Splinter returned to Australia with the rest of 105th Field Battery towards the end of September 1966. The Battery, and Splinter, became part of 4th Field Regiment who had taken over the lines in Wacol. Splinter reverted to 1st Field Regiment at Wacol on their return from Vietnam and 4th Field Regiment had replaced them. Splinter stayed with 1st Field Regiment when they moved to Enoggera Barracks in November 1967.
In January 1969 Splinter returned to Vietnam with 105th Field Battery on their second tour of duty in Vietnam. In this deployment, Splinter had been promoted to Sergeant and was the Battery Signals Sergeant. On his return to Australia in February 1970, Splinter was posted to 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Woodside in South Australia. He remained there until July 1971 when he accepted a posting back to the School of Artillery at North Head. Splinter worked on Regimental Training Wing and instructed on gun courses and Artillery signaller courses.
In November 1972, Splinter was on the move again, this time with a posting to 4th Field Regiment in Townsville. He stayed with 4th Regiment until July 1968 and filled several appointments including Signals Sergeant and Command Post Sergeant.
Splinter returned to Brisbane in July 1978 with a posting back to 1st Field Regiment at Enoggera. In March/April of 1979 Splinter was part of a contingent that went to Hawaii as part of an exchange program called ‘Pacific Bond’. In March 1980 he returned to the School of Artillery this time as a Sergeant Major Instructor Gunner (SMIG). His final posting was back to Townsville where he worked in the housing section of District Support Unit Townsville. Splinter discharged from the Army on 9 September 1982 after 20 years’ service.
Splinter’s Honours and Awards include:
- Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp Vietnam
- Vietnam Medal
- Defence Force Service Medal with First Clasp
- National Medal
- Australian Defence Medal
- Vietnamese Campaign Medal
- Unit Citation of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and
- Returned from Active Service Badge.
Splinter was very strong swimmer and represented various units in swimming and water polo competitions. In later life he became very involved in lawn bowls and became a committee member of the Deception Bay Bowls Club. He was also a life member of the 105 Battery Association, held many positions on the Association’s executive committee, and was actively involved in all its activities.
A service for Splinter was held on 22 March 2023 at the Great Northern Garden of Remembrance, Deception Bay. Paul Stevens who was a Section Commander with 105th Field Battery in Vietnam with Splinter gave a eulogy at the service.
Acknowledgements:
- Major General J Paul Stevens, AO (Retd)
- Lieutenant Colonel Jim Box (Retd)
- Peter Smith
- Martin Pasteur
- Rob (Blue) Bellis
- Paddy Durnford
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