“Serving country was more of a personal issue of finding one’s way in life, by seeking adventure, the theory if the world was really round (won’t fall off if passed Cairns), and to fulfil a childhood dream with the next door neighbour mate to join the Army – PS he joined too. When we left Yarrabah to join the army because we were classed as assisted Aborigines and we lived on a reserve; we had to get a permit to actually leave Yarrabah.”
– James Canuto
James Canuto
Olkola, Kowanyama, Kunjen peoples
Warrant Officer Class Two
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
Australian Army
Uncle James is one of the founding members of Yarrabah RSL Club, the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander RSL Club in Australia
Medals
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp Vietnam
Vietnam Medal
Defence Force Service Medal with 1st clasp
Australian Defence Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Combat Badge
Returned from Active Service Badge
“I enlisted in the Army on 24 September 1968 and served for 21 years in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. During my career I completed two tours of Vietnam, from 27 August 1969 to 10 September 1970 and from 9 June 1971 to 9 March 1972. After Vietnam I had postings in Townsville, Puckapunyal, Canungra, Darwin and Sydney. I was discharged from the Army in 1989 with the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two. I am proud to be one of the founding members of Yarrabah RSL Club, the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander RSL Club.”
– James Canuto
