THE NEWSLETTER OF THE COMBINED

4TH BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT ASSOCIATIONS OF AUSTRALIA

Vale 3

A Plea 3

Qld Report 6

Welfare Notes 7

NSW Report 8

Vic Report 9

ANZAC Day 9

RO Part 3 10

Last Stand SVN 1

Inside this issue:

THE FIGHTING FOURTH THE FIGHTING FOURTH THE FIGHTING FOURTH THE FIGHTING FOURTH Malaysia, Borneo, South Vietnam, east Malaysia, Borneo, South Vietnam, east Malaysia, Borneo, South Vietnam, east Malaysia, Borneo, South Vietnam, east Timor, Timor Leste, Iraq, AfghanistanTimor, Timor Leste, Iraq, AfghanistanTimor, Timor Leste, Iraq, AfghanistanTimor, Timor Leste, Iraq, Afghanistan

4 RAR, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2/4 RAR, 4 RAR (Cdo)4 RAR, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2/4 RAR, 4 RAR (Cdo)4 RAR, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2/4 RAR, 4 RAR (Cdo)4 RAR, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2/4 RAR, 4 RAR (Cdo)

April 2012

This newsletter is issued in April, August and December by the 4 RAR Association, Qld Inc on behalf of all 4 RAR

State Associations. Articles for publication should be directed to Alan Price, The Editor, 4 RAR Assoc, Qld Inc no

later than one month prior to the month of publication. We welcome your stories, reminiscences and comments.

Tel: (07) 3273 7973 Email: apriced4@bigpond.net.au. www.4rarassociationsaustralia.com

SURROUNDED BY ENEMY: LAST STAND IN SOUTH VIETNAM

In September 1971, just weeks before they were due to leave for home, soldiers of

the Australian Task Force fought their last battle of the Vietnam War. In what be-

came known as the Battle of Nui Le, 24 soldiers were wounded and five were killed;

they were the last Australians to die in combat in Vietnam. It was the last battle

fought by Australians in South Vietnam and the last battle in South Vietnam

fought by the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand

(ANZAC) otherwise known as 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) or just simply 4 RAR.

In the last issue of The Fighting Fourth we read the report of the commander of 4

RAR at the time, Major General Jim Hughes AO, DSO, MC (Retd) during the op-

erations that resulted in the battle of Nui Le. Now we can read the historical de-

scription of the battle as recorded by Ashley Ekins with Ian McNeill.

The 33rd North Vietnamese Army Regiment (33 NVA Regt) was the most dangerous enemy force confronting the Australians. The North Vietnamese soldiers, said intelli-gence officer Captain R. L. Sayce, "planned well, carried out detailed reconnaissance and moved carefully. They were past masters at laying out ambushes ... they employed snip-ers from tree tops, built well-sited, solid bunkers and cut effective fire lanes. They were generally well disciplined, making little noise during movement or while in camp, and strictly adhered to the doctrine of always carrying out their wounded and dead after a contact if possible."

33 NVA Regiment was the only enemy main force formation in the general area capa-ble of militarily exploiting the Australian withdrawal from Phuoc Tuy and this they were apparently directed to do. In mid-September 1971, signals intelligence indicated that 33 NVA Regiment was moving from southern Long Khanh into the northern part of Phuoc Tuy.

The threat materialised quickly. Task force commander Brigadier Bruce McDonald knew his force had to respond. He believed it was even more essential now to keep en-emy forces at a distance and prevent them establishing themselves in the province, per-haps inviting the risk of ambush or surprise attack on increasingly vulnerable targets. But, he said it was "a difficult decision for me ... to commit most of the elements of the task force, including 3 RAR, which at that stage was less than a fortnight away from going home".

On September 19, the task force mounted Operation Ivanhoe, a search-and-destroy sweep of the area south of the Courtenay rubber plantation. Battalions deployed into the central northern border region, supported by APCs (armoured personnel carriers), artillery and engi-neers; although conspicuously lacking the fire support of the tanks, which had left Vung Tau five days earlier.

Proudly sponsored by

With the forward section pinned down, artillery and

then air fire support was called in while other platoons

moved in closer to assist. As 11 Platoon approached,

they encountered another enemy group and after a brief

fire fight drove them off. The platoon continued to repel

repeated attacks over the next two hours. With the en-

emy attempting to outflank their position, 11 Platoon

was running short of ammunition when 4RAR/NZ CO

Lieutenant Colonel J. C. "Jim" Hughes dropped sup-

plies to them from his observation helicopter.

From the air, it appeared that D Company had struck the western edge of a large bunker system. Major Tay-lor ordered his platoons to hold their positions while air and artillery fire support was called in. American forces quickly provided massive air support, employing 30 aircraft.

While air strikes and artillery constantly pounded the enemy positions, 11 Platoon closed with the main group and Major Taylor was able to concentrate his company. His plan was to attack through the bunker system if the enemy started to withdraw. At about 3pm, after four hours of intense bombardment, pilots reported that large numbers of enemy were pulling out from the bun-ker complex and moving northwards. Taylor called his platoon commanders together and told them the com-pany would be assaulting the bunker system. They were not expected to encounter heavy opposition as the en-emy was reportedly fleeing. Soldiers were issued with extra ammunition and grenades and the platoons moved forward and "shook out" into a "two-up" assault forma-tion with two platoons in the lead.

At 3.40pm, D Company attacked. Within 10 minutes, after moving just 50m into the system, 11 Platoon was hit by heavy fire from the front and flanks. The forward section was struck by ferocious machine-gun and small arms fire. The enemy were well dug in and had pre-pared wide fire lanes; they also displayed excellent fire control, aiming for areas from which commands were shouted and concentrating their fire on D Company's automatic weapons. Four soldiers -- the two leading machine-gun teams -- were hit in the initial bursts of fire. Privates Brian Beilken and Rod Sprigg were both killed immediately and fell just 15m from the nearest bunkers; machine-gunner Private Ralph Niblett was badly wounded in the chest. Moments later, as Private Keith Kingston-Powles attempted to bring his machine-gun into action, he too was hit and killed.

The attack quickly stalled. Pinned down, soldiers lacked retaliatory fire power. Without the close support of tanks, or even M72 rocket launchers which had been withdrawn due to malfunctions, they had nothing more

Continued page 4

Page 2

As the rifle companies of 4th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR/NZ ANZAC) searched the jungle, they soon came across signs that hundreds of enemy were using the muddy foot tracks. Numerous sawn logs and concealed tree stumps also indicated re-cent bunker construction. "Things started to look decid-edly spooky," recalled Second Lieutenant Gary McKay, commanding 11 Platoon. Major Jerry Taylor, command-ing D Company, remembered: "There was an uneasy feeling throughout the battalion ... a sense of forebod-ing."

In the early afternoon of September 20, 11 Platoon, D Company had the first contact when they encountered a party of 15 enemy on a track 1km northeast of Nui Sao. The platoon opened fire and the enemy reacted instantly and aggressively, mirroring the combat drills of the Aus-tralians and returning fire with automatic weapons. The Australians killed two in the brief fire fight, without in-curring casualties themselves. Lance Corporal Warren Dowell, commanding the support section of D Company headquarters, recalled that by the evening of the first day of the operation, the enemy had already "showed they were looking for a fight".

Platoons of B and D Companies harboured in their separate defensive positions overnight and began searching early on the morning of September 21. By late afternoon, B Company was concentrating into a secure night defensive position where platoons could receive a helicopter re-supply of ammunition and evacuate their casualties.

Meanwhile, 4km to the northeast, D Company's search had run into heavy opposition. At about 9am, while fol-lowing a track, 12 Platoon came under heavy fire from an enemy bunker just 10m away. RPG rounds killed machine-gunner Private "Jimmy" Duff instantly and wounded two others, including platoon commander Sec-ond Lieutenant Graham Spinkston. Private Colin Kemp crawled forward and tried repeatedly to retrieve Duff's body under intense fire until he was ordered to with-draw.

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Machine-gunner Private 'Jimmy" Duff of 12 Platoon, D Company, 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC), fills his water bottle in August 1971. One month later he was killed at the Battle of Nui Le. Picture: AWM.

VALE

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING, AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING, AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING, AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING,

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Once again we honour all those who have gone before us. In this brief moment of our time may we consider the stress and strain these men must have passed through before laying down their crosses of life. Enable us, their friends to be worthy of the trust they have imparted unto us on their passing; for theirs was an honourable and noble life. May God grant unto their families His peace.

We only hope that there are none recently which we should have reported. We sincerely apologise if we have been remiss.

Robert Crichton “Jock” Sharpe 21 May 2011

Keith Knoblauch (2/4 RAR) 10 January 2012

Brian Richard Mick” Munday 25 January 2012

David Halliday “Simmo” Simpson 29 January 2012

Kevin Denis Philp 09 February 2012 Daryl Thomas “Tom” Hanley 21 February 2012

Mrs Carole Jordan (Widow Bill Jordan) 12 March 2012

Claude Hale March 2012

To all that have passed in the service of 4 RAR, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2/4 RAR and 4 RAR (Cdo)

Well done, thou good and noble warriors, we will never forget!

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A PLEA FROM ROBERT “JB” FAUSTMANN D COMPANY 4 RAR 1971 Dear Alan,

For some time I have thought about something that happened around mid 1971 ( I was in Delta, The Last Out). In the lines back in Nui Dat someone from the staff (I would not have an idea who he was) approached me to write a condolence letter in German. An Australian soldier not from 4 RAR but who was born in Germany, was killed in action. I believe that he was a Private and his papers stated that his next of kin lived in Germany. I believe that he may have been in 3 RAR but it was in the beginning of our tour and we had not received casualties yet so it was the first hint that death had become a reality.

I sat there in my tent and pondered what would be the right words for the dead soldier´s mother. I thought of my uncle who was an officer in WW II and wounded and I thought of my grandfather who was a machine gunner in an Austrian-Hungarian Regiment in WW I. He was wounded twice in two of the twelve battles along the river Isonzo.

Since I did not know the soldier who was KIA and the circumstances of his death, I wrote down something like: He had died supporting his mates in a fierce fight, that he was a brave soldier and a good friend and that he was killed instantaneously, not suffering. I had no idea how he died. Maybe it was not that easy at all. But he had been one of us. His family in Germany certainly had no idea what the Vietnam war was about and they knew nothing about the spirit of ANZAC. Their son had left them looking for adventure and other perspectives. In the Australian Army he had found a perspective – I´m sure.

Now I come to my plea. Would it be possible to find the name and the address of his NOK in Germany? At least I would like to know the name of this soldier and maybe the circumstances of his death. Maybe I could find someone in Germany who knew him. The guy is somewhat a mirror image of me. I think and I would like to find out about this mate who might have felt a trifle out of step …. maybe he had a similar “abominable” accent.

Keep up the good work, even if the news is sometimes rather sad especially when I learned about Peter Schuman, Sgt Kevin Philp, Mick Kennedy who was my section commander and others. The casualties in Afghanistan really hurt when one sees the photos of the young and well trained (even better than we were) soldiers who meet their fate in a way that does not differ much from our experience.

All the best from Austria, Duty First

Robert “J.B.” Faustmann If anyone can recall the incident described by Robert or if the officer who asked him to write the letter can recall,

would you please contact Alan Price (07) 3273 7973. Alan has commenced the investigation and two names appear,

Kowalski and Salzmann but a name must be confirmed before we ask for records to further the search.

The enemy were also directing fire into the company's night defensive position from an observation post 10m up in a tree. "In the end we didn't extract ourselves; we had to stay because it was last light and we couldn't move," said Corporal Dowell.

D Company, now reduced to some 85 men, was in a rough, defensive circle, approximately 35m across. Sol-diers lacked even shell scrapes for protection. They were running low on ammunition and were under fire from a strong and aggressive enemy force which had virtually surrounded them. "We had them all around us," Dowell recalled, "but we did get back into a sem-blance of all-round defence." Platoons linked up and "our spirits lifted once we were all together.”

The enemy continued harassing fire into the com-pany's position until well after last light. D Company's flow of messages to the battalion command post at Courtenay Hill conveyed the vulnerability of their posi-tion:

6.51pm. We are completely surrounded and we need

more ammo.

6.58pm. I want every available support, the enemy are

getting bad.

7.03pm. Every time we move, they fire. We are lying

flat, Can't accept Iroquois (helicopters), too dangerous.

Crouching under enemy fire and unable to read his map in the darkness, Lieutenant Gregory Gilbert, D Company's forward observer, had to recall his grid ref-erences and mentally calculate distances and angles to call in close artillery fire. Lieutenant Gilbert "walked" the fire in to within 100m of the perimeter. The enemy continued to fire RPGs and small arms and throw gre-nades into the position; but on Taylor's command, the soldiers of D Company held their fire to conserve their ammunition. Meanwhile, the artillery rounds took effect and forced the enemy to pull back. As darkness de-scended the enemy fire grew erratic and finally ceased.

In a sudden burst of fire shortly after 9pm, Second Lieutenant McKay was hit by a sniper in a tree. In pain and bleeding profusely, he hung on during the night, unable to be evacuated by Dustoff helicopter until morning. He was later awarded the Military Cross for his outstanding bravery and leadership throughout the action.

As the enemy activity began to subside and things began to go quiet, it was unsettling, recalled Corporal Dowell, because soldiers could not be sure the enemy would not attack again. The Australians dropped their artillery support back, but "we put in a very, very long night. There were wounded within our position that had to stay there because they couldn’t get them out."

Continued page 5

Page 4

than their rifles, M79 grenade launchers and machine guns, two of which were now out of action.

“We were caught right in the middle of their fire lanes and to move any further forward would have meant more casualties," recalled McKay. "We'd have given anything just then to have had the tanks back, but they'd been shipped home."

National serviceman Private K. G. "Fred" Casson, the last surviving rifleman in the section, crawled forward into the fire lane in which the casualties were laying and checked that each of them was dead. He then retrieved the M60 machine-gun from under one of the bodies, gathered belts of linked ammunition and crawled back. Private Casson was Mentioned in Dispatches. McKay also moved forward, steadying his men, and recovered the other machine-gun. He then used it to engage the enemy who appeared to be attempting to outflank them and to cover the withdrawal of the remainder of his sec-tion.

Platoon Sergeant Daryl Jenkin, although wounded himself, organised other members of the platoon to pro-vide fire support. As they pulled back, soldiers were ordered to abandon their heavy packs and leave their three dead comrades behind -- the enemy fire was too intense to risk more lives in an attempt to extract the bodies.

The platoon withdrew, followed by the rest of the company. The company re-grouped and organised the evacuation of wounded soldiers by Dustoff helicopters. Despite the efforts of company medic Corporal O'Sullivan, Private Niblett died during the evacuation, 30 minutes after he was wounded. Meanwhile, enemy groups had left their bunkers and followed up behind the withdrawing troops. Staying close to avoid the air and artillery fire support, mobile parties of NVA now began to fire on the company flanks. The enemy also took ad-vantage of the jungle canopy and high ground to pour automatic weapons fire at the supporting helicopter gun-ships and control aircraft.

At 6.15pm, in fading light, Major Taylor ordered his company to break contact and begin pulling back 400m south to form a secure night harbour position. Napalm would then be brought in on their present position. Al-most immediately, the enemy again began following up. Platoons went to ground and a fierce fire fight followed in which several enemy were seen to be hit. It was soon apparent that the southern perimeter established by the company had also run up against another bunker system. "We were in contact all the way round," recalled Corpo-ral Warren Dowell, commanding the support section, "So while they were fighting to the company's rear, 11 Platoon and 12 Platoon were trying to extract them-selves from the bunker system.”

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All these problems, he said, stemmed from the gov-ernment's decision to withdraw the task force "piecemeal" in stages over the past year; this had clearly not achieved the aim of allowing the territorial forces to develop and take over control of the province and the protracted withdrawal had signalled task force intentions to the enemy.

The reality was not lost on perceptive commentators. The Australian military effort in Phuoc Tuy "deserves more credit than it has been given or is likely to get", wrote Creighton Burns of the Melbourne Age, as the withdrawal began. With limited troops and inadequate support and resources, the Australian task force had kept substantial Viet Cong forces off balance, disrupted their supply routes and occasionally inflicted heavy casualties on them.

But "the Australians never did manage to clear the Viet Cong cadres out of the villages", a task for which they were not properly equipped and which was the responsibility of local South Vietnamese.

Yet the government "still insists on maintaining the myth that Phuoc Tuy is a model of counter-insurgency security", Burns noted. There was a strong likelihood that after the Australians left, the province would "slowly revert to apathetic acceptance of Viet Cong control". In the meantime, Australians should be asking why their soldiers had been sent to Vietnam in the first place, what difference their presence had made, what Australia had gained from its military involvement, and whether the loss of over 400 Australian dead and over 2000 wounded had "the slightest influence on the course of the war".

This article is reproduced by kind permission of the author, Ashley Ekins, and the Weekend Australian who first published it on 3-4 March 2012. The article is an edited extract from chap-ter 18 of Fighting to the Finish: The Australian Army and the Vietnam War, 1968-1975, by Ashley Ekins with Ian McNeill (published by Allen & Unwin in asso-ciation with the Australian War Memorial, hardback, 1184 pp, RRP $100, avail-able in all bookstores). Please see page 11 for more details.

Page 5

At first light the next morning D Company sent out clearing patrols. They found one dead NVA soldier, armed with a loaded RPG2, some heavy drag marks and blood trails. But the enemy had withdrawn during the night leaving few other traces.

The New Zealanders of V Company moved up to rein-force D Company and on September 23 the two compa-nies moved back into the area of the bunkers.

In torrential rain, they recovered the abandoned packs and the bodies of the three Australian soldiers killed two days earlier. V Company cleared a track to a helicopter winch point and the New Zealand riflemen shouldered arms and formed an impromptu "guard of honour" in tribute as the litters passed.

The fighting left its mark on the battalion. In the 14 hour-long engagement, Australian losses were five killed and 24 wounded, including three platoon com-manders. Enemy losses amounted to nine killed and an unknown number wounded. The five soldiers who died were not only the Battalion's last deaths on the tour but the last Australian soldiers to die in combat in Vietnam.

There was some bitterness among soldiers over their casualties and at the government's decision to withdraw the tanks before the end of combat operations. A soldier of 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) later complained: "The Army should have never, ever withdrawn the armour before they pulled us out of the bush; we wouldn't have lost the same amount of blokes killed as we did and I think we would have got a lot more of them."

Some commanders believed the engagement, although inconclusive, had "bloodied the noses" of the commu-nist forces and deterred them from any further aggres-sive action during the final stages of the Australian with-drawal. But the heavy Australian casualties led others to question whether the sacrifice of soldiers had resulted in any advantages at this stage of the war. Survivors felt they were lucky to escape a heavy mauling by the well trained and equipped NVA regiment. Major Taylor be-lieved it had been "a near thing": D Company attacked, withdrew and defended and "came closer to potential annihilation as any Australian sub-unit had since Long Tan", he said.

Deputy opposition leader Lance Barnard argued in parliament that the "tragic encounter" had "exposed as an illusion" the government's claim that Phuoc Tuy Province was secure and that the task force could be safely withdrawn; it also revealed that the task force was still actively seeking out enemy main forces in search and destroy operations. If the task force, with its reduced strength and capability, continued to seek out enemy units and engage them, more heavy casualties could be expected.

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and to have a say. As we did on the Gold Coast in Sep-tember last year, it is our intention to take the meetings to other areas within Queensland in due course. The Sunshine Coast and Townsville are next on our itiner-ary but we may have to wait until our vice president Clive Clewley, recovers from two broken legs after fal-ling off his roof. At the moment your committee looks like a battalion sick parade on a Monday morning but we will persevere.

The most important work that we strive to do is to keep the name of 4 RAR to the fore along with provid-ing a service to our members and their families. We attempt to do this in many ways but in the forefront is the celebration of the battalion’s birthday in February, ANZAC Day, the ladies luncheon in June and the Bat-tle of Nui Le function in September. Intertwined is the excellent work of our welfare team, the administration and the supplying of tour guides to the museum, re-sponding to requests, routine administration, and at-tempting to look forward to satisfy the needs and ex-pectations of our members, both now and for the future.

We need your help to ensure that what we do suits the majority and that the functions are those expected of our members. If you have any suggestions ideas or comments, we would like to hear them, even if they might appear to be uncomplimentary. It is your associa-tion and we the committee, only act on your behalf. We would love to see you and your families at future func-tions as all are welcome.

I received a reply from a letter to General Hurley AC, DSC, Chief of the Defence Force in which he states that, “there is no intention to re-raise the 4th Bat-talion in the immediate future”. Although at the first reading it was distressing to hear that, who knows what may happen past the immediate future! As Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolates .....”

Duty First Alan

Page 6

The Battalion Birthday. On Saturday 04 February

2012, members of the 4 RAR Association, Qld Inc gath-

ered to celebrate the 48th birthday of the Battalion at the

Royal Australian Regiment National Memorial Walk

(RAR NMW) at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. The

function was divided into two parts; a commemorative

service and a birthday service.

The commemorative service was hosted by our Sec-

retary Mike O’Neill and Alan Price presented a very

informative presentation on both the history of the RAR

NMW and details of the achievements of the 4 RAR

Assoc, Qld Inc. Suffice to say that the expression, inher-

ited from our first Commanding Officer, Brigadier

Thomson of “This is the first time”, was used quite a

few times. On display was the Association Year Book

which features all the events, social comments and sto-

ries involving the Association over the previous year.

During his presentation Alan made reference to the

achievements of former presidents and their committees.

He made mention of the many firsts involving the Asso-

ciation and the RAR NMW. He explained that on the

anniversary of the month of a fallen RAR warrior, a

member of the RAR Association places poppies beside

the names of those fallen, on the memorial wall.

Alan also paid tribute to Daryl Farry and his wife

Felicity who donated the five hibiscus plants located on

the forecourt of the memorial. The pots were donated by

Bunnings Warehouse. The hibiscuses were given the

horticultural names of the five C Company soldiers who

were killed in action on our first tour of South Vietnam;

Pte Patrick Shane O’Connor, LCpl Robert Burns, Pte

Michael Muc, Pte Michael James Noonan and Pte Chris-

topher William Roost.

Another to receive recognition was Allan Edwards

who donated three sets of crutches, a wheel chair (to add

to the two already held by the association), a toilet

frame, a toilet seat and a wheeled walker. These may be

borrowed at no charge by members.

The service included the traditional laying of flowers

beside the plaques, identified by the placement of Aus-

tralian flags, of those who died on active service with 4

RAR. The BBQ following the service was very enjoy-

able and the cooking skills of Joe Dvoracsek and the

work of the ladies was much appreciated by all. Mau-

reen Price provided the birthday cake.

Meetings. The Association meets at 10 am on every

third Wednesday of the month at the Sunnybank Sports

Club in Brisbane and all members are invited to attend

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4 RAR ASSOC, QLD INCFROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4 RAR ASSOC, QLD INCFROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4 RAR ASSOC, QLD INCFROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4 RAR ASSOC, QLD INC

• Wear shoes inside and outside the house.

• Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.

• Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.

• Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can't get up.

• Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and can't get up.

• DO NOT GET UP ON THE ROOF

The following are recommendations for older adults to help prevent falls:

• Improve the lighting.

• Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce the glare.

• Remove throw rugs or use them with a nonslip backing.

• Keep objects like papers, books, and towels off the floor.

• Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can't trip over them.

• Fix loose or uneven steps.

• Put overhead lights at the top and bottom of steps.

• Make sure the carpet on steps is firmly attached to every step.

• Put nonslip rubber treads on uncarpeted stairs.

• Fix loose handrails. • Paint a contrasting colour on the top edge of all steps so that you can see the stairs better.

• DO NOT GET UP ON THE ROOF

Joe advises that DVA outsources to firms that can provide assistance to card holding veterans. If there is anything that you think you may need to help to pro-vide you with a better way of life, then pick up the phone and ask DVA. A home occupational therapist may come to your home to do an assessment but all that you have to do is to ask. If your back is so bad that you cannot roll up your garden hose, they can help; if you need non slip mats, they can help; if you require hand rails, they can help, if you require respite, they can help, if you require light cleaning services, they can help; if you require night lights, they can help.

We all disregard or want to deny the fact that we do grow old or that we do become prematurely infirm be-cause of war related injuries. Please accept the fact that sometimes we do need help and pick up the phone and call DVA from anywhere in Australia. Just do it!

Telephone: 133 254 or dva.gov.au/factsheets

Regional callers: 1800 555 254

International callers: 61 2 6289 1133

Page 7

FALLING AND CONSEQUENCES According the Centres for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC) USA, the main cause for accidental death among people age 65 and older is from falling. Fatal fall rates rose for both men and women between 1993 and 2003, with men's rates increasing by 45% and women's rates increasing by 60%.

Ala Price tells that his son in law, a plumber fell from a roof and telescoped the bones of his feet and ankle into each other. He was unable to work for a further 3 years.

Recently Clive Clewley, our Qld Association vice president was attempting to secure an awning to his roof and he fell off and suffered multiple fractures to both legs. If he had not executed a flying two and a half back-ward somersault with a reverse twist, he would have landed on his head on a large rock in his garden and who knows what the result may have been. The end result however is shown in the photo of Clive lying in hospital after the first of many operations. The meccano set is keeping Clive’s bones together while the medicos have a coffee break. Clive is now recovering at home but will be bed ridden for some weeks, if not months. His DVA supplied hospital bed now takes up the family lounge room, Jaye his wife, has lost control of the TV remote and his son and daughter as well as Jaye are

committed to Clive’s well being. They are doing a mar-vellous job and are to be commended for their care and devotion, but as Clive said, “I did something without thought to the consequences” and Clive and Greg Shan-non send this message to us all.

The following are recommendations for preventing falls in older adults: • Exercise regularly (get your doctor's approval

first).

• Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medicines, including over-the-counter medi- cines. • Have your vision checked at least once yearly

by an eye doctor.

• Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

WELFARE NOTES WELFARE NOTES WELFARE NOTES WELFARE NOTES Submitted by Greg Shannon, Clive Clewley and Joe Dvoracsek

Frank was always looking for a bit of fun. In one ex-

ceptional case when his junior sergeant batman failed to

keep him under control, he ran up a bill for $1,000.00

worth of Port during an extremely good celebration in

the Mess. In another escapade, he went absent without

leave from the Sergeants’ Mess at Holsworthy where he

lived, only to be found in Iraq where he was subse-

quently wounded in action.

Over the period of 48 years of continuous service,

Frank’s health had however, suffered greatly. All that

service and good living had taken its toll.

His hips and shoulders required reconstruction, He

suffered from gout (you should see the size of his feet!).

His knees are gone and he needed to have his war

wounds attended to. He was actually cut in half during

his tour of Iraq but luckily, combat medics were on

hand to save him. Frank says that his centre of gravity

and axis needed to be adjusted, that’s all.

Finding a hospital to be capable of carrying out the

specialist needs of the Staff Sergeant wasn’t easy; how-

ever I remembered the Sydney Dolls Hospital at Bexley

and booked him in there for the duration of his opera-

tions and recovery period.

I volunteered my XTrail to be his ambulance and he

was gently placed in the back seat where he could

stretch out and enjoy the

ride from Singleton to Syd-

ney. He had to go via Tam-

worth and Uralla where he

attracted some attention,

especially in my motel

room as he caused a fuss

when I would not allow

him any Port to drink.

Frank stayed in hospital over the Christmas and New

Year period but he was discharged in February, mainly

due to his behaviour with a particular nurse, pictured

below. He is currently boarding with me and I am

keeping him quiet before he soon returns to Singleton.

Duty First, David

Page 8

It was in 2010 that I received a report from the Regi-

mental Sergeant Major of the School of Infantry that

there was concern for the well being and long term

health of the vastly experienced, but diminutive Staff

Sergeant Frank N. Stein.

Since his entry into the Sergeants Mess in 1964 as a

newly promoted staff sergeant, Frank has performed

with great diligence in the following theatres of war:

Malaysia,

Borneo,

Vietnam 1968-69,

Vietnam 1971-72,

Iraq, and

Afghanistan.

His Peace Keeping duties between Vietnam and Iraq

saw him in a multitude of places in various continents

including East Timor in 2001. Frank is the only member

to have served in every campaign fought by Australians

since 1965 and he wears all the medals for those cam-

paigns.

When 4 RAR began training as a commando battalion,

Frank was in the vanguard showing the young diggers

how to do their parachute jumps.

His efforts in the field all over the world but more par-

ticularly in the Sergeants’ Mess helped to forge the tran-

sition of 4 RAR from an Infantry battalion, to a Com-

mando battalion and then, to being reformed as the 2nd

Commando Regiment.

His reputation is such that he is still talked about in

revered whispers and soldiers look around carefully if

they think they see his small but hulking shadow out of

the corner of their eyes.

FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR/ 4 RAR (Cdo) Association NSWFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR/ 4 RAR (Cdo) Association NSWFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR/ 4 RAR (Cdo) Association NSWFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR/ 4 RAR (Cdo) Association NSW

Staff Sergeant Frank N. Stein returns to health

FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR ASSOC, VICFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR ASSOC, VICFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR ASSOC, VICFROM THE PRESIDENT 4 RAR ASSOC, VIC

Page 9

Your nearest store is just around the corner or at: www.bunnings.com.au Bunnings is a proud supporter of the 4 RAR Associations and we thank our sailors, soldiers and airmen serving all over the world for the job that they are doing in preserving peace. Stay safe and return to your loved ones.

AGM 2012. Our 2012 Annual General Meeting was

held at Pascoe Vale RSL on Sunday 18 March 2012.

The main points to mention are that the committee re-

mains the same and thanks are offered for your confi-

dence with the committee. It is very heart warming to

realise thatwe have the support of our members. It must

be mentioned however that we only serve the members

and we look forward to seeing and hearing from as

many members and their families as possible over the

next twelve months.

The Nui Le Luncheon is to be held at the Greensbor-

ough RSL Club, 111 Main St Greensborough on Sunday

23 September 2012.

Country visit. Negotiations are in progress to have our

next ‘meet and greet’ in Gippsland later this year.

Duty First, Jim

Some attendees at AGM 2012: Joe Tite, Doug McClelland, Phil

Morgan, Geoff Stephens, Jim Flower, John Deighton, Lyle Raison,

Ted Richards, Cliff Thompson, Jeremy Bell, Graeme Brown, Ken

Bryce, Max Johns

ANZAC DAY ACTIVITIESANZAC DAY ACTIVITIESANZAC DAY ACTIVITIESANZAC DAY ACTIVITIES

Melbourne.

City March.

10.30 am. Form Up south side of Flinders St Railway

Station under the clock and opposite Young and Jack-

son’s Hotel.

11.00 am Step off. Order of march 1 RAR, 2 RAR, 3

RAR, 4 RAR etc.

Post March Reunion. The Duke of Kent Hotel, 293

Latrobe St. Meals available at own cost.

Brisbane.

Dawn Service

04.15 am. Assemble RAR NMW, Coffee Royal.

0455. Dawn Service, RAR NMW. 6.30 am to 09.30 am. Gunfire Breakfast Rams Retreat (8/9 RAR). Gold coin donation. Own arrangements to city.

City March

10.30 am Form up between Charlotte St and Mary St on George St. Look for the banner or ask a Marshall. 11.00 Step Off

Post March Reunion. Irish Murphy’s Hotel, 175 George St Brisbane, opposite the Casino. Light finger food refreshments provided. A more substantial menu is available.

All Other Cities and Towns

Please consult your association, RSL, local council or newspapers.

Please enjoy your ANZAC Day no matter where you are, To those that can’t make it or who are ill or in hos-pital the second beer (or whatever) will be for you, the first will be for those that did not return. We will re-member them and we will say their names out loud.

ROUTINE ORDERS PART 3 ROUTINE ORDERS PART 3 ROUTINE ORDERS PART 3 ROUTINE ORDERS PART 3 Your place to contact a mate, comment, publicise your wares or just to say hello.

Page 10

1. The Fair Go Campaign. We strongly encourage you to visit the ADSO’s ‘FAIR GO’ website at www.standto.org and become a subscriber to their updates, better still, click on the Volunteer Box and be come a volunteer. The Fair Go campaign is all about obtaining fair and deserved increases in our DFRDB pensions. W have been short changed for years You don’t necessarily have to be a DFRDB recipient to get involved in this fight for a ‘FAIR GO’ ... Their ‘Action Groups’ are the core element of influencing all politicians, particularly those in marginal electorates. Do not let go of this campaign, it is for the betterment of us all, including our wives and families. We are being treated unfairly and we have had enough!!!! The Labor Party have definitely and loudly stated that they are not going to consider adjusting our pensions even though we are entitled to an increase because, “it would be too expensive”. Please see below.

2. B Company 4 RAR/NZ(ANZAC) are planning a reunion in Townsville from 07 June to 10 June 2012. An outline of events is: 07 June Meet and Greet ; 08 June Tour of Lavarack Barracks followed by platoon reun- ions; 09 June tours of Maritime Museum, Jezzine Barracks and Castle Hill: 10 June Tour Flinders Mall, Memorial Service and farewell BBQ. For further details please contact Chris Burgess (07) 4696 3162 or chrisburgess01@hotmail.com.

3. Joint Accounts. “Com Super” have stated that now a widow will continue to receive benefit entitle- ments from a joint bank account as long as the account is in the same surname, that is Mr M. And Mrs J. Smith but not Mr J. Smith and Mrs B. Jones. Previously it was stated that “A widow must have an ac count in her own name” not a joint account.

Defacto relationships will be recognised if the partner is the beneficiary within a will. Necessary documents

will have to be supplied. Credit cards will normally be cancelled by banks when the main signatory passes

away. You should still check with your bank to verify that they maintain the joint account for the widow of a

veteran, unfortunately some banks do not! Joe Dvoracsek.

Fighting to the Finish: Fighting to the Finish: Fighting to the Finish: Fighting to the Finish: The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1968–1975

Page 11

Ashley Ekins with Ian McNeill

Fighting to the Finish is the long-awaited final volume of the official his-tory of Australian involvement in Southeast Asian conflicts. The product of years of intensive work, Fighting to the finish reveals the experiences of Aus-tralian soldiers in Vietnam in a way that has not been possible before. This comprehensive and authoritative history totals 1,139 pages and weighs 3.2 kg. It includes 250 images (over 70 in full colour), and over 40 maps and tables. Fighting to the Finish tells the story of the Australian Army in Vietnam during the period of Australia’s largest and most sustained military commit-ment to the Vietnam War. It covers the Australian involvement at virtually every level, from the senior commanders and planners to the experiences of infantrymen on patrol. Fighting to the Finish is now available and to ensure that this landmark publication is available across Australia, the Australian War Memorial is of-fering FREE postage and handling and with a bulk discount for orders of five or more. (Delivery must be to a single address within Australia.) RRP $100.00 To order, you can use the order form below or go to awm.gov.au/vol9

Please fill out this order form and send with your payment, I am paying by: � Cheque / money order† � Visa � MasterCard Cardholder name_________________________________________________

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GPO Box 345, Canberra ACT 2601 Email esales@awm.gov.au Telephone (02) 6243 4578 or 6243 4438 Fax (02) 6243 4469

4TH BATTALION, THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT ASSOCIATION, QUEENSLAND INCORPORATED

PLEASE ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THIS PUBLICATION TO:

The Editor 4 RAR Assoc, Qld Inc PO Box 70 Acacia Ridge, Qld 4110 Email: apriced4@bigpond.net.au

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4 RAR Assoc, Qld Inc

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The Fighting Fourth

April 2012

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