The tribunal commended John Abernethy saying that during the hearing he gave “a compelling and detailed eye witness account which was consistent with his written statements”.
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“I gave all my papers to everyone on the panel so they could work off my notes.”
Like Private Ian Reid, Corporal John Abernethy was 20 years old and the acting section commander on the night of the ambush.
The events of that night remain etched on his mind.
“I can close my eyes and put myself back in that rice paddy at any time. It was all in an open rice paddy in the dry season, it was like standing out on a lawn,” Mr Abernethy said.
“From the outset, on the morning of May 1, 1970, we were all very new to this kind of experience, with the exception of Cooper and a few other 5RAR men in our ranks.
“Lieutenant Hughes, like all of us, was only ‘in country’ some eight weeks and never before exposed to such a baptism of fire as we experienced that night. He had also experienced the loss of his first soldier.
I can close my eyes and put myself back in that rice paddy at any time. It was all in an open rice paddy in the dry season, it was like standing out on a lawn.
- John Abernethy
“I know from my own personal experience, that each of us left that paddy field next morning in some form of shock,” he said.
“Anyone who says they were not scared, wasn’t there, or is a fool.
“You feel the heat and hear the noise. I was scared long into the morning. Fear keeps you alive, not just me but the other blokes.”
Mr Abernethy was an NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) the night of the ambush with the rank of Corporal, in charge of 10 men.
Later that same year he had to be medically evacuated out of Vietnam after being gassed while in a tunnel system. As a result of this injury he lost 50 per cent use of one of his lungs.
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John’s fight for recognition of mate
From seeing the actions of Private Ian Reid during contact with the enemy, there was no doubt in John Abernethy’s mind that the 20-year-old medic had acted bravely.
The next morning May 1, 1970 he discussed the matter with Lieutenant Hughes, the platoon commander and asked if Private Reid could be nominated for a bravery award.
“I remember discussing with those on the patrol Reid’s bravery, what I had witnessed, and ribbing Flappers that it had me stuffed how they (the enemy) never nicked one of his ears. Private Reid was nicknamed Flappers because of his prominent ears.
“In early May 1970 I spoke with company commander Major Skardon about Reid’s actions and my wish that he be awarded a citation,” Mr Abernethy said.
He was casualty evacuated December 24, 1970, and left the battalion prior to its full 12 month tour but believed the matter was in hand.
It was some years later that Mr Abernethy realised the citation was not successful. “I was very disappointed that he had not been recognised.”
At the 1988 Anzac Day reunion in Melbourne Mr Abernethy said Major Skardon told him Private Reid had missed out due to the limited amount of awards allocated to each battalion.
Ten years later Mr Abernethy submitted a further statement in support of Private Reid.
In 2011 Mr Abernethy provided a supporting submission to The Valour Inquiry.
In 2017 Mr Abernethy was advised of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal hearing and was asked if he could attend the hearing as a witness on 12 September 2017.
Mr Abernethy had suffered with a number of health problems but said that if his health held up he would attend.
In his oral submission to the tribunal Mr Abernethy said that during intense incoming fire he took cover and glanced behind to see what supporting fire, or damage, lay behind me.
“Illumination was now being provided by artillery, with this lighting I could see only one figure, that of Private Reid.
“I could see Private Reid supporting someone in his arms under treatment. Reid was exposed from the waist up with his back to the incoming barrage of AKs and RPGs. Enemey tracer was all around Reid,” Mr Abernethy said.
“Each time the illumination was there I saw Reid exposed and couldn’t understand why he hadn’t sought cover, or how he hadn’t been hit.”
His evidence contributed to the findings by the tribunal that the Minister recommend to the Governor-General that Mr Ian Reid be awarded the Medal for Gallantry for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the platoon medical assistant with 7 Platoon, Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during a platoon ambush near the village of Phuoc Loi, South Vietnam on April 30, 1970.
The recommendation was made on November 30 2017 but has yet to be actioned.
Ian Reid’s account to tribunal
Ian Reid enlisted into the Australian Regular Army on September 3, 1968 for a three-year period and after initial training was posted to the 7th Battalion (7RAR) and deployed as a rifleman in 1 Section, 7 Platoon, Charlie Company in February 1970.
In addition to his role as rifleman he was appointed platoon medic. These were generally riflemen who were trained in first aid and basic medical procedures to provide casualty stabilisation and and assistance in evacuation of the wounded.
In his account to the tribunal, Mr Reid said that following the explosion he heard the call for a medic.
“Though the visibility was virtually nil I sprinted towards the call. Given the lack of visibility the extent of Cooper’s bleeding was not evident to me.
“My most vivid memory remains my search by touch for his wound and two of my fingers disappearing into a hole in his neck. The treatment required was for pressure to be applied to the wound, and the wound elevated above the heart.
“Cooper and I were to remain in this position, exposed above the waist, and illuminated by the light of our own artillery flares until the arrival of the helicopter.”
No more battalion medals left
It is a testament to perseverance after so many rebuttals and dead ends but John Abernethy continued his push for Ian Reid to be recognised throughout the years.
At the 1988 Anzac Day reunion at the Crest Hotel Melbourne he asked Major Geoffrey Skardon, the company commander, why Ian (Flappers) Reid had missed out on any recognition.
He advised Mr Abernethy that it was due to the limited amount of awards being allocated to each battalion and that the 7th Battalion’s quota had been filled.
It was 10 years later when then Colonel Skardon wrote formally to Mr Abernethy to say he had investigated further.
“I have contacted General Grey and he suggested I contact the Military Secretary (Mike Webster). He undertook to investigate the matter and let me know the results,” Colonel Skardon wrote.
Flappers, despite his undoubted courage and actions under heavy fire, remains in that long list of heroes who performed “above and beyond” the demands of duty, but officially unrecognised.
- Colonel Geoffrey Skardon (in 1988)
“In short, the End of War list is closed. All proposals, etc. for awards were re-examined and those judged most worthy were granted. New submissions were not allowed nor was it necessary to re-submit originals.
“Flappers, despite his undoubted courage and actions under heavy fire, remains in that long list of heroes who performed “above and beyond” the demands of duty, but officially unrecognised,” Colonel Skardon wrote.
“His actions are recorded in the history of our battalion and perhaps more importantly in the hearts and minds of his fellow soldiers, NCOs and officers. This in itself is no small feat.
“I am sorry Flappers missed out but the award system is far from perfect and restricted by a very small allocation of awards per battalion,” he said.
