Help wanted re Tom Blackhurst

My name is James Mackay, honorary historian for the Newcastle and Hunter Vietnam Veterans Inc.

I am writing a profile about the life of CPL Thomas Douglas Blackhurst AATTV who was KIA 17 April 1971 whilst advising an ARVN patrol in the Long Hai Mountains Phuoc Tuy Province SVN.

Tom was an enlisted soldier who had served in 7RAR as a dog handler in Support Company during its first tour to SVN in 1967/68.

I would very much like to speak with any blokes who served with Tom, nickname ‘Blackie” during his recruit training and/or posting to 7RAR.

Tom was born at Belmont NSW near Newcastle.

The profile will be read in Remembrance at the Newcastle Vietnam War Remembrance Service to be held at the Vietnam War Memorial in Civic Park Newcastle on Saturday 17 August 2024. It will then be archived by the Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans Inc for reference.

My contact details appear below.

I really appreciate your help.

Kind regards

James

W. James Mackay OAM
Honorary Historian
Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans Inc
Newcastle NSW Australia
Mobile: +61 408 613 170
Email: jamesmackay2013@gmail.com