10 minute read
Vietnam Veterans Day
When I came to Australia in 1969, I was 13 and had no idea there was a war raging involving Australia. The school I went to, had many anti war teachers, they handed out pamphlets and moratorium badges, gave speeches and we never questioned anything they told us. Having been taught by nuns for most of my schooling in England, I had learnt from an early age you didn’t question teachers (unlike today), they were the teachers, you learnt from them. So, I really didn’t understand what it was all about.
The war ended, I remember the troops coming home and being treated very badly but had never actually met anyone who had served in Vietnam, so it didn’t personally impact on me. I started working for the Bank of New South Wales, I finally met someone who had been there, on his good days he was the sweetest, nicest man you could meet, on his bad days, he was a drunk and a druggie. I found his complex personality very strange but I was only a teenager, obviously naïve, no idea this had anything to do with his service, PDSD was not something that was heard of in those days.
In 1987, 12 years after the war ended, our troops were finally welcomed home, my Dad went into town to support them, I regret to this day I didn’t go with him, I did watch it on TV and I cried, I cried from start to finish.
I cried again on Friday 18th August, 2023, when at a Vietnam Veterans’ Day service at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney, RSL NSW President Ray James OAM, on behalf of the League in NSW, apologised for the mistreatment of veterans who returned home from the conflict – and reaffirmed the League’s pledge to stand for all veterans now and in the future.
This is Ray’s wonderful speech
“Returning home
“When I returned from each trip to Vietnam between 1966 and 1971, I came home to my family. I was then and still am very lucky to have my family around me – because I also came home to people demonstrating against the war in Vietnam, and against those who served, sacrificed and even gave their lives.
“Many of those we are commemorating today, who served, who sacrificed, didn’t have a community around them to provide ballast amid that public opinion.
“Some were spurned by veterans of previous conflicts, turned away and refused membership by some RSL subBranches in NSW. Those who were turned away were left isolated, without access to key support services or a network of like-minded peers.
“Today, I’m here to commemorate 50 years since the proclamation to end Australia’s involvement in the war in Vietnam. To recognise the service of all Australians in that war, and honour the sacrifices they and their families made.
“I’m here as a veteran of the war in Vietnam who remembers that sacrifice, and I honour my mates today.
“When veterans needed the League the most, the RSL community in NSW let them down. For those injustices and for our misjudgement – we are sorry. To the veterans who have been at the receiving end of hardship and negativity – we are sorry.”
Improving the future
“Today, we recognise the dedication of the Australians who served or were involved in the war in Vietnam. Some 60,000 fought in a protracted and challenging conflict; others never left Australia; all made an indelible contribution.
“These past weeks, I have attended several vigils.
“In Thirlmere Cemetery I joined more than 150 mourners at the grave of Ian James Thomson, a much-loved 22-year -old who was killed in action in Vietnam. Ian’s family and his company commander, who had been by his side when he was killed, honoured his sacrifice and remembered his bravery.
“At a vigil in Rookwood, my wife Pauline and I saw two other veterans, RSL sub-Branch members, placing poppies on the graves of those who had served and lost their lives.
“As representatives of a community of veterans in this state, we are already doing better than we did in the past. But we recognise that we must continue that focus on being better. We must continually work to ensure that the experiences on home soil that tested some Vietnam veterans’ tenacity, rather than offering comfort, are not repeated for veterans of recent conflicts and in the future.
“We know that this apology does not erase the past – but it could improve the future. Together with our charity partner RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, and in collaboration with smaller veterans’ charities throughout the state, RSL NSW provides support and services to benefit veterans and their families.
“But more must be done, and soon. The ongoing Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide shows a stark need for veterans’ support services to be prioritised at a policy and organisational level, and for institutions to improve their management of current and ex-serving personnel at every stage of their careers and lives. The League’s submissions to and reflections on the progress of the Commission reflect our steadfast support for its findings.”
Standing for veterans
“We must not let those experiences of some veterans on their return from the war in Vietnam be repeated for the veterans of today’s generation.
“And so, the RSL in NSW reaffirms its pledge to be and stand for all veterans, no matter the length or nature of their service, and regardless of whether they are RSL sub-Branch members. We will work harder to provide a warm welcome to all veterans and their families, and affirm their trust in the state’s largest ex-service organisation.
“We will do better.
“Many of our 27,000 members are leaders who act in service of their communities. A great many of today’s members are veterans of the war in Vietnam, who we’re here to honour today.
‘Those veterans, our members, have devoted countless volunteer hours – tens of thousands of hours – over the past 50 years to ensure that the League in NSW remains a home and support for veterans and their families.
“And still, with all that they do, our members ask me –‘how can I help?’.
“It starts with a promise, and it starts today; I promise that RSL NSW will not repeat the mistakes of the past. I encourage all veterans, whether you are a member of the League or not, to be a part of this commitment.
“Start with a promise of your own – to continue your service. Where you once served your country, you now serve your community of fellow veterans. Embody the League’s principles of mateship and camaraderie by lending a helping hand to your peers.
And I encourage the wider community – the friends, relatives and colleagues of veterans – to take up this promise. Reach out and connect the veterans you know with support and services available to them at their local RSL subBranch.
“The Returned and Services League in NSW strives to be a place of protection and safety, of camaraderie and union, where every veteran is welcome and no one is left behind. We all have a part to play in achieving that.”
Paul was the last Australian killed in action during the last minutes of the Battle.
This poem was written by Paul’s eldest sister
ONE MUFFLED DRUM
By Patricia Bourke August 1966
A little boy, so brave and strong; we didn’t get to keep him long. He was our treasure and our light, but he had to go away and fight. A fight he fought so far away, and we could only hope and pray, That GOD would guard him every day, and bring him home to us to stay. It happened on a rainy day, D Company went to show the way. When through the jungle at Long Tan, ten thousand strong the Viet Cong ran! A human wave, no care at all, their aim to make the Aussies fall. But Australian soldiers are the best: they really proved it in that test. Their hearts were beating hard and fast, just how long would their ammo last?
The Viet Cong closing all around; no cover they had, as they lay on the ground. They were outnumbered ten to one: it was a job that had to be done. The battle went into the night; our soldiers did not lose the fight.
The Viet Cong tried to break the hold, but our sons hung on, so brave and bold And fought them back, wave after wave, until at last, the Viet Cong gave. Back into the juggle they slunk away to try again another day.
A handful of boys fought at Long Tan: Each proved himself to be a man. A broken body on the ground, dead and wounded lying around.
Eighteen boys were killed that day; the price of war they had to pay.
A Viet Cong bullet sped through the air and hit our boy – we know not where.
Twenty one years of pride and joy is all we have left of our darling boy. Our hearts stopped beating when we read the telegram: “YOUR BOY IS DEAD”. What can we do? What can we say to ease the pain in our hearts today?
Our memories of our darling boy are treasures time cannot destroy.
He will not suffer grief or pain; we’d just love to see him once again.
A mother’s heart is torn in two; a father’s heart is broken too; Five sisters who adored that boy; a fiancée who is left alone; His many friends are stunned and quiet: all wishing they could have helped that night. Our only boy has gone away, but now we have him home to stay.
One muffled drum and marching feet, slowly going down the street, Only the bravest and the best, to lay our soldier boy to rest. A flag draped coffin, and a hat, a bayonet, and a part of us, Was buried on that fateful day: the price of war we had to pay.
Dedicated to my brother
PTE Paul Andrew Large
12 Platoon D Company 6 RAR
We will always love you.
Your sister, Patricia
Paul was not the only family member Pauline lost in this dreadful conflict.
William Wayne Donnelly killed on the 24/11/1968 age 19 he joined the army because his Brother Larry was called up ‘
William served in the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and died at the 24th US Evacuation after being shot during a contact in May Tau Hills on 24th November 1968.Age 19, his brother Larry brought his brothers body back and Larry died of a heart attack age 37
Private Michael Noonan, aged 21, from Gilgandra, was the manager of a spare parts outlet prior to being called up for National Service in 1967. He was posted to 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) and sailed to South Vietnam in May 1968.
During Operation Hawkesbury 1 in Long Khan Province on 13 September 1968, 7 Platoon entered a large enemy bunker system which appeared to be unoccupied. As the lead section moved among the bunkers they came under heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit and in the ensuing fire fight, Michael was shot and killed.
Pauline’s family was certainly affected through the Vietnam War and this is why she does what she does, working hard for our remarkable veterans and their families.
