The NSW War Memorials Register will undergo essential upgrades from 3 July. If you have draft submissions ready, please submit them before 3 July.
The memorial is a bronze plaque dedicated to those of the 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) who served in Malaysia (1967-1969) and Vietnam (1969-1970). It was designed by Tweed Shire Council and has the two insignias of the regiment at the top.
The memorial is located along the Tweed Heads Memorial Walkway in Chris Cunningham Park. It is attached to a lattice frame, set within a garden bed. It is one of a number of plaques commemorating Australian military units and organisations positioned throughout the area.
Excerpt from the Australian War Memorial:
8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR) was raised on 14 July 1966 at Enogerra in Queensland. It arrived in South Vietnam on 17 November 1969, relieving 9RAR on 25 November. The battalion formed part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) with 5RAR and 6RAR. It was based at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province.
8RAR ceased operational involvement in October. It was not replaced, and 1ATF fell to two-battalion strength. 8RAR arrived at Hamilton Wharf [Queensland] on 12 November 1970.
Chris Cunningham Park is a site of Anzac Day and other commemorative services.
8th BATTALION
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
8 AUGUST 1966 UNTIL 30 OCTOBER 1973
MALAYSIA 1967 - 69
VIETNAM WAR 1969 - 70
DEDICATED TO ALL WHO SERVED AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED
LEST WE FORGET
DEDICATED 3 SEPTEMBER 2014