Vets recall a torrid battle
GRAHAM Crick served with 1RAR at the Battle of CoralBalmoral in both tours of Vietnam.
Mr Crick has given over 30 years of service to the Australian Defence Force and recounted what veterans were subject to on arrival back home.
“The rubbish we had in Sydney at the time, throwing buckets of paint over our commanding officer and all the posties who were going on strike, refusing to send us mail,” he said.
“They ( protesters) made their mind up that we shouldn’t have been in Vietnam so they blamed the soldiers.
“A soldier does as he’s told, it’s the government who makes the plans and we happened to cop the brunt of it and it was not nice at all.”
Mr Crick is one of hundreds of veterans who are returning to Townsville for the commemorations of the 50th anniversa- ry. Mr Crick said receiving support from the community was “vital” to a veteran.
“In latter years it has increased … now it’s really tremendous the support we’re giving to current day veterans, it’s really good to see,” he said.
“I think we should always look to improve how we can help veterans.”
Reservist Manager for Army Museum North Queensland Major John Lav- ery said the bond between Townsville and defence was a “tight” one.
A private opening at the museum was made available to veterans on Tuesday, the night of the mayoral reception.
A special display has been set up for the Battle of Coral.
This morning the museum will open to the public for a viewing between 11am and 2pm. The display will open until May 30.