Many a Long Road Travelled - The Meaning of 'Duty First'

My name is Robert (Bob) J Meehan and in 1969 I was required to register for National Service and then served most of my two years compulsory military service as an Infantryman within 12 Platoon, Delta Company of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR). During that time I was posted to Townsville and South Vietnam and was discharged in late 1971. In the early 1980s I became involved with Australian Vietnam Veterans' movements and am still actively involved today.

This book in not intended as a long and detailed account of my life, of military units, battles or a blood and guts excursion into war, but rather like looking through a window of me growing up in the bush and the city, of being a young tradesman, of being called up for military service and of experiencing a period of time that changed my life forever and then my return to life as a civilian.

I hope that you enjoy my story and the stories of a great many people for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration, those most magnificent people who allow me to call them MATES.