2023 marks 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) in South Vietnam (SVN) on the 3rd of August 1962 and 50 years since the withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.
The Australian Government is intending to mark the occasion with a national Commemorative Service, televised by the ABC on the 18th of August 2023 from the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial (AVFNM) in Canberra. Many Vietnam Veterans and the Nearest of Kin (NOK) of those Killed In Action (KIA) are too old or frail to travel to Canberra to attend this ceremony.
For some, the trip could be thousands of kilometres.
Therefore, the VVV will provide surviving Vietnam Veterans and the Australian people the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way right across the nation. Services will be held locally in the district to show solidarity with loved ones for their loss.
The Vietnam Veterans Vigil intends to hold a service at each of the 523 grave sites across Australia this Thursday on the 3rd of August 2023. The first is a Dawn Service to be held at the AVFNM in Canberra. Other Services will be held at 1100 (local time across Australia and in Malaysia. The last Service will be held in Scotland, at Birkhill Cemetery where LCPL Robert Buchan is laid to rest with his Mum and Dad.
The local service will be held in Binalong for Peter Joseph Jackson. Peter was in the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and he was (KIA) in Vietnam. The Service is listed as the Binalong General Cemetery in the Catholic Section.
Yass’ Ross Webster will be in attendance and will be taking other veterans to the Service from Yass. He said, “It will be held at 11am at the Binalong Cemetery. They are trying to hold a service at the 523 sites across Australia of those killed. We will be out there with several veterans, everyone is welcome, it will go for about 20 minutes and then I think we are going down to the Binalong pub to have a few beers and a feed.”
A ‘sister’ paper to the Yass Valley Times compiled a story on Peter Jackson for its April 20 edition in 2016 and has kindly lent its resources to the Yass Valley Times. The story was titled ANZAC Local Legends – Private Peter Jackson.
It stated……We honour and remember a young man from Binalong, whose life was cruelly taken by yet another war, the Vietnam War. Peter Jackson was born in Cowra on the 10th of December 1947, the first-born son to Aub and Thelma Jackson. He was followed by siblings, Fred, Marie, Trevor, Kevin and Brenda. The Jackson family moved to Binalong and lived in the house up the hill from bushranger Johnny Gilbert’s grave. Peter’s early days were spent out in the paddocks rabbiting with his siblings. His sister, Marie, remembers that he and Fred often played hide and seek with her, often not returning until her mother had to tell her that the boys had gone for the day. Peter’s early school days were spent at St. Brigid’s in Binalong. Marie and Fred attended with him. He also completed part of his schooling at Captain’s Flat before coming up to Harden on the bus to attend St. Columba’s.
After leaving school, he worked for a time on a property in Galong and then for a carrying business as well as a power line company, before he was called up for National Service in May 1968.
Conscription for 20-year-olds had been introduced in November 1964 despite opposition within the Army and many parts of the community. The Vietnam War 1955-1975, followed the 1st Indochina War which took place between 1946 and 1954. North Vietnam was supported by the USSR, China and other communist allies as well as the Viet Cong or NLF or South Vietnamese, which were aided by the North and fought a guerrilla war against the anti-communist forces in the region. South Vietnam was supported by the US, the Philippines and other anti-communist forces. Australia was to play a role in this war. Advisors were sent in 1962 and troops from 1965. It was a war that differed from other wars in that, soldiers fighting were never sure just who was their enemy.
Peter completed his training at Kapooka before going to Vietnam with 5RAR in February 1969. Despite being wounded in action in April of that year, he resumed his duties with 12 Platoon, D Company. On the 15th of June, 5RAR replaced 9RAR. Whilst protecting land clearing operations and engineering construction tasks, his company came into contact with mines. When a mine was detonated, two soldiers were killed. Corporal J J Kennedy and Private Peter Jackson were fatally wounded. Another soldier, Private T.C Turner, later died from his wounds and another 24 were wounded, half of whom required treatment that necessitated returning to Australia. The bulk of the platoon had been affected by shrapnel which had spread around 35 metres. Other soldiers were said to have called out for the medic, but Peter, who was the platoon medic, had already passed away.
This operation produced one of the most lethal mine detonations of the war, with only 5 of the 12th platoon escaping injuries. Peter’s family were devastated by his death. Trevor said, “Our family was never the same again.” His younger brothers Trevor and Kevin always remember him as a generous ‘big brother’ who was kind and gave them matchbox cars on their birthdays. Peter’s huge funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Church in Binalong. Trevor and his brother Kevin were 2 of the 4 altar boys assisting at the service. Pallbearers were seven soldiers who carried their comrade with pride, dignity, and reverence, silently saluting as armed servicemen worldwide do. A three-round gun salute broke the silence of the solemn ceremony, followed by the “Last Post” and “Reveille”, whilst the Australian flag was lowered and then raised over the grave.
A country boy was laid to rest under the gum trees, even though he gave his life in a distant country in a steamy jungle. He is buried in the Catholic cemetery along with his parents. Peter was a very well-liked young man around Binalong and his death came as a shock to many. Prior to him going into the army, he played football for Binalong and a team photo still hangs in the Binalong Hotel. The football club and many friends gave him a surprise party before he undertook his training at Kapooka.
Since his death, his sister Marie and niece Donna have attended 5RAR reunions and they and other members of his family have been in touch with members from his company and platoon in Vietnam. They all speak very highly of Peter and have told of his great attitude towards his fellow mates over there. They remember him as being a funny guy with a quick wit. Trevor Jackson, Peter’s younger brother said, “We, my wife, daughter and son-in-law travelled to Dat Do along with other veterans, friends and two daughters of “JJ” Kennedy to visit the spot which marked where the two young men were killed. Upon arriving at the scene, they were all very quiet and sombre. Their reasons for going to Vietnam and visiting the spot differed.
Veteran Ray Knapp choked up after saying, “This is the spot,” and hugged “JJ’s” daughters. It was his third visit back to Vietnam. Vicky and Karen (Kennedy) had always promised one another they would visit the spot where their father was taken from them. Trevor was curious about the incident and what his brother had experienced in Vietnam. He said, “I will never forget standing on the spot where Peter died.” Slowly, others started to talk about the incident. They all recalled their own personal feelings about when the mine exploded. Ironically, Wattle trees now reside alongside the native plant life. It was a very emotional day for everyone. The veterans and families visited areas of interest, completing their journey with a visit to the Dong Nai Museum, home of the original Long Tan Cross.
In August 2013, the National Serviceman’s Association from the South West Slopes had a plaque erected in Squires Park in Cowra in Peter’s memory. Trevor and Marie were honoured to unveil this plaque in their brother’s memory. Other family members had travelled from the capital cities as well as Dubbo, Yass and Wollongong to attend the ceremony. Also in attendance were members of the National Servicemen’s Association.
Trent Jackson now living in Harden, Trevor’s son and Peter’s nephew, has marched for his uncle Peter on Anzac Day in Yass. He began doing this when he was 10 and continues to do so.
No doubt if you have attended the ANZAC march in Yass, you will see Trent proudly wearing his medals and representing Private Peter Jackson. A boy from Binalong whose young life was taken from him in service of his country so that we may live in safety and security. Peter is, and always will be, a Local Legend.
