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Private Paul Zigmund “Ziggy” Trzecinski

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Private Paul Zigmund “Ziggy” Trzecinski Veteran

Birth
Straubing, Stadtkreis Straubing, Bavaria, Germany
Death
27 Jan 1968 (aged 21)
Vietnam
Burial
Rookwood, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia GPS-Latitude: -33.866968, Longitude: 151.0533893
Plot
Zone B Anglican Section EE Grave 576A
Memorial ID
View Source
216115 Private Paul Zigmund "Ziggy" Trzecinski, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Age 21 born Strabing West Germany on the 3rd October 1946.
He served in Vietnam with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, from the 19th April 1967 to the 28th August 1967 … and …from the 24th September 1967 to the 27th January 1968.
Private Trzecinski was one of the members of the Assault Pioneer section which had been attached to D Company for the operation and he had left the perimeter to relieve himself. The Assault Pioneer section was commanded by Sgt Eric McCoombe. McCoombe recalls reminding Trzecinski to let the appropriate people know that he was leaving the perimeter. He did apparently let someone know but the message was not passed on to the sentry. On his return to the perimeter, Trzecinski was mistaken for a VC and shot dead. Not long after the shooting a Dustoff helicopter evacuated his body. Sgt McCoombe escorted him back to ensure that his body found its way back to the correct Australian destination.
Private Trzecinski had been married on R&R leave five months earlier. His son, born after his death, joined the Army and has served with 5/7 RAR.
On 17th September 1989, members of the 7th Battalion Association were present when a new bridge was opened
on Maitland's inner city bypass road. The bridge was called 'The P.Z. Trzecinski Bridge' in memory of Paul ('Ziggy'), who was the first Maitland man to enlist for the Vietnam War and the only resident of that city to be killed in that conflict.
He is also remembered by a plaque in the Maitland Polish Association Hall.
A memorial in Newcastle's Civic Park to local soldiers killed in Vietnam includes the names of Private 'Ziggy' Trzecinski, Corporal Tom Blackhurst and Private Stephen Dickson.
216115 Private Paul Zigmund "Ziggy" Trzecinski, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Age 21 born Strabing West Germany on the 3rd October 1946.
He served in Vietnam with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, from the 19th April 1967 to the 28th August 1967 … and …from the 24th September 1967 to the 27th January 1968.
Private Trzecinski was one of the members of the Assault Pioneer section which had been attached to D Company for the operation and he had left the perimeter to relieve himself. The Assault Pioneer section was commanded by Sgt Eric McCoombe. McCoombe recalls reminding Trzecinski to let the appropriate people know that he was leaving the perimeter. He did apparently let someone know but the message was not passed on to the sentry. On his return to the perimeter, Trzecinski was mistaken for a VC and shot dead. Not long after the shooting a Dustoff helicopter evacuated his body. Sgt McCoombe escorted him back to ensure that his body found its way back to the correct Australian destination.
Private Trzecinski had been married on R&R leave five months earlier. His son, born after his death, joined the Army and has served with 5/7 RAR.
On 17th September 1989, members of the 7th Battalion Association were present when a new bridge was opened
on Maitland's inner city bypass road. The bridge was called 'The P.Z. Trzecinski Bridge' in memory of Paul ('Ziggy'), who was the first Maitland man to enlist for the Vietnam War and the only resident of that city to be killed in that conflict.
He is also remembered by a plaque in the Maitland Polish Association Hall.
A memorial in Newcastle's Civic Park to local soldiers killed in Vietnam includes the names of Private 'Ziggy' Trzecinski, Corporal Tom Blackhurst and Private Stephen Dickson.

Inscription

216115 PRIVATE
P.Z. TRZECNSKI
7 BATTALION
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
27TH JANUARY 1968 AGE 21.


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