| Accession Number | AWM2017.657.2 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1.5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Diary |
| Maker |
Weekes, Neil Harvey |
| Date made | 1968, 1997 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| 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. |
Weekes, Neil Harvey (Brigadier, b.1945 - d.2017)
Description
Collection relating to the service of 1732646 Brigadier Neil Harvey Weekes AM, MC, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War 1968, commander 11th Brigade in 1997.
Weekes was a 21-year-old school teacher when he was called up for National Service in January 1967. Selected for officer training, he graduated from the Officer Training Unit Scheyville as a second lieutenant and was posted to A Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in July. The battalion deployed to Vietnam in March 1968, with Weekes in command of A Company's 3 Platoon. The collection includes a diary Weekes maintained throughout his nine-month deployment, from March to December 1968. He writes about movements, operations, the weather, his homesickness, rest, boredom, and whether he receives letters from his wife and others. He also includes brief details on patrols and battles, including the names of his men wounded and killed and the numbers of enemy casualties.
Weekes fought in the Battle of Coral-Balmoral from May to June 1968. Weekes' 3 Platoon came under heavy fire ("24 mortars + about 30 rockets", Weekes writes) and was partly overrun while defending the perimeter of Fire Support Base Coral on the night of 15/16 May. Through his leadership and resourcefulness, Weekes was able to stabilise the line and was awarded the Military Cross (MC). The diary also includes newspaper clippings on the Battle of Coral-Balmoral and one on the birth of Weekes' son eight months into his deployment, as well as written lists of the men in Weekes' platoon.
Weekes returned to Australia in December 1968 and remained in the Australian Army for more than 30 years. He served in Singapore, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and rose to the rank of colonel before transitioning to the Australian Army Reserve in 1993. Promoted to brigadier, he commanded the 11th Brigade in Townsville from 1995 to 1998. The collection includes a field message and notebook pad Weekes maintained in circa 1997/98. The pad includes tasks, briefing notes, reminders, and details on training exercises, as well as instructions received from the Land Commander Australia.