Private William Lynn Nalder, 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment

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Private William Lynn Nalder, 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment

Australian War Memorial

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Known as “Bill” William Nalder was born in Sydney on 26 April 1946, the first of nine children born to Wilfred Lindsay and Iris Mary Nalder.

Bill’s parents, both veterans of the Second World War, instilled a sense of national pride and service in their children. All but one of their children would serve in Australian uniform, marry someone who did, or both.

Bill Nalder grew up in Blacktown and attended Fort Street Boys High School. After gaining his pre-intermediate level, he went to work as a shop assistant in his family’s retail business.

Bill enjoyed swimming, playing hockey and rugby league. By the time he turned 17, he already stood 6 feet tall and possessed great strength.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Bill enlisted in the Australian Army on 27 June 1963 for a three-year term. Over the next six months he completed basic training, infantry training and qualified for his New South Wales certificate of entrance, passing subjects in English, Maths and Australian development.

On 12 February 1964, Nalder was posted to the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. On arrival, he joined Second Lieutenant Jim Bourke’s 12 Platoon in D Company. He soon became a popular figure among his platoon mates.

In July 1964, 1RAR deployed to New Guinea to take part in a two-week exercise. The war in Vietnam was escalating and the Australian Army was about to expand from four infantry battalions to nine.

In March 1965, Nalder was posted to the newly-raised 5RAR. He pushed for a return to 1RAR, however, as his old battalion was making ready to deploy to South Vietnam and he wanted to deploy with his friends. He got his wish: returning to 1RAR in early May, he signed a three-year extension to his service.

1RAR began its move to Vietnam in March, the forward elements being sent to Bien Hoa Airbase, 20 kilometres north-east of Saigon, where the battalion would be attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On 7 June, Nalder and his company flew out from Richmond airbase. Arriving in Saigon the following day, the men were airlifted to Bien Hoa Airbase. The battalion completed its move three days later, and began patrolling, digging defensive positions, and undertaking administrative and piquet duties.

In what would be his last letter to his family Nalder wrote, “we have been on many ambush patrols so far, but we have not shot anyone yet … the ambush patrols go out in the afternoon and stay out all night. We only wear shirts and trousers and carry ammo and grenades and it rains heavily at night. We end up coming back next morning wet as hell.” His letter would not reach home until after his death.

On the 6th of July 1RAR deployed on its first major operation to Warzone D, north of Bien Hoa Airbase. Several minor contacts took place that afternoon.

The next day, 12 Platoon located an enemy camp. The Australians spent time clearing the camp in silence, but there was no sign of the enemy.

Around 2 pm, five enemy Viet Cong were observed returning to the camp.

Bourke had his men in position and initiated an ambush. In the ensuing firefight an enemy soldier was killed and two were wounded. Bourke credited Nalder with the battalion’s first kill.

The following afternoon D Company was providing security for Battalion Headquarters. At 4 pm two enemy soldiers fired several shots into the Australian perimeter. Nalder was the only casualty, receiving a gunshot wound to the chest.

Bill was evacuated to the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s aid station where he died from his wound around 5 pm. He was the first 1RAR soldier to die in South Vietnam as a result of enemy action.

His remains were returned to Australia, where he was given a funeral with full military honours. Following a service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, he was laid to rest in Rookwood General Cemetery.

He was 19 years old.

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