Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Barcaldine National Service Man
He was born in the town of Barcaldine - And then conscripted to serve in Vietnam
His name is Alan Newton - He became a National Serviceman
They put him in a uniform and then they handed him a gun - The Prime Minister of Australia then shipped off George's son
HMAS Sydney took him from Australian shores - He landed in a foreign country where killing was the law
There was a bloody battle - They say one of the worst during the war - Some made it out alive and some not at all
The Defence Force has the finest traditions, is what the soldier learned - But nobody ever said he would have stand and watch as a village burned
He hears the sounds of rockets, and the mortar flying overhead - And the thought of having to open his eyes would mean only counting the dead
The rattle of machine guns was the last sound he heard at night - then he tucked himself into a hole and out of enemy sight
Morning brought rations, and a cigarette or two—
He lit one for his mate fighting off the “mosquito flu.”
Finally, it was over, and the war came to an end - The soldiers marched upon the Australian streets and the world began to mend
He soon got his wish for a family and married Rexene his wife - then he took the final step of having children and slipping back into civilian life
While his clothes then told the story of how he became a miner underground - he never really took off that uniform or stopped hearing the battle sounds
Today everyone present sends off the soldier who marched to the band - His name is Alan Newton he was more than just a number over there in Vietnam
The rising sun on the Anzac Badge has meaning all on its own - And the haunting sound of the bugle plays for those who never made it home
He marched for the fallen, he marched proud and tall—
Alan Newton of Barcaldine, was a young man when conscripted to the war
Sadly, the time has come to say good-bye to an uncle a brother, a father, a husband, a grandfather and a friend
But he will always now march through the stars - A proud soldier until the end.