New website for the song Can you hear Australia's heroes marching? at www.australianwarheroes.com You can link to the new website for the song or tell others about it. The success of the song meant it was necessary to create a domain that was unique to the song and gave it a permanent home on the Internet. The song has over a million hits online with this website, YouTube, and other websites that include the song. Take a look at the new website.
This website address started back in the mid 90s, well before Google was even thought of. In the beginning it was a website Peter Barnes put together for info about his Adelaide advertising/marketing business. If you want a business or organisation easily found on search engines like Google with the keywords you want, then take a look at the websites at www.befoundonline.com.au and www.findbusinessonline.com.au and www.foundonline.com.au There are also capital city websites like Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, and Brisbane for business or organisations. Since 2001 the war heroes song has taken over more and more of this website. We are in the process of modernising this website address, mainly because it still gets a lot of visitors looking for the song.
BRAND NEW: It is nearly ten years since the creation of the song and now you can hear an instrumental recording of the music here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLgnHSudpyY
The words (lyrics) to the song have been requested to be used or read at commemorative ceremonies.
Sheet music is available for free for commemorative purposes and include, full arrangement, choir, solo voice, piano, guitar (bass & electric), trumpet, drum kit. Email the author here for the sheet music to be emailed to you.
The global aspect of the internet has allowed many people from other countries to hear the song. For instance a publishing house in Norway asked for the song. "The Norwegian publishing house Aschehoug is about to publish a new series of English schoolbooks for 8-10th grade in the Norwegian market. In this new series, called Key English, we want to make use of the song "Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching".
Over 1,000 people a day view videos relating to the song on YouTube alone. Peter's YouTube channel has passed one and a half million video views, with most viewing videos relating to the song. Click here to go to the YouTube channel. You can see videos of the song for WW1, WW2, the Vietnam War and more.
The heroes song was created from Peter's experience in visiting the Adelaide River War Cemetery (114 kms south of Darwin) in the Northern Territory and seeing the graves of Australians who gave their lives in the service and defence of their country. Peter felt he should do something within his capabilities to honour the memory of such incredible sacrifice.
A total of 434 war graves marked by bronze plaques are contained in the Adelaide River War Cemetery. The burials are made up of 14 airmen of the RAF, 12 unidentified men of the British Merchant Navy; one soldier of the Canadian Army; 18 sailors, 181 soldiers and 201 airmen of the Australian Forces and seven men of the Australian Merchant Navy. The Northern Territory Memorial to the Missing honours a further 292 Servicemen and women lost to the north of Australia. The adjacent civil section contains the graves of the nine Post Office staff killed on 19 February 1942 during the bombing of Darwin, one of 63 separate occasions from that date. The civilian casualties of WW2 include those of 31 Indigenous Australians.
"To stand on my homeland, surrounded by our war dead, who fought heroically to defend Australia and their loved ones down the track, was a profound experience and initiated the creation of the song." Peter Barnes
NEW: You can watch a video of the Adelaide River War Cemetery here
Click here for the 4 minute version of the song (has additional words).
Click here for other inspiring Australian Songs by the author of the war heroes song (this is a new website).
From 1962, approximately 50,000 Australians, including ground troops, air force and navy personnel served in Vietnam. 520 died and close to 2,400 were wounded.
It is important to highlight that many young men were conscripted to serve in Vietnam. From 1965 to 1972, 19,450 national servicemen served in the Vietnam War, with 202 killed and 1,279 wounded. The National Service Scheme was abolished on 5 December 1972.
43 Australian Army nursing sisters were sent to Vietnam between April 1967 and November 1971, undertaking tours of up to twelve months. The nurses were assigned to a military hospital in a war zone with no advance preparation for what they'd encounter: caring for horrifically injured soldiers straight off the battlefield, understaffed, using basic equipment and often in difficult working conditions. About 210 Australian nurses traveled to South Vietnam between 1964 and 1972 to care for injured civilians during the war. Many Australian entertainers went to Vietnam to entertain the troops and were gratefully received. It should be noted as well that the efforts of organisations like the Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army, Everymans Welfare and Australian Services Canteens, were greatly appreciated by Australians who served in Vietnam.
Click here for the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (website). The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) had its advent in the Vietnam Veterans Action Association, formed in late 1979 as a result of Vietnam Veterans exposure to chemicals that was causing problems with their health and the health of their children. The chemicals, known by the generic name of Agent Orange included 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D, a byproduct of which is the extremely poisonous substance TCDD or dioxin. The problems ranged from minor irritation to lethal, with symptoms such as skin blisters, itching, flushes, nasal problems, blurred vision, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, gastro-urinary muscular and nervous system disorders, cancers and tumors. This was often exacerbated by psychological disorders caused by what was later diagnosed as post traumatic stress disorder. The VVAA is a wholly volunteer body, whose sole interest is the welfare of veterans and the families of veterans.
Click here for The Casualty List (website). Many young Australians were killed or wounded in Vietnam. This website gives you the opportunity to read the names of those killed or wounded. You will see how young many were. You will also see where those that died are laid to rest. Click here for the Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans (website). Also lists the names of people like merchant seamen, war correspondents, entertainers and others who were civilian participants.
The remains of three Australian servicemen killed in Vietnam have returned home. In April 2007, the burial sites of Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson were discovered by members of Operation Aussies Home and their remains have now been returned to Australia. Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson had been members of A Company 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). In 1965 - 66 1 RAR formed the third battalion of 173d Airborne Brigade. They were killed on 8 November 1965. Lance Corporal Gillespie became the third Australian MIA in Vietnam to be found last year by veterans' group Operation Aussies Home, 36 years after being killed in combat. His remains have now returned home. Lance Corporal Gillespie was a medical orderly aboard an Australian Army helicopter sent to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier in an area known as the Long Hai Hills. As the wounded man was being winched aboard the helicopter it was hit by machine gun fire, crashed to the ground and exploded. The pilots escaped but Lance Corporal Gillespie, who was pinned under the wreckage was killed. Three other soldiers also died. Click here for Operation Aussies Home (website).
"Last year I was contacted and asked if the song could be played at an Ardrossan service in honour of Lance Corporal Richard (Tiny) Parker and Private Peter (Gilly) Gillson. The service, conducted at the Ardrossan Soldiers Memorial by Pastor Brian Tugwell, was attended by veterans from Ardrossan, Adelaide and the Copper Coast. The incredible effort and commitment taken to bring home the fallen soldiers, is one of the greatest examples of mateship I have ever seen." Peter Barnes (Author of the song).
The first video that was created for Australians who served in Vietnam is called Vietnam war heroes. Click here to watch the video on YouTube (the video has passed 175,000 views). The author of the song has been deeply affected by the stories of some Vietnam Veterans he has met and how poorly many were treated on their return to Australia. Many Vietnam Veterans have been damaged for life because of the rejection and abuse they faced when they came back from Vietnam. One Vietnam Veteran told Peter he has never marched on ANZAC Day and will never forget what happened to him. Vietnam war heroes, in a sense, is how Australians should have welcomed back those that served in Vietnam so long ago. Many Vietnam Veterans have died over the past 40 years feeling Australia and Australians let them down. This also has greatly affected many families and the loved ones of Vietnam Veterans. For those Australian Vietnam Veterans alive today, it's not too late to tell them they are heroes.
Vietnam Veterans from 1RAR sent photos to the author of the song to be included in a video with the song. Click here to watch that video on YouTube.
A couple of years ago a Vietnam Veteran in South Australia invited Peter to an anniversary service for the Battle of Long Tan where the heroes song was included in the commemorative service. Peter has never felt more proud to be an Australian. The service included a helicopter pass over and he will never forget the experience of being with Vietnam Veterans at that time.
The Battle of Long Tan was a defining event in Australia's longest war. It was one of the most intensive actions Australian soldiers fought in Vietnam. On 18 August 1966, a rifle company of 108 men from D Company 6RAR, cut off and outnumbered by at least ten to one, withstood repeated, massed Viet Cong attacks for four hours. Many of the Australian soldiers were conscripts, barely out of their teens. The bravery and tenacity of the Australian soldiers became legendary. 18 young Australians lost their lives. 17 from D Company 6RAR, and 1 from the armoured personnel carriers (APC's). 24 were wounded. Of those that died, the youngest was 19 years old and the eldest was 22 years old. 11 were National Servicemen (conscripts) and 7 were Regular Army enlisted.
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY - 18TH AUGUST - LEST WE FORGET - Vietnam Veterans' Day, celebrated on 18 August each year, is an opportunity to honour those Australians who served during the Vietnam War and remember those who died.
"I thought the music was a modern reflection on Australia's war dead... As a Vietnam veteran I would have to say that it is a wonderful tribute to all who have fallen." Edmund 'Ted' Harrison
"I am taking a funeral tomorrow of a Vietnam Vet who died last week of cancer. The family would like to use your song... I am asking for permission to use it at the funeral." E-mail from a Reverend
Peter Barnes initiated this song in 2001. He is the author (and copyright owner) of the song and he created the concept, title and lyrics. You can contact Peter by email here Click here for ANZAC Day web page Click here for Remembrance Day web page.
'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?' is a national war memorial song and a tribute to the ANZAC spirit of mateship, courage and sacrifice.
*Disclaimer - This song has been produced by Mr Peter Barnes with funding support from the Federal Government's Their Service - Our Heritage program. .The Commonwealth of Australia has not been involved with any part of the production of the song, including lyrics, and disclaims any responsibility whatsoever. Mr Barnes shall be solely responsible for the song and its content.
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