104 Signal Squadron 50th Birthday in Darwin
by Callsign Rabbit
Background
104 Signal Squadron (104 Sig Sqn) was
raised on the 30th Nov 1965 at Wacol, Brisbane. It
replaced 103 Sig Sqn in South Vietnam as the Task Force Signal
Squadron in April 1967 and remained until November 1971, when the 1st
Australian Task Force was withdrawn.
On returning to Australian it was
located at Ingleburn, Holsworthy and is now at Palmerston near
Darwin and is still supporting the 1st Brigade (Renamed 1st
Australian Task Force). It has maintained the armoured
communications skills that started development on the battle fields
in Vietnam and developed many other skills since, including
supporting airborne operations.
The unit is no longer an independent
squadron and is now part of the 1st Combat Signal
Regiment (1CSR) which has had involvement with deployments to
Solomon Islands, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A few ex members of 104 Sig Sqn
including a small number of Vietnam Veterans made the long trip to
Darwin to help 1CSR celebrate the 50th and the first
event was the parade. After passing though security,
which was streamlined for us old warriors, the first thing noticed
was the parade ground at the front of the large 1CSR compound; it
had a number of vehicles and antennas. The vehicle in the
pride of place, at the centre of the parade ground, was our old
Armoured Command Vehicle (ACV) from the Vietnam war, Callsign 85C!
This set the awe-inspiring day for all that attended.
104 Sig Sqn and its sister 105 Sig Sqn
marched on to the parade ground along with the Princess Anne Banner
and other members of 1CSR under the command of CO, 1CSR, Lt Col
Darren Moore. The temperature was 35 Deg and the Brigadier was
a little delayed to review the troops but not one man or women
succumbed to the heat. A well conducted parade in the Darwin
weather as it builds up to the wet season. We were all
so proud of our old squadron and our new regiment.
1CSR on
parade for the 50th Anniversary of the forming of 104 Sig
Sqn from service in South Vietnam.
104 Sig Sqn (left), 105 Sig Sqn (Right) and the Princess Anne Banner
in the centre in front of
Vietnam Veteran ACV Callsign 85C.
Morning Tea and Display
After the parade it was off to the
large covered area at the front of the Abraham Club for a bit of
morning tea with the troops. The OC, 104 Sig Sqn, Maj Brenton
Lawlor addressed the gathering and welcomed the visiting old and
bold. He also invited us to view some of their equipment and
weapons which were setup in a display by 1CSR.
While all our Vietnam equipment has
long gone to museums and the tip, their new equipment included
Satellite Terminals, Tactical Servers, VHF and HF Radios in 6 wheel
Mercedes-Benz and Bushmasters (PMV) vehicles. Also lots of
weapons including 5.56mm and 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns which
replaced our old Vietnam era “Pig” M60’s.
However one bit of equipment has
survived and that distinctive noise of the tracks on the roadway was
heard as old Callsign 85C fired up and came from the parade ground
into the compound display area under her own stream and parked next
to an FFR PMV Bushmaster. The Vietnam Veterans were like
groupies, with glazed eyes, all over the old track!
ACV
Callsign 85C L-R Denis Hare, Ross Stickman and Ken Mackenzie.
ACV Callsign 85C on parade with the Princess Anne Banner.
Memorial Service
After the morning tea and display, a
small memorial service was held at the 104 Sig Sqn memorial to our
Vietnam war dead. 104 Sig Sqn, visitors and other
members of 1CSR gathered around the memorial, which is located at
the front of RHQ. The OC and padre said a few words and two
Vietnam Veterans, Ross Stickman and Ken Mackenzie laid a wreath on
behalf of us all, remembering Cpl Denis
Donnelly, Sig Alexander Young and Sig Dennis Abraham, who made the
ultimate sacrifice in South Vietnam.
Lest we forget.
Ross
Stickman (insert left) and Ken Mackenzie (insert right) laying the
wreath at the 104 Sig Sqn memorial, at the front of RHQ 1CSR. Ross
arrived in South Vietnam on the 16 Apr 1967 and Ken left South
Vietnam in Nov 71. The two 104 Sig Sqn war veterans were
representing our almost five years war service in South Vietnam and
honouring our war dead. Note the chook near the memorial - its last
owner was Saddam Hussein!
OC,
104 Sig Sqn and attending Vietnam veterans at the war memorial at
1CSR.
L-R Major
Brenton
Lawlor, Ken Mackenzie, Denis Hare, Mick Beeston, Mal Fergusson,
Harry Martin and Ross Stickman.
Dinner
The 104 Sig Sqn 50th
Anniversary Dinner was an all ranks affair based on a formal dinner
but a little semi-formal, that allowed all ranks to enjoy the
evening, with the Vietnam Veterans and other visitors mixed across
the tables. This gave the young soldiers a chance to meet the
past members of the unit and enjoy each other’s company.
On display at the dinner was
memorabilia from 104 Sig Sqn service to the nation over 50th
years. One was a 104 flag that had watched over us in South
Vietnam many years ago at Nui Dat. It had been located in
South Australia and presented to 1CSR by
Malcolm Fergusson early in the week. Being
based in Darwin, 104 Sig Sqn now has a crocodile in its unofficial
signage and a young crocodile was also present!
104 Sig Sqn current soldiers enjoying the 50th Anniversary
Dinner at the Double Tree Hilton in Darwin.
OC,
Major Brenton Lawlor and the youngest 104 soldier Signaller Dylan
Neumann
cutting the birthday cake at the dinner.
A number of presentations during the
evening were made, including a plaque and gift voucher on behalf of
the 104 Sig Sqn veterans, by me, to the 104 Sig Sqn soldier of the
year, Signaller Andrew Gordon. The $100 gift voucher from the
military shop was funded from the 104 Sig Sqn old and bold reunion
account. Also at the dinner was the traditional birthday cake,
which was formally cut by Major Brendon Lawlor (OC) and youngest
soldier from 104 Sig Sqn, Signaller Dylan Neumann.
Little bit of History in this photo. L-R Malcolm Fergusson (104
South Vietnam), Major Brenton Lawlor (OC, 104 Sig Sqn), Lt Col David
Jenkins (Past OC 104 and took most of 104 to Afghanistan as part of
the FCU-1), Ken Mackenize (104 South Vietnam), Col Susan Coyle (Past
OC 104 and took 104 to the Solomon Islands), Denis Hare (104 South
Vietnam) and Lt Col Darren Moore (CO, 1st Combat Signal Regiment).
All standing in front of a 104 Sig Sqn flag from South Vietnam.
In summary
It was great to see and talk to the
Officers, SNCO’s, men and women of 1CSR. All were very
engaging and clearly enjoyed having us old fellows with them for the
day. Many are war veterans also, so the understanding of each
generations service to our nation, was of great respect.
Well done 104 Sig Sqn and 1CSR you did us proud. We hope to
see some of you on the Gold Coast in May 2016 and we are planning to
attend the 100th birthday in Nov 2065 (maybe)!
About the Author:
Denis Hare, OAM BEM (AKA Callsign Rabbit) served in 104 Sig Sqn in South
Vietnam in 1967/68 as a Cpl Draughtsman Signals (Dtmn Sigs).
He served 23 years in RASigs and retired as a WO1 Supervisor
Technical Telecommunications (STT).