Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norm served his first tour of duty in South Vietnam with 3 SAS San from 15th June 1966 to 19th March 1967. He was based in Nui Dat, around the battle of Long Tan Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam 18th/19th August 1966.
Norm also served as a WO2 with AATTV in South Vietnam from 19th July 1972 until the 18th
December 1972 with MATT 2 Van Kip, Phuo Tuy Province.
Norm Bain was one of the last of the Australian Troops out of Vietnam in 21st December 1972 as reported by The Age "The last of the Diggers are home,". "For Australia's army the Vietnam War has ended."
Norm Bain arrived at Scotch in 1985. He has acquired 'legend' status with his quips, faux tough-guy image, and his inimitable good humour.
His presence has been ubiquitous, from the Q-Store, tuckshop line, Monash Gates, cadet camps, 'late-room master', seeker-out of smokers, and myriad other roles. Norm's extensive experience in the Australian Army provided an immediate injection of new activities offered by the Scotch Cadet Unit, including abseiling.
Since 1989, the Tattoo under floodlights on the Main Oval was made possible by his knowledge and skill, and he became its inaugural director.
Specialised drill training, together with major logistic planning and execution, has been undertaken with a passion.
Norm has also been responsible for the daily oversight of some outstanding young men who have served as Gap assistants.
These 'Gappers' have been mentored and supported by Norm and have been given the opportunity to work closely with a man who is truly a Scotch legend.

COMMANDO - The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association - Edition 31 2020

'Grey Domino' his 'call 'sign' one of the last Australian soldiers out of the Vietnam fields. Major Norm Bain, then SGT with SASR.. The Scotch College Pipes and Drums are now known as Norm's Band.

He started school at St Dustan's, Ballarat, and after leaving school at 15 years of age he joined the local Naval Cadets. Impressed with the regimentation and mentored by the OC at the time, he applied to join the Army at only 16 years of age, and lied about being old enough, however, he was accepted on his 17* birthday. Norm's father also named Norman was born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and then, like Norm Jnr, not much older had joined up for WW1 for the Royal Highlanders Black Watch during 1917-18.

After WW1 Norman Sr went on to enlist for WW2 in July 1940 as a Lance Sergeant.

Norm Jnr completed his Infantry Corps training at 4 RAR before being posted to 1 RAR, serving with them for four-and-half-years in Malaya, and at the same time volunteering for and completing the Cadre Course for 1 SAS Coy, that became the SAS Regiment in 1964.

Norm completed his first tour of Vietnam with the 3 Sqn SASR from 15* June 1966 to 19th March 1967 before returning to Australia as a Recruit Instructor, which included "Square Bashing Nashos" for two years at 2 RTB, Puckapunyal, after which he was posted to Williamstown as the CSM of 2 Cdo Coy. Following his service with 2 Commando Company he became an Adviser in Vietnam on the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) as a Team Commander from 19th July 1972 to 18 December 1972 with MATT 2 Van Kiep, Phuoc Tuy Province. Norm was one of the last Australian soldiers out of the Vietnam fields with the change of the Australian Government in 1972.

After Norm left Scotch College, Norm and Moira moved to a spacious property with 5 acres in Ballarat, Eureka Street. Not letting the grass grow under their feet they immersed themselves into the environment with Moira and Norm planting native plants and 150 native trees. Added to this change in lifestyle they home hosted students from the local school, allowing a number of students to live in one end of the house while they were comfortable in the other end. This lasted for some years, some students completed their secondary schooling and graduated to university, continuing their friendships into adulthood, demonstrating the respect and admiration they had for Norm and Moira.

Norm was known by a number of his military cohorts as 'Grey Domino' which was his 'call 'sign' as sigs man for Major General Philip Michael Jeffery, AC CVO MC. Moira recalls an annual Pipes and Drums event held at Scotch where the Mai Gen was the honoured guest. Norm was last man in for the high tea gathering after clearing up the parade area with the students. He was dressed only in greens and boots, the Maj Gen was engrossed in a group conversation as Norm entered, the Maj went straight to him and gave him a bear hug, which caused those present to ask who he was. It was something special, they were good friends.

Scotch College Melbourne paid tribute to Norm saying that he arrived there in 1985 as a Property Officer with the school Cadet Unit and that he was an inspirational man whose omni-presence, discipline, and storytelling were legendary. He made a significant contribution to the Scotch College Cadet Unit, including proposing and being inaugural director of the Cadet Tattoo from 1989.

Norm shared wartime experiences with year 9 historians. Norm was

admired and revered by Scotch College staff and students alike, and his retirement in 2009 was filled with emotion.

The College extended their sympathies to Norm's wife Moira and sons Jason and Gavin. The Pipes and Drums at Scotch are now known as Norm's Band. The service was, according to Moira, lovely, with some special stories being read out.

Christopher...

Chris Jennison (1940-2007) a former SAS member's poem 'Ode for a wandering Warrior', was read out. It was an emotional moment, causing a few tears. Chris was a close mate of Norm's.

Ode for a Wandering Warrior

C. A. Jennison

1940-2007

May your spirit roam where the eagles soar.

May it finally rest on that immortal shore,

Where the wandering warrior long to be replete for all eternity.

May your shadow remain in our infinite care.

May your stories be legend wherever we share.

May your memory stay engraved in our heart.

May your friendship and love never from us depart.

May the running waves, the quiet earth and the shining stars recall your worth.

And when we are not - with no-one beside,

With our own true spirit wandering wide,

May you meet us, greet us, the good things renew.

And may we become wandering warriors too.