Diggers MC South Oz Chapter

06/10/2026

Condolences to the family and friends of the soldier who died today during training.
Lest We Forget

21/09/2026

We will remember them.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F55xXFnYy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fifty-five years ago today, five Australians were killed at Nui Le. They were the last Australian soldiers to die in combat in Vietnam.

By September 1971, Australia was withdrawing from the war. But Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces had returned to Phuoc Tuy Province, looking to lure the Australians into a large-scale ambush.

On 20 September, an ambush and a series of contacts suggested they were trying to provoke a reaction. As the Australians continued patrolling, they saw more and more signs of a force close by. One officer remembered “… an uneasy feeling throughout the Battalion … a sense of foreboding”.

On 21 September, two companies of 4RAR/NZ ran into a well-prepared bunker system held by 33 NVA Regiment and fought through the day and into the night. One company was surrounded and running low on am******on; artillery support, bursting within 100 metres of where the men lay, kept them alive until dawn. By morning the North Vietnamese had withdrawn.

Thirty Australians were wounded. Seven were recognised with awards for their bravery under fire.

Today we remember Private Brian Charles Beilken, Private James Duff, Private Keith Michael Kingston-Powles, Private Ralph James Niblett and Private Roderick James Sprigg. We pay our respects to all who fought alongside them, and to all who served in Vietnam.

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📷 Image: A troop of M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carriers of A Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, passing through a rubber plantation during Operation Ivanhoe, in September 1971. Photographer: Brian Wood. P07256.014

20/09/2026

The Brothers from South Oz took advantage of some glorious South Aussie spring weather and had a little jaunt down to Coonalpyn.

The run gave our staunch Nom Scotty the chance to have the first decent ride on his new steed.
While we were in Coonalpyn, we had the opportunity to present Scotty with the rest of his stage 3 patches.

Thanks for the run brothers, and well done again Scotty.

01/09/2026

Bloody legend!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1QnW4Shm56/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It was on this day in 2008, Corporal Mark Donaldson VC, from the Perth based Special Air Service Regiment, exposed himself to heavy Taliban fire to protect wounded Australian troops and rescue an Afghan interpreter. On the 16th of January 2009, Trooper Donaldson was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia by the Governor-General, becoming the first Australian to receive the award since the Vietnam War. 🇦🇺

29/08/2026

Lest We Forget

19/08/2026

Never forgotten

In memory of Private Grant Kirby and Private Tomas Dale, both from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion (6RAR). On the 20th of August 2010, Private Kirby and Private Dale were on patrol during operations in the Baluchi Valley when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated killing both men instantly. Two other Australians were also severely wounded by the blast. Private Grant Kirby was a 35-year-old father of two girls from Brisbane, he was on his first deployment in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to Iraq and East Timor. Private Tomas Dale was aged 21, from Reynella in South Australia, he was on his first deployment in Afghanistan.
Our thoughts are with both families and friends today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Lest We Forget' 🇦🇺🌹🥃

18/08/2026

LEST WE FORGET

17/08/2026

Remembering our Vietnam Veterans tomorrow. We are indebted to them for their service. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/198hhpUtzv/?mibextid=wwXIfr