RAA Liaison Letter 2025/2026 Edition 2 that year, ‘A’ Field Battery and the rest of 12th Field Regiment, returned to Holsworthy in Australia as part of the wind down of ADF units in Vietnam. In January 1973, Paddy was posted back to Townsville and 4th Field Regiment. His initial appointment was as Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) of Headquarters Battery. He later moved to BSM of 108th Field Battery. During 1975, Paddy deployed to Canada for three months as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of a two company formation from 3rd Brigade as an exchange group. Paddy elected discharge from the ARA in 1976 after 20 years’ service. His relationship with the military, especially 4th Field Regiment, would resume sometime later. After discharge, Paddy put his hand to a variety of jobs. He initially worked in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Markets in Townsville and later as the North Queensland Representative for Edgell’s Canned Food Division. Paddy and his wife Denise operated a very successful fast-food outlet – Paddy’s Fish Bar – in Townsville. During 1989, Paddy and Denise sold up in Townsville and became ‘Grey Nomads’ for 12 months. In 1990, they settled in Canberra where Paddy started work with the Department of the Senate. The following year he accepted a position as a Watch Officer / Security Officer with the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO). He was back in the ADF as a civilian. In 1996, Paddy and Denise moved to Port Macquarie where he found employment as a Warehouse Manager for Target. The following year, Paddy was classified as TPI by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). In 1996 they moved back to Townsville and Paddy worked as a volunteer welfare officer at the local RSL Sub-branch for three years. In 2000, Paddy was invited to fill the role of Curator of the 4th Regiment RAA Historical Collection at Lavarack Barracks. Paddy stayed with this role for over 22 years and oversaw the establishment of a significant collection of memorabilia and digital records. He eventually stood down on St Barbara’s Day 2022. In 2018, Paddy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the Veteran Community for over 20 years. In recognition of his service, the collection, has be named the Paddy Durnford, OAM 4th Regiment RAA Collection. His wife Denise had also been awarded an OAM in 2015 for service as an RSL Hospital Visitor and her work within the Veteran Community. Paddy had medical issues in his final years and succumbed to these on 23 January 2026 at the age of 86. He was surrounded by family and love to the end. A funeral service for Paddy was held in Townsville with a wake following at a local Leagues Club. Paddy had requested that at his funeral there be “no flowers and no ties and to dress comfortably and bright”. The daughter of lifelong friend Ken Burgess gave a eulogy on behalf of the family. A member of the TPI Association Far North Queensland, conducted a Poppy Service for Paddy. Acknowledgements: • Paddy’s life story in brief written by himself. • The Gunners, A History of Australian Artillery by David Horner. • Paul Durnford LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN ERIC JENVEY, MBE, PSC, JSSC (RETD) 26 April 1935 – 27 January 2026 Peter Bruce, OAM John was born in Brighton, Victoria on 26 April 1935. His early schooling was completed in Sydney with secondary school at Sydney Grammar. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Australian Regular Army and passed the selection criteria to enter the Royal Military College (RMC), Duntroon in February 1953. It was while he was at RMC he became known as
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