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The Army Remembrance Pin, a gift from the Chief of Army, is a symbol for the families of all Army members who dies while in service, both domestically and on operations, since 3 September 1945. The pin also demonstrates 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:
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Children, including stepchildren; and
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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
♦
Vocal- Version:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEs4ke7cdNQ?feature=player_detailpage%22
Vale David Batty A COY passed away
10 MAR 2020 Dave will be buried in Warracknabeal
CementaryIn Victoria 16th MAR 2020 @ 11am.
♦
Death of Col JO Langtry DCM
I am writing as a courtesy to inform you as President of 8 RAR Association of the death of my father, the battalion’s first CO, this morning 21 FEB 2020.
It was Jol’s wish that his funeral should not be a military one. However, anyone from the 8 RAR family would be welcome to attend the private ceremony Details To Be Advised
♦
RSM ARMY( RTD)-- Kevin (Lofty) Wendt OAM BEM
Has passed away after a battle with ill health.
Lofty served as a PLT SGT in A COY 8 RAR in Malaya and Vietnam
He was RSM 8/9; Twice RSM Infantry Centre; RSM OCS and finally RSM ARMY
His funeral will be at Biggenden Show Hall on Friday, 7th February 2020, commencing at 11 am, followed by interment at the Degilbo Lawn Cemetery.
“Gone Fishing”
Due to anticipated large numbers of attendees at Lofty’s service, it would be appreciated for those people who wish to be seated, to bring their own folding chair, as there will be limited seating available. Portable shades will be provided.
8/9 RAR Association may be putting on a bus to go up there if there is enough interest. Email: Greg Decker Secretary RAR (Qld) secretary.rarassociationqld@gmail.com if you are interested.
♦
Major Kevin Dunnicliffe OAM passed away on the 7 December. His funeral is on Monday at St. Nicholas Myra Catholic Church 326 High Street Penrith. At this stage I believe the cause of death was the dreaded cancer.
He was WO2 Admin Coy during our tour of Vietnam
♦
RIP Alan Charles Norcott
Alan passed away at 5pm Tuesday 3rd December in Palliative Care at Childers Hospital.
Alan’s funeral is to be held at 1000hrs on Thursday 12 December 2019. The Chapel is located at Branyan Gardens, Cummins Road, Bundaberg.
Veterans, family and friends attending are requested to be at the Chapel no later than 0930hrs
Medals may be worn.
The Wake is to be held in Alan’s home-town in Childers at a location to be advised.
Queries regarding directions to the Chapel may be sought from the Funeral Director, Stacey Compton via Telephone Number 41534577.
For further general information, members may contact me via this Page Vic (Pop) Burgess. Ex 8RAR & 8/9RAR
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Branyan+Gardens+Crematorium+and+Garden+of+Rest+Cemetery/@-24.9133147,152.2973972,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6bebba49aab6bd9d:0x5d3c67149ae2a58a!8m2!3d-24.9133196!4d152.2995912
♦
ALFEE FICARRA
His funeral service is@10.30am
on 14 AUG 19@
St Leonard's Willoughby Rd
Naremburn NSW
Contact Person is Chris Johnston
0268699285
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61183 BRIAN ROY AITKEN
2 December 1935 - 16 May 2019
We have been informed that PTE Brian ‘Dada’ Aitken died on Thursday 16TH May, while he was holidaying in the Philippines.
Brian deployed to South Vietnam aboard HMAS Sydney as a member of Transport Platoon, Administration Company, 5 RAR where he served for the full 1966-67 Tour.
Later joining 8 RAR which included a tour of Malaysia. In November 1969 Brian returned to South Vietnam as a member of 8 RAR, serving in-country for a further 12 months with the rank of Corporal.
♦
Dennis Hill (Padre) Deceased in early 2019. Dennis was a member of the
8 RAR Band and served in Malaysia
♦
Norm Smith 8 RAR Support COY. Anti- Tank PLT: Tracker Dog Handler Malaysia, one of Billy Hoban’s boys) and a high profile Aussie Rules player.
Norm’s funeral is planned for 1030 on 1 March 2019 at the Norwood Park Crematorium, 65 Sandford Street, Mitchell ACT.
♦
Cait and Denis Moss attended the funeral of Lt Col Dennis Hills, ( Former Bandsman) it was held at Wyndham City Salvation Army. A Sash was presented to Mrs Hills
♦
Major Vincent Murphy passed away in the Bunbury W.A.SJOG Hospital at 0230 hrs this morning 20 Dec 2019.
He served as a Platoon And Company Commander (Vietnam) with the RAR as well as AATTV and SASR.
He was SO2 OPS HQ W COMD on retirement.
Funeral is 1300hrs Thurs 27th of Dec at the Bunbury Crematoriam.We hope to have
enough Veterans to provide a Guard of Honour.
♦
Please be advised that Tom Weldon (born 9/9/1942) passed away on 15th
October, 2018 at home after a three year battle with cancer.
He served in Malaya and Vietnam.
He passed away at home after a three year battle with cancer.
♦
215887 Carey Thomas JOHNSON passed away on
Monday 27th August 2018.
Carey served with 1RAR in Vietnam 29.12.65 til 4.6.66, he was then posted to 6RAR and was WIA at the Battle of Long Tan. Returned to Australia 5.11.66.
He did a second tour with 8RAR 17.11.69 til 16.7.70 in B COY
Funeral details TBA
♦
Vale Richard Young from Lyndoch SA. Richard passed away on Saturday 04 AUG2018. He served with A COY 8 RAR Australia and Vietnam between 17/11/69 and 1/05/70.
♦
4721198, David John JONES of Naracoorte South Australia passed away on 24th July 2018. He served with 1 A.R.U. from 28/5/1970 to 17/6/1970 and then with 8 Battalion from 18/6/1970 until 10/11/1970 with 6 Platoon B Company.
Davids funeral details are :- When-1400 hour Thursday 2 August 2018
Location Mt. Gambier Crematorium Complex
Grant Avenu Mt. Gambier.
Our thoughts are with his family.
♦
Trevor Douglas PHILLIPS. Trevor died in the Mary Potter Hospice here in Adelaide yesterday (25/7/18) evening. He had been battling cancer and he is now at peace.
Our thoughts and condolences go to Heather and family.
Trevor was with the CMF and served as an observer in Vietnam with 8 Battalion in April 1970.
♦
Maj M.C.Peck (RTD) OC D COY Vietnam.
Passed away in December2017.
At Mals request he had a quiet family funeral and our thoughts go out to his family.
♦
Edward Hall (Scruff) passed away 12/7/18
The funeral will be on 21/07/18 Details TBA. Scruff served in B COY in Vietnam
♦
Brian Hales (Otis) after a long battle with cancer Brian passed away yesterday Sunday 24th at 1140 hours
Funeral Details TBA
Tony Jucha 2nd LT BCOY Malaysia/Vietnam passed away on the afternoon of Sunday 17June2018.
Members of the extended 8 RAR family where amongst the hundreds to farewell our first 8 RAR Association President, MAJ ( RETD) Wlodzimierz Anthony Jucha (Tony) at his funeral on Friday 22 JUN 2018.
♦
14699 Donald John Juillerat passed away on Tuesday night12 JUN 2018. Don served in Vietnam with 1RAR 65-66 & 8 RAR 68-69.
Don was the CSM of D COY 8 RAR
Don’s funeral will be conducted by Newhaven Funerals on Friday
22nd June at 10:00am at Memorial Park, 21 Quinns Hill Road,
West Stapylton, QLD.
♦
56013 Carl Andrew "Race" Ranson died on Anzac Day 2018.
His military service included 1st Aust Reinforcement Unit Vietnam
D COY 8 RAR Vietnam- 1 RAR Singapore.
His Funeral Service details are - Thursday 3rd May 2018 at
James Murray Funeral Chapel, 44 Blackall Street, Broadmeadow at 11.30am.
♦
Cyril Doll served in B COY Vietnam with 8 RAR died in the evening of 26/11/2017
Dolly's service will be next Monday the 4th of December at the Nelson Brothers Funeral Home at Koroit Creek Road Williamstown (a suburb of Melbourne) at 10.30 am DST.
♦
It is with a sad heart that I announce the passing of that Old War Horse Major Phil Pritchard. His widow Margaret advised me today, that Phil passed away 20 Oct and was buried in private according to his wishes, at St Albans Chapel, Kooyan TAS.
♦
15725 Ronald (Ron) Organ passed away on Sunday morning 29 October 2017 at age 78 in the Holy Spirit Hospital in Brisbane.
♦
Vale: 216699 Neville Paxton Funeral Notice TBA
♦
Vale: Noel O'Brien
Noel's Funeral is to be held on Monday 17 July
Time: 0930 (viewing at 0900)
Poppy: Caboolture RSL will do the poppy service
♦
Vale: WO2 Dieter Juckel, the former PLSGT 3 Pl A Coy in SVN passed away peacefully on 8th June 2017 Aged 85 Years
♦
Terry 'Harry' Harris, sadly passed away quite suddenly (due to lung cancer) on Tuesday, 20 June 2017. Harry served as a forward scout with 5 RAR on their first tour of Vietnam (1966-67), and he also served in Malaysia with 8 RAR (c. 1968-69).
His funeral will be held at:
White Lady Funerals
Cnr Cooper Street & Dalton Road
Epping Victoria
10:00 AM Monday, 26 June 2017
♦
Vale 1735808 PTE John Kenneth James Barrett, A Coy 8 RAR
The Funeral Service for the late PTE John Kenneth James Barrett, formerly A Company 8 RAR ,
(June to November 1970 in South Vietnam and in Australia until July 1971)
will be conducted at the West Chapel, Mt Thompson Crematorium,
329 Nursery Road, Holland Park, at 2pm on Tuesday 27 June 2017.
♦
Vale: Leigh Larter Support Company 8RAR Vietnam.
Details TBA
♦
Vale: Dutchy Holland. In 1954 Dutchy served in 1 RAR and 3 RAR in the Korean War. In Vietnam he served in C Company 6 RAR in 1966-67 and 8 RAR in 1969-70. He also served in 8RAR Malaysia 1967-69.
Celebration of Dutchy’s life will be held on Monday 19 June at 1100hrs at the Blackbutt RSL and all his mates have been invited to attend.
A cremation will occur Monday 19 June at 1200 hrs at Toowoomba (Private Affair)
♦
Death of Dieter Juckel Dieter passed away last Friday 9th June 2017. PLT SGT 3 PLT ACompany Vietnam. Funeral arrangements TBA.
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Vale: PETER LAWRENCE CRUMP.( FREDDY) Peter's Funeral Service is to be held at the Chapel of Des Allen & Co Funerals, 7 Phoebe Crescent, BUNDABERG Queensland on
Friday 2 June 2017 commencing at 2.00 p.m.
4719246 Peter Lawrence CRUMP
DOB 8 December 1947
DOD 26 May 2017 at Bundaberg Hospital
Served in Malaysia and Vietnam with C and D Coys, 8RAR
♦
Gary Young 6 Platoon (B) Coy Passed away having suffered a heart attack on
26th April 2017.
26th April 2017.
♦
219095 Robert John Wright SPT COY Vietnam 17 nov 69 to 5 nov 70 passed away in bunderberg private hospital last sunday 19 feb 2017 Details TBA
♦
Late Notice for Bob Leverington.
44583 Robert John (Bob) LEVERTON, born in Adelaide SA on 17/2/1948 and died in WA on 6/10/2016 at age 68.
♦
Tito Di Giovanni passed away on 13 January 2017 after a long fight with illness
His service and cremation are to be held at Pinaroo Valley Chapel & Crematorium(the larger one) @ 3PM Friday 20th JAN 2017.
Veterans please wear medals and coat & tie. Condolences to Joan Di Giovanni- 17 Joslin Place- Duncraig- WA- 6023
At Tito's request a wake will be held at the same address
Veterans please wear medals and coat & tie. Condolences to Joan Di Giovanni- 17 Joslin Place- Duncraig- WA- 6023
At Tito's request a wake will be held at the same address
♦
Anthony ( Tony) Marshall 219147 ARU and ACOY 8RAR South Vietnam New Zealander in Australian Army.
Tonyl passed away on Monday as a result of a heart attack while playing golf. Funeral is next Tuesday 17 January
at Ann Wilson Funeral Home Cnr Barrenjoey Rd and Darnley Street Mona Vale at 12 .00 pm
♦
Mal Pascoe had passed away after a protracted illness. Mal had served with 8 RAR in SVN and later in C Coy 8/9 RAR at Enoggera. His memorial Service will. be held at St Margaret's Anglican Church, 58 Rainbow Street, SANDGATE QLD 4017 on Monday 9 January 2017 commencing at 1100 hrs. Medals to be worn please.
If you wish, afterwards at The Full Moon Hotel, 118 Eagle Terrace, SANDGATE QLD 4017.
♦
Sadly Cliff ( Cliffy) Grant has passed away. He served with 8 RAR in SPT COY: Pioneer PLT in Malaya. Then as Pioneer SGT in Vietnam.His Memorial Service:
Service is to be held at 1000 hrs on Friday 23 Dec 16 at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, 329 Nursery Rd Holland Park’
Medals are be worn please.
♦
Just been told this am 11thAug 2016 that COLIN FLECTHER 1pl Acoy then CHQ 8RAR passed away last night.
Details TBA
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· 3795222 Robert Stephen CURTIS passed away on 27 April 2015 aged 66. He was found deceased beside his car at Barham in south western NSW on 27 April 2015. It is believed he may have been deceased for a couple of days, however the Coroner declared the date of death as 27 April 2015. Rob lived alone, it is thought that the symptoms occurred while eating his breakfast and he tried to drive to obtain help. Rob served in Vietnam with 1ARU from 1/10/1969 to 28/10/1969, 5RAR from 29/10/1969 to 9/2/1970 and with Admin Coy 8RAR from 10/2/1970 to 1/10/1970. Rob's Funeral Service was held at the Renowden Chapel in SPRINGVALE, Melbourne on 7 May 2015.
· 3795222 Robert Stephen CURTIS passed away on 27 April 2015 aged 66. He was found deceased beside his car at Barham in south western NSW on 27 April 2015. It is believed he may have been deceased for a couple of days, however the Coroner declared the date of death as 27 April 2015. Rob lived alone, it is thought that the symptoms occurred while eating his breakfast and he tried to drive to obtain help. Rob served in Vietnam with 1ARU from 1/10/1969 to 28/10/1969, 5RAR from 29/10/1969 to 9/2/1970 and with Admin Coy 8RAR from 10/2/1970 to 1/10/1970. Rob's Funeral Service was held at the Renowden Chapel in SPRINGVALE, Melbourne on 7 May 2015.
♦
213399 Lachlan Brian Claude SCOWCROFT passed away on 27th February 2016 aged 78 years . Lochie served with B Coy 8RAR in Malaysia before being transferred to AATTV. Lochie served as a WO2 in South Vietnam with AATTV from27th August 1969 to 9 Sep 69 5th SFGA Combat Orientation Course, Nha Trang, then Sep – Oct 69 as platoon commander, 5th SFGA, 2 MSF, Pleiku. Nov 69 – Mar 70, Training Coy, 2 MSF Pleiku. Apr 70 replaced Pettit AATTV, who was killed in action in the Battle of Dak Seang. Wounded in action on 7 Apr 70, Dak Seang and medevac to Australia. In addition to the unit citations awarded to AATTV, Lochie was also awarded the US Valorous Unit Award for action in the Battle of Dak Seang.
Lochie was also awarded in 2002 the US Bronze Star for Valor (with 'V' Device) for his part in the battle.
His Funeral Service was held on 3 March 2016 at Broule on the South Coast of NSW.
♦
38292 Cpl Leonard Sydney "Mick" Michalowsky Vietnam 1RAR 1965/66 and 8RAR 1969/70 also Malaysia 8RAR
passed away 14 July 2016.
Funeral Service Queen of Peace Catholic Church
cnr of Everingham Road and Queen Street Altona Meadows (Mel Ref 208, F J 1)
On Thursday (July 21st) at 11 am.
I have been advised that Altona RSL will conduct the RSL service.
♦
213399 Lachlan Brian Claude SCOWCROFT passed away on 27th February 2016 aged 78 years . Lochie served with B Coy 8RAR in Malaysia before being transferred to AATTV. Lochie served as a WO2 in South Vietnam with AATTV from27th August 1969 to 9 Sep 69 5th SFGA Combat Orientation Course, Nha Trang, then Sep – Oct 69 as platoon commander, 5th SFGA, 2 MSF, Pleiku. Nov 69 – Mar 70, Training Coy, 2 MSF Pleiku. Apr 70 replaced Pettit AATTV, who was killed in action in the Battle of Dak Seang. Wounded in action on 7 Apr 70, Dak Seang and medevac to Australia. In addition to the unit citations awarded to AATTV, Lochie was also awarded the US Valorous Unit Award for action in the Battle of Dak Seang.
Lochie was also awarded in 2002 the US Bronze Star for Valor (with 'V' Device) for his part in the battle.
His Funeral Service was held on 3 March 2016 at Broule on the South Coast of NSW.
♦
38292 Cpl Leonard Sydney "Mick" Michalowsky Vietnam 1RAR 1965/66 and 8RAR 1969/70 also Malaysia 8RAR
passed away 14 July 2016.
Funeral Service Queen of Peace Catholic Church
cnr of Everingham Road and Queen Street Altona Meadows (Mel Ref 208, F J 1)
On Thursday (July 21st) at 11 am.
I have been advised that Altona RSL will conduct the RSL service.
♦