Hamish
McKendrick
Officer
Commanding
A Sqn 3/9 LH (SAMR)
Nec
Aspera Terrent
26/11/1932
- 5/3/2009
4700224
CPL John Percival Mitchell,passed
away on Thursday, 5 March 2009, aged 76 years. Perc was an active Life Member
of SAMRA for 14 years. He served in the first original compulsory conscripted
National Service at Woodside on 1 Aug 1951 for three months. He was then posted
to B Squadron 3/9 SAMR which at that time was an Armoured Car Regiment at Thomas
St, Unley. His duties consisted of driving 6 x 6 3 Tonne Cargo Trucks, Staghound
Armoured Car, Whites Scout Car and assisted as a dozer operator in the Tank Dozer
Troop. He was promoted
to Corporal in June 1953 and posted as a driver to Captain Maurie Temple, 2IC
of A Squadron.
From
his first marriage to Rose he had five children and nine grandchildren and from
his second marriage to Barbara he had a further three children which resulted
in a another seven grandchildren. He is survived by his elder brother Keith and
twin brother Clarrie. Both brothers served with Perc.
Clarrie
Mitchell
Nec
Aspera Terrent
SX13690
Tpr Len McAvany died on
2 Dec 2008. Len was a member of A Sqn for many years. After service in many places
in Australia Len participated in the landings in Borneo. To get there he had a
luxury trip on the Kaninbla as he was with the Squadron Recce Officer as his runner.
This also meant that he landed only minutes after the infantry on Green Beach
to lead in the first tanks from A Squadron, 1 Troop. Regards, Reg Skinner.
17/10/1922
- 18/11/2008
Jim
Ferguson, late of Torquay,
Victoria passed away peacefully at the age of 86 years. Jim was very involved
with all 2nd/9th affairs as well as all the Armoured Corps events at held at Puckapunyal.
He was President of their local society for some years, his brother-in-law was
Weary Dunlop. Posted to "B" Sqn he was an excellent instructor and later had an
outstanding academic career.
He
always kept close links with the SA Branch and will be missed.
Reg Skinner
Paul
Sansom late of Lindisfarne,
Tasmania passed away in a nursing home on the 26th September 2008 after a long
illness, he served in C Squadron and saw active service with 2/9 in Tarakan, Borneo
during WW2.
Mrs
Margaret Sansom
LT
Ray Stubbs, the Advertiser of 20 Jan 08 announced the death of Lt R.L.
Stubbs. Ray Stubbs enlisted in Tasmania into "C" Sqn then being formed and he
moved with it in Oct 1941 to join the Regiment then at Puckapunyal. He spent the
next period with that Squadron until he and a number of Sergeants were commissioned.
He was immediately moved to "B" Sqn. where he remained for the rest of his service.
Eventually
he was appointed troop leader of 9 Troop and he lead this troop in the landing
on Labuan Island on 10 June 1945. He supported 2/43 Bn and later 2/28 Bn. until
the cessation of hostilities. Ray was a quiet but determined man, a good soldier
who always put his troop first. He lived in Adelaide after the war and attended
unit functions. He always gave good support to any project that the unit was engaged
in.
Reg Skinner.
20
FEB 1928 - 21 NOV 2008
Warrant
Officer Class One Brian Bond, we
were all saddened by the recent passing of Brian Bond after a long illness. At
his funeral on 26 Nov 08 SAMRA members formed a guard of honour as the coffin
left the church.
Brian
was one of the first to join 3/9th after the introduction of the re raising of
the CMF in 1948. He was a long serving Sqn SSM, being promoted to WO1 in 1973.
He was the only member promoted in a posting at 3/9th to hold that rank.
He
discharged in 1975, after the restructuring of Army Reserve, having served a total
of 27 years. Arrangements had been made to acknowledge his service as one of the
original members of the CMF, at Government House as part of this year’s Reserve
Force Day celebrations. Unfortunately, he was too ill to attend.
Brian
is survived by his wife Mary, five children and several grandchildren. He will
be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
Ron
Teusner - President SAMRA
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SX11632
LT Jack Hamilton Mack OAM,
born 19 April 1919 passed away peacefully on 23 November 2008. Jack was selected
to transfer to the new Armoured Division for which training was about to commence
in February 1941. He attended the first schools at Puckapunyal and on their completion
he returned to Adelaide in August and he was one of the first batch of officers
allotted to the unit being formed by Lt Col F.E. Wells. After advanced training
he volunteered to join one of the squadrons being hurriedly formed to be rushed
to Malaya to oppose the rampaging Japs. The squadrons could not be equipped in
time and the project was abandoned. Jack became Staff Captain to the force on
Thursday Island. After the war Jack was a very successful business man. He gave
service to the St Andrews Hospital Board which he chaired. He also was a member
of Legacy. He served his old unit by being President of the 2/9 Aust. Armd Regt.Gp
Association.
Reg Skinner
SX14583
LCPL Kenneth Douglas Williams, born
29 May 1921 passed away peacefully around 16 Nov 08. Ken joined the 2/9 Aust Armd
Regt at Wayville in late August 1941 soon after the Unit's formation. At Puckapunyal
he was allotted to "B" Sqn and after training he was in the Sqn HQ tanks. He served
with the unit in eastern Australia including the Tablelands where he was hospitalised
with a severe infection. Thus he was unable to sail with the unit to Moratai.
On his discharge he became a very successful manager of a large firm.
Reg
Skinner
SX11743
Cfn (Jake)
William John Patman, born 20 December 1917, passed away
peacefully at his Croydon Park home on the 15 August 2008. He enlisted on the
12th March 1941 as a Tank driver, then later transferred to 2/9th Regimental Workshops
as a Cfn Fitter & Turner. He was allocated to B Sqn, 10 Tp, Landing Craft
"Carter Hall" as a Cfn. Jake discharged on the 11th January 1946, he
started work at Shearers, Woodville after the war and retired at the age of 65
years.
Clarrie Mitchell
C Squadron - 2/9 AARG
- TX8221
Tpr S.(Scotty) E. McDougall
- TX8078
M.J. Chivers
- TX5697
E.E. Cross
Editor: If
any members have any service details on the above, please forward to me so I can
add it to the page.
SX15266
Sgt Gwynn Thomas John (‘Scott’) Hester, born 15th December 1910, died at
Stirling on the 23rd May 2008. He was President of the 2nd/9th AARG Association
in 1967/1969. The congregation was well attended at the funeral service at the
Church of the Epiphany, Crafers, on the 29th May 2008.
Cedric Wells
Alwin Fordinandt Lindner
(8 Apr 1917 - 16 Apr 2008)
Passed away peacefully on Friday,
16 April 2008 at Mt Gambier, aged 91 years.
WO1
Edward (Ted) George Wescombe
20 Dec 1933 - 5 Aug 2007 Ted
did his 100 days National Service at Woodside Army Barracks in 1952 with Clarrie
Mitchell, 'A' Coy, 3 Pl, 6 Sect. He was posted to 3/9 SAMR, 'A' Sqn at Unley and
completed his two years national service obligation, with the Staghound armoured
cars, Canadian scout cars and White command vehicles.
In
1956 he joined the RAAF, in the fire department and served for 22 years, becoming
a Chief Fire instructor and qualified to the rank of WO1, he was later posted
to Sale, Pt Cook, Thailand and Western Australia.
Ted
and Eileen came to live at Burton and was keenly involved with the Salisbury RSL
and Para Districts Sub Branch of the National Service Association, he was a member
of SAMRA in 2004.
Clarrie
Mitchell.
SX14553
Tpr G. Bray
Passed away on 28/4/07,
Geoff was an initial member of "A" Sqn and stayed with the Regiment until Borneo
He transferred to "B" Sqn for the Labuan landing. He was a well liked soldier
and he always was cheerful and did his duty.
Reg Skinner.
WO2
Harold (Harry) Amos Young
HAROLD (HARRY) AMOS YOUNG passed away on 10 July 2007 aged 69 years. Harry enlisted
in the RAAC at aged 18 years, he had a long career with the corps retiring around
1976. He spent three years with the Regiment, 3rd/9th SAMR from 1973 to 1976 as
a member of the cadre staff.
LT
Ross Williams Was
privately buried on 22 May 07, aged in his early 80's. Ross was in RHQ as Tp Ldr
Recce Tp, Clarrie Mitchell was his 2ic (WO2). Before retirement he was the chief
baker at Sunshine Bakery, Seaton. He also served 43 years with the Sea Rescue
Squadron of S.A.
Clarrie
Mitchell
SGT
Frank Riley Passed
away peacefully some months ago, aged in his early 80's. Frank was the TPT NCO
in HQ Sqn circa 1960, serving under Cedric Wells, Ray Stanley, Clarrie Mitchell
and Brian Bond. Before retirement he was as a semi trailer driver with Kelvinator
transporting white goods to Melbourne.
Clarrie
Mitchell
VX
52226 LT Richard (Dick) Schofield (LTCOL Retd)
A Troop Leader
of 3 Troop "A" Squadron, 2/9 Australian Armoured Regiment AIF, Dick died in Sydney
on 2 May 2007.
Dick
was inducted in late 1940 into the training scheme at Balcome for instructors
to train officers and NCO's for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles School to be assembled
at Puckapunyal in February, 1941, as a preliminary to the formation of the Armoured
Division. Thus he had contact with officers and NCO's from South Australia and
Tasmania who were later to form the 2/9 Australian Armoured Regiment.
When
the Regiment moved to Puckapunyal for training in late 1941 Dick was attached
to it and later he was commissioned in it. After preliminary training , he was
attached to "A" Squadron and later appointed Troop Leader of 3 Troop. He trained
his troop in various tanks ..such as the General Grant, the Stuart (his favorite),
and the Matilda.His training was strict and of high quality, helped by his own
earlier training as an instructor. He led his troop through in the opposed landing
on Muara Island, then on to Brunei, he then pushed down the coast to Miri, Sarawak.
Here he organised the defences for an anticipated counter attack by the Japanese.
However, hostilities ceased suddenly with the dropping of the atom bomb.
He
became active in assisting troops in rehabilitation and training for civilian
life. After the war he retained a connection with the Army and in time attained
the rank of LTCOL. He maintained his close links with the 2/9 Aust Armd Regt Group
Association, visited us for commemorations etc. and attended our visit to the
Commonwealth War Memorial, Canberra. Unfortunately his health prevented his attendance
at the unveiling of our plaque there last year. We will all miss him.
Reg
Skinner
2IC, A Sqn
James
Alexander (Jim) Polkinghorn (Capt Retd) Jim
passed away peacefully on Sunday, 16 December 2006, aged 67 years.
Bill Carmichael
Bill was buried on Monday 22 May
06, he passed away on Wed 17 May 06, Bill has been a member of SAMRA since 1993.
"It
is with great sadness to learn of the passing of Bill. He had a great love for
the unit, Scotland and poetry."
Regards
Dean Manuel.
Albert
Pryce RFD ED (Capt Retd) CAPT
Albert Pryce RFD ED, RAAC, passed away last night (Wed 5 Apr 06) after fighting
against an aggressive cancer for over 2 years. In fact the medical marvel he achieved
by surviving for so long has created a new record the medical profession are amazed
about. Thankfully, he is now at rest.
Murray
Alexander
"I
remember Bert coming to 3/9 in around 1964 from 4/19 PWLH. He was a meticulous
planner, and a very competent radio technician. On one occasion when comms were
really not working well, Bert ran the entire regimental net through a 10 set with
an aerial slung over a wire fence. I don't pretend to know how he did it, but
I remember being mightily impressed by his skill. I'm sure all who knew him will
have tales to tell about Bert's quiet determination."
Yours
in Armour, Mike Phillips.
John
B. Blinman
3/9 SAMR
1936 - 2005 John B.
Blinman was a SAMRA member since 1994 and was admitted Ward C at FMC on life support
in August 05.
Brian
died aged 69 on the 24th December 2005, the funeral was held on the 30th December
2005 which I attended. There were about 60-70 people there being family and members
of his bowls club, the retired bankers' association and the RSL. A good eulogy
was delivered with his beret on the coffin and a bugler for the Last Post.
"Brian
did 3 months National Service as well as his service with 3/9SAMR. I met his only
surviving sibling, Michael, explained why I was there and offered the Association's
condolences and made a donation to the Heart Foundation on behalf of SAMRA."
Mark McKenna
Tpr John Bermingham
3/9 SAMR, B Sqn - Gawler
1938 - 2005 John sadly
passed away on Sunday, 2 October 2005 aged 67, as a result of a heart attack.
Warrant
Officer Class One Ray
Brown
29
January 1949 - 31 January 2005 EXTRACT
FROM WO1 RAY BROWN's EULOGY
Ray's
introduction to army life began when he became a member of the schools army cadet
unit, achieving the rank of Cadet Under officer. A highlight of these times was
a camp in the school holidays at El Alamein Army Camp - a proper soldier for two
weeks! On leaving school he gained a printing apprenticeship with Adelaide Typographers
- a branch of News Ltd - under Jack Oatey who was also a neighbour. Ray was never
really happy with this work, and when he was called up for National Service, he
couldn't resign his job fast enough. Whilst in the regular army Ray gained the
rank of Acting Troop Sgt, 1st Armoured Regiment. Whilst he was there he played
football against Kevin Sheedy's Engineers team (and lost the game.) When National
Service was abandoned due to a change of Government, he wanted to stay in the
Regular army, but was forced to leave due to hearing damage caused by noise of
tank guns. Ray then spent a further 16 years in the Army Reserve where he rose
to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 within the Armoured Corps.
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