President of the Vietnam Veterans Association, Bathurst Sub Branch, John Murphy, was ecstatic with the turnout, saying the event was getting bigger every year.

Vice president of the sub branch, Bill Wilcox agreed, saying like Anzac Day, more and more people in the community were getting involved.

Guest speaker at the service was Frank Hunt, whose remarkable story inspired the lyrics of the song I Was Only Nineteen.

Mr Hunt was asked to be speaker at the event after Mr Wilcox re-connected with him last year. Mr Wilcox, along with Corporal Johnny Needs, saved Mr Hunt’s life, winching him to safety after he was injured by an exploding mine in the war.

Mr Wilcox was injured in the rescue, and Corporal Needs lost his life, after another mine malfunctioned and blew up.