HARVEY, William Clifford
| Service Number: | 214232 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 August 1961 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (Army Component) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943 |
| Home Town: | Salamander Bay, Port Stephens Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | South Sydney Junior Technical School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Soldier |
| Died: | Cancer related , Salamader Bay New, South Wales, Australia, 2 December 2024, aged 81 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
Vietnam War Service
| 7 Aug 1961: | Enlisted Private, 214232 | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1966: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 214232 | |
| 12 May 1966: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 214232, 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) | |
| 13 May 1966: | Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Lance Corporal, 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) | |
| 18 Mar 1971: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Lance Corporal, 214232, 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit, Vietnam | |
| 18 Mar 1971: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 214232 | |
| 9 Apr 1971: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 214232 | |
| 9 Apr 1971: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 214232, Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (Army Component) |
A Special
Harve was born a special. He was a special man in every way. A special son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. To all who served with him he was a special mate and comrade. He was special in every way, just as all who knew and loved him can attest. Over the 60 years I was his mate (almost a brother) I saw him drink enough beer to fill Lake Eyre and yet never once even when I was sober did I see him falling down drunk or change his behaviour from the kind, humourous, gentle, peaceful man he was when completely sober. Harve was a great soldier, free faller and Parachute Jump instructor who instilled trust and confidence in all those he taught and often mentored. Harve loved life his family and friends, beer and the Rabbitohs and rarely missed a game. I named him Suave Harve when we were in Airborne Platoon because before he met and fell head over heels for his darling wife Shirley whenever we attended the RAAF Base Cinema at Williamtown, he, knowing the WAAF'S were always in attendance, would dress up in all the latest fashion pointy shoes, weird shirts and trousers, After he married Shirley I don't think I saw him wearing anything other than his cap, shorts, and thongs, I guess he felt he got what he was after and was happy with his success. When he told the Airborne blokes he was getting married, he was told " No Harve, you're not the marrying kind, It just won’t last."
It did - due to the fact they are both Specials.
You are now and always will be loved and sadly missed old mate. Thanks for all the laughs and good times and for allowing me to be part of your life, but for now Harve let's just say "catch you at the next RV" - "Dogs"
Submitted 9 December 2024 by Robert Kearney
Biography contributed by Gary Townsend
Bill enlisted in August 1961, did his Recruit Training at 1 RTB and Corps Training at Infantry Centre. He was transferred to 1 RAR and was a member of the Airborne Platoon and on 1 March 1965 became a foundation member of 5 RAR. He deployed to South Vietnam on 13 May 1966 with B Company, when the Reconnaissance Platoon was formed he was accepted and finished the tour in that position. Bill returned to Australia on 12 May 1967. He returned to Vietnam to 1 ARU and Australian Force Vietnam (HQ) from 18 March to 2 December 1971. He had many other postings, including 7 RAR, Airborne Platoon, Parachute Training School, New Zealand and Malaysia. He retired in 1982 with the rank of WO, Class 2 (Parachute Jump Instructor)
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