Mr Burke, who attended the Anzac Day service at Wangi Wangi, saw action in two of the biggest battles in Vietnam - Long Tan and Bribie.

He regularly recalls the "horror, bombs, artillery and rockets that went off around us."

"I was in an APC [armoured personnel carrier], as we crashed through an enemy battalion. When we got to D-company [to rescue them], it was pouring rain. All you could hear were moans. I can still hear those moans today."

Mr Burke, 76, recently had a four-week stint in hospital due to the long-term effects of Agent Orange, a herbicide that the US military sprayed in Vietnam during the war.

When Mr Burke first suffered the effects of this chemical during the war, doctors attributed his sickness to "fever of unknown origin".

"I've still got that and they still don't know what it is," he said, adding that the symptoms include sweats, pains, nervous system dysfunction and post traumatic stress.

He has suffered greatly since the war, but worked as a builder and cattle farmer during his life.

"Work is a way to forget," he said.

He served in Vietnam from age 21 in 1966-67.

He said two thirds of his platoon died from cancer. He, too, suffers from the disease.

Asked if he attributes that to Agent Orange, he said "I think so".

Nevertheless, he said: "I have no complaints really, but my biggest concern is the women and children who are still suffering in Vietnam from birth defects due to Agent Orange."

Colin Whittington, 80, also attended the Wangi service.

"I remember the mates I served with many moons ago. Not just today - they're never out of your mind," said Mr Whittington, who served in Vietnam in 1965.

Asked what he thought of war, he said: "I don't wish it upon anybody, put it that way".

"Today is lovely with all these beautiful people. How can you beat this?"

Paul Colbey, 85, was a bomber pilot during the Malayan Emergency.

"We feel appreciated," he said, of the large crowd at the Wangi service.