Families began arriving in January 1956, initially accommodated in a hotel in Penang and eventually in new married quarters nearby. Despite her husband’s long absences, with house help and the camaraderie of other Aussie wives, Gwen stoically brought up the expanding family which would eventually reach five children.
In late 1957, life at peace began again at Holsworthy. Parades, salutes, exercises, painting rocks white and so on can be a boring change after overseas service and, for his sins, Rex Taylor did his fair share of CB drills on the parade ground, dixie bashing and extra guards.
However, the year 1959 brought an end to Australia’s compulsory National Service for 18 year olds and the next year the Regular Army began to expand. The Artillery spawned a new unit titled 4th Field Regiment at Wacol and Rex’s 105th Battery moved up from Sydney to join it. Married quarters in former migrant camp housing were not exactly a tropical dream for their growing family, but Gwen and Rex made the most of it. Retired Colonel Don Tait OAM recalls:
“On my first day in the Gunner world on 17 July 1961 I met Rex. He was a gun sergeant in Charlie Troop of 105th Field Battery. Together with the other three gun sergeants [Ray Pratt, Ken Buhmann and Okker Burnie], he gave me hell for the first three months but he [also] taught me a hell of a lot about man management and gunnery. I must say that anything I touched in those initial three months did not work. However, at the end of the three months he took me aside and said, You learn fast and from now on, everything will turn out well. And it did because he and the other sergeants made sure it did. I didn’t get an extra orderly officer for several months [after that].”
Rex could organise just about anything. A gun number at the time, former Warrant Officer Ian James recounts during Exercise Tropic Holiday in the Townsville area, the guns were to be dug in. Rex immediately took charge with the cry – “Let’s all do this together, one gun at a time starting with mine.” His pit was completed in record time and the gunners moved on to the next. Strangely, Rex was not to be found till after the last gun pit was completed.
It was now time for Sergeant Rex to pass on his knowledge and experience to a wider audienceC1964 found him posted to the School of Artillery. Though a fearsome figure to new recruits and young officers, Rex always recognised conscious effort and would go out of his way to assist those who sought knowledge. This posting also gave him the opportunity to improve his technical gunnery knowledge and prepare him for his next job.
Meanwhile, Gwen enjoyed this posting back in her old stomping grounds of Sydney and, although her husband did not go away for long periods during this time, his hours of work still left her to manage all the children most of the time.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel David Brook was appointed adjutant of the Citizens Military Force (CMF) 13th Field Regiment in Adelaide in 1969 and tells how the Regular Army cadre staff consisted of both the brothers Taylor as warrant officer instructors, and Frank Pellatt as the RSM. “Frank was excellent [value] as were Rex and Tubby, but at the same time, [the brothers] were buggers! David recalls, “I had just returned from Vietnam and in my first week at 13th Field, they invited me for a Welcome Home drink at the Newmarket Hotel. I proudly drove my new MGB to the pub and after one [or ten] beers, they told me that each glass had a rum chaser in it. That was the time to leave and I hopped into my new MGB and promptly drove into a concrete post shattering the left headlight. Next morning the [brothers Taylor] were very sorrowful, but said that it was a Agood night and Welcome Home.”
The war in Vietnam reached a pinnacle for Australian commitment about this time and the Training Team was seeking experienced warrant officers to fill its ranks. Rex readily accepted an appointment to The Team in July 1970. Rex served in Hai Lang sub-sector RF, Quang Tri, then Mar – Apr 71 with MAT 22, Quang Ngai, May 71 with MATT 12, Quang Ngai and Jun – Jul 71 at HQ AATTV Danang. RTA 29 Jul 71.
In the words of his close friend Barry Long: “Rex Taylor, Royal Australian Artillery, Order of Australia Medal, Infantry Combat Badge (issued with P Plate due to his RAA connection) and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with bronze star. A distinguished soldier who was loved by all as a great raconteur of somewhat greyed out truths (who was) affectionately known by some as T Rex. He was my brother-in-arms, a brother borne initially in Canungra during the trials and tribulations of an Advisors= Course and then bonded in the same area of northern I Corps, Vietnam where we battled not just enemy activities (which proved more often than desired) but isolation from our other Australian brothers. Rex did this with a larrikin approach which actually endeared him to both the American and Vietnamese forces.”
Former Warrant Officer Paddy Durnford tells Rex’s story about the time he borrowed a rather clean looking Jeep which turned out to belong to a very senior US general. In true form, Rex got away with it by promptly returning the vehicle [after he had finished with it], Paddy concluded. Barry Long continues: “Three Team members, Rex, Des Pryde and I all served in the same area at the same time in Vietnam. We were of the same age (all within three months), Des being the oldest and Rex always eulogising that he was the youngest. Back home in Australia once again, we found ourselves posted to West Australia and so close in accommodation that the same pub was our meeting place and where our families also formed a lasting relationship.”
By now, a Taylor team of five children were all in tow and Gwen was hoping for a few years of stability in Perth. The Big Man must have heard her prayers for, though Rex began at 3rd Field Regiment as a warrant officer instructor, he was promoted and appointed the unit’s RSM in 1973, thus extending his time in Perth.
With galloping horses on his sleeves and his freshly issued pace stick under his arm, RSM Rex really strutted his stuff. Retired Colonel Don Rae AM was the unit’s commanding officer at this time and remembers the great job Rex did and the close friendship that they developed. Don also recalls: “When he left on appointment as 1st Field Regiments RSM in Brisbane, he conned me into writing off his pace stick as he badly wanted his own personal accoutrement. I somehow found a good reason and complied. Years later when he was visiting Perth for an AATTV reunion, he and I would share an ale and he would recount many of his amusing stories they became more embellished as the night progressed.”
Then there was the story of the commanding officer who, whilst talking to a 6 RAR sergeant at a rugby match learnt that the 6 RAR sergeants had enjoyed a most hospitable night at Rex’s Sergeants’ Mess last Friday, but regretted not being able to make this Friday when there would be topless waitresses. “2IC” said the CO on return to his office, March in the RSM.” ““Listen RSM” the CO said, “you might be at the pinnacle of your career, but I am not at the top of mine. Don’t ruin my plans.” For the record, there were no topless waitresses that Friday evening.
RSM Rex always fostered cordial relationships between the officers and senior NCOs in the unit. So, at another games night in the Sergeants Mess, some of the officers had been invited. Drinks flowed aplenty and retired Lieutenant Colonel Ian McNaughton vividly recalls Rex dancing with several of his fellow officers. Of course, all fronted for work the next day with appropriate compliments and greetings being exchanged. And finally about his RSM posting, whilst the CO was out of town, it was reported to the 2IC (later Colonel Don Tait OAM) that the RSM’s driver had been caught speeding by the Military Police and was to be charged forthwith. Don vividly remembers Rex marching in the culprit to face his charge and the RSM requesting a brief respite as the driver did not accept the Provo’s written statement and wanted them to give evidence in person. The Military Policemen duly arrived, spent a few minutes in the RSM’s office, the Orderly Room was reconvened and the senior corporal reported. A grave mistake has been made it not only was not the RSM’s driver in the vehicle, but the vehicle did not even belong to 1st Field Regiment. Oh the power of RSM Rex!
Rex was always fiercely proud of being the RSM of 1st Field Regiment and for his meritorious service, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 1978 Australia Day Honours.
The children were growing fast and Gwen and Rex decided it was important to remain in a static location. Fortunately, the 1st Division Artillery Sergeant Major’s position in Brisbane became available and Rex was appointed. Rex said this potentially put him in the running to be the first RSM of the Army, but the power of the Infantry prevailed and Wally Thompson OAM took the prize. Rex said he was offered a desk job in Canberra for two years with a possibility of taking over from Wally. However, the thought of driving a Canberra desk was abhorrent to the old warrior and he hung up his pace stick on 8 January 1979.
Rex did six months Army Reserve work with 5th/11th Field Regiment in 1981, but then decided this was not for him.
When he was selling nail guns, now retired Brigadier Jim Townley AM visited Brisbane on business. He stayed at the Victoria Barracks Mess and invited his old RSM Taylor in for a drink after work. Several beers later, Rex invited Jim home for dinner, most probably without Gwen being informed. Following several pub stops along the way, they duly arrived. It was a grand meal for such short notice and afterwards Rex insisted on playing Royal Artillery marches at full volume whilst he and Jim marched around the family room, Rex with his pace stick under his arm, fiercely proud of having been the RSM of his ‘premier’ Regiment.
Rex Taylor always remembered his roots and his war service unitsChe was a member of the 105th Battery and the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) Associations. He would march in Brisbane’s ANZAC Day Parade with the AATTV and then double up with 105th Battery. As the years took their toll, Rex would wait outside a pub on the Creek Street final leg of the march with a beer in his hand and shout as we marched past, “C’ mon 105 ... c’mon the Tigers.”
So how does one sum up the Army career of Rex Taylor? Retired Colonel Don Quinn AM describes him as a loveable larrikin, a natural leader and an inspiration to younger soldiers and junior officers. His AATTV mate Barry Long’s words are also most fitting:
“Rex retired in Queensland and me in WA. But distance was no barrier as we would meet on occasions when Elsie and I would travel to Canungra for the annual Team Birthday ceremony ... in between Rex and I would phone the other, just to check on progress. The bond of wartime is very strong and is only broken by death. When Rex found he had just a short time to go, I did not hesitate to fly over to shake his hand and, with Des Pryde, have a couple of beers in between his many cigarettes. We told some terrible lies about each other, but I felt this would be better than to travel so far and attend his funeralCI know he appreciated this greatly.”
Rex and Gwen enjoyed their retirement years as usual, by having a bet smoke a beer or a rum or two. They enjoy having many friends and gatherings at their place at Oxley - remembering there times in the army and decorating the house accordingly. They enjoyed family get-togethers and were so proud of their eight grand children and 13 great grand kids. Rex also enjoyed the days spent up in Canungra with the AATTV annual luncheon. (Rex’s family will be placing a plaque on his tree in the near future.) Rex also enjoyed watching his grandsons play rugby for the Wallabies and ADF rugby.
In his later years, Rex worked in various jobs post his military life which included Paslow Nailing Guns where he was the Australasian sales representative, and Premier Auctions. Rex also did a stint as taxi driver and warehouse manager of Nutrimetics.
Rex was devastated after the death of Gwen in 2005 but always had the support of his family to get him by. Rex was sent off in style. The chapel was packed inside and outside around all the verandas - almost onto the lawns. The Wake afterwards at the Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL was still going strong when Arthur Burke, Boorie Macdonald, Kev Salter and Ian James left at 1800hrs. It was a great gathering of members of the Royal Regiment - just such a shame that we seem only to meet like that at funerals these days.
Acknowledgements:
- Arthur Burke for his Military Eulogy at the funeral of Rex Taylor
- Karen Mitchell, Rex’s daughter
- Members of the AATTV Association
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