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Vietnam veteran and Mackay local Gordon McCall has been recognised for 50 years of cumulative service as a member of the Returned Services League of Australia.
RSL Mackay President Ken Higgins presented Gordon with a 50-year certificate as well as a certificate detailing his service with the Australian Army at an RSL meeting in Mackay on Sunday.
LCpl. Gordon Glen McCall joined the Australian Army on May 16, 1958, and trained in the 11th National Service Training Battalion, completing basic training in the Brisbane suburb of Wacol.
He then completed follow up training as part of the 42nd Infantry Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.
He enlisted in his hometown of Mackay in 1966 and served under the Australian Army Service No. 1411194.
He went on to train at Kapooka, Ingleburn in New South Wales, and Canungra in Queensland before being posted in the Ingleburn Reinforcement Unit.
From there, Gordon was sent to South Vietnam in 1967.
His operational postings in Vietnam included the Australian Reinforcement Unit and the 1st Australian Task Force Headquarters Light Aid Detachment before joining the 5th and 7th Battalions of The Royal Australian Regiment between 1967 and 1968.
Gordon returned to Australia and was discharged in 1969 in Brisbane.
His total Vietnam War service spanned from 1962 to 1972 and he is a life member of Mackay RSL.
Apart from his service, Gordon has been in Mackay all his life.
After the war, he worked with the local fire brigade and enjoys retirement today.
RSL Mackay President Ken Higgins congratulated Gordon on the achievement.
“A 50 year achievement is a great effort,” said Ken.
“I’ve known Gordon for a long, long time and we are very proud of him for being a member of the Mackay RSL.”
Gordon thanked everybody for their well wishes and says the RSL has been an important part of his life after service.
“I joined the RSL when I got back from Vietnam,” he said.
“You get to see your mates every couple of weeks.”
RSL Mackay President Ken Higgins presents Gordon McCall with his 50 years of RSL service certificate. Photo: Sam Gillespie
