Death & Funerals

Today, we solemnly remember the sacrifice of Lance Corporal John (Kal) Henry Kalma from Sydney, New South Wales. Born in The Hague, The Netherlands, in 1946, John dedicated himself to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), serving valiantly in the Vietnam War.

Tragically, on the 19th of December 1968, at the young age of 22, John paid the ultimate price for his commitment. He was killed in action by an enemy Claymore mine in Bien Hoa.

John had completed two tours of duty in Vietnam with 1RAR, the first in 1965-1966, and the second as a Lance Corporal rifleman in 1968.

His memory lives on as we honour and remember his service, bravery, and sacrifice.

Kal, was and will remain as one of my best mates and will forever be in my thoughts.

I miss you mate … Ray

Sadly, I advise of the death of a Frontline member, Brian Rees.

Brian’s son Craig advised that he passed away peacefully at 8:00am on 15^th December at RAAFA Bull Creek WA.

Brian served with 1 RAR in SVN during the Battle for Fire Support Coral in 1968.

Brian was a loving Brother to Edward, Graham, John & Lorraine

Dad to myself, Damo Rees, Mike Ellyard & Carolyn

Pop to Ashlee, Brodie, Shayla, Brock, Bonnie, Jake, Jess, Riley, Polly & Clancy

There will be a service at Karrakatta on the 21st December @ 10am Norfolk Chapel KARRAKATTA WA

There will be some food & drinks after service for 1 hour.

Please don’t bring any flowers, but if you wish to do something, please donate to the Diabetes association on Brian Rees behalf.

RIP Dad 1947-2023

16 May 1938 – 2 December 2023

Richard ‘Dickie’ Johns, formally of Fairy Meadow, died in Coledale Private Hospital on Saturday 2 December 2023.

Dickie enlisted in September 1958 and attended 1 RTB and then joined 4 RAR, serving in Singapore-Malaya. He then joined 1 RAR. When 5 RAR was formed he became a founding member. In 1965 Dickie served in New Guinea and in May 1966 he deployed to Vietnam with 5RAR Mortar Platoon Support Company. Originally as an MFC with Bravo Company and later as the Mortar Platoon SGT. He retired in 1970 with the rank of WO2.

A private cremation will be held for Richard.

Sincerely

Wendy M McLean J.P.(Qual) LM

Secretary/Membership Officer

4RAR Association Qld. Inc.’

16 May 1938 – 2 December 2023

SGT Richard ‘Dickie’ Johns, formally of Fairy Meadow, died in Coledale Private Hospital on Saturday 2 December 2023.

Dickie enlisted in September 1958 and attended 1 RTB and then joined 4 RAR, serving in Singapore-Malaya. He then joined 1 RAR. When 5 RAR was formed he became a founding member. In 1965 Dickie served in New Guinea and in May 1966 he deployed to Vietnam with Mortar Platoon Support Company. Originally as an MFC with Bravo Company and later as the Mortar Platoon SGT. He retired in 1970 with the rank of WO2.

A private cremation will be held for Richard.

Regards,

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

[email protected]

It is with a huge loss that Daniel James Korrel has passed away on Saturday 25th November 2024. Daniel leaves his wife Sue and daughter Rebekah. He has gone home to be with our Lord. Daniel served on HMAS Sterling and HMAS Perth and other vessels and was based in Perth, and moved to Queensland where he spent many years as a prison chaplain. A memorial service will be held in Perth in the new year and information can be obtained through Veterans Hub Australia at; [email protected]

We have received advice of the death on 13 November 2023 of Geoffrey Alan Bydder. He was 102 years and six months young.

Geoffrey was the last surviving member of the 2nd/8th Field Regiment which served during WWII in Egypt (Mersa Matruh), Syria, Morotai Island (May 1945) and North Borneo. The unit was formed as one of the 9th Division’s field regiments in 1940 and was equipped mainly with 25 Pounders. At the end of the war, the 2nd/8th Field Regiment was disbanded on 30 January 1946.

Gunner Bydder was born in Kew, Victoria and initially joined the RAAF in April 1940 before enlisting in the Army at Royal Park, Melbourne on 4 March 1941 at the age of 20. He discharged on 8 January 1946. Geoff and his wife Normie lived in Seaford, Victoria and was a proud member of the Seaford RSL. Earlier this year (2023) Geoff had received a Commonwealth Certificate of Appreciation from his local MP.

IP Geoffrey Alan Bydder.

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
[email protected]

It is with much sadness that I advise the passing of Bill Ritchie last night, Monday 27 Nov, in Hollywood Hospital.  Bill was 97 years young and a stalwart of many Ex-Service Organisations and well known for not missing a function – always happy to respond positively to an invite.

Bill was actually christened as Bill but, when enlisting in the RAN in 1944, was told that the navy would not recognise the name Bill, so Bill became William.  His long service as a sailor and an officer in the RAN included active service in WWII, Korea, the Malaysian Emergency and Vietnam.  He was Officer of the Day in the carrier HMAS MELBOURNE on Christmas Day 1974 in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Tracy.  What followed kept Bill a very busy man for some time.  His stories of that time, and others, are legendary.  He has written quite a tome on his naval career, maybe sometime in the future we may get to see and read it.

RIP Bill, you will be missed by many of your family and friends.

FUNERAL Details

10.00am Tuesday 12 December, Our Lady of Lourdes, 2 Townsend Road, Rockingham, WA, 6968

Bob Mummery

It is with sadness that I inform you that the wife of the late John Alfred Densley (WIA) who served with 1RAR in Vietnam 1965, passed away in the early hours of the 23 November.

Pam suffered a stroke at home in Warrnambool, Victoria, a few days earlier and was transferred to Geelong Hospital.

Pam will be buried in Hamilton with her late husband on Thursday 7 December at 10:00 am. A service will be held at the F. Greed Chapel 43 Collins Street. Hamilton. Victoria.

May she rest in peace.

Ray

Below is the corrected link to a live stream of the Requiem Mass for Arthur Bretherton.

https://lifelived.com.au/notices/arthur-bretherton/

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

RAAHC

[email protected]