Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

The 521 - Recording Australia's Vietnam Casualties

24 February 2011

There are 521 Australian Service personnel recorded on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll as having lost their lives as a result of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict - five of them from the Fleet Air Arm.

Author/historian Barry Hampson believes each of the 521 has a story that needs to be recorded - their lives before they entered the military, their military service and how they lost their lives. Coupled with their story is the story of how their death affected (and continues to affect) their families, friends and the mates they served with.

He has started researching each of "The 521" to produce a book honouring and documenting their lives.

To assist him in this endeavour, he wants to talk to and interview anyone who served with any of the 521 Australians - this includes members of their families, friends and Service colleagues. He can be contacted on , via the contact page on his website www.barryhampson.com or on his mobile 0424 750 943.

Author's background

Barry Hampton has a military background, having enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1980 as a private, serving 23 plus years and working his way through the ranks. When he enlisted in the Army, the majority of his corporals, sergeants, etc were Vietnam veterans. Additionally, his father was a Vietnam vet having served with 1st Battalion Group in 1965-66. The author has served overseas in the Middle East and East Timor and is a member of the Professional Historians Association, the Australian Historical Association and the Oral History Association of Australia.

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