p>
On 23 December 1968 young Mary Roost was marking her first wedding anniversary alone. Her husband, Private Christopher Roost, was conscripted to fight in Vietnam. Mary was soon to learn that this special anniversary was also, tragically, the day her husband was killed in action.
,^^^,
THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
15 February 2011
On 23 December 1968 young Mary Roost was marking her first wedding anniversary alone. Her husband, Private Christopher Roost, was conscripted to fight in Vietnam. Mary was soon to learn that this special anniversary was also, tragically, the day her husband was killed in action.
This afternoon in Darwin the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, presented a red silk poppy to Private Roost’s widow, now Mrs de Loryn, at the Darwin Returned & Services League’s Club.
“In 1967 Christopher Roost had been called on to serve his country under Australia’s National Service Scheme. National servicemen were conscripted and were not volunteers, but when called on they performed their duties with courage and commitment,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Christopher Roost went into the Army in April, married his childhood sweetheart that December, and was sent with his mates in the 4thBattalion, The Australian Regiment (4RAR) to fight in the Vietnam War the following year.
“Mrs de Loryn’s poppy represents the wreath of more than 200 silk poppies which was laid at the dedication of the new National Service Memorial in Canberra in September last year. Each poppy represented one of the more than 200 national servicemen, including Private Roost, who lost their lives in Borneo or Vietnam.”
The families of national servicemen were invited to the dedication ceremony, but at that stage Private Roost’s widow had not yet been located by the National Servicemen’s Association.
“The establishment of the National Service Memorial was a momentous occasion for all national servicemen and their families, as well as for Australia. It is my privilege to acknowledge the contribution of National Servicemen by presenting Private Roost’s widow with a memento of that great event,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Chris Roost was a typical young Australian man who loved life. He worked as a sheet metal worker in Perth and was a keen sportsman when he was called upon to serve in the Army on 19 April 1967. In February each year Australia commemorates the sacrifice of the national servicemen who, like Private Roost, gave up their lives for their country.
“We also honour all the young Australian men who served their country as ‘Nashos’ in both Australia and overseas. More than 280,000 young Australians served in the national service schemes which operated between 1951 and 1972."
The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, dedicated the National Service Memorial in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial on 8 September 2010. The Australian Government contributed $250,000 towards building of the memorial fountain and the dedication reception at Parliament House.
Media inquiries: Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999