By Mal Lynch
Club member Brian Robertson, an accomplished author, included in his book titled “Voices of Australian Veterans” details of the experiences of 18 servicemen who were fellow members of the RSL.
The book is currently out of print, but a small number of copies are available from “Sandwich Chefs” Forest Lake Shopping Centre, directly opposite Woolworths.
Brian served with the Gordon Highlanders before settling in Australia having served in Cyprus during the emergency of 1955-60.
After moving to Australia, and as a former Gordon Highlander, he was accepted as a member of the RSL.
Brian related the story of Forest Lake member and local resident, Peter Poole, who served in Vietnam.
Peter had an early desire as a lad to work in the Australian Outback and at the age of 17, with his parents’ backing, joined the Big Brother Movement (BBM) and left England for Australia, arriving in Sydney where he was taken to a BBM farmstay as an induction process to rural advancement.
After about 10 days he moved to employment spending two years in Coonamble, 600 km northwest of Sydney working on a sheep property.
The owners took him in as a ‘family’ member. He felt the need to advance his experience and moved to Tambo in Western Queensland where he accepted employment on a large sheep station.
Eighteen months later in early 1967 he reached 20 years and ‘won’ the National Service ballot. He undertook his medical at Charleville where he was assessed A1 and suitable for deployment in the Australian Infantry.
But some days later he sustained a knee injury from a wayward kick when paring a mare’s hooves.
This downgraded his medical status eliminating his hope of joining the infantry.
In October 1967 he was recalled for another medical and although walking with a slight limp, the Army MO assessed him as fit to serve in the Army Service Corps.
After presenting at Enoggera barracks, he was flown to Singleton where he undertook ten weeks basic training.
This was followed by nine weeks driver training in Wodonga, before being posted to Puckapunyal.
He volunteered for Vietnam twice but was knocked back.
A chance meeting with a Major involved in postings, and who listened to Peter’s difficulties in gaining a deployment in Vietnam, led to an offer provided he signed for a further 16 months, an offer he keenly accepted.
He undertook a jungle training course at Canungra and was in Vietnam by January 1969.
He was posted to 1st Australian Logistic Support Group near Vung Tau, Phuoc Tuy province as a driver.
Vung Tau served as a crucial port and logistics hub, particularly for Australian forces. The group was composed of engineer, transport, ordnance, and medical service corps supporting the Royal Australian Regiment based at Nui Dat.
Peter’s primary duties involved transporting logistics between Vung Tau and Nui Dat.
The road was poorly constructed, difficult to traverse during the monsoon season and subject to roadblocks that had the potential to be mined.
Punctures were common, requiring wheel changes on the roadside. On one occasion the was stopped by three men wielding a machete.
During his travels he encountered village folk seeking assistance and this led to good public relations between the Australians and local Vietnamese.
By January 1970 Peter said: “I had had my fill of Army life, and I was ready to settle down with Judy. Like many more of my mates I did not find this easily.
“One potential employer told me they did not employ ex-servicemen from Vietnam because they were unreliable.
“Another comment I received was following my application to join an RSL branch.
“I was immediately told Vietnam was not a real war – I put these setbacks aside and landed a great job with Woolworths in logistics.”
Peter and Judy are now retired and live in Forest Lake.
They have returned to Vietnam several times. He has forgiven the RSL for its post-Vietnam attitude and is a loyal and active member of the Forest Lake sub-branch.
Badge Selling – Forest Lake
In the lead-up to Vietnam Veterans Day, badge seller will be active at Forest Lake Shopping Centre from 14 to 17 August.
Service
A commemoration service will be held at Wacol Soldiers Chapel at the National Service Heritage Precinct Wacol at 5.30pm on 18 August.
