Australian Vietnam Casualties
 

I just read that the bodies of 22 of these soldiers are finally going home. Seems the Australian Government of the day was charging a stiff fee to families for return of the remains that many could not afford.

Apparently there are also some New Zealand casualties still out there that shared the same fate. Hope they can finally be returned as well. :remember

David

Hi David,

I think the total number is more like 33 (22 service pers, the rest are dependents), and they are all pre-1966, when the policy changed from 'inter in the closest Commonwealth War Cemetery' to 'bring them home'. The remains are service personnel & their dependents who were buried in Malaya and Singapore, no where else. Two families have opted not to have remains brought back to Australia, but to leave them where they are.

See http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-3...laysia/7461796

It makes me wonder just how far back the Govt will allow public pressure to push the policy change point - Korea? WW2? WW1? The govt spokesperson said that 'now all Vietnam pers are treated equally' or similar - but of course, the gate is opened because some of the remains are not of individuals who died as a result of service in SVN.

Mike

I well remember a family friend, a WW1 Western Front veteran who fifty years later still bristled at the fact that they buried men in their blankets and the cost of the blanket was deducted from whatever money was owed them.
I guess in those days they tried to balance the books and it was considered important to do so. Now we simply spend money we don't have.
The wheel turns. Priorities change.

David

Disappointed the Australian Prime Minister Malcombe Turnball wasn't there upon their return to pay his respects, more important for him to visit a bed factory exporting beds to China and looking for votes! Shameful!

Mr Talkbull is merely prioritising Tim. You can expect no better.

David

the leader of the opposition was not there either and I, for one am glad it was not politicalised at all. :)

Another thing I noticed was they (the deceased) had a completely different welcome home to the boys who survived the conflict!

Cliff.

It has been a while since i watched the end of the Vietnam War unfold on the evening News. Did Australia have 'feet on the ground' over there up to the very end, or had they withdrawn earlier? I cannot, for the life of me remember.

David

The bulk of the combat force was withdrawn in late 1971/early 1972, with an embassy guard and a few people attached to other nation's units remaining.

Mike

25th April (ANZAC day) 1975, they evacuated the Australian embassy. Communist troops captured Saigon on 30th.
I only know because I asked Mr Google.

Video of the cortage from NSW Police.
 

Click on this link or copy this to your browser.

https://video.fmel2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/...f3&oe=57526226

Regards Rick.