Warrant Officer Class Two Stephen 'Stretch' Williamson enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1975 and after recruit and initial employment training he was posted to 1st Field Regiment, where he was employed as a gun number, driver and operator command post as a gunner and bombardier. He qualified in Survey in 1981 and 1982 and he was posted to P&EE Port Wakefield.
Returning to 1st Field Regiment in 1983 and promoted sergeant in 1984 to 4th Field Regiment as an operator command post sergeant. By 1986, he had commenced training as a quartermaster and posted as a staff sergeant quartermaster sergeant at 7th Field Regiment in1987 returning to 4th Field Regiment, now as a battery quartermaster sergeant in 1991. In 1993 he served with 7th Field Battery and promoted warrant officer class two transferring to the Army Reserve in 1995 and remaining with 7th Field Battery until he completed his service in 1996. He had remained RAA throughout his career and did not transfer to RAAOC.
Warrant Officer Class Two Stephen 'Stretch' Williamson died in Perth on 26th July 2009 after losing his battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to have served and laughed with him over the years. Sadly, we have lost another character of the RAA. Vale ‘Stretch’. |