UPDATE ANZAC DAY 2021
Missing Military. I reckon that there is something missing. I feel that we, in Darwin and elsewhere, ought to create a list of those servicemen, (Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen) CMF, and Cadets who joined up in Darwin.
Missing Military – The List.
Missing Military needs a list and so I started a list. The amazing thing is that due to the small size of our community in the sixties I knew, or did know, many of these individuals. I am also in contact today with many of them.
I hope that there are some of you out there that agree with me that Missing Military deserves a full and accurate list. In that case, then let’s get the records for the missing military straight.
Let us list all those who served, whether in the air or on the sea/land. Let us record those young people who served as Air Cadets or Navy Cadets. Let us identify and commend all those who served by enlisting in Darwin whether or not from Darwin.
Help me by putting your own name up. Help me by giving me details of any and all who did serve and should be on this list. For the moment just send details to me on my Facebook page. or email croc.chronicles.australia@gmail.com also you can use a contact form.
Missing Military. What I have so far.
I already know a number of these guys. So do you when you come to think of it. Let’s get them listed.
Australian Regular Army.
7108 Rodney John Harper
Lance Corporal
Royal Australian Corps of Signals
Unit History
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 547 Signal Troop | 07 Feb 1967 | 12 May 1968 |
7110 Les Nicholas.
Vietnam. 103 Signal Squadron 26 Apr 1966 – 18 Apr 1967.
Also ATC Darwin N.T. The above photo is a Les Nicholas photo.
missing military – 7111- 7113
7114 Robert Neale. Lance-Corporal.
Royal Australian Engineers
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Detachment, 11 Movement Control Group | 16 Sep 1965 | 17 Oct 1965 |
missing military – 7115 -7117
7118 Kelly Warne. (Temporary) Corporal.
Royal Australian Engineers
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Logistics Support Company | 07 Apr 1966 | 02 May 1966 |
| 17th Construction Squadron | 03 May 1966 | 27 Dec 1966 |
| 1st Field Squadron | 11 Jun 1969 | 11 Jun 1970 |
| 1st Field Squadron | 22 Jul 1970 | 11 Feb 1971 |
7119 Malcolm Shepherd. Corporal.
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Advanced Ordnance Depot | 09 Apr 1969 | 09 Apr 1970 |
7120 Ross Bimrose M.I.D.
2nd Lt.
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 21 Jun 1967 | 05 Jun 1968 |
7121 Robert Stanley Secrett.
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 26 May1965 | 30 Sep 1965 |
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 23 Dec 1968 | 03 Feb 1969 |
| 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 04 Feb 1969 | 14 May 1969 |
| Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force | 15 May1969 | 18 Jun 1969 |
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 19 Jun 1969 | 14 Jul 1969 |
| 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 15 Jul 1969 | 17 Sep 1969 |
7122 Robert Vivian Shewring. Sergeant.
Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
| 17th Construction Squadron Workshop | 08 Oct 1969 | 01 Feb 1970 |
7123. Brian Moody NS Navy
7124. Edwyn (Ted.) John Stanton.
Sapper – Royal Australian Engineers Vietnam. 3 Tours.
Unit – 21 Engineer Support Group.
7125 Robert Bradford CPL.
Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 106 Field Workshop | 06 Apr 1971 | 29 Sep 1971 |
| 102 Field Workshop | 30 Sep 1971 | 08 Dec 1971 |
7126 Raymond Eacott. Craftsman.
Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
AFV Detachment, 1st Division Supply Transport Workshop
23 Apr 1968 – 16 Apr 1969
7127 Harvey Lyness. Sapper.
Royal Australian Engineers
| 21 Engineer Support Troop | 16 Jul 1969 | 16 Jul 1970 |
| 21 Engineer Support Troop | 27 Aug 1970 | 30 Jan 1971 |
7128 Charles Angeles. Bombardier.
Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
| 32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1356 Clive Steele) | 11 Jun 1970 | 03 Sep 1970 |
| 32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1354 Brudenell White) | 22 Sep 1970 | 24 Oct 1970 |
| Australian Army Training Team Vietnam | 05 Aug 1971 | 15 Jan 1972 |
7129 Herbert Hall.
Royal Australian Army Service Corps
| 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 27 Mar 1968 | 22 Oct 1968 |
7130 Herbert Macfarlane.
7131 Reginald Phillips. CPL
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 11 Mar 1967 | 03 Jul 1967 |
| 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 13 Nov 1968 | 05 Dec 1969 |
missing military – 7132.
7133 Jean Grimlot.
3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 12 Dec 1967- 07 Jan 1969 .
7134 Leighton Clark.
CARO Albert Park Barracks Victoria.
7135. John Gabelish.
4RAR in Viet Nam from 21/05/68 – 30/05/69.
I knew him well and last saw him when he was a policemen. Joined the army same day and same room Kapooka.
7136. James Chapman.
4RAR in Viet Nam from 21/05/68 – 30/05/69.
I knew Jimmy before we joined. We worked on the wharf together. We flew south and shared the same room at Kapooka. Have had no news since 1967. He is definitely in the category of Missing Military.
7137. Noel Thwaite
Originally from Mount Morgan, who went to Vietnam on 20 August 1968 and served with 110 Signal Squadron.
7138. John Kenneth Garner
Born in Canberra, who served with 5 RAR in Viet Nam from 8 February 1969 until 12 August 1969.
John was also in the ATC. Same John. I believe he is living in Darwin N.T.
7139. Harold Harmer. R.IP.
I knew Harold right back from first year high DHS. When we first met Harold and his brother Norman were swimming (wet season) in Buffaloe Creek. There was a 2.5m croc, dead on the bank, freshly killed, and these two buggers swimming happily without a care in the world. My brothers and I were astonished. We continued to meet up during our school days, the army days, and then long after. A very close friend.
Australian Force Vietnam Cash Office 29 Mar 1971 – 28 Feb 1972
7140. Richard William Phillips. National Service.
7141. Michael George KRAMER.
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 03 Sep 1968 | 23 Sep 1968 |
| 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 24 Sep 1968 | 13 Feb 1969 |
| Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force | 14 Feb 1969 | 03 Sep 1969 |
I have been chatting to Mick (AKA Michael) and I have to say that he is a very interesting guy. Following service, he did farm fencing, went to Uni a couple of times, became an engineer and on top of that, he has written five books. They focus on some of my favourite topics: Vietnam and Roman history, and particularly the destruction of the three Roman Legions at Teutoberg Forest.
Anyone interested in these topics should check his site.
7142. Graham John Pratt NS. Navy.
7143 Peter William Turner. (Temporary) Corporal.
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
Unit History
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment | 08 Oct 1970 | 06 Jan 1971 |
| A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment | 07 Jan 1971 | 12 Mar 1972 |
| B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment | 08 Oct 1970 | 06 Jan 1971 |
| A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment | 07 Jan 1971 | 12 Mar 1972 |
7144 John Ronaldson.
| 17th Construction Squadron | 11 Mar 1969 | 12 Oct 1969 |
| 1st Field Squadron | 13 Oct 1969 | 25 Mar 1970 |
| Australian Army Training Team Vietnam | 05 Aug 1970 | 23 Jun 1971 |
7145 Roly Koops.
| 106 Field Workshop | 04 Jun 1970 | 26 May 1971 |
7146 Geoffrey Rice NS Navy
7147 Ronald Richard Loeton NS Navy.
7148 William Brown.
2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment12 May 197001 Jun 1971
7149. John Rydge NS Navy.
7150 Andrew Morris.
| 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 17 Nov 1969 | 12 Nov 1970 |
missing 7151
7152 Leroy Collins
| 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 16 Feb 1970 | 29 Jun 1970 |
7153 Robin Hill
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 08 Oct 1969 | 28 Oct 1969 |
| 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 29 Oct 1969 | 09 Feb 1970 |
| 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 10 Feb 1970 | 15 Oct 1970 |
7154 Timo Pesonen
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 21 Oct 1969 | 06 Jan 1970 |
| 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment | 07 Jan 1970 | 28 Feb 1970 |
missing 7155.
7156. Douglas Mclean. Served in Vietnam.
| 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit | 02 Apr 1970 | 20 May 1970 |
| 8th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment | 21 May1970 | 31 Oct 1970 |
| 7th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment | 01 Nov 1970 | 04 Mar 1971 |
Richard Kay.
I believe Richard did National Service. Looking for detail.
73122 Victor Lampe.
Army as N.S. Attended O.T.U. Class 4/69 Scheyville.
2nd Lieutenant as listed Nominal Roll but I believe Lt. Colonel.
4721412. Raymond Donaldson
– Army as N.S. Attended O.T.U. Class 1/70. Scheyville. Platoon Comd. 5 RAR.
John Parry.
National Service – a year at Monegeetta testing prototype army vehicles. Discharged 1973.
Missing Military – being found.
Many of these people have been missing from what I would call a Darwin Military Roll. They are now being found as if they were not lost at all.
Many of them flow through the pages of The Crocodile Chronicles just in the same way they have flowed through my life. Ted – see link to my post Black Jungle.https://thecrocodilechroniclesaustralia.com/black-jungle-swamps-my-camp-in-1964/
Just out of interest – Flashback Larrakeyah.
NAVY
O95334. Phillip John PARKER,
Midshipman Royal Australian Navy
| Unit Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Visit | ||
| HMAS Sydney | 21 Oct 1970 | 12 Nov 1970 |
Tim Brooking. Midshipman Navy.
CMF
Victor Lampe.
NT Comd with the 121 LAA Bty RAA unit.
Victor also joined the regular army and finished as a Lt. Colonel.
Steve Wellard and I had a great catch up with Victor (Dinner at Cullen Bay) DHS reunion 2006.
John Parry.
John and I were in the same class at first year high DHS. This was the same for Harold, Ted, Jim, and Tim. All save Jim, who went to PNG spent our DHS days in the same four classes before I left after Leaving year to join the army. John has been a very good friend. I still see him today. Never changes.
NT Comd with the 121 LAA Bty RAA unit (only had a CMF choice of Signals or shooting big guns so no choice really!).
Enlistment 31 May 66, discharge 17 Jun 68 ( 2year standard term).
Photograph of 121 LAA Bty RAA unit training trip NSW back in 67.
76162 Steve Wellard
NT Comd with the 121 LAA Bty RAA unit.
Another DHS mate and still a great mate today. We both live in Melbourne.
Brian Jukes.
NT Comd with the 121 LAA Bty RAA unit
Brian was with me in the ATC and went on to CMF with Steve.
Still talking to Brian these days, such a long time ago since high school.
Ray Lee – Army
(may have been in ATC)
710091 Stephen Arnold Cubillo.
Warrant-Officer Class 2 Artillery.
| Citizen Military Forces – Officer Visit | 19 Aug 1971 |
A.T.C. Missing Military – Air Training Corps.
Pre 1963
NT NEWS 23 FEB 1960,
Les Nicholas.
Les also served in the army. I have been in touch with Les. He provided some great ATC photos of his time in ATC.
Clive Harding.
I remember Clive but I have heard nothing about him for 50 years.
Ian Bradford.
John Cubillo.
I remember Johnny.
Keith Holliday.
Alan Richardson.
He was the senior cadet and a real card. AKA “Bridget.”
Neville Haskins.
I saw him in Darwin not too long ago – 2006.
Graeme Hickey. R.I.P.
I knew Graeme. I have been talking to his sister Kathy.
Phil Maynard.
I have been talking to him recently. By the look of it, so has everyone else.
Post 1963
Flight Lt Sanders.
No news for 50 years.
Flying Officer Guy Potten.
I heard last that Guy was living out in the Phillipines.
Alan Petchey.
I have been talking to Alan. He gave me a photo and I put it up on the Alumni site ATC.
80121. Leighton Clark 1963 – 1966.
That is me. of course.
Jim Noonan. 1963.
Jim and I were best mates. We were in first year high together and we joined the ATC together in 1963.
Tim Brooking. 1964 – 1966.
Tim and I have a long history. We were same class as John Parry and Harold Harmer four years. He ultimately joined the Navy but also while at DHS he followed me into the ATC.
Graham Brown 1964 – 1966
Another good mate from Rapid Creek. School and ATC together.
Brian Jukes. 1964-1966
Another old friend – school and ATC together.
John Lloyd
I have recently been talking to John. A DHS boy too.
Butch.
I am not sure but he may be Steve brown.
Butch carried me up the beach at Mindil when we had a “too good” party. I charged the cadets sixpence for the free grapefruit juice and spent the money on beer, hamburgers, and a bottle of scotch. Only six or seven of the cadets turned up, out of 50 odd. Well, guess what happened to the grog.
Kevin Hickey
Brother of Graeme.
John Garner
Joined the army.
Bryan Clark
My brother.
Douglas McLean.
Another friend from old, a class mate from DHS who joined the army and spent time in Vietnam.
John Raymond Cubillo RIP
I think I have this right and I reckon I can remember him laughing. But no verification.
Conclusion.
This list is far from complete but already it shows me something of value. It is incredible to see how many of those guys were part of my life.
I have a bit of tidying up to do on this, my own preliminary list, so do expect to see a few changes on the Page on this site called Missing Military N.T.
cheers Leighton
