In 1955 Jack moved to Australia and enlisted in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) on 3 August 1955. He was allocated to Artillery and initially posted to the School of Artillery at North Head until 1956.  He spent two years as an instructor at both 12 and 11 National Service Training Battalions (NS Trg Btn) in Wacol, Brisbane where he was promoted to Bombardier. Jack married Fran in 1956 and they had three children Linda, Terry and Brenda.

In 1960 Jack was posted to 4 Field Regiment which was in the processed on being raised in the old 11 NS Trg Btn barracks at Wacol. In 1961 Jack was promoted to Sergeant and deployed to Malaya with 103 Field Battery as part of 26 Field Regiment Royal Artillery (RA), part of the Far Eastern strategic Reserve stationed at Camp Terendak, Malacca.  Fran and the three children accompanied Jack to Malaya. Jack returned to Wacol in 1963 and was promoted Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2). In 1965 Jack deployed to South Vietnam with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). Jack spent more time with 4 Field Regiment before a posting to 7 Field Regiment, Dee Why in Sydney in 1967 followed by another posting to 1 Field Regiment later that year. Jack was posted to Head Quarters Northern Command from 1967 until 1971 and in 1972 he transferred to the School of Army Aviation until 1975. Jack discharged from the ARA on 4 August 1975.

After Jack’s first marriage ended, Jack married Gloria, and they also had three children John, Tui, and Adam. After Army life, Jack became very active with Ballina Legacy, was a welfare officer for totally and permanently incapacitated veterans. He was also a member of the Queensland Branch of the AATV, Far North Coast sub branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and the Korea, South East Asia Vietnam Veterans North Coast Association.

During his Military Service, Jack was awarded the Korea Medal and United Nations Service Medal with Korea Clasp and Mentioned in Despatches while in the New Zealand Army. For service in the Australian Army, he received:


Jack passed away on the 9th of October 2003.

• Vietnam Medal
• Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star
• Defence Force Service Medal
• Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Unit Citation of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, with Palm Emblem of the United States Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Infantry Combat Badge, and
• Returned from Active Service Badge.
  
  
  Acknowledgements:

• Ron Haskard for his assistance in contact with the family.
• Warrant Officer Class Two David English, Sergeant Major School of Aviation (1997).
• 4th Field Regiment Historical Guide by Arthur Burke.