Darryel Binns
b.1950
'Tunnel Rat' (Field Engineer)
1st Field Squadron
Nui Dat
Jul 1970 - Jul 1971
Excerpt from Story Board
I was 19 when I went to Vietnam. I was 20, and an old man, when I came back. My job was land mines and booby traps. I was wounded twice within a month and that didn’t make things any better for my parents, seeing someone on their doorstep. The next time I wouldn’t let anyone go. I wrote to them and told them I was alright.
I suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and have been a loner all my life. I liked to be on my own in my own space. I had a lot of anger issues and I was a workaholic. I know I have good days and bad days still, but I’m on top of it. I became a wildlife ranger and spent the rest of my years in public service. I’m the sixth-highest birdwatcher in Australia at the moment. There’s about 860-odd birds that have been identified, and I’ve seen 801 of them.
Service No. 62025