Roderick James SPRIGG

SPRIGG, Roderick James

Service Number: 5718122
Enlisted: 27 January 1971
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR)
Born: Merredin, Western Australia, 13 September 1950
Home Town: Merredin, Merredin, Western Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Farm hand
Died: Killed in Action, Nui Le, South Vietnam, 21 September 1971, aged 21 years
Cemetery: Mukinbudin Cemetery, W. A.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Grafton Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Holsworthy 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment - Holsworthy Memorial, Kallangur Vietnam Veterans' Place, Port Pirie Vietnam Veterans Honour Wall, Seymour Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk Roll of Honour, South Perth Wesley College Lych Gate, Western Australia Garden of Remembrance
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Vietnam War Service

27 Jan 1971: Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 5718122
19 Aug 1971: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 5718122, 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit, Vietnam
19 Aug 1971: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 5718122
10 Sep 1971: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 5718122, 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), Operation Ivanhoe
10 Sep 1971: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 5718122

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Biography

Served with 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit & 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam. In country only 34 days. D Company 11 Platoon 6 Section 

"Private Roderick Sprigg, aged 21, from Merredin, Western Australia, was a farm hand prior to being called up for National Service on 27 January 1971. He joined 4RAR from 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit on 10 September 1971. During Operation IVANHOE in Phuoc Tuy Province, on 21 September 1971, D Company was assaulting a heavily defended enemy bunker system during the battle of Nui Le. 11 Platoon was moving forward in the assault with 6 Section on the left flank when the section was hit by heavy, sustained automatic fire from several mutually supporting bunkers. Rod and another 6 section soldier, Private Brian Beilken, were killed instantly." - SOURCE (www.4rarassociationsaustralia.com)

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