Vietnam (1962-1975)
Australia’s miliitary involvement in the Vietnam War was the longest in duration of any war in Australia’s history. Almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops, airforce and navy personnel served in Vietnam. There were 521 deaths as a result of the war and over 3000 were wounded.
The celebrated battle of Long Tan in August 1966 saw the 108 soldiers of D company hold off an enemy force of 2000 soldiers for 4 hours in a tropical downpour. The Australian force suffered 17 deaths and 25 wounded, while the Viet Cong left 245 dead and carried away a significant number of casualties.
Although the final Australian combat troops left Vietnam in June 1973, our involvement was not officially terminated until the Australian Embassy staff were withdrawn on the 25th of April 1975.
BAKER, Glendon Laurence
Service Number – 17861
Rank – Gunner
Division – First Field Regiment
Enlistment – 28/09/1965
Discharged – 25/02/1969
Date of Death – 20/07/2009
Age at Death – 63
Burial Location – Bushland Orchid Bed
BOGAR, Valentine Albert
Service Number – 5717344
Rank – Private
Division – First Field Hygiene
Enlistment – 16/09/1971
Discharged – 09/03/1972
Date of Death – 05/08/2007
Age at Death – 58
Burial Location – Lawn E 280
HAYNES, Kenneth Gordon
Service Number – 2412438
Rank – Lance Corporal
Division – 5th and 7th Battalions
Enlistment – 27/02/1967
Discharged – 20/02/1968
Date of Death – 02/08/2008
Age at Death – 66
Burial Location – Anglican F 497
McDOUGALL, Donald
Service Number – 56049
Rank – Sapper
Division – Engineers
Enlistment – 02/09/1971
Discharged – 18/11/1971
Date of Death – 22/02/1977
Age at Death – 24
Burial Location – Presbyterean A 70
REYNOLDS, Cyril Joseph “Nobby”
Service Number – 55019
Rank – Private
Division – 8th Field Ambulance and First Field Medical & Dental Equipment
Enlisted – 16/03/1968
Discharged – 10/03/1969
Date of Death – 15/04/2002
Age at Death – 54
Burial Location – CREM – Bed of Unknown Roses
SYKES, Arnold
Service Number – 55431
Rank – Private
Division – 9th Battalion
Enlistment – 13/11/1968
Killed in Action – 19/01/1969
Date of Death – 19/01/1969
Age at Death – 25
Burial Location – War Graves Section
WHITEAKER, Leslie Ronald (“Ron)
Service Number – 5410368
Rank – Sergeant
Division – 3rd Special Air Services Regiment
Enlistment – 15/06/1966
Discharged – 16/03/1967
Date of Death – 28/04/2008
Age at Death – 75
Burial Location – Crematorium, Parkland Section