Narrabri Vietnam War veteran Richard Barry has some memorabilia from his days in Vietnam.
“My bush hat was issued back in 1967 when I was conscripted and I wore it for two years out bush and during all my time as a Forward Scout in South Vietnam” he told Topical.
“I used it as a buffer against my webbing when sleeping out bush.
“The adverse weather conditions of Vietnam, coupled with sweat, rotted out the crown so I cut a piece from my sweat rag and sewed it on which permitted air flow!”
Many diggers wrote the name of their hometown on their bush hat’s brim, Richard said.
His naturally proudly carried the name ‘Narrabri.’
“The Yanks often scoffed at us for not wearing helmets out in the bush” Richard added.
Topical 16/4/24
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