Cowra army reservist Private Anthony Benton was only 12 years old when Australia led a peacekeeping force into East Timor restoring order in the conflict-ridden nation.
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At age 25 he has joined locals Corporal Craig Simpson and Private Brenton Traves in ending the Australian military’s operations there.
During their three-month deployment starting late 2012, Australia’s military packed its equipment and sent it home.
Private Benton said he felt lucky to be part of the operation.
“We were the last ones there. It was a slim chance we’d get to go,” he said.
For Privates Benton and Traves it was their first overseas deployment with the 6 Platoon B Company 1/19, based in Cowra.
While Private Benton witnessed East Timor grow its economy an independent country, his seniors remembered it in 1999.
“There were a few sergeants that had been there since the start of it, and they said things had changed a lot.”
When Australia entered the country it was racked by violence driven by East-Timorese militia supporting integration with Indonesia.
Privates Benton and Traves, serving in the rifle platoon, were tasked last year with guarding Australian forces’ four bases in East Timor as they packed up.
They battled 80-95 per cent humidity and 35-degree Celsius heat while trying to avoid illness.
“In a country like that it can open your eyes to the training you need to do. It’s good to train in Australia but over there you’ve got the heat,” Private Benton said.
Private Traves trained with Private Benton in a Black Hawk helicopter during radio, first aid and tactical exercises.
For soldiers with young families the deployment was hardest at Christmas, which
Corporal Simpson, who transported equipment, said East Timor’s developing status brought risks on the road, where traffic rules aren’t followed.
“It was quite a challenge to drive around every day without having an accident,” he said.
His section finished its deployment without a single road incident.
“It developed [soldiers’] driving skills ten-fold, so it was just awesome. As a [section] commander, I couldn’t be happier with the guys doing that.”
Corporal Simpson returned to Australia February 10, nearly two months after Privates Benton and Traves, who arrived home December 23.
The local reservists will march in this week's Anzac parade to River Park.
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