Anzac Day guide: Two Vietnam War veterans speak about their time in the army

Two Mount Gambier veterans and former RSL presidents have revealed the toll of their service for Australia and being welcomed back into the community.

Two Mount Gambier veterans have spoken bravely and candidly about their time in the army, as we honour our Australian heroes in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

With Anzac Day on Monday, it is important to stop and reflect on the service and sacrifice all members of the Australian Defence Force have made for our country.

Anzac Day is many things to many people.

For some it is honouring a loved one’s service by marching in their stead during the parade, for others it is about remembering the mates they served with and for many it is a chance to honour those who have sacrificed so much.

See where your local Dawn Service is being held

Both veterans of the Vietnam War, Haydn Egan and Winston Prowse are respectively former presidents of the Port MacDonnell RSL and Mount Gambier RSL.

Mr Prowse and Mr Egan entered the army as part of their mandatory national service. However, both volunteered to go to Vietnam.

Shortly after the battle of Long Tan and 10 months before he was due to muster out, Mr Prowse – along with a group of his mates – chose to go to Vietnam as reinforcements.

Former president of the Mount Gambier RSL, Winston Prowse has bravely spoken about his time in the army. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“When we first went over we didn’t know what to expect – we’d heard rumours,” Mr Prowse said.

“Once you got out in the bush, you suddenly realised it was a war, it was real.”

After the initial shock, Mr Prowse said he had to become “very switched on” as lives were at risk.

Unlike many Vietnam veterans, Mr Egan and Mr Prowse were graciously welcomed back into their community.

They say this speaks volumes about regional Australians.

Mr Egan said he fitted back into life in Millicent pretty seamlessly and returned to his job at the APCEL paper mill, which is now Kimberly Clark.

Winston Prowse is a familiar face at the Mount Gambier RSL. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Egan and Mr Prowse said they both lived with PTSD as a result of their tours.

“Most of the people that went to Vietnam, I would suggest would have PTSD of some description,” Mr Egan said.

“I’ve been diagnosed with it.”

Mr Prowse said he had a breakdown years after returning.

“I had a breakdown a lot later on in life – I just started thinking about it too much,” Mr Prowse said.

“It boiled over in the end.

“I’ve got to know quite a few of the Viet Cong now … they didn’t want to fight us as much as we didn’t want to fight them.”

Mr Prowse “secretly” sought the help of a psychologist, but soon found he was able to openly talk about it with the other members of his local RSL.

“Once we all knew that most of us were seeing shrinks — it became more open,” he said.