The 21st September.  It is a significant day in Australian history as it is the date of the last major battle fought in South Vietnam by Australian troops before the withdrawal.  It was Operation Ivanhoe conducted from 18 September to 2 October 1971.  At Nui Le on 21 September 1971 the last Australian combat soldiers from Delta Company 4 RAR/NZ ANZAC Battalion died in South Vietnam and 30 more were wounded in contact with the highly trained 33rd Regiment, North Vietnamese Army. 

 

On this day at 11:00hr I ask that you, no matter where you are, stand to attention, the Australian way [no hand across the heart] lower your head and conduct a minutes silence for the following soldiers:

 

54678 PTE M.L. Rhodes - KIA 19 Sep 71, Regular Army

5718195 PTE B.C. Beilken - KIA 21 Sep 71, National Serviceman

3799449 PTE J. Duff - KIA 21 Sep 71, National Serviceman

56226 PTE K.M. Kingston-Powles - KIA 21 Sep 71, Regular Army

3798081 PTE R.J. Niblett - KIA 21 Sep 71, National Serviceman

5718122 PTE R.J. Sprigg - KIA 21 Sep 71, National Serviceman

 

21 September 1971 was the 22nd birthday of 1736884 PTE Daryl John "Vic" Morrow, national serviceman, soldier, machine gunner and mate.  It goes without question that his expertise with the GPMG M60 machine gun was a contributing factor in more lives not being lost on his birthday in 1971.  Vic was wounded in action on this day.

 

21 September 2006 was to have been Vic's 57th birthday.   While you stand and pay homage to the soldiers above for one minute of your day we shall be laying Vic to rest in his home town of Kilcoy.  A simple funeral, not a state funeral, for a soldier of the Nation.

 

A small notice in the Kilcoy local paper from Delta Company, 4 Royal Australian Regiment, ANZAC Battalion will read 

 

A SOLDIER DIED TODAY

1736884 Private Daryl John "Vic" Morrow,

National Serviceman, Soldier, Machine Gunner and Mate

You will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace