Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sergeant Lindsay Elgar was a well liked and competent NCO of 102 Field Battery.  He is best described through the testimomals given at his funeral:

1. RSM Les Partridge: Algie was an unassuming Gunner but trained his Gun Crew to the utmost of his ability and to such an extent that they became one of the best in the Regiment.  He taught them not only to be excellent gunners but inspired that other great Aussie tradition, to become MATES and this friendship has lasted over 40 years.  This was evident by the fact that at each Battery or Regimental Reunion, the members of Charlie Gun Detachment were there to be with him and to show that love and respct that endeared him to his Gunners.

2. Captain David Brook: At the time of Coral, I was Battery Captain of the battery and a such, I commanded the gun position.  There is no doube that in my mind, Algie and Charlie Gun were the most professional of all and this was achieved by Algie instilling in all members of the detachment that 'near enough is never good enough'.  He was a true 'Gentleman of the Artillery'.

3.  Glen Elgar (brother):  After his discharge from the army, Lindsay worked as a cleaner for the North Rockhampton Nursing Home for 22 years but he was more than just a cleaner.  He was President of the Friends of the North Rockhampton Nursing Home and worked tirelessly to raise money to make life comfortable for the patients in the home.  He was much loved by his work colleagures who continued to keep in touch aftr his retirement.

Lindsay also served as a volunteer for Rockhampton Legacy and was a great favourite of the widows of the Laurel Club Ladies.  As a Legatee, he would visit newly widowed ladies to help them through the mountain of paper work and strong friendships were formed.  He was a member of Legacy from 1991 until his untimely death in 2009

4. Letter from Keith Tennent To: Lt Col Arthur Burke OAM RL  Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:26 PM Subject: LINDSAY ELGAR

Dear Arthur - You may care to inform your networks of the following.  Many Gunners served with and know Lindsay Elgar.  Lindsay served with various Units including 4 Fd Regt RAA and 12 Fd Regt RAA. He was awarded an MiD for his actions during the Battle of Coral in 1968.

After discharge Lindsay returned to his home town Rockhampton where he has remained. He recently retired from the workforce. Lindsay was diagnosed with terminal cancer about 6 months ago and is undergoing treatment at the moment.

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Keith: Dear fellow Gunners. The funeral arrangements for Lindsay Elgar [Algie ] are as follows.  Tuesday 7 Jul 2009. 11AM. East Chapel Rockhampton Crematorium. Regards. Keith.

Keith: Dear fellow Gunners, Sadly I wish to inform you all that Lindsay Elgar [Algie ] passed away on Monday 29 Jun 2009. Funeral details will be available on this coming Saturday which I will post out. Truthfully I never contemplated I would ever be writing this email. Lindsay and I were very good mates while serving but as life goes we lost contact with each other after our discharges. 

Lindsay served with 102 Field Battery RAA and 12 Fd Regt RAA in Vietnam commanding a Gun and was awarded the MiD at the Battle of Coral in May 1968. He was posted into 4 Fd Regt RAA in the early 1970s where he was also a Gun Number One.

Lindsay also served on the Sgts Mess Committee of the 4 Fd Regt RAA Sgts Mess. He was a keen sportsman who loved his football and played Rugby Union while at Laverack Barracks in the early 70s. Lindsay was a Sergeant who was highly respected by his many subordinates and his superiors. If Lindsay was a friend you knew he was loyal and trustworthy. He was a very private man who shunned the limelight. Lindsay retired recently from working at a nursing home in Rockhampton only to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer which had spread to much of his body. Lindsay worked voluntarily with Legacy in Rockhampton for many years and could always be seen at Dawn Services laying a wreath on behalf of Legacy. RIP.Keith