4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - February 2018 Edition

8 I took the opportunity while in Hong Kong to visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery at Sai Wan on Hong Kong Island. It’s a smallish cemetery on a fairly steep site but, like all CWGC cemeteries, it is beautifully maintained. Sai Wan holds about 1,500 burials including about 35 Australians, my colleagues and I placed a poppy on as many of the Australian graves as we could. I make it a point to express appreciation to the staff at CWGC cemeteries who do such a good job maintaining the lawns, grounds and headstones. I’d recommend a visit to the Sai Wan CWGC cemetery if you get the opportunity. Google Sai Wan War Cemetery for more info and photos. The second week of my trip was in London where I had some very useful meetings with staff from The Royal British Legion (RBL). The RBL is located in the Borough High Street very close to the Borough Market which was the scene of the terrorist attack last year. The market area is compact but very good, lots of pubs, food options, etc. Weather wise it was a bit fresh there and something of a change from the 41 deg C I had left behind on the day I left Melbourne. I stayed at Canary Wharf in the recently developed Docklands precinct. It’s bright, shiny and new and therefore different from the older, inner London areas but they have done a great job there of integrating residential, commercial, office, transport and entertainment facilities. Inner London is buzzing! Theatre, food, drink and all sorts of sightseeing and entertainment offerings abound. I saw a great play, The Ferryman , about the impact of the IRAA and ‘the troubles’ on a family. Brilliant! If it comes to a city near you, go and see it. Cheers, PJ. From Barry Ward. Hi Peter. I had a search of the photos but the only one I could find is the one on 4 Fd Regt old boys. I can remember sometime in August (I think it was bloody cold) 1972 Ken and I did a Tech. storemen’s course at Bandiana Vic. Ken with his black hat and me with the blue hat. When we arrived we were housed in tents (yes tents) him from T’ville and me from Twmba. Well on the third we fronted the course OC and advised him that if we spent another night in a bloody tent to send our paper work to our units as that’s where we will be. By lunch we were in rooms. Then at the end of the course having an intake from Kapooka they wanted us to stay and do field instruction in the bush with the new recruits. WELL to say that went well I don’t think. As far as I can recall that was the last time I saw Ken and we ever crossed tracks again. Sorry I couldn’t be a bit more helpful as we did knock around a lot in the same unit. Baz. Also from Barry Ward (Bazza) on 15 Dec. Hi Norm & Peter. I don’t know if you have seen a book on Vietnam called THE VIETNAM WAR EXPERIENCE. It covers the period from 1954 to 1975. I have scanned some of the material and I hope you can read them. There is also a CD WE FOUGHT IN VIETNAM that might be worth a listen. Ed. Baz sent me through some scans of pages of the book etc. I for one have not read it but will try and get hold of a copy. Thanks Baz and if anyone wants me to forward his email, just let me know. Pete From Tom Beynon (via snail mail). Enclosed is your copy of a project that I have undertaken as I strongly believe not all service or ex service personnel know of our traditions. Take for instance our two-year nathios, some served with us overseas, but some discharged and were off – not giving a damn about the Army. I believe you are always after material for re-publishing in our local newsletter. All ok here. Regards, Tom. Ed. Tom sent me a copy of a manuscript he had put together and includes a history of things like The Last Post; History of the two minutes silence; The Red Poppy, and the Rising Sun Badge to name a few. Unfortunately for Tom, Chris Jobson has already produced such a book titled ‘Looking Forward Looking Back – Customs and Traditions of the Australian Army. Jobbo’s book is available from Big Sky Publishing in Wavell Heights, Brisbane. Their web site is www.bigskypublishing.com.au I would recommend Jobbo’s book as a must have to any military library collection. Chris Jobson has also written a book on the Customs and Traditions of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) and