https://www.army.gov.au/our-life/honours-and-awards/army-remembrance-pin
The Army Remembrance Pin, a gift from the Chief of Army, is a symbol for the families of all Army members who die while in service, both domestically and on operations, since 3 September 1945. The pin also demonstrates the Army’s deep appreciation of the members’ and their families’ contributions to the Australian Army.
The following family members are automatically eligible to receive the Army Remembrance Pin on application:
Spouse or recognised interdependent partner;
Children, including stepchildren; and
Parents and/or stepparents. A person who is not listed as an eligible family member may apply to have special consideration to receive the Army Remembrance Pin. These applications will be considered by the Approval Authority on a case-by-case basis.
JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
or
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY
© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his mates; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion mates listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin, and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY
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Vocal- Version:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEs4ke7cdNQ?feature=player_detailpage%2
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Vale Gerard Van Haren: Gerard Van Haren has passed- away after a long battle with cancer. Gerard served with D Company in Vietnam.
A celebration of Gerard’s life will be held @ 2 PM on Thursday 19 August at the Branyan Gardens Crematorium, Childers Road, Bundaberg.
EULOGY
1734937 LCPL Gerardus (Gerry) Cornelis Van Haren
1 May 1948 – 11 August 2021
Gerry passed away in Bundaberg after a short battle with Lung Cancer. Though we both served with the battalion in Vietnam, I didn’t get to know Gerry personally until we met on a John Norris-led tour of Vietnam in 2004. I was also fortunate to meet his wife Desley and his daughter Kristy on that trip. As an active member of the Queensland branch of the 8 RAR Association, Gerry served as our association treasurer from 2005 until 2010. During that period, he was deeply involved with the planning of the Battalion’s 40th Birthday and Unit Commemorative Plaque laying activities at the AWM in Canberra, as well as the 2010 Adelaide reunion. Gerry was extremely thorough and got things done without fanfare or fuss.
After the 2010 reunion, the Van Harens’ moved to Bundaberg, an area where Gerry’s best mates Col Oliver and Ron Robinson lived. Gerry enjoyed his final years in Bundaberg with his growing clan and his old 14th NS Intake mates.
I was, fortunately, able to drive up to attend his farewell celebration and spent some time with the family and a large gathering of friends. I deduced that Gerry was on numerous local committees and a highly respected member of his community.
I was very impressed with the eulogy given by his son Ron, and both of his mates. The stories were entertaining and heartfelt, and at times had everyone in fits of laughter and a fitting farewell to a member of “the Grey Eight”.
Gerry is survived by his wife Desley, son Ron, daughter Kristy, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Tank
Letters of condolence may be sent to Gerard’s widow Desley, at 101/21 Waters St, North Bundaberg, QLD 4670.
♦
Vale: Robert John Carpenter. Bob died on 30 June 2021. He served in Malaysia. His funeral was in SA on 12 July 2021 and was attended by Ted Forward.
♦
Vale: Ken Irons 12 Platoon D COY Vietnam passed away at 12:35 on 23rd MAY 2021 at Beachmere Qld 4510.
At his wishes a Private Funeral will be held, however, the family has indicated that an 8 RAR Sash would be appreciated.
♦
Vale: Merv J Ryan l Pl A Coy 8RAR SVN
Merv passed away yesterday (13 May) after a very long illness.
The funeral service is to be held at 2 pm Friday 19 May 21 at Mt Cotton Memorial Gardens 1774-1794 Mt Cotton Road, Carbrook QLD 4130.
♦
Vale: Barry (BRM) Matthews has passed away on 15 April 2021.
The following are the details of the Celebration of the Life of the late WO2 Barry Robert (BRM) Matthews.
A cremation service is to be held at the Lakeside Chapel of the Albany Creek Crematorium at 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs, and commencing at 0930am on Friday 23 April 2021.
The service is to be followed by a wake at the Gaythorne RSL at 11.30 am. For those planning to attend from interstate, the closest accommodation is at the Brook Hotel/Motel which is about 1300m from the RSL and about 9 km from the Crematorium. You are reminded that the service will commence at the tail end of peak hour, so plan your journey well.
You have been requested to wear your service medals
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Vale: PRC Smith ( PETER ) B COY has passed away today 5th APRIL 2021. Following a series of surgical complications. Our thought are with his wife Rita, his son Craig and daughter Alison at this most difficult of times.
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Vale: Warren Bishop 8 PLT C Company Vietnam passed away at Westmead Hospital in Sydney on 14th March 2021.
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VALE: 1200871 Barry Alan CHARLES, today his 74th birthday, he was born on 9 March 1947
He fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s and was in full-time care in Cairns.
Barry served in various units, among them:
2 RAR Vietnam;8 RAR;8/9 RAR;1 RTB; Army Recruiting;5/7 RAR;51 FNQR
Barry is survived by his wife Monica, his children, and his family from a previous marriage.
Funeral details are: Wednesday 17th March 2021 @ 10 am. In the Chapel at Heritage Brady Funeral Directors
76 Maher road Gordonvale. www.heritagebradyfunerals.com.au
As covid restrictions apply please contact Belinda if attending on- 0417 758 522
♦
Vale: Leslie Earnest Fielding PLT SGT and Staff SGT CQ- C Company 8RAR Malaya and Vietnam Aged 78 years
His family will celebrate his life at a Service to be held @
The Lake Macquarie Memorial Gardens- Cessnock Road- Ryhope. On
Friday 19th FEB 2021 @ 1PM
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Vale: 35847 Warrant Officer Ronald Alexander Coleman:
CQMS and CSM B COY Malaya and Vietnam- Born Wangaratta 22 JUL 32- Died 22 JAN 2021
Ron was a strong supporter of 8 RAR Assn and the Dads Army at the RAR National Memorial Walk
Ron's funeral will be on 01 February 2021 at 1200 at Traditional Funerals 636 Morayfield Road Burpengary QLD 4505
His son Graham is happy to receive Condolences and Enquires on 0403496255.
♦
Vale Brian Gillespie served in D COY 8 RAR and :
1 Australian Reinforcement Unit
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17 Sep 1969
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21 Oct 1969
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5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
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22 Oct 1969
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29 Jan 1970
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Headquarters, 1st Australian Logistic Support Group
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30 Jan 1970
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19 May 1970
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8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
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20 May 1970
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19 Aug 1970
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