Among the 500 Diggers killed during the Vietnam War – two called Orange home.
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On Friday a small service was dedicated to the memory of the two men.
The service was held in the RSL sub-branch’s memorial hall for Timothy Cutcliffe, who was killed in action 50 years ago and Henry ‘Ted’ Suttor who was killed in 1969.
Two memorial flags hang in the hall – a flag was given to each family of soldiers killed in the conflict.
Friends of Mr Cutcliffe, Lindsay Wright and mayor John Davis spoke fondly of growing up in Orange.
Mr Wright said he found out his school friend had died as he was getting off the plane in Saigon at the start of his service there.
“I went to school with Timothy, I knew most of his family and would spend the weekends with him,” Mr Wright said.
“When we left school he went to play union and I went to play league and we remained good friends.”
Councillor Davis knew Mr Cutcliffe and described him as “the life of the party”.
Cr Davis said the service on Friday and the one for Vietnam Veterans Day last week, demonstrated the respect the community had for those who had served.
He said there was more that should be done to recognise the service and sacrifice of soldiers who had fought for Australia during the conflict.
Noel Clegg has spent 20 years trying to find Mr Suttor’s next of kin to let them know where his memorial flag is.
He said he’d spoke with Suttors from Mudgee, Lithgow and beyond and only recently made contact.
“I’ve found out that Tim and Ted were good mates,” he said.
Mr Clegg said Mr Suttor was survived by his wife Suzanne and daughter Sarah.
Mark Rutherford was Mr Suttor’s best man at his wedding and went to school with him.
“I went to school with Ted and it’s good to know he’s remembered here in Orange,” he said.