We have been advised of the death recently of Bombardier Garry Samuel Smith. Garry served with the Army Reserve in the RAA from July 1985 to November 1988. He previously served with 17 Const Sqn as a sapper in Vietnam in 1970/71.
Garry’s funeral is scheduled for 27 May 2022 at 1100 hours at the Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens, 183 Pampoolah Road, Taree, NSW. Garry was 76.
RIP Garry Smith
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
Trader passed away 30 March 2022.
To a leader I completed a Small-Scale Raids Course with 1 Cdo Coy in 1962 and the ADJT was Trader who was attending the course along with the likes of WO2’s Ken Stoker DCM and Ernest (OZZIE) Ostara DCM all ARA Cadre members. I must say it was hard all cam up in the LUP and Ian wearing his white diving jumper.
My next time serving with Ian was when he was CO Recruit Training Wing RTW (1978) at Kapooka, he did an outstanding job and I had many hours each day talking about Commando’s, Special Operations Courses and of courses Civilian Sport Skydiving which he had some 200 jumps and was proud of his Skydiving log book.
I kept in touch over the time e.g. email and talks at the ANZAC Day March.
What a great life, God Bless.
David Waterston
‘A’ Battery Association have advised of the death on 6 May 2022 of LTCOL Phil Calvert, MID. Phil was the first BK of ‘A’ Field Battery during their Malaysian tour in 1965 – 67. He was later posted to a staff job with the British Army in Sabah. Phil visited 1st Field Regiment in Vietnam in March/April 1967 and completed a tour of duty with 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight from June 1970 until February 1971. He was the last surviving OC of 161 Recce Flt in Vietnam and passed away after a very long battle with illness.
A graduate of RMC in 1958, Phil was allocated to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery and was one of the last pilots to achieve AOP wings. He was a foundation member of 16 Army Light Aircraft Squadron later and returned to serve with the RAA on deployment to Malaya and Borneo. He joined the Aviation Corps when it was formed in 1968 serving in the Directorate of Army Aviation before being posted as the Senior Instructor, Corps Training Wing of the 1st Aviation Regiment at Amberley, a forerunner of the School of Army Aviation. From there he took command of 161 (Independent) Recce Flight in Vietnam in 1970. For his service in command, Phil Calvert was mentioned in dispatches.
He retired from the Army after twenty years but later joined the New Zealand Army where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded 16 Field Regiment.
A long time member of Fourays (the Australian Army Aviation Association) and a genuine pioneer of Australian Army Aviation. Phil Calvert served two nations with distinction and will be much missed by all who knew him.
Phil was 86. His memorial service will be held at War Veterans Chapel Narrabeen on 26 May at 1400 hours.
RIP Philip John Calvert.
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
Advice has been received regarding the death recently of Barry Fountain. Barry served with the Detachment, 131 Divisional Battery in South Vietnam from March to August 1971. He then completed his tour of duty with 12th Field Regiment, returning to Australia in October 1971. Barry was 72.
RIP Barry Edward FOUNTAIN
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
David Turnbull OAM ‘s Funeral will be held next Wednesday, 25 May 22 at 10.30am.
LOCATION:
Townsville Cremations, 3 Railway Ave, Railway Estate. for the Service and as Dave is being buried there will be a PRIVATE graveside service for the family.
Cheryl has requested “No Flowers, Please” as there are severe allergies in the family.
Dave passed away on the evening of 15 May, 2022 in Hospital in Townsville, Qld, as a result of several years of a truly gutsy fight against several cancers life dished out to him. No one can say that Dave complained during his ordeal as he approached it with great courage. Funeral details to be advised.
He served in SVN with D Coy 3 RAR as a Corporal from 12 Dec 67 to 28 Nov 68 and 4 RAR from 13 May 71 to 18 Nov 71.
WAKE:
Townsville RSL (Sports Bar), 139 Charters Towers Rd, Hyde Park, Qld 4812 at I.30pm.
Cheryl and the family will join us there after the Burial Service.
LIVE STREAM OF THE SERVICE:
<www.townsvillecremations.com.au> and look for David Roberts Turnbull’s details. The service will remain available on the site forever, I believe, so if you can’t watch it at the time, you will be able to view it whenever.
A funeral service for Ron Briais will be held on Thursday 26th May 2022 at 11:00am in the Lakeview Chapel, Albany Creek Memorial Park, 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs QLD.
His service will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Aspley Hornets Football Club, at 50 Graham Road, Carseldine QLD.
Dress: Smart Casual and medals optional
Statement of Service attached below
220515 – 8420922 1202552 BRIAIS Ronald Edwin – Army – Eulogy[4]
Please be advised that 1201055 David Roberts TURNBULL OAM Passed away in the evening of 15 May, 2022 in Hospital in Townsville, Qld, as a result of several years of a truly gutsy fight against several cancers life dished out to him. No one can say that Dave complained during his ordeal as he approached it with great courage. Funeral details to be advised.
Dave served in SVN with D Coy 3 RAR as a Corporal from 12 Dec 67 to 28 Nov 68 and 4 RAR from 13 May 71 to 18 Nov 71.
Your Duty is done, Dave. Stand down and Rest in Peace.
LEST WE FORGET!
E “DUTCHY” LENSING
Sadly I have been advised that Al Miranda has passed away following a long illness. Al served on the first tour of 1RAR and later transferred to the Military Police.
No further details are available at this time.
I regret to inform you of the death of Phil McLean. Phil died of cancer after a long illness on 1 May 2022. He was a Pioneer on the 2nd Tour and was 74.
Funeral Details:
Wed 11 May 2022
Time !400hrs
Where..Hemmant Crematorium
500 Hemmant – Tingalpa road
Hemmant Qld 4158
Dress: Coat and medals
There will be a wake with details TBA
Kev Gillett
Secretary/Webmaster
The funeral of the late L/Cpl Max Batson formerly 5 Pl B Coy 4 RAR/NZ (Anzac) Bn will be held on Friday 6th May 2022.
Location: Tobin Bros Funerals St Albans 364 Main Rd West St Albans Vic.
Timings: 1300 (1pm for civilians)
RSL Service to be conducted by Altona RSL
Dress: Medals to be worn
Live streaming for the service is available and also for the next 12 mths go to: https://tobinbrothers.com.au/st-albans/ and type Batson into the search area.
Light refreshments will be available after the service.
Cards can be sent to Mrs Gayle Batson, 3 Benbury Court St Albans Vic 3021
Regards,
The Kernel