Just over three years later in August 1966, John was rewarded with promotion and appointed commanding officer of the Joint Tropic Trials Unit (JTTU) at Cowley Beach in north Queensland. This was a unique challenge for Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey and his technical and practical field experience was tried and tested with the many equipment research problems encountered. But all too soon the king and his kingdom were separated—John was posted to the directing staff at the Australian Staff College, Queenscliff. Being on the staff was less intensive than John’s previous time as a student and he slipped comfortably into work, the social life and had some time to enjoy his passion for golf.

In December 1970, John was appointed commanding officer of 1st Field Regiment and issued the challenge of preparing it for active service in Vietnam. It was a real ‘start  from scratch’ and would be manned by about 70 percent National Servicemen. However, Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey had a nucleus of good and experienced officers to help— Majors IGA (Iain) Macinnis, MR (Mick) Hawkins and Captains GC (Gerry) Davies, JR (Jim) Jauncey and KBJ (Kerry) Mellor. One of his battery commanders at that time, Mick Hawkins had what he called a ‘special relationship’ with his CO, having been a troop commander when John commanded the 111th. He reminisced, ‘He was one of those rare people who demonstrated total loyalty up, down and sideways. John may be gone, but  he lives on in the good aspects of those he mentored and motivated, and I am lucky to be one of them.’

By November 1972, Humphrey was satisfied that he had a good unit ready for service in Vietnam next year. Then came the federal election on 2 December when the Liberals were tipped out of office by Labor, National Service ceased, Australian service personnel were brought home from Vietnam and virtually 70 percent of 1st Field Regiment marched out. Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey’s chance to command an RAA unit on active service was not to be.

John was given a ‘Special Duties’ job at Headquarters Northern Command for  ten months till the post Vietnam reorganisation of the Army settled, then posted to the new Headquarters Logistic Command in Melbourne. Rather than break up the family during vital years of the children’s education, John went to Melbourne unaccompanied. This proved to be a wise decision because 12 months later, Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey was posted back to Brisbane into the fledgling Headquarters Royal Australian Artillery (HQ RAA) 1st Division. An added bonus was the fact that the commander of 1st Division was Major General RL (Ron) Hughes CBE DSO, John’s old commanding officer from his Korea days.

Re-raising HQ RAA included taking technical control of the three Regular field artillery units. John was supported by Divisional Instructor in Gunnery Captain AR (Arthur)  Burke, Divisional Artillery Sergeant Major WO1 TP (Tom) Banfield and a bombardier clerk. It was a strong team who developed and introduced training evaluation objectives, and re-raised a quasi HQ RAA 1st Division for exercise purposes. John would often ‘disappear’ during the day for an hour at a time. After a while, his staff twigged that he would be reminiscing with the General about Hill 75 in Korea and refighting their old battles. No one really minded as John always came back to his office beaming and full of bonhomie.

But despite all this, John and Olwen’s hearts were in Brisbane with their children, the warmer climate and the relaxed lifestyle. After two and one half years as DArty, John refused an overseas posting and decided it was time to hang up his spurs. He discharged on 12 March 1979 after 31 years dedicated, professional and meritorious service and retired to the family home in Ascot, Brisbane.

In retirement, John and Olwen enjoyed their membership at the Royal Queensland Golf Club as they entered their twilight years. John had always been keen on history and now had the opportunity to write a book on service in Korea—an unpublished manuscript which gave the family a true insight into his earlier life as a soldier. He became a life subscriber of the RAA Association of Queensland, regularly attended the Olds and Bolds Gunner Luncheons at Victoria Barracks and was one of the foundation members of the annual United States Marine Corps (USMC) Birthday Luncheons at the Brisbane Club.

From my personal point of view, John and I began a very close friendship during our  time at HQ RAA 1st Division. It was from him that I developed a passion for military history which I am still enjoying. When I  was appointed Colonel Commandant RAA for Queensland in 2003, John was one of my wise confidants whenever I had a thorny problem. His sage advice was always just so correct. Early retirement enabled John to be a loving and attentive grandpa to his five grandchildren and he embraced email in its early stages with a Hotmail handle ‘cybergrandpa’. When the family house at Ascot became too big for just the two of them, John and Olwen built a smaller home on the property they owned next door. Sadly, three years ago following successful open heart surgery, John suffered a major stroke from which he was not expected to survive. In his inimitable fashion though, he surprised the medical experts by not just beating the odds, but determinedly recovering sufficiently to move back home and live independently for a further 14 months. After another health episode in 2014 he and Olwen moved to an aged care residence in Yeronga on the south side of Brisbane.