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Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Mick Connolly

Mick Connolly — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 01:22:08 +0000

Humpty. Mate if you ever fell off the wall, I am sure there would be many who would pick you up and put back on the wall

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 09:04:11 +0000

Mick
Its a matter of priniple,I can recall we had some Nashos in our section at Butterworth, those blokes would now be 63 years of age and they must have thought about their RCB service and being taken to a level of combat readiness only not to have their service recognised.How do they exlain to their family about their service, Nashos at that level had it hard, conscripted into the army, sent overseas to a foreign land, armed and on patrol with the prosepect of being shot and told by the government who sent them there that it was only normal garison duty.At that stage National service had been reduced to 18 months in and out.Likewise the young regs who were sent there, I am not surprised that there has not been a lot more reaction on this issue, or maybe like many infantry men, did the job and moved on.This humpty dumpty will not be sitting on the wall.

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by WINSTON O PARRY (BILL)

WINSTON O PARRY (BILL) — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 05:01:33 +0000

I am a veteran of Borneo and VN…I did 3 tours to RCB.The same degrees of readiness prevailed .The Labor Government at the time placed us all in a degree of danger, but failed to upgrade the service to Active Service. The Liberal Government also did not choose to do it either. We all did a great job there and that reflects why the base was not attacked.

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by vin cronin

vin cronin — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 01:46:41 +0000

its great to hear these stories please let me know what i can do i was there when 8rar and 9 rar came together i dont want a gong just recognition for our work [ iam sorry cant word this too well ] ps i look on this site nearly every weekend to see if any old names come up so far not yet anyway all the best to you all vin

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by WINSTON O PARRY (BILL)

WINSTON O PARRY (BILL) — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 23:42:37 +0000

I served on the RCB ,In 73,74-75-and 76.I was a veteran of Malaya-Borneo and two tours to VN with Infantry. RCB Service was similar to Active Service to the point of readiness . The fact that the base was never attacked was due to the Rifle Company presence and diligence! We were not put there from 1970 on,for no reason.However the Labor Government at the time watered it all down……this current govt did as well and will probably continue on the Labor line,because it suits them to do so.

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Mick Connolly

Mick Connolly — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 23:58:55 +0000

Humpty Dumpty. Mate very refreshing to read your comments. I was very disappointed with one of the former Sgts of 1 RAR (1974 RCB) who refused to sign the petition put forward by the RCB Support Group, his refusal was followed by a group of other ex SVN Vets who followed his lead and would not sign the petition, including one who was a RAAF pilot in Butterworth during that same period. As you stated RCB is not and has never been claimed by the RCB group to be the same as service in Vietnam (and rightly so) however as you have correctly stated the prospect of casualties was there. It would appear that you do not wear blinkers and support former ADF members in their fight for natural justice. Good on you mate. Duty First as always.

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:12:15 +0000

Did RCB with 6RAR , we rotated out of Singapore to Butterworth during 72. Being a Vietnam Vet I reflect on the RCB service as being similar in terms of being taken to a level of combat readiness , there was a likihood of being shot by unknown snipers whilst on perimeter patrol.We had been briefed on the CTs and the threat.Whilst it was not at the same level of intensity as Vietnam and falls away in comparison, it did however elevate our mindset and level of alertness.There was a real potential for casualties to occur. Hang in there guys.

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Dave Evans

Dave Evans — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 02:37:06 +0000

G’day Mick, yes, well remember the old Chinese cemetery at the northern end of the airbase, doing night standing watches and waiting, in full kit with live ammo. And watching the old RAAF truck coming round the perimiter track to pick us up in the morning. It seems only yesterday but the years have added up very fast, soon be 40 years since the deployment. Maybe the politicians are playing the long game and waiting for us to drop off the perch, that way no decision needs to be made. Dave “Onward”

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Kon Glekas

Kon Glekas — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 04:56:19 +0000

Hi All

I was at Butterworth with 2/4 RAR Sep to Nov 1975 and remember quite clear hearing that the Cheif of Police had been killed.
When Robert Cross from 8/9 RAR group lodged their submission for the recognition of service as war like, in the letter that was received it stated that the service was arduous service for DVA purposes.

Now as time goes by, more and more information is revealed. And we must keep on trying in our quest.

regards to all

Kon Glekas

Comment on Rifle Company Butterworth by Linton Solomon (sol)

Linton Solomon (sol) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:17:54 +0000

Les I was with Bravo 8/9 RAR on two occasions 74 and 76. Same story mate, fully gunned up on sandbag emplacements around the base at night and on QRF call outs..go figure.