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
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