http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/#folio=1
FIREPOWER: Joint combined-arms capability on display at Chong Ju – Centre
COMMUNITY: Pacific engagement hits high note. - Pages 6-7
STRATEGY: We break down the Battle of Winterfell with a tactical analysis. - Page 20
And in sport:
BEST FOOT FORWARD: Soldiers take to the waves at Inter-Service Surfing Championships.- Page 22
Attached is a document, with Bio, in support of Colin Johns for RSL SA/NT President
another document posted 16 May.
‘DVA surveyed over 3000 veterans and clients last year, with results helping to lead the way to improved services for veterans and their families’
Dear ESORT Members,
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is currently preparing for 2019 Client Satisfaction Survey, which will be held in June/July this year.
The survey seeks to understand how clients feel about their interactions with DVA, and how we can improve the way we provide services and support to veterans and their families. Understanding the experiences of our clients and capturing feedback is critical during this period of change, which is why DVA has committed to conducting the Client Satisfaction Survey on an annual basis.
ORIMA Research, an independent market research company, will conduct the survey on DVA’s behalf, and will ensure the collection of statistically robust and objective data.
Clients selected as part of the sample group, will receive a letter in the first instance, explaining the survey process and how to opt out of the survey if they do not wish to participate. As per 2018, approximately 3,000 clients will be contacted by ORIMA Research to respond to the telephone survey. The survey calls generally take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
All information will be collected and stored in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Answers given by participants are completely confidential and any personal details which may identify participants in any way, will not be passed to DVA. Answers will not in any way affect benefits or services which participants are entitled to from DVA.
Information about the survey can be found on DVA’s website www.dva.gov.au/survey. If you have any questions please email us at client.survey@dva.gov.au, or call the general enquires line on 1800 555 254.
I encourage you and your members to participate in this survey as DVA values your views and feedback as we work to transform to put veterans and their families at the centre of our business.
Yours sincerely,
Liz
This is the current issue of the Infantryman
Below for December 2018
Infantryman December 2018 FINAL
Below for August 2018
Below for March 2018
Infantryman final 2 March 2018
Below is December 2017
Infantryman December 2017 Dec 4
Below is the August 2017 issue
Yet again a very successful Greek Night with nearly 90 attendees and everybody enjoying the food and cameradarie.
Click on the photos for better viewing.
On Tuesday 19th February 2019 the RAR Association SA conducted a combined units commemorative service for the Battle of Hat Dich (3 December 1968 to 19 February 1969).
The Service was very well supported by the 1st Armoured Regiment and attended by various members of State Parliament and the Mayor of Burnside Council, Anne Monceaux, who has been very supportive of the RARA SA. The Service was organised by Mr Ceremonial, Adrian Craig, and Russell Campbell was the Master of Ceremonies.
Below are a number of photos of the Service, as always, click on the photo for more detail.
I have posted a number of videos on Youtube of film that I took on 6RAR’s second tour in 1969-70. Each video is about 5 minutes long. There is no commentary, just appropriate sounds of aircraft/guns/armour and background music. I originally did these for the National Vietnam Veterans Museum so they could be used on a free standing TV operated by the viewer alongside the museum item on display (eg, film of guns firing next to a 105mm howitzer).
One special film is when I went on a flight with Jade 8 (between operations) and witnessed an airstrike by Canberra bombers from the air. Years later after contacting Chris in Texas, he said he had taped the cockpit conversations between the Forward Air Controller (himself) and a flight of Canberra bombers on a similar airstrike. I have included that to add to the authenticity. I believe the film of the bombs dropping from the Canberra is unique in that can only be done from the perspective of a Forward Air Controller.
Vietnam War Aussie Armour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FATinuPC4Aw
Vietnam War Aussie Artillery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7mDAMNvPYY
Vietnam War Aussie Airstrike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0W75-aTOs
Vietnam War Aussie Infantry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9tpxCqskFE
Vietnam War Aussie Hueys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtoTbN3BHhI
Vietnam War Aussie Navy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdS926B_xVU
Vietnam War Aussie R&C Vung Tau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdAe0lZhSnM
There are strong reasons to support this campaign.
https://chuffed.org/project/protecting-the-rar
Duty First
We had a very successful and entertaining party with guests and members enjoying the display provided by Ken Duthie, the jocularity of Rod Graham and historical perspective provided by Fred Fairhead.
Attached is the address given by Fred and a copy of the handout provided for all attendees.
Yet again, a highly enjoyable and successful Dinner with fabulous food, great friends and wonderful comradeship.
A selection of photos below
Greek Night – 4 May 18.
A highly successful evening with more than 65 guests enjoying a feast provided by Tim, Tas, Con & Sia.
a
What a great afternoon of eating drinking and generally making merry with wonderful friends along with our two very learned wine experts in William Smidmore and Mike von Berg. Of course without the wonderful team of workers who made it all happen and come together and of course the Caterers who did a fabulous job and making life a little easier for the team – if I mention names then sure as eggs somebody will be left out and we cannot let that happen.
So a great day had by all. Cheers. Mrs. Vice (aka Lynn Graham)
And photos – courtesy of Penelope & Bruce Forster – below, as always, click on photos for better viewing and captions.
Here are a few photos of our highly successful dinner. As always, by selecting a photo you will be able to view a better photo as well as the caption for it.
And some nostalgic memories of our May 2013 Regimental Dinner
Please view the latest news on the RCB campaign here RCB Update
There is an extensive history to this campaign under the Advocacy tab (above).
The Casualty List has been off line for some time, here it is revived.
Note by clicking on the sub-headings, unit or coy/pl for example, you can then filter your searches.
Here is the April 2017 edition Infantryman April 2017
You can view the November 2016 edition here Infantryman November final 16.11.2016
the August 2016 edition here Infantryman August
and the April 2016 edition here Infantryman+April+2016
There are numerous excellent articles and a list of activities at HQ for the foreseeable future.
Archived Infantryman are under the Infantryman tab.
Courtesy of the 5RAR website, here is some historical information which may help revive a number of fading memories
http://www.5rar.asn.au/history/information-book-for-nashos.pdf
An interesting article concerning Jock Buchan, KIA 11 December 1969, his ashes found in Scotland!
You can read it here Buchan Article
========================
Further to the above article, comments and a link from Paul Jackson, Jock’s Platoon Commander.
Hi Fred,
What a special journey. It is hard to believe that after almost 50 years we have finally completed Jock’s story. We have come so far over the past year or so. A little over 12 months ago those involved in the action, Jock’s closest mates, did not even know where his body had gone after watching him being wrapped in a hutchie, tied on to a jungle penetrator and then winched slowly up to the hovering Dustoff chopper. Due to the tireless and dedicated work of a group of committed brothers-in-arms, Jock’s sacrifice has now been properly recognised, first with a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and now with your special service at his gravesite in far off Scotland.
Most of you reading this email would not be aware that Jock Buchan’s death holds a very special place in our Vietnam war history. On the day of the action, an official Army photographer was moving with the company and took a series of photographs immediately after the contact. Of the many thousands of photographs taken during the Vietnam War, these are the only ones that actually record the death of an Australian soldier. For this reason I believe that Jock’s death has become symbolic of all those Australians who lost their lives in that conflict. Too graphic and politically sensitive to be publicly released at the time, the images are a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
The importance of this series of photographs is also well recognised by the AWM who have been corresponding with me recently seeking help identifying other members of the platoon captured in those iconic images. With your agreement Fred I would like to send your article to the Head Curator, Photographs, Film and Sound at the AWM. She has already expressed interest in the Dundee ceremony. I believe that this would also be an appropriate place for ‘Jock’s Story’ to be recorded.
On behalf of all Jock’s 12 Platoon brothers, well done and thank you.
Regards
Paul
ps For those interested, the AWM link to those photographs is attached below:
