2783046 Pte Eric ASHBY                                                 21 Dec 1945 – 27 Sep 2024

Eric was a Driver with C Coy 2 RAR in South Vietnam (19 May – 6 Dec 1967). Eric passed away on 27 September 2024, aged 78 years. A Celebration of Eric’s Life was held at Mollymook Beach Bowling & Recreation Club, Ulladulla NSW

3786910 Pte Robert (Bob) Edward BOX                                  08 Apr 1945 - 23 Jul 2024

In 1962-63 Bob served in the CMF, he was conscripted in July 1965 and did his Recruit Training at 2 RTB. Bob was sent to 2 RAR for Corps Training and then in January 1965 joined 4 Sec, 8 Pl., C Coy, 5 RAR as a rifleman. He deployed to South Vietnam on 22 April 1966. When the company hit booby-traps on the Nui Thi Vai, Bob was badly wounded and medically returned to Australia (26 Oct 1966). Robert ‘Bob’ Box died peacefully in Swan Hill, VIC,  on Tuesday 23 July. A private cremation was held for Bob.                                    Thanks Shaun Hughes, Duty First

545985 WO1 Maxwell (Max) Richard BOYLE              1951 – 09 Jul 2024 

Max served in the Australian Army from about 1973 to 1995 with RA Inf, including service in 2/4 RAR (29 Jan – 15 Nov 1983), his last posting was RSM at the Pilbara Regiment.  Max passed away in Geraldton WA, aged 73 years and his funeral was held at the Geraldton Crematorium followed by his burial in the Geraldton Lawn Cemetery.

Dennis Gilleland - ARMY MATES FB Page 17 Jul 2024        

             

Pte Dean “Deano” BUNNETT                                                      1956 - 02 Jul 2024

Dean grew up in Crystal Brook SA and enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of 17 in 1963; Recruit Training at 1 RTB (17 Pl C Coy) and served in RA Inf - 2 RAR, 6 RAR and the Demo Pl at JTC Canungra Qld before discharging in 1966.  Dean was a bloody good mate and put a lot of time and thought into our War Memorial and will be sadly missed in our small community. Dean was a foundation member of the Gladstone South Australia Ex-Service Personnel Group.

     Thanks to Richard Stott, Gladstone RSL (SA)

 

310083 SSgt William (Bill) Basil “Chips” CARPENTER         07 Nov 1925 – 22 Jun 2024

Bill was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England and embarked at the Port of London, England aboard RMS “ORMONDE” on 16 October 1950 as a 24 year old Australian Army Recruit and served in Korea with 2 RAR (14 Mar 1953 – 6 Apr 1954).  Bill passed away after a short illness, aged 98 years. After his funeral service, Bill was cremated and his ashes spread on the Clarence River, Yamba NSW. Bill was an early member of the 2 RAR Association (No. 74).                               Thanks to David Carpenter (Bill’s son)

 

3162721 Pte Phillip “Coxy” John COX                          01 Jul 1948 – 07 Oct 2024

Phillip was a Signaller with C Coy HQ,  2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn in South Vietnam (16 May 1970 – 1 Jun 1971). Phillip passed away on 7 Oct 2024, aged 76 years; his funeral was held at Murrindindi Chapel, Alexandra, Vic followed by a private burial service.  Phillip was a member of the 2 RAR Assn (No. 104).

Thanks to Ray Lunt and Peter Heeney

 

2793341 Pte Graham Thomas DORRINGTON                        08 Feb 1949 – 14 Jul 2024

Graham served in 5 Pl B Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn in South Vietnam (16 May 1970 – 1 Jun 1971. Graham Dorrington passed away suddenly at home in Coffs Harbour on 14 July 2024, aged 75 years. Graham’s funeral service was held in the chapel of the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, Karangi, NSW.

29066 Major Karl Henry JACKSON                               23 Jan 1937 – 18 Dec 2023

 Karl graduated from OCS Portsea in June 1956 and posted as 2Lt to 1 RTB (19 Jun 1956 – 9 Feb 1958), 11 NS Trg Bn (10 Feb 1958 – 10 Mar 1959), 3 RAR (11 Nov 1959 - 7 Sep 1964 - included Visit to South Vietnam (3 – 12 Mar 1964), GSO3 (C Ops SD and Trg) HQ N Comd (8 Oct 1964 -26 Sep 1965), 2 RAR (26 Sep 1965 – 10 Nov 1966), South Vietnam OC 1 ARU (9 Nov 1966 - 07 Jun 1967), 5 RAR (21 Aug 1967 – 29 Jan 1968), 2 RTB (30 Jan 1968 – 19 Jan 1969), DAAG HQ Puckapunyal (20 Jan 1969 – Mar 1970), GSO2 HQ OTG E Comd (1971-72). I remember him as my Pl Comd 2 Lt in the 1st quarter of 1957 at 1 RTB.                                Thanks Terry Dinneen

 

34080 WO2 Rex Lawrence McCALL                             05 Feb 1931 – 19 Sep 2024

Rex served in Korea with 2 RAR (9 Jun 1953 - 7 Mar 1954 including the Battle of the Hook), with 2 RAR (Sgt) in Malaya (1961-63) and later in PNG; South Vietnam with 6 RAR (CSM B Coy – 4 Jun – 8 Nov 1966).  Rex passed away on 19 September 2024, at the St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane, aged 93 years. Rex’s Funeral was held at Albany Creek Lawn Cemetery, Broidgeman Downs Qld.

13879 Cpl Richard (Dick) Gordon “Gordon” McKEEN          20 Mar 1936 - 19 Sep 2023

Dick served with 2 RAR (Malaya 1956-57 and 1959-60) with BHQ, B Coy and C Coy. Dick served with Ray Simpson (later VC), Lt Col Ochiltree the CO, Lt Hands and Capt Chapman. Dick, late of Kingaroy and formerly of Warwick passed away on 19 Sep 2023, aged 87 years and his Funeral Service was held at Orana Lutheran Aged Care Chapel, Kingaroy and is buried in Taabinga Cemetery, Taabinga, Qld.

1735618 Pte Phillip “Leppy” LEP                                               24 Sep 1948 – 28 Jul 2024

Leppy served in 4 Pl B Coy and then Mortar Pl, 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn in South Vietnam (16 May 1970 – 1 Jun 1971). Phil passed away surrounded by family on the night of 28 July 2024, aged 75+ years.

A Memorial Service for Phil was held at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens, Holland Park attended by many of his mates from 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn SVN 1970-71.

 

218929 Pte Kevin “Ollie” Adrian OLIVER                                 09 Apr 1949 – 06 Aug 2024

Ollie was a member of the Int Sect, 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn serving in South Vietnam from 29 Apr – 13 Aug 1970. In 2002 Ollie underwent surgery for throat cancer, this did not stop him from enjoying life by playing golf and riding his motor bike. In recent years year Ollie was in a lot of pain, he Marched Out on his own terms on 6 Aug 2024, aged 75 years. No funeral was held as his body was donated to science.

 

Mrs Audrey Veronica (nee DUNIAM) SCATCHARD  27 Apr 1933 – 17 Mar 2024

Audrey was the widow of the late Cpl Bernard Scatchard (Malaya 1955-57). Audrey passed away on 17 March 2024, aged 90 years and is buried in Burnie Lawn Cemetery, East Cam, Burnie City Tas.          

 

3795662 Cpl Jens “John/Schroeds” SCHROEDER    03 Oct 1948 – 10 Oct 2024

 John was a Section Commander in 6 Pl B Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn in South Vietnam (16 May – 24 Dec 1970). Schroeds passed away after suffering a stroke, aged 76 years, his funeral was held at Gregson and Weight, Caloundra Qld attended by many former members of the Battalion. John was the Administrator for the BCOY2RAR/NZ Facebook for many years and co-ordinated many B Coy 2^nd Tour Reunions. Thank you for your service now Rest in Peace.

41769 WO2 Jack Richard STANNARD                         09 May 1935 - 24 July 2024

Jack served in Malaya with 2 RAR; in South Vietnam with 6 RAR (22 May 1966 – 14 Jun 1967. In 1973 Jack was awarded a Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military).

Jack passed away at Ipswich on 26 July 2024, aged 88+ years. A Funeral Service (Poppy Service) was held at the Rosewood RSL Soldiers Hall, Rosewood Qld.

Thanks 6 RAR Assn

12273 Pte Kevin TUPPER                                                            06 Nov 1933 – 03 Mar 2024

Korea: 2 RAR (17 Mar 1953 - 06 Apr 1954).  Kevin, late of Bridgeman Downs Qld passed away on 3 March 2024, aged 90+ years. Kevin was an Association Member for many years (Member No. 511).

43504 Cpl Keith Richard WEBB                                     16 Feb 1947 – 14 Jun 2024

South Vietnam: Cpl Clerk, B Coy HQ 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn (19 May 1967 – 13 Jun 1968). Keith was the B Coy Orderly Room Corporal throughout the entire 2 RAR First Tour. Not only did he keep the Orderly Room in good shape and he ran numerous patrols outside the wire. On his discharge he had his own rural magazine and book distribution company in Adelaide retiring to a rural property on the Fleurieu Peninsular in SA. Unfortunately, he had to manage dementia during the last few years of his life. Keith was 77 when he passed away and was privately buried prior to his Memorial Service at Mt Barker SA. Rest in Peace Keith.                                                                               Thanks Geoff Brewer

 

NZ 30743 Lt Col John Gilbert Hamish (Hamish) WILSON      22 Sep 1943 – 28 Jun 2024

Enlisted in the New Zealand Army as a Staff Cadet in January 1961 and graduated as a Lieutenant into RNZIR in December 1964. Served as Platoon Commander in A Coy 1 RNZIR 1965–1967. Completed tour in Borneo in 1966. Platoon Commander of 6 Platoon V2 Company 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn in Vietnam, 1967–1968.  Called time on 28 Jun 2024 at Christchurch Hospital, aged 80+ years. Funeral held at Lamb & Hayward Westpark Chapel & Memorial Garden, Christchurch. New Zealand.                                                   Thanks Ron Pritchard DCM