Biscuit tin war honour tastes a little bittersweet

THE image of Vietnam veteran Hayden Gilbank as a 19-yearold on the roadside recapping his drink bottle, with an assault rifle cradled between his legs, provokes a mixed response. It is a timely reminder of lost innocence and pointless waste that wars create where people so young are forced by their governments into battle for some bigger geopolitical or economic advantage.

On the plus side Mr Gilbank, now 75, is obviously tickled pink by his image being used on a commemorative Anzac biscuit tin. Baker Cripps is using the photo to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam conflict on April 30, 1975, which means the tin will likely be in circulation for a couple of years.

“It is unbelievable. I’m a nobody – just a soldier that served in Vietnam like the rest of us. I just couldn’t believe it. I feel so privileged,” Mr Gilbank said.

Recognition of those who fought in Vietnam has improved in recent years but when Mr Gilbank and his fellow soldiers returned from the conflict back in the ’60s and ’70s they were shunned by the society that sent them there – more often than not they had been conscripted to serve.

There were no parades or ceremonies or debriefing sessions.

The war, which was the first conflict to be broadcast widely on television, was extremely unpopular and those who fought were often demonised.

Returning servicemen were commonly flown home in the dead of night and expected to quickly slip back into civilian life. Many would go from being shot at deep in the jungle one day to walking the quiet streets of Hobart the next. It’s little wonder Mr Gilbank feels honoured to be recognised for his service.

When it comes to war, it’s staggering that the human race fails to learn from the mistakes of history. The youthful image of Mr Gilbank as a young soldier could just as easily be replicated among troops of another widely unpopular conflict raging in Ukraine. There are probably 19-yearold Russians doing the bidding of their superior officers – caught in the crossfire of power-hungry leaders.