6 December 2008
(Submitted by Ian Cleland)
UPDATE AND TRIBUTE
Captain Val Litchfield
The funeral service for the late Capt. Val Litchfield was conducted in idyllic surroundings in the NSW Southern Highlands’ town of Mittagong on 26 November 2008.
Approximately 100 people consisting of family, friends, former members of the Fiji Regiment, 161 Field Battery, Royal NZ Artillery, various Sub-Branch members, Regional Commander of Cadets and those who knew Val and his wife Kathryn, well.
Val was born in Darwin 4 December 1936. The family was evacuated 3 months before the bombing of Darwin, moving to Sydney and then later eventually to Fiji.
Schooling was achieved at Suva Grammar School. On completing his schooling, Val was then to be employed as the 1st broadcasting technician.
Val would later join the NZ Army in 1959, spanning a 12 year period until 1971. This career would encompass several postings including the National Service Centre, as an instructor. Another posting was to 161 Field Battery, where Val would be trained as a battery surveyor.
In 1965 Val’s unit was deployed to Vietnam to be part of the 1st Australian Task Force and 1 Field Regiment, based in both Bein Hoa & Nui Dat. It was here that he was responsible for the construction of the Battery HQ. This became known as “Litchfield Reddout”.
On the night of 18/19 August 1966, the unit utilized its big bullet chuckers to assist valuable fire support in defence of Delta Coy 6 RAR. This was the Battle for Long Tan.
The Duty Surveyor was Sgt Val Litchfield. Val would later enjoy postings in the Australian Army Reserve with both 177 Air Dispatch and 3 Transport Squadron as Troop Commander.
Val retired in 1977 but still took an active participation with Cadets & his local Sub-Branch.
Tributes and condolences were delivered by 161 Battery RNZA, NZ Sub-Branch and also Southern Highlands Sub-Branch.
As the last post reverberated from a lone bugler, a former & respected soldier & a proud member of his local community, was farewelled.
A 3 Tpt Sqn wreath in corps colours was prominent.
A 2 minute real-time audio account of Long Tan is held by the AWM, donated by Val’s twin brother.
Val’s sister stated that she has “never seen so many ex-service personnel place poppies on a coffin”.
LEST WE FORGET
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12 November 2008
New page created for the Plaque dedication in Canberra.
Click HERE to go to the page
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2 November 2008
2009 ARA COMMANDING OFFICER AND RSM LIST
The Chief of Army has selected the following RACT ARA command and RSM appointments WEF 21 Jan 09:
• LTCOL J. Walk 7 CSSB
• LTCOL A. Constantine JLU(N)
• WO1 J.W. Carthew RSM 9 Bde
• WO1 L Foster RSM 17 Bde
• WO1 A.J. Irwin RSM Ceremonial Sydney
• WO1 J.S.B. Armstrong RSM Ceremonial Hobart
• WO1 W.A. Le Lievre RSM AST – Corps RSM
• WO1 G.E. Barron RSM QUR
• WO1 P.T. Bodsworth RSM 9 FSB
• WO1 D.M. Maher RSM 11 CSSB
• WO1 D.L. Craker RSM 2 FSB
Congratulations are extended to the above members from HOC and the members of the RACT.
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