The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Francis "Frankie" John Hunt with his family onstage at the Welcome Home Concert in The Domain, Sydney. On 8 May 1969, Hunt enlisted with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), as a Private (service number 39701) and served as a forward scout with the battalion in the Vietnam War. On 21 July 1969, he was on patrol with 3 Platoon, A Company, 6RAR, when Lieutenant Peter Hines stepped on a mine, which activated and killed the latter. The explosion injured several others, including Hunt, who was standing closest to Hines. Hunt was air-lifted to the military hospital in Vung Tau and then evacuated to Australia for further surgery at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital to amputate his severely injured legs. He spent 19 months in rehabilitation in Australia. In 1983, musician John Schuman wrote and released the song "I Was Only 19" which was performed by his band, Redgum. The song references Hunt and the mine explosion: "Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon" and was performed onstage in The Domain for the Welcome Home Concert.
Organised by the Australian Vietnam Veterans Association, the Australian Vietnam Forces Welcome Home Parade and Concert were among several events held for Vietnam veterans that weekend. While many units had marched through the streets on their return to Australia, many in the Vietnam veteran community felt Australian society did not respect or recognise their service. Addressing the RSL Conference in August 1987, Prime Minister Hawke noted: “I firmly believe that the October parade will be the culmination of a long process of reconciliation and community acceptance of its obligations to the veterans of Vietnam. I believe we must honestly acknowledge that our involvement in Vietnam did cause deep divisions in the Australian community. But whatever our individual views on the merits of Australian involvement, we must equally acknowledge the commitment, courage and integrity of our armed forces who served in Vietnam.”
This image is one of a series captured by Australian War Memorial photographers who travelled from Canberra to document the event.
Australian blue ensign to be mounted on a wooden pole bearing an engraved silver plate 'Pte G. Nagle 9 R.A.R. R.A. Inf.' Memorial flag from the Vietnam Welcome Home Parade held in Sydney in 1987. A
Australian blue ensign to be mounted on wooden staff bearing an engraved silver plate 'Pte J.H. Bullman 1 A.R.U. R.A. Inf.' Memorial flag from the Vietnam Welcome Home Parade held in Sydney in 198
Francis "Frankie" John Hunt with his family onstage at the Welcome Home Concert in The Domain, Sydney. On 8 May 1969, Hunt enlisted with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), as a
Francis "Frankie" John Hunt with his family onstage at the Welcome Home Concert in The Domain, Sydney. On 8 May 1969, Hunt enlisted with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), as a P
Francis "Frankie" John Hunt with Colleen Thurgar nee Mealy onstage at the Vietnam veterans' reunion concert in the Domain, Sydney. The concert was part of the official Welcome Home Parade for Vietnam
Francis John (Frankie) Hunt. On 3 October 1987, after a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, 22,000 Vietnam veterans marched through the streets of Sydney in the Australian Vietnam Force
Don Lane, Frankie Hunt and John Schumann backstage at the Welcome Home Concert in The Domain. On 3 October 1987, after a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, 22,000 Vietnam veterans marc
Patricia "Little Pattie" Thelma Thompson (née Amphlett) performs onstage at the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Concert in The Domain. On 3 October 1987, after a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph in Mar
