The Vietnam War was a long time ago, but for Geoff Scarterfield, the memories of his time there are still raw.
The Northam resident and member of the Northam RSL spoke to the Advocate in the lead up to this week’s Anzac Day service that he attended with his family.
Geoff was born in Northam and has lived here most of his life, apart from the five years when he left school and two years of national service.
He was drafted to go to Vietnam, spending 12 months there, including his 21st birthday, in 1970.
“I was in an infantry platoon, I was a medic in charge of the health and well-being of around 30 soldiers,” Geoff said.
“The conditions, well we were always wet – wet from the monsoonal rain or wet from sweating continuously.
“We used to go out on our operations for about five weeks and then we would come back into the main base camp, probably have a week’s rest and then go out and repeat the cycle again.”
Geoff said he had various contacts “from time to time”.
“Unfortunately my platoon sergeant, who was probably my best mate at the time – he was accidentally killed just after I came home.”
He said a few soldiers during his time were also wounded.
“It was a very hard experience and very tiring most of the time.”
Geoff said they were always tired and hungry.
Towards the end of an operation they would have exhausted their rations, leaving them with nothing to eat in the final days.
“I avoid speaking to people who weren’t there because I don’t like to put them in that situation,” he said.
Geoff found it easier to talk to friends and people who had been involved in active duty “because you know they identify with your experiences”.
“That is probably one of the hardest things about it.
“A lot of people like us just don’t talk about their experiences.”
Anzac Day naturally means a lot to Geoff and his family.
He also said it was an important time for current and serving soliders.
“I think they have the same problems we have, although in their favour, they chose that career path where as we were drawn out of a ballot and the decision was made for us.”
He might embrace Anzac Day now, but it wasn’t always like that.
“When I was discharged the war had become very unpopular and a lot of the general population didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone who had been to Vietnam,” he said.
Geoff didn’t join the Northam RSL until almost 1990, saying there were some older members who encouraged him to get involved.
“Anzac Day to me is probably the most important national day in Australia.
“And I think it is a time when we come together and remember and appreciate the sacrifices that so many generations have made now, and we pay our respects for all of those people who have served and are still serving.
“It is something that should always be remembered.
“With all of the problems happening around the world now I think the younger generation needs to be aware of how lucky they are to live in a country like Australia where there is so much freedom.
“We have never experienced an invasion of our country which is pretty unique in this day and age.
“I think they (the younger generation) needs to be made aware of how different it could have been if they didn’t live in Australia.”
