War hero Kevin Wheatley VC honoured by family ahead of Anzac Day

The first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross in the Vietnam War, Warrant Officer Kevin “Dasher” Wheatley is honoured by his widow and daughter ahead of Anzac Day.

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The growth of respect and patriotism for Anzac Day and the servicemen and women who served in all conflicts fills the family of the first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross in the Vietnam War with great comfort and pride.

Warrant Officer Kevin “Dasher” Wheatley, 28, was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest honour for gallantry.

Today, more than 50 years after his death in 1965, Warrant Officer Wheatley’s widow Edna said more people understood the Vietnam War now.

Daughter Ellie Roach added: “Especially with what is happening in the world. It makes Anzac Day more significant this year.

“Anzac Day means a lot more to people and schools have a lot to do with that,’’ she said.

Ellie Roach and mum Edna Wheatley with a prized painting of Kevin Wheatley VC.

Ms Roach said Anzac Day was a day for all Australians to stand tall and proud to show their respect for those who served in all wars and the sacrifices made by those who did not return and those who did. “For me it is, of course, more personal and even after 50 years I cannot control the tears of pride mingled with sadness that we never got to grow up with dad by our side,’’ she said. “But we were lucky because my mum was as strong as dad and held us together and gave us the great life dad fought and died to maintain,’’ she said.

Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley’s war medals are treasured by his family.

Ms Roach said this Anzac Day she would be thinking of her father’s life not his death and the incredible mark he made on so many.

Warrant Officer Wheatley’s legacy continues with the couple’s four children, 10 grand children and 17 great grandchildren. On Anzac Day Mrs Wheatley and Ellie will attend the dawn service at Currumbin in Queensland with members of the Australian Army Training Team. Warrant Officer Wheatley was a member of the group.

Kevin Wheatley’s great grandson Noah Everill-Pereira, then 3, at the official opening of the memorial in Mawson Park in 2013.

Ms Roach said she found great solace in the permanent memorial to her father which stands in Campbelltown’s Mawson Park and was the result of a two-year campaign by the Macarthur Chronicle. “Just look at this magnificent memorial, look at his eyes,’’ she said. “He is still watching over us all. On Anzac Day he will be there saluting those who served.’’

HE WOULD NOT ABANDON HIM

WARRANT  Officer Kevin “Dasher” Wheatley (pictured), 28, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for attempting to save his wounded colleague Ron Swanton.

Kevin Wheatley, VC, recipient of the Victoria Cross, for staying with injured comrade during Vietnam War which resulted in his death.

On November 13, 1965, WO Wheatley and Swanton, Captain Felix Fazekas and a Civil Irregular Defence Group (CIDG) unit were on a mission when the platoon came under sniper fire. Before they could reach refuge, Swanton suffered a serious gunshot wound.

Wheatley radioed for an air strike and a medical evacuation before he began dragging Swanton to cover. By now the CIDG troops were withdrawing to the safety of the jungle.

Wheatley refused to leave Swanton and, under heavy machine gun fire, continued to drag him towards cover. When the Vietcong were within 10m, CIDG Dinh Do fled. As he left he saw Wheatley pulling the pins from his last two grenades, his ammunition being exhausted. The bodies of Wheatley and Swanton were found the following morning