Colin Cahill talks about his experience in the army including his service as a forward scout in the Vietnam War, and the lasting effect that conflict has had upon him both physically and mentally, and his ongoing efforts to secure a pension and other fraught interactions with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Colin recounts stories of mateship, racism and combat in Vietnam, as well as his post-army life dealing with severe PTSD and other health issues.

This interview took place on 11 September 2015 in Darwin and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson with Craig Greene 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 viewed here by permission of the interviewee(s), Colin Cahill. 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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