"DESERT DIGGERS" The Pilbara Regt.

The Pilbara Regiment. A Line Infantry Regiment of the Australian Defence Force part of the Regional Force Surveillance Group. Australian Army Reservists operating in Western Australia. They conduct OP Surveillance, Recce, both Mobile and Foot Patrols and Waterborne Patrols. Avery interesting Unit which many of you may not have heard of.
Our 80 Miles in 8 Days Challenge, for SCOTTY'S LITTLE SOLDIERS, is almost upon us, just two days to go.Please consider supporting us to raise funds for SCOTTY'S by following the link below to our JustGiving Page. Thank you all so much, from myself and the Tracer Round!
www.justgiving...

[@BeardedChieftain]

99% of Aussies don't know, the three RFSU are the only land force units that are constantly on "Operational Status" and within Australian territory. In the early days it all stemmed from the original Coastwatchers concept organised as IRCs . Bloody good units with great people. I loved any time I got to work in the RFSU AO

[@tylersweet5994]

Brilliant! My son works up in the Pilbara for an Environmental consultants contracted by the Mining companies. Extraordinary part of the world and massive respect to those Pilbara Regiment Diggers working up there in such challenging conditions across such a vast area. Thanks so much for the passing on the information about them. And all the best for the up coming challenge this weekend for Scotty's Little Soldiers!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you. Yes, would love to have visited Aus, always been on my bucket list.

[@poulterbaz]

Said it before, but you have made a great little community here Keith, and Tracey, well done to you both and long may you tab. Baz

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers Baz, yeah there are some fantastic characters on here, like the NAAFI at times, great banter between all.

[@SimonFlax]

Good video as ever thanks 🎉🎉

[@plumduff3303]

All the best for your upcoming challenge hats off to you both 👏 👍 on a separate note what a cracking channel and fantastic supporters on here.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers and yes, really good people on here, we all seem to be on the same song sheet, similar values.

[@user-vs2wd6fk3m]

Great ...Keith and Tracey...doing this charity walk 80 miles .. In two days ..Good long tab..

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Not quite, it's 80 miles in 8 days. Cheers for your support 👍

[@Jean-MarcBordeaux]

I cant believe time has gone so quickly in time for your preparation I wish you a good rest day and take it easy pace yourself as they say. Stop at a few cafes on the way round, Take a bucket with you, You never know someone might recognise the both of you, Love hearing you reminisce

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you. Early night for us. All set for tomorrow, should be posting videos each day, all the best.

[@mrspudly1]

I spent some time last weekend watching old Les Hidins videos on KZbin, the Bush Tucker Man absolute legend.

[@trevorrickard9451]

Thanks Keith another good one. Just a quick fill in . Trevor 5 Queens Broadstairs, was there 1974 to 1979 B coy HQ signals. Dril hall and fire station all gone now.

[@pdontmatter4135]

Thanks so much for reasearching and posting about the PILB REGT. I am happy to chat - give photos, and help fund raise

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thats great thank you. I really found your old Regiment interesting. If I were a young lad out there it is definitely the kind of unit I would be interested in joining. Thank you for bringing the Regiment to my attention.

[@simonridley9333]

Face Front Salute .Hats of to you and the Mrs All the best and hopefully youl keep us updated you aint never left Kieth you was once a civvy now cant change lots off are afflicted Ex Senior Service R.N

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thanks Simon, we'll be posting videos each day, should be a giggle or two.

[@peterlovett5841]

Was working in the Northern Territory in 2000 and was involved in the recruitment day for NorForce which is one of the 3 regional surveillance groups. Responsible for the northern coastline if Western Australia and Northern Territory it recruits heavily from the indigenous population because as the recruiting sergeant I spoke to said, they know their country like the back of their hand and know immediately if something or someone has been there. The ones I met were very impressive soldiers and took a lot of pride in their work.

[@LJdeatz01]

Served with fusiliers in Northern Ireland great bunch,good look with your tab.

[@hawkeye6135]

Nice little vid... You should do one on the "Royal Victoria Regiment". I got involved with 8/7 RVR 20 years ago when I came to Australia, 8th / 7th Batt (Ranger Battalion) is the reserve Battalion for regional Victoria, & 5/6 was the Batt for the metro Melbourne area. They formed, along with 4CSSB (4th Combat Service Support Battalion) etc, the core components of 4 Brigade. 8/7 is the current incarnation of what was shown in the 80s TV series "ANZACS".. which showed Australia involvement (& specifically the regiments) in WWI, from Gallipoli to France. . The colour patch as worn in the show from WWI is the same as worn now.. White over Red, or "Bandage over Blood" as it's known.

[@sidneybowerman558]

As your charity H hour approaches good luck and a fair wind to both of you.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you so much.

[@matjordan4848]

Good stuff - interesting as always. Best of luck for tomorrow. Hope the weather stays good.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thanks 👍

[@andrewevans6172]

Enjoy the day off before your 10 day tab. Wish you guys all the best, keep the feet taped. Swift and bold

[@bugler75]

Very informative 😊 Every Digger and Kiwi that I had the fortune to come across were superb people, both on and off duty. As for your tab, here’s a wee blessing from my part of the world and often used in our Régiments Drumhead services: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Or to paraphrase John Lydon: May the road rise with you ! Faugh a Ballagh (Clear the way!) Ian

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Lovely words Ian cheers 🍻

[@bugler75]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd No problem Boss, get those feet up this evening!

[@williamcarrington61]

Not sure if it's still popular, but Kendal Mint Cake was a good energy snack. Tabbing the Brecon Beacon's was made a lot better for this energy booster.

[@sidneybowerman558]

I have a bar of it almost next to me. First had it at the Outward Bound School at Ullswater in the early 1960's. I remember the Brown version as well.

[@mikeroberts3666]

Keith good luck and best wishes to you and tracer round for the next ten days , they'll be lots of queens, ex and current, in Skegness this weekend!! . Tab on guys👏👏👏

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

😂😂😂😂 cheers, should be interesting in Skegness , the Pride event has the whole seafront road closed to traffic and so could be a bit crowded Tabbing down there......glad Ive got the Tracer Round with me. Cheers mucker.

[@mikeroberts3666]

Mate ,as you know ,it was illegal to be gay in the forces in our time​ . I've met a few same sex folk in the last few years, and all have been really nice people. Make sure they know what you're doing , and I bet your collection tins do really well 👍👍👍

[@Martinthehun59]

Never been to Australia Keith?!?!?! Get yourself and Tracer Round there, you'll love it mate. I've always wanted to go there on 25th April - ANZAC day, (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) which commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, but mainly Gallipoli. Might be a good vid to make about them Keith..?? Just saying, consider it - not saying do it - just consider it... Aim high troops, WE CAN MAKE £10,000.

[@allanxxxxxxxx]

Awesome Vlog Keith as per Normal take it easy both of you during the 8-day challenge Stay Safe

[@pdontmatter4135]

Thanks

[@mikechild3414]

Good luck tomorrow mate, hope you and the Tracer Round smash it! Let us all know how it goes. 👍🤞

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers Mike, will a video each evening 👍

[@ianthomson4609]

Lovin’ your channel, Keith and very many congratulations on everything you’ve achieved in your career. I was In BHQ Tp 156 Bty, so a lot of your vlogs have refreshed many memories of the good ol’ days. You mentioned Crusader in one of your vlogs - I was driving one of the VIP 432s. We were in the mess tent getting pissed one night when our boss came in and said we had to move out of camp ASAP as there was going to be an anti-nuclear demo in the morning. I’d swapped my beret for a US cap that had silver Captains bars in it, so ended up wearing it as we drove out of camp. You were on the main gate, and I’ll never forget the look of surprise on your face as I shouted “Aww right, Keef” as you lifted the barrier! 😂😂 Best regards, mate to you and Tracer Round, and keep up the great work!! 👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Ian, bloody hell mate, yes I remember that incident on the main gate during Ex Crusader, I was tagging on with Topper. We were at 5 Hey Regts Bks in Hildesheim. I remember the anti nuclear demo as well, was on the gate that day. Remember you well mate. Thanks for the support. I've got Mark Shores, Ted Selves, Steve Lewis among others from 156 Bty on here. Small world. All the best mate. Keith & Tracer Round

[@ianthomson4609]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fdYes mate, I saw the vlog you did with Mark - he’s done well too! I still live in the Larkhill area and bump into one or two of the lads occasionally - they were all a great bunch. I’ve just put a tenner each way on you and Tracer Round (I love that nickname) for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Hope it all goes well for you! 👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

@ianthomson4609 cheers Ian. Yeah just been on the phone to Mark, told me Terry Nelson passed away recently, don't know if you remember him?

[@ianthomson4609]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Sad news, Keith. Yes I remember Terry.

[@SteveHB59]

Great vid mate. I was once arrested at a VCP by the desert diggers, I was wearing civvys and had a beard. But that’s another story

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Brilliant 🫡😆

[@waynethefridgemanosborne8984]

Again great work to Keith and Tracy, just wondering if you can share this . BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY HERE IN ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA. SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER @ THE AIR FORCE MEMORABLE . RSL HQ . . GOOD LUCK ON THE TAB . WAYNE

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you, will definitely try, all the best Wayne.

[@user-wd4ti8gn3o]

There is a good Australian Film The Light Horse about it and The Light Horse in WW1

[@fatmanfaffing4116]

They are a first rate unit, a lot of them are indigenous and all a good bunch of lads (and lasses). As well as surveillance, they also assist the civil power as required and have rescued illegal immigrants landing by boat. When they wear the uniform they are as professional as any Regs and in the Pilbara they are second to none.

[@doctorpc4x4]

Aussie (Australia) is a big old country. To fly from New Zealand to Aussie takes 3 hours to fly across Aussie tkes 4 hours or thereabouts

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Australia is one Country I admire very much, I've always wanted to go there, just never enough cash. Do have an old Army mate out there somewhere that I've not seen for 40 odd years.

[@boxa61901]

Got the history wrong. I took the brief in 1982, and it was to form the 5th Independent Rifle Company, The Pilbara Regiment. The regiment has existed since 26th January 1982. Not bad waffle, as a general overview. Very 'Brit".

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thanks for the correction. Very Aus.

[@JayMac-gh1kx]

😊😊 green on mucker that was lots of memories from the day m8t. U n tracer round have a gd TABBING brother!! Please contact me brother!! From a oldswet my self an ex'service AB ALL THE WAY BROTHER!! Wish was on tab m8 with u etc brother!! Going on tab bit l8tr to day m8t atm its pissing it dw in kent m8ty lol. 😊😊

[@JayMac-gh1kx]

Keith lad get intuch m8 hope you ok etc brother n have a coool day brother

[@zaynevanday142]

😂😂 Soldier Soldier was the RRF

[@Katmando376]

Nice one Keith , good tribute to our Aussie brothers.🦘💂‍♂️🫡👍

[@ianmurray4081]

Awesome video per usual. Very informative and interesting to hear about the Pilbara Regt. Canada has a similar organization called the Canadian Rangers. Mostly indigenous people that have intimate knowledge of the region and train with the regular Forces, hosting Arctic survival training and courses.🍺🇨🇦🫡🇬🇧🍺

[@BeardedChieftain]

In fact, there is an element of NORFORCE, a sister unit to Pilbara, in Canada at the moment with the Rangers.