BRIGADIER COLIN KHAN DSO AM (Retd)
Brigadier Colin Khan DSO AM, graduated as a Lieutenant from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in December 1951 and was allotted to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
During the Korean War he served as a Platoon Commander with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, until severely wounded on the night of 10/11 November 1952. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions in Korea.
He went on to serve in a number of Command, Staff and Training postings, including Guard Commander of the Australian Coronation Guard at Buckingham Palace in 1953-54, instructor at the School of Infantry, Seymour, instructor at The Royal Military College, Duntroon, attendance at the Canadian Command and Staff College, Kingston, Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and Deputy Chief of the Reserve Forces.
No doubt the highlight of his distinguished military career, was commanding the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment during its preparation and second operational tour in South Vietnam. He assumed command on 27 November 1967 and relinquished command on 30 June 1970, after a very successful tour from February 1969 to March 1970. Lieutenant Colonel Khan was awarded the DSO for his distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam.
He later served on the Committee of the 5 RAR Association and became President following the passing of the inaugural President, Colonel John Warr DSO in mid-1999. Brigadier Khan served in that capacity until he passed the baton to Colonel Roger Wainwright (Retired) in March 2005. Later that year he accepted the appointment as the first Patron of the 5 RAR Association, and continues in that position today, having been re-appointed on two occasions. In 2017 Brigadier Khan was joined by Major General Jake Ellwood DSC, AM, as Co-Patron of the 5 RAR Association.
His work with ex-service organisations, in particular, those from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, was recognised through the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 2010.
Throughout his long involvement with the Association, Brigadier Khan has been a respected figurehead and mentor and is held in the highest regard by all members of the 5 RAR family, both past and present. Brigadier Khan’s leadership of the 5RAR Association, as a Committee Member, President, Patron and Co-Patron over many years, warrants due recognition through the award of Life Membership of the 5RAR Association.