Discover the inspiring stories of service shared by Queensland veterans and those who knew and loved them.

  • Jessie Vasey CBE OBE

    Jessie Vasey CBE OBE is known as the founder of the Australian War Widows Queensland (AWWQ), a service that supports war widows and families impacted by defence service. Watch the digital story to learn more about Mrs Vasey's inspiring legacy.

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  • Stanton Mellick OAM

    Dr. John 'Stanton' Davis Mellick served in New Guinea from 1940 to 1945. He later excelled as a pharmacist and lecturer at the University of Queensland. Dr Mellick received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2005 in recognition of his extensive lifetime achievements.

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  • Francis Ryan Smith

    Francis Ryan Smith demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in France, earning the Military Cross for his actions at Armentieres. Learn more about Mr Smith's exceptional wartime contributions.

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  • Trevor Shelley

    Vietnam Veteran Mr Trevor Shelley served for 9 years after enlisting into the Australian Army as an engineer in 1964. On Anzac Day 1966, as an 18-year-old, Trevor was deployed to Vietnam for 12 months.

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  • Derek Smith OAM

    Derek Smith, OAM enlisted into the Australian Army as a 16-year-old apprentice and progressed to Major over his 23 years of service. Derek deployed to Vietnam on three tours in 1966, 1969 and 1971.

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  • Patrick Smythe

    It was September 1968 when 20-year-old Patrick Smythe joined a convoy heading to Ba Ria in Phuoc Tuy province, former South Vietnam, as a ‘shotgun’ – the person responsible for sitting next to and protecting the driver of the vehicle.

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  • Rodney Slater

    Vietnam Veteran Mr Rodney Slater felt destined to serve Australia in the army as he grew up playing in bushland near the Enoggera Barracks.

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  • Robert O’Connor

    It is no wonder that Vietnam Veteran Robert O’Connor became a novelist inspired by his own action-packed war service which has provided an abundance of material for a series of books.

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Visit the Vietnam50 Stories of Service for further exploration of veteran journeys. Discover more