Thursday August 18 marks Vietnam Veterans Day, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan which took place during the Vietnam War. 44 Circular Head locals were deployed to Vietnam throughout the 21 year conflict. One of those diggers who fought in Vietnam was Lance Corporal John Richardson of the 1st field squadron. Richardson was born at the old Smithton hospital on August 19, 1947, and now resides in Geraldton, Western Australia. I was fortunate to speak with Richardson during the week about his time before, during and after the armed forces which he described as some of the best, and most challenging days of his life. 

“I haven’t been back to Smithton for quite some time as we have no family living their anymore,” Richardson said. 

“We used to live down near Kingston’s garage on the river side.” 

Richardson joined the army at around age 17 after being conscripted to national service.

“I quite enjoyed the army life,” Richardson said.

“I started off in Puckapunyal in Victoria to do my recruitment training. There they analyse you to see what you are most suited to. They decided I was suited to the engineers. There is two sorts of engineers in the army, construction and field.”

“After that they sent me to the school of military engineering in Casula, Sydney. While I was there I did an advanced course in mine warfare, booby traps, demolition, unexploded bombs, that sort of gear. 

“When I left there I got posted to 7 Feld Squadron in Brisbane. I’d driven a bit of machinery in the lead up so I did a plant operators course. Dozers, loaders, backo’s, rollers, graders, all that sort of gizmo. 

“The army life sort of suited me. It was quite an adventure.

Read more about John in the Chronicle, August 17 edition.