Vale Peter Anthony Ward

Yesterday afternoon, Peter Ward passed away after a long illness. Peter is best known for his work as an official army photographer, both film and still, in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. The Photographs, Film and Sound Section of the Australian War Memorial offer a small sample of his work from the National Collection.

During this period of the centenary of Anzac, it is easy to overlook the fact that 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the first regular Australian ground troops being committed to what was a steadily escalating war in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War was to become Australia’s longest before our involvement in Afghanistan, occupying our armed forces for thirteen years and claiming 521 Australian lives. But it was significant in many other ways.

The Vietnam War is sometimes referred to as the ‘living room war’, due to its unprecedented level of media coverage, and the degree of access granted to those who were covering it.

What the Australian public saw of the war in Vietnam they saw through the camera lenses of men like Peter Ward.

Peter’s talent as a photographer is apparent in the images he shot.

A man in his role photographed everything, from infantry patrols to medal presentations.

Of particular note in Peter Ward’s photography is his talent for portraiture. He often captured highly poignant images of individual soldiers.

Many will instantly recognize his photograph of Sergeant Peter Buckney from 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR), which has been reproduced many times:

Australians of today feel a popular connection with their armed forces. They sympathize with their plight and are genuinely grateful for their service. These popular sentiments are aided by the efforts of men like Peter Ward, who offered the Australian public the opportunity to ‘peer through a keyhole’ into the world our soldiers live in.