Pte Lindsay Noel Brown

3790530   BROWN Lindsay Noel, 22, of Bendigo, Victoria, was an apprentice fitter and turner when called up in February 1967.  The rifleman private with 3RAR was killed in an enemy attack on Fire Support Base Coral, Bien Hoa, in the early hours of May 26, 1968.  The defence of Fire base Coral and Battalion defence position Balmoral was the largest Australian action of the Vietnam war.

Balmoral was assaulted by a North Vietnamese battalion force initiated by an intense barrage of small arms, machine gun, mortar and RPG rocket fire. Pte Brown (10 Platoon D Company and Pte Desnoy (12 Platoon D Company) died as a result of this barrage.

Pte Cooper and Pte Thomas of A Company were also killed in the same action . The barrage was immediately followed by ground assault.

This tribute
is a combination of 2 memorials written by Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize delivered by Kelly Parkin on Thursday, October 4th, 2018 and the
Australian War Memorial
Last Post Ceremony Story delivered 26 May 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Lindsay Noel Brown.

Lindsay Noel Brown was born on Christmas Day 25 December 1945 in Bendigo, Victoria, to Norman and Elizabeth Brown and was lost to the overwhelming impact of artillery fire in 1967. A significant death, that left his wife and family with heartache that could not be healed and left his comrades with immense pride and sorrow.

Through the tough experiences, unbreakable bonds were formed, and the mates of Lindsay’s were like none other. They were also his brothers. One of his mates took the photo that is shown above. His name is Graedon Dickson, and was a young Australian Private, like Lindsay. He expressed his gratitude of sharing his war service with the -“kind, down-to-earth, gentle” man that Lindsay was.

Graedon had also experienced the same horrific event, but had also endured the pain of returning to his country, that had been overwhelmed with disgraceful comments and dishonorable actions towards the surviving veterans. These men are just as important as those who passed within the foreign lands of Vietnam, as some also passed, or struggled, when they reached home due to the mental destruction that was inflicted, and strengthen, from the changed society, and reality.

He was a true Mallee boy, with a childhood that consisted of days attending the local primary school, and completing simple farming tasks. He grew up on his family’s farming property known as
“Glen-Alvie”, located at Upper Lurg near Benalla.

He had a close relationship with his twin brother, Rob, and younger sister, Ruth.
Lindsay possessed a friendly personality, that was often shown through his luminous coloured striped socks. Lindsay was a fun loving, but responsible man, and was regularly known to be cheerful, as he always greeted his mates with a common saying “how’d you be?”.

In Benalla he attended the local primary school before going on to Benalla Technical College. He left school after gaining his intermediate technical certificate in 1961 and the following year went to work for BV Reynold Chains as an apprentice fitter and turner.

As part of his apprenticeship, he returned to Benalla Technical College for the study component of his trade. He gained his qualification in 1964 and continued his apprenticeship until January 1967, when he qualified as a fitter and turner. Just before finishing his trade certificate, Brown met his future wife, Lorraine, and the pair began a relationship. He was an earnest young man and was keen to get married and settle down. He remained working with his employer and, being mechanically minded, enjoyed working on his own car, a cherished cherry red FJ Holden in his spare time.

The Australian government had introduced national service in 1964, and with the decision to commit ground troops to Vietnam in 1965, the Australian Army began expanding. Brown attended a pre-enlistment medical screening in late October 1966 and was passed fit.

On the 1st of February 1967 Brown was called up for two years’ National Service. His enlistment papers were stamped “potential officer” and he was noted as being “a polite, well dressed lad [and a] decent type”. Unfortunately, his twin brother was deemed unfit for service, which prominently affected him long term, after the news of his Lindsay’s death…

After basic training at the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Puckapunyal, he was posted to the School of Infantry at Singleton. Completing his infantry training in June, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment which was based at Woodside in South Australia, and joined D Company. As the battalion was readying for deployment to Vietnam, the training was intense.

During his last period of leave home to Benalla, on the 11th of November, Lindsay and Lorraine were married. He was 21 years old, Lorraine was 18.

Brown celebrated his 22nd birthday and Christmas before flying out of Adelaide for Vietnam in 1967. Landing at Vung Tau, Brown and the other members of 3RAR’s rear party joined the main battalion and were taken by trucks to Nui Dat.

3RAR conducted its first operation in early January 1968 and over the next four months was involved in operations including mine clearing and reconnaissance-in-force.

Brown returned to Australia and spent a week in Sydney on leave at the beginning of April 1968, but was soon back in Vietnam on field operations.

On 12 May, 3RAR, along with 1RAR, 102 Field Battery and other supporting units, was flown to a position 25 kilometers north of Bien Hoa, where they set up Fire Support Base Coral, tasked with disrupting enemy troops withdrawing from Saigon after a major offensive. FSB Coral was attacked the same night, and the Australians suffered nine killed and 28 wounded.

3 RAR left Coral and set up FSB Coogee nearby before being sent to establish a defensive position Balmoral on 24 May. Defences were still in the process of being completed when two North Vietnamese Army main force regiments launched an attack, attempting to overrun the base in the early hours of 26 May.

D Company took the brunt of the initial assault. During the fierce fighting Lindsay Brown was struck in the head by shrapnel and was killed instantly.

The soldiers of 3RAR and the Centurion tanks of 1 Armoured Regiment fired canister rounds and machine-guns, forcing the enemy to break and withdraw. Four men from 3RAR had been killed and a further 14 wounded. Two nights later 3RAR held off a second ground assault and suffered a further man killed and six wounded.

(The second attack as described by Kelly Parkin)
Unfortunately, the night came when Balmoral’s second attack occurred, which had suffered a similar battlefront as the Fire Support Base Coral attack.  At 0345 hundred hours, Lindsay, and many more nervous men, witnessed a green flare vividly light up the solemn night sky. This marked the beginning of another battle. The sky that had once offered Lindsay soothing support, had now changed abruptly into the familiar artificial weather of enemy artillery fire in a matter of seconds. The intensity of artillery rainfall was drastically altered within this attack, but was of similar density of what was witnessed at FSB Coral. Inversely, the Vietnamese soldiers were closer than those on the attack at FSB Coral, and were attempting acts of bravery to enter through the wire opening-that was earlier used as a doorway for the Mk 5 Centurion tanks. Vietnamese men swarmed in from numerous hidden bunkers that were buried within the Earths soil, and continued to storm eagerly towards Lindsay, and his mates, wave after wave. An onslaught of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and machine guns, were used against the Australian troops, however, the blessed presence of the indestructible Centurions helped increase the impossibility of the enemies attempt to march through the barriers. As the attack went on, two Australian men were killed, and 14 men were wounded from 3RAR.

Private Brown was seen lifeless in his comrade’s arms; Private Ray McDonald, in an incomplete-pit that was made hastily the night before. Whilst struggling with a face wound, Private Ray McDonald, endured the pain from the blast that had potentially killed Lindsay. As this occurred, Private Barry Bryan, who was in the sentry duty pit, just eight metres away from his two comrades, eagerly crawled over the sturdy barriers, into the open grounds, as his instinct to save them had formed from his past war experiences. Whilst eagerly crawling towards the pit, Bryan was weakened with shrapnel wounds, but dismissing powered on. Once he finally managed to successfully reach the pit, he aided the screaming of his mate, Ray, and agreed to Lindsay’s deceasing. Bryon was the last man to hold Lindsay’s lifeless figure for the last time in his arms before the Huey’s came in and took him away.

End of Kelly’s description.

Lindsay Noel Brown’s remains were returned home and were laid to rest on the 11th of June 1968 in the Benalla Lawn and Memorial Cemetery. Lindsay's wife Lorraine had the following epitaph added to his headstone;

Dearly loved and ever missed
By your loving wife Lorraine

Lindsay Noel Brown was 22 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on your right, along with more than 500 others from the Vietnam War.

We now remember Private Lindsay Noel Brown, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Survived by Sister Ruth and twin brother Rob Brown.
Return to 3rd Battalion Roll of Honour Menu 1968

Sgt. Ronald Thomas Carroll


AWM Photograph Sgt R T Carroll in Borneo 1965..
14208  3RAR - Sergeant. Ronald Thomas. Carroll, 31 years. Moree NSW. Carroll was killed in action in Bien Hoa Province 4th August 1968. He was buried at Terendak, Malaysia

14208  CARROLL SGT Ronald Thomas- 31 year old Platoon Sergeant of 10 Platoon, D Company 3 RAR moved to the flank of a well concealed heavily defended enemy position when he was killed by an enemy sniper concealed in a tree. Two other D Company soldiers were WIA in this action. KIA in South Vietnam by gunshot wounds on 4 August 1968.

Battalion defensive position Balmoral was assaulted by a North Vietnamese battalion force initiated by an intense barrage of small arms, machine gun, mortar and RPG rocket fire. Pte Brown (10 Platoon D Company and Pte Desnoy (12 Platoon D Company) died as a result of this barrage.

Pte Cooper and Pte Thomas of A Company were also killed in the same action . The barrage was immediately followed by ground assault.

Esperance local bids final farewell to
WA Vietnam veteran
Esperance News -June, 2016

Pte. Barry Norton Davidson

2788283  DAVIDSON Barry Norton, 22, of Sydney, NSW, was a plasterer when he was called up in October 1967.  In July, 1968, in Vietnam, he volunteered to be a stretcher bearer and later was posted to B Company 3RAR as a rifleman. 

He died of wounds received during a D Company contact in Long Khanh Province on 30th September, 1968. Interred in the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Chatswood, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Pte Kenneth Raymond Houston

2787776   HOUSTON Kenneth Raymond, 23, of Katoomba NSW, was a policeman when he was called up in July, 1967.  The private with 3RAR died in Phuoc Tuy of heat exhaustion, severe shock and suffocation on October 25, 1968.

He was a gentle giant, remembered by one nephew as so tall that when Uncle Ken picked him up “I could touch the ceiling”. Wayne Ranse, the nephew, also regards him as “a local hero”.

Ken Houston was born in Katoomba Hospital and attended Katoomba High School. He had three sisters, one of whom has died but the other two still “miss him greatly”, according to another nephew, Chris Ranse. “He had a big family and many, many friends who still remember him fondly.” he said.

Ken’s parents died within a year of each other in 1983-84. "They were heart-broken from the day he died,” said Wayne. “I remember as a kid [a seven-year-old] it was a very traumatic time for the family. And I recall when Ken’s funeral was on at St Hilda’s Church in Katoomba, all the shopkeepers closed out of respect for Ken.”

Some time after his death the family met Ken’s platoon leader, Lieutenant Peter Luffman, who had planted a lone pine in honour of the young soldier on his Goulburn property.  Wayne Ranse described him as “a knockabout bloke. He was right into cars and didn't’t mind a beer.”

Ken Houston joined the police force after he left school and was serving as a constable when he was conscripted in July 1967. He was sent to Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment where he died in October 1968. Private Houston is buried in Katoomba cemetery, next to his parents.

VIETNAM 1968

Ken Houston, right, with a colleague on duty in Vietnam

Private Ken Houston.

Blue Mountains Gazette News Tribute June 23rd June 2017

Pte Geofrey Francis Mathews

5714739  MATHEWS Geoffrey Francis - 3 RAR - 22 Years KIA 9 Feb. 1968.
Died of gunshot wounds at Long Dien.

On the 7 February. B Company 3RAR (Maj HW Irwin) was tasked to secure the approaches to Baria on the west of the Song Dinh and on 8 February to support ARVN forces in clearing an enemy platoon from Long Dien.

After securing the bridge over the Song Dinh, B Company moved by ARVN transport on 8 February to Long Dien and by late morning had deployed to the south west of the town. Later that day, B Company was requested to search for a missing ARVN Battalion Commander and his US Army Adviser.

At 6.30 pm 5 Platoon (2Lt LA Taylor) made heavy contact with a VC platoon located in and around brick houses. During a fierce exchange the platoon suffered two dead (the Platoon Commander and the Platoon Signaler, Pte GR Godden) and 5 wounded, one of whom later died (Pte GF Mathews). Some 15 of the enemy were killed and one captured before the remainder of B Company arrived to assist.

5714739  3RAR - Private. Geoffrey Francis Mathews 21 Perth WA. VC shot Mathews during an early evening patrol on 8th February 1968. He died of his wounds at dawn the following day in 24 US Evacuation. Hospital, Long Binh. Buried Karrakatta Cemetery WA
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2Lt Leonard Alexander Taylor

3787987  TAYLOR Leonard Alexander, 22, a trainee sales representative from Sydney, NSW, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant six months after call up on February 2, 1966.  He extended his military service by 12 months and as a platoon commander with B Company, 3RAR, died of gunshot wounds in an enemy contact on February 8, 1968 in Long Dien, Phuoc Tuy.

On the 7 February. B Company 3RAR (Maj. HW Irwin) was tasked to secure the approaches to Baria on the west of the Song Dinh and on 8 February to support ARVN forces in clearing an enemy platoon from Long Dien.

After securing the bridge over the Song Dinh, B Company moved by ARVN transport on 8 February to Long Dien and by late morning had deployed to the south west of the town. Later that day, B Company was requested to search for a missing ARVN Battalion Commander and his US Army Adviser.

At 6.30 pm 5 Platoon (2Lt LA Taylor) made heavy contact with a VC platoon located in and around brick houses. During a fierce exchange the platoon suffered two dead (the Platoon Commander and the Platoon Signaler, Pte GR Godden) and 5 wounded, one of whom later died (Pte GF Mathews). Some 15 of the enemy were killed and one captured before the remainder of B Company arrived to assist.

OTU Scheyville
Death of a Scheyvillian – 2Lt Leonard Alexander Taylor, Class 1/66

3787987 Leonard Taylor was born on 16th August 1945 and was a trainee sales representative from Sydney. He was called up with the first intake in 1966 commencing Recruit Training on 2nd February. 16 days later he commenced his Officer Training at OTU. He graduated on 22nd July 1966 as Graduate 189 and was posted to 3 RAR. Len was due for discharge at the end of his 2 years on 1st February 1968, however, 3 RAR commenced its ‘Tour’ of Vietnam on 12th December and Len signed on for twelve months for the ‘Tour’. Len died from gunshot wounds on 8th February 1968 at Long Dien.

He is buried in the Box Hill Cemetery in Melbourne. 3 RAR’s ‘Tour’ ended on 5th December 1968.

The following information came via 3791271 Brian McKenzie, a Nasho who continued serving after his NS and retired as a Major in the Army Reserve’s 2 RVR, having served as a Company Commander at the Shepparton barracks. Brian’s ‘Tour’ with 3 RAR was from 20th December 1967 to 28th November 1968. For some time Brian was the President of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

CONTACT AFTER ACTION REPORT NO. 1 PART 1, PL SGT 5 PL, B COY, 5 RAR
Operation: LONG DIEN, Sub- sector 8 Feb 68 Strength of Pl in contact – 1 Offr, 24 ORs Date/Duration: 081830H – 1920H Feb 68 Location: YS 434587 Pl Task: To secure the LEFT flank at YS 433587 while 4 Pl searched in the area YS 431589 with two sections up. Approximately 40 metres to the front a figure dressed in greens was seen to run across the road from RIGHT to LEFT. All sections were informed and the platoon commander (Len Taylor) ran forward with his signaler (Nasho Geoff Mathews). Both forward sections were then engaged by heavy automatic fire from the front. This fire was immediately returned and voices were then heard calling ‘UC DA LOI, Don’t shoot, Don’t shoot, ARVN.’ The platoon stopped momentarily and the platoon commander stood up and was shot through the leg. At the same time 15 VC moved across the road from LEFT to RIGHT and deployed in front of the RIGHT forward section. This group of enemy was engaged. The rear section had deployed facing outwards on the LEFT flank and further VC were heard close to their location. The platoon was now under fire from front and two flanks. The RIGHT forward section commander advised the platoon commander that two of his section were wounded and was ordered to pull back. The LEFT forward section were then ordered to pull back and in doing so received three casualties.

At this time the platoon commander was killed and his signaller seriously shot through the head. Both the LEFT forward section and the rear section pulled back and deployed in rear of a large house. The RIGHT forward sections withdrew and met up with 6 platoon who had closed up in rear. The wounded were then treated and shortly afterwards the Company Commander and 4 Pl arrived.

Return to 3rd Battalion Roll of Honour Menu 1968

Ian James Thomson was born in Albury, New South Wales, on 19 December 1945 to Ted and Nancy Thomson. The eldest of five siblings, he and Wendy, Eddie, Harry and Nancy were raised on a farm at Thirlmere in Wollondilly Shire, just to the south-west of Campbelltown in New South Wales.

Ian loved a game of cricket with his mates, and he also loved motor cars and steam engines, having his own number of model steam engines.

Ian’s first car was a 2-tone blue FC Holden sedan and then after a few years saving sufficiently to purchase his first new car, a 1966 VW Beatle.

Ian often picked up hitch hikers and gave them a quick trip over Razorback Mountain north of Picton.  Different days then and country towns.  A contest of like-minded locals often tempted fate by doubling the recommended speed around the corners of Razorback Mountain in the day before the road was improved and redesigned.  A larrikin at heart.

Ian attended nearby Tahmoor Primary School, and then Picton High, where his favourite subject was metalwork. After finishing school, he went into the fitting and machining trade, and continued training as a toolmaker. He was also an active member of the Citizen Military Forces but deferred his starting date for national service with the Australian Army, allowing him to complete his civilian trade. His skills meant that he was given the opportunity to transfer to the Engineer Corps –but he chose to remain with the mates he’d trained with in the infantry.

Nicknamed “Thommo” and “Stretch”, Thomson was a generous young man who had concern and empathy for all. But he was also a larrikin.  He liked nothing better than to play a practical joke, and to be on the receiving end of one in return. He rolled Jaffa’s down the aisle at the movies, would be the first to jump off the highest rock at the waterhole, and first to ask a girl for a dance.

After basic, infantry and Jungle training, Thomson was sent to South Vietnam. He was first assigned was to the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and then from mid-November to mid-December 1967, headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force.  In April 1968. Ian Thomson was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment becoming a member of 2 Platoon, A Company.  Maj Hori Howard company commander.

Heavy fighting took place during in the Tet Offensive at the beginning of 1968, followed by a mini-Tet in May and June. During the second half of the year, the Australians were involved in a series of gruelling, lengthy operations aimed at destroying enemy units in Phuoc Tuy Province and driving them from their remote bases and sanctuaries. This was designed to give the Australians better control over the province through their planned security and pacification program.

Operation Capital commenced on 12 October 1968 in the north-eastern Thua Tich district of the province. It was a gruelling operation, patrolling daily through difficult terrain, including dense jungle, and in ceaseless rain. It was a multi-battalion operation of increasing intensity, supported by US infantry and armour. Most clashes with the Viet Cong were intermittent: fleeting contacts and occasional intense actions, usually involving attacks on enemy bunkers. Enemy parties ranged from small groups to an estimated full company. But when they sensed an advantage, the Viet Cong would stay and fight.

After one brief contact on the morning of 19 October, Thomson’s 2 Platoon was attacked by a company-sized enemy force, using at least three machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Thomson was on the heavy M-60 machine-gun with his mate, Lance Corporal Paul Richard Peter Van Rijsewijk. They quickly went to ground on the left flank and responded, pouring fire back at the Viet Cong, and keeping this larger enemy force from over-running the platoon.

But soon the enemy RPG rounds were directed into the trees above the pair, raining down shrapnel and splinters, seriously wounding both men. Despite this, Van Rijsewijk was able to indicate that both he and Thomson were still in the fight. With bravery and determination, they continued firing on the enemy. Platoon commander Second Lieutenant Peter Fraser called in artillery fire on the Viet Cong positions, and soon shells were exploding just metres in front of the Australians.

But then another volley of RPGs landed close by Thomson and Van Rijsewijk, and they were again hit. Two of their comrades, Privates Jessen and Bluzer, were able to crawl over to them, and between them managed to drag Ian Thomson and Paul Van Rijsewijk to a safer position.  First aid was given, but L/Cpl Paul Van Rijsewijk died soon afterwards.  With the help of two American helicopter gunships that put down suppressing fire, the platoon managed to withdraw to the relative safety of the company position. Ian Thomson, badly wounded but still alive and was carried out on a stretcher – but soon after arriving, he too died.  After four hours the Viet Cong broke contact and withdrew, leaving behind seven dead.  6 other Australians were wounded in the action.

Private Kevin Booth, who took over as section commander, was awarded the Military Medal for his actions that day. He later said that the medal belongs to the whole section and paid particular tribute to his two machine-gunners, Ian Thomson and Paul Van Rijsewijk, who held their position under heavy fire despite being wounded.  They had undoubtedly saved the platoon from being overrun by a superior force and had saved many of their mates’ lives.

Ian Thomson’s body was brought home and he was laid to rest in his hometown cemetery at Thirlmere. He was 22 years old when he was killed in action and with only 12 days remaining on his tour of duty.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Ian James Thomson, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Eulogy story above researched by Tony Cox www.3rar.com.au in conversation with Harry Thomson (Ian's brother) and with Last Post Ceremony notes and family comments.

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Lcpl. Paul Richard P. Vanrijsewijk

5715180 VAN RIJSEWIJK Paul Richard, 21, from Surrey, UK, was a sales clerk when called up on April 19, 1967.  He was posted to A Company, 3RAR as a rifleman lance corporal and was killed in action on October 19, 1968 in Phuoc Tuy during Operation Capital.

The following is an extract from "A Duty Done" by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Fred Fairhead

On 19 October A Company 3RAR was in a firm base with 2 Platoon deployed to an ambush position some 500 metres west. At about 8 am the platoon engaged a single enemy soldier and as the ambush position was now compromised Platoon began to redeploy; it was then engaged (8) by an estimated enemy company using RPGs, HMGs and automatic weapons The Platoon suffered several casualties from RPG shrapnel including a Section Commander who was replaced by the Section 2IC (LCpl KJ Booth) who took control of the MG Group which was immediately engaged by RPGs, fatally wounding two soldiers (LCpl PRP Van Rijsewijk and Pte IJ Thomson). Artillery fire and a US Army Light Fire Team supported the Platoon in breaking contact with 1 Platoon (2Lt NM Bell) providing covering fire for 2 Platoon to withdraw to the Company position. Some twenty enemy were killed in the contact which lasted about four hours.

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