NINER NEWS
The Official
Newsletter of the 9RAR Association (Qld)
Patron: Major General A. L. Morrison AO DSO MBE
(Ret’d)
Issue 42 July 2006
NINER NEWS
The Official
Newsletter of the 9RAR Association (Qld)
Patron: Major General A. L. Morrison AO DSO MBE
(Ret’d)
Issue 42 July 2006
From the President’s Desk
As per the Bi-Annual General Meeting of
October 2005, a Special General Meeting was held on ANZAC Day to elect a
President. That meeting was conducted
and again, there was no nomination for President. After much discussion, it was then agreed
that the Management Committee could effectively conduct the affairs of the
Branch Association in the interim.
As many of the functions are being
done, surely there is a member of the Association who could come forward and be
prepared to carry out the role. Please
give us a call and we can discuss the extent of that role. I believe we should
have a President to represent our Branch Association when we attend the Perth
Reunion in November 2006. Over to you.
ANZAC Day 2006
The
Dawn Service was conducted at the RAR National Memorial Walk, Enoggera with
attendance of over 500 people. The address was given by CO 6 RAR Lt Col Scott
Goddard.
“This year every memorial tree had its own small Australian
Flag: as the dawn broke it was a truly emotional sight to see the “sea of
flags” fluttering in the breeze at ground level” – quote from Ted Chitham .
The
9 RAR attendance at this year’s march was the best we
have had in many years. We thank everyone for their support. Several acquaintances were renewed after
many years, again underlying the strong friendship that endures. 9 RAR was led by the Vice President Barry
Stalder (see below); he ably demonstrated that he hasn’t lost any of his
commanding voice.
See pages 6 and 7 for more colour
photos and stories of the events of the day.
9
RAR Committee Meeting
The next full Committee meeting will be
conducted on
This meeting is open to all
members. An invitation is also extended
to your spouses to attend and after the meeting to partake in a BBQ lunch. Mark it in your diary and come out and
support your Association and see the wonderful progress that has been made on
the Memorial Walk
ANNUAL 9 RAR WORKING PARTY
RAR National Memorial Walk, Enoggera.
Our usual date for the annual work
party at the NMW is the first week in November but because many will be
travelling to
We
will advise you of the details in our next newsletter that will be distributed
at the end of September 2006
9 RAR Birthday Celebration in
Because many will be absent from
At this stage, it is being proposed
that we join together with 8/9 RAR Association who are also having function on
that day. This would continue our
strong ties with the 8/9 RAR Association.
If the joint gathering goes ahead it will probably be in the John French
VC Club (Rams Retreat)
We will advise you of the details in
our next newsletter that will be distributed at the end of September 2006.
Membership and Finances
1. Membership
Fees:
The Queensland Branch of the
Association receives revenue from mainly two sources – from membership fees and
from sale of merchandise. Our current
income is barely covering our costs. We
would extend an invitation to all those members who for whatever reason are
currently not financial, would they please reconsider their situation. If it is within your means you would be
helping out the Association and others if you could forward in your outstanding
fees.
The issue of our overall finances will
be discussed in depth over the next few months.
See membership figures below.
2. Newsletters:
It is proposed that each financial
member (one per household) will receive a full copy of the Niner News (parts
will be in colour) and it will be produced quarterly. It is also proposed that this is the last
issue that will be forwarded to non-financial members; as a follow-up to this issue
we will be writing to those non-financial members advising of this and asking
for their support. We will continue to
place the articles from the Newsletter onto the website for any person to view.
3. Donations:
If any member knows of anyone or any
organisation that would be willing to donate monies or merchandise to assist us
in supporting our 9 RAR family, would you please let us know.
4. Current
Membership stands at:
Life
Members 6
Fully
Paid-Up Members 216
Financial
Members 57
Financial
Supporters 20
Non-financial
Members 129
Email
List 115
5. Address
Unknown:
We have had newsletters returned as
undelivered from the following members.
If anyone knows their whereabouts could they inform the committee or
have the member fill out a change of address form and send it in to us.
Mr Trevor Dale formerly of Ormeau Qld
Mr Graham Pollock formerly of Mackay Qld
Mr Jock Rutherford formerly of Russel Island Qld
6. Sick
Parade:
We have been notified of the following
members being not so well. Best wishes
and get well soon.
Garry Mayer
Jock
Gordon
Julie
Slater
Jack
English
Don
Gow
Freddie
Harris
If we have missed anybody, our good
wishes also go out to you for a speedy recovery.
*** Merchandise Special ***
Battalion Polo Shirt
We have some shirts that we would like to sell so we can improve our cash flow. To assist us and to give you a great deal for the reunion in Perth the following special will apply for the next few months or until stocks run out.
BUY ONE POLO SHIRT AND GET A SECOND POLO SHIRT FOR HALF PRICE.
(That means two shirts for $45.00)
The oldest Infantry myth; "Dump
your packs here and we'll come back for them after the action."
Websites
RAR Association (Qld):
www.rar.org.au
The website is up and running and it is
a great site. Type in the above
address, click on
Check out the RAR Qld Noticeboard for
current issues and photographs that are regularly updated. Also, it is very informative to see what is
happening with the other Battalions.
Private Site by Ern Marshall:
www.hotkey.net.au/~marshalle/
Some good information, check out some
of the photos in the 9 RAR link.
5/7 RAR
www.5-7rar.org
Veterans helping Veterans = Project Pandanus http://veteransanctuary.tripod.com/index.htm
One for the Ladies
Did you hear about the eleven people hanging on a rope under
the helicopter? There were ten men and
one woman. The rope was not strong
enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, because
otherwise they were all going to fall.
They weren’t able to name that person until the woman gave a very
touching speech. She said she would
voluntarily let go the rope, because as a woman, she was used to giving up
everything for her husband and kids, or for men in general, and was used to
making sacrifices with little in return.
As she finished her speech the men started clapping their hands. Ho…Hum
Dawn Service
It's just a simple service in a little place I know,
When steady stars are paling & the sleeping earth wakes slow,
With the grassy smell of morning &the bright dew on the lawn,
It's just a simple service in a little town at dawn.
There isn't any grand parade or marching or a band,
But just a little group of blokes,who watch and think and stand,
There isn't any bugler there to play a sad "last post,"
But from the mists of memories the past steals like a ghost.
And all the intervening years the busy minds will bridge,
To deserts harsh, beaches cold, and craggy mountain ridge,
To laughter, fear, a thousand things, the faces and the jokes,
And how it all comes back again just standing with the blokes.
It's just a simple service while the dawn is breaking red,
It's not the words a fellow hears but those that stay unsaid,
It's not the glow of glory that the fleeting moment lends,
But just the recollection…...in the morning…..of your friends.
Arthur Francis OAM
Military Medal
Mounting
“Court
Mounting” of full size and miniature medals plus a wide range of replicas.
Special
prices for Association members.
Contact:
Ron
Sherringham
07 3264
2933
0403 436
752
210826
W01 John Stewart (Jock) Allan OAM
-
RSM 9RAR –
RSM 8/9RAR -
Prior to
arriving in
It was on
this second trip to Malaya on the Troopship MV Flaminia, steaming towards
Singapore, that the ship’s Captain made an announcement over the P.A. system
that one CPL Jock Allan was now the proud father of a bouncing boy - Mother and
Son both well! Guess who happened to get
an extra beer ration that night. Jock
was in Charlie Company in
Jock also
spent 2 years in
During his
career, Jock served with: 1RAR, 2RAR, 9RAR, 8/9RAR, Jungle Training Centre,
Officer Cadet School Portsea, Australian Army Training Team - Vietnam,
Queensland University Regiment and 1st Recruit Training
Battalion. During his posting to 1RTB he
was awarded the OAM for Distinguished and Exemplary Service to the Australian
Army.
Jock
retired from the Army as a Warrant Officer Class One on the
“During his service, Jock was a
hard but fair and just man, one who didn’t tolerate fools, but deep down he
loved and respected his men”
“REST IN PEACE FRIEND”
Peter Cowan
NOTE: Vice President
Barry Stalder attended the Funeral Service for Jock Allan on behalf of the 9
RAR Assoc. Qld. The service was held at Albany Creek Crematorium, Aspley and was
well attended including many Gaythorne R.S.L members.
On behalf of all 9 RAR Assoc. members, he offered condolences to Laura and
Family.
Calendar of Events
Fri. 18 Aug 06 40th
Anniversary
Fri. 18 Aug 06
September 06 The
laying of the memorial plaque at the NMW for Pte Kovco will occur with 3 RAR
during the month.
Mon.
25 Sept
06 9 RAR Association Committee Meeting.
Sat.
7 Oct 06 9 RAR Assn (Qld), rostered work party at
the RAR National Memorial Walk, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. It has been
brought forward from Nov. due to the clash with
Sat.
28 Oct 06 9 RAR Assn (Qld) Battalion Birthday &
Annual Commemoration Service. Details yet to be confirmed.
Sat. 11
Nov 06 Remembrance Day
(Brisbane). RAR National Memorial Walk, assemble from 1030 hr.
Fri.
17, Sat. 18,
&
Sun. 19 Nov 06 9RAR
National Reunion - Perth.
9 RAR Association
SA
The following article was written as
background information for a press release for the recent commemorative
services for the ten 9 RAR soldiers (SA) killed in action in
THE
NEXT OF KIN - THE FORGOTEN VICTIMS OF WAR
The Infantry Platoon at War
In the
terror and the turmoil of a contact with the enemy a young 9 RAR Digger pays
the supreme sacrifice and loses his fight for life. It might have been small
arms fire, it might have been a mine, a booby trap or a rocket propelled
grenade whichever the case when your mates get hit it is usually visually repugnant.
It might even include the screams of his fight for life. Yes this is visually
repugnant, it is brutal what these high-powered weapons can do to the human
body but, we cannot allow this to become emotionally repugnant for this is war
and war is about concentration and staying alive.
Eventually
there is a lull in the gunfire and a deathly quiet settles, contact with the
enemy is broken off. Then, and only then, does our attention turn to the
causalities, there’s and ours. These are our dead and wounded. The frantic
efforts of the medics and stretcher-bearers become all too obvious. This is the
time that we request a “Dust Off”, a Medivac Helicopter that is going to
transport our wounded and our dead mates from the battlefield. A hasty Landing
Zone, or point of hover, is prepared for the Choppers and then we await that
familiar sound of the Huey coming to the rescue of our boys.
Whilst the
medics fight the battle to keep our boys alive the Platoon direct their total
focus to the defence of the Landing Zone to afford the safe evacuation of our
casualties. The Medivac Choppers arrive and our wounded are carefully loaded
into the Choppers. It is then the turn of our boys who have been killed in
action. Equally, I am sure, they are carefully loaded into the Choppers for
their trip out of hell.
Immediately
following the evacuation the Platoon is on the move because the sound of the
Choppers attracts the enemy. The Platoon is now back into War Mode, their total
fibre focused on the next contact with the enemy and only too soon the shooting
will commence again.
Something
is missing you ask? Is that it - you engage the enemy, you shoot some of
theirs, they shoot some of ours. You evacuate your wounded and dead and then
just move on as if nothing has happened. Well, that is exactly how it was your
total focus then had to be on the next contact with the enemy which may not be
for days, but is more normally, hours.
Our Grief
War does
not allow the Infantry Digger to grieve for his mates, war does not allow us to
focus on our loss, we cannot allow ourselves that luxury. The parents, the
friends, the family of our boys are thousands of miles away back in
That was
1969, an eternity away but not that far away that we can ever forget that we
lost our mates. Despite our best efforts, despite all our rules of mateship we
lost 35 men in
It is time
that we faced the families of these men at a shared a graveside Commemoration
Service and said to these families “we are sorry”. Despite our best efforts we
lost your boy and “we are sorry, and we grieve in exactly the same way as you
do”.
The Families – their Next of Kin
On this the
37th year of the anniversary of their death we have now conducted graveside
Commemoration Services for the 10 men, who were Killed in Action with 9 RAR,
that are buried here in South Australia.
The shared
experience with the families, most of whom we have not had any previous contact
with, has finally commenced, for those that can, (for some it will never end)
the end of the grieving process for both us the men of 9 RAR, and the families
alike.
We are
shocked to find how badly the families fared in this whole process. We are to learn that Corporal Allan Graham’s
widow did not receive a telegram, let alone a personal message from the
Military. She, all alone and without support, was informed by a third party
that her husband had been Killed in Action in
The 40th Anniversary
We seek
your help in this the 40th Anniversary year of the Battle of Long Tan. The 9th
Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment served in the
As soldiers
who fought the war, and were looked after to some degree, we were devastated to
learn of how many of these families still have not received the Medal
entitlements that their family has paid so dearly for. These families, more
than ever, need our help. They need the help of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. They still need coping skills and interaction with other families that
know the pain and the frustration of loss.
These
families need to know what assistance and resources are available to them.
These are the things that, whilst fighting a War, we took for granted was being
done for our dead mates and their families. Surely they are the forgotten
Victims of the War in
By holding
a meeting of representatives of the families of those South Australian members
of 9RAR we hope to be able to give them an opportunity to meet with each other
and gain the mutual support of those who are the only ones who can fully share
their loss.
Warren
Featherby
President
9 RAR
Association SA.
Long Tan Day- Brisbane
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
See www.6rarassociation.com for full details. Below is a summary for those who don’t have
access.
“6 RAR’s plans for the Commemoration of Long Tan Day
are well advanced however are subject to changes in operational requirements.
(The Vietnam Veteran
Community is welcome to attend).
The Battalion will conduct two commemoration
significant activities at the Duncan Oval, Gallipoli Barracks in
The first significant activity will be a parade and
conduct of a United Drumhead Service that will commence at approximately
Preceding the formal march on of the Battalion, two
actions are planned to set the scene for the parade. The first is the use of
some battle noise simulation to reflect the distant firing of mortar and
recoilless rifle primary detonations with further battle noise simulation to
reflect the landing of these rounds to the rear of the parade. This action will
establish the historical significance of what eventually led to the Battle of
Long Tan forty years ago.
The second action is that the assembled veterans of the
Battle of Long Tan, regardless of Army unit or Service will be 'stood to' by
the Battalion's Regimental Sergeant Major and directed to take their priority
seating allocation by respective unit, directly in front of the parade ground.
This measure is designed so as to enable all spectators to identify and welcome
the veterans back to 6 RAR in preparation for the parade. Once the
veterans are seated, the parade will commence with the march-on of the
Battalion and the arrival of the official guests and the reviewing officer.
Before the conduct of the actual Service, the Battalion
will further 'call' all of the assembled 6 RAR Long Tan veterans to march onto
the parade in two divisions and indeed through the formed ranks of 6 RAR on
parade. The Battalion has formally invited Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith to
lead the Delta Company veterans in the first division. The second division will
contain all remaining Battalion veterans from the battle. Should
Lieutenant Colonel Smith be unable to attend, no alternate commander will be
utilised, as has been custom on previous Battalion parades.
After moving through the Battalion, the veterans will
form up in a hollow square at the head of the parade, directly in front of 18
upturned 7.62mm SLR in the ground. At this time, the President of the Long Tan
Veterans Association would read out the Honour Roll of the fallen Delta Company
soldiers. After each individual name is read out, one Delta Company veteran
will move forward and solemnly place a slouch hat on a rifle. The 18th rifle
has been included so to fittingly commemorate the honour of Corporal Clements
from 3 Troop, 1 APC Squadron who died of wounds sustained in the battle.”
ANZAC DAY 2006
by Jack English
Twas the morning of the twenty fifth day of April in the
year 2006 when many thousands of people lined the streets of central Sydney to
watch Lyle Orreal, Bob Hannah, Harry Birrell, Terry Goode, Terry James, Merf
Menzies, Barry Wakefield and Jack English, ex members of 4Pl B Coy 9 RAR, march
in the annual ANZAC Day Parade. As 9
RAR came into view people pointed and turning to each other exchanging knowing
nods they raised their cameras as they attempted to photograph these ex members
of 4 Pl. Many were disappointed, as one
man, not a previous member of 4 Pl, always seemed to be central in their photos
and in the way. He was some fellow
called Peter Cosgrove, who as a young Lt, had for a period been in command of
some other platoon in B Coy.
Bob Hannah and I decided we
would fly to
The next morning we walked in the
intermittent rain to the RAR Memorial in
We then proceeded to the
form-up location for the march where we met other B Coy blokes. Some I had not seen since
After the march, 9 RAR
rallied at the Wellington Hotel first floor.
Serving Navy members had taken over the ground floor and the password
"9 RAR" was required to get past security to the first floor. I heard that a couple of years ago the Navy
had made a nuisance of themselves in the 9 RAR area and a fracas had ensued
which resulted in some 9 RAR members being awarded honorary titles normally
associated with names like Kosta Tyszu or Mundine.
The gathering went off very
well including many wives and children/grandchildren in attendance. Here we also met Barry Wakefield's son,
Daniel. A personable, good looking (he assured
me he was Barry Wakefield's son) young man who has an album out and appeared on
and did well in the TV series Australian Idol.
Daniel after some encouragement from our swooning wives entertained us
with his singing. After some three
hours at the
Bob Hannah, our imbedded
Chinese cultural and cuisine expert, then guided us to a Chinese restaurant
where all enjoyed a delicious meal
Thus ended a good ANZAC Day
in
The
Australian War Memorial
OPENING OF
The
Veterans' Affairs Minister Bruce Billson has opened the
"The
Australian Government is committed to honouring and remembering our proud
military history and has contributed $11.6 million to the
"This
building will provide an evocative setting for commemorations and a place for
contemplation and reflection on the service of all those who sacrificed so
bravely for our nation during war.
"Funding
support will also help the redevelopment of the post 1945 exhibitions within
the main building. The space available for the
"We
also welcome the news that businessman, philanthropist and pilot Dick Smith,
with his wife Pip, have donated $1,000,000 to the Memorial. The donation will fund
the creation of a dramatisation of a 1967 Iroquois sortie in
"I
applaud Mr Smith and his wife for their generosity and his acknowledgement of
the great sacrifice made by Australian men and women who served in
======================================
ANZACs IN
This
year, 2006, is the 90th anniversary of the First Battle of the
Drawing
on the Memorial's extensive collections, the "ANZACs in
Opening
www.awm.gov.au/1916
=======================================
GALLIPOLI: A
TURKISH VIEW
Through
interpretation of the Memorial's photograph collection and a selection of
Turkish relics, "Gallipoli: a Turkish view" enables visitors of both
cultures to ponder their own and their former enemy's experience of the
campaign and its continuing importance.
On
display: Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton, NSW, from
========================================
AWM Events
Long
Tan Day.
For
more information about the stand-to ceremony, outdoor concert and the various tours, talks and film screenings to
be held 18 - 20 August 2006,
Visit
their website at www.awm.gov.au/events/whatson