50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM WAR
August 2023 brings significant focus on Vietnam commemorations marking of the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War.
From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War. They were part of an allied force led by the United States. Australians fought alongside South Vietnamese Government troops against the Vietcong, a communist-led insurgent force supported by the North Vietnamese Army.
3rd August marked the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) in South Vietnam 1962.
On 18 August 2023, a national commemorative service is being held at the Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Anzac Parade, Canberra.
In memory of Australians who served in this war.
Please watch Sir Peter Cosgrove’s invitation to remember Vietnam 50 years.
The 2/4th MGB wishes to remember fondly, our former and past President, Rod MacLennan who became President in 2010 remaining so until his untimely death in 2018.
Rodney Chris McLennan was born 23 July 1947 died 25 Sept 2018 was a former VietnaTm Veteran who served with 21 Platoon 9 RAR.
9 RAR was raised Nov 1967 and deployed to South Vietnam as part of Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam war in November 1968. 9 RAR served a year long tour of duty based out of Nui Dat conducting operations mainly in Phuoc Tuy province as part of the 1st Australian Task Force.
‘Rod was the first-born son of former 2/4th veteran WX7608 Corporal Chris McLennan who enlisted AIF Aug 1940 later joining 2/4th’s ‘C’ Coy 10 Platoon. He had been wounded in his face, but remained on duty at the battle at Hill 200, Ulu Pandang during the week’s fighting at Singapore.
Chris left Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force S Battalion to work on the Burma-Thai Railway Hellfire Pass cutting region. On 13 December 1943 he was evacuated to Tarsau Hospital with an ulcer on his foot. Tarsau Hospital of course was not equipped with medical supplies. It was a hellish place, in particular the ulcer wards which could be smelled long before nearing them. There were quite a few 2/4th sick here.
Chris was then sent to Non-Pladuk onto Nacompaton Hospital arriving 7 May 1944 and remained 6 weeks. He was sent to Tamuang Camp via Non Pladuk.
From here he was selected with a work party to Konkoita Camp to rebuild a bridge which had been washed away. Then onto to Kinsaiyok Camp working on a loop line for Japanese engineers and was recovered from Thailand at the end of war
Chris McLennan passed away 8 February 2002 aged 81 years.’
During the last years of his life Rod sadly suffered terrible health issues from his conscript time in Vietnam. Months of hospitalisation, home a short time then back to another hospital. He had a series of sores which were the affects of agent orange and untreatable, ulcers which would not heal on his legs and feet. He lost several toes with amputations. Understandably Ron had his dark times but would appear upbeat and happy to see everybody.
Rod was father to three sons.
Chris McLennan and Mrs McLennan would have been mighty pleased and very proud of their eldest son. We, the Committee of 2/4th will fondly remember Rod’s commitment to 2/4th and in particular his admiration and endless patience with the ‘old boys’ who loved him dearly. He moved at their pace and his patience was endless and greatly admired.
Please read an earlier story about Rod McLennan and 9 RAR
WX7608 Corp Chris McLennan, 2/4th MGB
Above: The 2/4th Committee 2015-2016 with Rod standing centre back row.
Below: L-R Rod McLennan with veterans Dick Ridgwell, John Gilmour and Ron Badock.
