VALE – 3789344 CPL Garry Charles McKim – RACMP

29 October 1945 – 7 July 2024

Aged 78 Years

Garry was called up for NS in 1966 and because he was a Member of the Victoria Police, he was allocated to RACMP. Garry served in Vietnam from April 1967 to March 1968.

On discharge, Garry returned to Victoria Police, where he remained

until his retirement as a Chief Superintendent.

LEST WE FORGET

Thank you for your service digger, you were a good soldier and a good policeman.

Condolences to :   Mrs. McKenzie & Family

9 Lapwing Place

Burleigh Waters   QLD   4220

Funeral Details :   Not available.

 

Death Notice 3791411 Patrick Harrington O’Hara – RAA

We have received advice of the death on 1 June 2024 of Patrick Harrington O’Hara.

He was 78. Patrick was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with108th Field Battery, of 4th Field Regiment from November 1967 until May 1968.

After Army service, Patrick became a high school teacher and later a TAFE Teacher in Canberra and at the Yirrakala aboriginal community in the Northern Territory.

RIP Patrick Harrington O’Hara.

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au

Death Notice 217521 Alan Roy Johnston – RAA

We have received advice from 105 Bty Association of the death on 28 June 2024 of Alan Roy Johnston.

He was 74. Alan was an ARA Gunner and served with 105 Field battery in Vietnam on the 2nd Tour 1969-70 as an FO Sig in the D Company 5RAR FO Party, and later as a Bombardier in 1st Field Regiment. While in the D Coy 5RAR FO Party, Alan was wounded in a mine incident at Dat Do early in the tour in 1969, was medevac’d back to Australia, but later returned to 1st Field Regiment in November ’69 to finish the tour.

He was a Life Member of the 105 Battery Association. Alan and wife Deb had retired to live in Ballina NSW.

RIP Alan Johnston.

Ubique

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au

VALE: 216303 SGT Kelvyn (Kel) Ambrose WIGGINS

5 September 1944 – 30 June 2024

Aged 79 years

It is with deep regret that I inform you that Kel passed away after A long battle with cancer and other illnesses.

Kel joined the Army In the mid 1960’s and was allocated to RA Sigs.  He served in Vietnam with 557 Sig Tp in 1967 and on his RTA, he transferred to RACMP.

Kel served in Melbourne and Puckapunyal during his RACMP service and took his discharge in the mid 1970’s to pursue a career in the security industry.

Kel was a happy go lucky style of character who had a keen sense of humour and a good natured/fairness attitude to all.   He will be sorely missed.

LEST WE FORGET

Rest in peace digger, you have done your job and are no longer in pain. Thank you for your service, you are now in God’s hands. He will look after you.

Death Notice Denis Tompkins

We have received advice of the death on 26 June 2024 of SSgt Denis Tompkins.
Denis was well known in his role as Transport Sgt in 13 Fd Regt, which he performed in an exemplary manner. He diligently trained and coordinated his

team of drivers, who could be relied on to do their job well. In recent years he and his wife Jan lived in the Barossa, but notwithstanding the distance, they were regular attendees at Gunner Dinners in Adelaide. His
funeral service will be held on Friday 5 July at 1.00pm at Our Lady of the Catholic Church, 26 Gawler St, Nuriootpa. If you are able to attend, it will be appropriate to wear the Gunner tie and full-size medals.

RIP Denis Tompkins

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au

Death Notice Colonel Brian William Cloughley (Retd), AM

We have received advice of the death on 27 June 2024 of Brian William ‘Cluffers’ Cloughley. He was 84. Brian died peacefully in France, his home for many years, on 27 June ’24. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated without ceremony in Auxerre this Wednesday.

Brian joined the British Army (RA) in 1959 and transferred to the Australian Army (RAA) in 1970. In the RA he saw active service in Borneo (including serving as an FO with an Australian battalion) and Cyprus and was attached to the Jordan Desert Police Force.  Whilst in the RAA he served in Vietnam (Civil Affairs). He was deputy head of the UN mission in Kashmir (1980-83) and, later, Australian Defence Attaché in Islamabad (1988-1994). In 1985 he was appointed to the Order of Australia.  Following retirement from the Army Brian was involved in analysis of sub-continent affairs and wrote extensively on the region, as well writing several books.

RIP Brian “Cluffers” Cloughley.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

RAAHC

pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au

 

Death Notice David Euan Spark – RAA

We have received advice of the death on 23 June 2024 of David Euan Spark. He was 88. David, aka Hughie, served in Malaya with ‘A’ Field Battery from 1957 to 1959, and again in Malaysia with 103rd Field Battery from 1961 to 1963.Hughie served two tours in Vietnam, firstly with 103rd Field Battery in 1967/68 and again with 1st Field Regiment in 1969/70. Hughie retired from the Army to the family grape farm near Mildura. At his request, there was no funeral.

Rip David Euan (Hughie) Spark

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au