Vietnam Presentation at Canowindra
Canowindra Library presents its signature event for the National Year of Reading with a presentation about the Vietnam War by Richard “Barney” Bigwood author of We Were REOs Australian Infantry Reinforcements in Vietnam. The event will be held at the Canowindra Services and Citizens Club on Wednesday 26th September at 2pm.
During the Vietnam war all Australian units except infantry rotated fresh replacements through them as people were returned to Australia. The Battalions trained as a unit in Australia with all arriving in “country” together. It was only as they suffered casualties being killed, or wounded, or National servicemen went home, the Battalion required re-enforcements (REOs).
These new blokes had to demonstrate their worth to be accepted because they would be sleeping in a dead mate’s bed in the section where he was a dependable friend. This put added pressure on “the new bloke”. He had to adjust to being in a war zone and he had to prove himself.
Richard will talk about his experiences, his book We Were REOs as well as present photographs tracking the lot of a soldier from enlistment to infantry training, jungle innoculation and deployment to South Vietnam in 1968. Then the presentation follows the postings through several Battalions with the “baptism of fire” into warfare.
Author talk & presentation by Richard Bigwood
We Were REOS
Venue: Canowindra Services and Citizens Club
93 Gaskill Street, Canowindra
Date: Wednesday 26 September 2pm
Bookings: Please book your place by calling Canowindra Library on
6344 1796