218554 Private. Ronald F. Connors, 26
Middlesex, England.
In August 1969, during Operation Camden, C Company 5RAR was tasked to protect a United States (US) land clearing team (LCT) in the Hat Dich Secret Zone of Phuoc Tuy Province, a long-time enemy jungle haven and stronghold. C Company was based in the Night Defensive Position (NDP) of the LCT and patrolled out from it by both day and night. As the US LCT had a field kitchen in the fortified NDP, a C Company cook (Pte Ron Connors) was brought in to provide catering support to the C Company personnel located with the US LCT.
When relieved of this protection task by another rifle company, C Company continued with Reconnaissance in Force (RIF) operations to locate and destroy enemy main force units in the Area of Operations (AO Mindy). Pte Ron Connors volunteered to go with one of the rifle sections who were short of men.
Later, on 28 August 1969, during a fierce contact with the enemy in a well-defended bunker system, Pte Ron Connors was severely wounded by enemy fire. He was evacuated to the U.S. 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon but he died of his wounds there on 25 October 1969.
Official Commemoration: NSW - Rookwood Cemetery
Commemoration Position: Church of England - Row 15 - Grave 3610