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AUSTRALIAN GUNNER

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  William Vasey Houghton

(3 January 1921 – 11 January 2001)
 

 

 
 
   

First Published in Cannonball Number 42, February 2001

 

Printed Version        
         

William Vasey Houghton was reading law and served with 2nd Field Brigade CMF when World War II began. He was arguably a member of the first draft to 2/4th Field Regiment at Puckapunyal.

He was a Battery Commander’s assistant throughout the Egypt and Syrian campaigns and seconded to X Battery, New Guinea before being commissioned. As an Op officer back with 2/4th, he was obliged to assume command of an infantry company above Shaggy Ridge. Evacuated with dengue fever, Vasey was back as a Captain Forward Observer when his unit landed at Balikpapan, Borneo and he was wounded in action.

On demobilisation he went onto the land at Tarrawarra, Yarra Glen, Victoria. Vasey entered local government, was elected to the upper house in State Parliament and joined the Cabinet in 1972. In 1985 he retired from politics but remained active in the conservation movement.
Always a strong supported o the 2/4th Field Regiment Association, he became president in 1999 and was an honoured guest at the 40th anniversary of today’s 4th Field Regiment in Townsville in 2000.

Vasey Houghton had a marvellous memory, spoke well and succinctly, and was a fine raconteur. He will be sorely missed by his wife and three children, by his local and the 2/4th veteran community; and remembered by many for his years in politics.

         
 
 
 
 

 

       
         
         
         
         
         
         
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