The scarce Korean War and Vietnam War group of four awarded to William CF Browne, who served in both wars with 161 Battery, RNZA.

 

Born Wellington 18 Sep 1930, son of William Franklin and Mavis Doreen Browne (née Jensen). Previous service in RNZAF in 1949 but was discharged as unsuitable. Employed by Borac Ltd, Timaru. Enlisted as a Kayforce Replacement Draft. Entered Korea 25 May 1952 and was posted to 16 Fd Regt. and served in 161 Bty. MT in NZ Base HQ from 16 Fd Regt and remained on the NZ Roll 18 Dec 1953. Returned to New Zealand in March 1954. Applied for second tour to Korea but his application was declined. Discharged from Kayforce 11 May 1954. Became a schoolteacher at Hutt Valley Technical College.

 

Joined Regular Force, 27 Oct 1959. In 1961 posted to 163 Bty, 16 Fd Regt at Papakura Camp. Promoted Temporary Bombardier 18 Apr 1962 while holding appointment of Battery Clerk. Served in NSTU at Waiouru and was then appointed Sergeant Clerk at RF Depot Waiouru. Also served in South Vietnam from 10 Jan 1966 with 161 Bty (Pay and Postal Clerk) and was also attached to HQ NZ Force Saigon. Emplaned Tan Son Nhut 1 Apr 1966 for RTNZ. Clerk at HQ Linton Army Area circa 1969 and changed corps to RNZEME. Later Warrant Officer 2nd Class, 29 Apr 1975. Posted to Otago Southland Army Area, Dunedin, 3 Jul 1975. Discharged from Army 12 Feb 1977.  Died in Christchurch in 2023. Also entitled to NZOSM, NZDSM, NZGSM (V) and KWSM but these have presumably never been claimed.

 

Korea Medal and UN Korea correctly impressed 208472 GNR. W.C.F. BROWNE. Vietnam Medal correctly impressed 208472 BDR. W.C.F. BROWNE RNZA and the Vietnam Star is correctly named 208472 WCF BROWNE. Group comes with a paybook, Meritorious Unit Citation bar and ID card from Vietnam.

The work of Howard Chamberlain in his book The New Zealand Korea Roll is acknowledged.