Vietnam Veterans Day commemorations on August 18 held special significance this year, marking 50 years since Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam and the 56th anniversary of the fiercely fought Battle of Long Tan.

Commemorations were especially poignant in the central west town of Coolah, where crowds gathered for two ceremonies acknowledging the service and sacrifice of one their own, 21-year-old Private Paul Andrew Large, who lost his life in the Battle of Long Tan along with 17 others and 24 wounded.

They were supported by a strong contingent of Narromine's RSL sub-branch, who travelled for the occasion.

Private Large served in the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army.

The commemorative services in Coolah took place at dawn and again at 11 am near the local hospital on the memorial avenue which features 18 flowering ironbark trees in memory of those who died in the Battle of Long Tan.

With no active Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch in Coolah anymore, other RSL sub-branches heeded a request for support to hold a service locally in honour of Private Large. One of those that heeded the call was Narromine RSL sub-branch, which provided financial support for the lunch that followed the 11am service, and nine members attended in person.

The Catafalque Party. PHOTO: David Taylor, Narromine RSL Sub-branch

“Private Large was a forward scout and one of the first two to fall at Long Tan,” said Narromine RSL sub-branch president, David Taylor. “His two sisters have been having a memorial for him when they can, and [it is appropriate having this service at Coolah as] this year is the 50th anniversary of the Australian forces pulling out of Vietnam.”

Mr Taylor said the commemorative services featured poignant reflections from a number of speakers about their time in Vietnam, including representatives from various defence forces. Private Large’s family also spoke.

“His sister Sandra Fleming read out a letter from his platoon commander describing Paul, his action and what he was like. Whatever he did, he did it well and was right at the front of [the action],” Mr Taylor said.

Private Large's sisters, Sandra Fleming and Robin Wesley, with event organiser Les Baynham.

The Coolah event was organised by Les Baynham, formerly of Coolah, Mr Taylor said. Keynote speaker was Lieutenant Colonel EA ‘Ted’ Chitham, MC, OAM (Retired), a strong advocate for Vietnam Veterans.

“He was enthralling. He described what it was like to be in Vietnam, including details of military life.” Mr Taylor said.

“But the main thing [Lt Col Chitham] spoke about was that in the Army, for every bayonet there are six others be it artillery, supplies, cooks, etc, all working to help make it happen.

"A soldier on the front line is not the only person involved in the fight. When service personnel come home, they’ve got family, friends, neighbourhoods who also have to deal with the after-effects of war.

"It takes a whole of community approach to dealing with this. You can’t say ‘that’s it, you’re on your own’ [when service personnel return from war]. We’ve all got to be there to help. I think he was the one who said, ‘people who died in battle gave up their future so that we could have a future.’ Pretty profound.”

Narromine sub-branch members who accompanied Mr Taylor to Coolah included Diane Beaumont (sub-branch Secretary), Ted Davies, Charlie Burrows, Des and Barb Lincoln, Bruce Coffey and Steve Cummins. PHOTO: David Taylor

Mr Davies, himself a Vietnam Veteran who gave decades of service to the Narromine sub-branch and retired in 2022, attended both services in Coolah and facilitated the sub-branch’s support.

In electing to attend the special Coolah events, the sub-branch made a conscious decision not to hold any commemorative events in Narromine this year, Mr Taylor said.

“We are all very glad we went to Coolah, and to be able to help them.”

Steve Cummins from Narromine also had a special role on the day, playing the bugle at the event, including the traditional Last Post and Reveille.

Elsewhere in NSW, Minister for Veterans David Harris was at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney alongside RSL NSW President and Vietnam veteran, Ray James OAM, to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of veterans of one of Australia's longest military engagements of the 20th Century.

Mr James apologised on behalf of the RSL NSW for the mistreatment of veterans who returned home from the conflict – and reaffirmed the organisation’s pledge to stand for all veterans now and in the future.

“When veterans needed the League the most, the RSL community in NSW let them down. For those injustices and for our misjudgement – we are sorry. To the veterans who have been at the receiving end of hardship and negativity – we are sorry,” Mr James said.

Minister Harris said: “Sadly, 523 lost their lives and almost 2,400 were wounded, with all involved carrying the scars and memories that only armed combat can bring. We will never forget your service and sacrifice.”