(1PIR, Goldie River and Murray Barracks)

Having seven brothers in the Army or Air Force, it was evident to Erich Riedel that being a Lutheran pastor was synonymous with being an Army Chaplain.

Erich’s Army life began in Brisbane in 1957 when he was inducted into the Army Reserve.  At the time it was known as the CMF or Citizen Military Forces.  He worked as an Army Chaplain with an artillery unit as well at Wacol Army Barracks with the 11th National Service Training Battalion.

In 1959 Erich’s position developed into a full time position with National Service which ended when he was posted to the Armoured Regiment in Puckapunyal, Victoria at the end of 1959.  Once his short-service Commission ended his church required him to return to parish work.

The military service was not about to lose Erich.  A Chaplaincy vacancy opened in Papua New Guinea and, due to the number of Lutheran soldiers in the Battalion, the military decided to engage a Lutheran Chaplain. In February 1965 Erich began work in Taurama Barracks with the 1st Battalion, The Pacific Islands Regiment.  In later years, he also spent considerable time at Goldie River with the Recruit Training Depot as well as some time at Murray Barracks.

Everyone, both Protestant and Catholic, worshipped in a native materials Chapel for many years until a permanent structure was built.  Father Raymond Quirk (Father Ray) and Erich Riedel formed a compatible team, working together and playing golf together.

On one special occasion Father Ray was to preach the dedication sermon before many local and overseas dignitaries.  On finding himself sick in hospital, Ray asked Erich to step into the breech inviting Erich to use the notes Ray had prepared. As friends and comrades, they spent a lot of time together travelling to outstations in Wewak, Vanimo and various places for Anzac Day services and other special services.

In the Queen’s New Year Awards, 1972, Erich received the MBE for his work with the Regiment and with Recruit Training.  At the end of 1973, before returning to Australia, Erich introduced Yerr Komdi, a Papua New Guinea pastor, to take over his role as the 1PIR Army Chaplain at Taurama.

Erich Riedel described his time in PNG as a fantastic part of his and his wife Betty’s working life and a life they were sad to leave.

(photo taken during a visit to 1PIR in 2011 by ex RAAEC Sgts – ‘Chalkies’ Terry Edwinsmith, Norm Hunter and Kev Horton accompanied by their old Pay Sergeant, Kini Rava.)

Article compiled by Kev Horton from information and photos supplied by Col Ron Lange AM, MID