And the band plays on DPR/TV/414

People of a small Vietnam village heard Waltzing Matilda for the first time when the band of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, played for them while soldiers handed out an issue of captured rice. The band played less than fifty yards from where an Australian Military policeman was ambushed and shot dead two weeks previously. Children, shy at first soon began queing for a rice ration. A sign, in Vietnamese and English read: " This programme is presented by the band of the 5th Battalion." Villagers gathered while the band played and the rice issue continued. Soldiers took no chances of being surprised by any Viet Cong and Lance Corporal John Doherty of St. Marys near Sydney, stood guard with a machine gun. Private Brian Griffin, of Geelong, Victoria was also ready with an Owen gun. Other protection was given by Regional and Popular Force Vietnamese troops during the distribution of sixteen hundred pounds of rice captured by the Battalion. Private Jerry Bruin, of Frankston, Victoria have a hand with the rice. as more children were attracted by the music arrive from all corners of the village. The people were also given medical attention by Army doctor Captain Tony White of Sydney and battalion medical orderlies. This baby girl was seriously ill and Captain White gave treatment and persuaded the mother to take her to a hospital. People of the village receive regular visits from doctors and dentists of the Australian Task Force. Many of the villagers are suffering from serious diseases such as tuberculosis. The band went to play at a Regional and Popular force training area near the town of Baria. Because it was the 4th of July , America's Independence Day, American advisers in the area were treated to Dixie, The Yellow rose of Texas and their National Anthem. Americans and Australians took photos while bandmaster Warrant Officer Bob Taylor of Brisbane, swung the band into John Brown's Body. Watching were Roman Catholic Padre, Captain John Williams of Riverwood, and Australian adviser Captain Mike Wells, of Sydney, with American advisers Captain Jim Brosman and Captain Sam Worsham. Captain Worsham, who taught muis before joining the Army was invited to conduct the band and led them through Waltzing Matilda. In the Town of Baria, more crowds gathered to hear the band, which played in front of flags representing free nations of the world. One of the signs read Uc Dai Loi, which is Vietnamese for Australia. The battalion band will continue to play in the Australian area, as part of the task Force Programme of bringing friendship and help to the people.