a few shells and no reaction the mortar team is stood down, but the rest of the Company are now ‘stood to’ for an hour or so. Then there are the ‘follow-up’ consequences. Military life is a combination of routine and diversions. Normal order and Routine must be maintained. Interrupted sleep is not a reason for interrupted routine, but soldiers who have spent a good part of the night ‘standing to,' for what appears to be no reason, have a tendency to be ‘grumpy’. Routine determines that the pre-dawn clearing patrol must still occur. A half section creeping through the zig zag gap in the barbed wire entanglement and minefield, across the skirting road, then reentering through a small gap in the wire back into the platoon lines. All before the morning lifting of the curfew and the flow of civilians into the rice paddies and bamboo thickets, with the knowledge that there may be a Viet Cong ambush party waiting. This ‘grumpiness’ can, on occasions, transpire into less than civil exchanges between ‘the troops’ on the ground and those responsible for ensuring that routine is followed. Such an exchange occurred prior to the morning patrol. While my exact memory of with whom I had the exchange is not fully clear, I like to believe that it was with one of our riflemen, Jim Lyttle, simply because it would be the most colourful version of my memory. I must diverge a little to give some explanation as to why. Jim or Irish as he was nicknamed should never have been conscripted into the Australian Army. He was on a ‘working holiday’ from his home in Northern Ireland when he was told, for some reason, he was required to register for National Service and his ‘number came up’. He objected and explained his position to the authorities conducting the conscription process. He was assured that since he was on a ‘working holiday,' being in the Australian Army for a couple of years he would enjoy the benefits of regular full pay and accomodation, and as he was a vegetarian he would most likely be posted to the Medical Corps or a non combatant post within Australia. Irish was posted to the Infantry Corps and ultimately to Jack Hungerfords section in 5 Platoon B Company 2RAR and on his way to a ‘working holiday’ in Vietnam. In the Army, in the 1960s, in a Corps that made no provision for vegetarians which made life very difficult for Irish. The prevailing philosophy within both the Military and the general population at the time was that conscription would ‘ make men of boys’ and ‘vegetarians would soon learn to love good red meat’. In the Australian Army in the 1960s the only thing being worse than being a vegetarian was being ‘gay’. For Irish, being ‘gay’ may have been better as it would have meant an instant discharge from the armed services. In the section Irish, with his sharp Irish accent, was intelligent, full of dry wit, insightful, argumentative, able to point out every single flaw in every single operational plan, a very good soldier and human being. A dedicated vegetarian who struggled and complained about the nature of our daily American ration packs while we were on field operations. He was also later wounded in action and the nature of his wounds still trouble him to this day. He also retains his sharp Irish accent and dry wit. But I return to the morning of the clearing patrol. As I had called the mortar fire and presumably knew the location of the potential enemy, I was to lead the clearing patrol. From the outset, I had no intention of venturing 500 meters across open paddy fields, with a half section of men armed only with light firearms. For me it was to be a normal routine morning clearing patrol skirting the edge of the wire. This it appears, was not adequately communicated, at least to Irish. As we prepared to leave the safety of our lines Jack says a voice from the semi-darkness This is fucken suicide there might be a fucken thousand out there You could be right I replied, thinking ‘no there is not’ and you have just volunteered as forward scout In silence we carried on with the patrol. We never checked across the paddy fields and we will never know if we were observing a Viet Cong patrol or it was a figment of our imagination. Some many years later, in Melbourne, while assembling for the ANZAC Day parade, a voice with the strongest of Irish accents wafted through the crowd, followed by a limping Irish. Jack Hungerford. I hated you with a passion [ that I represented every authority in the Australian Army that had lied to him). And we embraced. Throughout our period at the Horseshoe there were periods of relief. One method of relieving the tension and demonstrating to the ever watching Viet Cong was to regularly hold our Major Bill Carter inspired ‘Free Firing Exercises’. On one evening, every week, after the afternoon curfew and before darkness, the entire Company would ‘man their firing posts’ and on a given signal would ‘free fire’ for a five minute period. There is little more awesome than demonstrating the fire power, discipline and effective communication of around 200 men overlooking the near silent countryside and in unison firing their automatic and semi-automatic weapons into the surrounding space. Sound then silence. A demonstration of firepower to strike fear into the hearts of any with the intent of mounting an attack. Though, I suspect, also an opportunity to take compass bearings on our machine gun posts. However my weeks at the Horseshoe provided the opportunity for me to think, to write letters to my mother, with whom I had corresponded on a weekly basis from when I went off to boarding school in Warwick and continued until shortly before she died. To exchange letters with my future wife and mother of our children, Jeanette. There was the relief, joy and comforting assurance of receiving a bundle of ‘letters from home’ each week when the mail came in. It was during this six weeks that major life decisions were made. Continued

20.01.2022 This is a great webinar by the AWM on The Korean War which features Mick Kelly who is great supporter of the 2 RAR Historical Collection. Mick has spoken to the Battalion as a whole last year on Samichon Day about the Battle of the Hook as well as donating a signed copy of the book in the webinar to the Collection library. Cheers The Curator... Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

20.01.2022 21th August 2020 Today, the Snipers, under SGT Karl Fabreschi had intimate commemoration in memory of Matthew Lambert, who was killed in Action in Afghanistan during MTF 3 on the 22nd August 2011. Karl served as a digger in snipers along side Mathew. The Sniper Cell along with other members of the Brigade that served or knew Matty had a reading about Mathew by one of the junior Snipers of the cell, then 2 wreaths were laid and lastly a Minute silence was observed. The video i...n the comments is during the minutes silence. RIP Mathew Lambert Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

19.01.2022 #OTD Private Noel Pettitt, KIA Today we pause to remember the life and service of 3790094 Private Noel Charles Pettitt, of Mildura Victoria who was killed in ...action following a mine explosion on the 27th of November 1967 whilst serving in South Vietnam. Noel was called up for National Service on September 28, 1966 and was a labourer at the time. Noel was posted to 2RAR as a rifleman and deployed with the Battalion to Vietnam in 1967. He was mortally wounded when a mine exploded on the 27th of November 1967, and died of his wounds the same day in 8th Field Ambulance Hospital Vung Tau, South Vietnam. He was 21 at the time of his death. Lest we forget. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

18.01.2022 LEST WE FORGET | Today we remember Private Matthew Lambert. Private Matthew Lambert was killed in action during operations in Afghanistan on 22 August, 2011. He... was a member of the Mentoring Task Force - Three and was from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment based in Townsville, North Queensland. Private Lambert was born in Kogarah, NSW in 1985 and joined the Army from southern Queensland enlisting in the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment in August 2005. He transferred to the Australian Regular Army in February 2007 and posted to 2RAR in Townsville. #LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem

18.01.2022 18th September 2020 Today, was so busy I didnt get lunch till dinner, ha ha ha, but when I have sat down and looked at our GoFundMe we have eclipsed our goal. I would like to thank every person and organisation that has contributed to this in big and smaller ways. I wont single anyone out in particular but would like to acknowledge the collective pride of all those that have served in the Battalion through its timeline which has been reflected in this short time by many ans...wering the call and putting their hand in their pocket. The Battalion Family has shown some true spirit! and Myself and all our volunteers are extremely grateful for your generosity, your faith in us to preserve your history, and your support by donating money or items to the collection Second To None!! https://www.gofundme.com//help-the-2-rar-historical-collec Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

17.01.2022 #OTD 2 RAR arrive in Malaya On the 12th of September 1955, the advanced party of 2RAR arrived in Penang, Malaya as part of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, Brit...ish Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (BCFESR). 2RARs primary role was to deter external communist aggression against south-east Asia, and their secondary role was to assist in the suppression of the communist insurrection in Malaya as part of the Malayan Emergency. The remainder of the Battalion arrived in Malaya on the 19th of October and remained in country for two years. These troops would be the first to serve in Malaya as part of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade a force in which some 7,000 Australian soldiers would eventually serve in during the Emergency. Although the BCFESR only existed in the later stages of the Malayan Emergency, the heaviest fighting involving Australians took place in that period. During the Malayan Emergency, there were 15 Australian operational deaths, including 13 from the Australian Army. You can find out more on Australias contribution to the Malayan Emergency here: https://business.facebook.com/2318023658237334/posts/3294170827289274/ Image: Members of the advance party 2RAR carrying their kit and weapons, prepare to embark on MV New Australia for service in Malaya. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

16.01.2022 10th February Aaron Vidal (RIP) in today’s Townsville Bulletin Aaron had served in 2 RAR and was tragically killed whilst serving as a Police Officer in NSW. See links to the story from last year https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3325187644167747&id=2110949075591616... https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3335982183088293&id=2110949075591616 RIP Aaron Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

16.01.2022 14th September 2020 Ian Williams Ian was called into the Army as a National Serviceman in 1966. He served Recruit and IETs at Singleton, NSW, before being posted to 2 RAR at Enoggera Barracks. He was posted into Signals Platoon, Support Company. He went on to serve during the Battalions first Tour of South Vietnam. On Saturday the 12th of September, Ian passed away after long battle with Cancer... His funeral details are not known yet. RIP Ian Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

15.01.2022 On this day in 1994, Australian peacekeepers deployed to the African country of Rwanda as part of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), kno...wn in Australia as Operation Tamar. The mission mandate ran from 5 October 1993 to 8 March 1996, and at its height, comprised some 5,500 military personnel and 90 civilian police from 40 countries. The most horrific incident that occurred during the deployment was the Kibeho massacre on 22 April 1995, in which about 4,000 internally displaced people at the Kibeho camp were killed by troops of the Rwandan Patriotic Army and allied militias. The 32-strong Australian team at the camp, including infantry and medical personnel, were unable to intervene, but bravely helped as many wounded as they could. Four Australians were awarded the Medal for Gallantry for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances at Kibeho, the first gallantry medals awarded to Australians since the Vietnam War. Corporal Paul Jordan, who was a member of the force at the camp, later wrote "While there was little that we could have done to stop the killings, I believe that, if Australians had not been there as witnesses to the massacre, the RPA would have killed every single person in the camp." Twenty-seven members of UNAMIR 22 soldiers, three military observers, one civilian police officer and one local staff lost their lives during the mission. No Australians died while serving with UNAMIR. The Australian members of both contingents were awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation in 2019. Ian Smith Chair Anzac Day Committee Members of the Australian contingent to UNAMIR on patrol in Rwanda: Defence

15.01.2022 29th August 2020 John Jack Campbell, Jack served in many Battalions in the RAR including 1 RAR, 2 RAR, 3 RAR, 8 RAR as well as the AATTV He served in 2 RAR from Sept 1959 to 1963, which included the Battalions Second Tour of Malaya. He then went on to serve in South Vietnam in the AATTV in 1965 and 1966... Jack passed away on 16th August 2020 aged 86. The funeral for Jack will be a private family affair. RIP Jack Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

15.01.2022 G'day The Collection is looking for someone that is good with photoshop. We need some help using photographs of logo's or flags and turning them into digital representations of them. It would all be done over email, so if you have the skill and a little bit of time every now and again, I would be most grateful. Cheers Harry MB 0419749198

15.01.2022 23 November 2020 The Battalion when it was linked as 2/4 RAR provided 12 Operational trips to Rifle Company Butterworth between 1970 and 1989. With the implementation of an Australian Honours and Awards system in the 1980s, and then with it maturing in the 1990s, deployments such as these were reviewed under the Australian Honours and Awards System and this was deemed an Operational Deployment and those that participated were eligible to receive an Australian Service medal 19...45-1975 or 1975, with clasp SE Asia, depending on date of service. Post 1989, 2/4 RAR and later 2 RAR post un-linking provided peacetime rotations to Rifle Company Butterworth, with the most recent being B Coy, 2 RAR in 2017. Sep 1974 Nov 1974 Rifle Company Butterworth C Coy from 2/4 RAR Mar 1975 Jun 1975 Rifle Company Butterworth A Coy from 2/4 RAR Sep 1975 Nov 1975 Rifle Company Butterworth B Coy from 2/4 RAR Mar 1978 May 1978 Rifle Company Butterworth A Coy from 2/4 RAR Feb 1979 May 1979 Rifle Company Butterworth C Coy from 2/4 RAR Dec 1980 Mar 1981 Rifle Company Butterworth B Coy from 2/4 RAR Feb 1982 May 1982 Rifle Company Butterworth D Coy from 2/4 RAR Feb 1983 May 1983 Rifle Company Butterworth C Coy from 2/4 RAR Dec 1984 Mar 1985 Rifle Company Butterworth A Coy from 2/4 RAR Jun 1986 Aug 1986 Rifle Company Butterworth B coy from 2/4 RAR Dec 1987 Mar 1988 Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB 03) D Coy from 2/4 RAR Sep 1988 Nov 1988 Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB 06) C Coy from 2/4 RAR Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

14.01.2022 25th November 2020 Today, we have had a visit by Vicki Pearce and her partner, Greg Downie. We were honored by their visit, as her son Matthew Lambert in on our Role of Honour. I was able to take them to see the 2 RAR (Amphib) Gym named after Matt. In the museum, even though we didn’t have a lot of time, we were able to see the improvements since they was last here when the Marksman Training Range (MTR) at the Mount Stuart Range Complex was named after Matt. Vicki and Greg ha...ve been traveling all over North Queensland and we are glad they made the time to come and visit us. Matthew served in 2 RAR in Timor Leste and Afghanistan. During his deployment in Afghanistan in 2011, he was killed in Action. He was serving as a Sniper on MTF 3. RIP Matt Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

14.01.2022 If your ex- Battalion member and your in the Area please think about supporting this especially post South Vietnam Ex-Battlion members.ets show some solidarity The Vietnam Legion Veterans Association will be holding a commemorative service for local Yeppoon man, Noel Stewart Harald who died of wounds in Vietnam in 1967. The service will be held at Harald Park Melbourne Street Yeppoon on Saturday 10th October 2020 at 1100 hours, and afterwards at the Yeppoon RSL.... All interested parties are invited to attend. Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

14.01.2022 31st August 2020 - Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Day Today, Australia recognises our personnel who served in the Malayan Emergency (19481960), and the Indonesian Confrontation, or Konfrontasi, (19621966). The Malayan Emergency was declared three years after the end of the Second World War, when the Malayan Communist Party launched an insurgency against British colonial rule. The Battalion was the first Australian unit to serve in Malaya since World War II. 2 RAR embarked in B...Continue reading

13.01.2022 South Vietnam. May 1971. Private Peter 'Jack' Trease pauses briefly during a reconnaissance patrol in Phuoc Tuy Province. Together with other soldiers of C Comp...any, 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) (The ANZAC Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and a component from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment), Pte Trease was taking part in his final operation before leaving South Vietnam. The battalion was due to return to Australia later in the month after completing it's second twelve month tour of duty. Photo by John Alfred Ford. [AWM FOD/71/0254/VN] See more

13.01.2022 Richard served in 2/4 RAR as a LT intially in A Coy and later was The Recon/Sniper Platoon Commander. He later returned and served as OC Alpha Company in 1999 and served during INTERFET.

12.01.2022 The 66th Battalion was originally part of the 2nd AIF when it was formed, hence the grey on the colour patch. The Battalion later, when the 2nd AIF concluded, became part of the Interim Army which then became the Australian Regular Army till most recently the ARA became the Full Time Army

12.01.2022 East Timor Operation Warden On this day, 20 September 1999 members of the Regiment, as part of InterFET (International Force East Timor), deployed to East Tim...or (now Timor Leste). Background: In August of 1999 the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. In retaliation, pro-Indonesian militias went on a violent rampage, forcing the evacuation of UN Military/Police Observers and many westerners including media. In the weeks that followed many East Timorese were killed, with as many as 500,000 displaced and around half fleeing the territory. In response, the UN calling for an Australian led multinational force to restore peace and security until such time as a UN peacekeeping force could be deployed. Of 22 nations that contributed, Australia provided the vast majority of troops, aircraft and ships (5,500 personnel). On the 10th of September, the 108 Field Battery Gunline, reinforced by 107, was re- roled at short notice to deploy as 3RARs fourth rifle company. At the same time, the Forward Observers of 108, reinforced from 107, deployed with 2RAR. Headquarter Battery also provided provided staff to HQ 3BDE in the form of the COs Tac Party. Op Warden commences: 2RAR and the108 FOs arrived in East Timor on D Day, the 20th of September. Their role was to coordinate the significant RAAF and RAN offensive assets that were available if and when required. The 108 Gunline/Rifle Coy arrived via the Navy's fast catamaran, HMAS Jervis Bay, at Dili port on D+1. Most of the city was aflame and much of the population had fled or had been forcibly removed. The Indonesian Army and their proxies, the militias, held much of the city. The Rifle Coy held a hastily fortified section of the port complex, securing the Sea Point of Entry and protecting hundreds of returning refugees. The FOs and 2RAR were conducting security operations in the suburbs and had briefly deployed companies to the outlying towns of Bacau and Liquica. Once sufficient follow-on forces had arrived, in early October, 2RAR and the FOs carried out the largest airmobile operation since the Vietnam war, inserting into the border towns of Balibo and Batugade and soon after, Maliana. On the 10th of October, at the border village of Mota'ain, C Coy, including their FO Party, were engaged by Indonesian paramilitary police. In the ensuing firefight, two Indonesian paramilitary police were KIA. Whilst in the western districts, the FOs switched to their alternate role of Civil Military Liaison dealing with returning refugees and NGOs. On the 13th of October, the 108 Gunline/Rifle Coy and HQ 3 BDE sailed from Dili to the south coast on the HMAS Tobruk and conducted a landing at Suai, adjacent to the border with Indonesia. They were the first ashore via RAN Sea Kings. There, they were confronted with evidence of a major massacre of the civilian population. They were responsible for security via strongpoints and an extensive program of foot and vehicle patrols until their return to Australia. The CO's TAC party led a composite force made up of Gurkhas, SASR and 5/7RAR to secure and protect Occussi, the beleaguered enclave within Indonesian West Timor. The Australian led InterFET operation was unprecedented in ADF history. Almost 120 members of the Regiment had to prepare and deploy a fighting force inside of two weeks, fully armed and ready for combat. For many, this was outside of their primary Artillery role. The intelligence picture was unclear and the potential for conflict with the enemy was significant. There was no knowledge or discussion of when the return to Australia was or what the conditions of service were.

11.01.2022 7th September 2020 On Friday, 6 Platoon (Small Boats) said good bye to one of their soldiers, PTE Joshua Tencza. He enlisted in the Army in 2015 and after singleton was posted to 2 RAR. He served with the Battalion on Operations Accordion, Highroad and North Queensland Flood Assist. He was awarded a US Army Commendation Medal with device for Combat during OP Highroad in Afghanistan. Hes not going too far and will go back to his trade before the ADF. Cheers... The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

10.01.2022 Today, 2 RAR (Amphib) soldiers were out helping Legacy widows as part of the Battalion's effort during Legacy week

10.01.2022 South Vietnam. 1968-04. Two members of C Company, 2RAR /NZ (ANZAC) (The ANZAC Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment and a component ...from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment), await their move from Fire Support Base (FSB) at the foothills of the Long Hai Hills south of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) Base at Nui Dat. They are Sergeant Robert (Boof) Milwood of Kalgoorlie, WA (left), and Private Jan Dzwonkowski of Sunshine, Vic. The Company was engaged on Operation Cooktown Orchid. #VietnamWarStories #ANZAC #Salute #VietnamWar #anzacs #VietnamVets #vietnamveteran #lestweforget Original description and photo sourced by www.awm.gov.au/collection/C317489

08.01.2022 #LegacyWeek is a time to give back to the families of those who have given so much to our nation. #OurPeople from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment have ...been busy spring cleaning with veterans families as part of Legacy Week 2020. Today marks the end of Legacy Week 2020. You can continue to support Legacy Australia online at www.legacyweek.com.au. #GoodSoldiering

08.01.2022 The Horseshoe Memories of Vietnam Continued Part 7 Horseshoe Defenses... It could not be said that life on the Horseshoe feature was defensive. While there were few ‘night operations’ and at the end of each day we returned to our bunkers for sleep, the daily routine was exhausting. There were regular ‘clearing patrols’ into the surrounding Bamboo thickets and jungle to the North and there was little doubt that the Viet Cong were actively observing and monitoring our activities. On one of our extended clearing patrols through the bamboo thickets, which were so thick it was impossible to move forward following a compass bearing. This placed the Forward Scouts at high risk of ‘Friendly Fire’ from other platoons moving forward following parallel bearings, we encountered a group of recently dug fire pits. These would have been dug in preparation for mortar attacks. Preparedness for attacks is, or should be, a constant pre-occupation in defensive positions. Maintaining constant vigil, though, is difficult when there is a low level of ‘hostile’ activity as was the case during our Horseshoe deployment. The Viet Cong were in the process of planning for the Tet offensive and those in High Command were convinced and exuding confidence that they were ‘winning the war’. The soldiers of B Company were mostly young men, a mixture of regular soldiers and conscripts. The work schedule being maintained was both physically rigorous and mentally demanding. There are times when the level of ‘alertness’ wanes as the nature of wartime military activity is a combination of 90% boredom and 10% terror A ‘working day’ could extend across a 24 hour period with little opportunity for rest. When not on patrols or checkpoint activities away from the Horseshoe keeping ‘the troops’ focused and alert was imperative. They were young, fit active men at the height of their curiosity of life. In an environment where half a day is the equivalent to a lifetime boredom sets in quickly. They are not readily confined to the management of three or four bunkers on the side of a hill between sentry duty. They ‘ wander off’ to visit a mate across ‘the other side of the Horseshoe’ or to watch the movement of helicopters coming and going from operations, or to check on the Artillery battery hidden away at the base of the volcano or to retreat to their bunker to sample a drop of the spirits they smuggled into the lines after their last visit to the American PX in Nui Dat. They begin to believe that the only real danger is from Sunburn or Heat stroke from being exposed to the searing hot tropical sun while carrying out the mindless task of filling sandbags on the side of a hill stripped of its natural shade and vegetation. Defensive positions always require ongoing maintenance and upgrading. For infantry soldiers this usually involves the task of ‘filling sandbags’. It is a task of little inspiration and resentment of the shiny assess, up the chain As a Section Commander, with direct responsibility for nine men and five bunkers, I gave thought to the complaints No time to clean my gear writing to my girlfriend visiting my mate you are just a bunch of arsholes and more and devised a plan. Just how many sandbags should a Section be able to fill in a day, I asked and calculated. After some enthusiastic and non-enthusiastic discussion we reached a number. Well, if you can triple that number, with one soldier less you can roster one of the Section off for the day and if you manage it by 1300 hours, apart from sentry duty, you can all ‘knock off’ until the 1600 hours parade. A task I thought would be very hard to achieve. It took just three days for the Section to be ready to ‘knock off’ by 1300 hours. Maintaining a level of alertness and readiness on a 24 hour basis in a mammoth task. The physical and mental strain of ‘Clearing patrols’, Checkpoint Duties, Search Exercises, Equipment maintenance and around the clock sentry duties, combined with dealing with the inevitable day to day interpersonal issues which arise from a group of young males confined in a disciplinary space brings with it both exhaustion and tension. From time to time, depending on ‘Intelligence Reports’, levels of alertness would be promulgated ‘from above’. In the normal routine a soldier would be expected to rotate through a two hour ‘stint’ by the machine gun each night. The next level was ‘two hours on and four off,' then came the orders ‘one hour on and two hours off’ an almost impossible ask for a sustained period. Sleeping on sentry duty, especially when there is the possibility of a potential imminent attack. An offence usually punished by 30 days field punishment and one of the soldiers in my section could not be left alone on sentry duty. During one operation he ‘fell asleep’ at the sight of two Viet Cong soldiers who were ‘passing by’. It was most likely his mechanism for dealing with fear. He should never have been assigned to the Infantry Corps. It was only after that incident he was transferred to a more suitable posting. After his discharge he continued to serve as an active member of the army reserves Transport Corps for the next two decades. There are times when those at ‘Headquarters’ demand of their troops the impossible and then blame them for not making it possible. I chose to interpret the order as meaning that if two men were on sentry duty together for two hours they could then have four hours sleep before their next shift and they would keep each other awake while sitting by the machine gun, staring into the darkness I had remembered well the night, while on a SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation), in Thailand , as a platoon Radio Operator ( Signaller), at the end of an exhausting, day sitting, for a minute, with radio on my back and handpiece in hand and not waking until the following morning ‘stand to’ with the radio handpiece still in my hand. The system worked well for some weeks, until the platoon Sargent at the time, woke me in the middle of the night to inform me that he had, on a night inspection round, found two members of my section, sound asleep, on guard, at the machine gun post. I had some immediate and serious explaining to do, to platoon Commander Eric Pearson. Continued See more

07.01.2022 A 2 RAR soldier Justin Huggett interviewed by a 2 RAR soldier Simon Hawken Cheers The Curator... Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

07.01.2022 Gday, today we had the great pleasure of finalizing something that has taken two years or more in the background. We now have three advocates working on Tuesday's atm in the ETVC Club inside 2 RAR (Amphib) starting from the 6th October onwards. These three ex-Battalion members will provide volunteer DVA advocacy for serving members or 2 RAR (Amphib) and North QLD ex-members of the Battalion (66 BN, 2 AR, 2 RAR and 2/4 RAR) only. If you fit in the above category for help by o...ur advocates please email [email protected] or go on the 2 RAR Old Boys (Nth Qld) Facebook group for further details. Between them they have over 50 years of Infantry experience multiple deployments each. They have all been affected by their service so they know the problems. This will make sure members of the Battalion and the Ex-members of the Battalion can get the help they need when they need it. Keeping the Battalion spirit alive Second To None!! Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

07.01.2022 20th November 2020 Today, we have had a visit by Benjamin Small and his son, Landon. Ben has travelled all the way from Perth to come and visit his son and has brought him out to see the Collection. Ben joined the Army in 2006 and was posted to the Battalion in 2007. He initially served in C coy, then later served with b coy for most of his time. He served on TLBG 3 to Timor Leste in 2007 and 2008. He later served in Iraq with B Coy in 4 Platoon on SECDET 15. Ben has enjoyed ...showing his son the Collection and some of the Digital Collection which he features in. He is going to get together his items and digital collection to donate when he returns. Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

07.01.2022 1st September 2020 CONTACT Magazine The latest issue of the digital military magazine that focuses on the ADF and NZDF is out. 2 RAR (Amphib) features twice in the magazine with a story on the Reginal Presence Deployment 2020 and a story on Bravo Companys training at Cowley Beach. The link is below so go in and have a look https://www.contactairlandandsea.com//contact-magazine-is/... Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

07.01.2022 17th September 2020 Gday, this week has been busier than a one-legged man in an arse kicking competition. We had another visitor today who spent many hours looking through all the 2/4 RAR scrap books, Battalion magazines and online collection. Peter Sankey enlisted in April 1974 and was post to 2/4 RAR in 1974, he served in the Battalion till 1982 and served in C Coy, Support Coy Pioneer PL and Admin Coy. He served in other postings in 49 RQR, 2 TRG Group, 5/7 RAR and HQ Coy... 6 BDE. He retired in 1995 and then worked as a civilian in Defence. He has been traveling with his son and came up to see the 2 RAR Historical Collection. We were meant to get a photo but totally slipped my mind My apologies Pete, the flag will have to suffice Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

05.01.2022 The Battalion did 12 rotations to RCB when it was linked as 2/4 RAR.

05.01.2022 VALE 16785 CPL Noel Henry Perry 31 December 1942 - 29 January 2021 Sadly I have to advise you that Noel Perry passed away on Friday 29 Jan 2021 at his home in... Kanimbla. Noel served in Malaya with 2 RAR 1962 - 1964 and Vietnam with SPT COY 1967 - 68. Noel was active within the association for many years and also within the Qld branch of the TPI Federation . His funeral was held at the Freshwater Church, Brinsmead QLD, Friday 5 Feb 2021. Donations to RSL Qld in Lieu of flowers. --- "Second to None" Malcolm Gray Secretary 2 RAR Association, Inc The National Association [email protected] 0428 588 431 http://www.2rar-association.net.au/ PO Box 2352 IDALIA QLD 4811

05.01.2022 Many K force soldiers served in 2 RAR

04.01.2022 The Horseshoe Memories of Vietnam Continued Part 9 While I was well suited to military life, the war in Vietnam was not about the values and freedoms I had b...elieved we were fighting for and at the end of my six years of military service, service that had taken me from the inward thinking culture of rural Australia and exposed me to the fascinating cultures of the East. I had transformed from the inward feeling of being an abject failure who had performed very poorly in the Queensland Education Department ‘Junior High School’ Examinations to having the confidence to tackle ‘Adult Education’. Much of which I now attribute to the more senior NCOs and Officers with whom I served, who perhaps observed a potential that I had not considered within myself. That it was full of sadness and regret that beyond the most exhilarating view from ‘my bunker’, across the pastel soft green paddy fields, in this most beautiful countryside filled with human compassion, resilience and love A war of horror and destruction was raging. I was ready to return to civilian life and ‘Go back to the Farm’. Then our period at ‘The Horseshoe’ was over. A period which was for me paradoxically, on recall, a time of finding ‘inner peace and self worth and an appreciation of environmental beauty ’ living in a wartime bunker on the side of an extinct volcano. We scrambled aboard the ‘Huey’ Helicopters as they landed ,in line formation, to fly us back at treetop level to a new set of B. Company lines at Nui Dat and our one day of leave visit to the provincial beach resort town of Vung Tau and within that day lays another story. Post Script: As I write of my recollections, my thoughts are of the comrades with whom I served in 5 Platoon, B Company, 2RAR. But in particular the ‘ group of characters’, the soldiers who were members of ‘my section’ over the two year period of training, Enoggera, Tin Can Bay, Shoalwater Bay, Canungra and then deployment via the Aircraft Carrier Sydney to many operations in a hostile environment in Veitnam. Some of them for a few days, for some a few weeks and for some for the entire period. Some were there and gone and not rememberedSome of them for a few days, some a few weeks and some for the entire period. Some are remembered for their wit, their humour, their kindness, their ‘outrageous behaviour,' their argumentative tolerance, their passive resistance, their comradeship and much more But all are remembered for their stedfast support and respect for the platoon and section leadership in situations where they were asked to place their lives in imminent danger. In every situation, despite what must have been their internal fear, the possibility that for them there may be no ‘tomorrow’, they quietly clambered into helicopters with no doors and flew at treetop level, advanced through the shadowy jungle forests, climbed muddy hills, discovered hidden tunnel systems, Viet Cong grenade factories and villages hidden in the jungle, leapt from helicopters under fire, advanced on machine gun posts, protected ‘downed’ helicopters, sustained ‘friendly’ artillery fire, searched villages, lay in ambushes and listening posts, were attacked and counter attacked in deadly combat. This they did with trust, courage and determination. During my time as Section Commander they must have tired of my daily mantra: Whatever anyone else’s objective is, it is my objective that every single one of us returns to Australia alive. To achieve that objective you must aim to be the best soldiers ever your equipment must be well maintained, you must be alert, on guard at all times and you must support your comrades And with some personal pride I am able to say that they all returned home, but for many to greater personal battles as a result of their dedicated service, supported only by the long suffering women in their lives. I must remark that my exhortations must have made a lasting impression on at least one member of my section, as at the funeral service of Graham ( Diesel) Cummins who, after his discharge, devoted a great deal of his life to the support of ex-service men and women throughout the Ballarat region, in his eulogy had it noted that when he was asked what was his most memorable achievement in the military? He always replied to have served as a rifleman in Jack Hungerford’s Section in Veitnam As time pass, as do those members of my section March out from their final parade I do remember them The central members of ‘My Section’: 16632 Cpl. J W B Hungerford (Section Commander) 17804 L Cpl W E Harris ( Section 2/IC) - deceased 1732255 Pte Frank Kehoe (Forward Scout) deceased 54802 Pte Bill (Circles) Whitney (Forward Scout) 6708408 Pte W (Bill) Gillham (Machine Gun) 1732089 Pte Roland (Roly) Lee ( Machine Gun - short period) deceased 3789311 Pte William (Irish) Lyttle ( Rifleman) 3788166 Pte Graham Proud ( Rifleman) 6708399 Pte Warren (Badger) Bourke (Rifleman - short period) 2785761 Pte Roy Dibert (Rifleman) 215978 Pte Russell (Rus) Tyers (Rifleman & Machine gun) deceased and though not in ‘My Section’ but became the Platoon Photographer during the period that I was Acting Platoon Sargent 2785603 Pte Robert (Bob) Wickes (Forward Scout) Note: Many of the photographs included in these ‘Memories of the Horseshoe’ were taken by Bob Wickes. His photos of 5 Platoon in Veitnam were of so high quality and thought that they are now held in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Other photographs are from the 2RAR ‘First Tour’ website and some were taken by myself and some were taken by Platoon Commander Lt. Eric Pearson. Ends

04.01.2022 2st September 2020 Today, The Curator along with two Somalia veterans of the 2/4 RAR period sorted out the small number of items the 2 RAR Historical Collection holds on Somalia. Bill Redlich served in D Coy, 2/4 RAR and was posted in for the Deployment with the 1st Battalion Group in D Coy, 1 RAR. Troy McGill served in B Coy, 2/4 RAR and was posted over to B Coy, 1 RAR. In all 53 soldiers from 2/4 RAR were posted over the road at short notice, as was the practice during this... time when 3 Brigade was the Operational Deployment Force (ODF). They were recalled from leave and gone very quickly, returned from the deployment and back into 2/4 RAR. If you were one of the 53 soldiers from 2/4 RAR that served over the road, please consider donating items and getting your photo collection to us to scan with our $500 scanner, which can do an image up to 9600 dpi optically. The photos will be scanned under your name and added to the collection. Please contact us to arrange this I must also mention, Malcolm, one of our volunteers was skiving off playing video games when he should have been working. Were not sure if he was responsible, but we did notice some of the Mornos cake missing! Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

03.01.2022 2nd August 2020 Alan Weldon Alan served in 2 RAR during the Battalions First Tour of South Vietnam in 1967/1968. He later served another tour with 5 RAR. Alan passed away in Adelaide on 15th August. His funeral was a private family affair.... RSL Care SA will conduct a memorial service for Alan in the near future. RIP Alan Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

03.01.2022 10th February The Battalion Brass Skippy Badge Do you have pictures of the Battalion’s Skippy Badge? We are trying to collect pictures of the Battalion’s Skippy Badge in different location’s it has resided.... RAR Skippy Brass Badges In June 1950, 3RAR - then in Japan - had four large badges cast out of spent brass shell cases by members of the Assault Pioneer Platoon. Each of the three Battalions were given a badge and the other went to 1st Infantry Brigade Headquarters. When the Brigade at Holsworthy was disbanded to form Headquarters 1st Division at Moore Park the badge was handed to 2RAR - then based at Holsworthy - for safekeeping and it was presented to 4RAR when it was formed at Woodside SA in 1964. All Battalions of the Regiment now have large badges 5 RAR was presented with theirs by the 2/5th Infantry Battalion Association in November 1967 and 7 RAR's was donated by the 2/7th lnfantry Battalion Association in September 1966. The crest displayed by 6 RAR was partially cast using artillery and small arms shells fired at the Battle of Long Tan at the Stuart Copper Refinery in Townsville in 1968. One 8/9RAR Badge was presented to 8RAR on the Battalion's first birthday by 4 RAR on 8th August 1967. This badge was cast from shells fired by "V" Battery and Dragon Battery, Royal Artillery, in support of 4 RAR operations in Sarawak April-September, 1966. The 9 RAR badge was cast by the Naval Dockyard Foundry in Singapore in 1970 using 1 RAR's badge as a diecast, although the crown was changed to a Queen’s crown. Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

03.01.2022 Vale - Mark A Davis (Shorty) Shorty served in The 2nd/4th Battalion from 31/3/82 until 6/5/87, he passed away in Mannum SA on the 8th of February. Shorty's ...funeral service will be conducted at the graveside at the Mannum Cemetary at 1100hrs on Friday the 19th of February. R.I.P. Shorty and condolences to family, friends and brothers in arms. Shorty also served with 6 RAR/NZ in Vietnam

03.01.2022 2nd August 2020 Edward Ted Daly 2 RAR and 6 RAR Alan served in 2 RAR in 1963 in Enoggera Barracks till 1965 when 2 RAR was split to form 6 RAR he then became part of the founding elements of 6 RAR. He went on to serve in both tours of South Vietnam with 6 RAR. RIP Ted... Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

03.01.2022 Today we farewelled one of our own, LCPL Cody Langham, who tragically passed away recently. Cody was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and those who worked with Cody appreciated his dedication to serving his country. Rest in peace Cody, you will be missed.

02.01.2022 #OTD INTERFET Today we remember and thank all the men and women who served in East Timor as part of the UN International Force East Timor (INTERFET). Arrivin...g in country on the 20th of September 1999, approximately 5,500 Australians served, and two Australians died from non-combat related injuries. Although a multinational deployment, Australia was by far the largest contributor. Australians would continue to serve in East Timor in other peace keeping operations until December 2012. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

02.01.2022 In September 1947, the first Australian peacekeepers arrived in the Netherlands East Indies to begin work as unarmed military observers. Today, on National Pea...cekeepers and Peacemakers Day, we acknowledge the vital role of #OurPeople in peace operations with the United Nations and Multinational Force and Observers. Peacekeepers and peacemakers have played, and continue to play, a critical role in providing support and assistance to victims of conflict, in often unstable and dangerous locations. Their work provides shelter, medical assistance and security to those who need it most. Thank you to all who have served in these roles to create a better world for current and future generations. #GoodSoldiering

02.01.2022 Hagar was a section commnader in 2 RAR and served in East Timor and Afghanistan when he was serving in the Battalion Cheers The Curator... Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion

01.01.2022 30th August 2020 Today, I went and opened the Collection for a special visitor, Ron Walker and his son Jamie Walker. Jamie has broken Ron out and now is taking him on a journey out towards Mt Isa and beyond. Ron brought more donations; we now have a large box in the collection with all Rons donations. Normally the collection isnt opened on the weekend, but for Ron we will make that effort. Ron was with the Battalion at last years Samichon Day and has been a guest at some d...inners as well. Hes a character and has a great memory. Its always a pleasure Ron. Still Second To None! and one of the soldiers that helped earn the Regimental Battle honour Samichon Cheers The Curator Please like our Page to see our future posts Please share our posts to any group, page or your own news feed to help spread the great work and history of a great Battalion