A Vietnam Veteran Remembrance Vigil will be held at Wollongong Memorial Garden to mark 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training team in South Vietnam. The Garden holds the grave sites of four Vietnam soldiers.

The Illawarra Vigil will be one of many happening across the nation at every Vietnam soldier’s grave or commemorative plaque site on 3 August.

The event will complement the Australian Government’s Commemorative Service which will be held two weeks later on 18 August at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra to mark 50 years since the complete withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.

The Remembrance Vigils are providing surviving Vietnam Veterans, next of kin and the Australian people the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way in recognising the national loss, paying respects to those who were Killed in Action (KIA) and to show solidarity with their loved ones for their loss.

Rick Bensley, a Vietnam Veteran who lives in Kiama, says the event is incredibly important to fellow Vietnam Veterans.

“Everyone is going to get together and they’re going to be supporting each other,” he says.

Rick Bensley with the Gallantry Cross

“At these functions, there is usually a lot of fun and enjoyment. We remember the good times - that is a priority in our minds.

“The friendship, the mateship, the comradery and the desire to continue our enjoyment of life with these mates.”

On talking with The Bugle, Rick said he feels “tremendously proud to be representing so many of those guys [Vietnam Veterans].”

Rick was called up for National Service in the first intake on 30 June, 1965. He joined C Company of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and rose to Corporal, Section Commander, in charge of nine front-line soldiers.

The Vietnamese Community in Australia recognised Rick’s role in the aftermath of the Battle of Long Tan by presenting him with the Republic of Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross Medal last September [Vietnamese honour Australian Soldiers].

The Illawarra Vigil, organised by the Illawarra Vietnam Veterans Association and Dapto/Port Kembla RSL Sub-Branch, will commence at two locations within the Wollongong Memorial Garden where the four soldier’s remains and their plaques are located.

The four soldiers are:

-       Pte Russell James Copeman 3rd Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment 1967

-       Sapper John Laurance O’Hara 1 Field Squadron (Engineers) 1967

-       Pte Donald Cameron Hill 1 ATF D&E Platoon 1971

-       Pte Maxwell Lachlan Rhodes 4th Battalion RAR 1971

The Red Cross will provide morning tea at 10am in the chapel before the Vigil which will commence at 11am. A Caribou flyover will follow, donated by HARS Illawarra.

Attendees are invited to the Figtree Sports Club for an informal lunch at personal cost after the Vigil.

The Commemorative Service on 18 August will be televised nationally by the ABC.