Torquay veterans remember Vietnam

TORQUAY’S Vietnam veterans paused last week to remember their comrades from half a century ago.

The Torquay RSL held a Vietnam Veterans Day service on Wednesday last week at the Surf Coast Shire’s Vietnam War memorial plaque, located just to the north of the council chambers.

Presented to the shire by the Victorian Vietnam Veterans Community on August 18, 2006 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan – now marked annually as Vietnam Veterans Day – the plaque was installed outside the council chambers about 10 years ago.

About 40 people, including several pupils from the Surf Coast’s primary schools, gathered at the service to lay wreaths and poppies.

The service featured a speech from Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler and readings from Torquay Salvos leader Major Peter Ellis.

“We are gathered here on this day to honour all those who fought valiantly to ensure freedom of our land that we now enjoy, especially those of the three services who served in Vietnam,” Mr Tyler said.

“Australia’s military involvement in the Vietnam War was the longest duration of any war in the country’s history, from August 1962 to May 1975.”

He said Australia’s contribution to the war in the south-east Asian country was predominantly army personnel, but there were also significant contributions from air force and navy personnel as well as some civilians.

“According to the Nominal Roll of Australian Vietnam Veterans, almost 60,000 Australians served, with a total of 521 Australians dying in the war.”

Mr Tyler said August 18, 2021 was the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

“In Australia’s biggest battle since the Korean War, 17 were killed and 26 were wounded in a bloody encounter with the Viet Cong,” he said.

“Outnumbered eight to one, Delta Company of the 6th Battalion heroically fought its way out of a Viet Cong trap.

“The bitter three-hour fight was waged in a rubber plantation about 42 miles east of Saigon against approximately 1,000 enemy soldiers.”

He said Vietnam Veterans Day was also an opportunity to reflect on the other battles Australia was involved in during the Vietnam War, including the service of HMAS Hobart in a support role and the other ships of the Royal Australian Navy.

Mr Tyler also acknowledged the recent withdrawal of US military forces from Afghanistan, where Australian troops have been serving since 2001.

“I’d like to say that we also reach out to all our Afghan vets – be safe, and ask for support.”