Monthly Archives: June 2025

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – 19th July 2025 – Ipswich

The 31st Battalion Association in conjunction with the Ipswich RSL Sud Branch will hold this year’s commemoration service at the Honour Stone at the Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall at 63 Nicholas Street Ipswich Queensland at 11am on 19th July 2025. 

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One  of the men particularly featured at this year’s commemoration is 2Lt William McLean DCM a Queensland who fought in the Battle of Fromelles  and who was awarded DCM for his actions during that battle.  The Battle of Fromelles, a WW1 battle in Northern France, is described by historians as “..the worst 24 hours in Australian History”. Over 5,500 casualties were sustained in that 24 hours. 

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Visit By Maj Gen Burr AM – Comd 2 Div – to 11 Bde

The Commander of the 2nd (Australian) Division, Major General Matthew Burr, AM, and Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Trudy Casey, visited Battalion Headquarters of 31st/42nd Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment in Townsville recently.

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Representatives of 11th Brigade units were present, including members from 31st/42nd Battalion, 11th Engineer Regiment; 11th Combat Service Support Battalion; as well as members of the Recruit Induction Company – North Queensland.

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Major General Burr thanked the assembled group and praised their enthusiasm for the job. Present in the room were brand new recruits alongside experienced soldiers and officers — including at least one Federation Star (40 years of service) recipient.

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In Northern Queensland, Army is in safe hands now and is well supported into the future.

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Award of OAM to Capt Felix Reitano

Hearty Congratulations to hard working President of the Ingham Branch of our Association Felix Reitano who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division of the recent Kings Birthday Honours List for 2025. The notification of the award to Felix was passed on by the Regional Convenor FNQ – Order of Australia Association and 31st Bn Assn Associate Member John Hardy OAM

John wrote

Felix

Congratulations on being awarded in the King’s Birthday Honours and Awards 2025, a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.

This is certainly well deserved and like many of these awards well overdue with recognition.

 

The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List recognised 830 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represents an increase of awardees of almost 30% since the Australia Day 2025 List.

John Hardy

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Brisbane Branch President Tony Wadeson added:

Brisbane Branch PresidentMembers, Great News – our Association Ingham Branch President Felix Reitano has been awarded an OAM Citation in the Kings Birthday Honours List.
I’m sure you’ll pass on your Congratulations to Felix.at Email:- felix@reitano.com.au 
Regards Tony 
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The Citation for the Award to Felix is as follows:

 

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Two 31st Bn Assn Members  – Awardees

(L to R) John Hardy OAM anf Felix Reitano OAM

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Felix with Wife Judy at 2024 Battalion Church Service

 

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Felix Conducting Anzac Service 2025

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Post 2025 Anzac Service

Family Group Photo Post 2025 Anzac Day Service

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Judy and Felix OAM

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Vale – Maj Warren Gunder

The following message was received from Brisbane Branch President Tony Wadeson.

Members & Friends, I regret to advise the passing of a a 31st Bn Association old mate since 1959 Warren Gunder. As Warren lived in Nambucca Heads, I only learned Friday (30th May 2025) of his passing on the 16th May 2025. 

Warren had been unwell for some time. He came to Brisbane for last Anzac Day for a reunion of the AATTV. Unfortunately, we didn’t catch up, he was unable to march & wasn’t well at the time. He returned to Nambucca Heads soon after. I’m endeavouring to obtain Warrens Full Military record to advise you correctly of his Service.

Warren joined the 31st Bn as a Digger in the late 1950’s. I was transferred to Townsville & arrived on the 1st April 1959. I met both Warren & Foggy (Ray Fogg – Late President of Brisbane Branch of the Association) a week later on the first Parade Night I attended. If  I recall correctly, we were all CPLs. at that time. We were all promoted to SGT’s & received our First Appointments within a year or so of each other. We all served as PL Commanders under Hughie Gaffney during the Pentropic Division era. I was transferred to Lismore in 1964 & joined 41st Bn – The Byron Scottish Regiment. From this point I’m assuming the following:-  I believe Warren transferred to Permanent CMF the following year & was transferred to 51 Bn Cairns as ADJT. Foggy was also transferred to Cairns with the Royal Insurance the following year & actually boarded with Warren & his Family for a period. I believe Warren was transferred back to Townsville as ADJT in 1968 for a  short period prior to transferring to the Regular Army & joining the Aust. Army Training Team Vietnam. He Stayed on with the Regular Army & for a period was a Company Commander with  one of the Bn’s of the RAR. he retired from the army ranked a MAJ. 

Warren was one of the initial 31st Bn Association Brisbane Branch Members & was our first Vice President. He regularly marched with us on Anzac Day in Brisbane until unfit to do so. 

Warren was a dedicated Soldier. He loved the Army & he loved his time with the 31st Bn. And he was proud to have served as a Regular Soldier in the Training Team 

Rest in Peace Wazza .

 

 Bn Officers at Annual Church Service in Townsville in 2017 (L to R) Graham Harris,

Warren Gunder, Max Flohr,  Col Hugh Gaffney,  Kev Thomas, Tony Wadeson, Ray Fogg 

Graham,Warren, Tony and Ray all served as Platoon Commanders

Under Hughie Gaffney as CO.

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Three AATV Members Gather at Anzac DayDawn Service at Ray “Dasher” home in 2024

(L to R) Col Miles Farmer, Wo1 Dasher Deed and Maj Warren Gunder 

Anzac Day 2024 Coincided with Dasher’s 97th Birthday

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31st Bn Association Anzac Day March (Circa 2012) Warren is on the left of Dasher Deed.

Although the Photo is a little out of Focus Dasher is recognizable at centre Front

(wearing a few more Campaign Medals than the rest of us)

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