It is with regret that I must inform you that Jeffery R Korn, ex 1734291 Pte J. R. Korn of Delta Coy, 6 Rar/NZ Anzac Battalion during the 1969-70 tour of Vietnam passed away in the Prince Charles Hospital yesterday, the 28th  of December 2021 at approx noon. 

As Jeff and I grew up together, attended school in Proserpine, got called up for N. S., attended both infantry rookie, and corp training in Singleton in the same huts, then both served with 6 RAR in Vietnam, except I went to Alpha Coy. and Jeff went to Delta Coy, his brother Trevor has informed of his sad passing. Jeff has lived on Bribie Island in later years, and was heavily involved with the RSL there, and was the master-mind behind the replica of the long tan cross and gardens being instaled there a few years ago.

To date I don’t have information about his Funeral Service, I believe that his step-son Kevin is in charge of these proceedings, and I will pass the info on as soon as it is available.   REST IN PEACE  old mate.

Funeral information will be provided by email and on Facebook when known.

Please join us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one.  Another 6 RAR family member, taken too soon.

I have been asked to pass on the very sad news of the passing of John (Eddie) Dyer who died in the early hours of Christmas Day after a valiant battle with cancer. He was just 2 days short of his 75th birthday.

Eddie joined the Reserve (CMF) on 25th June 1965 and retired on 27th December 2001 after serving 36 years. Eddie obtained the rank of WO1 before commissioning and reaching the Rank of Major.

Eddie was a very proud “Valley Boy” and served most of his Military Service with the Latrobe Valley based RAE Squadrons – 38 Field Squadron from 1965 – 1977 and 39 E&M Squadron 1977 – 2001 where he also spent time as the OC.

The family have provided the following 

John Edward Dyer was born in Greenock in Scotland and came to Australia at 3years old.  He grew up in Newborough.  He joined the Citizens Military Forces in Jan 1965.  He joined Victoria Police in 1969 and had a brief stint in Melbourne before returning to Newborough.  He was stationed at Moe and Morwell over the years. 

He was a keen pilot and obtained his private pilot license in 1998.  He only recently sold his plane due to ill health.

He has been married to Linda for 52 years and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren

An RAE man through and through Eddie often joined the Association for activities with the last being the Ringwood RSL pre–Anzac Day march on 18th April 2021 where he proudly marched with his daughter Julie – the attached photo is from that march.

I am honoured to be able to call Eddie my friend but sad that I must now say goodbye to him.

Eddie’s funeral will be conducted at 10.30am on 04th January 2022 at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services – Traralgon and afterwards at Morwell RSL. The funeral service will also be live streamed.

Eddie, you have served your country with distinction through commitment, pride and dignity not only within Defence but also the Victorian Police Force. You have upheld the traditions of the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers to the highest levels.

Farewell Eddie my friend – Rest in Peace as your duty is now done.

It is with deep regret that I advise that our Past President, Colonel Francis Adrian Roberts MG OAM (Rtd), passed away this morning at Fred Ward Gardens, Curtin.

Funeral details have not yet been arranged as COVID limitations need to be adhered to as well.

As soon as these details are known I will forward them to you.

So far I have been advised that if the COVID restrictions permit, the funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Curtin, ACT.

The funeral is expected to be live-streamed and details for that will be given when known.

Advice has been obtained of the death recently of Gregory Robert Jackson. Greg was called up for National Service in 1966 and served with 108^th Field Battery in Vietnam from June 1967 until February 1968. He was 76.  No other details are known at this stage.

I regret to inform you of the death of Dave Kibbey. Dave has been sick for some three years but in his “never give in” fashion, he fought until he finally succumbed on Christmas Eve.

Dave was OC 9 Platoon C Company 7RAR 1970-71, a former 7RAR Association President and Commanding Officer of 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka.

Dave was so full of energy, vitality and seemingly bulletproof that it’s hard to imagine him not being around. Rest In Peace Dave, you will be sadly missed by the 7RAR Family.

I would expect the funeral to be held in Canberra and with COVID running our lives, I don’t know if we will be able to attend. However, when I have confirmed details I will advise.

Sadly, I advise of the passing of Brig. Rod West’s (Rtd) wife Dianne.

For those who crossed paths with Rod (Skipper/Sir) and Diane West, you would know that Rod and Di were joined at the hip. Rod’s loss is compounded with such a sad and sudden happening at this time of year.

Julie and I wish to extend our personal condolences to Rod and their Family as we stayed at their home in Washington DC in June 2010, when Rod was the Military Attaché. Ray.

Di’s funeral will be held on Tuesday 21 December 2021 at The Southport School Chapel commencing at 1500h. Followed by a wake at the Southport Golf club.

With apologies for the late notice, we have received advice of the death of Rodney Allan Law on 28 November 2021.  Rod served in the Regular Army from January 1983 until April 2018 when he transferred to the Active Army Reserve until discharge in November 2021. Rod served overseas in New Zealand, East Timor (Operation Tanager), Middle East (Operation Mazurka), Afghanistan (Operation Slipper), and Afghanistan again (Operation Accordion/High Road).   Rod served with 1^st Regiment, 4^th Regiment and 23^rd Regiment as well as various Combat Support Units. Rod was discharged as a Warrant Officer Class Two.

RIP Rodney Allan Law.

53 Years ago tomorrow, I lost a very good mate and his family lost a son & brother. John was a bit of a rogue and when I think of some of the things we got up to, I smile every time. John had a red Triumph Bonneville that he treasured and he was forever in trouble riding it into our hut and keeping it at the end of his bed. Together we created so many great memories, his life was short, but I hope I have lived my life in his memory.

Ray

Bill Charlton wrote this poem about John.

JOHN H KALMA 1RAR

John was only 17 when he enlisted in ’64.

Born in The Hague he arrived here when he was 4.

The 6 foot 4 inch soldier did two tours of Viet Nam.

Nothing ever seemed to faze this young man.

His first tour with 1RAR was 1965-66.

On the second tour in ’68 promotion was in the mix.

He was appointed Lance Corporal in the line.

But on 19th December he was killed by a mine.

The young NCOs luck had finally run out.

He was headed for a fine career of that there is no doubt.

But tomorrow is not promised and to death we all are prone.

There were only 6 more weeks to go before he headed home.

Bill Charlton c 2019

Sad news has been received of the passing of Herb (Pawczynski) Dittman. He had been ill for some time (hard to imagine Herb ever being ill).

To his family and friends condolences are offered, he will surely be in deep conversation with his ‘One Tak Rosco’ discussing the condition and playing tactics on the Lord’s golf course in paradise. Or, maybe the last card game he says he should have won!

“Rest in Peace Herb, keep a place for me at the card table, and keep the drivers clean and polished.

Let Rosco know I place a poppy at the Woden Veterans Wall each ANZAC Day. ..you both will not be forgotten” (Speedie).

My kindest regards at this sad time.

John Sahariv

It is with a heavy heart that I have to advise that Albert John (Bert) Ollerenshaw, WO1, SN 172318, passed away on Friday, 10 December 2021 after a long illness.

Bert was 3^rd Intake, National Service, in 1953. He enlisted with 28 Fd Pk Sqn and eventually gained the rank of WO1 as Chief Clerk, 5 Fd Engr Regt, (at Kelvin Grove)

before it disbanded around 1985. Bert was a well-known member of our Corps.

His Family have advised his funeral will be held on Monday, 20 December 2021 commencing at 3.30pm at Mt Thompson Crematorium.

There will be an RSL Poppy Service. Attendees will be required to “sign-in “ with the QR Code and Alex Gow Funeral Directors have arranged for “live streaming”.

Afterwards, the family have arranged a wake at the Mt Gravatt Hotel.

Kind regards,
Bob Bannan,