|
9RAR was the youngest battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment. LTCOL
A.L. (Alby)
Morrison formed the battalion on 13th November 1967 at Woodside, in South Australia and
completed its raising and training in nine months. The unit left Australia for service in
Vietnam, fully trained and operational, in November 1968. In Australia the battalion trained in Woodside, Cultana and the
Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Specialist platoons of the battalion trained in New
South Wales. All soldiers underwent the compulsory individual training in Canungra and the
battalion successfully completed its testing exercise in Shoalwater Bay in
Queensland.
In addition, in order to meet deadlines for
the time of departure for Vietnam, the battalion found it necessary to complete, in unit
lines, the basic-to-corps training of 140 of its national servicemen. As a result, these
national servicemen were trained and allotted to companies some seven weeks earlier than
if they had followed the normal training system. It was a very valuable saving of time.
During its tour of duty in South Vietnam
the battalion took part in twelve main operations over four provinces. In broad terms
these covered: -
 |
operations
involving the location and destruction of major enemy force groups and their supply bases; |
|
operations aimed
at denying enemy Main Force elements access to large installations in the Bien Hoa and
Xuyen Moc areas; |
|
pacification
tasks - in conjunction with local authorities and South Vietnamese forces - to train local
forces to protect the civilian population and to isolate the enemy from the population. |
9RAR continued on operations until it left
South Vietnam on 28 November 1969. It had many heavy contacts with the enemy during its
tour of duty and sadly, 35 of its members were killed and over 150 were wounded in action.
The battalions service in Vietnam resulted in the award of one DSO, two MC’s, seven
MM’s and eight MID’s to members of the battalion.
On return to Australia in December 1969 the
battalion reformed at Enoggera under the command of LTCOL E.R. Phillip. 9RAR was the
"next to go" again when Australia’s commitment in South Vietnam finished.
The battalion remained in Enoggera until it
was linked with 8RAR to form 8/9RAR on 31 October 1973. Sadly, on Friday 13th June 1997,
8/9RAR was disbanded. On Wednesday 17th June 1997 the former CO Albie Morrison, the
President of the 9RAR Association (NSW), a representative from the 9RAR Association
(QLD),
several foundation members of 9RAR and many members of 8RAR paid a final tribute to the
Queens and Regimental Colours of both battalions before they were laid up at the Infantry
Centre Corps museum at Singleton. |
