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
♦
Vocal- Version:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEs4ke7cdNQ?feature=player_detailpage%2
♦
VALE:
Charles Edward PEARCY, passed away on or about 6th Apr 22. Charlie was a former member of 8 Pl C Company in Vietnam
♦
VALE:
Wilhelm Josephus Veldkamp (BILL) passed aay on 11 January 2022.
I have just recently found this information and as a result have not been in touch with his net of kin.
Bill lived at Ebenezer, near Nuriootpa.
He served with 10 Platoon D Company.
♦
VALE:
2411980 Allan Errol (Al) Miranda. Al served with 1 RAR in Vietnam before joining 8 RAR and was a section Commander with Peter Lauders 9 Platoon
C Company 8 RAR in Malaysia before joining the Military Police.
♦
VALE:
Ron Brias. Ron joined 8 RAR after we returned from Vietnam. He was in Mortar Platoon and later joined 8/9RAR when the battalions linked later he became RSM 8/9.
Funeral Date: Thursday 26 May 2022.
Time: 11:00 – 13:30 (two sessions booked as 45 mins may not be enough time). This caters for set up, conduct and parking.
Place: Albany Creek Crematorium, Lakeside Chapel.
Address: 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs, Qld, 4035.
Wake: Aspley Hornets Club, Graham Rd, Aspley. 12:30 – 16:00.
Dress: Smart casual medals optional
♦
VALE:
Pte D. A. Stafford, Ex C Company 8 RAR.
Donny passed away in Hervey Hospital on Wednesday night 11 May 2022.
As per his wish no funeral service will be conducted.
♦
VALE:
Wayne Goninnion passed away on the Anzac Long weekend.
Wayne was in 8Pl C Coy in Malaysia.
♦
14958 Georg Albert (Bluey) BEAN was born on the 11 March 1941. Served with 8RAR in SPT Coy in both Malaysia and Vietnam. Last known address was in Nanango Qld and he was, before his death, a member of the Geebung Zillmere Bald Hills Aspley RSL Sub-Branch;
♦
3787725 Patrick Joseph FALLON was born on 26 March 1945, he served with 8RAR in Admin Coy in Vietnam. Prior to his passing, he was a member of the Gin Gin RSL Sub-Branch;
♦
62016 Gregory Raymond FYSH was born on 7 January 1944. He was a Signalman and served with 104 Signal Squadron in Vietnam in a Supporting Arms role with 8RAR. Prior to his passing, he was a member of the Beaudesert RSL Sub-Branch;
♦
1734284 David Louie (Van) JOHNSON was born on 16 October 1947. He served with 8RAR in 11PL. D Coy in both Malaysia and Vietnam. His last known address was in Hervey Bay Qld and prior to his passing, he was a member of the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch.
♦
John Rosentals passed away on the 13th December 2021. John served in Vietnam with BCOY and had been ill for some time. He is survived
by his wife Helen.
♦
Charlie Pearcey passed away Friday 1st April 2022 in Melbourne. Further details TBA
♦
Vale: 3795952 William David PATTERSON
on 27 February 2022
David served in Vietnam with
1 Australian Reinforcement Unit
2/4/1970 to 20/5/1970
8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
21/5/1970 to 12/11/1970
♦
Vale: W. F. ( Jack) Glover (WIA) B COY Vietnam. Passed away on
26th JAN 2022.
Private Funeral to be held.
♦
Peter Healy CSM C Company in Vietnam passed away at 2.30 pm on 12 JAN 22 The Funeral Service for the former CSM of Charlie Company in Vietnam, Peter Healy will take place at:
Lakeview Chapel, Memorial Park, 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs.
Monday 24th January, 11am.
Refreshments, Albany Creek, tea room 12.15pm
Wake, Bonny View Hotel, 2077 Gympie Road, Bald Hills. from 1pm
Family Notice will be in next Tuesday's, 18 January 2022, issue of the Courier Mail.
15374 Peter Lawrence HEALY was born at Sandgate Queensland on 29 August 1940. He served in two (2) tours of Vietnam - 15 June 1966 to 27 January 1967 with 3rd Special Air Service Regiment and from 17 November 1969 to 23 February 1970 with C Company 8RAR. Peter also served with 8RAR in Malaysia 1967 to 1969.
♦
Vale: John Watson served with the 1 Australian
Reinforcement Unit from 12 November 1969 to 2
December 1969, 5 RAR 3 December 1969 to 9 February
1970, then 8 RAR 10 February 1970 to 12 November 1970.
Johnny was 76 years old and sadly passed away
on Tuesday 28 December in his sleep. Len Thompson
advised that John was a very experienced,
knowledgeable and extremely alert Scout in 6 Section
Charlie Company 8RAR in Vietnam. He attended most
of our 8RAR Reunions and he was a wonderful and loyal friend and will be missed by all. John lived in Rossarden in Tasmania.
Items of interest
♦
Clem Ebner passed away on the 26th of
December at Estia Aged care at Twin Waters Qld. His
funeral was held at the Gregson and Weight Chapel, 159
Wises Road Buderim on Thursday 6th January at 1.00pm.
During his army career, Clem served with 2,4,8 and 9
Battalions RAR. He also served in Vietnam with 16
Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron and Australian
Army Training Team.
♦
Vale: Joe Dannyluk - BCOY Vietnam WIA Passed Away during the Evening of
Saturday 23 OCT 2021:
Funeral details TBA
♦
Vale - CPL Denis 'Buck' Rogers A Coy
His funeral is being held at 2 pm on Monday 25 OCT 21, at the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium 285 Graham Rd, Bridgeman Downs QLD 4035.
♦
Vale: 3791851 Anthony 'Tony' Ernest King passed away on Monday the 11th of October 2021. He was a lifelong member of the 8RAR 'Grey Eight'. Tony served in: Recruit Training Battalion 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and wore his Grey Eight Polo top with pride!
Service overseas: Malaya 8 RAR ( 67 to 69) Terrandak Garrison: Singapore 15th March to 18 June 1969 1 RAR.
Tony Farewell from your Royal Australian Regiment mates
Tony's Funeral Service is to be live Streamed @ 10 am Friday15 OCT 2021
All 8 RAR Association members are welcome to Live Stream the Service @ Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Pty Ltd♦
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
♦
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.
♦
Vale: Warren Bishop 8 PLT C Company Vietnam passed away at Westmead Hospital in Sydney on 14th March 2021.
♦
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
♦
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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