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   Battle for Australia Association
    A Swordsman in the Battle for Australia

Patron: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

The November/December 2015 issue of "Reveille" lists Peter Teague (NX123607) in its "Last Post" column. I do not have any information about his death but can tell you something of his interesting life. A story in the New South Wales Lancers' Association Newsletter No. 20 of March 1966, says: "Peter was the youngest member of the regiment to enter Rutherford camp in December 1941, aged 17 yrs 1 mth having put his age up. He had joined 1 MG Regt (Royal New South Wales Lancers) at Randwick in 1940, aged 15. Jibes over his "baby face" ended when they found out how good he was with his fists. He proved to be one of the regiment's best boxers, a useful skill taught to him by his father, a horseman in the Boer War and also in WW1, who was one of the first 500 foundation members of the RSL in Australia." The story also mentions that Peter was a director of Harbord Diggers RSL club and was a member of the Rugby League Australia Remembers party to NZ in March, 1995.

The two pictures of Peter held by the Australian War Museum appear below. The caption reads: "Balikpapan 2 July 1945. Corporal Peter Teague, 1 Armoured Regiment (RNSWL), showing the Japanese sword he captured after shooting a Japanese soldier in a tunnel on Vasey Highway during the Oboe 2 operation" to members of A Squadron. The sword is now on display in the Lancers Museum, Parramatta NSW.


  

Former A Squadron (1AR (RNSWL)) members, Geoff Francis and Doug Beardmore, have provided more information:

When he joined Peter was posted to Headquarters Squadron where he worked in intelligence with Hugh Miller. It was not long before his experience in Morse Code was recognised. He was appointed instructor in this skill teaching men all of whom were older than himself. His nickname was "Olaf" because his blond hair stood out in a crowd. Any Scandinavian ancestors were presumed but never proved.

While in Balikpapan Peter was involved in gathering intelligence from Japanese bodies after an engagement. He had to note any distinguishing features which might indicate what units they had belonged to, their state of nutrition, clothing, weaponry, etc. The infantry officer in charge of this procedure regarded his work as outstanding.

Bert Castellari

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