The knock on the door: 57 years on, a Vietnam War widow tells her story
Lynne Moore, a 80-year-old Australian war widow, recounts her experience during the Vietnam War era, particularly the loss of her husband, Private Ray Moore, who was killed in action on July 24, 1969. Her husband's death occurred shortly after the historic moon landing, which she associates with the traumatic moment when army officials arrived at her mother's home to deliver the news. Moore was a local resident of Kilsyth, Melbourne, and had three children with Moore. The article highlights the challenges faced by war widows, including social isolation and institutional neglect, as detailed in a new book titled 'Vietnam – Long Hard Years Not Forgotten.' The book also includes the story of another local veteran, Michael Hannaford, who was killed in 1968. Both women experienced hardships, such as being evicted from their homes and facing hostility from others. Lynne emphasizes the importance of remembering those who served and expresses pride in her late husband's sacrifice.
Lynne Moore, 80, still finds herself unable to watch footage of the moon landing from July 20, 1969, despite its historical significance. For her, the moment symbolizes the painful arrival of army officials at her mother’s home in Kilsyth, Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, where she was staying at the time. They delivered the devastating news that her husband, Private Ray Moore, had been killed in action during the Vietnam War. The memory of that knock on the door haunts her to this day. Ray Moore, a man known for his cheerful nature, hard work, and ability to connect with anyone, was killed on July 24, 1969, by a Viet Cong sentry. He was 23 years old. His death occurred just weeks after the historic moon landing, a contrast that underscores the tragedy of the era. Lynne recalls that Ray visited his children, Rhonda, Craig, and Gary, at Holsworthy army base in Sydney two months prior to his death. Now, decades later, she laid roses, his favorite flower, alongside her son Craig and grandson Brendan at the Croydon war memorial on Sunday during Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorations. The Moore family’s story is featured in a newly published book titled Vietnam, Long Hard Years Not Forgotten, which explores the experiences of residents in the Lilydale region during the Vietnam War. The book includes accounts from both Lynne and Margaret Hannaford, another Vietnam War widow whose husband, Michael Hannaford, was killed in action on December 14, 1968, when the tank he was driving struck a mine. At the time, Hannaford was 21 years old and left behind a young wife. Both Lynne and Margaret endured difficult circumstances following their husbands' deaths. Lynne was evicted from the family home at Holsworthy army base shortly after Ray’s burial. She faced hostility from other war widows and even from parents at her children’s school. Despite these challenges, Lynne described how she managed to move forward, focusing on raising her three children. “I think you put one foot in front of the other,” she said. “I had three children to look after. It was just something you did.” Margaret Hannaford, who attended Sunday’s commemorative service, recounted how military personnel once suggested that her husband should be buried in a war cemetery in Vietnam to avoid disrupting Christmas celebrations in Australia. She refused the suggestion, choosing instead to hold Michael’s funeral on Christmas Eve 1968 in a local church in Croydon. This decision reflected her determination to honor her husband’s life and legacy on familiar ground. Historian Anthony McAleer, the book’s author and Lilydale RSL secretary, addressed the crowd at the Croydon service, highlighting the struggles of war widows like Lynne and Margaret. He called their experiences a “sad indictment” of the institutions that supported them at the time. McAleer emphasized the importance of remembering not only the soldiers who served but also the families who bore the brunt of war’s consequences. RSL Victoria senior vice-president Des Callaghan noted that Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, a pivotal engagement in which Australian troops displayed remarkable bravery against overwhelming odds. The battle resulted in the loss of 523 Australian lives and left many others wounded. As Australia reflects on this history, Callaghan highlighted the nation’s progress in treating veterans with greater compassion and understanding. “We have learned the vital truth that one can disagree with the politics of war without diminishing respect for the men and women who put on the uniform,” he stated.
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