It is with great sadness we advise of the passing of Thomas William Tubbs on 16 December 2022 aged 76.
Tom served for 37 years in a variety of postings in Australia, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea.
17th Construction Squadron Workshop Vietnam: 29 Mar 1969 to 25 Mar 1970
Tom was laid to rest in a service at Drysdale Funerals Tewantin on Thursday 22 December 2022 at 02:00 pm
Joan Hutcheson has asked that we pass on details of a Celebration of Life for the late Allan Hutcheson. This celebration will be held at the Hutcheson home at 23 Masthead Close, Jindalee, WA from 3.00pm on Sunday 15 January 2023. All are welcome with further details available by contacting Joan Hutcheson on 0428 291 296.
Kind regards
Peter
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Sadly, we have received reliable information that David (Dave) GARRATT, who served in 6 RAR in the early 2000’s, possibly in A Coy as a CPL and in East Timor & Iraq, passed away in tragic circumstances on 21 Dec 2022.
Funeral information will be provided by email and on Facebook, when known.
Please join with 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.
Rest in Peace Dave.
LEST WE FORGET
Allan Whelan, Secretary
This email is forwarded to confirm the passing of Jim Durrant.
Jim’s wife Kay has advised that Jim passed away on Wednesday 21 December after a very long illness that taxed him and the family very hard. The family are planning Jim’s funeral today and Kay will advise details when planning has been finalised.
For those who might remember Jim, he was a former Senior Sailor commissioned in 1971 as a Seaman Officer. Jim later served as Co of HMAS BRUNEI and later still as XO of HMAS DIAMANTINA (I). Jim and I served together on a few occasions, mainly in the aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE and in HMAS DIAMANTINA (I).
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Yours aye
Bob Mummery
We have received advice of the death on 15 December 2022 of Keith David Charlton. He was 86. Keith served in Butterworth, Malaysia with 111 LAA Battery in 1964. He served in Vietnam with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) from December 1970 until December 1971. Keith also served at the School of Artillery, North Head and in 1976/77 was the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 16th Air Defence Regiment. A funeral service for Keith will be held at Eco Memorial Park, Mount Stapylton Chapel, 21 Quinns Hill Road West, Stapylton, Qld, on Thursday 22 December at 11.00am. Condolence messages can be passed to Ken Phillips: [email protected], ( Cannot confirm this email address at this stage)
RIP Keith David Charlton
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Sadly, we have received reliable information that Terry McDONALD, who served with 1 ARU, 9 RAR and then 2Pl A Coy 6 RAR Nov 69 to Jun 70, passed away on 10 Dec 22 and was buried on 15 Dec 22 – a copy of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Notice is attached.
Please join with 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.
Allan Whelan, Secretary
Graham Hampton from the Australian Artillery Association has provided advice of the death on 22 December 2022 of Robert George (Jock) McDowall. Jock was a former Chief Clerk of 1st Field Regiment in 1991/91. Other appointments include as Orderly Sergeant of that Regiment in 1984/85. He was later the Chief Clerk of DArty in 1986/87. On promotion to Warrant Officer Class One, Jock was appointed Chief Clerk of Army Office in Canberra in 1992/93. Jock retired from the Army at the end of 1993 and continued to work at Parliament House Canberra in a range of roles before retiring and remaining in Canberra.
Jock’s wife Lee has advised that a funeral for Jock will be held at White Lady Funerals, Belconnen on Tuesday 10 January 2023 at 10.30am. Wake details will be advised later.
RIP Robert George (Jock) McDowall
Peter Bruce, OAM, JP
President
4th Field Regiment (SVN) Old Boys
9 Feb 1947 – 25 Dec 2022
Advice has been received of the death on 25 December 2022 of John William Horder. He was 75. John served with 108th Field Battery in South Vietnam from June 1967 until May 1968. Later in his career he was appointed RSM of 16th Air Defence Regiment and for a time, the RSM of the School of Artillery at North Head. No funeral details are available at this stage.
RIP John William Horder.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
11 Apr 1930 – 18 Dec 2022
Gerrit served in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. He served as Band Master for 1RAR and also served with 173d Airborne Brigade Vietnam
His funeral service will be held on Friday, 6th January 2023 at the Centenary Memorial Gardens Chapel, 353 Wacol Station Rd, Sumner QLD 4074 at 10.30am.
We are then going to RSL/CSI North Ipswich for lunch and a couple of drinks for social catchup.
Regards,
Cynthia Bekendam
Soldiers from 13th Engineer Regiment trial new technology Ground Uncrewed System (GUS) during Exercise Talisman Sabre at RAAF Base Curtin, Western Australia. Photo: CPL Janet Pan.
The Australian Defence Force has further tested new ground uncrewed systems (GUS) as advancements in international unmanned technology show promising results. Soldiers from the 13th Engineer Regiment of the Australian Army evaluated these unmanned systems at RAAF Base Curtin near Derby, Western Australia.
In the realm of unmanned land-based robotics, the Australian Army had previously showcased fire and manoeuvre demonstrations featuring two autonomous Australian Army M113 AS4 armoured vehicles at Majura Training Area in late 2019, in front of senior leadership from the Department of Defence. It’s known that in-service R400 EOS remote weapon stations have been integrated onto M113 armoured personnel carriers to function as optionally crewed combat vehicles. The Army plans to conduct weapon system test firing in early 2024.
On the global stage, fully electric autonomous unmanned ground vehicles recently underwent trials, organized by the Estonian Military Academy and the Estonian Defence Forces in Estonia. These trials included obstacle avoidance, speed, and maneuverability challenges, with eleven companies participating over two days. The trials showcased the advancements in autonomous technology, impressing participants from over 20 countries.
Reflecting this progress, a participant in the trials stated, “These trials have shown just how far autonomous technology has come in recent years. We were proud to put our system to the test alongside some of the world’s most skilled developers. We are really pleased with our performance and look forward to seeing how our technology will evolve over the coming years.”
In the United States, recent contracts announced on July 31 focus on the design and prototyping of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, intended to replace the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The XM30 is the US Army’s inaugural ground combat vehicle crafted using modern digital engineering tools and techniques. Ed Zoiss, President of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems, expressed enthusiasm about working with partners to produce advanced and secure vehicles, incorporating innovative technologies for superior protection, firepower, and mobility. The vehicle features L3Harris third-generation sights to enhance threat identification capabilities.