Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Engineer, Paratrooper & Career Soldier
Lance William Futcher, MBE, MSM

Born in Carlton VIC to William James Futcher & Marjorie Eileen Upton he served in the CMF from Sep 1936 – Nov 1939 at which time he volunteered for active service with the AIF & was posted as CPL to No.4 Section, 2/2nd Filed Company RAE then T/SGT in Dec

He embarked for the Middle East in Dec arriving in Jan 1940 subsequently taking part in the Western Desert campaign from Egypt to Libya

The 2/2 Fld Coy was involved in operations in Greece however Futcher had admitted to hospital with a laceration to his foot prior & did not take part, rejoining the Coy when they returned to Egypt

Following their return to Australia in Mar 1942 he was posted to No.1 Sec, 23rd Fld Coy RAE in the Northern Territory

In Feb 1944 he qualified as a Parachutist, subsequently posting to 1st Parachute Battalion RAE on 20 Mar

His demolition qualifications included boobytraps, mine warfare & demolition of tunnels & bunkers - He was also proficient in the use of the M2-2 Flamethrower

On 6 May 1945 he sustained severe 3rd degree burns to his chest, R/forearm & both hands whilst in operation of a flamethrower during 1 Para Bn exercise at Twiddler Hill in the Tablelands QLD

At the time SGT Futcher was attd to A Coy, No.3 Pl under command of Lieut E. Moseley. During the exercise he & was called forward to engage a bunker & upon opening with his first burst he was almost simultaneously enveloped with flames. It was later found that the seal in the rear grip had burst causing fuel to spurt & subsequently ignite causing the injuries

Following the cessation of hostilities he discharged from the AIF in Sep 1945 though re-enlisted in Jan 1948 as SGT in the 3rd Military District ARA Cadre Unit attd to the School of Military Engineering then posted to 3rd Field Engineer Regiment in Jun as T/WO2 (Instructor)

He was posted to the UK at RAF Upper Heyford from Jun 1949 to Feb 1950 for advanced parachute training, qualifying as a Drop Zone Safety Instructor

Upon returning to Australia he posted as Instructor to S/Comd School of Land/Air Warfare

Dett to 10th Independent Field Squadron from Sep 1954 to Nov 1955, he was posted to 3rd Fld Regt & appt WO1 RSM until transfer as WO2 SSM to 27 Engineer Stores Squadron in Jun 1958

On 2 Feb 1962 he returned to 3 Fld Regt as WO1 RSM then posted to HQ S/Comd as MAJ SORE 2 (Admin) with Captaincy pay in Nov 1963

He served in Vietnam with 17th Construction Squadron from 22 Oct 1970 to 19 Aug 1971

Returning to Australia he posted to 29th Plant Squadron, remaining in the Army until Jul 1973 when he was discharged, having last served with HQ 6th Construction Group

Award of FRB No.138175 to his wife Dorothy – Aug 1942

Awarded (A)EM – Aug 1945 (surrendered to count towards LSGC/MSM though returned to him in 1973)

Awarded MBE – May 1969 : Recommendation – 24 May 1968 : "WO1 Futcher enlisted in the CMF in 1936 where he served until volunteering for overseas with 2/2nd Fld Coy RAE. His qualities were quickly recognised & after promotion to SGT he departed for the Middle East with advance elements of 2/AIF in 1939. He served in the field continuously with his unit until it returned to Australia in 1942. Following this he volunteered for parachutist duties & served in this role until the close of hostilities in 1945. He was then selected for further parachutist training in England & on his return, played a major & significant part in the re-introduction of parachutist training into the post-war Army, becoming the leading Army Instructor in this hazardous field with over 340 descents to his credit. His wife died suddenly in 1965, leaving WO1 Futcher to care for 9 children under the age of 18. At this time there was unprecedented Army activity & a serious shortage of experienced Officers & Warrant Officer. In spite of his personal problems which would have daunted a lesser man, he continued to cheerfully devote much of his spare time to assisting in the training of the CMF in addition to his ARA duties. Throughout his career WO1 Futcher has demonstrated the qualities of leadership, devotion to duty & Willingness to assume responsibility, far beyond those normally expected of his rank. His moral & physical toughness, his initiative & his cheerfulness in adversity have been a continual example & inspiration to his comrades"

Awarded LSGC – Nov 1969

Awarded MSM – Aug 1970

Lance passed away in Heidelburg Repatriation Hospital in Dec 1983 & was cremated at Fawkner Crematorium