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Peter John Phillips was born on 25 April 1948 at Randwick, NSW, moving to Sutherland at a young age. He completed his secondary education at Christian Brothers College, Sutherland, NSW where he excelled at cricket, athletics and rugby. Before entering the Army at 1 RTB, Kapooka, on 9 October 1968 as National Serviceman 2790930, Peter was employed as a Survey Draftsman with the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board in Sydney. Peter applied for and was accepted into officer training, commencing at OTU Scheyville on 26 October with Class 4/68.
He was allocated to 21 Section, 7 Platoon, C Company with Peter Kilpatrick as his ‘Father’. Peter did well in his Junior Term at OTU and in his Senior Term, was posted as the Company Sergeant Major of C Company with the rank of Under Officer. On graduation on 23 April 1969 Peter was allocated to the RAInf Corps and posted to 2 RTB. Less than six months later Peter was posted to the Infantry Centre then on 3 December he arrived in Vietnam and the 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit. On Boxing Day Peter transferred to the Australian Logistics Support Group in Vung Tau as the OC of the D&E Platoon.
On 5 April 1970 he transferred to 8 RAR. Peter returned to Australia on 5 November and remained in the Army once his National Service period has ended. After Christmas Peter returned to the Infantry Centre. Mid-1972 he transferred to 6 RAR where a few months later received his promotion to Lieutenant. One of Peter’s soldiers, Garry Adams wrote: ‘Peter was my platoon commander when the 6th Battalion was based in Singapore and was liked and respected by all. One of those “all round good blokes” we are blessed to come across in life.’
Ric Creagh, another of his platoon wrote: ‘Peter was the Platoon Commander of 3 Platoon, A Company, 6 RAR, in Singapore in 1973. He was well liked by all members of the platoon.’
In late 1973 Peter was posted as Acting 2IC for D Company with 6 RAR. This would be his last posting with ‘The Regiment’ as in 1974 Peter commenced as a Captain Adjutant/Quartermaster with the Queensland University Regiment followed by a stint as a Company Commander at the Army Apprentices School at Balcombe in late 1975.
An overseas posting came in late 1977 when Peter was posted as the Adjutant of the Joint Services College in Lae, PNG. Two years later he arrived in Adelaide as a Recruiting Officer. In late 1981 Peter found himself in England as a Major at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, England. Fellow OTU Graduate student at RMCS Bruce Argent-Smith (3/70) wrote: ‘As Infantrymen surrounded by Techos, PJ and I we were on remedial calculus by Week 1. Thanks to teaming with the Brit who eventually topped the course, our project was well received and we survived. Thanks also to the excellent clerical assistance from (Peter’s wife) Marianne. PJ then went to the Clothing Establishment and on return to Mat Branch became the go to man for the introduction of cam greens. The establishment was horrified that greens would no longer be starched and ironed but when PJ introduced suede boots, which couldn’t be spit polished, it was almost too much! PJ’s favourite saying was that for someone who joined up to be a machine gunner he hadn’t done too bad. Indeed, you haven’t PJ.’
On return to Australia, in September 1983 Peter commenced four postings within Materials Branch. He resigned from the Army on 22 October 1989 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
During his lifetime Peter lived up to his name: ‘The Rock!’ Post-Army Peter worked in Australian Protective Services. He had a love of motor cars and motorcycles and in retirement enjoyed reading newspapers, wrote many ‘Letters to the Editor’ and was regularly published. Peter and Marianne travelled extensively. However, in later years Peter’s health declined, but he kept pushing himself to enjoy life.
Peter died on 25 January 2023 leaving behind his wife Marianne, a daughter, Naomi and two grandsons. His funeral was held in Pasadena in South Australia on 6 February.