Pte Errol Wayne Noack (4717546) was a 21 year old Australian Army Private who was the first Australian National Service conscript to be killed in the Vietnam War, only ten days after he arrived in South Vietnam unit during Operation Hardihood after being mistaken for a Vietcong. He was with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and served with the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from the 12th to the 24th May 1966. His body was repatriated for a full military funeral. His death caused many protests. This collection was donated by Walter Noack (Errol's father) via Pte Grant Wynward Collins (4717477)

The suitcase is made of brown leather and wood. It features two metal locks on a side and a metal handle.

A suitcase which the personal effects of Errol Noack were kept in this suitcase by his parents and later donated to the NVVM by Walter Noack (Errol's father) via Grant Collins

noack collection, pte errol wayne noack, 4717546, australian national serviceman, operation hardihood, royal australian infantry corps, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment, killed in action, pte grant wynward collins, 4717477

A copy of a telegram sent to Mr Walter Noack (Errol's father) from W.C. Westmoreland, General, United States Army Commanding expressing his sympathy and heartfelt condolences of all personnel of the United States military Assistance Command.

A copy of a telegram sent to Mr Walter Noack (Errol's father) from W.C. Westmoreland, General, United States Army Commanding expressing his sympathy and heartfelt condolences of all personnel of the United States military Assistance Command.

telegram, pte errol wayne noack, 5 rar, united states army, w.c. westmoreland, killed in action, gen westmoreland, united states commanding officer, condolences, united states military assistance command, grant collins

On 24 May, 1966, Private Errol Wayne Noack (Service no: 4717546) became the first Australian National Serviceman to be killed in the Vietnam War. Serving with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, he was shot during Operation Hardihood, just 10 days after arriving in South Vietnam. His body was repatriated for a full military funeral and his death caused many protests in Australia. This is part of a collection donated by Walter Noack (Errol's father) via Pte Grant Wynward Collins (Service no: 4717477) who was a good mate of Errol’s and with him at his death.

An original air mail envelope From General W.C. Westmoreland addressed to Mr. Walter H, Noack stamped date 8 June 1966. See media for more information

noack collection, pte errol wayne noack, 4717546, australian national serviceman, killed in action, operation hardihood, royal australian infantry corps, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment, pte grant wynward collins, 4717477, condolence letter, general william childs westmoreland, airmail envelopes

Pte Errol Wayne Noack (4717546) was a 21 year old Australian Army Private who was the first Australian National Service conscript to be killed in the Vietnam War, only ten days after he arrived in South Vietnam unit during Operation Hardihood after being mistaken for a Vietcong. He was with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and served with the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from the 12th to the 24th May 1966. His body was repatriated for a full military funeral. His death caused many protests. This collection was donated by Walter Noack (Errol's father) via Pte Grant Wynward Collins (4717477)

A coloured photograph of Errol W Noack's headstone with a red poppy which was placed on Remembrance Day 1995. Photograph was taken by Graham Burstenshaw

noack collection, pte errol wayne noack, 4717546, australian national serviceman, killed in action, operation hardihood, royal australian infantry corps, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment, pte grant wynward collins, 4717477, photograph, centennial park, remembrance day, red poppy