11 April 1944 – 5 August 2022

CPL Kevin ‘John’ Smee died in hospital on Friday 5 August, he had been admitted to the hospital some time ago.

John enlisted in January 1963, he did his training at 1 RTB and then Infantry Centre before joining 1 RAR in August of that year. He was a founding member of 5 RAR when the Battalion served on both tours of South Vietnam. As a LCPL with CHQ of B Coy on the 1966-67 tour and a CPL with ADM Coy on the 1969-70 tour. John stayed with 5 RAR until it was linked with 7 RAR and then served 6 years with 5/7 RAR. He continued in the ADF, serving for 20 years and discharging in January 1983.

John’s Funeral Service will be held at the C.J. Finney Centre, 34 Nunamina Ave, Kingsmeadows at 12.30hrs on Monday 15 August.

Regards,

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

We have received advice of the death of WO2 I J (John) Langridge. John was in the RAA and served in Vietnam with AATTV from March 1965 until February 1966. His postings with AATTV included SFGA Team A-102, A Shau, Thua Thien and HQ AATTV Saigon.  John had been living overseas and his funeral service was held overseas. He was 83.

RIP Irwin John Langbridge

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Funeral arrangements: Lilydale Crematorium (Victoria Rd Lilydale VIC) Thursday July 21st @11:45. The service will be live streamed through William Matthews Funerals http://www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au/index.htm

If you attend, please wear a touch of red. Anne (Daughter)

Don Rae has advised that a funeral service for Les Herbert will be conducted at the Simplicity Funeral Chapel, 442 Scarborough Beach Road, Osborne Park (Perth WA) on Wednesday 17.08.2022 at 10.00AM. Contact Simplicity Funerals (08) 9443 1666 for live stream link.

Kind regards

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

We received the following from Barry Francis:   Sadly, I need to advise of the passing of Neville Lehfeldt. Nev was a section commander with 2 Platoon A Coy on the second tour before being wounded and returned home. He passed away last night in a nursing home in Brisbane from COVID complications to his severe Dementia.

His funeral will be held at St Anthony’s Catholic Church Bracken Ridge on Monday, August 22nd, at 11.45am. RIP Nev.

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.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

It is my sad duty to advise Richard Irons aged 75, passed away Wednesday 10th August in the Mater Private Hospital, Rockhampton with family by his side. He had dealt with Cancer without fuss & a positive outlook since diagnosed last year. Wife Heather (Ex Nurse) & family have been a tower of strength for Richard during this time.

Richard (Dick) joined 6 RAR in February 1968, being one of over 90, of the 10th Intake National Service contingent, in the build-up for the Battalions 2nd tour of Vietnam.

Rod Chandler (MM) was 10 Pl Commander for most of Richard’s Townsville training & Vietnam service said, Dick showed leadership qualities early & eventually became 2IC in the Gun Group overseas. He was always a team player, well respected & loved & played an important part in 10 Pl.
His loyalty to all the Team was paramount to Dicks Character.  RIP DICK

Condolences cards etc can be forwarded to the immediate family: Wife Heather, Children: – Michael, Ruth, David & John at, Heather IRONS & Family, 377 Limestone Creek Road, Yeppoon Q 4703.

Richards Funeral will be held at 10am, Friday19 August 2022, at the Capricorn Coast Uniting Church, 17 Lorikeet Avenue, Yeppoon Q 4703, followed by a Cemetery Burial at Yeppoon.   Umbrellas or hats are recommended.

Heather & the Family wish to invite all to the Yeppoon Bowls Club after the Burial

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.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

8 Apr 1942 – 9 Aug 2022

We have received advice of the death on 9 August 2022 of Robert James Braid. Bob served in Vietnam with 104^th Field Battery as a Gun Sergeant from May to December 1971. Bob was a South Australian but died in Cairns after apparently a long illness. No other details are available currently. Bob was 80.

RIP Robert James Braid

P J Bruce, OAM, JP

12 Jul 1935 – 8 Aug 2022

Sadly, I advise that Max Muir passed away this morning in Hobart. Max was our Sergeant in Vietnam May 66 – Apr 67 in the D&E Platoon 1ATF Nui-Dat.

He also served with the training team May 70 – May 71.

Further details when they come to hand.

The RAA Association of South Australian have advised of the death on 28 July 2022 of Tony Ravesi. Tony undertook National Service training in the late 1950’s at Woodside as a member of the ‘artillery platoon’, and subsequently joined 13 Field Regiment at Keswick where he continued to serve for some time as a Gunner. In later years he joined the Association and, although suffering from ill-health for several years, made his best effort to attend the Gunner Dinner on several occasions. His funeral service will be held on Thursday 11^th August at 10.30am, at St Patrick’s Church, 268 Grote St, Adelaide, followed by his burial at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena.

RIP Tony Ravesi

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Coll Flatters has advised of the death on 26 July 2022 of Barry David Goddard. He was two days short of his 83rd birthday. Barry, better known to his Army mates as Ben, joined the Army through the Army Apprentices scheme back in 1955 and was a member of the 10th Intake. He was trained as a Vehicle Mechanic and served in 2 Base Workshop and 1 Company RAASC before being posted to 101 Field Battery Light Aid Detachment (LAD) in 1960 and then 103 Field Battery LAD at Terendak Camp near Malacca in Malaya. Barry was a very popular figure in both the sub-Branch and the community and will be sorely missed.

RIP Ben Goddard

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer