Joey's Serving their Country 1965 -1972

In the above photograph, SJC - Joey- 2nd Lt Michael Kinsella is 4th from the left in the front row, his peaked service cap is placed on the ground in front of him. He is surrounded by his platoon.

National Service Joeys

One of the Joey's who was called up during Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War was Michael Kinsella who was born in Subiaco in 1945.

The following in his own words is Michael's story.

Initially living in North Perth, the family moved to Victoria Park in 1950, where I attended St, Joachim's Primary School. I started at Marist Brothers in year 8, the reasoning was Brother Lucien straightened out my brother at New Norcia, I might need the same guidance.

Years 11& 12 I attended Aquinas College accepting a scholarship and completing my Leaving.

Following that, teaching beckoned, hence I went to Claremont Teachers College (1963/1964) with my first appointment Carnamah District High School (1965)

However, National Service was to intervene in my career. Following registration, the National Service Ballot and Medical examinations, I was conscripted in February 1966 for two years.

I perceived the "call up" as a challenge determined to approach it as a learning opportunity.

I was not politically motivated.

Basic training was at Puckapunyal (Vic), however, the opportunity presented itself to do Officer Training in NSW at Scheyville (Officer Training was approximately 6 months)

I successfully graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant, coming in the first couple. I could choose (to a certain extent) where I was posted.

An infantry battalion was my preference, and I was sent to Enoggera (Qld) to join A Company

2 RAR as an infantry platoon commander of the 2nd Platoon.

The next months (August'66 to April'67) were spent training, exercises and going through the Canungra Jungle Training Centre.

It was very intensive training and completing the assembly of the platoon (mostly national servicemen, at least 70%), the allocation of tasks and responsibilities was important.

In May 1967, we embarked on the HMAS Sydney for Vietnam arriving off Vung Tau and transferred by helicopter to the task force at Nui Dat (in the Phuoc Tuy province).

The main activities were patrols outside the perimeter, longer term operations (some with US Army), night ambushing and occupation of a forward position (the Horseshoe) for 6 weeks.

In September 1967, the platoon was taken over by Lt Ben Morris. I finished my tour doing administration, supervision, local PR and time in the command post. I returned home in December 1967, discharged in January 1968 and returned teaching at John Curtin High School.

I have no regrets having done National Service.

I completed an Economics Degree at UWA and have taught in both the government and Catholic education systems.

I married in 1976, we have two daughters, and I retired in 2002.

We thank Michael for his story and his service to our Nation.

We invite other Joey's to share their experiences.

Our aim is to construct an Honour Board listing all Joey's who served their Country,

National Servicemen 1965

In November 1964 the Federal Government decided to introduce a compulsory selective National Service scheme.

When announcing this decision to Parliament the PM of the day Sir Robert Menzies referred to aggressive Communism developments in Asia, particularly Indonesia.

The Government also concluded that Australia had inadequate Defence manpower and aimed to increase the strength of the Army to 33,000 by the end of 1966.

The National Service Act 1964 required 20-year-old males, if selected, to serve in the Army for a period of 2 years of continuous service, followed by three years in the Reserve.

In May 1965 the Defence Act was amended to provide that conscripts could be obliged to serve overseas.

During March 1966 PM Harold Holt announced that National Servicemen would be sent to Vietnam to fight alongside Regular Australian Army units.

Between 1965 and December 1972 over 800,000 men registered for National Service.

Some 63,000 were conscripted and 19,000 served in Vietnam.

Whilst registration was compulsory, the process of selection was by ballot.

Two ballots were held each year

The ballots selected several dates in a selected period and all males with corresponding birthdays were called up for National Service.

A number of Joey's from SJC "won" the raffle and were drafted into service.

Some served in Vietnam.

The Class of '61 remembers their classmate Gerard O'Sullivan being conscripted and serving in Vietnam.

Variously and affectionally known as Gerry aka Mighty Mouse, (the latter being a reflection of his small stature and determined attitude) was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in country Victoria sometime after his return from active service.

Those of us who caught up with him following his discharge noted some personality changes, however under that 'different " persona was the essential Mighty Mouse.

In an article published in the now defunct Spectrum - the Marist College Churchlands journal (vol. 1 No.4 ) 1965, alumnus Bruno Tognini provided a personal insight into National Service training at Puckapunyal ,Victoria.

From his account the routine and discipline of Army life was an eye opener for him.

He observed that he had gained an appreciation of the work his mother did in keeping him well fed and his clothes freshly laundered, tasks he was obliged to perform during training.

Why this article?

National Servicemen of that period were not treated kindly by those who opposed the country's involvement in the Vietnam war.

Those young men were conscripted and did their duty.

However, they were publicly vilified and, in some incidents, physically assaulted.

As time moves on, we witness and appreciate the personal toll that service had on them physically and mentally and it is only in recent years that their service to the Nation has publicly been recognized in a positive way.

We have mentioned two Joeys in this short note, but we are aware there are many more.

Their service, sacrifice and stories should be captured and their names recorded as part of the College's history.

If you were a conscript during the period 1965 to 1972, we salute you and thank you for your service.

More importantly we would like to capture your name, your years at the College (SJC/Marist) and your National Service record.

The details of your name and service record will, with your approval, be posted on this web page as it forms part of the College's alumni history.