Another gone

You chaps would have heard me mention at odd times my B/inlaw who was a Vietnam Vet sadly he lost his final battle 2 days ago with "Jimmy Dancer".
He grew up in Pithara a small wheatbelt town in the country and was drafted into the army then VN.
After this the farming was not going to well he met my sister at this time, they sold the farm so he joined the RAAF and ended up being a technician with our over the horizon radar secret squirrel stuff.

He left the RAAF and went into hi-fi installations in hi rise and fixing computers he also was counselling other returned vets at this time.
After 20 odd years of marriage they went their separate ways and in fact got on better apart than together LOL.
We kept in contact and he never left the family, as I considered him my second brother because my only brother died when he was 43 I was 27 at that time.

So now he is with my mum/dad/brother & sister, I am sure they will be having a tipple as my dad used to say if thats allowed up there.
He leaves behind a sister his 3 daughters and grandchildren.
This is the only pic I have of him in the back of the truck riding shotgun as you say with his SLR L2A1 in VN.

RIP Mervin you'll be missed mate heaps.

Sad for your loss mate…
He’ll be drinking one on you for sure, don’t worry.

You bro in law was Sgt Barnes from Platoon??

Sorry for the poor attempt at levity but his profile struck a resemblance to Tom Berenger in that movie.

I will lift a stout in his honor.

Condolences Cinders.

Sorry for your loss.

Cinders sorry for you loss and our serviceman’s final duty done he’s up there now having a cold one with the rest of the vets mate .it would be an honor to march for him on ANZAC day

Cinders, condolences for your loss

Sorry, Cinders. Must be a tough one.

no one is ever really gone as long as there is someone to remember them.

Cinders,
Trooper has gone to a better place RIP;)

R.I.P.

PS: L1A2 surely?

I have never seen a documentary on UK or Ausie's role in Vietnam can anyone offer a suggestion as to a source ot title?
Condolences to you and yours.

There was an interesting take on the UK involvement as part of the TV series The Crown. It was a bit enlightening to see that Vietnam was much like Afghanistan where full scale US involvement was dependent on approval from outside allies.

Even more surprising can be the involvement of WW 2 nations on the allies side and the role they played in Indochina post WW2.

One has to wonder of the stories that will likely never be told about UK and Commonwealth involvement after WW2. They will likely be declassified long after the men and women have left us and we will only even know what our uncle's and aunts went thru.

---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ----------

I should say that part of my post is based on the fact that my father is losing his battle with covid and much like Cinder I am thinking about the stories that are likely lost forever.

Rutger Hauer improved and said it best..all those moments lost like tears in the rain.

I pray for peace for you and your brother Cinder..because you truly lost a brother.

Update ~ We put Mervyn at rest yesterday at the Pinaroo Cemetery in a very moving experience for one and all I was touched by the large number of RSL members attending with their medals and forming the guard of honour for him as the hearse rolled in.
Merv's coffin was draped in the Australian flag completed with his slouch hat his nephew Malcolm a former RSM of the Perth based SASR (42 year veteran) gave a great insight into how seeing Mervyn pictured with a Thompson influenced him in joining the Army.
They had the usual pictures of his life and well I was sorta holding it together until my sister his former wife came up in the screens with them both together that was end game for me, we lost my sister 20.10.2008, though divorced they remained great friends and Merv never dated another lady as he still loved my sister.
We all filed past laying a sprig of rosemary on the coffin when that was done Mervyn's nephew Malcolm read out the soldiers ode after which the bugler in full military dress played the last post. It was moving, he now is resting at peace beside my sister at the same cemetery.

Thank you all for your kind words/support it helps, we are all marching towards that line, those that are in your life keep them close and share all you can together because when the final curtain falls those left behind can only reach you through distant and past memories.

Regarding the pic of Mervyn in the truck I did flag it as an L1A2 but someone here on this site corrected me years ago saying it was an L2A1 it has a laminated cover and the original notation is under that with some Isoprohyl & cleaning she'll be as it was originally noted by myself.

Attachment 125019

The pic DOES read L2A1, just misread by some...

Yep, the L2A1 it is. Not quite as good as the trusty Bren - or the 7,62mm L4. Malaya was wholly an L4 theatre but SVn was L2 territory.

Always liked those wooden legs!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Not quite as good as the trusty Bren - or the 7,62mm L4.

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When we finally adopted the well used C6(M.A.G.58), we all asked where was this when we wanted to do this stuff? WE had to lug the C2(L2A1).

I preferred the L2A1 over the Bren for rundowns from 600yds.
1st round hits and the second usually on target also, where the Bren was heavier and harder to get the minimum double tap as a burst.
I remember myself and the Sqn. OC paired up and cleaned up the best that the skippy badge boys could offer, that trophy was still in one of the boozers of that unit last time I saw it.

:lol::lol:

So very sorry to hear that Ron, tough times mate.

Attachment 125034Here's a few L2A1's from my collection ... A salute to Merv...

Awesome thanks Clarkie.

John,
You must have a spare set of wooden legs you want to get rid of :lol:??

You would need the unique L2/C2 gas block too .... And the Heavy barrel and (safety/ short plunger) and carry handle, plus straight 30rd mag Come to think of it mate, it would be easier to just buy an L2!

That near one looks like a faux CDN?

John,
Yes agreed, we've spoken about it before..............just a dream I'm happy with my German legs they fit a treat, just black instead of wood which would have been so much better ascetically!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

That near one looks like a faux CDN?

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Hi Jim, the rear example is a Malay contract Lithgow L2A1, the front example is an extremely rare New Zealand contact example. The only one I have seen in civilian ownership in the UK.