MY SALISBURY
WORDS Heather Kennett
VETERAN’S SERVICE NEVER FORGOTTEN
Although it has been more than 50 years since Army veteran Rex Warren served in the Vietnam War, memories of his service are never far away. “I think about it a lot,” the Pooraka Farm resident, 83, says. “Yes, I have strong memories, it affects you.” Rex was in his early twenties when he first landed in South Vietnam in 1965, serving as a Trooper with 1 Troop 4th/19th Prince of Wales’ Light Horse Regiment, where it was attached to 1 RAR operating out of Bien Hoa airstrip. “Our role involved working in Armed Personnel Carriers, carrying infantry and holding the line as part of fire support bases,” he recalls.
Army veteran Rex Warren at this year’s Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony.
“We didn’t have many neighbours to start with and certainly it’s a lot more multicultural these days.”
Rex undertook a further two tours during his nine years in the Army, which included during the Battle of Coral-Balmoral and Long Tan – among the largest battles Australian forces participated in during their decade-long involvement in Vietnam.
The City of Salisbury hosts a commemorative event at Pooraka each year to honour the Australian servicemen and women deployed during the Vietnam War.
“Yes I saw close action, some of us were lucky, some weren’t,” he says. Rex was awarded three citations, the Unit Citation for Bravery against the North Vietnamese, the United States Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit citation. In recognition of his distinguished service, he placed a wreath at a ceremony to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day, which is also the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, at Montague Farm Estate in August.
After leaving the armed forces, the grandfather of one settled at Pooraka Farm, having spent his early years and completing his schooling at Norwood. His neighbourhood has undergone significant changes since he and his wife first moved to the area, he says. “The population has really gone ahead down here,” he says.
This year, special guests also included His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia, City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM and several students from Mawson Lakes School. Almost 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam from 1962 until 1975, with 521 losing their lives and more than 3,000 wounded. The City of Salisbury event’s location is significant, as Montague Farm Estate is dedicated to all Australians who served in the Vietnam War. Fifty-nine South Australian personnel died during the conflict, and the streets and parks around the Estate are named in their honour.
www.salisbury.sa.gov.au | SALISBURY AWARE | SUMMER 2020 | 11
