A Batt May 2010

President Ron Bassan’s Report From the President’s Chair. G’day everyone, I hope this newsletter finds everyone well, if not, I hope you are on the road to recovery. I have had some enquiries as to where the AGM & Reunion is to be held this year, and of course it is to be held at the Maroochy River Coach House, Maroochydore, Qld, from the 10th to 12th September. You do your own booking, ring the Coach House on (07) 5448 4344, and make sure you book early. As I said in my last From the President’s Chair, the Committee was investigating the possibility of Sawtell is found on the beautiful North Coast holding a reunion for the 40th anniversary of the Bty of New South Wales just 6km south of Coffs returning from Vietnam; well this is going to happen. Harbour. Located 555 kilometres north of Sydney The AGM & Reunion for 2011 will be held at and 400 kilometres south of Brisbane, it enjoys Sawtell, NSW, from the 12th to 14th September, Australia's most temperate climate. inclusive. All activities will be at the Sawtell RSL Long sandy beaches, pristine rainforest, the Club, except for the service at the Cenotaph. magnificent Solitary Islands Marine Park and the The itinerary for the three days will be; Mon 12th, nearby Dorrigo National Park make Sawtell a must meet & greet, Tues 13th, AGM at 1000hrs, service at visit destination. Cenotaph (To be advised), Evening, 1800hrs for Sawtell is bounded to the east by safe surf 1830hrs, SEMI FORMAL Dinner, miniature medals beaches, to the north and south by unspoiled to be worn, Wed 14th, possibility of a bus trip, waterways and Bongil Bongil National Park and to barbeque in the evening. the west by scenic mountain ranges. Of course this is to be refined and this will be Sawtell has 12 restaurants and several done in the next newsletter, including costs, takeaways. Bookings for the restaurants are highly accommodation, etc. THIS REUNION IS NOT recommended. ONLY FOR VIETNAM VETERANS, IT IS Also in Sawtell is a lovely-restored cinema. OPEN TO ALL EX ‘A’ BTY MEMBERS. Let us You can enjoy a relaxing drink at the Sawtell RSL or know your intention of attending. at the Sawtell Bowls Club. For the golfer, the Sawtell I am happy to say that there is only one Golf Club boasts an 18 hole golf course and full member who is unfinancial for 2009/10, he knows clubhouse who he is. Remember the financial year now starts on facilities. the 1st July. There are It is on a sad note once again. After a long also two illness Lena Noonan passed away and the Committee croquet and Members wish to express our deepest sympathy courts and 12 to Dodger. tennis courts Till next time, Semper Paratus. Tex in Sawtell. kept it from away. “The rounds were dancing Lance Bombardier Gary me that he around our feet,” said Prout, who was Prout who risked his life was actually serving as an artillery observer. “The three times under Taliban on the front platoon commander described it as if gunfire in Afghanistan. line ... He had there was a bubble round us. He had already done no idea how we could carry on one tour. I without any of us getting hit.” thought he A Warrior armoured worked in an ambulance collected Harkett but office.” Prout, whose father, grandfather and Prout, great-grandfather all served in the 27, from Lisburn, Co Antrim, won his forces, knew his friend had little The Sunday Times; medal for what the citation described chance of survival. March 21st. 2010 as “the most incredible courage”. It Prout then ran back across open added: “It was a miracle he was not ground to the top of the house, where Mother thought hero killed.” in a second incident of bravery he soldier son worked in A 30-man patrol had gone into directed more than 200 rounds of an area known to be occupied by the artillery onto the Taliban while under office Taliban south of Musa Qala in fire. The mother of a soldier Helmand province on March 14 last A convoy of Warriors arrived decorated for bravery in Afghanistan year, with Prout taking up a position to pull out the troops but Prout had thought he was working in an on top of a house. realised there was not enough room office until she found out he had won The battle started with a blast for all of them. He stayed with a an honour second only to the Victoria as a soldier set off an improvised small group, calling down smoke Cross. explosive device. Prout ran forward rounds to hide how few they were. This weekend it was 150 yards to the scene where he Even when they were announced that Lance Bombardier found Alun Higgins, the platoon evacuated, Prout’s day was not over. Gary Prout had been awarded the sergeant, with the wounded man, who The group realised they had left Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Prout he realised was his best friend, Lance weapons behind and he volunteered risked his life three times in quick Corporal Christopher Harkett, 22. He to go back, facing heavy rocket and succession when his patrol was and Higgins began carrying Harkett machinegun fire. caught in a vicious firefight with the to cover. It was only later that night that Taliban. The Taliban opened up with he had time to reflect on the loss of Heather, his mother, said: “He heavy machinegun fire from 30 yards his friend. Army Leader to Advise this appointment reinforces that The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Afghan Government Australia’s commitment in The political history of Afghanistan 26th. February 2010 Afghanistan is highly begins with the tribal leader Ahmad Shah Major General Ash valued by our ISAF Durrani who created the Empire in 1747. His Power has been appointed partners.” empire is considered by many to be the to the role of Senior In accepting beginning of modern Afghanistan. Its capital Military Adviser to the the appointment, was shifted in 1776 from Kandahar to Kabul Afghan Defence Minister, Major General Power and most of its territories ceded to Abdul Rahim Wardak. said, “I look forward neighbouring empires. In the late 19th Major General to the challenges and century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in Power will be the first opportunities this "“The Great Game." played between the officer to serve in this role will present. British and Russian empires. On August 19, senior position within the Major General 1919, the country regained independence from International Security Assistance Power joined Army as an Officer the United Kingdom over. Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. He Cadet in 1975. After graduating Since the late 1970s Afghanistan has will assist the Afghan he joined the Royal Australian experienced a continuous state of civil war Government in the expansion and Regiment of Australian Artillery. punctuated by foreign occupations in the development of the Afghan He has commanded 1st forms of the 1979 Soviet invasion and the National Army. Brigade in Darwin, the 1st 2001U S led invasion that overthrew the Minister for Defence, Division and Deployable Joint Taliban government. In December 2001, the Senator John Faulkner, made the Force Headquarters and Training United Nations Security Council authorized announcement today, saying ISAF Command–Army. Most recently the creation of an International Security invited Australia to fill the new he has been Head of Military Council (ISAF) to help maintain security and position. Strategic Commitments. assist the Karzai Administration Senator Faulkner said Major General Power will The country is being rebuilt slowly with “Major General Power has a commence his new role in the support from the international community and highly distinguished career and next few weeks. dealing with a strong Taliban Insurgency. NX124838 Gordon Harvey A Sad Letter from way we got to know each Carmichael, born on 7th Tom Caldwell others family. September 1922, he enlisted It was with deep After both being on the 29th July 1942. sorrow that I learned of discharged Dennis and his Gordon served as a the passing some years younger brother came to cook when in July 1943 A ago of Dennis McLeish stay at my place and we Field Battery was re- who was a most respected worked at the local meat designated as the 2nd friend and mate to a lot of works for a season. Mountain Battery, serving in members of A Bty . Following this the New Guinea and the BCOF in I had been trying to three of us worked the Japan make contact with him for seasons all around Gordon, one of our life some years as we had Australia, the meat members passed away in drifted apart quite some seasons, fruit seasons or 2008. The following moving letter was sent in Feb. 2010 time ago and by chance I any work we could find by his devoted widow, Glad. was able to contact his for 2 years. We then sister . moved to Dennis's parents To the Editor, Thank you so much for sending me the My friendship with place at Woori Yallock A Battery newsletter. I still like to receive it since my him goes back to two 17 and worked on the Upper beloved Gordon has gone, He always enjoyed year old Victorian boys Yarra dam to Silvan dam receiving and reading it. who joined the Army. We pipe line for three years. I am enclosing a small photo copy of Gordon, I notice went through recruit After the work cut that you have photos of members from time to time in training, School of out on the pipe line I the newsletter.

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