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Gavin enlisted at the age of 20 and attended Officer Cadet School (OCS) at Portsea on the 14th of January 1954. He was born in Crystal Brook, South Australia but very little is known of his pre-Army life.
His early postings included 1st Field Regiment after graduation from Portsea, and the School of Artillery for initial artillery training. He also rates a mention at 11 National Service Training Battalion (NSTB). In May 1957, he was posted again to 1st Field Regiment and in 1958 was appointed Assistant Adjutant.
In October 1959, Gavin deployed to Malaya with 101 Field Battery and was appointed Gun Position Officer (GPO) of Charlie Troop. In late1960, Gavin spent time with 26th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, remaining with that unit until his return to Australia in September 1961.
Gavin’s technical expertise was obviously noted and he spent several years as an Instructor Gunnery (IG) at the School of Artillery at North Head.
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In 1964, Gavin was posted to the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill in the UK. He completed this assignment and returned to the School of Artillery North Head on promotion to Major.
In February 1968 Gavin deployed to South Vietnam with 12th Field Regiment as Battery Commander (BC) of 102 Field Battery. For his service as BC, Gavin was made a Member of the British Empire, (MBE). His citation, in part, records: “By long and arduous hours of close supervision in the 1st Battalion Fire Control Centre, Major Andrews has been responsible for ensuring the safety of all Artillery and Mortar fire, supporting friendly troops. His technical knowledge, intelligence and meticulous attention to detail have been responsible for accurate procedures used for fire control during which more than fifty thousand rounds of supporting fire have been used.”
Gavin Andrews died on the 30th of August 1989, at the very young age of 55. |
