THE service of Major Andrew John (Jack) Balsillie was celebrated at a lunch at the Bendigo RSL on Friday.
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The lunch marked the 70th anniversary of Major Balsillie’s enlistment in the Australian Defence Force. Several of Major Balsillie’s fellow apprentices made the trip to Bendigo from around Victoria and interstate.
Major Balsillie was one of the first 100 army apprentices to sign up in 1945.
His army career took him to what was then known as Malaya, as well as Vietnam.
Within Australia, he served postings in places including Townsville, Broadmeadows, Puckapunyal and Townsville.
Much of his military career was spent working with guns and supporting artillery units.
Major Balsillie retired from the ADF in 1986 after 40 years of continuous service. He now lives in Bendigo with his wife Greta.
