Vietnam Veteran’s Day -18th August 2026 – Broome – WA

On Vietnam Veteran’s Day We Commemorated and Honoured All Australians who served in the Vietnam War. This year being especially significant as it was the 60th Anniversary of the battle of Long Tan. One of the many Commemoration Services conducted across the Nation was the one at Broome West Australia, where Vietnam Veteran and 31st Battalion Associations (Ingham Branch) member, Rick Butler, was holidaying. Rick takes up the story:

This year on the 18th of August, I happened to be in Broome with a group from Ingham, so we decided to attend the service commemorating Long Tan day ( Vietnam Veteran Day ), because I being a Vietnam veteran myself it was appropriate for me to attend the service at the Broome memorial Park. The president of Broome RSL approached people in the crowd and he found 7 Vietnam veterans, he decided that we all should place his wreath, so the 7 of us marched up and placed the wreath on cenotaph, the catafalque party was Broome Naval cadets, it was a very memorable day.
My 31st battalion career started when I was discharged from the regular army, my service with C Company 31 started in 1975 until 1996 and I served with some great soldiers.

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Ingham group with Broome Naval Cadets

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Rick Butler (right) and Gordon Schmierer (left) at Broome Cenotaph

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Vietnam Veterans Laying Wreath.

Thanks for the report Rick and thanks for your Service

Tribute to Norn Snell – Charters Towers

31st Battalion Association’s Charters Towers Branch Secretary/Treasurerer Vic Nicol reminds us that it is a year since the passing of our last WW2 member. Over to Vic:

Sadly, it is 12 months on the 24^th since we lost our eldest member Norm Snell, I am sending the photos of Norm’s sons holding Pierre’s tribute, and Norm at Sellheim in 2020. If you wish you could edit me out of the first photo with Doug. I feel this may be of interest to the Members.

Vic Nicol (L) with Norm’s Son Doug Snell (R)

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Stuart Snell

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WW2 Digger Norn Snell at Sellheim in 2020

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Norm’s service history which was delivered on the occasion of the presentation of his 31st Battalion Association Honorary Membership:

Today we are here to present Norman Snell with Honorary Membership to the 31^st Infantry Battalion Association.

Norm celebrated his 18^th birthday on the 19^th January 1942,

On the 15^Th June he enlisted in the 31^st Battalion.

Norm served in the 31^st Battalion, for approximately eight months, then was transferred along with the other young members to the 26th Battalion.

The 51^st Battalion in North Queensland suffered the same fate as the 31^st, the younger members were transferred to the 26^th Bn. to bring it up to strength. This left the 31^st and the 51^st under strength so both Battalions were amalgamated and became the 31/51^st Battalion.

The 26^th Battalion, trained at Sellheim where Norm completed his signaller course.

He then saw service in Dutch New Guinea, on Bougainville and New Britain.

Norm was a signaller attached to Bravo Coy, The Pioneers and Head-Quarters within the 26^th Battalion.

After the war, Norm was discharged on the 19^th June 1946.

Norm has contributed much of his time and helped in the construction of the memorial at Sellheim, with the members of the 31^st Battalion Association Charters Towers Branch.

Norm has been the flag bearer at the Sellheim ANZAC Day service for the last 38 years. The morning service is conducted by the 31^st Infantry Battalion Association, after the service they return to the Charters Towers RSL for Breakfast then uptown to march in the Charters Towers ANZAC DAY march.

For his support and generosity in helping the 31^st Association continue to keep its history alive. Today Norman Snell is being presented with:

A certificate of Honorary Membership to the 31^st Infantry Battalion Association.
A 31^st Infantry Battalion Association tie and,
A 31^st Infantry Battalion Association badge.

Congratulations Norman Snell.

Update of 31st Battalion WW1 Personnel Lists

Association Member Peter Nelson, continues to update lists of members of the 31st Battalion AIF from World War 1. This ongoing project has already taken an immense effort on his part. This current update includes members whose Family Name begins with “F”.

Peter has turned up some interesting information on the following F members:

In downloading the file on QM, Hon Lt Faine, it came without the major criticisms of this man – anyhow got enough of his file down to get the gist.

Another interesting man was Lt Col Neil Freeman, DSO, – a brilliant soldier, but also a favourite of Pompey Elliott and the 15th Bde. Interesting to compare Freeman with Toll at Polygon Wood, the animosity between Toll and Elliott over tactics, and how Elliott credits Freeman with the success at Polygon Wood, diverting from Toll’s and 31st Bn efforts. (and the heroics of William Overend Wilson). Can’t get away from politics!!

Anniversary of Polygon Wood coming up!

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To Peruse the Lists, Click on the Link Below:

https://31bnassn.org/31st-battalion-ww1-personnel-lists/

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