Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Conscripted into the Army.  Notified in October 1971 and joined the Army on Australia Day 1972.  Recruit Training at Singleton (3RTB), Corp training at the School of Military Engineering, then based at Casula.  Posted to a Water Transport Sqn after further trade training at the Transportation Centre RAE, Chowder Bay Sydney.  Worked in the main workshop and on both LCM8 landing barges and 40ft workboats at the base for 35 Water Transport Squadron at Woolwich.  Was asked to serve one year working with the Pacific Island Regiment in PNG but was replaced by a permanent Army fitter just before deployment.  When conscription was abolished in December 1972 I chose to stay and finish my full compliment of servce.  Was asked to join the crew of the Army Ship AS3051 John Monash (40 Water Transport Squadron) as an engine room fitter and we left for Sembawang Naval Basin in Singapore on 5 April 1973, arriving ANZAC Day 1973.  The ship provided support to troops doing survey and other works for the Indonesian Government as well as supply to troops based at Butterworth Air Force Base in Malaya.  The ship returned to Australia in mid july 1973 and I was discharged on the 25th July 1973.