The Albany RSL will co-ordinate the Vietnam Veterans’ Day service on Sunday, with this year’s event focusing on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Albany resident Harley Webb was critically wounded in the battle while serving in Delta Company 6RAR as a young national serviceman.
Fellow Albany residents Peter Aspinall and Murray Martin were part of the Alpha Company 6RAR relief force that was later dispatched to assist the beleaguered Delta Company.
Sadly, Mr Webb and Mr Martin have died in the last few years.
Mr Webb will be represented at the service by his widow Jean while his son Craig, who was recently discharged from the Australian Army, and his daughter Michelle will attend the commemorative service in Brisbane, the home of 6RAR.
August 18 is the official commemoration date for remembrance of the war in South Vietnam and the Battle of Long Tan.
Services are held across Australia each year to commemorate the Australian involvement in the war in South Vietnam from 1962 until the withdrawal of the 1st Australian Task Force during 1972.
The Albany service is held each year on the closest Sunday to August 18 to allow maximum attendance.
More than 60,000 Australian Defence personnel and civilians served in the Vietnam conflict, with 523 killed and thousands wounded.
The conflict saw a massive increase in the call-up and involvement of young national servicemen.
A feature of Sunday’s service will be the placing of floral tributes on three white crosses positioned in front of the South East Asia memorial at the historic Princess Royal Fortress.
The crosses stand in memory of Pte Ron Bell, Sapper Ian Duncuff and Pte John McOuat, three young Albany men who were killed in Vietnam.
The service will be followed by a public function at the Albany RSL on Stirling Terrace.
In the event of inclement weather, the service will also be held at the RSL clubrooms.
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