22 September 1933 – 18 September 2022

MAJ Claude Decker MC, died in a nursing home on the evening of Sunday 18 September.

Claude was accepted into RMC-D in February 1952. In January 1957 he was posted to 3 RAR and deployed to Malaya, where he was awarded a Military Cross for gallantry while there. Claude had various postings, including 1 RAR and 4 RAR, Staff College and Officer Training Unit before deploying to SVN and joining HQ-AFV in January 1969. In April he joined 5 RAR as OC Charlie Company where he was mentioned in dispatches. Claude then transferred to the CMF and was discharged in 1983.

A Funeral Service for Claude will be held on Friday 30 September 11.00hours, at the Anzac Memorial Chapel of St Paul at Duntroon. Claude will be interned privately after the wake. A notice with further details will be in Saturday’s Canberra Times, Melbourne Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

garyt.5rar@gmail.com

16 August 1948 – 29 August 2022

CPL Guy Ansell died on Monday 29 August after a long and heroic battle with melanomas.

Guy enlisted in November 1967, and following initial training was allocated to the Corps of Infantry.  After training at Ingleburn NSW, he was posted to 5 RAR in May 1968 joining C Company.  Guy deployed to Vietnam with the Battalion’s Advance Party in January 1969.  He initially served as the OC’s Batman until transferring to Support Section in C Company Headquarters.  He was promoted to section commander. Guy returned to Australia on 5 February 1970.  He remained in 5 RAR and was discharged after his three years’ service in November 1970.

A Funeral Service for Guy was held by Farrell & O’Neill Funerals on Monday 5 September.

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

garyt.5rar@gmail.com

We have been advised of the death on 14 September 2022 of Darrel Cunnington. He was 79. Darrel was a CMF Warrant Officer in 11 Field Regiment who signed on to Full-time Duty as a Bombardier Command Post Signaller to join ‘A’ Field Battery on Operations in South Vietnam from 16 June 1971. When ‘A’ Battery ceased operations and moved to Vung Tau in October 1971, Darrel was one of several Battery members who transferred to 104 Battery and remained in Nui Dat until RTA on 15 Dec 1971.

RIP Darrel Albert Cunnington

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Aged 75 years. A veteran of A Coy, 9RAR 1968-69

Loving husband to Chris

Loved dad to Vicki and Phil, and Marc

Adored Chappie to Thomas and Lucy

We hope you’re somewhere warm, where the fish are biting and the Stanley Port is flowing.

Please join us to celebrate Chappie’s life, Thursday 22d September from 2:00pm at the Kimba Golf Club.

The Association regrets to advise the Passing of Petrus (Peter) De Jong, (RAEME) aged 81 years, on Sunday 18 September 2022.

Peter was a Recovery Mechanic and served with 1st Armoured Squadron Workshop and then C Squadron Section 1 Armoured Regiment LAD from February 1968 to December 1968 in Vietnam.

Peter was a highly respected member of the Australian Army, the Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the 1st Armoured Regiment.

May he Rest in Peace

Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)

It is my sad duty to advise you of the death today (12/9) of Laurie Lewis, Retired Brigadier and Officer Commanding C Company, 9 RAR during the Battalions tour of duty in Vietnam.

In addition to his military service Laurie was the former Chair of the Repatriation and General Hospital Board and Veteran’s Advisory Council.

His  funeral service will be held at Berry Funerals

198-204 Magill Road, Norwood SA 5067

1300 hrs. Tuesday 27th September 2022.

The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend on the link below

https://www.berryfunerals.com.au/notices-services/laurence-laurie-john-lewis-1934-to-2022

At the completion of the service there will be a “wake” to celebrate Laurie’s life at the:

Maylands Hotel

67 Phillis Street, Maylands SA 5069

Rest in Peace Laurie. Your Duty is Done

“Lest We Forget”

Michael von Berg MC OAM

President RARA-SA

29 June 1947 – 18 Sept 2022

It is with sadness that I have been advised by Brian Fitzpatrick of Tasmania that “ROBERT HENRY PEEBLES” passed away on Saturday the 18^th of September 2022. His Funeral is at 1.30pm on Friday 23^rd September 2022 at Preston Community Centre 325 South Preston Rd Preston Tas.

Live stream at vincentfunerals.com.au

Wendy M McLean

Secretary/Treasurer

We have received advice of the death recently of Jeffrey Ronald Bassford. He was 73. Jeffrey was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with the Detachment, 131 Divisional Locating Battery from April 1970 until April 1971. No other details are known at this stage.

RIP Jeffrey Ronald Bassford.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Very saddened to report the sudden passing after complications following a heart attack of our RAEME brother, David (Stretch) Cullinan on 3 September 2022

Dave was held in high esteem for his devotion to duty, skills, wit and dry humour. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

Condolences and thoughts to Sue, Ryan, Fiona and all the family.

Funeral details will be posted later.

RIP Dave. Stand down mate, your job is done.

Dave was a 23rd Intake Apprentice Vehicle Mechanic

Arte et Marte

Rest in Peace 

Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)

I have received notification of the passing of 2781319 Llewellyn (Lew) CONSERDYNE

Sadly, we have lost another valuable servant of the Corps and Country
581 Sig Tp South Vietnam 26 Apr 1966 – 12 May 1967

Llewellyn Conserdyne, one of the original members of 581 Sig Tp (145 Sig Sqn) has passed away after a long illness aged 77 years.
Llew was a 1st intake National Serviceman serving half of his service time in SVN. As a Linesman Field, he and 3 others were tasked with laying line firstly for 1ALSG Vung Tau circuits then at 1ATF Sig Sqn (103) through “the weeds” unprotected at Nui Dat. His group happened to be present there when the base was mortared prior to the Long Tan battle.
He leaves his wife Margaret, 2 sons and a daughter and several grandchildren.
His funeral will be conducted at the George Hartnett Chapel 21 Anzac Ave Redcliffe at 10 am on Wednesday 7^th Sept.

Followed by a wake at the Redcliffe RSL.

May He Rest in Peace.

Adam West