'C' Company remembers DPR/TV/1144

During their last operation, Operation Esso, C Company of 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, lost three men killed and 16 wounded, when two mines exploded on the night of July 4th. Back in the base camp at Nui Dat, the men of C Company, took time off to remember their fallen comrades. Under the dripping rubber trees in the company area the men formed a hollow square for a short inter-denominational service conducted by three padres, representing different denominations. After a short prayer and the reading of a section of scripture the Company Commander, Major C. Ducker of North Box Hill, Vic, gave a short address in tribute to the three dead men, Lance Corporal P. L. Smith of Ilbilbie, Qld; Private L. J. Pettit of Canley Vale, NSW and Pte H. L. Muller of Strathfield, NSW. As he spoke the other men of the company remembered the night of July 4th when two mines shattered seven platoon as it went into a night ambush position. The Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lt Col C. N. Kahn and the Battalion 2IC, Major F. Spry, also attended the service.