| March |
1969 |
Enlisted into the Australian Regular Army - 1st Recruit Training Battalion (Kapooka) - DP4 Training |
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| June |
1969 |
School of Artillery (North Head, Manly NSW) |
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| August |
1969 |
Posted Gun No ECN 162-1 to 104 Field Battery, 12th Field Regiment |
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| November |
1969 |
Appointed to rank of Lance Bombardier |
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| April |
1970 |
Promoted to rank of Bombardier |
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| July |
1970 |
12th Field Regiment relocated to Townsville |
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| May-December |
1971 |
Detached to Delta Company 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (Anzac Battalion) |
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| November |
1973 |
Posted to 103rd Medium Battery1 8th/12th Medium Regiment (Holsworthy NSW) |
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| May |
1974 |
Posted to 2 Army Recruiting Unit (Lismore, NSW)2 |
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| January |
1976 |
Posted and promoted as Sergeant (Operator Command Post Field) to 102nd Field Battery, 8th/12th Medium Regiment (Holsworthy, NSW) |
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| January |
1979 |
Posted to Headquarters 1st Division Artillery (Enoggera, QLD) |
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| January |
1980 |
Posted to 1st Field Regiment on promotion to Warrant Officer Class Two as the Battery Guide of 101 Field Battery (Wacol, QLD) |
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| July |
1981 |
Posted to School of Artillery as Sergeant Major Instructor in Gunnery (SMIG) and subsequently as SMIG Regimental Training Wing (North Head, NSW) |
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| January |
1984 |
Posted as Battery Sergeant Major to 105th Field Battery, 1st Field Regiment (Enoggera, QLD)3 |
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| July |
1985 |
Posted to 10th Medium Regiment on promotion to Warrant Officer Class One as Regimental Sergeant-Major (Geelong, VIC) |
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| June |
1986 |
Posted to 1st Field Regiment as Regimental Sergeant Major |
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| July |
1989 |
Took discharge from the Army |
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| Notes: |
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| 1. |
In 1973 Russell contracted meningitis (twice) and leptosrirosis |
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| 2. |
In 1974 a Temporarily Medically Unfit medical classification was imposed on Russell after he had been placed on a 365 light duty chit |
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| 3. |
Whilst RSM, Russell co-coached alongside WO2 "Mo" Ian Marston, the combined 1st Field Regiment/131 Divisional Locating Battery Aussie Rules Team "The Gunners". In 1987 the team was defeated by 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment by 10 points. In 1988 the result was reversed as "The Gunners" won by 10 points thus depriving the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment of their 10th successive victory! |
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| 4. |
Russell enjoyed immensely his posting as RSM The Premier Regiment, and rates that as his most challenging and satisfying. It is interesting to note that 15 years after service in SVN with 104 Field Battery, the following key positions in 1st Field Regiment were held by veterans of that battery: |
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| Commanding Officer |
LTCOL |
B.G. Stevens |
| 2nd In Charge |
MAJ |
H |
| Regimental Sergeant Major |
WO1 |
R.J. Pullen |
| Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant |
WO1 |
J.F. Ryan |
| Chief Clerk |
WO2 |
V. Quinn |
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| 5. |
Russell is very proud that he and his father Leon, were the only father and son to have served in SVN in the RAA, albeit at separate times, Leon in 1968-69 and Russell in 1971, both in 12th Field Regiment. |
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