When journalist and historian Mark Dapin first interviewed Vietnam veterans and wrote about the war, he swallowed (and regurgitated) every popular misconception. He wasn't alone. In Australia's Vietnam, Dapin argues that every stage of Australia's Vietnam War has been misremembered and obscured by myth. He disproves claims that every national serviceman was a volunteer; questions the idea that Australian troops committed atrocities; debunks the fallacy that there were no welcome hope parades until 1987; and rebuts the fable that returned soldiers were met by spitting protesters at Australian airports 1961-1975 -- participation, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- personal narratives, australian., national service -- australia -- history.

I was but five months old when, in August 1962, the Australian Government despatched thirth military advisors to the Republic of Vietnam. When the last Australian serviceman quietly withdrew from Saigon, over 51,00 Australians had served in Vietnam.vietnam war, saigon, republic of vietnam

Barry O'Donohue was conscripted into National Service in 1967 at the age of 20. He went to Vietnam in 1968/69 where he served as a forward scout in 4RAR/NZ. He was wounded in action during his tour of duty, and survived many life threatening situations.australians - vietnam - poetry, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - veterans - poetry, national service, 4rar/nz, wound, wounded serviceman

Worn by National Serviceman, Corporal K J Baker, Medical Corps, 8th Field Ambulance and 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vietnam, 1968Five round gold buttons featuring a snake wrapped around a staff with a crown at the top and laurel around the edges. And two curved silver epaulette badges with the word Australia.insignia, badges, epaulette, medical, ken baker, baker, 1967-8, geelong vietnam veterans sub-branch, 8th field hospital, button

Each soldier had one of these forms filled out on Discharge from the army. WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.Form is filled out for soldier Christopher Clarkww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell

Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell who returned to Australia Framed Studio Portrait of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.ww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell

Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell Framed Certificate of Appreciation for Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1, 59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017. Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1 59th Battalion Born in Stawellww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell

This item presented by the indigenious community to their local police officer on the the occasion of his joining the Armed Services in 1942 which resulting in his interment in ChangiUnique personal gift to this ServicemanLacquered wood hand made. Hand grip to rear"CENTRAL AUSTRALIA / 1942" RISING SUN Emblem at centre ("AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES") Pinstriping in silver and red.ww2, shield, central australia, police officer, storey, indigenous gift

Issued to Doris Pratt, Main Road, Doncaster East.|Ordinary Ration Card Number V A 843496|Special Clothing Coupon Issue No. V 50857|& coupons attached to card.Special clothing coupons issued by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1947. These were in addition to the ordinary ration coupons issued to people in general during and after the Second World War. They where issued for special purposes such as a serviceman on discharge or if people had lost clothing.Special Clothing Coupon Issue. Commonwealth of Australia 1947documents, cards

Large framed photograph of Serviceman on horseback. Photograph is of V C Walker - reached rank of Senior Lieutenant. Saw service in Gallipoli - Alexandria and Tel-El-Kebil. Service Medals awarded include British War Medal and 1914-1915 Star.Lt. Vernon Charles Walker. 1894 - 1979. 13th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Photograph taken in France during 1917 at Longpre - les - Amiens.

RSL memorabiliaBlack wooden frame with glass front. Cardboard certificate with medal and ribbon enclosed. National Serviceman's Association of Australia, Victorian Branch INC. Sth. East Victorian Sub-Branch Dandenong. The Remembrance Medal. Presented to the Dandenong R.S.L. Sub-Branch in appreciation of your support of our Sub-Branch. Keeping the spirit of Anzac alive. (Signed by the President and Secretary Dated 29/3/1998).

Cloth patch with embroidery of UK and Australian flags and yellow emu. Centre of badge has background of a blue sky and yellow sand with an 'atomic' explosion in red with a white 'mushroom' cloud above it.Embroidery in gold around the badge is "AUTOMIC EX-SERVICEMAN'S ASSN."

This postcard has a photo of the Orange Hotel Oostkant, Soerabaia, Java taken around 1915 (now known as Surabaya in Indonesia). Perhaps the sender, Lee, was a returning serviceman from World War One coming back to Australia via Indonesia and this was a card home to his family.A record of postal correspondence in 1915. Postcards were a very common form of communication in the first World War. This type of souvenir would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1.Glossy postcard with photo of the Orange Hotel in Java.Handwritten: "Dear Katy, Am going to spend a week or so in Java. Hope you are all well. I am feeling very fit, Lee. / Mrs. W. Elsum. 30 Station Road. North Williamstown. Victoria. Australia. " Printed on the photo - 2 / Orange Hotel Oostkant, Soerabaia, Java. / Photo. KURKDJIAN LTD, SOERABAIA.Printed on card - POST CARD / The Address only to be written here Stamp - Nederlandsch-Indie, 5 CENT Postmark - SOERABAJA 16.7.15 souvenir, war correspondence

Blue leather covered diary, with RSL logo on cover. The first 40 pages have information relating to returned service personnel. The diary pages have pencil hand written entries in the last pages. Cover: RSL logo Victorian branch 1948. Title page: Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. Victorian branch 1948 Diary And Serviceman’s Guide.

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

This cigarette case was owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson and carried into battle during World War I. Kenneth Darnton Watson was born at Bendigo on 24 May 1893 to George Darnton Watson and Adelaide Nora Holmes. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, being selected as School Captain in 1913 and a member of the Head of the River rowing team. After finishing school, he worked as a jackaroo on Wanganella Station and later at Mt. Widderin, Skipton, Victoria. When WWI was declared, Kenneth enlisted and after initial training at Maribyrnong, Victoria he left Australia as 2nd Lieutenant with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, to disembark at Plymouth on July 10, 1916. He took part in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Ridge in 1917. For his efforts in Passchendaele Ridge on 17th December he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." In 1918 he took part in the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel and Amiens. He returned to Australia in November 1919 and was discharged on 20th January 1920. In 1922, Kenneth Darnton Watson came to Wodonga where he purchased de Kerilleau, consisting of 2,500 acres, from Mr George Gordon. The two storey brick homestead had been built by William Huon in 1870. On 30th May 1924, he married Phyllis Emily Lenore Austin and they had four children, Ian Darnton 1925, Robert Darnton 1926 Rosemary McPherson 1929 and Faith Holmes 1931. On the land he worked hard, building fences, cattle, sheep and horse yards, and farmed Corriedale sheep, Shorthorn cattle and horses. Mr Watson was an innovative farmer, introducing modern methods of top dressing at de Kerilleau by means of an aircraft. He was also a dedicated community man. He was a member of both Albury and Wodonga Show Committees, Murray Valley Development League, No.1 Region, Graziers' Association of Southern Riverina, Albury Legacy Club, Wodonga RSL, and Wodonga Turf Club including terms as President on several of these organisations. Kenneth was also a Warden of St. Luke's Church of England, Wodonga. Kenneth served as Wodonga Shire President from 1929 to 1931, and was again elected to Council from 1943 to 1945. A most respected and valued member of the local community, Kenneth Darnton Watson died on the 4th of October 1951, aged 58. Lenore Watson lived at de Kerilleau until her death on 15th June 1984. Both are buried in Wodonga.This item is significant because it was owned by a decorated Australian serviceman and prominent member of the Wodonga community.A silver cigarette case owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson of Wodonga. The inside contains straps to hold the cigarettes in place. Both the front and back have been engraved.On front: KDW On back: 1919kenneth darnton watson, watson family wodonga, wodonga community members

The Australian Service Medal and Pacific Star Medal that were awarded to Private Arthur Norman Comben VX26251 for his war service in World War Two. From the AWM website Private Arthur N Comden of the 2/21st Australian Infantry Battalion, who died on Hainan Island, China, on 27 June 1945. The DVA records show he was born 6 April 1907 in Yarraville and enlisted on 17 June 1940 whilst residing in Coopers Creek Victoria. His next of kin was shown as H Dilks. Also that he had been a prisoner of war. His connection with Legacy is not known, he may have been a junior legatee though there's no record of his father Arthur John Louis Comben serving for Australia in WW1. More research is needed to check, it is possible the medals were donated to Legacy as no family members wanted them. Additional information provided by a distant relative - Arthur's mother (Mary Eleanor Norman) remarried twice after his fathers death in 1911. His stepfather Horace Dilks served in World War 1 with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.These are examples of World War 2 medals awarded to a serviceman who participated in the conflict in the Pacific region. Many returned servicemen joined Legacy after World War 2 and would have had similar medals.Silver circular medal and bronze star shaped medal from World War 2 mounted on ribbons initially together by a safety pin. 01700.1 The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’. The normal ribbon is missing and it is on the ribbon meant for the UK War Medal which is of red, white and blue to represent the colours of the Union Flag. 01700.2 The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Pacific Star’. The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.Both engraved with 'VX26251 A. N. Comben'.medals, world war two, arthur comden

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Diggers from 11 Platoon, D Company, 6 RAR on Operation Portsea South East of the Australian Task Force Base, at Nui Dat, gently place their wounded mate Private Ken Mathieson on the ground as they wait to be picked up be an American Dustoff helicopter.photograph, 11 platoon, d coy, 6 rar, operation portsea, gibbons collection catalogue, pte ken mathieson, australian task force, nui dat, dustoff, helicopter, diggers, wounded serviceman, denis gibbons