We Were REOs: Australian Infantry Reinforcements in Vietnam by Richard ‘Barney’ Bigwood
NATIONAL Year of Reading events continue across the country, with Canowindra Library set to host a presentation on the Vietnam War.
Author Richard ‘Barney’ Bigwood will present his book We Were REOs: Australian Infantry Reinforcements in Vietnam and talk about his experiences.
During the Vietnam War all Australian units, except infantry, rotated fresh replacements through them as people were returned to Australia.
The battalions trained as a unit in Australia with all arriving together.
It was only as they suffered casualties being killed, or wounded, or National servicemen went home, the Battalion required re-enforcements, known as REOs.
These new blokes had to demonstrate their worth to be accepted because they would be sleeping in a dead mate’s bed in the section where he was a dependable friend.
This put added pressure on “the new bloke”. He had to adjust to being in a war zone and he had to prove himself.
Mr Bigwood’s book tells the story of a soldier, from enlistment to infantry training, jungle inoculation and deployment to South Vietnam in 1968, postings through several battalions and the “baptism of fire” into warfare.
The author talk will be held at the Canowindra Services’ and Citizens Club on Wednesday, September 26 at 2pm.
Book your place by calling Canowindra Library on 6344 1796.
