2RAR Association Inc

06/08/2025

VALE:
312882 Pte Geoffrey “Pom” David PERRY
03 Feb 1948 - 22 Jul 2025
7Pl C Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) South Vietnam 1970 - 1971

Photo from his funeral held at Chang Mai, Thailand.

Thank you, Peter James Heeney,

06/08/2025

Veterans Website:

The new 2RARA - SA page is now set up for veterans living in the South Australia region to keep abreast of activities/events/news in your region

http://facebook.com/2RARASA/

Keeping the Spirit alive of those in South Australia who have served or are
serving in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (incorporating 2/4
RAR) – regardless of where that service occurred or is occurring.
Contact Mal Allen (details below)

31/07/2025

Commemorating 80 years since Victory in the Pacific:

RSL QLD:

Three days of public events will be held in Townsville, QLD to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP80), proudly presented by Townsville City Council in partnership with the Queensland Government and supported by the Australian Government through Department of Veterans’ Affairs grant funding.

WWII veterans will be the guests of honour at Townsville’s VP80 commemorations, and a special program of activities will run from 14-17 August 2025 to recognise their service and sacrifice.

The City of Townsville is offering free travel and accommodation for any WWII veteran who would like to participate in commemorating VP80 in Townsville.

To register interest on behalf of a WWII veteran (and their carer, if required), please contact Ms Debbie Jimmieson at the Office of the Mayor, on 07 4727 9755 or [email protected]

31/07/2025

VALE:
4721088 Pte Gary “Ace” John WILKINS
03 Apr 1949 – 27 Jul 2025

8 Sect 6 Pl 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn South Vietnam
16 May 1970 – 01 Jun 1971

Philip Burke advised:

It is with great sadness that I advise that Ace Wilkins died on the night of 27 Jul 2025.

“Ace's” funeral will be held at Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide Thursday 7th August at 1330hrs.

Dress requested is coat, shirt and tie with honours / medals as entitled.

Service streaming information to follow.

28/07/2025

27th July 2025 - Korea Veterans Day

“On the night of 24 July 1953, the Chinese forces attacked 2 RAR and the 7th Regiment US Marines. The attack was
launched in consecutive waves over the nights of both 24 and 25 July, with heavy artillery and mortar attacks during the day.

2 RAR held firm against the assaults, with support from the 16th Field Regiment RNZ Artillery and Royal Tank Regiment. On the morning of the 26th July, the Chinese abandoned the attack. About 3,000 Chinese from Mao Tse-Sung’s own Regiment lay dead in front of “the Hook” (Samichon River) with an estimated 7,000 wounded.

2 RAR had lost five killed and 24 wounded. The armistice came into effect at 2200hrs the following evening.

Lt Colonel Forbes MC (Ret’d) described leaving his bunker in the post battle morning as then literally walking on “carpets of Chinese dead”, further stating this to be a shocking waste of life all for the “vain glory” of the Chinese leadership seeking valuable territory ahead of the ceasefire the following day, this ceasefire being unknow to the combatants.

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/korean-war-75th-anniversary

28/07/2025

Veteran Volunteering:

Disaster Relief Australia is a veteran-led not-for-profit organisation that unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers to help local communities prepare for and recover from disaster.

If you are driven to help others in need, challenge yourself, learn new skills and meet like-minded people, we invite you to apply to volunteer with DRA.

To learn more, you can visit their website at:

Disaster recovery is rewarding work. Be it flood, bushfire, cyclone, or pandemic, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is here to help.

28/07/2025

80th Anniversary Merchandise now Available:

Anniversary Polo's and stubby Coolers are now available for purchase from the 2 RAR Association https://2rar-association.net.au/ webpage or you can email our merchandise member direct at [email protected]

The 2 RAR Anniversary Commemorative Beveridge packs will be up on the company website shortly and will be advised once available for purchase.

21/07/2025

VALE:
235076 LTCOL Barry Ross TINKLER, MBE, BA
4 Aug 1933 - 7 Jul 2025

B Coy 1954-56, AATTV 1962-1963, Official Duties 1971 (LTCOL)

Barry passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, aged 91.

No formal service will be held, but Barry will be remembered at a small gathering at The Entrance, NSW

Date - Tue 22 Jul
Time - 1pm
Venue - The Pavillion Room, Digger The Entrance - 315 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty 2261

If you would like to contribute a brief written memory or message about Barry, please email [email protected]. These words and messages will become a treasured keepsake for the family.

Thanks to Kate Tinkler (Barry's Daughter) for the information

21/07/2025

VALE:
5714492 Pte Geoffrey “Mick” Raymond GAMBLE
29 Mar 1946 – 12 Jul 2025

9 Sect 6 Pl B Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn
South Vietnam 1967 - 1968

Geoff passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, aged 79.
Known for his love of music, storytelling and infectious laugh.

Funeral Service Update:
A service and celebration of his life will be held at Brown Chapel, Railway Road, Karrakatta Cemetery, PERTH WA at 2.00pm on Thursday 31st July, 2025

No live streaming.

Thanks to Lloyd “Grass” Young

21/07/2025

Recognising ADF Service in Indo-Pacific Operations:

The AOSM - Indo-Pacific is awarded to ADF members who have served on operations within the region since 1 January 2021.

To qualify, Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and allied foreign Defence Force member must have been deployed or force assigned for duty as a member of a declared operation for a period of 30 continuous days or for periods that total 30 days.

Operations include for example:

Operation GATEWAY – ADF contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in Southeast Asia

Operation RENDER SAFE – Support to the South Pacific Island nations for the disposal of explosive remnants from World War II

Operation AUGURY (Philippines) – ADF support to the Government of the Philippines to develop indigenous capability to counter terrorism and violent extremist organisations

Operation ARGOS – ADF contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations (UN) Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

Only one medal may be awarded for service on Indo-Pacific operations.

Non-current serving members who believe they may be entitled to this award can submit an application online through the Awards application form link

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/application-process

14/07/2025

Veteran & Family Volunteers ANZAC Day Events 2026:

DVA is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for volunteers who are Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, or family members of ADF veterans, to support us in the delivery of international Anzac Day services in 2026.

Veterans and family members of veterans expressing an interest may be selected to support DVA to deliver international Anzac Day services in Türkiye (Gallipoli), France (Villers-Bretonneux), Thailand (Hellfire Pass), Malaysia (Sandakan), Papua New Guinea (Isurava) or Singapore.

It is important to note that an EOI does not guarantee the applicant a role in the commemorative services. The selection of veterans or family members of veterans will be based on suitability, adaptable skills and the capability to act as a volunteer.

Full details and the online system to express interest are at this link: 2026 ANZAC Day Veteran and Family Delivery Pool.

06/07/2025

Veterans event SEQLD:

WHEN - 24 Aug 25
WHERE - Kilcoy QLD
WHAT - Social veterans gathering