Sweet honour for Tassie war veteran

A Vietnam War veteran didn’t know this photo of himself existed until nearly 40 years after it was taken. Now it’s the face of this year’s ANZAC biscuit tin. See the extraordinary tribute.

Hayden Gilbank Vietnam veteran who is on the new Cripps Nubake ANZAC biscuit tins to commemorate 50 years since the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

HAYDEN Gilbank didn’t know this photo of himself existed until nearly 40 years after it was taken.

Now, the whole of Australia will be able to see the extraordinary picture of the Vietnam War veteran on a commemorative Cripps ANZAC biscuit tin – marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.

The image, taken by renowned British-Australian photographer Tim Page, depicts a 19-year-old Mr Gilbank during his first year of service.

Mr Gilbank was a founding member of the 5 RAR (5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment), serving on both its Vietnam tours as a Company Signaller in 1966 and again in 1969.

Hayden Gilbank Vietnam veteran who is on the new Cripps Nubake ANZAC biscuit tins to commemorate 50 years since the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The 75-year-old, from Moonah, has received various awards and decorations from his time as a soldier, but seeing his picture on the front of a biscuit tin is a stand out.

“It is unbelievable. I’m a nobody – just a soldier that served in Vietnam like the rest of us. I just couldn’t believe it. I feel so privileged and proud and honoured,” Mr Gilbank said.

“This is out of this world – who would think that a lonely old guy from Tasmania would end up on a biscuit tin for all the world to see.”

Cripps will be donating 50 cents from every tin sold to the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

Tasmanian Division state president Terry Roe said proceeds would help the branch provide support to former soldiers.

“It’s unbelievable to have a well-known company like Cripps in Tasmania, which has been around since the 1800s, acknowledge the Vietnam veterans, their service and sacrifice,” Mr Roe said.

“It goes some way to easing the pain of the trouble that we’re experiencing today, knowing that the community does recognise and understand that we went through.”

Hayden Gilbank Vietnam veteran who is on the new Cripps Nubake ANZAC biscuit tins to commemorate 50 years since the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hayden Gilbank Vietnam veteran who is on the new Cripps Nubake ANZAC biscuit tins to commemorate 50 years since the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. Picture: supplied

Cripps chief executive Paul Gadomski said it was the company’s “corporate responsibility” to give back to the community and “acknowledge the sacrifice” of war veterans.

“For so many years, Cripps has struck a commemorative ANZAC tin to acknowledge many very important milestones in the history of Australian service, and given that the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam vets returning from Vietnam occurred this year, we thought it very apt to commemorate that in history by striking a tin,” Mr Gadomksi said.

Just 5000 limited edition Cripps ANZAC Vietnam War tins will be available and can be purchased from IGA Supermarkets, select independent stores across Tasmania and on the Cripps website from February 23.

Originally published as Sweet honour for Tassie war veteran