Community & Business
28 August, 2025
Remembering our Vietnam Veterans
On August 18th, Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch commemorated Vietnam Veterans’ Day in a poignant ceremony that was marked by one obvious absence - that of the late Vietnam Veteran Mervyn Kahler who died earlier this year.
This year marked the 52nd anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch President, Allan Petersen called the Pittsworth Cadets 19ACU catafalque party to assemble before inviting Pastor Brett Dolley of the Harvest New Life Church to pray.
Regional Cadet Under Officer Luke Lacey gave an address on the Battle of Long Tan (18th August 1966) and the story of Sergeant Robert Buick of the 6RAR.
Buick had to control artillery for an hour after his Platoon Commander was killed and the company was facing 70-80 enemies head on.
CUO Lacey said Buick went out with 29 soldiers and only eight were left by morning, with 13 killed and eight wounded.
“...the Battle of Long Tan was the costliest single engagement for Australia during the Vietnam War,” he said.
“More than 60,000 Australian Army, Air Force and Navy personnel served in Vietnam from 1962 until January 1973, with additional Royal Australian Air Force personnel returning in 1975 to carry out evacuations and assist with refugees...”
Mr Petersen read the honour roll of passed and surviving veterans.
Jenny Boyes laid a wreath on behalf of the RSL, followed by a contribution from Anne Vogler and the Pittsworth Cadets.
Mike Vogler, Pittsworth RSL Secretary, gave tribute to the Nashos of Vietnam and recited The Ode in dedication to his cousin who lost his life in South Vietnam in 1966.
At the end of the ceremony, Mr Petersen gave thanks to bugler Corporal Lachlan Summers, Tony McEwan for leading the singing of the Australian and New Zealand national anthems, and to Captain Peter Greenwood and the 19ACU Cadets.
Casey Byford was the winner of the RSL raffle.
Vietnam Veteran Mervyn Kahler
Merv was part of the government’s 16th conscription intake and served in the Vietnam War between 1970 and 1971.
He worked as a medic in the 1st Australian Field Hospital (1AFH), call sign Vampire.
The 1AFH operated out of Vung Tau in southern Vietnam, as a fully operational hospital with air conditioning, operating theatres, pharmacy, X-ray, chapel and a helipad that was dubbed the ‘Vampire Pad’.
After a year in Vietnam, Mr Kahler returned home, despite being offered a Sergeant’s posting.
The medical services provided by the 1AFH were said to be of such a high standard, the survival rate for soldiers arriving at the hospital was 99 per cent.
Mr Kahler, who battled with a number of health issues, died on 29th June aged 76.
