David Nean's interview in Newcastle

David Nean discusses his service in Vietnam in 1967-68 with 7RAR. David was called up as a national serviceman, and decided to join despite having exemption as both an aboriginal man and a railway worker. He joined 7RAR and then moved to a self-propelled artillery unit. He remembered doing a great many night ambushes, which he found stressful. He was particularly fearful of mines and booby traps. He also recounts his experiences with Vietnamese people, Americans and during leave in Hong Kong. David also notes that his father and uncle served in World War 2.

This interview took place on 24 October 2014 in Newcastle and was conducted by Professor John Maynard as part of the Australian Research Council-funded research project Serving our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia.

The interview recording above is made available to be listened to here by permission of the interviewee(s), David Nean. The recording may not be copied, reproduced or communicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the interviewee(s). Requests for permission for use of this material should be made to the Serving our Country research project: our contact details.

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Updated:  16 July 2015/Responsible Officer:  Director, Serving our Country/Page Contact:  CAP Web Team