Moree RSL sub-branch vice president Roger Butler said Saturday’s service was very well attended.

“We had close to 100 people there,” he said.

“We’re very happy with that, it’s a lot more than we’d normally get on a weekday. It also allowed the band and choir to participate, which was particularly nice.”

Mr Butler said the service focussed on giving everyone an understanding of the Vietnam War, as well as the role Moree’s Max Wales played in it during the Battle of Long Tan.

Max was one of the 18 Australian men killed during the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966.

Mr Butler said the Long Tan anniversary has always been important for Moree people, but was even more significant this year.

“It’s always had a significance for Moree because of Max Wales being a local who was killed,” he said.

“On top of that I think people resonated this year because the media has given so much attention to Long Tan and Vietnam.”

In addition to paying tribute to Max Wales, the service also focused on Ronald Carroll, who, it was only recently discovered, was the second Moree man to be killed in Vietnam.

His body, along with 32 other Australian soldiers, was only returned to Australia in June this year after 48 years of being buried in Vietnam.

Sergeant Ronald Carroll was killed in action by a gunshot wound on August 4, 1968 in Bein Hoa Province, Vietnam.

Mr Butler said the story of Ronald Carroll added to Saturday’s commemorative service.

Geoff Cantrill spoke about Ronald Carroll, while fellow National Serviceman, John Williams, gave an address on the Battle of Long Tan.

Afternoon tea was provided at the conclusion of the service.

“The Tramby family were kind enough to provide afternoon tea afterwards which gave a lot of people the opportunity to chat, particularly some of the Vietnam veterans and National Servicemen who don’t often get to catch up,” Mr Butler said.