By Gary L. Keady In 1965, arriving back in peacetime Australia, from the war in Vietnam, was quite disorientating for some veterans. Few Australians knew anything about Vietnam; where it was and why there was a war. Some thought it was a holiday destination! After a while you gave up explaining and talked about the weather and women. Life was easier that way. Adaption to peacetime living was awkward and some men never quite made it. Irritability, drunkenness, and domestic violence were symptoms which stopped with a divorce or suicide. Fortunately, most veterans adjusted with the assistance of their women, families, and mates.
Anything associated with paperwork and bureaucracy became irrational challenges. Registering cars and obtaining bank loans topped the list. Applying for a war service home loan was irritating enough for a 24-year-old. There were many forms to fill in and documents required. A birth certificate seemed ridiculous after being born in Australia and serving in the RAAF for eight years. “Ask Mum for it,” said his father. Imagine the son’s amazement to read he had been born an “enemy alien,” with a totally different birth name! Mothers can keep secrets.
Don Pollock arrived home, at the front gate, unexpectedly, “I saw my mother sweeping the veranda. As I walked towards her, she stopped sweeping and looked at me with a slightly puzzled look. I stopped when I was about four metres from her and she looked directly at me and said, ‘I am sorry. I know your face, but I cannot remember your name.’ I responded, ‘What, you can't remember your own son?’ Mum's jaw and broom dropped together; her hands were clasped but shaking. Clearly, she was shocked. Suddenly she turned around and fled into the house yelling, ‘Tom, Tom, Donny's home, Donny's home!’ Dad and Mum quickly returned and hugged me. We all cried with joy and relief.”
Another veteran had been away from his wife and family for almost a year. The flight from Sydney to Brisbane to connect with the flight to his home at Maryborough, was delayed. Hearing of the problem, the captain arranged the connecting flight to delay at Brisbane, so the airman got home that night!
Imagine that happening today?
Fifty years later, the survivors of the first RAAF unit in Vietnam, (RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam-RTFV) collaborated to produce an anthology of personal stories, “Suggy’s Men.”
Don Pollock became the compiler, assisted by Des Lovett, Kev Henderson and many others. Inevitably there were some war stories, but these were written to help personnel avoid repeating errors that may have been made. The second edition, with much more material, is available. Proceeds go to supporting veterans and their families. For a copy, contact the Secretary, RTFV/35 SQN, at wallabysam14@gmail.com
The “originals’, who formed “Wallaby Airlines,” arrived in Vietnam on 8th August 1964, 50 years after Australians entered World War 1 on 4th August 1914. Politicians, poets and priests could not get it right and so we were at war again. ‘This small team of aircraft and support personnel marked the first deployment of a RAAF unit on operations since the Korean War and the first war in which Australians did not fight alongside the British.’
The title comes from the nickname of their highly respected and much-loved commander, Squadron Leader Chris Sugden, DFC and Bar; “Suggy” to all (when he was out of earshot). Born in York, WA, a member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, this quiet achiever had flown bombers in WW2, fighters in Korea and, finally, transport aircraft in Vietnam. Retiring to Eungai Creek, he raised beef and continued service to the community as a councillor and President of the Nambucca Shire. His proudest decoration was a Queen’s Commendation awarded for service in the Parkes floods of 1952. The award for saving lives was so much more valuable to Suggy than taking them.
Two reviews are poignant. From one veteran, ‘I never had much of a proud feeling after coming back with all the stuff that was said, but now reliving all the stories, I’ve turned around and feel much more comfortable that we did our bit right. Too many years gone by to bottle up things, hope the book can wash away some sentiments for members who find it hard to release feelings that they should be very proud of.”
After reading “Suggy’s Men,” Suggy’s younger sister said “I had no idea that Chris suffered so much in Vietnam.” Then she wept.
The book, dedicated to the “Men of RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (RTFV) 1964-65 and the wonderful women in their lives who have supported them,” Appropriately, the book concludes with an essay from a veteran’s widow.
“A Man Cannot Go to War and Stay the Same Man’ is dramatic in its raw simplicity.
The Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers has two groups that meet monthly. The
night group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in a private
venue. The group focuses on writing for works towards publication, developing stories and
memoirs, group novellas, and building writing experience.
The day group meets from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month
at the Red Door Hall in Page Street, Moruya. The group focuses on bringing a piece of
writing to the meeting for critiquing. Either fiction, biography, up to 1000 words, 100-word
Drabble, or poetry. Annual membership is $45. To join contact:
https://eurobodallawriters.org/contact-us/
