Photo by Cpl Wade Laube, 1JPAU(P)

Walk the miles

 

By Cpl Jonathan Garland
Reservists with 5/7RAR in East Timor have found a unique link to WW2 and another Reserve company.

The first Reserve company deployed in its entirety to operations since WW2, A Coy has a human connection to the last company to do so.

Pte Darren Stendt, A Coy, 5/7RAR, is the nephew of one Cpl Richard Stendt, who served Australia with 39 Bn at Kokoda in 1942.

"He is actually mentioned in the book Retreat from Kokoda for his actions leading a standing patrol," Pte Stendt said.

"I'm one of the first in the family to go away and do anything like that and it's good to know that I'm doing the same sort of thing."