Australia had compulsory training in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) at various times between 1910 and 1945, but after the Second World War it had two very different National Service schemes.
The first began in 1951, coinciding with the Korean War, and ran until 1959 with a total of 227,000 men passing through the scheme, which required six months recruit training in the Navy, Army or Air Force followed by five years as a reservist. Every 18-year-old was registered, and many Forests Commission staff and forestry school students were involved in some way.
The second, and more controversial scheme, operated from 1964 to 1972, with men aged 20 being eligible for conscription of two years of National Service by a birthday ballot, where numbered wooden marbles were drawn by lottery from a barrel.
A total of 63,735 were called-up and 15,381 Nashos served in Vietnam, with another 150 in Borneo. The remainder served in support units in Australia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
Tragically, more than 200 Nashos were killed in Vietnam, plus another two in Borneo. More than 1200 were wounded on active service.
But unlike the records for other conflicts, the names of Forests Commission staff who served are patchy. I’m aware of the following 1960’s national servicemen:
Rob Youl – Graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1964 and served for two years during 1965/66 in Australia with the Royal Australian Engineers at the Officer Training Unit at Scheyville in NSW. Rob continued to serve in the Army Reserve for many decades and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and as Commanding Officer of the 91 Forestry Squadron.
Peter Bray – Graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1966 and served in Vietnam at Vung Tau in 1967/68 as a Captain the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group.
John Bywater – Graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1966 and served in Vietnam during 1969/70 with 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit.
Ray Borschmann – Graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1966 and served for two years in Australia with Royal Australian Engineers – Fire Service.
John Morey – Served in Vietnam as a medic with 1st Australian Field Hospital in 1968/69. John returned to his previous job with FCV in sirex control and later joined 91 Forestry Sqn.
John Hosie – Served in Vietnam during 1967/69 with 17th Construction Squadron RAE. He later worked as Admin officer with FCV.
John Wilson – Served in Vietnam during 1967/68 with 32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1353 Harry Chauvel). He later worked as a forest overseer at Stawell and retired in 1993.
Athol Sumner – Served in Vietnam 1967/68 as a Lance-Corporal with 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He later worked in FCV Research Branch and Assessment Branch as a technical officer. He measured forest growth research trials run by Bill Incoll.
Des Collins (pictured) – FCV machine operator at Daylesford – Served in Vietnam during 1966/67 with 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron. Was APC driver in the battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966. Des died in the Greendale bushfire with Alan Lynch on 8 January 1983, just weeks before Ash Wednesday.
I’m certain I have missed a few so please let me know.
https://victoriasforestsbushfireheritage.com/2022/08/18/des-collins-long-tan/
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 