Fun Facts

Here's a series of interesting facts about the 131 Locators. Revisit from time to time as we will continue to update this page.

If you have a Fun Fact you would like to submit for inclusion on this page, contact the Association.

• Western Australian Nashos had to go to Puckapunyal in Victoria for their basic training
• All 131 Div Loc Battery vehicles tac signs had the number 47 written in white against a blue-red horizontal background
• The original 131 soldiers who went to South Vietnam in 1966 are proudly known as the Pioneers
• One soldier’s mother sent him a cake for his 21st birthday when he was in North Queensland on Operation Barra Winga. He used a machete to divide it up
• In the days well before e-mails the only way to communicate from South Vietnam to Australia was by letter or telegram, the latter being expensive and requiring certain limited terms to be used to convey your message
• 131 soldiers travelled to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taiwan and Singapore for five days Rest and Recuperation; few came to Australia for their R&R break
• One mandatory requirement was that all soldiers heading to Vietnam had to pass through the Canungra Jungle Training Centre. However, not all 131 soldiers attended Canungra
• Some employers of National Servicemen made up the pay difference between their civilian pay and Army pay. Many employees did not make up. That was at times a contentious issue between Gunners in 131 Div Loc Battery
• Many of the National Servicemen of 131 came from teaching and banks
• The Qantas aircraft – usually a Boeing 707 – transporting veterans from and to Australia had all male crews, no beer supplies on the way over and only limited beer supplies on board for the return trip.
• Although veterans came back to their home State on return from service in Vietnam, about 45% have since moved to another State
• The make-up of 131 Div Loc Battery was about 45% Regular soldiers and 55% Nashos