Wally Buckland: A Veteran Without Family, Yet Not Without Friends This ANZAC Day
This ANZAC Day, many will gather at the rising of the sun to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for their country. While the day will start in solemn silence, it will soon burst into living colour with marches across the nation, led by Australian and New Zealand veterans, as well as current defence force personnel. While the thousands stop to remember, cheer and support their loved ones on April 25th, what happens to the veterans who are all alone, or without a home?
Sadly, this is the case for many veterans across Australia. A recent report released by the Centre for Social Impact, The State of Homelessness in Australia's Cities, states that out of the 116,000 Australians who were homeless in 2018, 1 in 20 were Australian Defence Force veterans.
Corporal Walter 'Wally' Raymond Buckland, an only child with no surviving next of kin, could have quickly fallen through the cracks, making up yet another number to add to these unfortunate statistics. But thanks to a handful of loyal and loving friends, Wally will not be alone this ANZAC Day. Instead, he will be celebrated, just like he was on his 80th birthday, where the cards, emails, visitors and gifts have overflowed since 11 February 2019.
Wally Buckland was born on 11 February 1939 in Goulburn, a regional city in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. At the age of 27, Wally began his career with the Australian Army and took part in two tours to Vietnam in 1967 and 1971. During his first tour to Vietnam, he became a member of the ANZAC force of troops who took on the 'Battle of Long Tan'. After three days of battle, the ANZAC troops prevailed, with Wally surviving to tell the tale.
Today, Wally still lives in his home town of Goulburn, in the memory support unit of The Salvation Army Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre. While Wally can recall stories from long ago, a recent diagnosis of dementia has meant that he struggles with remembering more short-term memories, such as day-to-day events.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms that affect thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. The symptoms often appear to be subtle, eventually leading to an interference with a person's social and working life. Often, a person with dementia requires daily support through to full time care, either in their home or in an aged care facility with a section dedicated to specialised dementia care.
In March 2012, the Department of Veterans' Affairs released the findings of a study, The Impact of War Experiences on Dementia in Veterans, on the impact of war experiences on dementia in veterans, indicating that veterans were more likely to develop dementia in their lifetime. The study also noted that symptoms of dementia were significantly different in war veterans as opposed to people who did not go to war.
While Wally doesn't have any remaining family members to share his remaining memories with, he certainly isn't short of friends. Friends and frequent visitors like his former Goulburn neighbours, Les Reko, Howard Bye, and Helen and Peter Corby have made sure Wally is constantly supported and surrounded with love. Over the years, Les and Howard have made sure Wally did not miss commemoration activities for Australian Army veterans, and the Corby's take care of Wally's beloved dog Kelly, reuniting the pair through regular visits.
Kerri Hartney, Centre Manager of The Salvation Army Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre, says that it's been heart-warming to see the community rally around Wally.
"Despite Wally's condition, it has been great to see him being celebrated by the community and his friends from the army and to see him finally receive the recognition that he deserves. He is well loved by the staff at the Centre, who has collected photos and memories of Wally's life."
Earlier this year Wally celebrated his 80th birthday, and the staff at the Centre organised a special birthday party for him, which was attended by his long-time friends, neighbours, and former army mates.
Leading up to the special day, Wally's friends created a post on Facebook asking fellow veterans to send their birthday wishes for Wally's 80th birthday. Since then, the staff at Gill Waminda say they have received over 25 birthday cards and 20 emails a day, as well as countless gifts, visitors, and phone calls - all celebrating Wally and his years of service.
Every day, they read new cards and emails to Wally, place them on display around his room, and help him open his gifts. Rebecca Ness, the Recreational Activities Officer, has been instrumental in ensuring Wally receives the recognition he deserves, with the help of Michael Singh the Maintenance Officer, and Kathryn Price the Care Manager at the Centre.
That's not all the staff go out of their way to do for Wally - they also welcome his guests - which have included students from the Long Tan Company, Duntroon, serving and retired officers from Kapooka Wagga Wagga, the Veterans Motorcycle Club, Bob Tetley a Vietnam veteran from Long Tan (who mounted all of Wally's medals for him), and New South Wales Senator Jim Molan AO, DSC an Australian politician and former major general in the Australian Army.
This ANZAC Day will be no different for Wally. He certainly will not be alone, nor will he be spending it on the streets of Goulburn. He will be in the comfort of loving home at The Salvation Army Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre, most likely attending an ANZAC Day service, surrounded by old and newfound friends, cadets from Long Tan Company, the doting staff, and his loving dog Kelly.
