Gundagai statue honours Richard Norden VC
A striking new memorial dedicated to the Battle of Coral-Balmoral and the extraordinary bravery of Private Richard Norden VC during the Vietnam War was unveiled in Gundagai, NSW, on 14 May this year.
Veterans of the battle, their families, friends and hundreds of supporters were joined by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross to Richard Norden in 2024.
On 12 May 1968, Australian and New Zealand troops established a new Fire Support Base called Coral in a strategically important area north of Saigon. In the early hours of the following morning, the base was attacked following a relatively brief but intense rocket and mortar barrage.
Coral-Balmoral was the longest sustained battle faced by Australians during the Vietnam War. It was also one of the costliest. Twenty-six Australians were killed during the battle and almost 100 were wounded. Private Richard Norden risked his own life to save Section Commander, Lance Corporal Daniel ‘Joe’ Kelly, and retrieve the body of Private Christopher Nisbet who was tragically killed during the battle. (For more, see the story in Vetaffairs April 2025).
Former governors-general David Hurley and Sir Peter Cosgrove were in attendance at the unveiling, alongside Keith Payne VC, Repatriation Commissioner Kahlil Fegan and the families of Privates Norden, Nesbit and Kelly.
The statue, erected by the Gundagai RSL Sub-branch, depicts Richard Norden VC drag-carrying his section commander Joe Kelly back from enemy lines. DVA was proud to contribute to its creation through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. The memorial will provide a place for future generations of Australians to visit and allow thousands of people to learn more about, and reflect upon, Australian service in the Battle of Coral-Balmoral and the wider Vietnam War.
Lest we forget.
