VIETNAM VETERANS

Vietnam

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Men and women from Katanning and districts were conscripted into the Australian armed services to be trained and sent to fight in Vietnam. It was an unpopular war with those at home, and these young men and women were treated badly on their return despite the fact they were forced to go by our government.

NOMINAL ROLL OF VIETNAM VETERANS
You can check for their Vietnam War Service and obtain a certificate of that service
HERE

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AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HISTORY IN VIETNAM

On patrol in Vietnam
(From AWM Archives)

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, beginning with a small commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962, increased over the following decade to a peak of 7,672 Australian personnel following the Menzies Government’s April, 1965, decision to upgrade its military commitment to South Vietnam’s security. By the time the last Australian personnel were withdrawn in 1972, the Vietnam War had become Australia’s longest war, and was only recently surpassed by Australia’s long-term commitment of combat forces to the War in Afghanistan. It currently remains Australia’s largest force contribution to a foreign conflict since the Second World War and was also the most controversial in Australian society since the conscription controversy during the First World War. Although initially enjoying broad support due to concerns about the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, a vocal anti-war movement developed in response to Australia’s programme of conscription.

On patrol through rice paddys in Vietnam

The withdrawal of Australia’s forces from South Vietnam began in November, 1970, when 8 RAR completed its tour of duty and was not replaced. A phased withdrawal followed, and by 11 January, 1973, Australian involvement in hostilities in Vietnam had ceased. Nevertheless, Australian troops from the Australian Embassy Platoon remained deployed in the country until 1 July, 1973, and Australian forces were deployed briefly in April, 1975, during the Fall of Saigon, to evacuate personnel from the Australian embassy. Approximately 60,000 Australians served in the war; 521 were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded.

This documentary, made in 1968 for publicity purposes, gives insight into the Australian soldiers’ experience. The film follows a group of Australian soldiers transiting into Vietnam, onto helicopter and into a contact with the VC, involving gunfire and capture of a Viet Cong fighter.

The narrator provides information about Australian and Viet Cong communications, tactics, supply lines, operational planning and other related matters. Other scenes include the gunners’ command post, Army Air support, gun detachments firing, 20 pounder guns firing, river-bourne operations, troops tracking VC and wading through mud, creeks and moving through similar obstacles, use of APC’s on the beach, inspecting villages for VC, detaining suspects for questioning.

Friendly interactions with locals and the work of army mobile clinics is also covered.

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KATANNING MEN WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

As in any war, not all of our fighting men returned home. Some lay in unmarked graves on the battlefield. Many more came home draped in the Australian flag having paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the freedom of others. The Vietnam war was no different.

NOEL VALENTINE CROUCH

Noel Valentine Crouch was born in Katanning, Western Australia, on the 23rd September 1947.
He was a 14th intake National Serviceman…
Continue reading

FOR A FULL LIST OF AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS
KILLED IN THE VIETNAM WAR
CLICK HERE

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KATANNING MEN WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM

Those who were BORN in Katanning
Click on a name to go to that service record…

ALTHAM, Brian Raymond
ARMSTRONG, Graeme Leslie
BACON, Raymond Harold
BERGER, Harry John
CLAYTON, Peter Maurice
COATE, Murray Donald
CORY, Peter Graeme
CRONIN, John Edwin
CROUCH, NOEL VALINTINE
DANKS, Morris Gordon
DUCAT, Trevor Alexander
FERNIHOUGH, Alfred James
FLOCKHART, Peter John
FLUGGE, Warren Rex
FOLLEY, Kevin John
GREEN, George Murray
GREEN, Herbert
GREEN, Norman Leslie
GREEN, Philip John
HART, Clive Wayne
HARWOOD, Barry Charles
HEBERLE, Ian John
HENCHIE, Darryl Wayne
HITCHINS, David Wilson
JONES, Allan David
JONES, William Thomas
JURY, Ian Maxwell
LADYMAN, Bernard Douglas
LAWLER, Colin William
MARTIN, Murray Graeme
MATTHEWS, Mark Gerrard
McDONALD, Graeme Leslie
NEWPORT, Terry Richard
O’DONNELL, Malcolm
O’DONNELL, Martin
PANTALL, Darryl Raymond
PATTERSON, Leslie Gordon
PEACOCK, Denis Wilson
POOLE, Richard John
POTTER, Dennis Barry
PRIEST, Frederick George
QUARTERMAINE, Errol Stewart
RAFFERTY, Graeme John
SAUNDERS, Robert Graham
SLATER, Harvey Wayne
STANFORD, Lawrence Bernard
SUTHERLAND, Byron McIntosh
TILLY, Graeme John
WEBB, Stanley Alexander

Those who LIVED in Katanning but were BORN ELSEWHERE

AMATO, Francesco (Born Italy)
AMATO, Francesco Paolo (Italy)
AWCOCK, William (Bill) James (Bridgetown, WA)
BELL, Michael Scott (Perth, WA)
BRIANT, Kevin Treasure (Northam, WA)
DOUST, Alan (Grafton, NSW)
DWYER, John Patrick (Perth, WA)
DWYER, Maurice Bernard (Wagin, WA)
EDWARDS, Graham John (Kalgoorlie, WA)
GEORGE, Glenn Stephen (Perth, WA)
KEATLEY, Bryan Joseph (Adelaide, SA)
MARSHALL, Dale Francis (Harvey, WA)
NEWTON, Michael Durwood (Subiaco, WA)
McGREGOR, Bruce Duncan (Subiaco, WA)
ROSE, Robert John (Cunderdin, WA)
RUTHERFORD, Phillip David (Sydney, NSW)
SMITS, Daniel Adrianus (Dordrecht. Netherlands)
STERRETT, Richard William (Perth, WA)
VAN LOON, Werenfridus Maria (Haarlem, Noord, The Netherlands)
WATSON, James (Perth, WA)
WELLER, Barry Joseph (Harvey, WA)
WRIGHT, Stan (Sydney, NSW)
YOUNG, William Lloyd (Subiaco, WA)

WOODANILLING VETERANS

BUCHANAN, Kevin Patrick (Collie, WA)
JACKSON, Noel Raymond

BADGEBUP VETERANS

SMITH, Ian David (Big Bell, WA)

BROOMEHILL VETERANS

HANSEN, William Paul (Broomehill, WA)
PANTALL, Darryl Raymond (Katanning, WA)

WATERS, Brian David (Guildford, WA)

OTHER

WATSON, Max (Citizen Military Forces – Officer Visit: 5 Jun 1968 to 09 Jul 1968)

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Born in New Zealand?
Lived or worked in Katanning?

Our ANZAC brothers and sisters, as in previous wars, fought and died alongside our Australian troops as brothers-in-arms.
If you know of anyone who was born in New Zealand, lived in Katanning and fought in the Vietnam War you can let me know at
admin@lostkatanning.au
or complete and submit the form BELOW

Those who lived in Katanning but were BORN in New Zealand and served in Australian units

WEST, John Phillip (Invercargill, NZ)

Those who lived in Katanning but were born in New Zealand and served in New Zealand Units

New Zealand Nominal Roll
CLICK HERE

NOTE:
If you, or someone you know, lived in Katanning at any stage, went to Vietnam, and is not listed here, please let me know.
If you know of people who served in New Zealand and lived in Katanning, I would like to add their names too.
We currently have no women members listed yet.
admin@lostkatanning.au
or complete and submit the form HERE.

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NATIONAL SERVICE
1965-1972

A scheme of selective National Service
On 5 November 1964, Cabinet decided to introduce a compulsory selective National Service scheme. In announcing this decision to Parliament, Prime Minister Robert Menzies referred to ‘aggressive Communism’ developments in Asia, such as ‘recent Indonesian policies and actions’ and a ‘deterioration in our strategic position’, as being influential in the decision being reached (see Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25th Parliament, 1st Session, pp. 2517–2724).

The Government had concluded that Australia had inadequate Defence manpower and aimed to increase the strength of the Army to 33,000 by the end of 1966 by introducing national service. The National Service Act 1964, passed on 24 November, required 20 year old males, if selected, to serve in the Army for a period of twenty four months of continuous service (reduced to eighteen months in 1971), followed by three years in the Reserve. The Defence Act was amended in May 1965 to provide that conscripts could be obliged to serve overseas, and in March 1966, Prime Minister Holt announced that National Servicemen would be sent to Vietnam to fight in units of the Australian Regular Army.

Between 1965 and December 1972 over 800,000 men registered for National Service. Some 63,000 were conscripted and over 19,000 served in Vietnam. Although registration was compulsory a process of selection by ballot determined who would be called up. Two ballots were conducted each year. The ballots selected several dates in the selected period and all males with corresponding birthdays were called up for national service. The ballot was conducted using a lottery barrel and marbles representing birthdays. The barrel and marbles are held in the National Office, Canberra, in series MP1357/63.
Continue reading

.https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-164-national-service-1965-72.pdf

MORE READING

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(From AWM Archives)

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I WAS ONLY 19

The song I Was Only Nineteen captured the experience of Australia’s Vietnam veterans and helped communicate to Australian society what many veterans themselves had been unable to share.
Read more

Australia’s Vietnam War Anthem
Redgum’s “I Was Only 19”

The story behind Redgum’s “I Was Only 19”

I Was Only 19 – The lyrics.

Mum and dad and Danny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal
It was a long march from cadets
The sixth battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card
We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left

And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean
And there’s me in me slouch hat with me SLR and greens
God help me
I was only nineteen

From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat
I’d been in and out of choppers now for months
And we made our tents a home, V.B. and pin-ups on the lockers
And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can’t get to sleep?
And night time’s just a jungle dark and a barking M.16?
And what’s this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me
I was only nineteen

A four week operation, when each step can mean your last one on two legs
It was a war within yourself
But you wouldn’t let your mates down ’til they had you dusted off
So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin’ else

And then someone yelled out contact, and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar
And Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon
God help me
He was goin’ home in June

And I can still see Frankie, drinkin’ tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau
And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle
‘Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row

And the Anzac legends didn’t mention mud and blood and tears
And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
I caught some pieces in my back that I didn’t even feel
God help me
I was only nineteen

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can’t get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what’s this rash that comes and goes
Can you tell me what it means?
God help me
I was only nineteen

Breaking down the truth behind Redgum’s ‘I Was Only 19’

I was only 19: The real soldier behind the Australian Vietnam veterans’ anthem,
Mick Storen

Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Dale Anthony Harrison / John Lewis Schumann / Kaho Cheung / Kenneth Spencer Sabir
Richard Tamplenizza / Shannon Lee Kennedy / Simon Luke Fellows / Timothy James Levinson
I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management

Information and photos sourced from various websites
Including:
Australian Department Of Veterans Affairs Nominal Rolls
New Zealand Government Nominal Rolls
Vietnam Veterans Fund – Australian Wall of Faces
Australian War Memorial Wikipedia

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CAN YOU HELP?

Except for your name and contact details, all information is optional,
Your contact details WILL NOT be disclosed on this page. Only complete those sections you wish to complete.
Your name will not be posted unless I can confirm it via the Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans (Department of Veteran’s Affairs). The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans honours and commemorates approximately 61,000 people who served in Australia’s defence forces during the period 23 May 1962 to 29 April 1975 either in Vietnam or in the waters adjacent to Vietnam.

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This page is a ‘work in progress’ and will continue to be updated.
Please come back regularly to check it out.

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