2RAR Association Inc

2RAR Association Inc The Association exists for all members who have served in the 2nd Battalion or the 2nd/4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Veterans' Health Event - Townsville QLDTHRIVE 365 - Connect-Move-NourishAs part of the Veterans Health theme of THRIVE 3...
06/02/2026

Veterans' Health Event - Townsville QLD

THRIVE 365 - Connect-Move-Nourish

As part of the Veterans Health theme of THRIVE 365 the 2RAR Association will be hosting a free event for veterans and family of 2 RAR.

Walk for a Mate will take place on Sunday 22 February 2026.

Location: The Strand Townsville, QLD - Starting from the Rockpool on the strand and walking with a mate up to the Watermark for a free Breakfast and coffee hosted by the 2 RAR Association.

Time: Depart the Rockpool at 9am with the aim to finish at the Watermark Hotel by 9.30am for a sit-down breakfast.

Date: Sunday 22 Feb 2026

If the distance is too great, feel free to join in with the walk at a point along the way such as from Strand Park.

The aim of the event is to keep moving every day (365) and to bring a mate.

If interested in attending, please advise in the comments section. Hope to see you then

VALE:36746 SSgt Ian William George ROSE??? - 23 Jan 2026Ian, a LCpl, served in Malaya at Terendak Camp, with C Coy 2 RAR...
02/02/2026

VALE:

36746 SSgt Ian William George ROSE
??? - 23 Jan 2026

Ian, a LCpl, served in Malaya at Terendak Camp, with C Coy 2 RAR 1961-63. Ian departed Singapore on 22 Aug 1963 and deplaned in Brisbane on 23 Aug 1963.

Ian returned to Malaysia as a Cpl with 4 RAR and deployed from Singapore for Kuching on Special Service to Sarawak on 14 April 1966 returning to Singapore on 4 Sep 1966.

Ian also served in RAAOC retiring as a SSgt.

Ian, late of Kirwan Qld passed away in Townsville on 23 Jan 2026, aged 85.

As per Ian's family's wishes a private service was held at Woongarra Crematorium Chapel on Fri 30 Jan 2026.

Ian was a member of the 2RAR Association

Thanks to Jim Pollard and the 4RAR Association

02/02/2026

Welfare Update:

Sending well wishes to 2RAR Association Life member Paul King, Margaret and his family at this time.

Paul is currently in Intensive Care at Greenslopes Hospital.

Many Thanks to Ron (ex 8RAR) for the information on Paul.

VALE:216678 Pte William (Bill) James THOMAS26 Jan 1947 – 27 Jan 2026Support Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn, South Vietnam 19May...
02/02/2026

VALE:

216678 Pte William (Bill) James THOMAS
26 Jan 1947 – 27 Jan 2026

Support Coy 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn, South Vietnam 19May 1967 – 13 Jun 1968

Bev Thomas (Wife of Bill Thomas) advised:

It is with sadness that I let the regiment know that my husband William (Bill) Thomas passed away on Tuesday 27th January, 2026 at 10.45pm at Redlands Hospital, Cleveland in Brisbane Qld.

Bill was admitted to Regis Birkdale Aged Care Facility on 2nd September with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Sadly, on the 15th January Bill had a very bad fall at the nursing home, resulting in a large gash to the top of his head, and three fractures of his cervical spine. After a day in Emergency, he was admitted to the ward. Bill had had numerous scans of head and cervical spine.

Bill was in excruciating pain and with the dementia, it was very hard for the doctors to find a good pain relief plan. Last Friday as his health deteriorated Bill was cared for by Palliative Care with strong pain relief and he passed away on Tuesday night.

We have three amazing grownup children, and they have been great support during this time.

Bills FUNERAL will be held on Friday, 6th February at 12.30 at The Great Southern Memorial Park, Mt. Cotton in Brisbane Qld.

We are just waiting confirmation of meeting after the funeral at Sirromet Wines at Mt. Cotton to farewell Bill.

I will confirm all details as soon as they are confirmed.

We have been married for 54 years.

Lest we Forget

Members in the Community:Congratulations to our 2RAR Association State Representative in SA for being a finalist at this...
02/02/2026

Members in the Community:

Congratulations to our 2RAR Association State Representative in SA for being a finalist at this year's City of Burnside Australia Citizen of the Year Awards.

Mal Allen (2RAR Association Life Member) was a finalist in the 2026 "Active Citizen of the Year" through his involvement with the RARA-SA (Burnside) RSL, in particular the ANZAC Day Dawn Services and Remembrance Day Services at Linden Park and Regis Aged Care.

Well done Mal.

Commemoration:On 14 February 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will commemorate and honour National Servicemen w...
02/02/2026

Commemoration:

On 14 February 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will commemorate and honour National Servicemen with a national commemorative service in the Great Hall at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

For more information about the national commemorative service, please visit dva.gov.au/Nashos75

VALE:6410161 WO1 Wayne Trevor WILLS(“Sparra” or “Willsy”)23 Jul 1942 – 27 Jan 2026Malaysia: 4 RAR 25 Apr – 04 Sep 1966So...
29/01/2026

VALE:

6410161 WO1 Wayne Trevor WILLS
(“Sparra” or “Willsy”)
23 Jul 1942 – 27 Jan 2026

Malaysia: 4 RAR 25 Apr – 04 Sep 1966
South Vietnam: 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn 8 Pl C Coy 19 May 1967- 13 Jun 68 and MFC B Coy 12 May 1970 – 01 Jun 1971
2/4 RAR: 15 Aug 1973 - 25 Aug 1975
5/7 RAR: RSM and retired as a WO1.

Eileen McDonald received a call from Adam Wills, advising that his father, Wayne Wills had passed away earlier today.

No funeral is being conducted in accordance with Wayne’s wishes.

A Commemoration of Wayne’s life may be held in the future.

Rest in Peace Wayne.

2 RAR Association – Member No: 551

2026 Australia Day Honours List: OAMWARRANT OFFICER CLASS ONE MICHAEL PATRICK KILLALEAFor meritorious performance of dut...
27/01/2026

2026 Australia Day Honours List: OAM

WARRANT OFFICER CLASS ONE MICHAEL PATRICK KILLALEA

For meritorious performance of duty advancing and fostering the Distribution Specialisation trade.

Warrant Officer Class One Killalea has made a significant contribution to the Australian Army’s logistic capability effectiveness through his remarkable initiative, superior trade knowledge and professional drive over several appointments. He consistently demonstrated meritorious performance of duty, delivering enduring improvements to logistics frameworks across unit’s supply support, equipment management, corporate governance and significant enhancement to trade management through the rationalisation and amalgamation of the distribution specialisation trades.

WO1 Killalea is the outgoing RQMS of 2RAR (Amphib) however will remain with the Battalion in a SERCAT 5 position.

Thank you to CO 2RAR - Lt Col Holloway for the information

WELFARE:Vietnam Tour - May 2026. The attached flyer provides details of a veterans and families Vietnam tour and those t...
23/01/2026

WELFARE:

Vietnam Tour - May 2026.

The attached flyer provides details of a veterans and families Vietnam tour and those that may be interested in Australia's service History.

For further information on this tour please visit the website on the flyer to attain further information

VALE:2782926 WO1 Robert “Pinky” John PINK OAM (Mil), OAM18 Oct 1945 – 14 Jan 2026Q Store Admin Coy, 2 RARSouth Vietnam 0...
16/01/2026

VALE:

2782926 WO1 Robert “Pinky” John PINK OAM (Mil), OAM
18 Oct 1945 – 14 Jan 2026

Q Store Admin Coy, 2 RAR
South Vietnam 06 May – 06 Dec 1967

Max Ingles advised that Bob Pink passed away at 3.00am 14 Jan 2026.

Robert (Bob) Pink was the holder of 2 medals of the Order of Australia (OAM). A remarkable achievement: The first in The Military Division in 1980 for service to The Army Reserve, the second in the General Division in 2017 for service to veterans and their family

Bob was also a Life member of the RSL

Aub Terry has advised the following arrangements are being made for Bob’s Funeral to be held at 10.30am on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at the South Chapel, Rookwood Crematorium, Memorial Avenue, Rookwood NSW

A private Cremation will be held following the Service. Medals to be worn.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed - please join us in remembering Robert Pink

When: Wednesday, 28 January 2026 10:30 AM (AEDST)
Where: South Chapel, Rookwood Crematorium, Memorial Avenue, Rookwood NSW
Live stream: https://streaming.naoca.com.au/e/e18ee2c5-b24f-4cc9-bfd6-46c4445999b4
Livestream Code: 7015

Arrangements for a “Wake” to be held at Ashfield RSL are yet to be finalised.

May Bob now Rest in Peace

2RAR SE QLD Coffee Catchups for 2026:The pictured dates are for the SE Qld 2 RAR Coffee Mornings for 2026 at either:WEST...
12/01/2026

2RAR SE QLD Coffee Catchups for 2026:

The pictured dates are for the SE Qld 2 RAR Coffee Mornings for 2026 at either:

WEST SIDE HQ RSL Club at 3 Clewley Street CORINDA (situated next to the Corinda Railway Station) 07 3379 8555

OR

GEEBUNG RSL Club at 323 Newman Road (Cnr Newman Rd and Collings Street) GEEBUNG QLD 07 3265 3711.

Kindly supplied by Louis (Lou) Kucks and Graham Coops.

If you require any further information, please contact Lou (M: 0412 642 745) or Graham (M: 0415 205 245).

Wishing everyone all the best for 2026.

VALE 43600 CPL Geoff Shaw OAM 18th of December 2025. CPL Shaw did his first tour of Vietnam with 2RAR 19 May 1967 - 20 N...
07/01/2026

VALE
43600 CPL Geoff Shaw OAM 18th of December 2025.

CPL Shaw did his first tour of Vietnam with 2RAR 19 May 1967 - 20 Nov 1967. He was sent home due to wounds received.

His memorial service will be in his home town of Alice Springs on 30 Jan 2026.

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Townsville, QLD
4810

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