Army Minister visits troops in Borneo DPR/TV/298

The Minister for the Army Dr A J Forbes, visited Australian troops in Sarawak during a recent tour of Malaya, Vietnam and Borneo. On arrival at a helipad a short distance from the headquarters of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, at Bau, the Minister was met by the Commanding officer of the Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel B A McDonald. As the Minister alighted from the helicopter he was saluted by several diggers waiting at the pad for another helicopter to take them to a forward patrol base. With the Minister were the Secretary for the Army (Mr B White), the Commander of Austarm (Brigadier Evans) and Lieutenant Colonel C A East. After entering Cambrai Camp the battalion Headquarters, the Minister and Mr White entered the briefing room where they received first hand information on the activities of the Battalion and the military situation along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. Later the Minister, Mr White and Lieutenant Colonels McDonald and East visited members of the 2nd Field Troop, Royal Australian Engineers, who were engaged in the construction of the road from Bau to Kampong a few thousand yards from the border. Local land Dayak labourers showed particular interest in the approach of the helicopter carrying the Minister and his party. Near the road head the Minister was met by the officer commanding the engineer troop, Captain Alan Hodges. After a discussion with Captain Hodges the Minister spoke with sappers working on the road. He then left for brief visits to forward bases held by members of 3 RAR before returning to Singapore via Kuching.