Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Our Dad Michael joined the Army at Bondi (Army Apprentice School) in January 1954 when he was 15 and a half years old. He then transferred to Balcolmbe, Victoria to complete his apprenticeship. In December 1956 he completed the first part of his apprenticeship and was awarded 1st place for the 3rd year apprentices, and received the Trade Proficiency Medal.  In January 1957, Mick was employed as an electrical mechanic (24 Construction Squadron, Brisbane: Rank – Sapper, Lance Corporal) to complete his apprenticeship. He qualified after his ARA Electrical Mechanic Class II Course on 20th May 1959, and ARA NCO Field Engineering Course on 2nd June 1960.

From June 1959-January 1960, Mick was with the 11 National Service Training Battalion, Brisbane (Rank: Corporal). He was employed as an instructor in military disciplines and engineering skills. It was during 1959 that he also met Shirley – his future wife – on a blind date arranged by an Army mate Bert who was a cook.

From January 1960-June 1963, Mick was with 1 Base Ordinance Depot, Brisbane (Rank: Corporal). He was employed as a maintenance electrician for depots at Gaythorne, Meeandah and Banyo. He was granted an “A” Grade Electrical Mechanics Licence in Victoria on 15th May 1961. In December 1961 in Brisbane, Mick married Shirley. On 12th July 1962 Mick qualified after completing his ARA Clerk of Works Course. He was granted a Queensland Electrical Mechanics Licence (No 3120) on 3rd December 1962.

From June 1963 to November 1965 Mick was with 6 Water Transport Troop, Sydney (Rank: Sargeant). He was employed as Chief Electrician on landing ships and other small craft. Other duties included stores control and 2IC of the workshop. At this time, he also completed his Qualified Building Construction Course, Stage 1 and 2. While Mick was with Water Transport, he also completed a diving course, and his skills were put to the test when a woman drowned in Sydney Harbour. Mick located the woman and recovered her body at Balmoral.

Mick and Shirley's first daughter, Danna, was born in June of 1964. That September, Mick was part of a training group of 200 troops on exercise to Jervis Bay on the HMAS Sydney as part of operation Long-shot.  Late in 1965 he was transferred to Victoria to 6 Signal Regiment (Rank: Temporary WO2) where he supervised the running of power supplies and air-conditioning plants. He was also responsible for supervising contractors and carrying out inspection work. At that time the family of three lived at Watsonia. In 1966 Mick and Shirl's second daughter, Kaylene, was born.

In January 1968 Mick was deployed as a Military Advisor to the Regional/Popular Forces of the Republic of South Vietnam as a member of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) – Rank: WO2.

Members of the AATTV were specially selected to service in the provinces of South Vietnam, singly or in groups. Their role was unique in that they trained, advised and led in action a variety of allied forces and government agencies. The “Team” was the first Australian unit on active service in Vietnam (1962) and the last out (1972) and became one of the most highly decorated units of the Australian Army, with 4 of its members being awarded the Victoria Cross.

After learning the local language, and being selected for the Team, Mick was posted to Vietnam, stationed at Van Kiep Training Centre in Baria. Mick worked mostly by himself with the local Montagnard people in the mountains to build a defendable outpost, and he would travel back and forth between Montagnard villages, a dangerous traverse by all accounts, with ever present risk of an enemy encounter. He supervised the construction of the fortified village of Ap Suoi Nghe, South Vietnam, north of Nui Dat. Mick got along well with the various Australian and Vietnamese forces, as well as with the local villagers. He experienced first-hand the horrors of war during his tour, including his involvement in the Tet Offensive not long after his arrival in Vietnam. This was something which would haunt him forever, especially during the final stages of his illness.

On Mick’s return from Vietnam in December 1968 he moved to Melbourne with Shirley and the girls, followed by a posting to Holsworthy (Supervisor of Works, Electrical – 1 Field Engineer Regiment – Rank: WO1) in 1969. He was responsible for the supervision and control of building projects performed by the regiment.

In July 1973 Mick accepted a posting to Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby). Mick worked as Clerk of Works (WO1) Murray Barracks Headquarters PNGDF. He was responsible for the supervision of maintenance contracts, operation and repair to power supplies, water treatment and sewerage plants, supervision and maintenance control of swimming pools, and assistance to the PNGDF Apprentice Program.

The family lived in Milne Bay Circle, Murray Barracks, Boroko in the Army encampment. Shirley managed the Boroko Fabric Centre and the girls attended Murray Barracks Primary School with Danna completing her first year of High School at PMHS - Port Moresby High School. During their time in PNG, Mick and the family enjoyed the Independence celebrations which commenced on 16th September 1975 and left PNG in November 1976 with Mick receiving a final posting back to Melbourne. Shirley and their daughters returned to Brisbane, while Mick remained in Melbourne to complete his Army service as Supervisor of Works. He received his interim discharge on 11th July 1977 and his final discharge on 3rd January 1978 and then rejoined his family in Brisbane after serving for 24 years in total.

In their retirement years, Mick and Shirl volunteered a great deal of time and effort to the badge and poppy sales at shopping centres and they were both extremely proud to be involved in the AATTV Association in Qld attending meetings providing help and support at the home of the Team, The Grove in Canungra in honour of the AATTV veterans.

Mick and Shirley had known each other for 64 years, and married for just over 62 years when he passed away after a long battle with Alzheimers dementia in August 2023 at the age of 85. Lest We Forget.