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Heroes at rest
Edition 1169, June 28, 2007 |
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Closure at last: Pte Peter Gillson’s widow, Lorraine Easton, and her son Craig Hawes outside St Paul’s Cathedral.
Photos by Cpl Rachel Ingram |
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| With dignity: The coffin of Pte Peter Gillson in St Paul’s Cathedral. |
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| Entrusted: LCpl Parker’s widow, Wendy Mudford, receives LCpl Richard Parker’s accoutrements from Brig Mark Bornholt. |
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FULL military honours were bestowed at the funerals of LCpl Richard Parker and Pte Peter Gillson.
Recently recovered after almost 42 years missing in action in Vietnam, LCpl Parker was laid to rest in Canberra on June 12 at the returned soldiers’ section of the Woden cemetery and Pte Gillson near his parents at Fawkner cemetery in Melbourne on June 15.
Both were killed in action near Bien Hoa on November 8, 1965, while serving with 1RAR.
The slow march of a gun carriage, honour guard, Army band and 1RAR bearer party was present at both ceremonies, as were several hundred veterans, family members and friends.
LCpl Parker was laid to rest during a graveside service held beneath the shade of large conifer trees and he now lies alongside many who also served in Vietnam and other conflicts.
Jillene Olson, a close friend of LCpl Parker’s widow, Wendy Mudford, spoke of how they remembered him as the young man they met at Bondi and of the three years of marriage he and Wendy enjoyed before he was killed.
“Life was always full of fun. [Peter] you have always been part of our lives and always will be. We thank you for the memories,” she said.
Chaplain Lt-Col Jim Cosgrove spoke of LCpl Parker’s sacrifice. Members of LCpl Parker’s section, including Gordon Peterson and Trevor Hagan – the acting platoon commander and acting platoon sergeant on the day of the firefight – read prayers.
Bruce Billson, Minister Assisting the Defence Minister, read the prayer for Australian servicemen and women at both services.
Pte Gillson’s service at Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral was filled to capacity during the hour-and-a-half service where Victorian Premier Steve Bracks joined mourners for a hero’s farewell.
Pte Gillson’s widow, Lorraine Easton, said she remembered her courtship with Pte Gillson that began with a blind date and how he would meet her after work looking his best.
“We were so happy together, we were always laughing,” she recalled. “Goodbye Peter, my hero. Rest in peace.”
Pte Gillson’s sister, Lorraine Wotherspoon, said she remembered the day the family received the news of his death.
“I have never been able to forget the two soldiers who knocked on our door with the bad news. I felt the Army had taken him away … and now they have brought him back where he belongs.”
Four months old when his father was killed, 2Lt Robert Gillson said his Dad had always been a part of his life and an inspiration to him.
“Dad, all my life you’ve been in my heart, in my thoughts and prayers,” he said. “You’ve never been alone. I know you carried a picture of me and I’ve always carried one of you in my heart. You never were and never will be forgotten.”
2Lt Gillson joined the 1RAR bearer party in carrying his father’s coffin from the church.
Among the veterans present was Manuel M. Merma Jnr from Texas, USA. He represented the US 173rd Airborne Brigade that 1RAR was attached to when the two were killed.
“It’s been an honour and a great pleasure to be here and pay respect to one of our fallen comrades,” he said.
Six members of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Victoria (who fought for south Vietnam) also attended Pte Gillson’s funeral, and a similar number attended LCpl Parker’s funeral.
Afterwards, Pte Gillson’s wake was held at the Maygar Barracks officers’ and sergeants’ mess.
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