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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/us/for-army-infantrys-1st-women-heavy-packs-and-the-weight-of-history.html?emc=edit_th_20170527&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=26642543&_r=0 An interesting article in the New York Times concerning women in the US infantry    

1200734 MARALDO, Norman Peter.9 December 1943 – 15 May 2017. CPL Norman ‘Norm’ Maraldo, late of Mintaro, SA, suffered a sudden massive heart attack in Marble Bar, WA. He and Karli, his wife, had been touring at the time, Norm joined the Battalion as a rifleman and later served as a CPL with 12 Platoon, D Company from 18 October 1966 to the Battalion’s return to Australia. The funeral is to be held at the hall in Mintaro SA. on Friday 2 June at noon with the burial at the Mintaro cemetery  Ex 5 RAR & ex service welcome to attend. Medals to be worn. Any further details contact Mid North … Continue reading →

The Australian Government has established a Taskforce to  examine the transition process from the perspective of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families leaving the ADF and entering civilian life.  The Taskforce was formed as a result of one of the Government’s 2016 election commitments, and involves current and former members of the ADF, as well as representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Department of Defence and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation.  As part of the Taskforce’s engagement activity, an online survey has been developed to capture the experiences and views of key stakeholders. The Survey can be found via the following link:  https://www.orima.com.au/dva/transition This survey will … Continue reading →

ad it here http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/ SAD LOSSES: We pay tribute to two soldiers killed in tragic training accidents – PAGES 2-3  WELCOME TO ARMY: A Rwandan refugee who carried an ANF patch for 22 years marched out of 1RTB on April 28 - PAGE 5 CONCRETE MIX: Cross cultural learning took on a new dimension as Australian and US engineers worked with Philippine soldiers on a school in Ormoc City during Exercise Balikatan – CENTRE HISTORICAL GEM: Blue Mountains photographer Sarah Moore has digitised her great grandfather’s (Pte Holly van Dyck) WWI artwork illustrating what young solders of 45 Bn faced on the Western Front – PAGE 19 AND IN SPORT: Army dominates interservice rugby union championships … Continue reading →

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

The collection of video clips was produced by Malcolm McKinnon for a project called Ripples of Wartime, coinciding with the season of Verity Laughton’s play Long Tan.  http://www.brinkproductions.com/productions/ripples-of-wartime The stories all hold up on their own, but they also have a collective impact and meaning that is more than the sum of their parts.   Courtesy of  Malcolm McKinnon. Of particular interest are the clips involving Frank Clarke (5 RAR First Tour) and RARA SA Member Di Fairhead

Please be advised that 2/4 RARA will be conducting our 2017 AGM (Mercure Canberra – 26 Aug) and AWM Plaque Dedication Ceremony (AWM – 25 Aug). Specific details are provided on the 2/4 RARA Website at www.24rarassociation.com and will be updated as further info is provided.   All former 2/4 RAR Officers and Soldiers, and RARA members who have an affiliation with the battalion are invited to attend.   Max Walker, OAM President  2/4 RARA

The 100th contribution comes from  The Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.   An interesting read concerning a close call Martin had whilst serving with the SAS.  You can read it here This week marks a milestone for the Veterans SA Think Piece Series

Dave Beacham arrived at Torrens Parade Ground yesterday 31 March to a good sized welcoming committee, including his Mum & Dad. Rod Graham presented a cheque for $1,000 from the RARA SA Welfare Fund.  The 3 RAR Assn SA also presented cash to Dave. In his speech, Dave advised that over $10,000 had been raised thus far.  This amount will be sufficient to commence construction of the retreat. Click on the photos for captions and improved viewing.   An informative newspaper article here  http:/www.transcontinental.com.au/story/4558203/david-rides-for-good-cause/  

 Here is the latest Holdfast.  There is a very interesting article about FSB Andersen during February 1968.  Many of our 3RAR comrades will remember this Operation http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-30.pdf Here is the link to the Tunnel Rats Newsletter page http://tunnelrats.com.au/newnewsletters.php

Around 60 people from a wide cross-section of community members from battalion and association members to politicians and the catafalque party members, young men from 7 RAR, attended the combined regiments 48th Anniversary Hat Dich Commemoration Service at the Royal Australian, Regiment Association RSL Hall at Linden Park on February 19. Photos courtesy of Bruce & Penelope Forster (as always, click on photos for better viewing) Top L to R; Catafalque Party, Wreathes for Poppies, Sandra & Adrian Craig, Jan & David Stacey Bottom L to R; Craig Haydock, John Genovese & Rod Harris, Vicki Chapman MP (Member for Bragg), her grand daughter Adelaide & Francis Bedford MP (Member for … Continue reading →

The RSM and CO of 7RAR presented a flag to the RARA SA on 14 December 2016.  This flag represents one of the 7RAR soldiers Killed In Action and was flown over the 7RAR base in Iraq during September 2016.

A number of photos to view, as ever, click on the photo to increase the size

Mike had this to say: ” Proud to speak to the 5 RAR Recon Platoon and then present the Student of Merit prize to Private Howard after the recent Recon Selection Course. Its great to see a young bright soldier like Private Howard who has only been in the Battalion for six months blitz the field.”    As always, click on the photo to enlarge.  

The RARA National Conference was held in Adelaide Monday and Tuesday 3 & 4 October. Here are a few photos of a number of the participants;  

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 … Continue reading →

Here is the final copy of  A DUTY DONE Addendum   The Addendum describes a number of new operations, including;  three by 1RAR in 1965 (Iron Triangle, New Life and Smash), two by 9RAR in 1969 (Matthew and Hat Dich), one by 5RAR in 1969 (Kings Cross) and the one by 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion on 17/18 August 1969 when the original Long Tan Cross was erected. It is necessary to have a copy of A Duty Done to read the Addendum. And here is a name index to be used in conjunction with the original A Duty Done A Duty Done Index of Names Here is the Price List for A Duty Done and … Continue reading →

If you have not visited this site yet, it is very interesting and has some current members of the RARA SA on it, including the President, Mike von Berg MC OAM and Robert “Dogs”Kearney. https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/