‘Homecoming’ for former sapper

A long-held wish was granted to former sapper William ‘Bill’ Knowles, who returned to Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks last month for the first time in almost 50 years.

CAPTION: Army veteran William Knowles and his wife Dianne with welfare officer Barry Low and soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Photos by Sapper Oliver McKenzie.

Mr Knowles served as a combat engineer from 1968 to 1977, calling Townsville home during his service. 

Following a recent late-stage cancer diagnosis, he shared a simple request with his family: to revisit the place he spent much of his military life.

With the support of the charity Dreams2Live4, his daughter Debbie worked with members of the 3rd Brigade’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) to plan a memorable visit which, she said, did not disappoint. 

“Dad was very humbled by this experience and met a lot of really nice people along the way,” she said.

“For this I will be forever grateful and I thank you [3CER] from the bottom of my heart for giving Dad something he will treasure.” 

Mr Knowles said the experience of driving through the gates of Lavarack Barracks on his 75th birthday was overwhelming. 

“All of the memories started to come rushing back.

It was just like coming home again.

It feels like I belong here,” he said.

Mr Knowles met soldiers from 3CER and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

“The soldiers are still the same.

We’re all brothers.

We look out for each other and have one another’s backs,” Mr Knowles said.

“I’ve stayed in touch with mates over the years and even now, if you need help, someone is always there.”

CAPTION: Veteran William Knowles and his wife Dianne are shown the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank by Corporal Liam Stocker at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. 

Mr Knowles was shown a number of modern capabilities, including the armoured M1150 assault breacher vehicle and M1110 joint assault bridge.

“I couldn’t believe how far it’s come,” Mr Knowles said. “The equipment, the technology; it’s a completely different world to what we had back then.” 

The visit highlighted how service in the Army often formed lifelong connections, as reflected in Townsville where ties between the Army and the local community have spanned generations.

Major Adam Hill, of 3CER, said the request quickly gained momentum once it reached the unit, and in true esprit de corps, they were more than happy to support.

“When we heard Bill’s story, we knew we wanted to support it,” Major Hill said.

“It was a real privilege to host Bill and his wife Dianne.

It was a reminder of why we serve and that your Army family will always be there.”

Support from the North Queensland Sappers Association also played a key role, with welfare officer Barry Low, who served alongside Bill in the 1970s, helping coordinate the visit and arrange the tour of several local memorials.

“I was really impressed with the National Servicemen’s Memorial in Townsville,” Mr Knowles said.

“I also visited the memorials at Jezzine Barracks, and I didn’t realise Townsville had been bombed three times during World War II.”

The visit was a chance to reconnect with a place that had remained significant long after his service ended.

“The Army changes, but some things don’t. That feeling of being part of it – that never goes away,” Mr Knowles said.

CAPTION: Veteran William Knowles slices his combat engineer-themed cake at the Officers’ Mess at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.

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