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- Mark Binning - 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Whisky 3 & Support Companies, 6 & 2 RAR/NZ ANZAC Battalions, 1 ATF Republic of Vietnam |
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"I served in Vietnam with Whisky 3 Company, 1RNZIR, 1969-70. We were part of the Australian Task Force based in Nui Dat, 3 Corps. Our Company was part of 6RAR/NZ ANZAC BN & 2RAR/NZ ANZAC BN. My Mortar Section (85) made up one section of five (3 Australian & 2 New Zealand) that formed the Mortar Platoon of Support Company 6 RAR/NZ and then after 6 months 2 RAR/NZ. We operated out of a number of fire bases within the AO and with the Australian 3 Cavalry, providing mortar support in their AMC125 on operations." "As you may know New Zealanders were involved in Vietnam both with the Australian Task Force, with various US Services and with Training Teams from 1965 through to 1974. Not much is written about our involvement and the W3 website is perhaps the most complete unit history of New Zealand Servicemen that has been done." |
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"In 1998
Vietnam Veterans in this country had a national reunion
(Parade 98) and I was able to catch up with some members of
my section who I had not seen since 1970. Slowly, I started
to think about my service in VN and recall as much of the
tour as I could. But this was difficult. Then in 2008 NZ
Vietnam Veterans had another national reunion (Tribute ‘08)
where the Government & the Defence Dept presented us with a
formal apology for neglect over the issues of agent orange.
You can read about this on the W3 website. But for me it was
an opportunity to meet up again with the remaining members
of the section, and the years peeled away. We, again, have
all become close and for that I’m most grateful as this was,
while only 18 months in our lives, a very significant time
we shared together. One more photo attached – just for
interest – the remaining originals from W3 Mortar Section at
Tribute ‘08. The first time all together since leaving
Vietnam November 1970." Cpl. Mark Binning |
