Commando Edition 17 2023

A FAMILY TRIBUTE ~ VALE
Glen Conna Stuart Doyle
12 February 1940 - 28 August 2023
Glen grew up in the Ascot Vale area, attend -
ing Essendon Technical School then night
school at the Printing College in North
Melbourne whilst completing his printing (com-
positing) apprenticeship at The Age in Melbourne - a
trade he worked in for most of his working life, either
side of several years of military service.
Glen was called up for National Service in January
1959 and, having enjoyed it immensely, he imme -
diately after joined the Citizens’ Military Forces – first
with the Engineers (1 Medium Workshop) in March
1959, then 2 Commando Company in May 1959, which
was then based in Ripponlea.
Glen revelled in the gruelling Commando training,
which included the basic parachute course and,
despite being involved in the notorious Rip Incident in
February 1960 – in which three Army comrades
perished and Glen very nearly drowned – he decided
that he wanted to be a fulltime soldier. Glen rose to the
rank of Sergeant by the time he left the Commandos in
April 1962.
With Australia’s Defence Forces seeing very little in
the way of action at that time, and with Australians still
considered British subjects with strong ties to Britain,
Glen decided to travel to Britain to join the forces
there. He again underwent gruelling training, to this
time obtain a much-coveted Red Beret; serving with
the Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment from
9 August 1962 to 24 November 1965, during which
time he was deployed on active service in Bahrain,
Aden and Borneo.
Glen also completed his UK SAS training but, whilst
on deployment in Borneo with 2 Para, Glen became ill
and was repatriated back to England. Medical tests
revealed that Glen had contracted Type 1 Diabetes,
bringing an end to his days of active service, and
seeing him return to Australia.
Returning to Australia, Glen began working at
Stockland Press and became reacquainted with Jill,
whom he had first met during CMF days (Jill having
been a member of the RAANC). They married in
December 1969.
A family affair. Glenn with his wife Jill and their daughter Kathy
at a recent Commando Association dinner.
Photo supplied.
Glen transferred to the Herald and Weekly Times
where he remained for 25 years, reaching the position
of Head Night Printer before his retirement in 1996.
As well as having been an elite soldier and highly
respected in the printing trade, Glen was a loving and
dedicated family man, committee man, Freemason and
Coburg RSL stalwart, and was extremely busy in
retirement, despite his declining health.
For many years he was Honorary Secretary of the
Australian National Flag Association, fighting to
preserve our current National flag.
He spent many years as an active member and
Master of numerous Masonic Lodges in Brunswick and
Preston, having recently been awarded his 50-year
jewel.
He was a member of the Coburg RSL Branch for 50
years, serving several years on the Committee, 4 years
as Vice President and manning numerous ANZAC and
Poppy Appeal stalls over the years. Both he and Jill
were made RSL Life Members in 2018.
Glen is survived by his wife Jill, daughter Kathy, son
Ralph, daughter-in-law Marianne, and grandsons Sam
and Will.
(Continued next page)
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Russell Maddocks
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COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 17 I 2023 59