Originally from Derbyshire, England, Col migrated to Australia with family and eventually joined the Australian Army and was allocated to the RAA.
Col served in Malaysia from 1965 to 1967 with A Field Battery. He later served in Vietnam with 104th Battery of 12th Field Regiment from 27 May 1968 until 11 May 1969.
Long term friend and Malaysian veteran himself, Laurie Bird recalls: Col was also my “Best Man” for my wedding to Cherie in 1971. His passion was writing poetry, which I with many others considered to be professional. I last visited Col at his and his wife’s residence at Glenreagh NSW about 5 years ago and both Cherie and myself spent many days with him at that time. He was very much the loner type as a result of his hard life’s experiences when his family immigrated to Australia when he was young. I too was shocked to hear that he had died and I suspect that his wife Karen has died from ill health as she had experienced bad health.
Col will also be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the book ‘Mission in Vietnam’ (The tour in Vietnam of 4RAR/NZ and 104 Field Battery June 1968-May1969).
In the end, Colin had an extremely aggressive liver cancer and had been given only weeks to live. He spent his last days at home with his beloved wife Karen, and children Sharon and Kylie and many of his grandchildren.
Acknowledgements:
• J F (Frank) Corcoran JP F Fin, Editor of the Germ Journal of 104th Battery.
• Laurie Bird. |
