Keith Payne will be the Guest of Honour at the Special Memorial Service for Vietnam veterans

According to this report in The Queensland Times, Ipswich RSL sub branch is inviting Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne as the Guest of Honour at special memorial service for Vietnam Veterans on Sunday 18 August. The service will be held at the Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall at 11 am. 

The report suggests that it’s the first time Ipswich RSL Sub Branch is holding a special memorial service to honour those who fought in the Vietnam Wars. President of the RSL Sub Branch Rob Wadley said that he is thrilled to have Mr Payne as the Guest of Honour.

On 24 May 1969, while serving as part of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, WO2 Keith Payne displayed remarkable gallantry in the face of the enemy while leading his men and organising the rescue of wounded comrades. Read his story here.

Apart from Vietnam, Keith also served with the Australian Army in Korea, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. For more than 30 years Mr Payne has worked with and for veterans, particularly those living with Post Traumatic Stress,  and has also been widely involved in encouraging young people, both in pursuing their education and in overcoming life’s challenges.

Keith has become a respected voice for military veterans in Australia. Australia in the Great War is proud of our association with Keith through the Bears to School program.

A few years back, we released Limited Edition Medallions of all living Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients including of Keith Payne. We still have a few left in our stock which you can have now.