Reflections of a Wonderful Reunion in Canberra

“The circle of time is now complete”.
21st May 1970 – 4th October 2002

How do I try to express all of the emotions that were flying around on the weekend of the 4th, 5th and 6th October 2002? For me it was anticipation in meeting someone that was in Vietnam with John. I didn’t really understand the events of so many years ago. Young men in a foreign country, nor did I appreciating what was to unfold.

John was to meet his crew commander, a mate from so many years ago. A man with whom he had worked with, lived with, shared meals, shared the good and bad of a wartime experience, if only for just a few short months that John was in Vietnam. John was separated from his crew commander, under dreadful circumstances. That final separation was to haunt the crew commander for years to come. He was held captive in his own private hell of torment, wonder and dreadful fear. A man, who for 32 years was being controlled by this event, never allowing anyone to enter his own private hell. He and his family were living in Melbourne.

Had John and I known we could have rectified the problem. Hindsight is wonderful, but the past cannot be changed; now we carry the guilt. Why didn’t we make an effort to contact this man years ago? John and his family concentrated on his full recovery from the extensive injuries he sustained. This was to take many months and several operations before a discharge from the Army was finalized. John was busy establishing his life in Adelaide.

The veterans returned from their tour of duty and just slipped quietly back into their old lives. That’s what society expected of our silent heroes. Our lives changed on the 21st May 1970.

It was during these few days in October 2002 that John and I discovered the missing few hours in his life. John’s crew commander was to complete his life story and become such an important link for us. This man is a true hero and his story needs to be told so that this children, our children, the children of other veterans and future generations can stand with pride knowing what true mateship is all about.

On Friday 4th October 2002 we travelled to Canberra to meet the crew commander and his wife. Over the past few months we had exchanged several telephone calls, e-mails and photographs. Now the long awaited meeting was to take place. With fear and anticipation we entered the motel foyer. 32 years had passed but “mateship” was not lost. Two old friends were together at last. Ready to share a beer. At that meeting was another “tankie” and his wife, so for a few hours we all got to know each other. Laughed and cried. Then, when the four of us could relax John was told about the combat on 21st May 1970.

(This is what I can recall of that conversation but the story needs to be told by the Crew Commander for total accuracy.)

John was driving a Centurion tank that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The grenade penetrated the tank causing extensive and serious head injuries to John. The tank commander also received head wounds caused by the shrapnel. Immediate action was taken by the crew commander, controlling the situation and ensuring that the infantry were supplied with ammunition etc. His story of this battle needs to be told, as it is a piece of Australian Military History and should be preserved and honoured. This man came to John’s aid and administered emergency first aid. John’s life is now a living testimony of that miracle.

What a horrific sight it must have been. John’s injuries were so dreadful; a large section of his skull had been splintered and blown away with his brain tissue pulsating.

The crew commander tried to remove John from the driver’s seat but it was impossible for him to lift an unconscious body from such a difficult area. With the help of another crewmember the two men lifted John out of his tight capsule. In sheer bravery and no doubt total fear, they removed John from the tank and placed him on the ground. I cannot imagine what emotion would have been rushing through the minds of these two young men. This was not an easy or gentle manoeuvre. There was absolutely no time to remove him gently to avoid any further damage to John’s exposed brain. These men were under constant enemy attack during this rescue. Without concern for themselves they continued to save their friend. This is Aussie mateship in its finest form.

The crew commander continued to administer first aid trying to stop the excessive bleeding from John’s head. Sweat rags, taken from the tank were placed on John’s head and used as pressure packs. As each pressure pack required changing, further rags were ripped apart. In desperation he tore the rags with his teeth. This is such a vivid image and one that would torment him in the quiet night hours. The crew commander continued to care for John even though he was bleeding profusely from his own head wounds. He began to lapse in and out of consciousness. After several hours the “dust off” helicopter arrived and evacuated both men.

This brave man continued to care for his mate in the helicopter, applying pressure to John’s head injuries while at the same trying to keep him warm to minimize shock. How can anyone picture such a heroic event without becoming emotional? Both men were transported to hospital where they were separated, never to see each other again. The crew commander did not want to leave his mate but John required emergency medical attention and was transferred to another hospital. The only evidence of this separation is a short, blood stained note, scribbled on a piece of paper, which was left with John.

Click here to read the poem " A Miracle in Action"