Terence Bertram Kliese was born in Toowoomba, Queensland on 1 March 1938. He enlisted in the Army in 1961 and was posted to the 105th Field Battery in the fledgling 4th Field Regiment RAA at Wacol, Brisbane.
By 1965, he was a bombardier ack in Captain Ken Bade’s observer party, the posting he held when the 105th became the first Australian artillery unit to serve in the Vietnam War. On return to Australia, he remained with the battery until it began preparing for its second tour of Vietnam.
Terry then served in the 11th Field Regiment RAA, a CMF unit in Brisbane as an assistant instructor. He rose to the rank of warrant officer class two and took discharge after 20 years in 1981.
I only worked with Terry when posted to the 105th in early 1068. As the Gun Position Officer, I was impressed by his professional approach to duties, his depth of technical knowledge and his easy going and friendly nature.
Terry was called for higher duties suddenly – a heart attack whilst working at his local Meals on Wheels in Brisbane on 9 February 2015. He is survived by his widow Peggy and four adult children and their families.
Vale Terry Kliese – gunner, professional soldier, loving family mane. Gone to the Great Gun Park up above at 77 years of age |
