GRAEME Boyd will be heading down to the Longford RSL Memorial Club on Anzac Day, April 25, for the Dawn Service, followed by breakfast with his mates and then there’s every chance he’ll just stay for most of the day.
The contact and comradeship is important to him, he said, as thoughts turn to those who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations throughout the years.
In 1967 Mr Boyd was 19 years of age, working in the Dunlop tyre factory next to the old Brown’s store in Longford’s main street when he was called up – one of 63,000 conscripted based on “the birthday ballot”.
Between 1965 and 1972 (when the last Australian troops were withdrawn from Vietnam) 15,381 national servicemen served in the Vietnam War, with 200 killed and 1279 wounded.
“I did the 10-week course and then there was a draw to decide which out of the 36th and 40th air dispatch you were assigned to – but I ended up with 176 air dispatch and was sent to Vietnam to work in transport.
“It was mainly about driving trucks and taking food and supplies and ammunition to American ground troops based in Bungtau and Saigon,” he said. “There was number of people I knew in the same company, mainly football players who I’d played against when I played for Longford.”
Mr Boyd spent nearly four months in Vietnam, counting himself lucky that the only injury was partial hearing loss from the sound of artillery firing overhead.
He returned to Anglesea Barracks in Hobart where he joined the recruiting office to assist those wanting a permanent role in the army and when he’d served his compulsory two years he returned to the tyre factory, eventually becoming manager and running the business for the next 14 years.
After accepting a redundancy he went on to work with Eskleigh, looking after people with disabilities in their own home and then in the main residency. He’s been a mainstay at both the Longford golf and bowls clubs over the years and loves to follow Hawthorn in the AFL.
ANZAC DAY SERVICES
Longford: 6am Dawn Service. Breakfast served at Longford RSL Memorial Club after service (gold coin donation). 11am Main Service, preceded by march leaving from Longford RSL Memorial Club at 10.30am. Barbecue lunch available at the club after the service (cost $12).
Campbell Town: 6am Dawn Service; 11am Main Service. Evandale: 6am Dawn Service; 11am Main Service.
Avoca: 11am service.
Cressy: 9am service.
Bishopsbourne: 9am service.
Perth: 9am service.