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Remembering ALL Our Fallen
Reunion
project to collect photos of all email
the photo
here
link to more news from 2020 |
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W3 Website Security
Update - webmaster 19 August 2021. The W3 website has a security update that changes the URL (address). You can update by clicking this link https://w3vietnam.org.nz/ then deleting the old one. The change is in the HTTP bit at the start with the S designating a secure site - look for the S if unsure - https://w3. If the old link is in your task bar Favourites right click on it and delete. |
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 NOTICAS
Fatal 727583 Pte Roger Joseph Greenaway 2Pl - webmaster
[24 October 2021]Roger's son Luke advises that Roger passed away 21 September 2021 from heart failure while training for his second Ironman at age 75. Roger is survived by his wife, Mihingarangi Greenaway who still lives in Turangi, his 10 children and 24 grandchildren aged between 2 and 53yrs old. Roger's tangi was held at Pakira Marae Waitahanui near Taupo, and he is buried in the urupa at 11 Whetu Place Taupo. Rogers unveiling will be held approx 1 year after his death, and any Whisky 3 friends will be most welcome, contact Luke Greenaway. |
  Commemorating
Pte Tom Cooper 3Pl - died of wounds [11 October
1970]On 10 October 1970 3 Platoon suffered a 'blue on blue' accident when one element fired on another element by mistake. Friendly fire killed Pte Tom Cooper, crippled Pte Ian Herd and wounded LCpl William Samson and Pte Ross Dunlea. The accident cast a pall over the otherwise successful W3 tour and left the company personnel traumatised, saddened and frustrated. Tom was struck a glancing blow to the head by a bullet. He was winched with the three other wounded from the accident site by US Army 'dustoff' helicopter about 40 minutes after being wounded and flown to the Australian Field Hospital at Vung Tau. Unconscious, Tom’s condition was assessed as critical and needing immediate specialist treatment and he remained on the helicopter which then flew him to the US Hospital at Long Binh. Tom died of his wound sometime on 11 October 1970. When returned to New Zealand Tom's body lay in state for three days on the Te Awamarahi Marae [Tuakau, Port Waikato] before, on the Maori Queen’s orders, being buried in the Royal Graveyard on the sacred Taupiri Mountain above SHW1 in the Waikato. Tom’s sister Liz recollects that Tom was buried with full military honours including gun carriage and graveside volleys. |
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National Reunion Postponed
until Early 2022 - webmaster [18 September 2021] Reunion Committee is advising that the Christchurch Reunion in December is postponed until 15 - 18 February 2022. Covid has complicated arrangements - materials to finish the Convention Centre venue are held-up in Auckland, and there are doubts around new restrictions for Covid levels allowing large gatherings. 2/1RNZIR have advised that under Level 2 they are unable to host the gathering. But a bit of optimism - the new dates might allow Australian-based veterans to attend. Organisers will follow-up with hotels about continuing any reunion deals and fees will carry over unless individuals request a refund from the reunion treasurer. treasurer@nzvietnamveterans.org.nz Refunds for flights, accommodation and other advanced booking are left to individual veterans/whanau to manage. |
NOTICAS FATAL 940901 Pte
Lawrence Hugh Rangiwai 2Pl - webmaster [updated 11
August 2021]
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PROGRAMME FOR NZVVA 2021 NATIONAL REUNION - Webmaster [1 August 2021] Location Christchurch 15 - 18 February 2022 Day 01 –
Day 02 –
Day 03 –
Day 04 –
Registration Form - $50 discount if registered by 1 September.. Accommodation deals in March Contact |
 Commemorating
John Gurnick 3Pl - died of wounds 29 May 1970John was cover scout for 3Pl on 29 May 1970 when a booby trap was missed and he and Chris Kennedy were wounded, John dying of his wounds while in the CASEVAC Iroquois. Chris recovered after a period in 1AFH and returned to 3Pl for the remainder of the tour. A brief description of the event is here, the after-action report here, and the timeline here. |
NOTICAS FATAL 543240 Pte
Waehapara Lucky Atatu 1Pl - webmaster [2 April 2021] |
  Commemorating
David Wright 2Pl - died of wounds 19 March 1970Pte David Wright [left] succumbed to secondary infections [likely renal failure] from his earlier wounds in January and died in Concord Repatriation Hospital Sydney on 19 March 1970. Dave had been well enough by early March 1970 to be writing from Concord to friends in W3 and his death was sudden and unexpected, so sudden that a last letter was received in SVN after news of his death. Dave is buried in Esk Valley South Canterbury; his grave was visited during the W3 2015 Reunion in Timaru and regularly by other veterans. |
NOTICAS
FATAL 308185 LCpl David Condon mortars -
webmaster [updated 30 January 2021] Mark
Binning advises that Dave Condon passed away 23 November 2020 after a long
spell in hospital. He had been struggling to eat among
other issues. Dave had prior service in Borneo
and with 161 Bty RNZA in South Vietnam. Ann has family
support.
Dave’s wife Ann advises the
following details for Dave's memorial service: Dave has been cremated but will be buried in the services section of the Dargaville Cemetery once his step son and daughter can visit from the UK.
Mark Binning:
Dave’s service
was attended by around 70 people including Evan & Zilla
Torrance, Fran and myself, Mike Morrison and Stu Cameron.
Other veterans were also present. Mike and I spoke about
our time together with Dave in Vietnam and our association
with Dave both prior to and after Vietnam. Dave's widow
Ann was very pleased with the turn out and mentioned that Dave
had thoroughly enjoyed his 20 year Army service and was always
keen to maintain contact with his army mates.
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link to more news from 2020 - news archive |
