Thread: Dying breed

A couple of years ago I was attempting to internet a documentary maker I know that it was now or never to put their stories down and make a series about it

The public see just those who went to Vietnam their experiences were much more varied and wider than that

When they are gone so are the details of where and what was happening and how they responded to it

Originally Posted by 3toes

A couple of years ago I was attempting to internet a documentary maker I know that it was now or never to put their stories down and make a series about it

The public see just those who went to Vietnam their experiences were much more varied and wider than that

When they are gone so are the details of where and what was happening and how they responded to it

What I love about our local member, is that when he takes the time to chat to various local members who have served or he researches their stories and then during the services such as VVD and NSD services he then tells us all about their particular story. Its actually really really cool. He's been the minister for veterans affairs and defence personnel, but he is genuinely really into what he does and each persons story.

Originally Posted by Rob3

And soon forgotten.
I wonder who will be the last surviving National Serviceman.
And if he will be publicly honored before he dies.

2/778100.

Going on past performances..... 'NOT' by a Federal Government. !

I had to register, but callup was deferred as I was at university. When I finished in 1962 it depended on your birth date, and I was balloted out. So I missed out on National Service.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

the youngest called up would have to be 70 , the youngest served in vietnam would be I think 74/5

a guy called Brian Barker now 70yo attented the last enlistment in september 1972.

it could have been me, but my number never came up, more fool me joined regs in 1978.

I was in the 6th intake and there was an intake every 12 weeks, so those in the 1st intake would now be 77 or 78 years old.

I know of two 'Regular Army', Viet Nam vets. One is 76 and the other is 80ish.

Originally Posted by Xtreme

I was in the 6th intake and there was an intake every 12 weeks, so those in the 1st intake would now be 77 or 78 years old.

I think the number of the intake must have restarted - I am almost 81, and i would have done national service if I had not gone to university. But I think it was reshaped for the Vietnam War a few years later, and that is probably when the numbers started for the intake.

I just checked Wikipedia. Conscription in Australia started in 1909, but was only for home defence. Attempts to broaden it for overseas service during WW1 failed, and it ended in 1929. Reintroduced with compulsory training for unmarried men in 1939, it became conscription for 18-35 and single men 35-45 in 1942, but again mostly only on Australian territory. This seems to have ended in 1946.

In 1951 conscription was introduced for all males 18 or over. This was the scheme I had to register under. It was ended in 1959, while I was still at university.

Conscription was reintroduced in 1964, when the use of conscripts overseas was also legalised, nding in 1972.

I was in the local sub-branch the other night having a countery with my 90yo father in law.

he has had a lot to with the sub-branch previously so still knew a lot of faces.

I was shocked and stunned at the general appearance and physical condition of many of these vietnam vets , and had to ask him who they were , as I had previously known most of them , just did not recognise who they were.

I'm approaching 70yo and most of the old diggers were 75-78 , and I could not help thinking how sorry they looked and can only assume it is because of their service in Vietnam that they are like this.

I am enjoying such good general health and vitality and they are not.

This is what the gucci suited non military experienced DVA representatives should be seeing....the RSL is about the only place where the old diggers can can go where they are understood.

btw I served 8yrs including 2 active tours to Malaysia and I will be ramping up my activity in the sub-branch from now on.