Portrait of 15989 Sergeant (Sgt) Thomas Henry 'Buddy' Lea reading a lesson at the first Long Tan ...

Portrait of 15989 Sergeant (Sgt) Thomas Henry 'Buddy' Lea reading a lesson at the first Long Tan Day service at St Johns Cathedral. Sgt Lea, an Indigenous soldier of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage, was a member of 10 Platoon, D Company, 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR). 11 Platoon took the brunt of the Viet Cong attack during the battle of Long Tan, with 10 and 12 Platoons also taking part. The service, for members of 6RAR and families of the men killed in the battle, was organised by 1200730 Chaplain Les Thompson, who was chaplain to 6RAR at the time of the battle. It has since become an annual event.