Blackadder1916
Army.ca Veteran
- Reaction score
- 2,149
- Points
- 1,160
Sacrifice to sell VC
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21936118-3102,00.html
Article from: The Courier Mail Mike Colman June 20, 2007 12:00am
KEITH Payne didn't have much time to think before taking the action which earned him the Victoria Cross in 1969, but he thought long before selling it.
On Monday the Vietnam War veteran, one of Australia's last two surviving VC recipients, sold his cross for an undisclosed amount to Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.
"It was a hard call to make but I felt the time was right," the 74-year-old former professional soldier said yesterday.
The main reason for selling the VC was to provide security for his family; Flo, his wife of 53 years, their five sons, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"My boys could have lost their dad," he said.
"I wanted to see them benefit from the medal while I still could."
The reason for selling to Maryborough museum ahead of other buyers was equally heartfelt. Born and raised in Ingham and now living in Mackay, Mr Payne was determined the VC stay in Queensland.
"I was in the army 19 years before I saw a Victoria Cross for the first time and that was when the Queen gave me mine," he said.
On May 24, 1969, Warrant Officer Payne was commanding a company of Vietnamese soldiers in Kontum Province when they were attacked by a large force of North Vietnamese troops.
Although wounded, he held off the attack while supervising the withdrawal of his men.
After the withdrawal it was discovered many of his soldiers had been left behind. Payne went back alone into enemy territory time after time, finding 40 wounded and isolated men and leading them to safety.
Payne was also awarded the US Distinguished Service Cross for his action.
In all he received 23 medals for service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. The entire collection was bought by the Maryborough Museum.
With the World War I VC of Captain Alfred Shout selling for $1.2 million last year, pressure on Mr Payne to sell intensified.
It was an approach from retired businessman John Meyers, owner and curator of the Maryborough museum which swayed him.
"I knew it would be well looked after," he said. "It had to go at some time. I've got five sons, what were they going to do, cut it into five pieces?"
For Mr Meyers and his wife Else, the museum is a real labour of love.
A former long-time member of the Army Reserve, Mr Meyers started the museum when he sold his share in a sawmill and hardware business.
"Keith's medals will really help put Maryborough on the tourism map," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21936118-3102,00.html
Article from: The Courier Mail Mike Colman June 20, 2007 12:00am
KEITH Payne didn't have much time to think before taking the action which earned him the Victoria Cross in 1969, but he thought long before selling it.
On Monday the Vietnam War veteran, one of Australia's last two surviving VC recipients, sold his cross for an undisclosed amount to Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.
"It was a hard call to make but I felt the time was right," the 74-year-old former professional soldier said yesterday.
The main reason for selling the VC was to provide security for his family; Flo, his wife of 53 years, their five sons, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"My boys could have lost their dad," he said.
"I wanted to see them benefit from the medal while I still could."
The reason for selling to Maryborough museum ahead of other buyers was equally heartfelt. Born and raised in Ingham and now living in Mackay, Mr Payne was determined the VC stay in Queensland.
"I was in the army 19 years before I saw a Victoria Cross for the first time and that was when the Queen gave me mine," he said.
On May 24, 1969, Warrant Officer Payne was commanding a company of Vietnamese soldiers in Kontum Province when they were attacked by a large force of North Vietnamese troops.
Although wounded, he held off the attack while supervising the withdrawal of his men.
After the withdrawal it was discovered many of his soldiers had been left behind. Payne went back alone into enemy territory time after time, finding 40 wounded and isolated men and leading them to safety.
Payne was also awarded the US Distinguished Service Cross for his action.
In all he received 23 medals for service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. The entire collection was bought by the Maryborough Museum.
With the World War I VC of Captain Alfred Shout selling for $1.2 million last year, pressure on Mr Payne to sell intensified.
It was an approach from retired businessman John Meyers, owner and curator of the Maryborough museum which swayed him.
"I knew it would be well looked after," he said. "It had to go at some time. I've got five sons, what were they going to do, cut it into five pieces?"
For Mr Meyers and his wife Else, the museum is a real labour of love.
A former long-time member of the Army Reserve, Mr Meyers started the museum when he sold his share in a sawmill and hardware business.
"Keith's medals will really help put Maryborough on the tourism map," he said.
