Legends of the Nepean CLive CoNNor

By Noel Rowsell

lIVE Connor is a former Chairman, Board member and Treasurer of the Penrith RSl, a former District Councillor, President and Treasurer for the RSl Sub-branch

Initially he went to join Penrith RSl membership as a 22 year old in 1961 but thought he was too young. Clive eventually re-applied and was accepted in 1968. He has now been a member of both the RSl and the Subbranch for the past 55 years.

A former Serviceman in the Australian Army, Clive had two tours of Malaya, one of Vietnam and one of Papua New Guinea (PNG), where he would eventually be honourably discharged, then worked as a manager of a Sheet Metal Factory for four years.

Born in Paddington in 1939, Clive initially lived in Mascot, then moved with his family to Paddington, where he would attend St Francis of Assisi primary and high schools, attaining his Intermediate Certificate.

CUpon leaving school as a 14-year old in 1954, Clive enlisted in the Australian Army, on 4 January 1954, three weeks before his 15th birthday, and served a 4-year apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner, attaining his certificate in 1958.

During his service, Clive would also be an Instrument Fitter, work in General Engineering and was an Armourer for the 28 Brigade in Malaya, 1966-1968 and 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) 1970.

He was stationed at Army Headquarters in Albert Park, Melbourne (now the site of the Australian Grand Prix), writing and creating repair manuals for Small Arms and General Equipment, 19641966

Clive was a Warrant Officer 2 in both Malaya and Vietnam, then promoted in Townsville to Warrant Officer 1 upon his return from Vietnam.

He would also serve in PNG as a Warrant Officer 1, Equipment Inspection, and with a role of Inspector of Naval Ordinance.

Over a 23-year career in the Army, Clive would serve overseas on four occasions, was a member of the Army Shooting team and also a member of the Army Motorcycle Display team, (Harley Davidson) which performed at the Melbourne Royal Easter Show in 1958.

The Motorcycle team became world famous, setting a new World Record for the most people on a Harley Davidson motorcycle at one time – being a total of 28.

As a marksman, Clive won his first shooting trophy as an Army Cadet in 1953 and still has his trophy at home. His weapon in that event was a .303 rifle.

Clive was to become the ‘Champion Shot’ of the 28th Brigade, competing in the Queen’s Medal in 1976 (using a .762 SLR) and in the Australian Army Shooting team in Saigon, competing in Pistol, Rifle and Sub-machine gun.

Upon his honourable discharge, Clive managed the Sheet Metal factory in PNG and would run that operation for 4 years, before moving back to Cairns and taking up a civilian role as a Foreman for re-fits of Attack Class Patrol Boats, along with a move to the new build program for the new Patrol Boats for the Navy.

In 1984, Clive moved back to Sydney and worked with Inspector of Naval Ordnance, Naval Supply Centre, Zetland, Guided Missiles, Orchard Hills, and Quality Control Naval Shipbuilding, where he retired in 1995.

In 1988, Clive and Margaret were married and moved to Emu Plains, where they still live today.

They have 4 children (2 each from previous marriages), 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Clive is highly decorated from his time in the Australian Armed Forces and has been awarded 11 medals, which include the Australian Service

Medal – Malaya & Vietnam; the British General Service Medal –Malaya; the Australian Active Service Medal, the South-East Asia & PNG medal, the Australian Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, the PNG Independence Medal and the Pingat Jasa (Malaysia) Medal.

If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com