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.

 

Wreath2

 

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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17 September 2008

 

Congratulations to Peter Cassar who has been promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1

 

and

 

Alan Lyons who has been promoted to Squadron Leader.

 

The amazing part about these promotions are that both men are still serving and both are 64 years of age.

 

Well done those men.

 

 

9 August 2008

 

Bannerpresentation

 

Major General Warren Glenny AO RFD ED presents the unit standard to WO1 Kevin Connelly  (Retd)

Copywrite RFD Council

 

 

Click here http://www.rfd.org.au/movies/NatPar08/Resday08.wmv for Sydney 2008 RFD march vidio
(Copywrite RFD Council)

 

4 July 2008

 

RFD March

 

Special thanks to the RACT Pipes and Drums Band who came from Newcastle.

 

They led the CORP section at the RFD march and I am please to say that everyone was instep at all times, Well done guys and gals.

(Sgt Bob)

 

The RACT Pipes and Drums have a long and proud history and the RACT remains one of the few Corps to have such an asset.  The Pipes and Drums is a GRes unit that wears the RACT Corps Badge.  Units are strongly encouraged to use the RACT Pipes and Drums to provide musical support to various activities, particularly those of an RACT nature.

 

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MAY 2008

Commemoration Plaque

Last year Murray Taylor on behalf of the Association initiated the necessary steps for the process of applying for a grant under the Federal Government’s “Saluting their Service” program.

The culmination of the project will be the dedication and unveiling of a Commemorative Plaque to the Unit at the Australian War Memorial.

This has been approved and final plans for a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial are under way.

These will be conveyed to all members and friends of the Association.

At this stage due to the time to contact and invite VIP's, Corp Commander, Association Patron and so on it is suggested that we hold the ceremony on a Friday in Feburary or March 2009.

The DEDICATION IS ON 6 MARCH 2009

Please pass this on to members and friends who do not have computers.

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