RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA L I A I SON L ETTER – 2024 – 2025 E D I T I ON C ANNON BALL S UP PLEMENT 145 Vale 215284 Sergeant Leslie John Stephens MM Sergeant John Stephens MM better known as “John” died in November last year. His funeral service was held on Monday 11th November at Launceston, Tasmania. In honour of John and Remembrance Day, the service included the playing of the Last Post and a minute's silence. The service was followed by an "afternoon of storytelling and laughter" hosted by his daughter Melissah Mullen. The Royal Regiment was represented at the funeral by Major Chris “Blue” Talbot and a Gunner group. Flowers were sent on behalf of all members of the Royal Regiment. Vietnam Deployment 215284 S ERGEANT L ESLIE J OHN S TEPHENS MM 102 ND F IELD B ATTERY , 12 TH F IELD R EGIMENT , RAA B INH D UONG /B IEN H OA P ROVINCES OF S OUTH V IETNAM “F IRING OVER OPEN SIGHTS ”. Sergeant Leslie John Stephens enlisted in the Australian Army on 6 June 1963 and joined 102 Field Battery, 12th Field Regiment, RAA on 18 June 1966. He accompanied the battery to Vietnam as the Gun Sergeant of Delta gun, arriving on 5 March 1968. On 12 May 1968, the 1st Australian Task Force deployed on Operation Toan Thang as part of 70,000 Allied troops deployed to interdict North Vietnamese Army (NVA) infiltration and supply routes into and out of Saigon. At least five enemy regiments were known to be operating in the area. It was believed that the forces the Australians would operate against were disorganised and withdrawing from Saigon after protracted combat in the Saigon area. Fire Support Patrol Base Coral was established as a regimental artillery base to support the ambushes established by the Australian infantry. The base initially contained the Regimental Headquarters of 12th Field Regiment and two widely separated batteries – 102nd Field Battery, RAA and 161st Field Battery, RNZA. On the morning of 13 th May 1968 FSPB Coral endured a protracted rocket and mortar attack in conjunction with a large ground assault by regular forces of the North Vietnamese Army. Sergeant Stephens was awarded the Military Medal. Citation 215284 Sergeant John STEPHENS On the morning of 13 May 1968, during Operation Toan Thang at Fire Support Base Coral, an enemy main force unit of Battalion strength attacked positions held by 102nd Field Battery and Regimental Headquarters 12th Field Regiment. Covered by heavy small arms and rocket fire, the enemy, during the battle, mounted a strong frontal assault against the guns of 102nd Field Battery. Sergeant Stephens exhorted his gun detachment to manhandle his gun into position where it could engage the enemy over open sights. For more than two hours the enemy attempted to reach the gun position. Sergeant Stephens and his gun detachment fired eighty four rounds direct fire at the enemy, who were at times within five metres of his gun. During this time the Gun was repeatedly hit by small arms fire and the basic structure of the gun was holed by a rocket. Sergeant Stephens’ calmness and exemplary leadership under fire contributed greatly to the successful defence of the position, and reflects great credit on himself, his Regiment and the Australian Army.