Brian (Sharky) served with 104 and 110 Sig Sqn in Vietnam and was a long term member of RASigs.  He will be sorely missed by Maria, family and friends.  Sharky was one good Aussie bloke and a great family man. 

Details of Sharky’s funeral are as follows: 

11am Friday 16^th  July 2010
Beresfield Memorial Gardens, Newcastle Memorial Park, Anderson Drive
Beresfield  NSW  2322       Phone 02 4966 3233

Messages of condolence can be forwarded to the family via his wife Maria kevnae@optusnet.com.au

Rest in Peace, Sharky

[11 July 2010]

    New Signals and ACV's - Part 1 Vietnam  

The history and details of the Armoured Command Vehicles (ACV) used in Vietnam by HQ 1 ATF and Signals.   Callsign 85C (104 Sig Sqn) and Callsign 85D (547 Sig Tp). 

Click Vetstory 44

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   Current researching "Signals and ACV's Part 2 - Post Vietnam" 

The history and details of post Vietnam 104 Sig Sqn/1CSR use of ACV's  is currently being researched.  If you have any details, stories (good or bad) or other details, photos, please email Denis Hare.  Also any information on other Signals units using ACV's.
For example 139 Sig Sqn.  Others?

[May 2010]

    New A Hair Raising Trip  

547 Sig Tp carried out Airborne Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) tasks in Vietnam continuously from Sep 1967 until late 1971.  This is Garth Brown's recall on one of the ARDF missions.

Click Vetstory 45

[May 2010]

   New 104 Photo 4 Albums   

   Click   Album 71 - Photos from John Carr and Bryan Brackin1969
Click   Album 72 - Photos from Bryan Brackin1969
Click   Album 73 - Photos from Bryan Brackin1969
Click   Album 74 - Photos from Bob Spearing 1968/69
Click   Album 75 - Photos from Pat Kiely1968
     
[May 2010]

    Change to Eligibility of the Army Combat Badge 
    (As at 24 August 2009)   

1.    The Army Combat Badge (ACB), has had it’s criteria broadened to recognise those who have served in a given area of operations of a Battle Group or Combat Team.  The latest Defence Instructions Click Army (Personnel), dated 24 August 2009 (DI(A)-PERS 119-1, Complete Revision.  Please read this document carefully.

2.     The purpose of the ACB is to recognise the unique service of a member operating with an Arms Corps unit within a warlike area of operations. The purpose of the ACB is not to recognise combat duties but to recognise service with a combat element through formal force assignment.  The applicant must provide the relevant details, verification of service and have been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM), pertinent to the Operation Force Assigned.

3.     The Applicant must have served a minimum of 90 days of satisfactory service in the qualifying Area of Operations.

All Enquiries to be addressed to:

Director General Personnel - Army
R8-9-025
Department of Defence,
Russell Offices,
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Phone: Role: (02) 6265 4119
Fax: (02) 6265 3715

Comments by Webmaster

There are many Signal Vietnam Veterans who have contacted me about this badge over the last few years and feel strongly about it, especially the Radio Operators who did their time with the Grunts.  The ACB instruction has been a can of worms, since first issued in Oct 2005 and this new amendment should fix up the problems for Signal Vietnam Veterans, if my reading is correct, for those who served for 90 days with 1RAR Group (709 Sig Tp and 527 Sig Tp) and the 1^st Australian Task Force (103 Sig Sqn, 104 Sig Sqn, 547 Sig Tp and Det 152 Sig Sqn) as these signal units directly supported  combat teams for their complete deployment. 

Force Signals (145 Sig Sqn and 110 Sig Sqn) who were detached to Task Force Signals (103 Sig Sqn  104 Sig Sqn) or other Task Force Unit, could also be eligible but because no roll books or other records have survived, will require some evidence to support their claim. 

To date no State RASigs Association has stepped forward to assist Signal Vietnam Veterans with the award of the ACB and while this is disappointing, it is understandable as there is no National Association and each State RASigs Association is light in working membership and therefore very limited in admin functions plus is not just set up for Vietnam Veterans.  It is therefore suggested, that each Signal Vietnam Veteran send his application form directly to the RASigs Head of Corps (HOC) as per Para 20c of the revised Defence Instruction.

 Address is as follows:

Head of Corps
Royal Australian Corps of Signals
R1-3-A142
Department of Defence
Canberra Act  2600

[Jan 2010]

[Nov 2009]

To add a notice email Denis Hare at pronto@au104.org