Veteran retains close affinity after 35 years

Despite leaving the army over 35 years ago, Richard McKenzie has always maintained a close association with his beloved Royal Australian Engineer Corps.

Picture: Richard McKenzie continues a proud tradition of donating care packages to Royal Australian Engineer Corps overseas.

A member of the Kwinana Returned Services League, Mr McKenzie served as an army engineer for 24 years before retiring on medical grounds in 1976.

These days, he continues to help those members of the corps serving overseas by sending care packages of books and magazines donated by community groups.

The concept has been an RAE tradition for many years and is something Mr McKenzie is eager to continue.

“We’ve always done it in the engineers as far back as I can recall,” Mr McKenzie said of the program.

“In Vietnam and even in Korea I think they had packages being sent over.

“I had members of my unit overseas in Vietnam and we did it then.

“It’s a good distraction from the war for the sappers (engineers) and diggers (soldiers).”

The RAE has held a special place in Mr McKenzie’s heart since he joined the army as a 16-year-old in 1952.

While he was never required to deploy overseas, Mr McKenzie and his fellow engineers played an integral behind-the-scenes role in Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War.

“Our role during Vietnam was to keep all the troops supplied overseas because the wharfies went on strike,” he said.

“During Vietnam I was based in Sydney.

“One of my jobs with 21 Construction was building the airstrip of Holdsworthy in Sydney.

“The airstrip on Lord Howe Island was built by 17 Construction Squadron as well.

“Over here (in WA) I was with 22 Construction Squadron, in Sydney I was with the 17th and the terminal and port squadrons.

“Then I went to 21 Construction in Puckapunyal and 35 field squadron in Mt Isa.

“We do everything – we build roads, bridges and we blow them up too.

“In Afghanistan our main job is the detection of the IEDs and roadside bombs.

“They also build hospitals, mosques, schools and train all the Afghans to get trades.”

Mr McKenzie remains an active member of the Royal Australian Engineers Association of WA.

The association hold fortnightly meetings at its headquarters in Karrakatta.

He will join other Kwinana RSL members at next Wednesday’s Anzac Day service, which is being held at the Pace Road war memorial at 6am.

A march is also planned and will leave from the Salvation Army Hall on Hoyle Road at 10.45am.