newsletter number 2, 2019 - 21est.org
TRANSCRIPT
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
Page 1
To All Members of 21EST, Those Who Ever Served With Them, Their Families, Partners & Friends
These next paragraphs are mainly for the benefit of your families who probably have no real understanding of what you did. We want this newsletter to be a quarterly event. It should be a way to keep us in touch with one another between reunions, but with your involvement it can be much more. A POTTED OUTLINE OF 21 EST For most of us it is at least 50 years since we served together in Vietnam. The Troop was in Vietnam from 1966 to 1971 and throughout that time nearly 600 men served in it. In addition we worked closely with many soldiers from a number of other units across the Australian Task Force (1ATF) in it’s Area of Operations in Phuoc Tuy as well as with soldiers from the Australian Logistics Support Group (1ALSG) at Vung Tau. Because of the unique mix of our tradesmen and wide ranging equipment we also had good working relationships with men from various American units located in the area. This worked to the benefit of both groups. 21 EST was raised as an independent unit at Gallipoli Barracks (SME) in Moorbank late in 1965. At the same time 22 and 23 EST were formed. A large number of the original members of these troops had been drawn from 20 Field Park Squadron also located at Gallipoli Barracks. At the time the OC of 20 Field Park Sqn was the late Maj Warren Lennon, the 2IC was Capt Frank Hickling and I was the Workshop Troop Commander. The Sqn contained a great many of RAE’s most experienced (and colourful) plant operators and tradesmen. Most of these formed the nucleus of 21 EST when it went to Vietnam in 1966 with Capt Barry Hawthorne as its OC. This was at the time that the Australian Task Force was being established at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. This was a greenfield site set amongst rubber plantations and tiny Vietnamese settlements. 21 EST was needed to act as the town council, town engineers, electricity suppliers, water suppliers, engineering workshop, quarry operators, engineering and defence stores supplier. It had 2 officers and 104 other ranks to carry out all of these functions plus an array of defence and patrolling activities. It was the largest troop to ever exist in the Australian Army. The Australian Army had not set up a large permanent brigade operational base of this nature since the Second World War and for most of the years that we were there it was a trial and error learning experience. This was further complicated by the ever expanding force located there and the need to carry out “hearts and minds” projects for the Vietnamese villagers. Over the years many of the facilities and services that had originally been established or installed needed to be dramatically overhauled, supplemented or replaced altogether. This kept our tradesmen and workshop busy enough to keep them out of mischief most of the time. 21 EST officially came under command of 1 Field Squadron and it was decided by the Squadron OC to set up a Plant Troop combining all of 21 EST’s earthmoving equipment with the very small amount of light plant machines that were an integral part of the Squadron. Obviously all of 21 EST’s plant operators, NCOs and WOs became part of this “de facto” troop and 21 EST’s second officer became the Plant Troop Commander. In reality 21 EST also answered directly to another RAE authority in Nui Dat. He was also a Major known as the DCRE who had responsibility for approving engineering work tasks in the Province. To make life even more complicated the Troop also had a direct link to another Major at Task Force Headquarters. He could also task the Troop. Sometimes it could be very difficult to keep all three of these happy that they were being treated appropriately.
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Most of the men serving in 21 EST were not allocated tasks each day and unit parades were unheard of. Rather they were allocated semi-permanently to locations and tasks matching their skills. There were six power stations and these had to be fully functional 24 hours a day. Water had to be supplied and purified from one conventional well and four deep tube bore wells and they had to be maintained at all times. These are just a couple of examples. In future newsletters various troop members will provide personalized accounts of their time doing particular tasks for the Troop. I can’t wait!! If we can’t get troop members to enlighten you in future newsletters as to what they did in South Vietnam (SVN), then from time to time I will contribute details of what they officially did. Again I could not have done this without my personal secretary and darling wife - Janis. Yours truly Ian McLean President
Your Committee
Position Surname First State Email Home Mobile
President McLean Ian ACT [email protected] 0412 431 297
V P Robinson Brian NSW [email protected] 02 49323026 0448 113 361
Treasurer Thiele Bev Qld [email protected] 0409 496 615
Secretary Monkley Stan NSW [email protected] 02 4739 2005 0411 506 787
Member Bonnici Joseph NSW [email protected] 02 97991219 0429 399 306
Member Clisdell Ian NSW [email protected] 0418 161 541
Member Hincks Phil NSW [email protected] 02 45761032 0414 761 032
Unable to Contact List Following there is a list of all the troop members that we have no contact details for. For those in Green the contact details we had are no longer valid. So if you are in contact with any on the list please have them contact us or pass on their contact details to one of the committee so we can contact them in the future. HELP NEEDED
Robin Butler is donating 9 dozen bottles of a great red to the troop, to be used at the next reunion. We, the Committee, on behalf of all the troop, thank him for this generous donation. Now all we need to do is to get them to the 2020 Reunion. If you can help out, even for a dozen, by bringing some to the reunion or to Sydney, then please contact Robin on 0428 882453 or email [email protected]. He lives in Nurioopta SA. If a Sydney drop off then one of the committee will generously take them off your hands. NO SAMPLING PLEASE.
A FORSTER/TUNCURRY NATIVE OR LIVE THERE? Have you ever lived In the Forster Tuncurry area? Please advise one of the Committee if you have or do.
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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The Next Reunion – Forster Tuncurry 31st August to 4th September 2020 After 3 recons, much debate and haggling, the committee has decided that the major functions during the 2020 reunion are to be held at the Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club (TBBC). One of the deciding factors was the close by location of the Reflections Holiday Park Tuncurry, an easy stroll to the club. This is the preferred site for RVs, caravans, camping, and is pet friendly. Do not book yet as we are in the process of negotiating a discount price. Over the shrub covered sand dunes that border on the back of the park is the beach, and at one end of the park the breakwater is great for fishing, has a netted rock pool, and next to it the Rock Pool Café is a great place to meet up with friends and have breakfast, lunch or just a coffee.
The map shows the positioning of the TBBC and Reflections Holiday Parks. Also in walking distance are shops, the cinema (if you have time), and the Lone Pine Memorial Park, where we will be holding the Commemorative Service on the Friday (buses will be provided for those that wish to save their energy for the march). To assist us in catering for your needs, and ensuring that we can cater for the numbers we anticipate, we need you to fill out the questionnaire, just click on the below blue writing if you have received this via email
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/21ES
T. It is easier than filling in than the
attached form, as you just follow the prompts. This will greatly speed up our ability to analyse the data, and save us a lot of keying.
The $150 payment per person can be made to BEV from now on. Please note
that if for any reason you cannot make it after paying you will receive a full refund of your payment. Instalments can also be made say $15 per month if single, $30 if Double etc. Details below questionnaire, including what you great value the $150 is.
Keeping The Troop Informed Don’t forget to use our 21 EST Web Site, managed by the hard working Nev Kennewell, for updates and additional information (it has a full list of all those that served with 21EST, even one in the sequence of when we served). See how many you can remember. The lists are only available to the troop. To access this go to http://www.21est.org/index.html (click on the blue writing of you received this via email) where you will find lots of info including details on the 2020 reunion. To access members only information click on the “Members Information” button. User – 21est Pword – nuidat6672 Don’t forget, we would love to hear from you re fun experiences from Vietnam, photo’s, location of long lost members and general updates on what you are doing. We would also like details of any involvement we have had in construction work that has and hopefully still is being a benefit to the local Vietnamese community. We would love a photo of you when in Vietnam (or Army) plus current with your wife/partner. We intend to display these at the reunion. Please send by 1/4/2020 directly to Hank [email protected] if a computer file or post it to Stan Monkley, 3 Thomas Nelson Place, Glenbrook NSW 2773
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Chaplain’s Chat-Christmas2019
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING, "GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING! PEACE ON EARTH AND MERCY MILD, GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED." JOYFUL, ALL YE NATIONS RISE, JOIN THE TRIUMPH OF THE SKIES, WITH TH’ANGELIC HOST PROCLAIM: "CHRIST IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM. "HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING," GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!"
CHRIST BY HIGHEST HEAV'N ADORED, CHRIST THE EVERLASTING LORD! LATE IN TIME BEHOLD HIM COME, OFFSPRING OF A VIRGIN'S WOMB. VEILED IN FLESH THE GODHEAD SEE, HAIL THE INCARNATE DEITY, PLEASED AS MAN WITH MAN TO DWELL, HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING, "GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!"
HAIL THE HEAV’N BORN PRINCE OF PEACE! HAIL THE SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS! LIGHT AND LIFE TO ALL HE BRINGS, RIS’N WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS MILD HE LAYS HIS GLORY BY, BORN THAT MAN NO MORE MAY DIE, BORN TO RAISE THE SONS OF EARTH, BORN TO GIVE THEM SECOND BIRTH. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING, “GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!
Good Morning 21EST! November is here and soon many of us will be singing Christmas Carols! Sometimes
we can tire of hearing them for weeks in the shopping centres before Christmas arrives.
But have you ever considered the message of the carols? The one above tells the story. God used angels to
announce Jesus’s birth. Luke 2:8 –14. The reason Jesus came to earth was to see “God and sinners
reconciled”. 1Timothy 2:5 & 6. He came as a baby. His birth in Bethlehem was foretold 700 hundred years
earlier by Micah, in chapter 5 verse 2. Nobody but God could organise a virgin birth. Isaiah’s prophecy in
chapter 7:14 says that His Name will be Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”. It has been well said that
“Jesus came and gave us a Human Face to God.”
There is no doubt that Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection have had a major impact on mankind. At the
time of His birth the Romans were in power in Judea. The Jewish people were looking for a mighty military
leader who would throw off the yoke of the Romans. Jesus did not fit their expectations. The religious
leaders were embarrassed and infuriated by the truth He taught. So, in envy they organised for Him to be
crucified. But to those who heard and trusted in what He said, He brought reconciliation between them and
God. They finally knew a real peace in their hearts and lives.
He has not changed. He still does the same thing for those who will consider and believe what He said and
did. I know His message is true. It has changed my life.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas season, and trust you can enjoy some quality time with your loved ones.
Maybe you could get to a carols service and sing “Hark, the herald angels sing”!
Graham Goodhew, 21EST chaplain (email [email protected] or phone 0410 046 075)
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Unable to Contact List
Surname Preferred
Name Served From Served To Surname
Preferred Name
Served From Served To Surname
Preferred Name
Served From Served To
Adams William 5/12/1967 10/12/1968 Dalby Bruce 28/11/1969 13/08/1970 Hutton Leslie 7/01/1967 9/01/1968
Alexander Gregory 29/10/1970 23/10/1971 Dixon Ronald 10/07/1967 30/01/1968 Iacono John 22/07/1971 19/10/1971
Anderson Ian 19/03/1967 13/12/1967 Donnelly Peter 4/03/1971 23/10/1971 Jakiel Zenon 18/02/1971 23/10/1971
Angus Robert 25/01/1971 23/10/1971 Dubajic Milan 18/02/1970 11/02/1971 James Terrence 1/10/1969 1/10/1970
Asquith Bruce 12/09/1967 23/01/1968 Eather Russell 12/05/1971 16/06/1971 Jensen Richard 22/10/1970 14/10/1971
Backhouse Keith 21/05/1969 21/05/1970 Eaton Scott 23/04/1970 18/03/1971 Jones Jeffrey 4/06/1968 28/05/1969
Baker Arthur 21/10/1970 22/10/1971 Engstrom Ronald 10/06/1967 28/05/1968 Jones Richard 7/01/1967 28/11/1967
Baker Edward 25/05/1966 18/11/1966 Eyre Thomas 11/02/1971 23/10/1971 Jones Ronald 27/08/1968 7/04/1969
30/03/1969 30/07/1969
Bartlett Rodney 1/10/1969 1/10/1970 Fainges James 8/10/1970 14/10/1971 Keeffe Gregory 29/01/1971 23/10/1971
Berrill Phillip 14/01/1969 14/01/1970 Ferguson Geoffrey 25/02/1970 24/12/1970 Kember Ross 5/08/1969 13/08/1970
Bickley Alan 25/05/1966 14/05/1967 Fitzpatrick Michael 29/10/1969 6/03/1970 Kennedy Robert 21/05/1970 1/01/1971
Blyth Andrew 14/04/1971 23/10/1971 Folster Max 25/06/1969 18/06/1970 Kerrison Neil 18/07/1967 16/07/1968
Booth Barry 30/04/1968 27/08/1968 Gleeson Daniel 12/09/1967 17/09/1968 Kirkby Gerald 24/01/1968 21/05/1968
Bradley Peter 30/04/1970 21/04/1971 Golden Henry 23/09/1966 28/08/1967 Leonard Brian 4/03/1970 4/03/1971
Brady John 31/08/1971 23/10/1971 Gollagher Peter 18/12/1967 8/03/1968 Leslie Alan 30/07/1969 23/09/1969
Bunt Michael 12/08/1971 13/08/1971 Gregor Geoffrey 4/03/1969 23/07/1969 Lind Nicholas 13/11/1967 12/11/1968
Burke Donald 27/02/1971 23/06/1971 Habgood David 23/07/1969 18/06/1970 Lindsay Alan 3/03/1969 25/03/1970
Burke Richard 3/09/1970 9/09/1971 Haig Peter 11/02/1971 23/10/1971 Ljepojevic George 26/02/1971 23/10/1971
Bycroft Russell 24/09/1970 5/08/1971 Hall Peter 2/10/1970 24/12/1970 Llewellyn Ian 21/05/1968 14/05/1969
Caddell Lawrence 9/07/1970 21/09/1970 Hancill Andrew 30/04/1969 30/04/1970 Luczka Henryk 27/05/1967 18/06/1968
Caddle Barry 15/10/1969 15/10/1970 Hanlon Robert 25/05/1966 15/02/1967 Mackenzie Ross 24/08/1966 27/08/1967
Campbell John 7/01/1967 28/11/1967 Harrison John 9/09/1971 23/10/1971 Mansbridge Patrick 18/06/1970 9/06/1971
Clarke Kevin 19/11/1968 17/09/1969 Henderson Barry 16/07/1969 14/12/1969 Marino Guiseppe 21/05/1970 19/05/1971
Cliffe Lynden 7/01/1967 5/12/1967 Hodges John 25/03/1970 27/05/1970 Martin John 9/04/1966 24/03/1967
Cooper Robert 14/05/1968 28/06/1968 Holmes Hayden 20/08/1967 12/12/1967 Mattingley Brian 28/03/1969 24/09/1969
Copley Leonard 25/03/1968 9/04/1969 Huebsch Dietmar 28/03/1969 4/03/1970 McCallum Owen 28/01/1970 14/01/1971
Coventry Ronald 25/05/1966 7/06/1967 Hungerford Philip 30/07/1968 23/07/1969 McCone John 21/01/1969 21/01/1970
Cummings William 2/10/1970 23/10/1971 Hutcheon Francis 16/03/1968 10/04/1968 McCurrach Maxwell 10/06/1967 30/04/1968
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Surname Preferred
Name Served From Served To Surname
Preferred Name
Served From Served To Surname
Preferred Name
Served From Served To
McDougall Donald 2/09/1971 14/10/1971 Rogers Denis 4/06/1968 28/05/1969 Tickle Peter 14/03/1967 12/12/1967
McIntosh Ian 16/07/1970 4/03/1971 Rooke John 19/05/1971 23/10/1971 Trowbridge Ronald 5/08/1971 9/09/1971
McKellar John 18/06/1968 11/03/1969 Rosser Kenneth 21/05/1969 1/05/1970 Tugwell Allan 14/09/1965 10/10/1967
19/09/1966 15/10/1968
McMahon William 19/11/1968 10/09/1969 Russellgreen Michael 16/04/1968 23/12/1968 Turner Jack 18/05/1967 5/01/1968
McPadden John 15/07/1970 1970-08-
20 Ryan James 10/12/1969 10/12/1970 Twiss Leslie 16/04/1968 23/07/1968
6/07/1968 18/03/1969
Meehan Raymond 9/04/1968 10/12/1968 Ryan Philip 10/10/1971 19/10/1971 Ugarte Barry 28/11/1969 08/11/1970
Mitchell Fred 12/08/1971 14/10/1971 Smith Anthony 13/11/1967 23/01/1968 Van De Wege George 9/09/1971 14/10/1971
Moelands Franciscus 11/02/1971 23/10/1971 Smith Arthur 2/04/1969 1/04/1970 Vanstan Rodney 5/08/1971 23/10/1971
Moore Barry 7/01/1967 5/05/1967 Smith Leigh 11/06/1970 16/06/1971 Walters Owen 25/05/1966 15/06/1967
Morgan Rhys 10/09/1970 9/09/1971 Smithwick John 27/04/1971 23/10/1971 Young Kenneth 27/11/1967 9/06/1968
Morris Thomas 13/08/1969 20/08/1970 Snow Ronald 28/03/1969 21/02/1970 Warmbold Manfred 4/03/1969 25/02/1970
Muir Ian 29/10/1970 23/10/1971 Stanton Edwyn
1/09/1967 1/10/1969
21/10/1970
17/09/1968 1/10/1970 4/03/1971 Watson Peter 16/09/1971 23/10/1971
Munro Warren 25/05/1966 15/07/1966 Stockmann Barry 23/04/1970 21/04/1971 Watts Alan 26/08/1971 9/12/1971
Murray Russell 25/05/1966 15/06/1967 Stratford Martin 25/05/1966 30/11/1966 Webster John 22/07/1971 17/11/1971
Newman Kenneth 6/08/1968 6/08/1969 Stritzke Desmond 25/03/1968 9/04/1969 Whitton Gregory 20/11/1967 26/11/1968
O'Brien Michael 27/08/1970 26/08/1971 Strothers Mark 6/08/1969 20/08/1970 Wilkinson Dennis 21/06/1967 15/06/1968
O'Connell Michael 20/08/1968 20/08/1969 Tanner Donald 25/05/1966 13/06/1967 Williams Michael 7/01/1967 17/07/1967
Ogden John 22/07/1969 23/07/1970 Terhorst Hank 4/03/1969 30/07/1969 Winter Bill 30/04/1968 7/05/1969
O'Hara Gerard 26/08/1971 9/12/1971 Thorp Allan 24/09/1969 24/09/1970 Wright Michael 12/09/1967 17/09/1968
O'Keefe John 30/06/1971 23/10/1971
O'Sullivan Connell 7/01/1971 23/10/1971
Parusel Hubert 17/09/1970 16/09/1971
Price Ronald 17/12/1968 29/07/1969
Rhook Colin 13/06/1966 2/04/1967
Robinson Allen 25/05/1966 4/05/1967
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Forster / Tuncurry 2020 Reunion Booking Form Please provide your name
Your Vietnam Nick Name
Email Address – only if you received this via post
Will you be able to access http://www.21est.org/ for future newsletters?
NOTE : If you book and then are unable to attend all monies paid will be refunded. FIXED COST TO ATTEND :- $150 per person same as the last reunion – see last page for payment details
Will you attend (Y/N)
How many will attend from your family?
If No – why? Y/N answers please
Cost
Too far to travel
Conflict with personal activities
Not interested
Other – explain please
Special Dietary requirements Y/N
If yes prior to your attendance we will ask what you cannot eat, and your preferences, a week or two prior to you attending the reunion
Accommodation requirements We will use this info to negotiate better prices for you
Disability access required (Y/N)
If Yes to what level eg wheel chair access, support bars in bathroom and toilet
Types of Accommodation – Select One only please
Tourist Park - Cabin
Tourist Park - Caravan
Tourist Park – Camping
Apartment - one bedroom
Apartment – 2+ bedroom shared
Motel
Bed & Breakfast
House
Not required - local
Travel Own
If own will you be willing to share with other attendee(s)
Plane – to Newcastle – We will coordinate pick up time if needed
Train – to Newcastle - We will coordinate pick up time if needed
Not required - local
Other – please explain
Newsletter Number 2, 2019
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Activities Activities – Note the first Four are part of our Wednesday Activity Day to be held at the Forster Bowling Club. All bar the last will be team games. We can cater for the absolute novice, even those that have trouble bending over. COST $10 – NOTE all in doors so except the Bare foot bowling so rain will not impact us
For the below put the number who will be participating in each e.g.1, 2 etc leave blank if no one
Bowling – bare foot on greens, a Team comp, plus a Spider Competition. All form a circle and bowl to the jack at the same time, closest will win a special prize.
Bowling – ten pin
Laser Tag – can you still aim and hit the target
Note : There is a small Putt Putt Golf course there as well, for a bit of fun. Not a team game so not part of the competition, just put the number who will play
Optional Activities Prices for the below will be sent out later once prices negotiated
Ladies Mystery Tour – cost $0, you pay for own Food & Drink max 44
Fishing – river/estuary
Golf – Ambrose
- Golf Cart required
- Hire Golf Clubs
River cruise
Informal Dinner
Other - explain
NOTE: there are plenty of other activities within this area that you and your friends can undertake. Deep sea fishing, whale/dolphin watching (you will not get the same experience as we did in Hervey Bay, we were spoiled there), golf, bush walking, rock fishing, wineries, two golf courses, a motor bile museum in Nabiac (a 20 minute drive, lovely little town with antique stores, great bakery/coffee shop, etc) with over 1000 bikes, 40 old cars and lots of kids toy cars and bikes etc.
Payment For Fixed Portion of the Reunion
$150.00 per person, being the same as for Hervey Bay, (for instalment payments contact Bev). We had to
negotiate hard to achieve this goal. All monies must be paid by the June 30th
2020 (all monies are fully
refundable if you can’t make it). The $150 includes: Meet & Greet – finger food & 2 drinks; General
Meeting; Formal Dinner – sit down 3 course meal, 2 drinks, Entertainer; buses to & from Commemorative
Service; Farewell Dinner & Auction – buffet style carvery, Veges, 2 drinks; room hire for all the previous;
Buses where needed; Welcome Pack with lots of goodies; & for the ladies a Mystery Tour (max 44)
Payment Details:
Acct Name: 21 EST Assoc,
BSB 032 196
Account Number: 339 714
When making a payment please Put your name & Initials in Description field
Bev contact is:
Mobile - 0409 496 615
Email: [email protected]
OR: PO Box 1189, Bundaberg 4670 (for cheques or money orders)