Overview

‘These stories must be read. They stand as a beacon for us all to maintain a sense of duty, demonstrate resilience and act with compassion.’ – Major General Stuart Smith AO, DSC (Retd) A nation’s soul is reflected through the stories of its people. In this powerful second volume of Never Forgotten, Vietnam veteran Dave Morgan continues his mission to honour the men and women who have served Australia – preserving their voices, their experiences, and their enduring spirit of mateship. Through meticulous research and countless armchair conversations, Morgan brings to life remarkable moments of service and sacrifice. From Little Pattie, who performed for troops on the day the Battle of Long Tan began, to SAS soldiers Blaine Diddams and Matthew Locke, who gave their lives in Afghanistan, each story offers an intimate glimpse into courage, loss, and legacy. Other powerful recollections reveal the quiet tragedies and triumphs that have shaped our Defence Force – the suspected missile strike on HMAS Hobart, the collision of HMAS Melbourne and USS Frank E. Evans, the Black Hawk disaster near Townsville, and the fire aboard HMAS Westralia. Each moment, heartbreaking or heroic, forms part of a shared national memory. Through these stories – told with honesty, humility, and compassion – Never Forgotten bridges the generations. Vietnam veterans inspired their children who served in the Middle East; both faced fear, doubt, and deep pride in equal measure. Together, their reflections remind us that service to the nation is also service to one another. A deeply moving and profoundly human collection, Dave Morgan ensures the voices of our veterans continue to be heard – reminding us that remembrance is not for one day, but for all time. Dave Morgan donates all royalties from the book to support Legacy Australia. ‘Their stories echo through generations – lest we forget.’ ‘Every story told keeps a promise to remember.’

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9781923514706

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Dave Morgan was born in Melbourne in 1948. He, his twin Don, older brother Gerald and sister Sybil (Patsy) were raised single-handedly by their mother, Sybella, widowed when husband Gerald (Gus) died suddenly during her pregnancy with the twins. With a childhood filled with many moves due to Sybella’s ill heath and her need to find work, Dave found adventure and a taste for travelling. He joined the Citizens Military Force in his sub-senior year and took private flying lessons, eventually joining the Army at the end of the school year. On 1 January 1969, he left his family in Brisbane for Vietnam as part of the 104 Signal Squadron. During his term, he served at several fire support bases and dealt with attacks by the Viet Cong. During one of those attacks, his pit hole engulfed him, and after he returned to an unsympathetic Australia, he started reliving that experience night after night. He hid it well from all but his family – wife Deb and children David and Michelle. They moved around Queensland for Dave’s job as a Technical Officer (Weather Observer) for the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, but his desire for isolation led him to expeditions at Macquarie Island and Davis Station. A few hours after he arrived at Casey Station for his next expedition, he slipped on blue ice and his severe head and neck injury forced a medivac back to the mainland. Now retired, Dave is seeking treatment for his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which Antarctica finally made him acknowledge.  

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