Gold Coast Vietnam War veteran reflects on his life in the military

Up until unprecedented coronavirus restrictions, Gold Coast Vietnam War veteran Clive Mitchell-Taylor looked forward to his weekly catch up with three fellow ex-soldiers at a local cafe.

Up until unprecedented coronavirus restrictions, Gold Coast Vietnam War veteran Clive Mitchell-Taylor looked forward to his weekly catch up with three fellow ex-soldiers at a local cafe.

The Arundel retiree and his pals would reminisce on their respective military stints over coffee at Cafe 63, near Seachange Lifestyle Resort where he now resides with wife Margaret Wine.

“Before all this coronavirus stuff, I used to walk the dog on Tuesdays and Friday, and meet the veterans at a cafe,” Mr Mitchell-Taylor said.

Vietnam veteran Clive Mitchell-Taylor, 72, is one of the many military resident at Seachange Lifestyle Resorts. Clive in front of the resorts Cenotaph. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Of course, we’ve put that on the back burner. There’s four of us, a couple national servicemen and two regulars.

“Two dogs come along too, the sweetest natured doberman-rottweiler cross and my little pug, which is about the size of his head.

“We are there for each other, and it goes beyond coffee. We are still in contact every day.”

The military has been a major part of the 72-year-old’s life, joining the Citizens Military Force in 1964 just after his 17th birthday and resigning on the same date 44 years later.

In 1966 Mr Mitchell-Taylor transferred to the Australian Regular Army, where he travelled around the world on service from Malaysia to PNG, and the UK.

From November 1969 to November 1970 Mr Mitchell-Taylor was a part of the Vietnam War and said he was a patrol commander for his area, requiring him to do around 43 patrols every three to five nights as well as more routine work at the base.

“It was probably different for me than it was for a lot of people because I was a regular soldier, I wasn’t a conscript,” he said.

“I was in the Eighth Battalion that was very tight because of our time in Malaysia immediately before Vietnam. A lot of our national servicemen signed on to go to Vietnam in the battalion.

Vietnam veteran Clive Mitchell-Taylor, 72, is one of the many military resident at Seachange Lifestyle Resorts. Clive in front of the resorts Cenotaph. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The battalion had the reputation of ambushing, instead of worrying about Vietnamese lurking in the jungles and ambushing us. We turned the tables.”

Before joining the army, Mr Mitchell-Taylor said the military was already in his blood.

“I had three grandfathers who fought in Gallipoli,” he said.

“My dad’s father, my mum’s father and the man who had to become my step grandfather all fought at Gallipoli.

“They all survived the war.”

Even when his time in the military ended, Mr Mitchell-Taylor found a way to stay connected through the Vietnam Veterans Association.

He spent 25 years with the association, taking on the role of national president for four.

He also took on being ACT treasurer and president, and NSW president throughout the journey.

Vietnam veteran Clive Mitchell-Taylor, 72, is one of the many military resident at Seachange Lifestyle Resorts. Clive in front of the resorts Cenotaph. Picture Glenn Hampson

Since moving to the Gold Coast seven years ago, Mr Mitchell-Taylor normally spends his Anzac Day at a service with around 400 people at the Seachange Lifestyle Resort cenotaph

This year will be different because of COVID-19 regulations killing of traditional Anzac Day Dawn Services – and Mr Mitchell-Taylor said the service will be stripped to its bare bones.

“We have to obey the social distancing rule, not just because it’s right but many of the residency are over 70, like I am,” he said.

“We’re having a service with a minimum number of people at the cenotaph and that will contain all the key elements of an Anzac Day service.

“Someone will be live streaming it all on Facebook, so residents can stand out on their driveways and be a part of it.

“Hopefully they’ll be able to hear the bugle calls and will be able to see what is happening through technology.”

The Bulletin is encouraging a national push for people to light candles this Saturday at dawn from the end of driveways, balconies or windows to honour the Anzacs.