Noack, Errol Wayne (Private, b.1945 - d.1966)

Collection relating to the Vietnam War service of 4717546 Private Errol Wayne Noack, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Vietnam. Collection consists of correspondence from his father Wal Noack to Barry Scully concerning the funeral service for Errol and the naming of Errol Noack House, an emergency accommodation house for Vietnam veterans in Morphett Vale, South Australia, 1989. Other items include a copy of the program for Noack's funeral held in June 1966 and three photographs of Errol and Wal Noack.

Private Noack was conscripted into the army for service in Vietnam and was the first Australian National Serviceman killed in action during this conflict. Pte Noack was killed by friendly fire during Operation Hardihood on 24 May 1966 after only ten days service in Vietnam. The funeral address delivered by Pastor G E Fischer reflects the public controversy surrounding Noack's death: 'This is first and foremost a burial service. For many different reasons it has become a funeral of national attention and interest... Errol's death has pin-pointed and high-lighted grave national and international issues..". Wal Noack's letter, written in 1989 describes in detail his understanding of the events of Errol's death and his reflections on the Vietnam war.