Scheyvillians

The next ‘The Scheyvillian’ newsletter is due out in early August.

Contributions need to be with the Editor by 21 July 2023.

Specific information on any upcoming Vietnam Veterans Day activities for the chapters (and paragraphs) would be appreciated.

The OTU Website has some 60 names on the ‘Deceased List’ with no details on the death of those Scheyvillians. For those where some information has been found a ‘Catch-Up’ Vale will be published in this upcoming edition. The Scheyvillian version of the Vale will be uploaded onto the website. If you have information (perhaps post-Army work, family, sports or hobbies) not given in that Vale, please forward it to the Editor so that an updated Vale can be placed on the website. Members are encouraged to look at the Deceased List and notify the Editor of any information on members who do not have a Vale on the website. Note: On the website, any name shown in blue bold has an entry!

Neil Leckie

Editor

The Scheyvillian

0400 573 802

nkaleckie@optusnet.com.au

Dear Victorian Scheyvillians, as part of the Commemoration Program of the 50^th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a Vigil is being arranged throughout Australia at the gravesides of those who lost their lives in that conflict. This is being done through the auspices of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

2Lt Len Taylor was one of the eight OTU graduates killed on Active Service. A Platoon Commander with B Company, 3RAR, Leonard died of wounds in an enemy contact on February 8^th, 1968, in Long Dien, Phuoc Tuy Province. He is buried in Box Hill Cemetery.

His vigil is to take place at 11:am on Thursday 3^rd August at the Box Hill Cemetery. It will take the form of a short service followed by the laying of a wreath. A luncheon will follow at the Box Hill RSL.

Timing: 10:45 Assemble outside the office of Box Hill Cemetery, 395 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill, then head to the graveside for the service.

Dress: Lounge Suit or Reefer Jacket, Tie (OTU if possible).

Medals: Scheyvillians are encouraged to wear their medals.

Please advise Andrew Guest by COB 27 July of your intention to attend the service and whether you will be having lunch at the Box Hill RSL.

Andrew Guest    Andrew.g.guest@gmail.com

Phone  0455 866 300

Frank Miller

Chairman, OTU Association.

In 1966 the government realised that country lads who lived away from major centres, where there was a CMF ‘Drill Hall’, could not take up the option of serving in the CMF for six years in lieu of going in the Ballot, so each mainland state raised a ‘Special Conditions’ Infantry Battalion. Each CMF ‘Nasho’ had to serve 33 days a year, minimum, for those six years. The days could be done in a 33-day block, or a split into two periods of 16 and 17 days. Victoria’s ‘Special Conditions’ Battalion was 22 RVR. Tasmanians trained with 22 RVR. Originally 22 RVR was based in Richmond, in Melbourne, but held its two annual camps at Puckapunyal. However, in 1969 22 RVR moved into a permanent home at ‘S’ Block, Puckapunyal, just across the creek from C Company, 2 RTB. 22 RVR closed in June 1975. Scheyville graduates Paul Ford and Neil Leckie both served with 22 RVR Post-NS.

In 1988 an Ex 22 RVR Association was formed. The association still runs and holds an annual weekend on, or about, 22 October each year.

This year the annual weekend will be held in the Geelong area. The association is looking for a Guest Speaker for its dinner on Saturday 21 October. It would be good to have a Scheyville graduate, especially one who served on and attended the nearby Queenscliff Command and Staff College, as the Guest Speaker.

Anyone who would like to take on this task, please contact Neil Leckie on 0400 573 802 or at nkaleckie@optusnet.com.au

Dinner will be provided for any Guest Speaker and his partner.