Members of Air Force Band have travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to perform at Anzac Day services hosted by the Australian and New Zealand embassies.
The band will support Anzac dawn services in Hanoi on the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, and perform for international guests including Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Admiral David Johnston.
Honouring the Anzacs from both countries has deep personal significance for the band’s vocalist Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones, who will sing the national anthems of both Australia and New Zealand.
Her family’s proud Anzac legacy spans both sides of the Tasman Sea.
On her mother’s side, Corporal Bruer-Jones’ great-grandfather Norman Richmond served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France during World War 1.
His brother, Major James M Richmond, of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, was in the first boat to land at Gallipoli with New Zealand troops, remaining on the peninsula until the eventual withdrawal.
He was subsequently killed by a 150-millimetre shell in France.
Brigadier-General G N Johnston, Commander, Royal Artillery, NZ Division, had unusually high praise for Major Richmond, writing: “in MAJ Richmond, […] New Zealand lost one of her most promising staff officers. […] Should some future NZ artillery officer wish to get a thorough knowledge of modern war insofar as it [affects] artillery, and to learn how to write orders, he could do not better than to take as his model those written by Major J M Richmond, RNZA.”
‘I come across the Anzac legacy everywhere I travel.’
Corporal Bruer-Jones’ great-grandfather Lionel Gregory Bruer served in the Royal Australian Navy prior to enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914.
He was wounded in 1915 and deemed medically unfit to serve. He was discharged in May 1916, only to enlist again three months later, serving in France until the end of the war.
He served again with distinction as part of the Rats of Tobruk during World War 2, being appointed Commanding Officer of 2/10th Battalion with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Corporal Bruer-Jones, 33, is based at RAAF Base Williams, Victoria, and grew up in Unley, Adelaide.
She went to Unley Primary School and the specialist music school Marryatville High School.
“I come across the Anzac legacy everywhere I travel,” Corporal Bruer-Jones said.
“There will be families at the dawn service in Vietnam from both New Zealand and Australia who have similar stories to mine. To be able to lead them in singing their anthems and reflect on the service and sacrifice of their relatives is an honour that is hard to describe.”
In a month of reflection, this April also marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.
The Air Force Band’s visit is in stark contrast to the previous occasion some 56 years ago when, in 1969, the band entertained troops based at the 1st Australian Task Force base, Nui Dat.
Corporal Bruer-Jones and the band will support the ADF gala dinner entertaining CDF Admiral Johnston and international guests.
This activity forms part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour Program and provides a unique opportunity for the RAAF Band to conduct a knowledge exchange with Vietnamese counterparts.
The musicians are looking forward to visiting the United Nations International School in Hanoi to work with music students before returning to their home at RAAF Base Williams.
Defence image Royal Australian Air Force musician Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones will sing the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day. Photo: Corporal Michael Currie
