4 Fd Regt (SVN) Old Boys Newsletter - December 2020 Edition

Photo 3. 102 Battery engaging the Indonesian infiltrators with TSM Arthur Cox on the right. (Note all the hearing protection in these photos – not! No wonder so many Gunners have hearing issues these days.) Keith also wrote: At last my memoir of the incident at Merlimau, not an epic battle but an incident of note for the Battery. It was the first time the Battery had fired in anger since WWI. I intend to send a similar copy to the BC 102 Coral Battery with a few additional comments. After I left the Battery when we returned to Australia I went to Perth as Adjutant 3 Field Regiment, a posting I enjoyed. Then eighteen months later I was posted as BK 102 Battery. During this time I realised the Battery did not have an emblem to depict its past, I suggested we adopt the national emblem of Sarawak where ethe Battery had served, indeed the only Australian Battery to do so. Gordon Alexander, A NS officer and designer drew up the Hornbill emblem. I then left the Battery and went toe the UK so did not see the follow up. I have been disappointed to see the Battery emblem referred to as the Toucan, that is not so, it does not give credit to the Battery for its service in Borneo. We were then able to look to the other British batteries in the Regiment with a sense of achievement. ********************************************************************** Well folks, that’s it for this edition. Apologies for any unusual layout but I am including this in the text of the emails rather than as an attachment. I hope it reads ok. Don’t forget to pass on to any Old Boys that you know who don’t have emails. I know we miss a lot by only sending out emails but that’s life these days in so many organisations. Susie and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and sincere best wishes for the year ahead. Please let me know your thoughts on ANZAC Day 2021. Enjoy the Festive Season, stay safe and look after your mates. Best wishes Peter