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8 Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam War Memorial, Bowral

8 Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam War Memorial, Bowral
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8 Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam War Memorial, Bowral
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8 Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam War Memorial, Bowral, close-up of honour roll
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8 Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam War Memorial, Bowral, close-up of dedication plaque
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Description / Background

This war memorial is a stone plinth, with two bronze plaques attached. It is located alongside the Bowral Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk

The plaque on top of the plinth is an honour roll for members of the 8 Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR) who died during the Vietnam War. It was unveiled on 28 February 2003 by Colonel Keith O'Neill.

The plaque on the front of the plinth tells the history of the 8RAR and also includes the names of two additional veterans. It was unveiled exactly one year later, on 28 February 2004, by Mick Carter. 

Inscription

Honour roll 

8 RAR "The Grey Eight"

This plaque was unveiled and a cherry tree planted on

28 February 2003 'Long Hai Day',

by Colonel Keith O'Neill (DSO)

Commanding Officer of

Eighth Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (8 RAR)

from 29 April 1969 to 31 December 1970,

on behalf of The 8 RAR Association NSW Branch, 

in memory of the following members

who paid the supreme sacrifice

during 8 RAR's tour of duty in South Vietnam.

[Names]

Lest we forget

Plaque

The 8th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment was raised

on the 14th July 1966 at Enoggera, Queensland and Lieutenant

Colonel J. O. Langtry DCM assumed command. At 0800 hours

on the 8th August 1966 the Battalion was officially inaugurated 

at a parade reviewed by Major General T. F. Cape CBE DSO.

In January 1967 the Battalion was warned for service in the Far East Strategic

Reserve. The main body arrived in Malaysia on the 1st October 1967 and came under

the command of the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade. On 25th September 1968, 

the Battalion received its Queen's and Regimental Colours from Lieutenant General

Sir Reginald Pollard KBE, CB, DSO, the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Australian

Regiment. The ceremony was unique as this was the first time colours had been

presented to a Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment outside Australia. 

The Battalion finished their tour of duty in April 1969 and Lieutenant Colonel Langtry

DCM relinquished command to Lieutenant Colonel Keith O'Neill.

This plaque was unveiled on the 28th February 2004 by the President of the 8RAR

Association NSW Branch Mick Carter, in memory of the following Members who died 

during 8 Battalion's Tour of Duty in Malaysia.

[Two names]

Lest we forget

Veterans listed on this memorial

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Address
Bowral Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk
142 Mittagong Road
Bowral NSW 2576
Local Government Area
Wingecarribee Shire
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Monument
Recorded by
NSW War Memorials Register
Year of construction
2003–2004
Conflict/s
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Materials
Bronze
Other stone