COLONEL ROGER WAINWRIGHT OAM (RETD)
I am honoured to be invited by our committee to be appointed as an Honorary Patron of our association. It is a privilege to serve as a co-patron alongside Brigadier Colin Khan and Major General Jake Ellwood in this capacity, both of whom I have known for many decades and for whom, I hold the highest admiration. They have provided outstanding leadership and mentoring support to our association and the Tiger battalion, which I hope to achieve in a similar vein.
The role of patron includes providing sage advice and input to the committee as required but does not have a vote in any committee decisions. So, I look forward to contributing in any way that I can and supporting our association leadership in any way it seems fit. In addition, now that we are once again a linked battalion, I trust that my earlier regimental service with both 7 RAR and then 5/7 RAR as a foundation member, will help to enhance the relationship with the current tiger battalion – with Quintus leading the way.
Whilst my background is known to most association members, I have been asked to specify my particular service with the RAR. Upon commissioning in 1965 I was posted to 5 RAR and commanded 8 Platoon for 18 months including 13 months on the tiger’s first tour of Vietnam. In early 1969, after a period as ADC to the Chief of the General Staff, I joined 1 RAR which had just returned to Australia from Vietnam, having been replaced by the tigers of 5 RAR’s second tour. After battalion leave, 1 RAR deployed to Malaysia and then Singapore for what was to be short tour before again deploying to Vietnam again for what would have been 1 RAR’s third tour. I was employed sequentially as OC Mortar Platoon, Adjutant and then Operations Officer, when this latter position was formally authorised for infantry battalions.
On RTA from Singapore in June 1971, I was posted to AATTV as the senior Australian Adviser Danang. Having completed that necessary training including a Vietnamese colloquial language course, I was due to deploy in November 1971. Two weeks prior to deployment, my posting was cancelled due to the gradual withdrawal of Australian forces that was taking place. In mid-1972, I was posted to 7 RAR as OC C Company. During 1973, 7 RAR was given the role to develop new Army courses (Subject 1) for promotion to Corporal and Sergeant. C Company became Field Training Wing. Towards the end of 1973 the battalion reverted to a normal battalion role and I became Operations Officer.
3 December 1973 saw the linking of 5 RAR and 7 RAR to raise 5/7 RAR. As an original member at linking, I became OC A Company of 5/7 RAR and in mid-1974 battalion second-in-command.
My final infantry posting was as SO1 Personnel / SO1 Regimental Affairs in the Directorate of Infantry in 1979 - 81. This position had responsibility for the career management of infantry Senior NCO’s, WO’s and Officers’ and for the maintenance of infantry corps history, customs and ceremonial activities.
I remain strongly committed to our association and look forward to catching up with many of you during my travels.
‘Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.’