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
We have received advice of the death on 20 September 2023 of Albertus (Willy) Willemsen. He was 76. Willy was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with 105th Field Battery of 1st Field Regiment from February 1969 until December 1969. Willy was a life member of the 105th Battery Association and had lived at Wheelers Hill in Victoria.
RIP Albertus (Willy) Willemsen.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
We have received advice of the death on 13 October 2023 of Peter William Fleming. He was 78. Peter was a regular soldier who deployed to South Vietnam with 105th Field Battery in September 1965. Peter remained with 105th Field Battery until they returned to Australia in September 1966. Peter deployed to Vietnam again in September 1967 with 106th Field Battery of 4th Field Regiment. Peter spent time in FO Parties as well as on the gun line. He returned home from his second tour of Vietnam in September 1968.
RIP Peter William Fleming.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
6/11/26 – 11/10/23
My father BRIG John McDonagh RAE died last Tuesday.
Would you be able to put his funeral notice on your website please?
“Family and friends are invited to a funeral service BRIG John F McDonagh RAE , at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park South Chapel, 12 Military Rd Matraville NSW, on Wednesday 1 November 2023, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Legacy please.:
LEST WE FORGET
Richard McDonagh