Commando Magazine edition 3 2020

COMMANDO VALE
VALE – PTE BARRY HORA
1 Commando Company
03 June 1943 – 31 December 2019
By Mr Barry Grant, OAM. Immediate Past President ACA NSW & Mr William Mulvany ACA NSW
Barry was a member of 1 Commando Com -
pany, RNSWR at Georges Heights. On my
brief visitations during his illness it was difficult
for Barry to convey actual dates of his service, however
I understand that Barry joined the Unit on 03 August
1963 and duly attained his Sherwood Green Command
Beret on 23 August 1964 and left the unit on 09
December 1964. I did not know Barry during my
service with 1 Commando Company.
Barry was an ex-neighbour whom I first met whilst
residing for some years at Forster in NSW. In mid 2019
Barry was diagnosed with an insidious disease,
asbestos/mesothelioma. Unfortunately Barry did not
respond to the medical treatment available. In October
2019 his only brother Lance & partner Val relocated
Barry to their home at Nelson Bay. They adopted the
role of being his fulltime carers until his passing. RIP.
The family had held a private cremation.
I thank you for the many emails you forward to
Association members advising of the passing of Ex-
Members of 1 Commando Company, most worthy &
appreciated.
VALE – BRIG PAUL BLOOD, AM
1 Company & 1 st Commando Regiment
17 December 1965 – 17 January 2020
Forword By Mr Barry Grant, OAM. - Immediate Past President ACA NSW
It is my melancholy duty to inform you that our
colleague, Brigadier Paul Blood AM, former Com -
manding Officer of 2 nd /17 th Battalion (1 Jan 03–31
Dec 04) and Commander 5 th Brigade (1 Jan 11–31 Dec
13), died peacefully in hospital early this morning, after
a long illness which he battled with courage and spirit.
Upon commissioning, Paul Thomas Blood was
posted to 17 RNSWR (Mar 86–Sep 87), and sub se -
quently to 1/19 RNSWR (Sep 87–Sep 92). He was
posted to 1 Commando Company in May 1990 and
between postings to 1 Commando Regiment, he
returned to 2/17 RNSWR as a sub-unit commander (Jan
96–Dec 97) and Battalion 2IC (Jan 00–Dec 01). Fol -
lowing staff postings, he assumed command of 2/17
RNSWR on 1 Jan 03. 1/19 RNSWR and 4/3 RNSWR
were under his command as units of 5 th Brigade when
he commanded that Brigade between 1 Jan 11 and 31
Dec 13.
Brigadier Blood’s operational service includes OP
ACOLYTE (2006), OP CATALYST (2007), OP DELUGE
(2007) and OP NSWBUSHFIRE ASSIST (2013). Perhaps
his most outstanding achievement was that, under his
command, 5 th Brigade was the mounting headquarters
for the last Timor Leste Task Group, which saw the
Army Reserve’s role in force preparation for operations
reach its zenith.
He has been awarded the Australian Service Medal
(Bougainville), the Australian Active Service Medal (Iraq
2003), and the Defence Long Service Medal (with two
clasps). He was appointed a Member of the Order of
Australia for his service as Commander 5 th Brigade.
COMMANDO FOR LIFE
BRIG Paul Blood, AM. Then LTCOL & CO 2/17 RNSWR
on Exercise 2003/2004.
His service has been in the best traditions of the
Royal New South Wales Regiment and has brought
lustre to the Regiment.
Fortunately, I was able to see Paul recently, and
made a presentation to him in Tracey’s presence,
acknow ledging his service to the Regiment. Though
not very alert, he responded occasionally.
MAJGEN P. Brereton
Colonel Commandant
of the Royal New South Wales Regiment
COMMANDO FOR LIFE
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 3 I 2020 27