Chapter 6.7

Wives Club

In Australia, the wife of a soldier on operational service is not as active as her "other half" overseas. Time can pass slowly and loneliness can hurt. The 4 RAR wives found their club an assistance in companionship and in giving them something to do.

Monthly meetings, interesting talks and demonstrations on subjects such as floral art, gem stones and Chinese cooking and a beetle morning were on the agenda. Squash and tennis for fitness and evenings out to dinner all helped to pass the time for many a wife anxiously awaiting letters from her husband away fighting the war.

The Christmas party was their final activity before the SYDNEY arrived. It was successful to every degree and our thanks are offered to the club, it being the only group available to bear with the organizing.

FM HMAS SYDNEY
TO 1 RNZIR

R E S T R I C T E D SHIPS ARMY STAFF
FROM 4 RAR. FOR CO FROM HUGHES. TODAY I RELUCTANTLY LOSE V COY AND RETURN THEM TO YOUR COMMIAND. THE ANZAC TRADITION HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ADDED TO BY V COY. ALL RANKS 4 RAR SEND GREETINGS TO 1 RNZIR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR MANY FRIENDS IN V COY

09083OZ DEC 71

A signal from HMAS Sydney about the loss of V Company.

From Defence Headquarters in New Zealand, the Chief of the NZ General Staff, Maj.-Gen. L. A. Pearce, writes to our CGS, Lt.-Gen. M. F. Brogan:

"In a short time, the last of the NZ Army personnel who have been serving with IATF and IASLG will withdraw from the Republic of Vietnam.

"Since this will mark the end of approximately six years of close association of Australians and New Zealanders within these two formations, I would not wish the event to pass unrecorded.

"In looking back over statistics I find that we have had some 3,000 soldiers serving in the Republic of Vietnam over the period. "However, statistics mean little.

"What has meant a great deal is that once again our soldiers have served alongside Australians.

"Again they learned to appreciate the staunch qualities of the Australian soldier and, in operating towards common goals in an exacting environment, gained much from the mutual experience.

"While it is of some regret that we were not able to contribute a New Zealand battalion, I know our Infantry took great pride in and shared the achievements of the Anzac Battalions in which they served.

"Our Gunners became closely identified with the Australian Infantry they supported, while logistic personnel within 1ALSG units were well integrated with their parent Australian units, "Without the logistic support given to NZ V Force by AFV, we would have been severely restricted in our ability to maintain the Force.

"I would like you to know that we axe much indebted to the Australian Army for this support. "This withdrawal from the Republic of Vietnam sees the closing of yet an-other chapter in the history of our combined military endeavour which began on the Gallipoli Peninsula, "We are proud that we have been associated with you in Vietnam."

Newspaper clipping as an image and in text.

The Memorial Cairn

Anzac Battalion's Memorial Cairn at Nui Dat.

The Memorial Cairn had been built at the base of the flag pole at Headquarters ANZAC Battalion, Nui Dat. The Cairn was initially begun in 1966 during 6 RAR's first tour and a tier each had been subsequently added during the first tours of 2 RAR/NZ and 4 RAR/NZ. During their second tours, the battalions only added a plaque commemorating the soldiers killed during that tour. The Cairn's detailed design and story have been sent to the Australian War Museum and it is hoped that it will eventually be re-constructed for display.