Vietnam War casualty Corporal David John Brennan has been honoured, after a street was unveiled in his name on Monday.
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Brennan Drive, off Graham Drive in Kelso, will now be a permanent honour for the former Rockley man.
David John Brennan was a corporal serving in the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment when he became the first Bathurst district soldier killed in action during a mortar attack at Fire Base Thrush in Vietnam on June 6, 1969.
He was aged just 22 at the time of the tragedy.
To honour his sacrifice, developers Hynash Group proposed the name Brennan Drive for one of three new streets to be built as part of a 176-lot residential subdivision in Kelso.
The proposal was approved by Bathurst Regional Council in June.
On Monday, 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association president Doug McGrath was on hand as the family and members of the regiment gathered to remember Cpl Brennan.
“Between 1965 to 1972, over 60,000 Australians fought in Vietnam during which time 521 men lost their lives,” he said.
“Today we collectively honour one of these men, Corporal David John Brennan regimental number 2184013.
“A Bathurst local born December 30, 1946, he died aged just 22 in the jungles of Phouc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.
“Corporal Brennan was an expert radio operator attached to the headquarters command of the 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.
“On June 6, 1969, he paid the supreme sacrifice during an enemy attack on the headquarters position in the field.
“David represented his family, his community, his battalion and his country to the highest standards in Anzac tradition.”
At the ceremony, Mr McGrath read a note from Lieutenant Guy Bagot, who knew Cpl Brennan well.
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“‘He had a great, dry sense of humour and a terrific sense of duty’,” Mr McGrath said, reading from the note.
“‘I always knew that what Dave told me in person, or over the radio was correct no matter how hard the day was, or, had been.
“‘Every man in Charlie Coy admired him and knew that he had the complete confidence of our company commander Laurie Lewis and spoke accurately for him if Major Lewis was unavailable’.”
Cpl Brennan’s brothers Robert and Peter, as well as his sister Jenny, were on hand as the street name was unveiled to the attendees.
His siblings were joined by Cpl Brennan’s extended family, as well as more than 20 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association members.