The 3rd Battalion contingent arrvives at Nui Dat DPR/TV/759

More than 150 troops from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, based at Woodside, SA, have arrived at Nui Dat, headquarters of the 1st Australian Task Force in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. The troops, which are the advance contingent, will prepare for the remainder of the battalion arriving later this month. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Shelton, the troops are representative of elements throughout the battalion. They have moved into a new camp located among rubber trees. This will be their home for the next 12 months. Royal Australian Air Force Caribou aircraft brought the party from Saigon where it had stayed overnight. As they arrived the soldiers were met by the Task Force Commander, Brigadier Ron Hughes of Stafford Park, Brisbane, Qld, the Deputy Commander, Colonel John White of Paddington, Sydney, NSW, and the Commander of 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Reg Gardiner of Sherwood, Brisbane, Qld. Both Brigadier Hughes and Colonel White have commanded the battalion during their careers. After arriving at the base, troops received a hot brew before moving to their tents. One of those to enjoy a hot brew was Sergeant Bill Butler of Manning, WA, a veteran of the Malayan campaign. The new battalion will bring the total strength of the Task Force to over 5000.