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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 638

(x) Pair: Private B. Thirkell, 2nd Royal Australian Regiment

Vietnam 1964-73 (1411163 B. Thirkell); South Vietnam Medal 1964, 1 clasp, 1960- (1411163 B. Thirkell), light pitting, very fine (2)

Brian Thirkell was born at South Hylton, Sunderland on 25 April 1946, the son of Lucy Burrell of 24 Hudson Steet, Durham. Enlisting with the Australian Regular Army at Brisbane on 20 November 1965 he was posted to the Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka.

Suffering multiple disciplinary infractions over the next year he had been threatened with discharge already when he embarked at Brisbane for South Vietnam on 10 May 1967 with the 2nd RAR. During his time there the unit was stationed at Nui Dat alongside New Zealand troops, they ran an aggressive program of patrols and ambushes to keep the Viet Cong off balance.

The heaviest fighting they saw there was during Operation Coburg launched on 24 January which was aimed at hitting the Viet Cong outside the usual range of operations for the Australians. Just eight days after the operation however the Tet Offensive started which brought the Commonwealth troops in contact with North Vietnamese regulars for the first time.

It seems the major scale of the fighting did not dent Thirkell's sense of humour however as he was fined ten dollars for firing a flare as a joke on 24 February 1968, half way through the Tet Offensive. The Battalion returned to Australia on 14 May 1968, he joined 1st RAR on 12 March 1969 and was posted to Malaysia on 27 March.

Advanced Lance Corporal on 1 April 1970 while deployed he returned to Australia on 19 June 1971. Unfortunately the lack of action brought back the disciplinary issues which had plagued his earlier service and he saw further offenses including a civil assault charge in August 1973. Thirkell was discharged on 16 November 1973, described as a good field soldier but his retention not in the interest of the Military Forces; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£320

Starting price
£100