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'WITH' OUR BOYS IN VIETNAM
When 161 Bty RNZA left New Zealand for South Vietnam in July of 1965 we departed in secrecy from Whenuapai in the early hours of the morning to prevent anti war protesters interfering with the departure. In the main the War in Vietnam was unpopular with most New Zealanders. We had two friends, apart from immediate families, who openly supported the Battery. They were the people of Raglan and Betty May of Levin. Shortly after arriving in Vietnam we started receiving letters from Betty May. Who was Betty May - Nobody knew. Her letters kept coming at the rate of one per week and included in her letters were ART UNION tickets (Lotto for the modern generation) and poems. Betty's letters and poems were widely read by all ranks of the Battery and a very valuable and close liaison with New Zealand was established. This liaison continued throughout the six years the battery was on active service in Vietnam. Betty has retained her relationship with the gunners of the post war period and has kept in regular communiciation with all ranks. All ranks have a great respect for Betty May and we wish her the very best for the future and may her poems be a lasting memorial to all who served in the Vietnam War 1965 - 1972. Foreword written by Colonel Don R. Kenning MBE (rtd) First Battery Commander in Vietnam.
Page: 4 'With' Our Boys in Vietnam (A collection of poems, newsclippings and photographs of the New Zealand Army in Vietnam) |