Herzog Dukedom of Cēsis 23rd MarkGraft (Marquis) of Wenden
ARMY SERVICE 1963
18th Intake Graduation Class
Ready for Graduation Parade
Pre Vietnam Training at Canungra
Graduating Platoon
Pre Vietnam Training at Canungra
Pre Vietnam Training at Canungra
Pre Vietnam Training at Canungra
The posting was for only a short time, as I recall less than six months. In October I was posted to Holsworthy Barracks Sydney to become part of The Fifth Battalion R.A.R. I was to join the battalions newly formed band under the baton of Lt Bob Taylor. The battalion was placed under the command of Lt Colonel John (Wingy) War. That December the entire Battalion was sent on four weeks leave with strict instructions not to reveal to any one where we were based or anything about the battalion in general. We later found out why. On return from leave we were immediately sent to Canungra in Qld for jungle training. By this time most of us had guessed that the next stop was Vietnam. On completion of the thirty days jungle training we returned to Holsworthy where I was attached to 11 Platoon D company as a medic.
On the 6th of April 1966 D Company had the privilege of being the first company to be deployed to Vietnam as part of Task Force 1.
Pre Vietnam Training at Canungra
Although the 1st battalion was already in Vietnam they were under the general command of the US military. Task force 1 was to be totally under Australian Command. At midnight we were taken to the Richmond air force base in N.S.W. were we boarded the aircraft and flown by Qantas to Da-Nang a US air force base near Saigon, then by helicopter to Vung Tau.
The rest of the battalion was to followed by sea on HMAS Sydney and arrived some 10 days later.
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MY ARMY SERVICE
JOINING THE ARMY
Our local parish priest Fr Nat Fitzsimons was also a vocational guide at the school, so in my third year of high school he aI recall that in the 1960’s tsked me had I decided on a career path after I graduated. The answer of course was no. The fact that I was already an altar boy fluent in Latin Mass, he suggested I may look at the priesthood. I declined that offer and informed him that I had a great love for music and wished to someday become a musician. Some weeks later Fr Nat called me in and showed me some recruitment advertising for the Army Apprenticeship School. They were offering music Apprenticeship’s to those who wished to join. I thought all my dreams had come true. However first I had to be accepted. With Fr Nat’s help we filled out the application and took it to my parents for their approval and signature. I distinctly remember the look on my Mothers face. It was one of terrified horror when I told them I wanted to join the army. It took some hours of talking by Fr Nat before my parents reluctantly agreed to sign the application. As Fr Nat said he may not be accepted. This seemed to ease their mind.
Some four weeks later there arrived a letter from the army saying that I should come to the capital Perth for an interview. I left the interview not knowing what to expect. I was informed over 180 applicants from all around Australia had applied and there was only had some eight or so vacancies for that year (1963).
Two weeks later I was requested to attend a second interview and medical. According to Fr Nat this was an encouraging sign.
I remember it was December of 1962 when I attended the medical, I went from Albany by overnight train to Perth where I was met and taken to Swan Barracks for my interview. I must admit I thought I was out of contention when I was asked to sight read a piece of music and could not make head or tail of the tune. It was in fact as I discovered later God Save the Queen. It was during my time in the army that my parents sold the farm in Denmark and moved to Albany.
On the 7th of January of 1962 I was inducted into the army and sent to Balcombe Victoria to commence my training as an apprentice musician. I was there for some two years and upon graduation I was posted to the Second Battalion R.A.R. at Enoggera Queensland.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SERVICE OF 5 RAR BAND
On the 1st of March 1965, the Fifth Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, was raised at Holsworthy NSW, from members of the First Battalion. Two months later the First Battalion was committed to operations in Bien Hoa Province in Vietnam.
In January 1966, 5RAR was brought to full strength with over 300 national servicemen and 200 regular soldiers who had all completed their basic training. It was generally accepted by the members of the battalion at that time that 5RAR would replace 1 RAR in Vietnam when it completed its service there in May 1966. It was about three months from that time until 5RAR was in action in Vietnam.
During this time of preparing for active service, the 25 members of the band were required to meet the training requirements of the Battalion to work six days a week, often from early morning until late at night. This training included field craft, weapon training, mines and booby traps, night movement, lectures on Vietnamese history, culture and customs, exercises in the mountains at Gospers, special training at The Jungle Training centre at Canungra Queensland and familiarization in helicopter movement.
In addition to this training, the band members spent considerable time on first aid, musical training and playing as a band on special occasions.
On the 8th of March 1966, the Australian Government announced an increase of the Australian Forces in Vietnam to a task force of 4,500 men, based on 5RAR and 6RAR and supporting arms. This was the first official announcement that 5RAR would serve in Vietnam.
Early in April 1966, the band performed publicly for the first time when the Battalion carried out the ceremony of beating the Retreat at Holsworthy. A few days later, the band led the battalion when it marched through Sydney as part of 1 Australian Task Force before departing for Vietnam.
n May 1966 in 'Operation Hardihood', which aimed to clear Nui Dat for the establishment of the Australian Task Force. During the next eleven months, 5RAR conducted 23 battalion sized operations and in between such operations no less than one company was always outside the base area. Because, on operations, the bandsmen were deployed with one of them as a stretcher bearer to each platoon, they contain all the collective experience of all the enemy contacts and incidents, some of which resulted in battle casualties. The total casualties the battalion during 1966-67 were 25 killed in action or died of wounds and 79 wounded in action. The band's own casualties included Private Michael Poole killed in action, three wounded in action, including the Drum Major Ken Benson while acting as CSM B Company, in addition to three members evacuated to Australia as a result of serious accidents and illnesses.
Whenever the battalion returned to its base after an operation, the band would immediately reform and play in company lines as a morale booster in the base area when the situation permitted, the band played Retreat in the evenings and everyone appreciated the significance of this ceremony. The bandsmen were required to accompany their platoons as stretcher bearers during the night approach march and then, when the questioning of the villagers commenced, they would assemble at a designated area and resume their role as bandsmen. Their band instruments, music, chairs etc. would be brought forward either by APC or trucks or helicopters if necessary. While the musical activities of the band were well received by the villagers they suggested that they would appreciate hearing their own Vietnamese tunes rather than our western music. Bob Taylor then set to work immediately to prepare the necessary music for the band by the time for the next cordon and search in two weeks. The band was playing the tunes requested by the villages.
The total effect on the villagers of these cordon and search operations was quite noticeable and the band played an increasingly important role in winning the hearts and minds of the people. In addition, during the cordon and search operations, the band would usually intersperse its playing with assistance to the medical civil aid program.
In the seven months period, July 1966 to February 1967, 5RAR carried out nine village cordon and search operations which resulted in 14 Viet Cong killed, five wounded and 224 prisoners.
On several occasions, the band, at short notice, provided protection for disabled APCs at night and also provided ambush parties. The band was also required, like every other platoon, to provide clearing patrols around the base and sentries every night. Several times, Bob Taylor commanded a rifle platoon or acted as CSM of a rifle company. Ken Benson while acting as CSM B Company in February was wounded in action which resulted in his evacuation to Australia.
The 5RAR Band was the only effective service band in Vietnam and it was always in demand to play at church and memorial services and parades for presentation of awards. It gave concerts at the US 36th Evacuation hospital, 2 Field Ambulance RAAMC, 1/83 US Artillery Battery, A Battery 2/35 US Artillery Battery, the 805 Transport Company, the American Rest and Recreation Centre at Vung Tau and at a Fourth of July celebration at Ba Ria for American Advisers. These concerts were of great value in cementing the good relations which had been established with American units. In addition, appropriate music was provided for the Task Force on such occasions as the visit of Marshall Ky and General Johnson, the US Army Chief of Staff. When 5RAR returned to Australia in April 1967, the band, in spite of its own casualties, was able to lead the Battalion in a parade through Sydney.
uring service in Vietnam in 1966-67, Corporal Peter Fraser was awarded the Military Medal (MM) and Private Laurie Lewis was 'Mentioned in Dispatches' (MID), for bravery for treating casualties under fire. There is no doubt that a number of members of 5RAR owe their lives to the immediate aid given them, usually under difficult circumstances, by members of the Band. The 5RAR Band demonstrated clearly that in operations, the value of the band of an infantry battalion, when used to its fullest potential .
the band of the FIFTH battalion royal australian regiment
PLAYING A CONCERT AT NUI DAT
PLAYING FOR THE VILLAGERS BIN HOU
PLAYING A CONCERT AT NUI DAT
Whenever the battalion returned to its base after an operation, the band would immediately reform and play in company lines as a morale booster in the base area when the situation permitted, the band played Retreat in the evenings and everyone appreciated the significance of this ceremony. The bandsmen were required to accompany their platoons as stretcher bearers during the night approach march and then, when the questioning of the villagers commenced, they would assemble at a designated area and resume their role as bandsmen.
Their band instruments, music, chairs etc. would be brought forward either by APC or trucks or helicopters if necessary. While the musical activities of the band were well received by the villagers they suggested that they would appreciate hearing their own Vietnamese tunes rather than our western music. Bob Taylor then set to work immediately to prepare the necessary music for the band by the time for the next cordon and search in two weeks. The band was playing the tunes requested by the villages
AT THE HORSE SHOE 1966
PLAYING FOR THE VILLAGERS BIN HOU
PLAYING A CONCERT AT NUI DAT
.The total effect on the villagers of these cordon and search operations was quite noticeable and the band played an increasingly important role in winning the hearts and minds of the people. In addition, during the cordon and search operations, the band would usually intersperse its playing with assistance to the medical civil aid program.
In the seven months period, July 1966 to February 1967, 5RAR carried out nine village cordon and search operations which resulted in 14 Viet Cong killed, five wounded and 224 prisoners.
On several occasions, the band, at short notice, provided protection for disabled APCs at night and also provided ambush parties. The band was also required, like every other platoon, to provide clearing patrols around the base and sentries every night. Several times, Bob Taylor commanded a rifle platoon or acted as CSM of a rifle company. Ken Benson while acting as CSM B Company in February was wounded in action which resulted in his evacuation to Australia.
PLAYING FOR THE VILLAGERS BIN HOU
PLAYING FOR THE VILLAGERS BIN HOU
BAND QUARTERS AT BASE CAMP NUI DAT
The 5RAR Band was the only effective service band in Vietnam and it was always in demand to play at church and memorial services and parades for presentation of awards. It gave concerts at the US 36th Evacuation hospital, 2 Field Ambulance RAAMC, 1/83 US Artillery Battery, A Battery 2/35 US Artillery Battery, the 805 Transport Company, the American Rest and Recreation Centre at Vung Tau and at a Fourth of July celebration at Ba Ria for American Advisers. These concerts were of great value in cementing the good relations which had been established with American units. In addition, appropriate music was provided for the Task Force on such occasions as the visit of Marshall Ky and General Johnson, the US Army Chief of Staff. When 5RAR returned to Australia in April 1967, the band, in spite of its own casualties, was able to lead the Battalion in a parade through Sydney.
BAND QUARTERS AT BASE CAMP NUI DAT
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
BAND QUARTERS AT BASE CAMP NUI DAT
Band area of responsibility at Nui Dat
HOME SWEET HOME
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
There's no place like home
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
ON THE HMAS SYDNEY 1967
Homeward bound playing for the troops are members of the bands Tijuana Brass
l-r Peter Lapko Norm Harris & Norm Sims
OUR TASKS AS PLATOON MEDIC'S & STRETCHER BEARERS
Photo From Australian War Memorial
Vietnam. 1967
A close-up look at a medic's field pack by the Director General of the Australian Army Medical Services, Major General A. J. Clyne. Demonstrating the contents, while others look on, is Private Peter Lapko of Denmark, WA, a battalion stretcher bearer.
L-R Pt. Frank Baker - Drum Major WO 2 Ken Benson - Cpl Jock Bouse - Pt Peter Tuck. - Pt Peter Lapko.
Band members 1966- 1967
Additional Information
The Band Members
Band Master - Bob Taylor
Drum Major - Ken Benson
Cornets
Norm Sims, Norm Harris, Jock Bouse, Ted Gadd, Garry Phillips, Frank Baker, Bill McIntyre, Ken Edmunds and Geoff Lowe.
Tenor Horns
Mick Poole, Barry Pemberton, Mick Dwyer and Laurie LID
Alto Saxophone
Peter Fraser MM
Baritones
Jack Curtis and Paul Maloney
Trombones
Geoff Reid and Peter Lapko
Euphoniums
Charlie Johnson and Neville Graham
Tubas
Peter Tuck, Peter Lapko and Geoff Lowe
Percussion
Ken Benson, Ron Shoebridge and John Nyhuis
This page is dedicated to Pte Mick Poole, (16th intake School of music Balcombe Vic) Bandsman and Stretcher Bearer, killed in action on the 21st of February 1967. Lest We Forget!
