Battle of Coral Balmoral to be remembered in Mossman
VIETNAM WAR
VETERANS and families will commemorate the 56th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral Balmoral at the Mossman RSL sub-branch on Johnston Road at 10am on Saturday.
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War began in July/August of 1962 with the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam. Australians saw over 60,000 servicemen and women deployed to South Vietnam.
Of those 60,000, 15,381 were conscripted for service, 521 died and more than 3,000 were wounded. Australia’s involvement in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Battles at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral – Australia’s most protracted and bloodiest engagement of the Vietnam War. Australian Forces confronted members of the North Vietnamese Army in a fierce firefight northeast of Saigon. While it was considered a tactical success, 26 Australians were killed and more than 100 wounded while fighting in atrocious conditions.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of World War 1 or the Great War which was fought from 28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918.
The Mossman RSL recently received a $20,000 cash injection from Warren Entsch, Federal Member for Leichhardt, which will be used for a range of projects.
A feature of Saturday’s commemorations will be the unveiling of a mosaic designed by local artist Sam Matthews.
Other projects include a bronze to be placed on top of the cenotaph at Council chambers; along with three plaques representing local indigenous servicemen of WW1, the Australian Light Horse Brigade and the naval Far East Strategic Reserve.
“This is a significant day for our community when we honour the men and women who served in the Vietnam War. It is an opportunity to reflect upon a time in our history and give thanks to all our veterans for their service,” said RSL Mossman secretary Wally Gray.
“We are particularly proud and honoured by the mosaic which was designed by Sam. This is something special which will be cherished for years to come,” he said.
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