POSTED 19 JUNE 2026
VALE
2789639 URQUHART, Bryan John "Dusty."
12 September 1948 - 10 June 2025.
We have belatedly been informed that LCPL Bryan ‘Dusty’ Urquhart died on Tuesday 10 June 2025.
Bryan did his initial training and joined 5 RAR in July 1968. He was a member of 4 Platoon, Bravo Company as a section 2IC and deployed to Vietnam in February 1969. Bryan was WIA on 15 August of that year and had to be Medivaced to Australia on 8 September. Bryan was transferred to Eastern Command. Later he joined the CMF, serving with 2 Reserve Units and retired with the rank of Sergeant.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 11 MAY 2026
VALE
38391 MACKAY, Russell John "Russ."
26 June 1941 - 1 May 2026.
CPL Russell ‘Russ’ Mackay died peacefully on Friday 1 May.
Russ joined the CMF in 1959 before he transferred to the ARA in 1964. He did his initial training at 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Infantry Centre. Russ deployed twice to Vietnam with 5 RAR in the Quartermaster Store. When 5/7 RAR was formed he served 6 years with that Unit. From 1985 Russ then spent time in the Reserves, with multiple postings, including Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. He took discharge in June 1996 attained the rank of SSGT.
A Funeral Service will be held for Russell on Friday 15 May 2026 at 14:00hrs at Barrabool Auditorium, Barrabool Hills Centre, 4-32 Province Boulevard, Highton. Live stream details; https://cpconceptevents.com.au/the-late-russell-john-mackay/
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 29 APRIL 2026
VALE
38388 Suckling, Allen Glenn.
7 February 1947 - 25 April 2026.
PTE Allan Suckling (he had later changed his surname to Hunter) died on Saturday 25 April.
Allan enlisted on 19 October 1964, did his Recruit Training at 1 RTB and Corps Training at Infantry Centre. He joined 2 RAR and spent 6 months with them. Allan was transferred to 8 Platoon, C Company, 5 RAR and deployed to Vietnam as a rifleman. He was wounded in action on 8 October 1966 during Operation Canberra. Allan served in that position for the full Tour and returned to Australia with the Battalion aboard HMAS Sydney on 12 May 1967. He did the last 20 months of his enlistment at Officer Cadet School as a Steward.
A funeral Service will be held at 10:00 hrs on Friday 1 May 2026, Castlebrook Memorial Park, The Garden Chapel, 712/746 Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, NSW, 2155.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 19 APRIL 2026
VALE
5714101 HAPP, Peter Douglas "Happy."
22 November 1945 - 10 April 2026.
PTE Peter ‘Happy’ Happ died on Friday 10 April.
Peter, a National Serviceman, did his Recruit Training at 2 RTB, Puckapunyal. He then attended Infantry Centre for his Corps Training. On 13 December Peter deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit for 10 days. He was transferred to 5 RAR and served with Mortar Platoon, Support Company until 25 April 1967 when the Battalion returned to Australia. Peter then joined 7 RAR on 26 April 1967 and served with them until 21 October, when he was returned to Australia to complete his NS commitment.
A Funeral and Cremation Service was held for Peter on Thursday 16 April.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 25 MARCH 2026
VALE
4719640 BELL, Ken. 16 June 1947 - 21 March 2026.
PTE Ken Bell died on Saturday 21 March in hospital after a short Illness.
Ken was conscripted on 8 February 1968, did initial training at 2 Recruit Training Battalion, 3 Training Battalion and Infantry Centre. He deployed to Vietnam with 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit. On 24 September 1968 he was transferred to 1 RAR. On 5 February he joined 5 RAR as a rifleman in 1 Platoon, A Company, where Ken served until he was medically returned to Australia. He was then transferred to 3 RAR to complete his National Service commitment on 7 February 1970.
There are no funeral details available.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 20 FEBRUARY 2026
VALE
37500 BROWN, Antony Yarham "Ayb."
13 July 1938 - 13 February 2026.
SSGT Antony ‘Ayb’ Brown passed on Friday 13 February.
He enlisted in early 1962, attended RAAMC School and Infantry Centre and deployed to Vietnam with 5 RAR in May 1966. Ayb served with distinction as 5 RAR’s 1st Tour’s Hygiene Sergeant. He and his team were meticulous in their oversight of food handling, kitchens, garbage disposal and latrines. Such work may lack glamour but breakdowns in those areas have, in the past, led to massive loss of manpower and even rendering entire units ineffective. In 1971 Ayb returned to Vietnam with 1 Field Hygiene Company. He also served in Thailand (Snowgum Force - Ex Ramasoon), and twice in New Guinea. Ayb retired in January 1974 with the rank of WO2.
Funeral details are as follow: 23 February at 13:00hrs, St Mary’s Catholic Church, 96 - 102 Urana Street, The Rock, NSW, 2655.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 28 JANUARY 2026
VALE
4717580 STEIN, Paul Edward.
13 January 1945 - 19 January 2026.
PTE Paul Stein died on Monday 19 January.
Paul, a 1st intake National Serviceman was conscripted on 30 June 1965 and did his Recruit Training at 2 RTB and his Corps Training with 2 RAR. In January 1966 he was transferred to 10 Platoon, Delta Company, 5 RAR and deployed to Vietnam in May. Paul was WIA on 10 June, was given light duties and moved to CHQ. He returned to Australia with the Battalion. After his NS he went to the CMF for 3 years and was discharged as a Corporal.
A Memorial Service will be held for Paul at 13:00 hours Friday 30 January at The Junction, 470 Anzac Highway, Camden Park, SA, 5038.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 18 DECEMBER 2025
VALE
4720251 Tippins, Kerryn George "Tippo."
31 March 1948 - 15 December 2025.
PTE Kerryn ‘Tippo’ Tippins died on Monday 15 December.
Kerryn was a National Serviceman, he completed his Recruit Training at 2 RTB and Corps Training at 3 TB. He was then allocated to Reinforcement Wing and deployed to Vietnam to 1 ARU. He joined 11 Platoon, Delta Company, 5 RAR on 6 May 1969. Kerryn developed a medical condition was returned to Australia on 29 October. He completed his NS commitment with 27 Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment.
A Funeral Service for Kerryn will be held at Parkside Funerals, 254 East Cam Road, Burnie. on Monday 22 December at 14:00 hours. The attendees will gather later at the Cooee Bowls Club.
Live Streaming can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnOdkaz3OEY
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 18 DECEMBER 2025
VALE
1734647 SMITH, Leslie John.
11 August 1947 - 3 December 2025.
PTE Leslie ’John’ Smith died on Wednesday 3 December.
John entered the Army in 1968, his Recruit Training was completed at 2 RTB. In September he was transferred to
3rd Training Battalion (Infantry Corps Wing) and joined Infantry Centre (Reo Wing) until 9 December. On 10 March 1969 he deployed to 1 ARU Vietnam and transferred to 5 RAR and served in 4 Section, 11 Platoon, D Coy as a MG #2. John completed his tour and returned to Australia with the Battalion on 10 March 1970.
A Funeral Service for John was held at Kingaroy, QLD, on 12 December.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 16 DECEMBER 2025
VALE
2781298 BENSON, David Lester.
21 January 1945 - 13 December 2025
PTE David Benson died on Saturday 13 December.
David, a National Serviceman was conscripted on 30 June 1965 and did his Recruit Training at 2 RTB. On 10 September he was transferred to 7 Platoon, Charlie Company, 5 RAR, to complete his Corps Training. He was then moved to the Quarter Master store and on 6 May 1966 was deployed, with them, to Vietnam. David completed the full Tour of Duty and returned to Australia with the Battalion on 12 May 1967.
No funeral details to hand at the moment.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 16 DECEMBER 2025
VALE
2178342 MCQUIRE, Ian William AM BSc.
27 September 1937 - 11 December 2025.
MAJ Ian McQuire died peacefully at home on Thursday 11 December.
Ian was twice deployed to Vietnam; in 1966-'67 HQ, Australian Force Vietnam (AFV) and 6 RAR and then in 1970-'71 HQ, AFV and AATTV. In August 1973 he was transferred as OC of Delta Company, 5 RAR and when the 5 and 7 RAR battalions linked he moved to OC of Support Company, 5/7 RAR. Ian had many and varied postings, including
7 RAR, reserve, Commando and technical units.
A Funeral Service will be held for Ian at Gregson and Weight Funeral Directors, 5 Gregson Place, Caloundra, QLD, Wednesday 17 December at 11:00 hours. No flowers by request, please consider a donation to the AATTV association in Ian's name.
The service will be live streamed at: https://www.gregsonweight.com.au/funeral-notices
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor
POSTED 2 DECEMBER 2025
VALE
3793297 RICKARD, Richard Wayne.
2 July 1947 - 26 November 2025.
Richard ‘Wayne’ Rickard died on Wednesday 26 November.
Wayne enlisted in the CMF, on 6 July 1963, with 2 RAR until December 1965. He then conscripted into the NS in February 1968 did his initial training at 2 RTB and 3 TB, Infantry Corps Wing. He was transferred to 5 RAR in July 1968 and deployed to Vietnam on 3 February 1969 with PHQ of 10 Platoon, D Company. During Op Federal Overlander Wayne was WIA by a booby trap on 25 April 1969, along with his OC 2LT Stannus, and he was Medivaced to Australia on 6 May.
A funeral Service will be held for Wayne at 14:00 hours on Monday 8 December at Altona Memorial Park, 2-14 Dohertys Rd, Altona North, VIC. and after at the Sunshine RSL.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Townsend
5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor