Unit Awards and Promotions in 2024

As expected in a vibrant Unit of the Australian Army The 31st/42nd Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment has had a continuous flow of Awards and Promotions in the past year. The RSM reports and reflects upon these aspects:

RSM’s Reflections on 2024 – (Awards)

Our people have achieved great results – exceeding expectations week after week. We are privileged to have recognised the excellence, dedication and selflessness of a number of members within the unit. Congratulations to all that were recognised. Notable achievements are:

Federation Star – representing 40 years of service

• MAJ Smith, WO1 Bullock, WO2 Bacon

Department of Defence Silver Commendation

• MAJ Farrands

Army Group Gold Commendation

• MAJ Tetley

Army Silver Commendation

• WO2 Bacon

Army Bronze Commendation

• SGT Thackray (from HQ 3 BDE), SGT Martin, CPL Crane, CPL Armstrong (from 1 RAR)

Australia Day Medallion

• Mr Pittman

Soldier’s Medallion

• CPL Stanke, PTE Collins, PTE Jurgens.

Battalion Champion Shot

• PTE George

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RSM’s Reflections on 2024 – Part 3 (Promotions)

The CO was privileged to promote 20 members in 2024. Promotions promote growth, engender job satisfaction and encourage peers to progress their careers. Congratulations to all that were promoted:

MAJ – MAJ Arends

CAPT – CAPT Hazlett, CAPT Long, CAPT Edwards

WO2 – WO2 Solis

SGT – SGT Pearson, SGT Anderson, SGT Papazian, SGT Connolly

CPL – CPL Taylor, CPL Wooler, CPL McGowan, CPL Sharp, CPL Patton

LCPL – LCPL Collins, LCPL Jurgens, LCPL George, LCPL Studdert, LCPL Anderson, LCPL Dewing

The unit welcomed five mini Minotaurs into the world. We look forward to their service in 31/42 RQR!

Thank you for your dedication and commitment in 2024! Stay safe, enjoy some time with family and friends, and reset for a cracking 2025!

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Unit Year – 2024 – in Review

As the year 2024 drew to a close Unit Key Personnel took a breath to reflect on the achievements for the year. The following are the RSM’s Reflections published just prior to the year’s end:

It’s hard to believe 2024 is drawing to an end.

Given our dispersed nature, it’s challenging to come together and reflect on our achievements. When your achievements are consolidated into a few paragraphs, it’s striking and inspiring to see what a terrific year the unit had.

This is certainly not an extensive list, but it emphasises the broad and diverse range of tasks and duties we ask of our people:

– Mounting unit for TSE 112

– Deployed six members on TSE 112 and 1 x ADJT in support of 1 RAR on RCB 143

– Mounting unit and support to TC Jasper in Far NQ

– Executed the Basic Recon Course on behalf of 2 (AS) Div

– Support to 11 BDE ARRAS Series

– Support to Exercise AUSTRAL SHIELD

– Trialled a 9 day training block led by Cap Coy – Exercise SUPERIOR BULL

– Battalion range weekend at TFTA

– Army Combative Program levels 1 & 2

– Successful Inspector General Australian Defence Force audit

– Ceremonial support to ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day

– Unveiling of the 42nd Bn RQR King’s Colour

– Persistent and enriching community engagement

– Stayed on top of corporate governance

– Achieved steady growth throughout the year.

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Texas Terror Commemoration – 2024 – Ingham

MEMBERS of the 31^st Infantry Battalion Association and Ingham community members paid their annual tribute to the 12 United States airmen who died on December 18, 1942, when their B24D Liberator bomber crashed on Hinchinbrook Island. The aircraft, code-named the “Texas Terror,” was heading to Iron Range on Cape York when it crashed.

Also in attendance were visitors from Townsville, and Charters Towers.

The Ingham community erected a memorial plaque in 1999, and a local committee has worked earnestly over the years to ensure this part of Ingham’s military history will not be forgotten.

3st Battalion Assn Ingham Branch President, Felix Reitano has arranged a video of this year’s Commemoration Ceremony Sunday 15th December 2024 here:-

Also, photo taken with Peter Maltby’s camera also attached.

Regards,

Felix Reitano

Gathering of Assn Members with Ingham Community members at the

“Texas Terror” Commemoration Sun 15th December

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Part of the Wreckage on Hinchinbrook Island showing the “Texas Terror” Code Name

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Identification Marks on the Wreckage on Hinchinbrook Island.

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Cross with the Crewmens names

Visit By Johan Vandewalle – “Brothers In Arms”

Association Member Mick James has contributed this interesting story after meeting up earlier this month up with Johan Vandewalle who is one of the main proponents of the Brothers In Arms Memorial Park project. Mick takes up the story: –

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A very interesting morning today. After advice from Lambis (Lambis Englezos AM Search this Website for his remarkable story), I met up with Johan Vandewalle and his Brisbane host, Len Kelly at Len’s residence. Johan was mainly responsible for the Brothers in Arms Memorial Park in Zonnebeke Belgium, including the Statue of the two brothers – see [Story | Brothers In Arms Memorial Park] (https://www.brothersinarmsmemorial.info/story)

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Johan is in Australia to thank one of the main contributors to the Brothers in Arms Project, Bill Gibbins AM, who is also the instigator of the Jericho Cup Race Day at Warrnambool Vic since 2018- Johan is also meeting with relatives of the “Brothers in Arms’” around Queensland.

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We had a lively discussion about the Brothers In Arms Project & the 31stBattalion AIF, particularly in the Battle of Fromelles & the Battle of Polygon Wood. Johan’s Café/Museum is adjacent to the Polygon Wood Battlefield. We discussed various men of the 31st in that Battle including Lt Col Fred Toll who received his Bar to the DSO for actions in this Battle, Pte Paddy Bugden whose VC was posthumously awarded for actions in this Battle, Lt James Danaher who was KIA in the Battle, and Pte WE “Billy” Sing DCM, who was awarded a Belgian Croix de Guerre for actions immediately after the Battle, leading a patrol out to locate & dispose of German snipers who were causing further casualties as the Battalion was digging in. Billy Sing’s Citation reads in part – “By his dash and success in dealing with these (enemy snipers), our front line was secured and consolidation continued. During his whole operation his skill in picking out and dealing with snipers was uncanny”.

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I mentioned that Billy died a pauper in Brisbane in 1943 and is buried in Lutwyche Cemetery. In 2015 our 31st Battalion Association, with a Federal Govt Grant, erected a granite Plinth adjacent to his grave in his Honour. At a subsequent Commemoration Billy’s Nephew was in attendance.

Johan was particularly interested in Billy and later today he visited Billy’s grave and the Memorial with Len. I should add that Johan has joined our 31st Battalionn Association & has been confirmed by Secretary, Tony Wadeson Some photos below–

LEST WE FORGET

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Mick James and Johan Vandawalle

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Johan Vandawalle and Len Kelly at Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

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Johan Vandawalle at Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

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Johan Vandaville at Grave Site Lutwyche Cemetery

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Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium) Plaque

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Don Smith Nephew of Billy Sing

With President Ray Fogg

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This was our 1st Commemoration in 2012 at Billy Sing’s graveside

Our Brisbane Branch President, Ray Fogg at the lectern and

Former Senator, Bill O’Chee laying a Wreath.

Association Members are behind President Ray

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31st Battalion Association Luncheon Gathering – Ayr – RSL

31st Battalion Association members gathered at the Ayr RSL ANZAC Club on Saturday 9th November for a lunch time get together. President of the Association’s Townsville Branch Paul Ellems together with other Townsville members joined with members from the Ayr/Home Hill area to share stories of good times at the Ayr Depot. Photos Below:

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31st Battalion Association Life Membership Award – Vic Nichol

Charters Towers branch had a luncheon in March where long time and hard working Charters Towers Branch Secretary/Treasurer Vic Nicol was presented with the, 31st Battalion Association “Life Membership” Award. Association President Greg Stokie presented the award at the luncheon in the presence of members of the Charters Towers Branch. Also present for the occasion was Townsville Branch President Paul Ellems. Congratulations on a well deserved award Vic.

Life Membership Award presented to Vic Nichol

L to R Vic Nichol, Greg Stokie (Association President), Raymond Barrett (President Charters Towers Branch)

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31st Battalion – Personnel WW1 – Alphabetical List

31st Battalion Association Honorary Member Peter Nelson has revised his list of 31st Battalion Personnel who fought in World War 1. This has been a monumental and ongoing project over some years. The revision features additional stories and photos uncovered by Peter’s continual research efforts. A big thankyou to Peter.

A new page has been established on this website to containing the Personnel lists.

See Menu Item: Unit Matters > 31st Battalion > 31st Battalion – WW1 Personnel Lists

Charters Towers Branch – Tunnelers Graves Project

Members of the Charters Towers Branch of the 31st Battalion Association hosted a luncheon to commemorate the placement of Plaques on the graves of Wartime Tunnelers who are now buried in the Charters Towers Cemetery. The project was an initiative of the Charters Towers Branch of the Association. The luncheon was attended by members of the Association with wives and partners. Also present were Association President Col (Retd) Greg Stokie, Towvsville Branch President LtCol (Retd) Paul Ellems, Ingham Branch President Capt (Retd) Felix Reitano.

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The project which has been ongoing, has been steered by branch executive members President Raymond Barrett and facilitated by a grant arranged by Secretary/Treasurer and Honorary Association Life Member Vic Nichol.

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Felix Reitano, Vic Nichol, Greg Stokie, Paul Ellems, Raymond Barrett

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Tunnelers Grave

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31st Battalion Assoc – Education Bursaries for – 2025

If you are a financial ex-31^st Battalion Association member or a Widow or widower of an ex-31^st Battalion member, or a current financial supporter or a current serving member of the 31/42 Battalion and you have a child, grand child or great grandchild who has just completed year ten or eleven, please consider having them apply for our bursary. If you are a serving member of 31/42 Battalion who is undertaking trade training or tertiary studies, you could also consider seeking the support of this bursary.

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Two/three Bursaries valued at $300 each, will be awarded on the results obtained in Education and training in Queensland to support continuing education or training. The Bursaries, valued at $300 each, will be awarded to entrants, in order of Merit, as decided by the Executive Committee of the 31^st Battalion Association, Townsville Branch.

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To be eligible you must be:

A descendant or a person under guardianship of a current Financial Member of the 31^st Battalion Association or of a Widow of a former member of the 31^st Battalion Association or,

A current serving member of the 31/42 Battalion and is a financial member of our Association.

The selection criteria will include:

Results in grades 10, 11 or 12, or tertiary education results or, trade training.

Activities undertaken within the community such as sporting or charities or social club work.

A 200 word essay on your aspirations for life and within the community.

And finally, there may be a personal interview with the applicants and their sponsor.

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APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON THE 30^th OCTOBER , 2024.

Gregory Stokie
President
31^st Inf Bn RQR Assoc Inc.

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BURSARY APPLICATION

FULL NAME OF APPLICANT:………………………………………….………………………………….

ADDRESS:……………………………………………………………………….……………………………….

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EMAIL ADDRESS: ……………………………………………..…PH NO: ………………………………

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION/S :……………………………………………………………….………

……………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………….

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL:……………………………………………………………………..……………….

FULL NAME OF SPONSOR (PARENT OR GRAND-PARENT OR SERVING MEMBER):

……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………..

SERVICE NO:…………………………..BRANCH OF SERVICE:……………………………………..

SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT:

………………………………………..………. DATE:……………………………………….

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Please attach supporting documents and return the application and the essay to the Postal Address below or electronically to the Email Address.

31^st Battalion RQR (The Kennedy Battalion) Assoc. Inc.

PO Box 684

TOWNSVILLE.

QLD. 4810

EMAIL: pellems@gmail.com

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Link to Application Below

2024.09.27. 31st Bn RQR Bursary Application

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Colonel Commandant – Royal Queensland Regiment

The following information regarding changes to the the leadership position of Colonel Commandant of the Royal Queensland Regiment have recently been passed on from the Headquarters of 31/42 RQR.

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Brigadier Bruce Scott CSC, ADC (Ret’d) finishes his appointment as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Queensland Regiment this year. During his appointment, Brigadier Scott, showed steadfast leadership in advocating for the Regiment and its members, ensured that the long history of the Regiment is acknowledged, and championed its future.
31/42 RQR thanks Brigadier Scott and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.

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Major General Stephen Porter AO, AM takes on the role of Colonel Commandant this year. 31/42 RQR welcomes him and looks forward to the upcoming years under his leadership. There are challenges ahead but the Royal Queensland Regiment is in a strong position to take them on.

31/42 RQR thanks Brigadier Scott and welcomes Major General Porter.

Brig Bruce Scott CSCADC

Brig Stephen Porter AO AM