Vietnam Memorial AvenuePrint Page 
An avenue of 18 flowering ironbark trees commemorate the names of 18 soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam on 18th - 19th August, 1966.
A Coolah serviceman, Private Paul Andrew Large, just 21 years of age, was amongst those who died. It was the largest loss of Australian soldiers in a single battle in this conflict. The plaque commemorating the names of the soldiers is situated at the intersection of Martin & Hospital Streets.
The Battle of Long Tan (18 August 1966) took place near the village of Long Tan, in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The action was fought between Australian forces and Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units after the 108-man D Company, 6 RAR clashed with a force of between 1,500 to 2,500 men from the Viet Cong 275th Regiment, reinforced by at least one North Vietnamese battalion and D445 Provincial Mobile Battalion.
Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 wounded, while the Viet Cong lost at least 245 dead which were found over the days that followed. A decisive Australian victory, Long Tan proved a major local set back for the Viet Cong.
Australia's military involvement in the Vietnam War began with the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962. Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973.
However, the end-date of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War has officially been amended to 29 April 1975 to reflect Australia’s further involvement in the war during the fall of Saigon in 1975. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, in Canberra now recognise this new date.
Location
| Address: | Martin Street, Coolah, 2483 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -31.822577 Long: 149.710898 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Avenue of Honour |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Vietnam |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 18-August-1966 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 18-August-1966 |
Dedication
Vietnam Memorial Avenue
These Red Flowering Ironbarks were planted in memorial of the Battle of Long Tan
Plaque :
This avenue was planted to perpetuate the memory of Private Paul Andrew Large, 6th R.A.R. and formerly of Coolah, and seventeen of his fellow servicemen who were killed in Vietnam on 18th August, 1966.
Plaque :
These servicemen of the 6 RAR unit sacrificed their lives at the Battle of Long Tan on the 18th August 1966
[ Names ]
This plaque was unveiled on 25th April 2003
