Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Barry wrote his story below in 1985 in response to interview questions for a proposed book which did not eventuate. Val Braendler Apr2025

Barry Sincock National Serviceman 1970-March 1971 Interview letter

Qn: How would you describe your life before call-up?
Typical musician having fun, young, ignorant. Just a lot of mucking about.
Qn: Describe your feelings about being called up.
I couldn’t believe they were so desperate for men, but was looking forward to the experience.
Qn: How much did you know about Vietnam and the war? Would you have changed your actions as a result?
Nothing. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been a draft dodger.
Qn: What happened in Vietnam?
What didn’t happen, everything imaginable. I was in A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Went to many different areas as I belonged to an independent section, from 1970 to March 1971. I was poisoned, had a poisonous leg ulcer, sustained a gunshot to my left femur. I was involved in skirmishes, ambushes, mines, accidents, stupidity.
Qn: What significant events stand out?
Death, drugs, laughter, fear.
Qn: What feelings and thoughts did you have towards the Vietnamese, the country and the war?
Distrust. I believed they hated us, the South as much as the North. The country was being destroyed, bombed, burnt, poisoned, bulldozed. The war was very cruel and unnecessary.
Qn: What feelings and thoughts do you have about VVet mates, war-life and the anti-war movement?
I have no VV mates. War-life was like a dream with a nightmare chucked in. At the time I was for the anti-war movement but I think they disliked us as much as the war.
Qn: How did you feel on coming home?
Alien, but glad to be here. I retrained under the rehabilitation scheme.
Qn: What effect has the war had on your life?
I was cynical, sceptical and a little lost.
Qn: What are your ideas about the present situation in Vietnam, future Australian involvement in wars and compulsory national service?
The right side won. Let them run it their way. Future involvement is inevitable. National service has its place, but Vietnam shouldn’t have been one of them.
Qn: What do you think we’ve learnt from the Vietnamese conflict? Was it worth being there? Would you do it again, given similar circumstances?
We were totally wrong. No, never. It was not worth being there. Under the same circumstances, no. We were duped by America in believing Ho Chi Minh was terrorist, when all Vietnam thought he was the best man for the country.


Letter from Barry Sincock in February 1985.
60 Vinall Street, Dover Gardens, SA