It’s with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of Ken “IRISH” Shelley last Friday. Irish served in 1 RAR from 2005 until 2009 and was CQMS D Coy
Our deepest condolences go to Ken’s family, friends and all those who served with him.
Funeral details will be provided once known
Rest In Peace Ken
It is with sadness that I advise of the passing of 2793232 John Shields. John passed away today 24th July 2022 at 6.00am AET of natural causes.
John Edward Shields was born at Griffith NSW on 22nd July 1948. He served in SVN with 9PL C Coy 2RAR from 17/5/70 to 1/6/71, a total of 381 days. He was a regular at Charlie Company Reunions and always seem to enjoy himself.
John had requested that no funeral be held, a memorial service will be held at a later date, and details will be forwarded when known.
REST IN PEACE SHIELDSY
Geoff Daly
His funeral is to be held at the Young Lawn Cemetery, NSW, on Thursday 28th of July at 11:00AM.
They would very much like to have members of 5 RAR attend (if possible) the funeral and if doing so please wear medals.
The Funeral Directors are Paterson Bros and further details are on their website.
Regards,
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
27 January 1947 – 19 July 2022
PTE Barry ‘Spike’ Pemberton died on Tuesday 19 July, in the Norwest Private Hospital, due to a cardiac problem, in recent times he had not been travelling well for quite a long period.
Barry enlisted in March 1964, did Recruit Training with 1 RTB, Corps Training with Infantry Centre and then joined 2 RAR. In January 1966 he was transferred to 5 RAR and deployed to South Vietnam on 6 May, Barry completed the Battalion’s full 1966-67 Tour of Duty. He served in Admin Company, as a member of the band, but on operations or patrols, he operated as a stretcher-bearer for Bravo Company. Barry later served with the Armoured Corps Band and took discharge in March 1970.
At this stage, we have no funeral details or a photo of Barry.
Regards,
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
We have received advice of the death recently of Mervyn LENNON. Mervyn initially served in 101 Battery and moved to 110 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in 1965. He served in Malaya with that Battery from 1966 until 1969. On return to Australia, Mervyn was posted as an instructor at Puckapunyal followed by a posting to 4 Field Regiment. Mervyn was 89. No funeral details are available at this stage.
RIP Mervyn Lennon.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
17 February 1948 – 19 July 2022
PTE Neville Rhodes passed on the morning of Tuesday 19 July, he had been suffering for some time.
Neville, was conscripted in January 1969, started his Recruit Training at 1 RTB Kapooka, he then transferred to 3 TB (Inf Corps Wing) for his infantry training. He joined Infantry Centre (Reo Wing) until deploying to 1 ARU Vietnam (SVN) on 3 September. On 1 October he joined 11 Platoon, D Company, 5 RAR and there served until the Battalion returned to Australia in February 1970. Neville completed his tour of SVN with 8 RAR and RTA’ed in September 1970.
No funeral details are available at this stage.
Regards,
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
There will be an RSL Service for Roger Dikes on Friday, this week, 22nd July at the Springvale Cemetery in Melbourne – Victoria.
Roger served in Vietnam for 375 days between 20th December 1967 and 28th December 1968.
Service Number 3791139 – 3rd Battalion – The Royal Australian Regiment.
Regards.
John
John C. Saunders
Secretary
Clayton RSL Sub-Branch Inc. & Region 2 Forum
We have just received notification of the death on 19 July of Les Cooper. Les served in Vietnam with 108 Field Battery from May to November 1967 in the position of Battery Commanders Assistant for then Major Jock Jenvey. Les also served in Singapore with 28 ANZUK Field Regiment and was well respected for his gunnery knowledge. Les was 88. There will not be a funeral service but rather a family farewell.
RIP Leslie Allan Cooper.
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
We have received advice of the death on 17 July 2022 of Michael (Mick) Austin. He was 74. Mick served with HQ Battery 12th Field Regiment, RAA in South Vietnam as a Bombardier from April 1968 until April 1969. Mick had fought a long battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 over the past 20 months. He was amazing during his treatment continuing to walk 5-7 kms each day and playing hours of table tennis at senior citizens.
RIP Michael Austin.
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
We received advice of the death on Friday 8 July 2022 of Jimmy Clements. Jim was a career soldier and served as a gun sergeant with 106th Battery, 4th Field Regiment in South Vietnam from February 1970 until 1971. Jim had been suffering from Lewy Dementia for over 2 years (which is dementia with Parkinson’s type symptoms as well) and had many falls. He fell over again a few weeks ago and sustained a head/neck injury which he never really recovered from. He died on his own terms, refusing to eat and drink at Murdoch Hospice with his daughter by his side. She had been staying with him overnight whilst his wife Joan would spend the days with him, so he always had someone with him.
Messages of condolences may be passed to me, and I will collate and forward to his widow Joan, daughter Joanne and son Steven.
RIP James Alex Clements.
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer