An Australian in the Canadian Army - Scout Sniper 2 RCR Song-gok Spur

[captainofthe7th]

For four years, Richard Jillett served the Australian Army during times when they were most threatened by the spread of the Japanese empire. His loyalty to country was just as resolute when he joined the Canadian Army after the outbreak of the Korean War, where he was assigned as a scout sniper with the 2d Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. He fell under command of Ed Mastronardi who commanded Scout Platoon and the unit snipers. He left Canada with the battalion and fought in country from their arrival on May 4, 1951. The battalion was immediately thrown into battle by the end of the month at the village of Chail-li during a driving rainstorm. D Company spearheaded the attack to the summit of Kakhul-bong, a terrain feature before the village. With the rest of Ed's snipers, Jillett covered their advance, but artillery and machine gun fire was too much for D Company and they were forced down. It was the R.C.R.'s baptism.

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Six hundred yards forward of the 2 R.C.R.'s main defensive line was the Song-gok Spur, a crucial bit of land that overlooked the Sami-ch'on Valley. Ed's "Flying Deuce" 2 Platoon of A Company had the responsibility of defending the position. Jillett was used to being isolated, but for an entire platoon to be so far out was nearly unheard of. The unit was under strength with only twenty-eight men and no sergeant, just two corporals and a lance corporal - Jillett - to perform the duties required of all NCOs under Ed's command.

​Just before 2100 hours on November 2 the Chinese struck and the Flying Deuce remained resolute as they braced for the incoming attack wave. For eight hours, the 2 Platoon fought off their attackers with unwavering bravery. They only evacuated the position after three in the morning when the brigadier radioed Ed and requested they withdraw. Except for Private Campeau who was killed, no man remained behind and the platoon recovered all their weapons and equipment to make the 600 yard sprint to friendly lines.

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The Chinese did not pursue the Flying Deuce, nor did they occupy the spur. The Canadians inflicted enough damage to deter them. Richard was wounded during the action along with fourteen others - half of the platoon. Joe Campeau was the only death that night and the only man left behind. Ed returned the next day to recover his body.

Richard reverted to the rank of Private from Lance Corporal, whether by his choice or discipline is mystery. Perhaps due to the overwhelming responsibilities on the spur he chose the simple life of a private and focused on making it through the war without the extra tasks of a junior NCO. The 2 R.C.R. rotated back to Petawawa in April 1952 and after his discharge later that year, he returned to his home in Australia where he lived the remainder of his life in Queensland.

 

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http://www.rcmcollection.com/Jillett

 

This has been an amazing little group to research. Along with his battledress blouse came a few documents from Jillett's Canadian and Australian service and a photo of him in a sniper position in Korea. Available online was a photograph of him during World War II with the No 41 Australian Field Battery - notated only and you can't see his face. I also ordered his full service file from the Australian Archives and it provides excellent details about his service including attachment to the U.S. 5th Air Force. Overall a stunning uniform to begin with and even more pleasing once I tapped into finding information. Much more to come on this one!

 

 

[captainofthe7th]

From a family member who posted Jillett's funeral card online, here he is at the end (?) of World War II:

 

[captainofthe7th]

The small photo of him in Korea in a dugout:

 

[captainofthe7th]

A page spread from one of the two Canadian Army service books. Note the rifle listed with serial number...if only I could find that.

 

There is just a lot of great documentation with this, from what was included in the original pay and service books to what the Australian records provided. Too much to show on here and really not of great interest for show an tell, but still extremely valuable in terms of making an uncommon uniform even more exciting.

 

[captainofthe7th]

Be sure to see the website link for a couple more images and full source credits. I had a lot of help from the RCR Association president who has continued to help me with research. He recommended an excellent book Mock the Haggard Face that Ed Mastronardi wrote that is fiction, but a parallel of his experiences in Korea.

 

Enjoy!

 

Rob

[edstorey]

That is one nice BD blouse! Is it dated on the inside?

[Brian Keith]

Great uniform and excellent history!

Thanks for posting it.

BKW