What we are about
We are looking for 100 original stories from any Australian or New Zealander from any unit who served in South Vietnam.
About two years ago I helped create a book for the unit I served with in Vietnam. I asked the guys from 3 Cav to write their own personal story or short anecdote. I also asked them to send original photographs if they had them.
I added further general information about our time in Vietnam, the conditions at our base in Nui Dat, the food, the weapons and what got regular soldiers and us National Servicemen to the war torn country in the first place.
The hard cover, 92 page book was never meant to be published. The men who wrote the stories ordered it directly from the printers, some ordered one, others ordered ten.
I want your story to be one of the 100 that will become an historic document in the new book.
My name is Bruce Dunlop 3793766. I served as a trooper with B Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam from May 1969.
Contact: brucewdunlop@gmail.com
The New Book
The original book for my regiment was so well received that I am now in the process of getting a new book together, hoping to gather another 50-60 first hand stories from men who served in the Infantry, Artillery, Engineers, Air Force, SAS and more from the Armoured corps.
Our hope is to make the book a unique historic document and something we are all proud of. We will find a publisher so that our stories can go out to a younger and broader audience.
We are all working free of charge and no fees will be paid to contributors. Any profit we do make will go directly to the Veterans Charity Mates4Mates. I would hope we can gather all the stories by July 2026 and publish the book in time for Christmas later that year.
I was inspired by the recent VE and VJ Day celebrations. It was noticeable that WW2 Veterans were no longer around, but their stories live on in recorded interviews and media articles. We Vietnam veterans still have a few years left in us, but we need to move on if our personal stories are going to make future generations aware of what it takes to be a soldier, and hopefully the futility of war.
We ain't getting any younger, so the time is now, please don't let our stories follow us to our graves.
VJ/VE Day Reminders
Just a quick wake up call. Over the past months the amazing stories told by the few surviving veterans who fought against the Japanese and in Europe, around 25 years before our battles, are still telling their fascinating tales. Unfortunately many of their comrades have since passed and the stories of the men who fought beside them are lost in time. Please don't let this happen again. While we are able, please take a couple of hours/days to write down a memory or two. This book will mark your deserved place in Australia's history forever.
Tips on getting your story together
Write the story in your own words. It doesn't need to be a precise of your whole time in the army I would prefer stories about incidents, a series of events, your feelings and emotions. If needs be, we can help shape the words if you give us the bulk of the facts.
Stories so far have varied wildly, some are about a single incident or a series of linked events. Others are about aspects of your duty that you felt you did well, or not so well. Others talk about life in a war zone over long periods of time and how they dealt with the continued pressure. It doesn't matter how short or how long your story is, we will find a place for it in the new book. Original photos are very helpful.
Please write it as you feel it, and remember emotional connection to the reader is so important, how you personally felt at a given moment, and it's fine to mention you were scared, I'm sure we all were, often. Because we are Australians, having a laugh is a trait we share naturally, please feel free to write in some humour, it seemed to be present even on the darkest days.
If you want, I can send you a PDF of the original book containing some background and 30 really good stories for reference.
Photos
Americans had photo journalists imbedded in their units. We didn't have that luxury, so good personal photos are very important.
For best results you can digitally transfer photos and send me the files. You can also take a photo of a photo with your phone, avoid reflections and take care with focus.
If you have a box of slides you can send them to me, I will digitise and send them back immediately.
Maps
If your story is about an incident that you think needs more explanation, just draw a simple diagram on plain paper and photograph it on your phone.
We will hopefully make it look better so that it matches the style of the book and we'll send it back to you. You can make corrections or approve the new design.
Diaries
The book is about an individuals recollections, so a diary adds the personal touch. Just take a photo of the page with your phone (focus is important) and send the shot to us.
You can do the same with letters home.
Cuttings
If your parents had a Vietnam scrap book and any of the cuttings were relevant to your story please photograph the cutting and send it to us.
Regional papers often did features of their 'local hero' in Vietnam, adding another dimension to a story.
Drawings
You don't have to be Picasso to do a drawing which again adds personalty or clarity to your story.
A simple sketch is often worth more than words.
