Project Description
Bob was born in Midland Junction, Western Australia, on the 11th of June 1947. His father, Cecil and his mother Dorothy, nee Cox, were farming at Mooliabeenee. There were seven boys in the family.
He left school at 14 and was conscripted into the army for national service in 1967. Bob was in the infantry and his Battalion 1ARU was a reinforcement unit in the Vietnam War.
The battalion guarded the Australian Embassy for three months then returned to Nui Dat base where Bob was assigned to the 4th Battalion or 4RAR. Australia worked on the WHAM project – a ‘Win Hearts And Minds’ approach.
When they returned after 12 months on HMAS Sydney, tug boat operators refused to unload a military ship.
On the 12th of July 1969 Bob married Lesley Catt and they settled in Donnybrook where Bob resumed work at Humes, then moved to Western Titanium at Capel.
Bob came in contact with Agent Orange.
After the war he and his wife Lesley had two children. Bob was reluctant to have any more because of the fear of deformities.
Bob found it very hard to settle down and only felt comfortable in the presence of other men who had been to war.
He joined the RSL in Donnybrook. Bob started having health problems and he tells how a trip to Vietnam was very therapeutic.
Bob relates his feelings on what Anzac Day means to him and his attitude to war and on the present day conflicts in which Australia is, or has been, involved.