2 RAR party's arrival at Lavarack Barracks Townsville DPR/TV/1009

Australia's second Battalion is starting to settle into its new home at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. The Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Church, is moving from Enoggera camp, Brisbane to the massive multi-unit complex at Lavarack on the outskirts of Townsville. Parties are arriving in chartered buses at two-day intervals from Brisbane. The first party of 36, made up of members of Support and C companies, was commanded by Lieutenant Mike Wyeth. By the end of the month, about 400 members of the Battalion will be at Lavarack. There is accommodation at Lavarack Barracks for three complete infantry battalions. Each battalion complex is self-contained. The 2 RAR lines are located next to 6 RAR's Long Tan lines. 6 RAR was the first major unit to move into the area. Other units in the Lavarack area now include 4 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, and 18 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers. (Also identified: Pte Alan Bullis, cook of Admin Coy, of Beenleigh, Qld; Pte George Keleios, butcher, of Tully, Qld; (front) Pte Ray Lunt of Corryong, Vic; Pte Bob Wittleton of Alstonville, NSW; (at rear) Cpl Frank Clancy of Brisbane, Qld; RSM of 2 RAR WO1 Len Williams of Bondi, NSW; Sgt Reg Latemore (left) of Redcliffe, Qld; Sgt Frank McLean of Maryborough, Qld).