We have been advised by Robin’s daughter that he passed away on Wednesday 25/10/2023. A service will be held in November to commemorate him with those details to be forthcoming.
Please forward any correspondence or queries to his daughter Dana Martin at Email:[email protected] Rob was assistant adjutant on 2nd tour.
Sincerely
Wendy M McLean J.P.(Qual) LM
Secretary/Membership Officer
4RAR Association Qld. Inc.’
16 December 1937 – 27 October 2023
Aged 85 Years
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Jim Oldfield this morning after a long battle with health issues. Jim joined the army in April 1968 and was allocated direct to RACMP. Jim served at various postings in VIC, NSW & QLD, he also served with the PM Directorate office Canberra as the RACMP Career Management SO4. Jim served in Vietnam from July 1970 – July 1971.
Jim had a firm but fair attitude through all aspects of his career and was a highly respected soldier who could always be relied upon.
He will be sadly missed by all who served with him.
LEST WE FORGET
Condolences to: Mrs Helen OLDFIELD & Family
311 Carlyle Gardens
Beck Drive North
Condon QLD 4815
Funeral Details: TBA
Footnote. Jim once told me how he became to be known as Jim rather than being called by his given Christian name. His father’s name was James (Jim). As a little boy growing up in the small town of Gloucester NSW he would accompany his father all over town and the locals would always refer to his father and he as big Jim and little Jim. Hence the name Jim, stuck and remained for life.
John Watson
It is with sadness that I pass on the unexpected news of Bob Freemans’ passing on the 13th of this month.
Bob has been described by all in two words, “THE BEST”, an accolade much superior (in my thoughts) than any medal or honour, truly he will always be the best.
I first met him the SME where I was attending a course, and he was on his IET training course. I was on guard (picquet) duty and doing my rounds of the Ors mess when I sighted him sitting at the aisle end of a table. I could not believe that anyone could look like another mate from 32, Tich Freeman, so I approached and sat opposite Bob and ask if his name was Freeman, he replied yes! I shook his hand and proceeded in a chat! He told me during a phone call many years later that he had not forgotten that day, and that in his words “Shit! I thought I had stuffed up and was in the shit again” when I approached him. His brother Tich and he served our nation in 32 Small Ship Sqn and in many trips to SVN during that war.
Both he and Tich (my best man at my wedding in 1965) will always be special in my thoughts.
To Dale, Jade and Glen, (his children), the family, shipmates and friends’ condolences are offered, he is now with his brother Tich, no doubt in deep discussion about all matter of things. “The Best Of A Kind Together”.
May he now Rest in Peace, not to be forgotten.
Funeral details as follows:
11.00am, Tuesday ,7 November 2023 at:
Dubbo Crematorium
Corner Yarrandale Road / Moffat Drive
Dubbo NSW 2830
Any additional advice will be on-forward if received.
Hans-Joachim (John or Speedie) SAHARIV
Shipmate and fellow Sapper
We have received advice of the death on 21 October 2023 of Brian (Ben) Hall. Brian served in the RAA in various postings including as a Captain with 106 Field (Trials) Battery in 1976. He spent some time in Canberra and was on the Board of the Royal Australian Historical Company for some years. Brian had been ill for some years but died peacefully at a hospice in Canberra. No
funeral details are known at this stage.
RIP Brian Hall
P J Bruce, OAM, JP
Rod was the loving husband of Anne for 53 years; devoted dad to Tim and Simon; the doting ‘Grandpa Rock’ to Ryan, Grace, Emily, Ava and Lucy; the loving brother ‘Pip’ to Tony and Fran; and the cheeky ‘Uncle Rod’ to Sue, Cathy, Libby and Phil, Helen, Sarah and Anne Marie.
Rod was a proud Aquinian, an Army Officer of the Class of ’63, a former SAS Officer including being the Commanding Officer of the SAS and Commander Special Action Forces. He was also a member of the RSL, a Legatee and avocado farmer and real estate agent.
Rod touched the lives of so many through his kindness, selflessness and generosity. He trained and inspired a generation of young military leaders.
We will remember him forever.
***
FUNERAL SERVICE: Rod’s funeral will be at Norfolk Chapel, Karrakatta Cemetery on Friday 3rd November at 12pm (1200 hours).
We have received advice of the death on 8 October 2023 of Michael Murray Young. He was 77. Michael was a National Serviceman who served with the Detachment, 131st Divisional Locating Battery in Vietnam from September 1967 until September 1968. No other details are known at this stage.
RIP Michael Murray Young.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
12 September 1946 – 18 October 2023
PTE Macklan ‘Mack’ Gridley passed away on Wednesday 18 October, at his home in Narrabeen.
Mack, a National Serviceman, did his initial training at 1 Recruit Training Battalion and his Corps training at 3 Training Battalion (Infantry Corps Wing) He joined 5 RAR in December 1967 and deployed, with the Battalion, to Vietnam on 27 January 1969. Mack returned to Australia on 4 June of that year. This early return was the fact that his National Service commitment was due to end on 11 July 1969.
A private cremation will be held for Mack and a memorial service will be held on a date (to be advised) in November.
Regards,
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
Dave collapsed and died suddenly last Saturday morning, 14th October. He was member of Noble Park Sub branch VVAA; a great bloke who seemed to always have a smile on his face and was ever ready to lend a hand.
Dave’s funeral will be at 11am this Thursday, 26 October, at Boyd Chapel, Springvale Botanical Cemetery . . . afterwards at the Noble Park RSL, 1128 Heatherton Rd, Noble Park.
Lest we Forget
John Bowles
1/9/1947 – 16/10/2023
Funeral Details: Thursday 26th October 2023 at 2:00pm. Carr and Kleeman Funeral Home 1 Morphett St Mount Barker. Followed by a burial at Mount Barker Lawn Cemetery at 33 Karkoo Crt Mount Barker.
We have received advice of the death in July 2023 of Kevin John Saloway. He was 77. Kevin served with105th Field Battery during their first tour of Vietnam from September 1965 until September 1966. Kevin was also a life member of the 105th Battery Association. Kevin lived at Gwandalan, NSW.
RIP Kevin John Saloway.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer