2020 LIFE MEMBER
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.
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