Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Castlemaine VIC on 5 Jan 1945

At some point during the Vietnam War he was conscripted into the National Service Scheme & subsequently allocated as Private in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps

Being a Victoria lad, he likely completed his initial training with 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Puckapunyal before being posted to D Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

5 RAR Vietnam 1st Tour : He served with D Coy, 5 RAR in SVN from 2 May 1966 to 12 May 1967 where the Battalion undertook 16 Land & Air Operations throughout the Phuoc Tuy Province

In summing up the Battalion's achievements at the completion of its first tour the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Warr said : "Like all battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, the 5th developed its own reputation and characterises particularly its first tour of South Vietnam. It soon became recognised as being fiercely independent, professionally efficient and possessing considerable initiative and fighting tenacity. During its 12 months tour of South Vietnam, the 5th Battalion had encountered and defeated forces from the main force regiments, the provincial battalion and the guerrilla units of the province. Over 90% of the people of Phuoc Tuy had been brought under government control and the influence and effectiveness of the VC had been considerably reduced. The stage was now set for the Task Force to develop operations of a different nature beyond the borders of the province. The men of the 5th Battalion have maintained the standards and the fighting traditions of their forefathers, from the shores of Gallipoli, the fields of France, in the deserts of North Africa and in the jungles of New Guinea"