4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - September 2007 Edition

4 th Field Regiment (SVN) Association AKA 4 th Field Regiment Old Boys Newsletter No 15. September 2007 Peter Bruce: Tele/Fax 03 5752 2114. Mobile 0419 349 317. Email: pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au As many of you would be aware, 177 Soldiers from 4 th Field Regiment in Townsville are deployed in several operational areas overseas. In conjunction with Paddy Durnford, the curator of the 4 th Field Regiment Museum, Andy Hodgkinson and members of the RAA Association on North Queensland, members of the 107 Field Battery Association and the 108 Battery Association we have all agreed to send small packages to the Regiment’s Soldiers who are serving overseas. We have been allocated 40 Soldiers currently serving in an infantry role in East Timor. I would ask all of you who can to take a couple of names each and organise a package to be sent to the individual. The suggestions are for packages valued around the $5.00 or $6.00 mark to be sent to the diggers. Postage is free for parcels under 2 KG if sent via the AFPO in Sydney. (Similar to what was operating when we were in Vietnam). Suggestions for contents include magazines, books and the like. One suggestion was to approach newsagents and try and get the left over magazines which they throw out and only return the front cover. Other suggestions include small note books and pencils which they give out to local kids. Local newspapers are always popular and I am sure they would get passed around and eventually end up with someone from your area. A letter of some sort would be nice and let them know who you are and your background with 4 th Field Regiment. The rest is up to your imagination. We would like to get all this finalized before the end of September as the troops are due to RTA late October and November. I would like you all to contact me as soon as possible preferably by email and let me know how many diggers’ names you want. I will then forward names and the mailing address to you. The current name of the project is “Supporting the Regimental Digger”. Paddy Durnford has offered a copy of Arthur Burkes book “A Brief History of 4 th Field Regiment RAA”. This type of project will extend to soldiers in other AOs will be involved. If you can help I will be in touch next time we get involved. I am sure you all remember how important it was to get news from home. In other news, the paver project is nearing completion. We have submitted all the paver requirements and they are being prepared for laying on the memorial walk. A date for the official unveiling is yet to be set, but I will let you know as soon as I can. At this stage it may have to slip until next February, but I will keep you all informed. I am only sending this to those who have paid their subs (or are a little bit behind), so if you know of someone who has not had a letter from us you can let them know why. Just a reminder, for all subs, send them to Gabby Hayes, 36 Ravel Street, Burpengary, Qld 4505. Please contact me by email if you can at pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au Best wishes to one and all, Peter Bruce