Last muster for ‘Doc’
Comrades called to farewell
THE Cairns RSL Sub-Branch is calling for comrades to head north for the funeral of a departed Vietnam veteran.
Lorne Clarke, 73, died last week after battling ill health.
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts, we inform you that Lorne Clarke has passed away peacefully in Cairns, on the morning of the 4th of April 2019 in the presence of his loving wife Joy,” the Cairns RSL Sub Branch posted on social media.
Former branch president Buster Todd said efforts were under way to track down “Doc” Clarke’s Vietnam comrades who served with him in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.
“We are trying to get in touch with his 1RAR mates and get them up here for the funeral,” Mr Todd said.
“They are spread all around Australia.”
“Doc” Clarke served as a medic with 1RAR and last year received the Unit Citation for Gallantry for serving in the Battle of Coral Balmoral in 1968.
“I can’t speak highly enough about him,” Mr Todd said.
“He was a real character he was a real straight up and down guy. He cared for his 1RAR brothers.”
Mr Todd said Doc’s passing was a “terrible loss.”
“He will be missed by a great many people,” he said.
Last year, Mr Clarke spoke to the Cairns Post on the anniversary of Coral Balmoral.
“We learned to run pretty fast when people started shooting – Usain Bolt wouldn’t have a patch on us,” he said.
He was intensely proud of his wartime role as a life saver.
“At our reunion in Townsville someone said, ‘Doc, I saw you run into fire to drag out mates that many times, I always felt safe’,” Mr Clarke recalled.
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