Christmas dinner with 6 RAR DPR/TV/537

Accession Number F03831
Collection type Film
Measurement 3 min 40 sec
Object type Actuality footage, Television news footage
Physical description 16mm/b&w/silent
Maker Cunneen, William James
Place made Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Nui Dat
Date made 26 December 1966
Access Open
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

Christmas Day for Australian soldiers in Vietnam was the quietest since their arrival at Nui Dat, the rubber plantation home of the 1st Australian Task Force. And for a majority of the men, it was the best day. The artillery was quiet and for just a little while the men had a chance to forget the war. Typical of the way in which the day was celebrated was the Christmas Dinner in the mess of "D" Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. The men ate like kings, with a menu of turkey, ham, fresh vegetables, fruit and cream, nuts and Christmas cake. Only the cooks were at work, and according to the men, they did a great job. In the Army tradition, Diggers were waited on during Christmas Dinner by their officers and senior N.C.O's. As usual, the custom invoked many good-hearted jibes. Earlier in the day, the men had been served mugs of hot coffee, laced with rum, by the officers. This is another Christmas tradition in the Army. But without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the Dinner. Here Sergeant Bill O'Donnell, of Grovelly, Brisbane, carves slices of ham and turkey for the hungry men. After dinner the soldiers moved to their canteen for a few drinks. Doubtless, most of the men would have preferred to spend the day back home in Australia with their familes, but even so, they had a good time, because they knew that soon it would be over - they would return to the rigours of war. [The boys are obviously a little drunk. This was the pattern of Christmas celebrations at 1 ATF. I decided to shoot, as I had nothing to file on Christmas day with 6 RAR. Covering Senator McKellar ruined the day. By the time I got back to 6 RAR all serving by Col Townsend/Offrs/WO/NCOs had finished. Delta Coy had its Christmas day on boxing day.]

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  • Video of Christmas dinner with 6 RAR DPR/TV/537 (video)