11 April 1950 – 16 January 2023

Retired Major General and Liberal Senator, Jim Molan, has died aged 72, after a battle with cancer.

He died peacefully in the arms of his family.

The 72-year-old was elected as a federal senator for NSW in 2019.

His family said he had suffered a “sudden and rapid” decline after Christmas before dying peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family.

He was many things: a soldier, a pilot, an author, a volunteer firefighter and a senator.

Most of all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother.

During his military career, Molan was commanding officer of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, commander of the 1st Brigade, commander of the 1st Division and its Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, and commander of the Australian Defence College. In April 2004, he deployed for a year to Iraq to serve as Chief of Operations for the new Headquarters Multinational Force in Iraq.

He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Legion of Merit by the U.S. government. He retired from the Australian Army in 2008, and later that year released his first book, Running the War in Iraq.

Funeral details will be posted when known.

We have received advice of the death on 15 January 2023 of Raymond John Smith. He was 77. Ray was a National Serviceman from Tasmania who served with the Detachment 131 Divisional Locating Battery in Vietnam from May 1966 until May 1967. No other details are available at this stage.

RIP Raymond John Smith

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Sadly, we have received reliable information that former RSM, Kevin Duncan Stockley passed away on 6 Jan 2023 followed by his wife within 24 hours.

Due to the circumstances, the family are holding a private funeral at 2.30pm Friday 20 Jan 23 at White Lady Funerals, 210 Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane – however the family has extended an invitation to those who served with Kevin to attend.

Please join with us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one.  Another 6 RAR family member, taken too soon.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

Sadly, we have received confirmation via numerous sources that GREG HANSEN passed away in the early hours of 12 Jan 23.

As you can see from the heading, Greg served in many RAR Battalions including 6 RAR as the Battalion 2IC in the late 90’s or early 2000’s.

The funeral will be at the Mt Thompson Crematorium, 329 Nursery Rd, Holland Park QLD ((07) 3349 2001), at 2pm 20th of January 2023.

Medals to be worn.

Please join with us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one.  Another 6 RAR family member, taken too soon.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

Ray, Keep up the great work.

We have a ‘worthy’ that you may wish to mention.

Wellington  Lee     ~   who passed away on Christmas Day.

September 17, 1925 – December 25, 2022

We were privileged to be able to conduct the RSL segment of his Funeral Service on Friday 6th January 2023.

Attachments: Royal Canada Air force 26 MAY 44 to 19 FEB 45

Honours and Awards:

Member of The Order of Australia

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

War Medal 1939-45 Australia Service

Medal 1939-45 Australian Active Service

Medal 1945-75 with Clasp ‘VIETNAM’ Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal

Reserve Force Decoration with First and Second Clasp

National Medal with First Clasp Australian Defence

Medal General Service Badge

Returned from Active Service Badge

Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne and many other Achievements & Endeavours.

Regards, John

John C. Saunders – Secretary Clayton RSL Sub Branch Inc.

OCS Portsea Class December 1968 & awarded the Sword of Honour.

John died at Rathdowney, Qld on 12 January 2023, aged 75 years.

Before selection to OCS, John served in South Vietnam:

• 3 SAS Squadron, 8 February – 5 March 1967
• 1 SAS Squadron, 6 March – 6 December 1967.

Other postings included Pacific Islands Regiment PNG, 7 DEO Gurkha Rifles on exchange and Royal Australian Regiment

Attended Army Command & Staff College, Queenscliff in 1982.

A man of immense integrity and abounding love for his fellowman, particularly for youth at risk.

John will be missed by so many.

Rest In Peace.

Colleagues and dear Friends

With heartfelt sorrow may I advise you, with deep sadness, that my close mate and family friend of many decades and our SAS colleague from those Vietnam and Papua New Guinea days, John Guy, passed away peacefully at his property at Rathdowney, Scenic Rim, this afternoon.

A man of immense integrity and abounding love for his fellowman, particularly for youth at risk. You will be missed old mate. RIP with your heavenly father.

Behain me lukim yupela,  John

J P Dwyer AM OAM CF

M: + (61) 0408 663 313

I am extremely sad at having to post details of Kenny Cheers passing. Ken and I shared a tent for seven months in Vietnam, he was a forward scout in our section and did an outstanding job. We have remained good mates since I again established contact in 1985. I will miss your phone calls Kenny, rest in peace mate till we meet again.  Ray

Hi Ray

I’m writing to inform you of the passing of my father Ken Cheers.

Dad loved and cherished every C Coy 1RAR get-together he attended, and was incredibly grateful for the work you did keeping everyone in C COY in contact, and so do I. Thank you.

Pte. Kenneth Cheers
25.09.42 – 10.01.23

Dad’s funeral will be held on Monday, January 16th at St. John’s Anglican Church, Coffs Harbour, commencing at 1:30pm.

The funeral service will be streamed via Facebook: Allied Funeral Home (Coffs Harbour)

With thanks and kind regards,

Troy Cheers

We have received advice of the death on 9 January 2023 of Ivan Mills.  He was 88. Ivan served in Vietnam with the Detachment of 131 Divisional Locating Battery from February to November 1969. Ivan’s funeral will be held on Wednesday 18 January at South Chapel, Forrest Lawn cemetery Leppington NSW, at 1030 AM.

Cards can be sent to his widow:

Jean Mill, 16 Mitchell St, Campbelltown 2560

Anyone wishing further details can contact Joe Kaplun via details shown below.

Joe Kaplun OAM, KSJ, CMC, JP

6 Apex Ave

Picnic Point, NSW, 2213

Mob:  040 774 1473

RIP Ivan Mills

Peter Bruce OAM, JP

Please note the correct time for the wake for George Salmon is 12.30pm (not 2.30pm as advised in some communications) on Friday 13 January at the Royal Canberra Golf Club, Bentham Street Yarralumla.

My apologies for any inconvenience.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer