Geoffrey Robert LOCKE

Geoffrey Robert LOCKE Update Details

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LOCKE, Geoffrey Robert

Service Number:	39161
Enlisted:	6 January 1967
Last Rank:	Second Lieutenant
Last Unit:	9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR)
Born:	Launceston, Tasmania, Australia , 14 October 1946
Home Town:	Launceston, Launceston, Tasmania
Schooling:	School Captain at Launceston Church Grammar in 1965.
Occupation:	Trainee Executive
Died:	Accidental, South Vietnam, South Vietnam, Vietnam, 9 May 1969, aged 22 years
Cemetery:	Carr Villa Memorial Park, Tasmania Garden of Remembrance, Carr Villa Cemetery, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Devonport Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Grafton Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Kallangur Vietnam Veterans' Place, Officer Cadet School Portsea Memorial, Port Pirie Vietnam Veterans Honour Wall, Seymour Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk Roll of Honour, Sydney 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam Killed on Active Service Plaque

Vietnam War Service

6 Jan 1967:	Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Officer Cadet, 39161, Army Training Units
9 Dec 1967:	Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Second Lieutenant, Army Training Units, Commissioned Officer Cadet School (OCS) Portsea
4 Nov 1968:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Second Lieutenant, 39161, 9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR), KIA 9 May 1969
4 Nov 1968:	Involvement 39161

Geoff Locke

Geoff was my school captain. Launceston Grammar - 1965.
Geoff was always going to be a soldier. The top dog in the cadets.
His trick was to lift two 303 rifles - only holding the bayonet bit at the end - simultaneously with right and left arms perfectly straight.
He was a big strong boy.
My marble didn't come up. I have felt slightly guilty for 50 odd years.
We had a school 40 year reunion. Geoff's mother and sister came. Geoff's sister spoke. She said it was very sad for her mother, looking at these aging men with children (and grandchildren). That was the thing she felt saddest about Geoff's death, all those years later. No Geoff, no grandchildren.
Most of us cried.
Of course a waste.
To Geoff.

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