21st of April 2004

Dear Mr. Pearce

Thank you for allowing me an hour of your time to place before you several of the issues which the above association see as having an adverse effect on veterans, especially former members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The issue of water contamination affecting the crews of ships that served in the logistical support role, with particular reference to HMAS Sydney, has been fairly well documented by me in the past and I am sure that the follow up action by you will ultimately provide us both with a satisfactory result.

The issue of HMA ships Vampire and Quickmatch transiting the LongTau shipping channel and the purpose of their visit to the port of Saigon in January of 1962 has been one of long standing interest to several members of the above association. I think you will agree that based upon the recollections of those former commanding officers of the ships that served at the time, (they being prime sources of relevant information) and that much more credibility should be placed upon this material than that of the hindsight analyses undertaken by reviews conducted in isolation many years later.

The review of conditions aboard HMAS Sydney was carried out onboard that ship by the then Naval Judge Advocate Mr. Justice Trevor Rapke QC. His investigations were carried out over a fairly substantial period of time during a trip to the United States mid 1970. His report was then tabled in the House not long after, and many of the problems associated with alleged bastardization in the RAN were publicly reported on then. It is because of the sensitive nature of these allegations of ill treatment of junior sailors that several requests for the information concerning the conditions Rapke encountered whilst 'serving' in the ship have been denied. Hopefully, you may have more influence than us when it comes to achieving the goal of being able to access that part of his report that comments upon the physical conditions he encountered in Sydney during the course of his investigations.

With reference to your request for further information on RAN casualties of the Vietnam War the following information and the enclosed Reports of Proceedings will provide you with the essential detail you require to take this issue further.

Firstly, the issue here is one of recognition of two former officers who died whilst on active service. Maybe there has never been a request by their families for this to be undertaken. However, the fact still remains that neither officer has been given the recognition that should come from dying whilst serving their country in time of war.

The first of these incidents is related in the Commanding Officer's Report of Proceedings (ROP) for HMAS Melbourne - April 1966, and paragraph 24 reads thus:

At 1500H Thursday 28* of April during flying operations in the Sulu Sea, Venom WZ 900 crashed over the side after landing on in position 08° 12'. ON 118° 16' 8E, resulting in the presumed death of the observer, Lieutenant (x) (O) E G Kennell RAN. A search area by HMAS Yarra was abandoned after 3 1/4 hours.

HMAS Melbourne was at that time escorting the troop transport HMAS Sydney, taking troops and equipment to the South Vietnamese port of Vung Tau. Both ships were allotted by ministerial decree for this service. However, Kennell has never been recognized as a veteran of this conflict by having his name registered on the 'Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans', or by having his name remembered in perpetuity on the 'Honour Roll' at the Australian War Memorial. Corroborating evidence is also contained in the Commanding Officer's Report of Proceedings (ROP) for HMAS Yarra at paragraph 13 of this document.

The second of these incidents is related in the Commanding Officer's Report of Proceedings (ROP) for HMAS Sydney - December 1971, and paragraph six reads thus:

At 1925GH on Monday 06th of December, Lieutenant Commander RLEX K A Ferguson RANR, collapsed whilst attending a buffet dinner with the ship's officers on the quarterdeck and died from what subsequently proved to be a heart attack.

HMAS Sydney entered the South Vietnam port of Vung Tau on the 08l of December to embark the troops of 4RAR and 104 Field Battery for return to Australia. In much the same manner as cited above for Kennell, HMAS Sydney was subsequently allotted for this service. However, Ferguson has never been recognized as a veteran of this conflict by having his name registered as a veteran in the 'Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans', or by having his name remembered in perpetuity on the 'Honour Roll' at the Australian War Memorial. I also fear that in both instances, the families may have been overlooked for any pensions or benefits that may have been rightfully theirs due to the deaths of the above named officers.

Paragraphs eight and 41 of the above mentioned ROP for HMAS Sydney also makes relevant reference to Ferguson's demise.

Again, many thanks for your time and patience in listening to my interpretations of the above anomalies as I see them. I hope you can assist by making representations to the Minister(s) concerned. I await your response with much interest.

Regards

(Dr.) John R Carroll Ph.D MAPsS