Sadly, Geoff Jones has informed us of that Bill Winterford has passed away after a long illness:

The end of a gallant little fighter.

Bill Winterford who was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on Operation Hobart on 25 July 1966, passed away from illness at Clare Hospital at 9.20 am today (24 August 2022). He was comfortable and at peace in his final days and hours.

John ‘Strez’ Wilson visited Bill in hospital yesterday and he will remain in Clare to deliver a eulogy for Bill at his funeral.

I am particularly saddened as my mind returns to the fateful day of Bill’s wounding.  He fought the VC with courage, and he fought to stay alive, then, and now.  He was a fighter to the end.

Billy Winterford’s funeral is confirmed as a cremation service at Mid North Funeral Chapel, 54 Main North Road, Clare, South Australia, on Thursday 1st September 2022 commencing at 1.30 pm.   Billy’s ashes will be placed in the Wall of Remembrance at Clare Cemetery.

The Funeral Director is seeking contact details of Billy’s former wives and four children.  If you can assist, please advise the Funeral Director on telephone number (08) 8842 3368.

On behalf of myself and Billy’s C Company brothers we thank his friends, Trevor Wandel, and Bev, for keeping us informed during Billy’s illness and of his subsequent passing.  Trevor and Bev were Billy’s rock, right to the end.

LEST WE FORGET

Fred Fairhead will attend the funeral and present the 6 RAR Association Sash on behalf of the Association.

Condolences to those who served with Bill and to his friends, especially those who’ve helped to look after him in recent times.

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

22 October 1946 – 26 August 2022

PTE Donald ‘Donny’ Gibson, of Wardell near Ballina NSW, died peacefully on Friday 26 August, after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage .

Donny was deployed to 1 ARU in South Vietnam on 14 May 1969, staying with the unit until 18 June. He was posted to 12 Platoon, Delta Company, 5 RAR on 19 June and served with that sub-unit for the balance of the Battalion’s 1969-70 tour of South Vietnam.

A Funeral Service will be held for Donald by Parkview Funeral Home, 21 Kalinga St, Ballina, NSW on Thursday 1 September commencing at 10:00hrs. The service will be live-streamed on: https://vimeo.com/event/2379566

Regards,

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

6/11/1944 – 23/08/2022

Family and friends of Graham Campbell are invited to attend his funeral service in the Simplicity Funeral Chapel on the corner of Salisbury Highway and Waterloo Corner Road, Salisbury on Tuesday, August 30^th, commencing at 10:00am.

Now at Peace.

Private John Basil Miller passed away in Mildura on 24 August 2022. He was born on the 13 June 1923 at Pinnaroo, SA, the second son of a farming family. In December 1941, the 18-year-old intake was called, so John commenced his military service in infantry, as a military conscript. He had been courting Edie Barraclough in Mildura for twelve months so wasn’t that keen on army life.

He spent most of 1942 in 8^th Brigade in the defence of mainland Australia at the Dongara and Geraldton areas in Western Australia. He returned to Mangalore in Victoria in February 1943 and was given leave for a short period of time which he spent fruit picking in Mildura and saved enough for an engagement ring for Edie.

Within weeks he was on a troop train to Queensland where his unit, 22 Australian Infantry Battalion, was given intensive jungle training at Mt Tamborine. In April 1943 he was in the Atherton Tablelands, Qld, with strong rumours they would go to Papua New Guinea. But as 75% of the 38th Battalion were only 19, they were sent to Darwin.  His camp in NT was near Pel Air Strip where the American Liberators were stationed.  In June 1944 he was transferred on the US Troopship the USS Evangeline from Darwin to Jaquinet Bay in the Wide Bay area of the east coast of New Britain.  He remained at Wide Bay till 15 August 1945, when his unit was transported by troopship to Rabaul. John returned home arriving in Sydney on the 24 March 1946.

Edie managed to organise their marriage for the 30 March 1946.  John said it had been mainly a long-distance courtship of 600 letters, 3 per week written for four years and four months during the time in the army. He was advised to learn a trade, and as building was expected to boom, he decided on carpentry.  John was discharged from the Australian Army on 17 May 1946.

John lived the remainder of his life in Mildura as a builder and (fruit) blockie. He is survived by his four children, Kevin, Pam, Janine, and Graeme. Edie died eight years ago. John was active in the Redcliff RSL and for many years spoke at local primary schools for their pre-Anzac Day services.

We have received advice of the death on 23 August 2022 of Nicholas (Nick) Marshall. He was 84. Nick was the Battery Commander of 101^st Field Battery in Vietnam during 1966/67 and later was Commanding Officer of 4^th Field Regiment from October 1973 until December 1975. Nick was a life subscriber of the 101 Battery Association. Nick deteriorated quickly in the week before his death and died painlessly and peacefully. A private service will be held for him in Sydney in the coming week.

RIP Nicholas Hugh Marshall.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

We have received advice about the death recently of Geoffrey Charles (Geoff) Serbutt. Geoff died in England at the age of 75. He had been suffering from prostate cancer but managed to enjoy life to the end. He is survived by his wife Denise, and their daughter Jessica, and son Ben. Geoff was a National Serviceman who served with 1^st Field Regiment in Vietnam from November 1968 until November 1969 with the rank of Bombardier. He was involved in the Battle of Binh Bar during Operation Hammer in June 1968.

RIP Geoffrey Charles Serbutt.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Funeral details for the late Terry Hollindale are as follows:

Funeral – Allambe Parkview Chapel, Allambe Memorial Park Cemetery, 129 Nerang – Broadbeach Road, Nerang 4211, at 1300 hrs on 31 August 2022.

Wake – Emerald Lakes Golf Club, Cnr Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Alabaster Drive, Carrara 4211.

Regards

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

We have received advice of the death on 18 August 2022 of Idrys Robin (know as Snow or Bob) Morgan. Idrys died peacefully at the age of 83. He had served in ‘A’ Field Battery from 1958 until 1960 and had also spent time in 104^th Field Battery. His funeral is to be held at Guardian Funerals (Funeral Services and Cemeteries), 74 Kalinga Street, West Ballina, NSW 2478 on Thursday 25 August at 10.00am.

RIP Idrys Robin Morgan

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

20 /03/1945 – 11/08/2022

Passed away on 11th August 2022, following a series of illnesses.

Aged 77 years.

Ken will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

A beloved brother to John and uncle to Michael, Paul, Tracey, Erin,

Julia and Christopher and the extended family.

Privately Cremated as Ken wished.

Brisbane:   Date listed: 20/8/2022

Condolences to Ken’s family and friends

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

We have received advice of the death on 20 August 2022 of Terrence (Terry or Tubby) Hollindale. Terry was a long-time member of 41 Battery (Gold Coast Cowboys) at Southport in the 60s and 70s. Terry fought a long ten-year battle with a type of brain cancer and although he defied all the expert estimates of time remaining, it was still a sad loss as he continued to live life to the utmost.

Funeral details are not available at this stage.

RIP Terry Hollindale.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer