Category: RSA

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"Keeping the Peace" – Someones Got to Do It!

A foreword Greg wrote in my book that means a lot.

As you go through life people tend to come and go. Some mates stay a short time and others are a constant & stay forever. These long term friends know a lot about you (some would say too much so you better stay close) and have shared lifes journey. If you add to that shared experience through good times and bad then you form a close bond.

A life long friend of mine is Greg Allnutt. Our paths crossed intially during sport in primary school when country schools got together in South Canterbury sometime in 1980 or 81. It wasn’t until third form and High School that we became good friends and throughout our high school years we were in the same class. We played rugby together and used to stay at each others place. He lived in the Waimate township and I came from a farm in the Hunter Hills. Good friends we were and we had a lot of fun. 
Greg was a keen outdoor lad. Fishing, hunting, camping, a great runner, a talented swimmer and a bit of a nut on the rugby field with blistering tackles. He had a great sense of humour, an angry side if pushed (and he often was) and was known to hold a grudge until such time as he could pay you back in full! He was good on his feet public speaking and did well academically. At the end of our sixth form year Greg went into the NZ Army as a Cadet. His trips home on leave and the stories he told influenced my decision to join the Army myself.
In January of 1987 I joined the Army and after year of intial training and study at University was sent for my Officer Training at the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru. Greg was also in this class as was another good school friend, Nathan Richardson. That year was a blur of leadership training, fitness, academic study and practical assessment in leadership roles in wet and cold situations that deprived us of sleep & food. We loved it (well looking  back on it). At the end of that year our paths seperated as we pursued our careers in different locations but continued to cross. I worked with Greg on promotion courses, sometimes as students together, once he was instructing, we shared a trip to Hong Kong and an operational tour in Angola (but not at the same time). We flatted together for a while, socialised together and had a similar circle of friends at various times. Over our many years as mates we have played sport together, been wet, cold and hungry, tired, partied, celebrated weddings, laughed,  & stayed in touch. Often it would be years between seeing each other.
So I wasn’t surprised when he decided to write his book because he had a hell of a story to tell. I first knew of it when I got an e-mail out of the blue seeking permission to use my photo & name. I was also stoked to be one of the first few to get a copy to read. “Keeping the Peace – A Kiwi’s Modern Conflict Experience” is a tale of Greg’s operational postings into conflict zones with the New Zealand Army. It also tells of his life leading to enlistment and some of the events along the way. I really enjoyed reading it, not just because I knew much of his story and many of those featured in the book, but because I learnt quite a lot about him. His perceptions, insights into life overseas with the Army and his reflections made it a book I read in only several sessions. 
The thing I admire the most about Greg (besides his courage to write his story) is that he is a good genuine bloke. He is a straight shooter, he has a wickedly sharp wit and most of all we can get together and have a beer after over 30 years of friendship. 
Now thats a good Southern Man and an ANZAC who has done more than his bit for service of his country. New Zealand needs more Greg Allnutts……people who don’t just talk about things, they actually go into harms way and do things to make the world a better place.
Onward Greg and thanks for everything you have taught me over the years and the example you have set.
Like this? Check these other ANZAC Stuff I have written;



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The ANZAC Legend Didn’t Mention Mud and Blood and Tears…..

One the 25th the country will remember officially those who have served, currently serve and those who sacrificed their lives for our country. For those of us who share a close link with the military it occupies a special place in our lives. It is a time to get together, share with family and to remember the friendships, the fun times and the not so fun times.

R.I.P Leonard Manning. He is one of a number who in recent years have died in combat.

I was 17 when i joined the Army and despite knowing the stories and legends of those who had served no one mentioned the mud, blood, sweat and tears involved in serving. The time away from home and family, the times when it crossed your mind that getting home in one piece might be a bit of a challenge.

R.I.P. those men of my home community who gave their lives all those years ago. Lest we forget.

This week I will be remembering those who didn’t make it, those who have been badly injured, those who have suffered mentally from their service. Most importantly I spare a thought for those members of our Armed Forces who are in harms way right now doing their bit at the sharp end of our countries foreign policy…….and punching above their weight. I will take time to remember those New Zealanders who have died on active duty over this past 12 months and for their families.

Lest we forget.

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ANZAC Day: The true gold of ANZAC

Local men from Hunter district who served. Lest we forget.

As ANZAC day looms I always think of my military past. For many years it was 100% of my life, nearly 18 years serving as a Regular Army Officer and now after a 6 year gap, again in the Reserves. When I first left the Army I immersed myself in business to make up the skill gap that I felt I had as a result of so much time in one organisation. Now more and more I fall back on the extra ordinary grounding I got in the Army and the skills it taught me.  Sure I got a University education as well (BCom at Canterbury University) but those basic skills are the valuable ones. Things like accepting responsibility, leading, communicating, systems for administration, logistics. How to plan and think through problems. People skills, overseas experience, overcoming fear, physical fitness and the list goes on.

Shared experience = ANZAC Spirit. Hong Kong/China border 1991

ANZAC day for me is a time of remembrance. It is a time to think back on experiences, people, sacrifice and those who put country first. Those who didn’t make it home or were killed serving their country come to mind. The big campaigns which cost many faceless New Zealanders their lives and then more recently those killed in combat, accidents or in training that have a much more personal angle given that we knew them and had served together.

Many of my good friends still serve in the Army and some are in harms way right now. They hold senior roles of course nowadays but none  in the back of your mind you get that knot in your guts whenever there is a bad news headline in Afghanistan or some other strange place they may be serving. Many of my mates are now out of the Army and flung far around the country and indeed the world in roles ranging from Private security to private and big business. Most have been very successful in what they have pursued and of course fall back on many of those skills taught in the military.

Remembering those who didn’t get home= ANZAC spirit

I wanted to define what ANZAC day meant to me and whilst the dawn parade is certainly a focal point, I find myself looking at those around me who have not served. I look at their reaction and I wonder why they attend and what it must mean to them given they have not experienced the tight camaraderie the Army offers or the feeling of being in a tight combat team. I don’t understand how they view the day and the words said at services across the country.

No, ANZAC day is not really that big for me. Personally it happens many times a year when I share time with good mates who I have served with. The ANZAC experience for me is just as much about playing a good army mate at squash as it is about a dawn parade. To be able to tell yarns, swear  (one of the pleasures in life) and spend time is just as important. Having a coffee, phone calls, laughing, staying in touch are all pleasures. I love the way you can go months and years and then just touch base and not much has changed.
Last weekend a mate called on me who I had not seen for perhaps 10 years and we spent a couple of hours talking. Those are friendships that endure, like old school mates they are part of my community. They know me, my strengths, my weaknesses and we have common experience.
That is a gift the Army has given me for the rest of my life. Enduring friendships……now that is just absolute gold!

If you liked this ANZAC story you will love these others that I have written;

A visit to Crete: Some ANZAC photos (Link here)

Johnny McNutt: A Good Southern Bloke R.I.P. (Link here)

Bush bashing and finding the Canterbury lads: Gallipoli (Link here)

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Who is Private David Nelson Wright (Part 3 in the series "Down Home")

Not far from where my grandparents lie in the lovely setting of St Mary’s at Esk Valley, South Canterbury is the resting place of a young Infantryman who died of wounds in Vietnam. His name is Private David Nelson Wright.  I guess what is interesting about this is that unlike the many names listed just down the road on the Esk Valley War Memorial (he is not on it), David is actually buried among the community from which he came as opposed to overseas where he died as was the norm many years ago. I have always looked in on his headstone and given it a brush down if needed and wonder what his story was. As an ex Infantryman there is always the  realisation now that being killed could have happened to any of us who served. I thought it was time to have a few questions about him answered. Who he was and how did he come to be buried at Esk Valley.


He died of wounds sustained in South Vietnam in 1970 (the year after I was born) at the age of 23, he was part of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and his father (who lies next to him) was the Minister of the Parish of which St Mary’s is part. That I knew from his headstone. When I have asked locals about him there was no further information known other than these details. So here is a summary of what I discovered about David Wright;

  • A photo.
  • He attended Christs College, Christchurch and was an accomplished sportsman.
  • He was very fit and healthy.
  • Like all who New Zealand soldiers who served in South Vietnam, he was a professional soldier and a volunteer.
  • He was one of 37 New Zealanders to lose their life during or as a result of direct combat action in the conflict. ( A further 187 were wounded in action)
  • As part of Whiskey 3 Company he arrived in South Vietnam in November 1969 for a 12 month tour of duty.
  • The company was commanded by then Major Evan Torrance (who selected me for Officer Training).
  • His Platoon Commander was then Lieutenant Bob Upton (Who was my first Commander upon graduation).
  • He was well thought of amongst his peers and the company. I made contact with his Company Sergeant Major by e-mail and he spoke highly of David. He had never stood out for his sheer brilliance or for poor performance and had not featured in any major disciplinary breaches which from the point of view of a CSM meant he was a hard grafter who did his job and got on with it.
  • He had a wicked sense of humour and innocent look about him.
  • He was a “cover scout” in a rifle section which meant he was always at point and covering the lead man or ” lead scout”. This was a dangerous role that was effectively the eyes and ears of the section silently moving through the jungle. It is a role generally held by the most alert and talented soldiers who keep an eye out for mines, booby traps, hidden enemy and potential risks. Given that jungle combat is so fast and at close quarters it is not for the feint hearted.
  • He never once failed his lead scout.
  • He was badly wounded in a contact/gun battle with north vietnamese insurgents (Viet Cong or VC) on 30 January 1970. He was the most severely wounded (entry and exit wounds to his pelvis and upper torso) although others in his team sustained serious wounds also. You can read the full story written by those involved in this battle at this link.
  • He was attended to by his mates and stabilised before being flown out of the jungle by a CASEVAC helicopter. He was more concerned about his mate George McLeod’s wounds than his own.
  • Initially treated by a military hospital in Vietnam (Vung Tau Military Hospital), the nature of his wounds meant that he was transfered to an Australian hospital for further treatment.
  • He initially recovered well and wrote to his mates in Vietnam this effect.
  • He died of complications including a kidney infection and failure in a Sydney hospital in Australia on 19 March 1970.
  • His funeral was a family affair with some military representation at Esk Valley as recalled by then Captain Ross Miller whole recalls;

“I remember going to Dave Wright’s funeral.  I was, at the time, a staff officer at HQ SMD in Christchurch and although I didn’t know David, I felt that, as a Vietnam veteran, I should be there and that’s why I went.  I don’t think there was large military contingent present and as I didn’t want to intrude on what was very much a family gathering I left shortly after the service.”

  • His service flag was given to his mother and it hangs inside St Mary’s church at Esk Valley.
  • His mother received his service medals.
  • You can read a speech written and delivered by Bob Upton at the unveiling of Davids memorial at Christs College (pictured) at the link here.
So there you have it. This research for me answered all those questions I have had about David since before even beginning my Army service. I’m glad I put a face to his name, found out a bit about him and how he died and in corresponding with those who served with him I found out so many more things about Vietnam and the controversy that surrounded New Zealand being involved. One thing is for sure though, our servicemen and women who went to South Vietnam did so as volunteers and did their job very well. They should never have been blamed for the politics surrounding the conflict, nor should they have borne the brunt of ill feeling when they came home.

Thanks David for doing your bit! Thanks for being prepared to serve wherever New Zealand sent you. Thanks for looking after your mates. Sorry you didn’t grow old with them and tell your story in person. At age 23 you did more in that short life than many do in 50 years. A local Legend.

Thanks too to those who gave me information.

“Onward”

Kendall

A quote from the speech given by Bob Upton at the Christs College memorial service for David.



“Finally I leave you with this to contemplate and reflect on:
It is the soldier not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier not the union organiser, Who has given us freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag and, Whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”