© By John Hunter 2nd Tour

This doorman informs me that I can't be admitted entry, as I am not wearing a tie as I was regimentally out of uniform. I showed him the pass and explained to him that I had just come home last night. He still wont budge, so I ask him to get whoever is in charge. So he comes back with the Duty Officer and he is worse than this other clown!..... Now by this time I started to get a little hot under the collar. He just said "It's Eastern Command Orders." I replied, getting angrier by the minute, "How could I know Eastern Command Orders I only just got in last night!" He then went to walk away when I questioned his character and his loyalty. At this he got a bit hot under the collar and threatened to call the police. I stood my ground. "I've read about blokes like you and I've fought and killed better men! You're just a bloody imposter and a 'Commo' at that!" "Been to any rallies lately?"
Ha ha! Hit a raw nerve here, his face started to turn purple. "Come on Samson and bring your donkey with you, No go? I thought as much, and I thought the enemy was in South Vietnam no bullshit!" On that note I decided to leave, the last thing I needed was the MP's but not before telling him what I thought of his R.S.L. and what he could do with it. Not even to this day have I gone back to that R.S.L. club, so the wife and I went to a pub where I ran into another Digger and his wife who had been given the same treatment. It was funny as he didn't have a tie either, so our twosome became a foursome and we had a good time, even when caught out by two MP's later that day and explained what had taken place. All they said was, "next time be correctly dressed." "Right!" Was the answer in harmony. They just shook their heads and said "poor bastards." That was the first time I'd ever heard a Provost say anything fair. "It's been a hell of a day." I said, "What say we call it a day and meet up again one day soon and we'll go out for dinner at a restaurant somewhere, some place, the whole box and dice okay?" So we swapped phone numbers and called it a day.

Now it's time for me to get that steak I have been dreaming about! The butcher cut me a big one and guaranteed it would be tender, "but I don't think you'll eat it all at once" he said, and he was right. he also told me that his boy was over there and should be home soon. I later found out his son was killed in action six weeks before he was due home and I was still on leave. I felt for this man and his loss and I also knew that there would be more to come as this war dragged on and on. I feel a lot of anger towards the news coverage of the war. I sit and watch the news and find it disturbing on what they report when I know different. They don't tell of the suffering, they just sensationalise it, as to justify their stories and the public buy it lock, stock and barrel. Stupid dumb bastards! If only they knew the whole story and not the bullshit the pollies and news are telling them. The protesters, they are so out of touch with reality, the mind boggles. I know there will be many troops on returning to Australia who will feel that it was all for nothing, as our own country turned against us, as it were our fault. That hurts more than being in South Vietnam, as a lot of us feel that we are the enemy in our own country!

My wife and I did go out for that dinner, candles and all. And the people we went with. that was the last time we saw them, as they were posted somewhere else..... Brisbane I think. No matter, we had a good time. There wasn't too many more good times to be had as my leave would soon be over and it would be back to the grind of the day.

There was one memorable day I will never forget, and this was how it went.

 These blokes pull up and come to the front door and informed the wife that they were here to cut the grass and tidy up the yard. this was the local R.S.L.'s contribution for their husbands serving in South Vietnam to have the place looking 'spiffy' on their arrival home. As the battalion was on its way home after completing it's tour of duty.

Was this the same club that refused me entry earlier? Yes it was. How ironic that they should do this for us. So my wife said nothing, just thanked them and they went to work. Did a fine job too. The job done, I offer them a beer as it was very hot and I thought that was the least I could do. With this they asked who I was. I said "I'm the husband and thank you for cutting my yard." They must have thought my wife was having an affair, as I wasn't supposed to be home! Just because I was wearing a pair of shorts and been home six weeks there was no need to jump the gun. "Then what are we cutting your grass for?" they replied. So I then explained what had happened on me trying to gain entry to their precious club and how I was treated when I came home. It wasn't their fault, and I think the exchange of heated words was uncalled for. No one abuses me in my own home and what right do they have to turn up unannounced or with no notification. So I just said in the heat of the moment. "feels great to be shit on doesn't it?" "I guess membership is out?" And I laughed.They then drove off all disgruntled and pissed off. Spoiled sports didn't even drink the beer I offered them. It would seem that the hospitality offered at my place was more then they could stand. talk about Spit the Dummy! I learned later that there were quite a few words exchanged between these workers and club management. So for the most part they had been had, and I got even. Not really fair to the workers but the club wasn't fair towards me, so in our own way we broke even. Vietnam veterans were never treated well by the R.S.L. clubs for quite some time. Not all clubs fitted this description, but for the most part it was family tradition for veteran sons to join the R.S.L.  Some where along the line they had forgotten the ANZAC tradition as it was passed onto us. for we upheld it, in the true tradition of the ANZAC spirit and just cause. It was our heritage and we are bloody proud of it. For we too are the sons of Anzac's, maybe grandsons of Anzac's but Anzacs just the same; And it is our right to be so!

Back to Camp 1970

On reporting for duty at 1 Div Sig Regiment I get the usual run around, first the Squadron Commander then the Troop Commander and not least the RSM. The usual bullshit, by way of introduction to a new unit. I eventually get to the squadron orderly room and to my surprise there are two medals for me including the Infantry Combat Badge. It ends up that there are only two of us that receive this award; mine for Vietnam, the other bloke got his for South Korea. He's a 'Lifer', a career man.

I served with this unit back in 63-64 and it hasn't changed all that much and one of my old sergeants is still there, marking time until his pension comes up, only he's in the Q Store now and it was good to see a friendly face. I also knew a few other personnel from way back when, only they have gone up in rank and had been to South Vietnam in the early days. Some have come and gone but there are still some that hang around. They're called 'Lifers' and in time this unit will change, as in the Army a lot of things will change. Maybe for the better, only time will tell. For now it's a full re-issue of uniforms, filed-kit and service dress.

The Battalion March Through Sydney

Then in March 1970, I marched through the streets of Sydney with the battalion to a very nasty mixed reception of 'Baby Murderer' and more foul language than I care to repeat. This was no Welcome Home Parade. Australia didn't do us proud and I felt ashamed for them as they had no idea how much they hurt us. I don't think they even cared. Their guilt.....our pain. Then field exercises and Victoria Barracks Guard Duty and soldier on regardless. Then a reposting to another unit then a sub-unit in the middle of nowhere. Such is life!

Then in 1972 I received my discharge and that was that;..... 'All finny.' Was my tour of duty worth re-enlisting? I think it was. Others may differ, but who gives a damn. I did at the time and that's all that mattered. Was it worth it? Only time will tell.

Dedicated to all those that took part in South Vietnam and to all who served, suffered and died in the Republic of South Vietnam 1962-73.

 

ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS | BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE