219946 Pte P.B.Stenchion CSM Bernie

Bernie was intially 2Lt David Paterson's signaller in 8 Platoon. Prior to leaving Australia he was transferred to Company Headquarters as the Company Signaller. After the first Operation in Vietnam he was transfered to Barry Baker's Section in 7 Platoon as Junior Gottwaltz's number 2 on the gun. John Insull and Greg Stuchbery were also in Barry Baker's section.

After Vietnam, Bernie stayed on in the Regular Army and remained in 3 RAR until Feb 1980. Bernie became a sergeant and was posted to NCO Wing at the Infantry centre, Singleton as an instructor. From there he was selected to represent the School at the Infantry School at Fort Benning Georgia USA for two years and came back to the School on promotion to W02 as the OPS WO.

He was posted to 5/7 RAR as a CSM in 1985 and in 1988 and found his way to Taree as the training WO and has been in Taree ever since. He left the Regular Army in 1992 and transferred to the Army Reserve. In 1995 he was commissioned as Captain Stenchion, the OC D Coy 41 RNSWR.

On a more personal note, he have been through one marriage and is currently sharing his life with the love of his life, Cathy and step daughter Jessica.

He works at the Local Courthouse in Taree as a court officer and sees John Insull on a regular basis.

In 1997, at Government House, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.