August 18 has been observed as Vietnam Veterans Day in Australia for some time. The date commemorates the Battle of Long Tan, which took place on that day in 1966 – long considered a defining moment in Australian military history.

Returned service (RSL) personnel and their communities around the country observe this day in different ways. Dubbo Photo News is grateful to the Narromine RSL Sub-branch for sharing images of their 60th anniversary commemorative service, and the reflections of sub-branch president David Taylor and long-serving member and Vietnam Veteran Edward (Ted) Davies OAM.

“We assemble here … to honour and commemorate the Battle of Long Tan, in which 108 soldiers from D Company 6RAR stood in the way of an enemy force in excess of 2000 on their way to wipe out the newly established Australian base at Nui Dat,” former Infantry Signaller Ted explained.

“In that battle, 18 diggers paid the ultimate sacrifice and 24 were wounded. Those brave men prevailed in the face of overwhelming odds.

“There were however many battles both large and small that our Aussie soldiers fought during their time in Vietnam, including the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral, where in fact our lines were overrun and more Diggers were killed. Our soldiers had to fight to regain those lines.

“Because of all these other battles, August 18th has now become known as Vietnam Veterans Day, so as to include and recognise all Australian servicemen and women who served in that South East Asian Country,” he added.

Conscripts remembered

David Taylor mentioned conscripted personnel serving in the Vietnam War.

“Some of these men were National Servicemen. They were conscripted. They didn’t want to be there. They would much rather be at home with their families doing what they preferred to be doing. But they were called up and sent to fight without any choice in the matter,” he said.

“I am quite sure that the enemy, had they known some of these men didn’t want to be there, wouldn’t have said ‘that's all right, we won't attack you.’

“All these men in D company, whether volunteers or conscripted, were fighting for their lives. They were all in the same danger. They all had to fight the same enemy in order to survive,” he added.

Tough conditions

Vietnam for an Infantry soldier was tough, Ted said.

“The operations were long, mostly in excess of 30 days patrolling in thick jungle on combat rations with no change of clothes or shower.

“Our longest operation was 72 days, but we did get a change of clothes and one hotbox meal that day. The loads were very heavy with a rifleman carrying over 40 kgs and machine gunners and signallers carrying in excess of 50 kgs.

“We carried these weights on patrol for up to 10 hours each day with a five-minute rest each hour if possible and could come under fire at any moment.”

Tribute to nurses

Ted also paid tribute to the nurses who served in Vietnam.

“[They] are rarely included or remembered for their dedicated and outstanding service for our wounded soldiers,” he said.

“With the extensive use of helicopters in Vietnam and in particular the ‘Huey’, we were in many cases able to evacuate our wounded from the battlefield to military trauma hospitals. Once there, these ‘Angels of Mercy’ were able to assess and treat shocking battle wounds and saved so many lives because of their dedicated service,” Ted added.

“They often gave their heart to our wounded diggers and sat with them through the long night hours and suffered their pain and in some cases watched over them as our boys sadly succumbed to their wounds. We sincerely honour and thank them.”

Stress on loved ones

Ted’s military unit, the 9th Battalion, lost almost 10 per cent of its members, he said. He reflected on the horrific stress experienced by the loved ones of those serving in Vietnam, which he believes has often been overlooked.

“Every evening on TV, there were live reports from Vietnam of the battles and of those soldiers killed and wounded.

“Whilst this tremendous stress and worry was on these families, at the same time the Anti-Vietnam protest movement was rallying and calling all those soldiers serving in Vietnam ‘baby killers’ and throwing red paint over those young men returning to Australia,” Ted explained.

“Sadly, my unit, the 9th Battalion, lost 35 men ‘Killed in Action’ out of the 400-odd combat troops of that unit. These were men, boys really, who are still mourned by their families and their fellow comrades. They never had the chance to meet and marry their sweethearts, have families nor to experience the joy of grandchildren. We will always remember them.”

Those serving at home

Ted also paid tribute to military personnel who served at the time of the Vietnam War but were not posted overseas.

“Without their service, we would not have received our supplies of ammunition, vehicles, food supplies, clothes, mail and everything else that we needed to operate in Vietnam,” he said.

Grateful

David Taylor reminded those gathered that we are all part of the same community and depend on each other.

“As we remember Vietnam Veterans’ Day, and the Battle of Long Tan … let's take that same attitude, that same spirit, that wants to support our fellow Australians, and let's stand together.

“Whether it be in the time of war, economic troubles, or just in everyday life, let's stand together. We're all in it together.

“Let's remember those who have gone before, especially those of our servicemen and women who have given their lives, or who at least were prepared to die for their country, so that we might enjoy what we have today.

“Let's remember them with gratitude,” he concluded.

Lest We Forget.