Following six months service with the Citizens Military Forces, Les Pettit volunteered for national service and joined 5RAR as a rifleman. Known as “Wombat” to his mates, he was distinguished as a soldier who would never give up or surrender to overwhelming odds.
Although not a big man he was happy to carry and use the section M60 machine gun, a heavy task usually reserved for bigger men.
His comrades-in-arms were proud to have served with this courageous soldier who died in action from a mine explosion on July 4, 1969 in Phuoc Tuy Province.

Official Commemoration: NSW - Liverpool Cemetery
Commemoration Position: Church of England - Section I - Grave 790