Reunion of NZ Vietnam veterans

Contractors

Providing Transport, Construction and Earthmoving services since 1928

EARTHMOVING & CONTRACTING:

House sites, driveways

Culvert installations

Drainage

Land development

Farm maintenance

Ph 525 9843

FOR ALL YOUR CARTAGE NEEDS:

General Freight Storage

Bulk Cartage

Livestock

SUPPLIER OF:

Stock Feed

Fertilisers

Spreading: Spreadmark certified with GPS mapping

Victor 4 Company was an infantry company that was part of New Zealand’s contribution to the Vietnam War. Victor 4 was in Vietnam from May 1969 to May 1970, and was part of the 6th Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (ANZAC) Battalion.

Victor 4 Company left for Malaysia in November 1968 and were based at Terendak Camp, a large British base just north of Malacca. This is where we underwent our pre-deployment training in the Malaysian jungle, learning all the skills before departing for Vietnam. This gave us the appropriate training and experience to firstly accept the conditions that the jungle environment could throw at us, and secondly the military skills to operate effectively and quietly in that environment. Individual weapon training and tactical skills were adapted to suit the Vietnam situation, as we were to learn on arrival that we would be up against a determined and formidable North Vietnam Army and Vietcong force.

The company, made up of three platoons, was named Victor 4 Company, to fall in line with the numbering of the companies that had deployed in previous years. On 8 May 1969, we departed Terendak Camp in a convoy of buses for

Changi Air Force Base in Singapore, where we were airlifted by RNZAF Hercules to Vung Tau in Vietnam. The excitement soon subsided, as we deplaned onto the tarmac in the country where we were to spend the next 12 months. From Vung Tau we were taken by truck to Nui Dat – a hill feature that was home for a very large Australian and New Zealand force, made up of artillery, infantry, engineers, and SAS units.

During the 12 months in Vietnam, we suffered six of our company Killed in Action, one Died on Active Service, with 13 others Wounded on Active Service. It is these men that we gather bi-annually (or as in recent years – annually) to remember, and the 76 members of Victor 4 Company who have died since returning home in November 1970.

The Pōhara reunion, held last week, was attended by 30 members including wives and partners, where much fun, reminiscing, and the partaking of the golden ale was had. We toured the local and historical sites of Golden Bay and held a unique memorial service at the Tākaka Memorial Gardens. After three days of renewed comradery, the group departed for their various homes around New Zealand and Australia, agreeing to meet in 2024 in Rarotonga.

Aggregates

Compost, bark, landscape gravels, pea straw

Phone 525 9843