Places | |
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Accession Number | AWM2017.1.48 |
Collection type | Film |
Object type | Last Post film |
Physical description | 16:9 |
Maker |
Australian War Memorial |
Place made | Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, Campbell |
Date made | 17 February 2017 |
Access | Open |
Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial![]() |
Copying Provisions | Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction. |
The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3786644) Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam.
The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (3786644) Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam.
Film order form3786644 Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy, 3rd Cavalry Regiment
KIA 17 February 1967
No photograph in collection
Today commemorates the 50th anniversary of Operation Bribie, which took place during the Vietnam War.
Today we remember and pay tribute to Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy.
Known as “Vic”, Pomroy was born on 4 June 1945 in Camberwell, Victoria. He attended Camberwell Grammar School, where he was a member of the school’s cadets.
Pomroy was called up for service with the Australian Army on 29 September 1965. After basic training and his initial employment training, he was deployed to Vietnam. Pomroy arrived in Vietnam in June 1966, and after a month with the 1st Reinforcement Unit he was posted to the 1st Armoured Personnel Squadron, redesignated as A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, in January 1967.
Following attacks by enemy units on compounds of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam in the early hours of 17 February, the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, was tasked to assist, and A Company was the first to be airlifted out to the area of operations. It took enemy fire, and after suffering several casualties withdrew to the landing zone. B Company followed on the next lift, but the men were forced to jump from hovering helicopters, as enemy fire stopped the aircraft from landing.
With the belief that they faced a small number of enemy troops, it was decided that B Company would carry out a quick attack. After a short advance the platoons came under heavy enemy fire, and 5 Platoon was ordered to take out a machine-gun that was holding up the rest of the company. However, as the men rose to begin the attack, heavy casualties were inflicted by well-sited enemy machine-guns, which forced the survivors to take cover.
Armoured Personnel Carriers from A Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were called in to provide fire support and to extract B Company. Pomroy was driving the lead carrier, call sign Two-One Bravo. Soon after stopping to load casualties, Pomroy’s APC took a direct hit to the engine compartment from a recoilless rifle fired at close range. The resulting explosion killed Pomroy instantly. He was 21 years old.
A second recoilless rifle round then struck the open cargo hatch, wounding the vehicle’s commander and the medical orderly and also hitting several already wounded men.
Along with the other survivors of 4, 5 and 6 Platoons, the wounded and Pomroy’s body were taken to their original landing zone. In total, the Australians suffered eight men killed and a further 26 wounded. Pomroy’s remains were returned to Australia and he was laid to rest in Springvale Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium in Victoria.
Vic Pomroy’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among more than 500 others who died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War.
This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.
Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section
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Video of The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3786644) Trooper Victor Ian Pomroy, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam. (video)