RSL Flagbearer for the Remembrance Day service. 1RAR Malayan Emergency Veteran of the 1950’s. “True Blue”. Eddie Barton (MMG Pl/Anti-Tank Pl, Support Coy 1959-63).
P.s Ray, Can this be circulated. I may find some vets of my era.
Thanks Eddie
A friendly reminder, the 1RAR Brisbane Old Boys Monthly luncheon will be held on Sunday 28 November 21, at the Gaythorne RSL.
The lunch is open to all EX 1 RAR members, your families and friends. If you’re attending, can you please RSVP by Thursday 25 November 21.
This will be the last luncheon for 2021.
Please, RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected]
Date: 28 November 2021
Time: 12:00 noon
Location: Gaythorne RSL
534 Samford Road
Mitchelton, QLD 4053
Stay Safe
Paul Anderson
Please see below the request from Dr Andrew Richardson from the Australian War Memorial who is writing the official history of 1 RAR‘s AUSBATT Deployments to East Timor.
I am writing the Official History of Australian Peacekeeping in East Timor (2000-05) at the AWM. It’s the first half of the larger volume covering 2000-12. I have drafted most of my part of the volume, and have assigned a single chapter (15,000 words) to each of the nine AUSBATTs that rotated through, based on the extant operational records and where applicable, interviews.
I am writing on both 1RAR’s first rotation under John Caligari (October 2000-April 2001) and its second under Stuart Smith (May-November 2003). Both had a number of key differences (wet season, militia contacts, maturity of Timorese agencies), but both were primarily concerned with ensuring security and stability in AO Matilda.
I acknowledge that size constraints limit how much of each battalion’s tour I can retell, but I am nonetheless anxious to capture as much of the detail, experience and perspective as I can. That includes interviews, copies of maps and photos, and copies of diaries, letters and documents.
I am, of course, limited by space about what I can include, but aside from material that is of centrality to the core story in the Official History, it’s nonetheless extremely important that a body of 1RAR Battalion Group (AUSBATT III and AUSBATT VIII) accounts, recollections, photos, diaries and other material be collected to produce an archive of the battalion’s role. This will ensure it is adequately represented in the Official History’s (and ultimately AWM’s) collection.
I’m broadly satisfied with my present coverage of the battalion group’s tour, but there is always scope to add colour, stories and photos (I have very few, and would deeply appreciate hi-res copies of the photos used in Operation Lorosae and Timor Blue). If you feel you have something to contribute – including stories, images, diaries or other material – I welcome veterans to contact me via my email, [email protected] I also encourage any questions and am happy to answer them to the best of my ability. Every perspective is valuable and important.
I hope that some of the members of each of battalion group are interested in coming forward to share their stories, photos and material. They will be received warmly and supportively.
With kindest regards,
(Dr) Andrew Richardson
50 years ago today. This photo was taken by Alan Wilson at Baria with the old picture theatre in the background of the ARVN tank retreating.
This was the last day of the withdrawal from Nui Dat.
This was the last day of the withdrawal from Nui Dat.
Alan Wilson drove Major Ferris from Van Kiep to Nui Dat where the lock was placed on the gates. A stack of Vietnamese were waiting to access the closed Base, outside the Base until everyone was gone. There were 4 of us still at Baria working in the TOC Liason office in Baria and living at Van Kiep compound. Alan Wilson, Stuart Phillipson, John Robertson, myself (Robert Dunlop) and Lt Hickey.
We were still there until 24 November 1971 listening to nothing but squelch on the radio, when they hurriedly took us to Camp 500 at Vung Tau.
Robbo and myself were hurridly flown home after two nights with 104 Bty at Vungas. 104 Bty had no idea there were still some diggers at Baria from HQ Bty. I was supposed to have been home already with Hq Bty. Our office at Baria was a young A Battery officer who replaced Terry Sanders.
Alan was watching the convoy with the LO officer and grabbed his camera to get the photo but missed the main Aussie convoy although he was there.
Robert Dunlop
At this time (28-10-2021) the Coral Reunion planned for Melbourne in May of 2022 will still be ON.
The Covid situation will be reviewed next month and a decision either to proceed as planned or cancel will be made.
It is important that you stay safe and well and be vaccinated.
I also stress that our Coral Reunion Group is not associated in any way with a Battle of Coral-Balmoral memorial which is being planned for the town of Benalla in Victoria.
Cheers and ‘Rest Easy!’
Jack Parr
A friendly reminder, the 1RAR Brisbane Old Boys Monthly luncheon will be on Sunday 28 November 21, at the Gaythorne RSL.
The lunch is open to all EX 1 RAR members, your families and friends. If you are attending, please RSVP by Thursday 25 November 21.
This will be the last luncheon for 2021.
Please, RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected]
Date: 28 November 2021
Time: 12pm
Location: Gaythorne RSL
534 Samford Road
Mitchelton, QLD 4053
Stay Safe
Paul Anderson
My name is Colin Bermingham, I am the convener of the proposed Coral/Balmoral memorial.
The currently proposed date is Sunday 22nd May 2022 commencing at 1400 hrs.
A BBQ will be catered by Rotary Club of Benalla, in attendance will be Rose City Brass Band. There will be a flyover by local aircraft, local cadets, a flag party bearing National Flag, Naval Ensign, RAAF flag.
A welcome to Country service complete with Didgeridoo welcome.
The BBQ will commence at 1315hrs and be suspended 1359hrs to allow for the proposed service.
Following the main service, the BBQ will recommence. Attendees will then have time to intermingle.
A separate service will be held in remembrance of local National Serviceman Lindsay Noel Brown who was killed in action at the Fire Support Base Balmoral on 26th May 1968. We will also remember the 26 killed in action and 107 wounded in action during the Battle of Coral/Balmoral from 12th May 1968 until 6th June 1968
For further detail contact Colin Bermingham, phone 03 5116 5672 or [email protected]
To Current Members of 1RAR Association,
We had a cracker of a week, for those who were able to make it despite COVID.
A letter from President Jim Masters, OAM is here. Photos of the week received so far are on the Gallery here. If you have more, send them to [email protected] and we’ll post them ASAP.
We also held an AGM. The Minutes are here.
We’ve had a great response to the self-management of subscriptions. It’s great to have accurate records of members which improves targeted communications, and especially to support location gatherings. Paid member numbers have gone up. However, some members from last year have not re-registered and we suspect they are having difficulties with their PCs. If anyone needs help, let [email protected] know and we’ll help. One of the biggest problems detected is that not all dates of birth came across from old records before we went online, so some DOBs were ‘made up’ as the field is mandatory. Except to update the members’ list from last year, available here, this will be the last email to those who haven’t renewed. Renewal is as easy as clicking here; hitting the RENEW button; and entering surname and DOB and selecting membership type.
We hope everyone is well and looking forward to the end of lockdowns and border closures.
Duty First,
President and National Executive
1RAR Association
Does anyone know the address/phone/email number of Mick Rhodes, ex 1RAR.
If you can help please contact Dave his email is below.
Dave Miller ( [email protected] )
Ray
Would you post this please?
I’m chasing some Vietnam era sweat rags for a display, they are getting hard to find.
If anybody has some I’m willing to pay. I can be contacted via email. Thanks in advance.
-Stephen Johnston ( [email protected] )