Called up for National Service, Private David Walker was barely 21 years of age when he was placed with the 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit from September 3, 1969 to December 2, 1969, followed by a 10-month placement at Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force. The boy from Gunnedah served a total of 366 days in the hell that was Vietnam, and like most other veterans was told to "go home and get on with his life".

When David began his army training, mates went through together. Sadly one was killed in Vietnam, and another took his own life after they returned. The remaining soldier said the Ode to the Fallen for David at the funeral service.

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Born in Gunnedah on March 31, 1948, to Eric and Clare Walker, David spent his early years at Mount Nombi, Mullaley, growing up with his sisters Dixie, Susan-Lee and Dana. He loved horse riding and an active outdoor life and was a regular in the Gunnedah Junior Rugby League under 16s.

David's education began under the watchful eye of a governess at Mt Nombi followed by a few years boarding at TAS College. He completed his education at Gunnedah High School and during the winter played rugby for Gunnedah. He was described by friends as 'a very fast winger, an athlete and an all round good bloke".

In the eulogy delivered by his cousin Duncan Walker, David's success as an amateur jockey revealed another side to the young man, who was coached by Jack McGroder, a former Dubbo trainer living at Mount Nombi. He booted home a number of winners at local picnic races and also rode at Wean.

Around this time he did farm work at local properties Kilchurn and Wyuna as well as Lambrook. In 1965, which was a bad drought year, David joined his cousin for a stint of jackarooing, connecting with the Scottish Australian Company, which had grazing properties across NSW and Queensland. He went to work on the company property Warrana and later linked up with Gill Brothers, a seventh generation rodeo and entertainment business. During this time he travelled and worked with the Gill family members and joined them in a trip to Thailand, where ironically they entertained military personnel based in Vietnam.

Conscripted to the National Service Scheme, he managed to get a deferment for some time to enable the tour to Thailand to proceed. On his return he reported for enlistment and after the requisite training was posted to Vietnam, where he lived the horrors of war beside fellow young Australians.

Related story: Poignant moment for Vietnam veteran at Gunnedah service

After returning to civilian life, David was not keen to talk about his experiences as his father before him never spoke about his World War 2 service. He immersed himself into his love of horses and during the latter part of 1970 and early 1971, he returned to Mount Nombi where he worked with a well known horseman Alec Nelson. Together they were instrumental in breaking and educating not only Mt Nombi horses but also others on surrounding properties. He then moved on to more equine related occupations in the the Hawkesbury River region, where he worked at Muskoka Farm, a breeding and training property.

When Bud Hyem offered him a him a position at Kibah Station, near Carroll, David and his wife Rosemary (Charters) returned to Gunnedah with their daughter Melanie. The marriage broke down soon after and David later married Dugi Hoffman. The couple set up a breaking-in and pre-training establishment, Lianni Lodge, for thoroughbred horses at Wilberforce. Their sons Lucas and Deric were born around this time. Sadly Dugi lost her battle against breast cancer when the boys were teenagers. David stayed on at the property until Lucas went to university in Canberra, and Deric took up an apprenticeship as a spray painter and panel beater.

With his sons making their own way in life, David bought a small property at Condoblin, where he again enjoyed working with his horses. His health was starting to deteriorate, however, with PTSD taking its toll along with a war-related lung condition.

With the encouragement of his three children, David moved to Canberra, where he lived in a self care unit at Sir Leslie Morshead Manor in Lyneham before transferring to the nursing home section for higher care. He died on August 5, 2019, at the age of 71.

The late David Walker, is survived by his children Melanie, Lucas and Deric, grandchildren Hollie, Jacob, Ivy and Isaac, son-in-law Daniel, and daughters-in-law Michelle and Amy. He is also survived by his sisters Dixie Walker (Gunnedah), Susan-Lee Walker (Dungog) and Dana Clarke (Alexandria).

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