by Dylan Stone
Just over 100 Vietnam War Veterans descended into Broken Hill for a week of celebration and commemoration, as they held their annual 1st Australian Logistic Support Group reunion in the Silver City.
Tony Brown, who has organised five reunions in his time, said he was pleased local businesses had got behind the reunion and he thanked Broken Hill Council for helping organise elements of the event.
The Monday night meet-and-greet was held at the Outback View Caravan Park – formerly the Lakeview Caravan Park – with Deputy Mayor Jim Hickey there on behalf of the Council.
Local and interstate veterans mixed and mingled over a light supper, and discussions were had about how the reunion would pan out over the week.
Among the veterans who attended this year’s reunion is Ray Bate, who was the first Australian service person into Vietnam outside of the training team in 1965. He travelled on HMAS Sydney, carrying 1 Battalion.
Mr Bate was the first to disembark HMAS Sydney when it arrived in Vung Tau. He said it was his job “to talk to the American military police to make sure they had an escort to take 1 Battalion and escort them to the airport to fly them to Bin Hua”.
“We served for eight months and then we all pulled out as Charlie [slang for the Viet Cong] took over, and we all went back to Saigon.” He served his remaining four months in Saigon and witnessed “some very hectic bombing and killing of people, which was terrible”.
He told the Barrier Truth the experience left him with PTSD.
“When I went to sign on back in Australia [to go to Vietnam again], they wouldn’t allow it.”
Mr Bate recalled the hostilities that he met when he returned from Vietnam, “but today people see it in a different light, and I appreciate all those people who supported and still support veterans because the veterans work for the country and the people that live in it”.
As a result of his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the British Empire medal for gallantry and saving lives by Queen Elizabeth, which he only told the Barrier Truth about after his interview – a sign of the dignity and modesty of such an inspirational individual.
Mr Bate arrived in Broken Hill ahead of his fourth reunion and said, “so far all I’ve found is a greatly country area, it’s got a lot of beautiful things and different things such as mining hills.” He added that “overall, I think I’ll enjoy this reunion.”
Les Boag also attended. He was the last Australian serviceman to leave Vietnam. Australia had two main bases in Vietnam, one in Nui Dat, and a logistics base in the port city of Vung Tau.
Mr Boag was based at Vung Tau. “On the morning of the withdrawal, we handed the base back about 10am, and I had to go and take over a platoon in Saigon.”
While the other soldiers boarded the ships to leave Vung Tau, a Kiowa helicopter was sent to collect Mr Boag from Saigon.
Post-Vietnam, Mr Boag remained in the army for 25 years, and later took a role with the Australian government, setting up IT systems for the Australian Trade Commission. After that appointment, he undertook more project work for Defence, and retired four years ago.
“I’ve attended reunions for many years, I started attending about 20 years ago, and I enjoy catching up with friends,” Mr Boag said. “I will continue attending reunions for as long as I can.”
With a week-long reunion now wrapping up for another year, Mr Brown said, “the response of the businesses and community in Broken Hill has been great, and the people are fantastic, really good.”
As this year’s attendees now travel home, and preparations begin for the next reunion in 2024, never forget the courage and sacrifices our veterans displayed both in Vietnam, and in later life.
