4TH FIELD REGIMENT (SVN) ASSOCIATION AKA 4TH FIELD REGT OLD BOYS Patron: David Anderson. President: Peter Bruce, OAM Treasurer: Gabby Hayes. NEWSLETTER No 66 Autumn (March) 2026 All correspondence to Peter Bruce, 33 Cathie Circuit, Lake Cathie NSW 2445 or pjbruce88@outlook.com Mobile is 0419 349 317 G’day Old Boys I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are on top of all your New Year Resolutions. Susie and I ticked off one of our bucket list items when we went up to Tamworth for the annual Country Music Festival. We dragged the caravan up the mountain (Oxley Highway) and spent a couple of nights at Apsley Falls, about 20 ks this side of Walcha. We had been expecting hot weather and had taken all our cold weather gear out of the caravan. Big mistake! We froze through a couple of very cold nights for that part of the world at that time of the year. We had a fire roaring and layers of summer gear on to keep warm. Aspley Falls is a wonderful place to camp for a couple of nights and the walks around the gorge and waterfalls are great. We set up at Kootingal for our time at the TCMF, which is a little place about 20 ks north of Tamworth towards Armidale. It was a great spot with plenty of room and an easy drive into the centre of the festival each day. If you like your country music and enjoy watching and listening to a variety of bands and individuals, Tamworth is the place to be in January. The hot weather returned once we got to Tamworth, but we came home before the second week started and the heat was turned up a degree or two. Back home and grateful for the sea breezes. Just an aside for any 4WD users. I recently swapped the All-Terrain tyres I have been running for many years and went to some Toyo ‘Urban/Terrain’ tyres – very American terminology. What a pleasure to drive on as most, if not all, of our driving is on the blacktop these days with perhaps the occasional visit to National Park/State Forest dirt tops. So far, these Toyo UTs have been brilliant. I am slowly working my way through the famous novel by Leo Tolstoy “War and Peace”. I am on my fourth (now fifth) extension from the local library and will definitely need a few more extensions. It’s an interesting but at times boring read with one of the biggest issues being able to remember who’s who in the novel. I have a bit of a backlog of reading matter now but all things in good time. One name I came across was Emperor Alexander Pavlovich who was emperor of Russia from 1801 to 1825. I wonder if our own Old Boy, Alex Pavlovich, was named after the old Emperor? I think the older Alexander would have been proud of our Alex, who was an A grade squash player (who could play left or righthanded), and a very handy number 9 on the rugby field. He was an FO Sig in Vietnam with us in 70/71. I had been watching the Rugby Sevens Tournament from Singapore recently. What a fantastic stadium their National Stadium is. A bit better than the old Padang sports ground that was used during my time (and quite a few other Old Boys) in 1972/73. The stadium was opened in 2014 and can accommodate 55,000 patrons. Hopefully both our teams can
do better in Perth over the weekend 7/8 February. (Oops. Perth didn’t do much for our two teams. Competition is very tough.) I’m afraid this is the only photo I have regarding our award of the Don Donkin, MBE Soldiers Soldier Award. The 2025 recipient was Gunner Joshua Hurd, pictured on the left. With him is our Old Boy John Wilson who presented the award on our behalf. Members of the Donkin family complete the photo. They had travelled up from Sydney to witness the inaugural award. The photo at left shows the old Regimental Headquarters and parade ground being demolished at 4th Regiment’s lines in Townsville. The parade ground has gone to make way for new buildings to house the Self-Propelled guns the Regiment will get later this year. A section of the old parade ground presented to members of the Regiment and kept in the Paddy Durnford, OAM 4th Regiment Historical Collection
Phone call from Dave Alderton on 15 Jan 2026. Dave tells me he and his wife travelled to China during 2025, and this year are planning a trip to Jordan, Turkey and Ireland in Apri/ May. Safe travels Dave. You would be aware that we lost a few Old Boys of late including Des Spurr. PJ Smith attended the funeral for Des and reports as follows; I attended the funeral service of Des Spurr yesterday (27 January 2026) in the Le Pine Funerals facility at Eltham in Melbourne's North East. I was saddened to hear of Des' passing, and I decided to attend as I wanted to ensure that there was representation from our unit/association. As it turns out, I was one of three who attended, the others being Eric Neill and David Hanlon. I was very pleased to see them there. Eric and David both looked in fine health. Des' memorial service was very well attended, and it was a case of 'standing room only'. His brother-in-law, who described himself as "more brother than law", delivered a lengthy, heartfelt eulogy highlighting his love of family and their love of him, his cheeky character and, importantly, his great pride in his Army service. One of Des' sons also spoke briefly as did a trio of his grandchildren and his daughter. Collectively, they provided a snapshot of his life and his passion for his family. Des was diagnosed with Parkinson's way back in 2001 and so he had fought a long battle with that illness which progressively robbed him of an able body and, in the end, memory, etc. Through all that, it was said that Des soldiered on for about 25 years, not surrendering in spirit to the disease nor allowing it to define him. Des had been resident in a care facility for the final 4 years of his life. Your work PJ in keeping us all informed was the catalyst for at least 3 of us being there at Des' last parade. Thank you. 15 members of Jock Jenvey’s 108 Battery in Vietnam attended his funeral in Brisbane recently. This really does show the esteem in which Jock was held by the members of 108 Battery. John Wilson and his wife Denise, attended the funeral in Townsville for the late Paddy Durnford. Paddy was a great help to me over the years by supplying historical facts on various individuals and units, especially 4th Regiment. Obituaries for Jock and Paddy are available on the RAAHC web site www.artilleryhistory.org We have not done one for Des as we have very limited information on his life after National Service. This is an ongoing issue these days as we cannot access Statements of Service unless we are conducting a Poppy Service or the like. Having limited information of a life outside the military also relies on family or friends to send us eulogy’s etc. With the right information, we can draft a suitable obituary and post it on the RAAHC website. From Neville Clark on 30 Jan 2026 Dear Peter, Well done on the bucket-list Tamworth trip, the first part of it in freezing weather reminding me of our “sub-tropical” acclimatisation exercises at Shoalwater Bay - never been so cold at nights in my life! A pleasing note. On St Barbara’s Day last year, the Gunners of the 4th Regiment took on the auld enemy of the Sappers of 3 Combat Engineer Regiment in the usual series of strength, agility and know-how tests and beat them for the second year in a row. I had this good news from the CO, Lt Col Simon Frewin. Even
better, he tells me, the Regiment will get its new SP guns this coming year. Not a moment too soon, I would say. Every best wish, UBIQUE Neville From Shane Oxenham on 30 Jan Peter, Thanks for your note, it's good to know that you and your family get out and enjoy travelling and country music. I wish I had known there was cold weather so close to Brisbane, it would have been worth travelling through that beautiful countryside to get there. Though, I don't do much long-distance driving now. I have developed a bad habit of going to sleep at the wheel. There is not much for me to write about the past, it is either forgotten or confused. I have been attending the annual 106 Bty lunch at the Gold Coast for a number of years but, like 105 Bty reunions, fewer and fewer people turn up each year. If I think of anything that is of interest I will drop you a line. In October, Lorna and I are going to Vietnam and Cambodia for a few weeks. It was either there, or the US. We decided to take the safe option. Best wishes to you and your family, for this year, and many to come. Keep up the good work. Regards, Shane From Tim Ford Hi Peter, Happy New Year to you also and all the best for 2026. Do let us know if you are coming through Sydney - it would be great catch up for a coffee or … Thank you for all you are doing to keep the Gunners informed - both as the RAAHC Obituary Member and the messages you pass on about various Gunners PLUS with the 4th Field Regiment Old Boys Newsletters - I know these are greatly appreciated by all. As you are aware, I am still managing the RAAHC Cutler Research Centre (CRC) at North Fort which maintains our Australian Artillery historical collection of books, historical papers, technical documents, CDs, maps and charts etc. Information on all of the over 6000 items held can be found through the links on the RAAHC website or through our eHive record which can be accessed via https://ehive.com/collections/201005/cutler-researchcentre Anyone can connect through their own internet or via the local library. In particular, of interest to this group, we have added to the CRC Collection all 59 of your 4th Field Regiment (SVN) Newsletters (1989-2024). Fascinating reading! These have all been scanned and can be read as pdfs. Access through: Object number PE OB001 Name/Title
4th Field Regiment (SVN) Association Newsletter aka 4th Field Regiment Old Boys I am also still looking to get some retired Gunners as volunteers at the CRC. I have good team there but there is now no one other than myself who actually knows the difference between guns/mortars and air defence/locating. If there are any Gunners in the Sydney area who may be able to join us at North Fort for a few hours each week (either Wednesday or Thursday) can they please give me a call on 0408029295. Maybe you could include these points in your next newsletter. Keep up the great work! Cheers Tim Tim Ford Manager Cutler Research Centre Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company PO Box 171 Cremorne Junction NSW 2090 Tel 0408029295 managercrc@artilleryhistory.org Anzac Day or VV Day 2026 Back in early February I had a call from Barry Campbell, thanking us for information on the death of George Bindley. George had served in Vietnam with 1st Field Regiment. Again, lack of information about George makes it very hard to write a suitable obituary for him. Disposal of Defence Assets. Much has been written about the proposed sale of Defence assets around the country. I guess there are many sites which no longer fit the purpose they were originally set up for, however, it is disappointing to see prominent barracks like the Victoria Barracks complexes in Melbourne and Sydney on the for-sale list. Sales like this remind me of the decision by some Staff Officer back in the 1960s to sell the 9.2-inch guns at North Head for scrap metal. This decision was regretted by many for years to follow. I wonder if the same sentiment will apply to this current fire sale. Like most things these days, it really depends on the bottom line of the budget. The following had been extracted from “A Chronical of 5 Australian Field Artillery Units 1915 – 1923” produced by the Paddy Durnford, OAM 4th Regiment Historical Collection. This was first produced by Arthur Burke, OAM and updated over time by Paddy Durnford, Steve Wilson and Norm Wheeler, all volunteers at “The Collection”. Vietnam Gunners The Government announced an increase to the Australian commitment of a Task Force (1 ATF) of two battalions, the first elements of which arrived in Phuoc Tuy Province in May 1966. 1 ATF artillery included 1 Fd Regiment (HQ and 103 Fd Bty), a locating battery detachment and had operational control of a battery of US 155 mm self-propelled Ml09 howitzers. After 1 RAR returned home, 105 and 161 Btys came under command of 1 Fd Regiment on 5 June 1966. 101 Bty replaced 105 in Sep 66 and from then on, there was an Australian unit replacement cycle every 12 months—-1st then 4th then 12th Field Regiments in turn. As the Malaysia, then ANZUK (from December 1969) battery commitments also continued, the batteries within units constantly changed. A new 106 Bty was raised from December 1966 and 4th Field Regiment (106 and 108) then replaced the 1st commencing April 1967 and repeated the cycle in 1970 but this time with 106 and 107 Btys.
LTCOL R.J. Gardner’s Regiment (1966 – 1968) Key Appointments: CO: LTCOL R.J. Gardner 2IC: MAJ P.R. Burns (Till 26/6/66), MAJ G.M. Salom RSM: WO1 D.A. Gilday (1966), WO1 L.M. Almond Adjt: CAPT M. Thompson (Till 18/12/66), CAPT B.H. Mitchell QM: CAPT J.L. Martin Batteries HQ Battery - (BC) CAPT N.J. Rogers, CAPT P.C. Jones, - (BSM) WO2 R.B. Hardman 101 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ N.H. Marshall 101 Field Battery - 101 Bty replaces 105 Bty in SVN - (BSM) WO2 E.F. Buxton 106 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ E.D.M. Cape- (BSM) WO2 H. Iddon 108 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ J.E. Jenvey - (BSM) WO2 T.P. Banfield Main Armament - 18 x L5 Pack Howitzer LTCOL R.J. Gardner became CO in February 1966 and the six-week Ex Barrawinga at Shoalwater Bay in October that year was planned as the test prior to Vietnam. However, because this was before the final National Service reinforcements and 106 had not been raised, it really only allowed SOPs and regimental systems in the field to be sorted out. There were no further external reviews of 4th Field's operational effectiveness prior to embarkation. 106 Bty (MAJ E.D.M. Cape) and HQ Bty (CAPT P.C. Jones) completed reliefs on 30 April 1967. 108 Bty (MAJ J.E. Jenvey) joined them on 10 June. On that day also, CO LTCOL R.J. Gardner assumed operational control of 1 ATF Arty (4 Fd Regiment including 161 Bty RNZA; det 131 Div Loc Bty; A/2/35 Bty US Arty—155 mm SP; and HQ and A/l/83 Bty US Arty— 175 mm/8 in.) About this time, the Australian field batteries' L5 Pack Howitzers were replaced by the US 105 mm M2A2 towed Howitzers as the former had cracked elevating arcs and were excessively worn. This extended the close support range by 1000 m to 11 000 m and assisted the revised operational concept in which the infantry battalions began moving further away from Nui Dat, accompanied by their direct support batteries. TFHQ was also regularly deployed forward. Harassing and interdiction (H&I) tasks were fired each night by most batteries. It also became acceptable for these batteries to act as an additional infantry company for village cordon and search operations. In July 1967, Op Paddington (a div seek out and destroy 274 VC Regiment) in the south- east of the province was controlled by 9 US Div. TFHQ deployed just north of Xuyen Moc and the CO controlled an additional four US batteries. Problems digging in the mud led to the concept of bunding earth around guns for protection within the wire perimeter of fire support bases (FSB). Here also, the 4th suffered its first WIA casualties: GNR W.D. Setzinger from a mine and GNR M.J. Poustie from a mortar attack. During Op Ballarat (a battalion group search and destroy operation) on 6 August 1967 in the Chau Pha valley to the south-west of Phuoc Tuy Province, A/7 RAR sustained enemy contact which developed into a company action. Under heavy and accurate small arms, machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire from a suspected VC company, FO LT Neville Clarke brought fire from 106 Bty within 50 m, causing the VC to break contact. Six Australians were killed and 14 wounded but it was estimated that up to 200 VC were killed or wounded. Clark and the company commander were awarded MCs. On 13 September during Op Ainslie (the resettling of the Xa Bang villagers to Ap Suoi
Nghe) a platoon of C/2 RAR contacted a large force of enemy in a camp. Under heavy fire, FO Assistant BDR Geoffery Webster brought fire from 108 Bty accurately and close to his own position causing the enemy to withdraw. Webster, for this was Mentioned in Despatches. Next came three TF operations. Op Kenmore aimed to search and destroy on the province's south-west border corner with TFHQ deploying near Ho Tram Cape. As there were insufficient 161 Recce Fit personnel to maintain air warning procedures in the forward area, the Regimental Command Post (RCP) accepted this task. M2A2 battery moves by US CH47 helicopters were now perfected at 14 sorties using two or three aircraft and both 106 and 108 deployed smoothly. 20 RPG were carried. Op Santa Fe was another 9 US Div combined search and kill operation in the north-east (Thua Tick) area of the province and again the TFHQ deployed forward. At midnight on 4 October 1967, the VC detonated two claymore mines within six metres of a 108 Bty gun, killing GNR B. Tregear. On subsequent nights Australian bases were mortared and probed, but without further casualties. 131 Div Loc's mortar-locating radars were regularly deployed in forward bases with varying successes in location reports. On 17 October 1967, the Government approved the deployment of a third battalion to Vietnam and an overall increase of the Australian commitment from 6300 to more than 8000 personnel. As 161 Bty RNZA was now an integral part of 4 Fd Regt, CO Gardner applied to have 'ANZAC' included in the unit's title. This was not approved, though surprisingly when 2 RAR accepted an NZ company, the title 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn was approved on 9 January 1968. The final TF operation for the year, Forrest, aimed to deny VC access to the rice harvest by aggressive patrolling and cordon and searching along Routes 15 and 23 across the south of the province. At FSB Bravo in the south-west on 10 December 1967, 106 Bty Sect Comd LT Robert. Birse was killed by a grenade rolled into his weapon pit. GNR L.E. Newman was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years' jail and a dishonourable discharge. A subsequent appeal had the sentence quashed. Birse was buried at the Terendak Cemetery in Malaysia, the then nearest secure allied soil. 4 Fd Regiment concentrated at the Nui Dat base on 23 December for the Christmas cease- fire till 27 December. On 11 December, MAJ Cape returned to Australia to attend Staff College and Capt P.C. Jones was promoted to command 106 Bty. 12 Fd Regiment's BC HQ Bty, MAJ A.J.C. Wells became BC HQ Bty 4 Fd Regiment. A third Australian battalion, 3 RAR arrived at Nui Dat during December. A two-brigade Op Duntroon (1 US Bde and 1 ATF) to destroy elements of 274 VC Regiment in the north-west of the province (Hat Dich area) commenced on 10 January 1968. This included a heavy programme of H&I tasks—over 350 rounds per night. 1ATF then crossed the border for Op Coburg in Bien Hoa Province (40 km NW of Nui Dat and 40 km NE of Saigon) and operated in strength for the first time outside their home Phuoc Tuy Province. This was part of a plan to deny VC/NVA (North Vietnamese Army) access to rocket sites within range of the huge American Bien Hoa / Long Binh complexes during the TET period (Chinese New Year). 4 Fd Regt 2IC MAJ G.M. Salom, the base local defence commander had heavy responsibilities at FSB Anderson which somewhat conflicted with his regimental duties. (In later years an infantry officer was appointed to command local defence.) On 31 January the enemy invaded about 40 provincial capitals and five other cities. FSBs were probed and mortared throughout February. On the 18th, for example, Anderson received 40 mortar rounds, 60 RPGs and a company attack which killed 8 (including Div Loc LBDR J.L. Menz) and wounded 25 Australians. TF Arty was effectively employed, firing more than 20 000 rounds during the month.
On 7 February 1968, 7 RAR assaulted a heavily fortified enemy camp. FO Sig GNR Mike Williams was pinned down and under fire from three sides. Protecting the radio with his body, he maintained communications with his battery before he received a gunshot wound to the head. Despite this serious wound he remained at his post passing fire orders which resulted in most effective artillery fire ensuring the final success of the assault. Only after a replacement had been briefed did he seek medical attention. For this, he was awarded the MM. The current Regimental Gunners' club is named in his honour. 4th Field's last Major operation was Pinaroo, a 2 RAR/NZ clearing of Long Dien which grew into a TF capture task in the Long Hai Mountain complex in the central south of the province. This began on 27 February and included B52 air strikes and naval gunfire support. 102 Bty (MAJ G.C. Andrews 12 Fd Regiment) relieved 106 Bty on 5 March whilst MAJ G.A. Hitchings assumed command of 161 Bty in mid-April. Pinaroo concluded on 8 April 1968. On 14 April 1968, CO Gardner handed over operational control of 1 ATF Arty including 108 Bty to LTCOL J.D. Kelly of 12 Fd Regiment. HQ Bty left Nui Dat on 7 May and 108 Bty completed the changeover departing on 28 May. The Regiment fired 166,708 rounds during its tour. There were up to five days' rest and convalescence (R&C) between ops at Vung Tau, and one five-day rest and recreation (R&R) in south-east Asia, Hong Kong, Taipei or Tokyo (Australia also from mid-tour). However, in the CO's words the war produced some 'very tired .. . and older looking. 20-year-olds'. Three members of the unit paid the supreme sacrifice and at least three were wounded. Honours and awards included: OBE-LTCOL R.J. Gardner, MC-LT N.J. Clarke, MBE- MAJ J.E. Jenvey, MM-GNR M.B. Williams, MID Capt B.J. Campbell, BDR G.J. Webster. Townsville 4th Field Regiment RAA (Aust Component) was raised at Wacol on 18 February 1968 to provide a parent HQ for members returning from Vietnam and new march-ins. In June, MAJ D.J. Gilroy led a road party of 40-50 people to the new Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. The Gunner accommodations were named Chau Pha Lines to recognise the battle in Vietnam for which FO LT N.J. Clark had been awarded an MC. LTCOL B.C. Forward’s Regiment (1969 – 1971) Key Appointments: CO: 2IC: LTCOL B.C. Forward MAJ J.E. (Jock) Jenvey, MAJ D. Quinn (From Oct 69) RSM: WO1 D.W. Donkin, MBE Adjt: CAPT D.J. Bedford (Till 17/05/69), CAPT D.J. Bancks QM: CAPT D. Glendenning Batteries: HQ Battery - (BC) CAPT K.R. Hall - (BSM) WO2 S.J. Farrow 106 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ P.C. Jones (1969) Maj D.J. Gilroy – (BSM) WO2 H. Iddon, WO2 A.W. Singh. 106 Field Battery - Replaces 105 Battery in SVN and comes under Command 1 Fd Regiment 107 Field Battery - Re-joined Regiment Oct 69 - (BC) MAJ D. Quinn (to 2IC Oct 69), MAJ D. McSmith - (BSM) WO2 P. Druhurst 108 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ R.N. Gair (from 5/1969) - (BSM) WO2 D.A. Blanchonette Main Armament - 105mm M2A2 MAJ J.E. Jenvey MBE, the 2IC administered command and conducted the first unit exercise in the Ingham area till LTCOL B.C. Forward assumed command on 2 January 1969. The CO's first priority was to prepare 108 Bty (MAJ R.N. Gair from 5/69) to relieve 107 Bty in Malaysia. During February
Prime Minister Gorton announced that, despite the British withdrawing from the Far East, Australian forces would remain in Malaysia/Singapore. 108 Bty was farewelled on 30 September for its new home in Singapore. In exchange, 107 Bty (MAJ D. Quinn) arrived home to under command 4th Field. Both 106 and 107 Btys had their final exercises at Shoalwater Bay in the latter part of 1969. Vietnam Again On 4 February 1970, 106 Bty (MAJ D.J. Gilroy) relieved 105 Bty in Vietnam and came under command of 1 Fd Regiment (LTCOL H.J.C. Beck). RHQ (2IC MAJ D. Quinn) and HQ Bty (CAPT K.R. Hall) arrived on 5 March and at 1200 hrs on the 7th, LTCOL B.C. Forward assumed operational control of 1 ATF Arty. This included 101 Bty (MAJ J.F. Bertram) in direct support (DS) 6 RAR/NZ, 106 Bty in DS 7 RAR, 161 Bty RNZA (MAJ R.J. Andrews) in DS 8 RAR, det 131 Div Loc Bty (CAPT B.W. Kennedy) and C/2/35 Bty US Arty-155 mm SPs (CAPT W. Cleavin). At that time A/7/8 US Arty (175 mm SP) were also supporting 1 ATF. Approximately 60 percent of Australian Gunners were National Servicemen. Operations were now generally smaller (battalion level and independent company groups) and far more dispersed than in 1967-68. It was not uncommon for batteries to operate in three gun sections and a battery/section to perform daily artillery raids. Single 105 mm L5 Pack Hows were also deployed to support engineer land clearing teams and LOs were regularly dispatched to II FFV Arty, Bearcat, Baria and Xuan Loc for artillery clearance duties. The Horseshoe position 8 km south-east of Nui Dat was almost constantly manned by at least a section of guns. There were also regular naval gunfire support shoots as USN and RAN ships were available off the south coast. Op Toan Thang IV denying enemy access routes and destroying any enemy camps located was current. A US 23-inch searchlight detachment was attached to 1 ATF Arty. On 22 March, BDR R.D. Anton died accidentally from a grenade detonation in HQ Bty lines. Anton was a well-liked, happy-go-lucky soldier and his loss was a sobering welcome back to active service for 4th Field. A regimental fire plan was called by BC 161 Bty on 16 April 1970 based on a Hoi Chanh (surrender for freedom) informer. 106 and 161 and US C/1/8 Fd Btys, and B/7/8 (175 mm SP) participated. This was one of the very few such missions fired by 4 Fd Regt during 1970 -71. 1 ATF Op Concrete commenced on 20 April and operated in the Xuyen Moc area (22 km east of Nui Dat) to destroy the HQ of D445. 4th Field's Arty Tac deployed forward for the first time this tour to a TFHQ base 5 km SE of Xuyen Moc. The three field batteries and C/2/35 Bty US Arty (155 mm SP) all deployed to FSBs. This was 6 RAR/NZ's last op and on 22 April 1970 as A Coy was coming into an LZ 7 km south of Xuyen Moc to be flown back to Nui Dat, a mine detonated killing 101 Bty FO LT B.A. Garland and wounding four others. Garland had been a popular young officer in 1 Fd Regt and official pall bearers at his funeral at RMC Duntroon included fellow LT’s A.R. Burke and J.P. Stevens. 107 Bty (MAJ G.T. Salmon) relieved 101 Bty in Nui Dat on 7 May 1970. Awards to the departing battery included MIDs for MAJ J.F. Bertram, Capt M.J. Wilson and SGT B.F. Ranson. In early May a section of US Dusters (twin 40 mm Bofors on a tank chassis) joined the 1 ATF firepower. On 18 and 19 May 1970, the two mortar locating radars of det 131 Div Loc Bty closed down in preparation for the start of withdrawing Australian troops from Vietnam. It had also been announced that 8 RAR would not be replaced when it returned home in November. 2 RAR/NZ had replaced 6 RAR. It commenced its only true battalion operation (Capricorn) on 26 May to find and destroy the enemy in the Hat Dich area (11 km NW of Nui Dat). The five companies deployed with 107 Bty in DS flying into FSB Nola (10 km
WNW of Nui Dat) on 27-28 May. There were 10 contacts in 18 days but the battalion found and destroyed the headquarters of the Chau Due Local Force. The BC HQ Bty's appointment was upgraded in June and K.R. Hall was promoted to Major accordingly. 1 ATF Op Cung-Chung (working with Vietnamese forces to deny enemy access to populated areas) commenced on 12 June and saw infantry companies and sections of guns spread across the main population centres of the province. During July IIFFV redeployed 2/25 US Bde including A and B Btys 1/8 US Arty (105 mm) into Phuoc Tuy bringing strengths in the province to 7698 Aust Army and 6906 US Army (Aust in 4 Fd Regt totalled 385 + 103 LAD and 131 Bty attached.) On 8 July MAJ Salmon sustained a shrapnel wound whilst observing fire. MAJ K.R. Hall assumed command of 107 Bty two days later and Salmon was repatriated. In this month also, eight personnel were added to 4 Fd Regt for duty in the Air Warning Control Centre (AWCC). The TFHQ including Arty Tac deployed 9 km north of Nui Dat from 17 to 21 August 1970. MAJ K.W. Mackenzie arrived as the new BC HQ Bty with Capt T.R. Ford to replace Capt Kennedy as the TFAIO. In September, a proposal was raised to reequip 107 Bty with US 155 mm M114A1 towed howitzers to balance 1ATF Arty after 8 RAR withdrew. This was not approved as the withdrawal of 16 1 Bty RNZA in mid-1971 would require two Australian field batteries for DS of the two remaining battalions. In September 1970, CO Forward became involved in an acrimonious exchange of letters with Senator Wheeldon (ALP) who had told a Moratorium crowd that the RNZA Battery's primary contribution to the war 'had been to shell some Australians'. Forward defended 161 Bty strongly. This somewhat astounded the new BC of 161 Bty, MAJ J.M. Masters MC. Capt B.J. Campbell assumed command of 106 Bty vice MAJ Gilroy to Staff College in October 1970. This was also the time troop withdrawals began. 8 RAR was awarded the Vietnamese Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Commendation (a first for an Australian unit) just prior to its departure on 3 1 October aboard HMAS Sydney. Early in November, the NZ W Coy of 2RAR/NZ returned to Singapore without replacement. A/2/35 US Arty 155 mm SP departed Nui Dat on 21 November, ending SP support which had been provided since 1 ATF was established in 1966. A month later, C/5/42 Bty US Arty (155 mm towed) arrived at Nui Dat. With the departure of 8 RAR, 161 Bty went into general support and on 14 December, MAJ J.M. Masters MC RNZA became Operations Officer in Arty Tac whilst still continuing to command 161 Bty. Just before the Christmas cease-fire, SGT B.H. Rudduck (106 Bty) was conducting an air OP mission when the aircraft was shot at and forced down. He and the pilot escaped without injury. Both the Christmas and New Year cease-fire periods were uneventful. 4 Fd Regt (-) was in Nui Dat, 106 Bty at the Horseshoe and 161 Bty has a section 35 km ENE of Nui Dat. A Land Rover carrying four members of det 131 Div Loc Bty struck a mine in the Courtney Rubber Plantation 22 km north of Nui Dat on 3 February 1971. All soldiers were evacuated by helicopter and two repatriated to Australia. The changeover from 4th to 12th Field Regiment began on 4 February 1970 when A Bty (MAJ A.P. Williams) replaced 106 Bty who returned to Australia. The advance party from 12 Fd Regt’s HQ Bty also arrived at this time. MAJ K.W. Mackenzie assumed command of 107 Bty when MAJ Hall returned to Australia on 15 February. MAJ P.J. Pearson (12 Fd Regt) took over HQ Bty. 107 FO sig GNR P.R. Opray with 6 RAR was wounded by fragments from an RPG2 rocket during a contact on 16 February. This was the second time he had been wounded on the tour, but remained on duty till evacuated to Nui Dat.
At 1200 hrs on 8 March 1971 following a memorial service for LT Garland and BDR Anton, CO LTCOL Forward handed over operational control of 1 ATF Arty to LTCOL B.R. Topfer of 12 Fd Regt. RHQ and HQ Bty departed Vietnam and 107 Bty came under command of 12 Fd Regt, returning to Australia on 7 May 1971. This last operational tour of 4 Field Regiment RAA in Vietnam included 142 572 rounds fired, two deaths and the following awards: OBE—LTCOL B.C. Forward; MID—MAJ D. Quinn, MAJ D.J. Gilroy, Capt P.J. Dunn, Capt B.J. Campbell, WO1 I.V. Rickerby, SSGT W.R. Bostock, SSGT B.H. Rudduck, SGT J.A. Brewer, SGT K. O’Sullivan (AACC); MSM — WO1 L.R. Wheeler, WO1 I.V. Rickerby. I caught up with Syd Farrow (BSM HQ Bty 70/71) for coffee today (Thursday 19 Feb) at our local club. Syd tells me that all his 101 Bty mates from Malaya have all gone. He is physically well but age does weary him. I mentioned that there might be a couple of our Old Boys coming to Laurieton for Anzac Day. He is not too good with names these days. With Anzac Day fast approaching, if you find yourself wondering where to attend, perhaps consider joining a few other Old Boys at Laurieton. Some have been here before, and the Laurieton RSL Sub-branch and the LUSC club will look after us. Please let me know if you plan on attending as I will have to arrange tickets to the post service luncheon etc. Those coming that I know of so far are staying in the North Haven area. Get in touch with me if you need help with accommodation or transport. Let me know of other Anzac Day activities that you know of and or meeting places and I will let everyone know closer to the day. The notice below is from the RAAHC regarding the Firepower Seminar Series. Some excellent papers originated from the first seminar which concentrated on the employment of Australian artillery in WWI. I commend the seminar to you all. Finally, on the last page is the March RAA Calander. Brigadier John Cox, (Retd) explains: “The idea of an Australian Artillery Calendar for serving and retired Gunners has been on agendas for decades. This year’s long trial intentionally only provides month size bites of calendar information. The trial’s previous distributions, over six months of an Australian Artillery Calendar for a calendar month have generated some helpful responses. Please keep them coming. Thank you for your support. A question that needs to be considered is how should the calendar information be made accessible after the trial period? There are many options, and management effort will be a factor.” Any comments or suggestions regarding the Calander, may be forwarded to me and I will pass on to John Cox. That’s it for this edition. Thanks again to all those who contributed and I look forward to further news from you all. Have a great Anzac Day and please let me know how you went and any photos would be of interest to all I am sure. Don’t forget that 11 March is nearly upon us and it marks the 55th anniversary of the date 4th Field Regiment deployed to Vietnam for the second time. It is also 54 years since the Regiment RTA. Best wishes to one and all. Pete
An open letter from General Michael Crane DSC and Bar, AM (Retd) Dear fellow gunners and supporters of the Australian artillery community, On behalf of the Regimental Committee, many thanks again for your contribution to the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial extension project. With the new year now under way, I write to provide a brief update on our progress. In retrospect, 2025 was a very good year for us. We began with an agreed concept for an extended Memorial but not much beyond that. We now have: a group of eminent Australians including two former Governors General, an Australian Senator, and the President of RSL Australia, who have agreed to lend their names and support to the project; a network of working level supporters from Army and the corporate sector; a developing understanding of regulatory requirements; a maturing suite of drawings and technical specifications; a more refined order of magnitude fundraising target of $600,000; a good understanding of the DVA grants process under the Saluting Their Service program; and a growing bank balance that is approaching the level we need to apply for a DVA grant. Our next steps include: finalising our document suite; securing necessary regulatory approvals; going to tender to identify a preferred builder and confirm a price for the works; and finalising fundraising including applying for a DVA grant. While there is still much to do, we are hopeful that we’ll be able to commence construction in late 2026 or early 2027 and plan to rededicate the Memorial in 2027, the 50th year since its original opening. As the project has unfolded, we have been greatly encouraged by the support of the gunner community and some extraordinary generosity from several private and corporate benefactors. That said, we’re not there yet on fundraising, and we’d very much welcome any further tax-deductible donations you might be able to make. We’d also greatly appreciate you continuing to talk about the project and encouraging other donors. To remind, the best way to donate is to go to our website raanm2027.com and click on the Donate Now button or follow the EFT instructions. May I also acknowledge the efforts and achievements of our very hard-working project team. They have done a great job to get us to this point, and they still have a lot to do, so please continue to assist if they reach out to ask. I will write with a further update later in the year. Many thanks again for your support and warm regards, Mick
The Australian Artillery Calendar Some Dates of Historical Significance March: by Anniversary & Day 122 1-Mar 1904 1 March: Australian Regulations and Orders for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, Provisional Edition, 1904, Part I, establishes the Precedence of Corps, including that the Royal Australian Artillery Regiment (if mounted), and the Batteries of Australian Field Artillery (if allotted to units of the Light Horse) on ceremonial parade with their guns, take the right of the line, and march at the head of the Light Horse Regiments. 24 4-Mar 2002 4 March: A Troop, 16th Air Defence Regiment, completes its deployment aboard HMAS Kanimbla for Operation Slipper in the North Arabian Gulf, 2 December 2001–4 March 2002. 164 8-Mar 1862 8 March: A School of Artillery is established in Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania, fitted out partially for a battery and partially as a lecture room. 49 9-Mar 1977 9 March: The Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial is dedicated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second, Captain General of The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, at the summit of Mount Pleasant, Canberra. 115 10-Mar 1911 10 March: Approval granted by His Majesty King George V for The Royal Australian Artillery and the Permanent Batteries of Field Artillery to be redesignated respectively as The Royal Australian Garrison Artillery and The Royal Australian Field Artillery. 76 10-Mar 1950 10 March: A scarlet lanyard is authorised to be worn by officers, warrant officers, and NCO of the RAA who were required to carry a whistle in the exercise of their command. 18 13-Mar 2008 13 March: A troop of 15 gunners from 8th/12th Medium Regiment, after training for six months in the United Kingdom as part of a bilateral program, deploy with 7th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in support of United Kingdom Operation Herrick in Helmand province, Afghanistan. RAA batteries on rotation provided similar support until 2011. 83 26-Mar 1943 26 March: The nomenclature 'anti-tank' is altered to 'tank-attack'. 91 31-Mar 1935 31 March: The alliance of the 110th Field Battery (Howitzer) RAA(M) with the 100th Field Battery RA is approved.
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