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VALERWAR BOOK OF REMEMBERENCE
This has now been started. The Book will record the names of the mates we remember with fondness during times gone by and make 'LEST WE FORGET' mean something more than three little words that are so easily quoted at the time, then forgotten. The Committee has decided that only members of the RWAR Association and Affilliated Associations will be recorded in the Book of Rememberence as it will be too difficult to reserach the last 46 years to seek all the names of those who have passed on.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
VALE
Sgt. Noel Rene Davies 11th Australian Infantry Battalion WW11
Noel served with the 11th Battalion AIF in the Darwin Area before moving to New Britain in November 1944 with the 13th Brigade.
Our sincere condolences to Bonnie Davies our associate member.
VALE
Captain Malcolm Cleale:
Our member Malcolm Cleale served with 16 Bn Cameron Highlanders of WA, 1 RWAR, 11 RWAR and 28 RWAR before moving to 90 Transport Sqn RACT on Full Time Duty with the ARA.
On leaving the army he became Transport Manager for BHP at their mining operations in Mt. Newman until his sudden passing in May. He will be fondly remembered by our members.
Lest We Forget.
L/Cpl Grant Andrew Richardson - Sep 67 to Apr 2008:
Grant Richardson joined the Australian Army Reserve Pipes & Drums as a young piper in 1986 before transferring to 16 RWAR. The lure of overseas travel saw him spend 12 months on a tour of the UK and Europe before his return to WA.
He was Senior Lecturer in Carpentry & Joinery at TAFE before his tragic death in April.
He leaves a young family.
Lest We Forget.
The Bunbury/Collie Ex-Army Reserve Association Patron, Colonel Dermot Foster passed away on Boxing Day 2007 and will be well remembered for never missing Annual General Meetings. As a mark of respect members formed a Guard of Honour at his funeral.
Lest we Forget.
Colonel Sir Charles Court. AK. OBE (Mil) KCMG. 1911 - 2007
Citizen Soldier, Politician, State Premier and Statesman of unique ability and outstanding vision for WESTern Australia.
He was the architect of the current minerals boom Australia is now enjoying in 2007.
His time in public office is well known, but his service during WW11 is not so well known. Recorded below are some details of his military career which show more of his outstanding qualities as a Leader of Men before politics.
He was invited to join the 44th Battalion Band at the age of 12 years, while still at school, because of his ability as an instrumentalist on the cornet. Later, because his ability as a musician, band master and conductor he was to be called upon to form quite a few army bands during WW11.
At his first attempt to join up in 1939, he was "Man Powered" by a firm he was the accountant for. They claimed they could not do without his services in their main role in assisting the war effort.
Not to be outdone he joined the 44th Battalion hoping to see service as an Infantryman. This was denied when the CO found out he was a brilliant bandsman and posted him to the band. This same situation was to occur several times when he tried to join a unit to serve as an ordinary soldier.
His ability was soon recognized and he was sent to a three month Officers Course and was commissioned.
Administrative postings in all ranks to major saw him given the task of planning for Darwin to be the main base for a possible Allied thrust against the Japanese.
At the end of the war and now a Lt. Colonel, he was given the job of disarming and repatriating the Japanese on Bouganville. The skill and understanding he used in this very successful operation was to lead to the smooth negotiations in the sale of the minerals to Japan in the post war years.
He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Western Australian University Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment for a period and took a serious interest in the Pilbara Regiment, believing the WA North should be defended. A very great man who will be well remembered.
Lest we Forget
Colonel Kenneth T. Johnson MBE. ED. (Retd)
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Ken ( KT ) Johnson on Easter Saturday, after a short period in hospital.
A World War 11 veteran with the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion, serving as a Lieutenant in North Africa, Greece and became a POW On Crete. He joined the CMF in 1948, was a foundation member of the Royal Western Australia Regiment when formed in 1960, he rose to command the 28th Battalion, RWAR before his retirement.
K T Johnson, as he is best known, was an excptional Soldier's Soldier, fiercely proud of his 2/11th Battalion and all those he served with and held in high regard by all who came in contact with him.
Always an Officer and Gentleman, he will be sorely missed.
A crematorium service was held at Karrakatta Cemetery at 9.00 hrs on Friday the 13th of April 2007.
LEST WE FORGET
Valarie Cave
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Valarie Cave, a long serving A Res member of Infantry units in Western Australia.
Although not a member of the RWAR Association, most of our members will remember Val with deep affection and comradeship and mourn her passing.
The funeral took place at Karrakatta Cemetery at 1330hrs on Thursday 16th of November.
LEST WE FORGET
James Dawson
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Dawson a former member of 16RWAR. A private funeral took place at Karrakatta. The were no formal notices in the press.
LEST WE FORGET
Albert (Bert) Cassidy.
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our esteemed member Bert Cassidy on 07 July 2006.
Bert was the second Adjutant of 1 RWAR in 1960 and was affectionately known as "The Angry Ant" to all ranks. He and Mrs. Cassidy were regular attendees at Association functions until just recently and he will be fondly remembered.
LEST WE FORGET
In Regimental Fellowship |
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