4 Fd Regt Old Boys Newsletter - June 2020 Edition

From Keith Hall on 18 Apr Peter, thanks for the Newsletter, like so many others I appreciate the effort you put into keeping us in touch. Again like you and others we are concerned about Gonzo who seems to have just disappeared. I used to speak to him and receive emails but apart from a Xmas card from Jan ..... nothing . It’s a worry. I had a shoulder replacement late last year which went well but I then fell in a hole with a blood infection so had a miserable six months but all is well. My standing around Arty TAC doing very little but smoke has caught up with me and I have a mild case of emphysema but other than that all is well. Have spoken to Syd and Brian of late both seem well, I think Brian now runs the place. My best wishes to you and to Susie, stay safe. Regards Keith …………………………………………………………………………………… A great article in the latest edition of Reveille (Vol 94, #1 March 2020) about our “old boy” John Kinsela. John served with 106 Battery in Vietnam during the Regiments second tour. If you cannot get a copy of the article in Reveille, let me know and I will send you the article. Well done John. A separate article on John Burns was highlighted in the Weekend Australian Magazine of April 25-26. John served with 103 Battery in SVN during the Battle of Long Tan and later with 102 Battery from March 1968 until February 1969. Again, if you can’t get a copy, give me a call and I will send you a copy of the article. From Kevin O’Brien on 19 Apr Another interesting newsletter Peter, well done. Say hello to Alex for me. Alex was in same FO party as me for at least six months, mostly deployed with the Ack. Initially that was Mick Simms (lost touch completely with him – he was from West Australia). Later Alex and Bob Brumm were a team when Mick finished his NS. Bob has some great photos of those two!! Anyone you recognise in this snap? Answer: Call sign 1/ 5 : Dave McGee and Brian Tapp from 107 Battery. Taken on the way to the helipad to be deployed with V Company around November 1970. Kevin From Warren Barnard on 20 Apr G'day Pete, A bottle of good red? I'm surprised the newsletter was so brief. Re photo, looks like Ray McGrath sitting next to you. Don't know the other blokes. Location - Peter Badcoe Club Vung Tau? Doing ok down here in Bright. Just had brand new, shiny pacemaker installed. Now have additional unit by my bed which monitors my behaviour during the night by wi-fi and sends observations back to my cardiologist in Melbourne. Good thing it wasn't in action a couple of years ago. Plans for our annual recon in force to your neck of the woods and Coolangatta are obviously tenuous at this stage. Hang in there and stay safe. Love to Susie. Barny and Robyn