Stolen Valour
Stolen Valour
Hammal
UPDATE Roque Charles "China" Hammal 11 November 2019
**** HAMMAL Update April, 2018. Our old "China Plate" the big cheese Roque "China" Hammal has been again reported to us as a recalcitrant wannabe. Here is a recent photo of Hammal.
Our original report about Hammal was fifteen years ago and the above photo shows he still wears the shonky medals that were reported at that time. He also still relates ridiculous lies about his service. Here is what he has written on a Facebook page: "I am only going to say this once ... do not believe everything you read from ANZMI as no one has the "Guts" to put their name at the bottom of the article. You want to find out my true "Navy Service" go to the National Archives and search for my file that can be view publicly... search for my name " Roque Charles Hammal - Navy Offical Number - R106976 " you will find my all my Service Records ... make sure you look at all of them .... you will find the truth and nothing but the truth ... and notice my files are seal " Do Not Open " and what are open displayed to the public eyes are .. "expunged"... once again ... let us keep to the business of HELPING VETERANS".
The latest photo shows he stills wears eight medals. The last four on his rack are fake. It is also cogent that to earn the four legitimate medals, "China" spent a total of less than Thirty Six hours in Vung Tau Harbour. Instead of being satisfied with that over powering gesture by the Royal Australian Navy, he decided to stick four more medals on his breast.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Nominal Roll shows that he spent Seventeen Days in Vietnam, but the RAN chose to include the number of days from original port departure, until return to final port. In Hammal's case it was from Singapore and back to Singapore on HMAS Swan. With fifteen days in transit and less than two days in Vietnam.
It seems that Hammal is quite content to live his whole life as a shameful lying wannabe. At the time of our original report he richly deserved the truth of his actions and now after fifteen years he is still a persona non grata in the Veteran Community. As long as he keeps up his charade of "behind the lines" secret operations, and wearing fake medals we will keep reporting his dishonesty.
*** Roque Charles "China" Hammal Over the years he has obtained more medals to add to his official ‘rack’ of three but it is suggested that he did this not only in an attempt to further his ‘heroic’ war service but also to add credence to his far fetched stories.
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Some wannabes claim that their records are "Secret", have been "Sanitised" or have been "Destroyed" in an attempt to further their standing in the Veteran community. Some records are classified Secret when it becomes a matter of National security. An Able-Seaman would not fall into this category. Sanitised is a new ‘buzz-word’ among wannabes with the implication that should you gain access to a persons file then you will not be able to see the complete file. Records are never Destroyed. Some wannabes claim this has happened and at times attempt to provide bogus proof of this. In conjunction with this the 30 year secrecy act for Viet Nam is over.
Hammal made application for and was issued his Service Medals in the following order: Navy Tin Medals such as the HMAS Sydney Medal - A tin association medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition. This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals The Australian Logistic Support Forces Medal - A tin commemorative medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition. This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals Foreign Service Medal - A tin commemorative medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition. This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals If worn at all, these tin medals should be worn on the right breast, inline with awarded medals which are worn by the recipient on the left breast. You will see from evidence produced below that ‘China’ Hammal’s real Viet Nam Service consisted of approximately 12 hours in Vietnamese waters on the HMAS Swan, a ship that did not anchor. An extract of evidence from an AAT hearing on the activities of HMAS Swan in Vietnamese waters is shown below.
During his childhood ( 7 & 8 yrs old) he was billeted with his parents at HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island (1959-60) which was the Royal Navy shore base in Hong Kong. This is confirmed on his Dept of Navy Personal Particulars Form CDO 4664 dated 12 Aug 69 shown here.
Fact 4. A search of HMS Danae’s (Royal Navy) crew listing (1967-71) does not show any person named Hammal. Another absurd claim easily disproved because the full crew listing may be found at [bookmark us first....this will take you away from the site] http://www.fullspeed.to/hmsdanaeand Hammal’s naval records do not show any posting or attachments to not only the RN but to HMS Danae from the RAN.
Claim 6. From Hammal’s local community newspaper, the Cockburn Gazette, dated June 11 - June 17, 2002 in an interview given, Hammal states, "China served in the Hong Kong Navy and the Australian Navy for more than 12 years which involved three years in the Viet Nam war."
Nowhere can it be found that Hammal refuted the above claims.
Fact 7. As can be seen in Fact 1 above, Hammal never enlisted in the RAN until 18 Oct 69. Taking into account the time required for him to complete his "rookies" course at HMAS Cerberusit is just farcical to claim he went to Viet Nam in 1969. To be a recipient of this medal, you must have a good standing in the community and a flawless record. Non-disclosure of discrepancies can and does see the award rescinded. This is unfortunate due to the outstanding work that Hammal has done within the community, but lies and deceit are not tolerated and the reward for this is removal of the medal as has been the case here. Veterans were outraged at this award and took appropriate action to have it rescinded. This is now going to create further expense for the Veteran community as this plaque below displaying OAM after Hammal’s name will have to be recast to reflect the truth. This is in Fremantle, Western Australia. This applies to anyone who feels they have a need to wear tin. This photo is the latest taken - 30 Nov 2003
Cheers China.........the beers are on us. There will no doubt be many comments passed on this site entry. Please come back and visit again as we will post them all here for you to see......good and bad. Your details will be recorded by CPMH but not displayed. This section is to allow you to make your judgement on if we have been fair in exposing the truth. This is the area where you can have your say......not our guest book. THE CHINA HAMMAL COMMENTS SECTION -----Original Message----- -----Original Message-----
From: Navy Sent: Thursday, 25 December 2003 9:16 AM To: file@cpmh.net Subject: China & PERTH launch G'day Guys, Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
Here's a snippet and prediction . . . . .
Tenix in Williamstown have just sent out lots of invitations to the launch of PERTH(3), happening on Saturday 20th March 2004. Our dearest "friend" China would have received one, along wilt all PERTH Association members.
Here's my prediction . . . . . I'd almost bet that China will accept the invitation, and if he does, he'll "demand" money from the ANVVWA ("his" welfare association) to cover the cost of airfares and accommodation for at least himself, and possibly his partner. Reason to be given will be that since he is proposing to replicate the PERTH bells, the welfare association should pay for his attendance so he can personally make arrangements for the bell "donation".
Navy -----Original Message-----
From: Navy Sent: Friday, 26 December 2003 8:52 PM To: file@cpmh.net Subject: CHINA fellas what can I say? After what seems years the XXX fool has been nailed to the wall. There is a God! You do realise that China will bleat his innocence to anyone that will listen.
But he didn't reckon on the care factor. WE DON'T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!
regards
Navy
PS I have taken the liberty to forward that article on to the number of ex-members of the RAN who had the misfortune to serve with the XXX lying XXXXX XXXX.
Can I ring a friend?
-----Original Message----- regards
Navy -----Original Message----- Well the lies have been around for a long time and now we finally have the truth. There are a lot in the west who will have egg on their face once they read this entry. Well done CPMH. All us "real" veterans applaud you for your efforts. Do government departments read your site? If they do they should gather the facts, compare it to what they have on record and then conduct their own investigations as there is a lot more to this "bubblie" than you have shown here. Congratulations on getting his OAM removed too. He is not a worthy recipient of this award and if he had it, it would only belittle all those who have it or receive it in the future. It is now up to the veterans in WA to replace the plaque that displays his name with OAM after it..........the bill should be sent to China for its replacement. Navy
NB: CPMH were not responsible for the removal of the OAM award. This was taken up by concerned Veterans who, under their own steam ensured that the truth was known concerning this award. CPMH congratulates them for their concerns and attention to this matter.
-----Original Message-----
From: Navy Sent: Sunday, 28 December 2003 9:17 AM To: CPMH (Wannabe's) Subject: China As the advert' says....."I don't know how he can live with himself"
Thankyou CPMH, you've done a sterling job, I can only hope someone takes the ***** to court.
Regards
Navy
-----Original Message-----
From: Navy Sent: Sunday, 28 December 2003 10:45 PM To: file@cpmh.net Subject: Roque (china) Hammal To the instigator of this website. I am very concerned that your organisation has taken it upon itself to "expose" persons who you claim to be not entitled to wear the medals or have not served their country in the manner which appears to be supported by the official records of the military system and D.V.A.
I am also very well aquainted with China and can vouch for his support of the veteran community in general. I believe that I would be dead or very incapable of looking after myself or anyone else if I had not received some very genuine assistance from China.
I realise that there are many people who do pretend to be what they are not. These are usually detected very quickly and do not need the national publicity of your website to deter them from offending further once discovered.
In fact, I feel very sorry for those that feel they need to act out a role to which they probably could never have belonged.
Your insistence that China wears medals to which he is not entitled is one which should be referred to the Commonwealth Police if you have genuine information that this is the case. You do not have the authority to libel anyone, regardless of the "crime" you think they may have commited. That is exactly what you are doing and your website and its various connections are being investigated further to establish what charges may be brought against you personally and anyone else found to be linked to your site.
It would appear that this attempt to villify various individuals may be connected to your own shortcomings. Perhaps you would care to make personal contact with me through my e-mail address, I will be happy to let you "investigate" me, but I assure you, that I will be doing the same for you and anyone connected with you.
I will be seeking further information about you and will refer all found to the appropriate authorities.
Yours very sincerely,
Navy
-----Original Message----- Another error in your drivel is that HMS Tamar is not on Stonecutters island it is situated on Hong Kong Island . Please print only correct facts - this includes the facts regarding the wearing of commemorative medals and the length of navy diving courses. NB:....when one quotes facts one should check facts first. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/11/hong.kong/ -----Original Message----- To those of you at CPMH who have put China Hammal's name up in lights on your websight, and "exposed" him for not being entitled to wear the Vietnam Campaign Medal, you may want to start thinking about how you are going to pay the defamation suit that I hope he brings against you. The fact that not one of you have the guts to publicly state who you are, will not help you in the end. You will be exposed for the world to see and there are those of us who will ensure that your names are spread around, just as you have spread China's name. The difference between you and us, is that despite your so called criteria, we will do our homework properly and get it right before we name you. In your report on how investigations are done you claim that in the case of real veterans, they are always given the chance to cease and desist before publication. Just when did you contact China and give him this option? You didn't, and he would not have done so in any case. He doesn't have to prove anything to you anonymous cowards. Like the gutless wonders you are, you went ahead and published this litany of lies without even following your own guidelines and checking the facts. The people who have compiled the data on China have very conveniently changed things around to suit their own twisted ideas of what really transpired during his service in the RAN. Had they bothered to check the Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association (WA Inc) website, and clicked on to "Committee," they would have been able to read both his claims to wearing the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the OAM Story. There is ample proof there that shows he has been investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Commonwealth Fraud Squad, and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia WA Branch Inc, all of whom have verified his entiltlement to this medal. You claim that the Vietnamese Campaign Medal was awarded with the Queen's permission for 181 days continuous "Special Service" in Vietnam or adjacent waters. If you had done your homework, you would have known that no Australian navy ship served in adjacent waters off the coast of Vietnam for 181 continuous days during the Vietnam conflict. The four destroyers HMAS Perth, Hobart, Brisbane and Vendetta were deployed for periods in excess of six months from their home port of Sydney on their tours of duty, but they did not serve continuously on the Gunline for 181 days at any time. There must have been some other criteria for the awarding of this medal to RAN sailors. We know what it was, why don't you? As far as his commemorative medals are concerned, there is no law which says he cannot wear them wherever he likes once he becomes a civilian. Some ex service Associations have made their own rules about the wearing of these medals. The Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association (WA), of which China is the Honourable Chairman does not have any such regulations. If he chooses to wear them for whatever reason, that is his business, and neither you nor any other association has the right to say he cannot wear them. As someone already explained to you, despite your sarcastic remark of "yeah....right on," those of us who served on the logistic support ships, ie HMAS Sydney and her escorts, and were not real heros like yourselves had to fight for many years for recognition which was why some chose to wear commemorative medals. Had you bothered to do your checking on that fact, you would have known that to be true. The writer points out that China's real service in Vietnam consisted of 12 hours in Vietnamese waters on HMAS Swan, and produces a letter to back this up. Unfortunately this letter never mentions anything about the Swan being in Vietnamese waters during this "Operation Awkward," which by the way was a common operational name given to many exercises during my 20 years in the RAN. The letter mentions Thailand and Hong Kong but not Vietnam and gives no dates when this particular "Operation Awkward" took place. China has never claimed that he was a clearance diver in the RAN. He wore a cuff rate (badge) on his uniform to indicate that he was a ship's diver. Under no circumstances would he have been able to wear this badge and perform diving duties if he was not qualified to do so. As one of his Petty Officers on HMAS Perth in 1973, I distinctly remember that China was often required to perform diving duties (Bubblie) as opposed to Engineering duties (Stoker), and for that reason whilst on the Engineering Watchbill, most of his duties allowed him to be freed up quickly for diving duties if required. Your writer disputes China's claim that he served on HMS Danae for a period of time during the Vietnam conflict, and provides a website that lists the ships crew from 1967-71. A check of this website reveals that it primarily concerns HMS Danae's first commission from 1967-69, when it returned to the UK, and lists the crew for that period of time. It does not show any deployment details past October 2, 1969, which was before China enlisted in the RAN. China could very well have been posted to HMS Danae on temporary duties during his service and it would not necessarily show up in his Service Records. Since you guys are so clever and have access to everything, it should be a simple matter for you to cross reference HMS Danae's later deployments and those of the RAN ships China was on and see if you can match up anything. You might just be surprised. Many of these types of posting were logged only by confirmation signals between ships and c.c.'d to relevant authorities in Navy Office. During my time on HMAS Perth in 1981, I did temporary exchange duties with USS Charles F Adams for about five days in the Indian Ocean. This is not listed on my Service Records. My service records also do not indicate that whilst serving at sea, I was hospitalised at HMAS Penguin for a week on two occasions. This is confirmed by my medical records. In China's claim that he served at sea for a period of time, your writer is clutching at straws by stating that he served on "sea going ships" as opposed to being "at sea." In the RAN a person is posted either to shore or to sea. That the ship may not be underway, does not diminish the fact that a person is classified as being "at sea." by Navy Office. A special payment called Hard Laying Allowance was paid to all sailors serving on ships irrespective of whether the ship was actually underway or sitting in dry dock, and an extra two weeks leave per year was granted to these sailors to compensate for the fact that they were at sea and living in abnormal conditions compared to their counterparts on shore based postings. China's service record indicates that he spent an extraordinary amount of time at sea from April 1970 until December 1979. This is completely out of proportion to the normal sea/shore ratio for engineering sailors of his rank during that time, which was approximately two and a half years at sea followed by 18 months in a shore posting. It appears that his only shore time was taken to allow him to do the necessary courses required for further training and promotion. Perhaps your writer can explain this anomoly. It has already been shown that just because a person was posted to a ship, doesn't necessarily mean that he was actually on the ship for the full period of time without going elsewhere. China joined the RAN in October 1969, Saigon fell in 1975. China has stated he served for 12 years in the RAN, which involved 3 years in the Vietnam War. He has also stated he was sent to HMAS Parramatta during HMAS Perth's refit in Sydney and was on that ship during the fall of Saigon. Whilst Saigondid not actually fall until 1975, the writing was on the wall long before that time and the Americans had started a massive pull out. HMAS Parramatta was in Asian waters during that time when the Americans started to pull out of Vietnam. That is the period of time China refers to during his HMAS Parramatta sea service. Simply because a particular ship that he was on was not actually in Vietnamese waters has no bearing on where China might have been at any time during his service career. His claim is for 207 days in Vietnam. If you had bothered to check the movements of the ships he served on from 1970 until his return to HMAS Perth in May 1974, you might have realised that most of the times these ships were in Asian waters. Your writer conveniently supplied me with China's leave record for his period of 18 months service on HMAS Swan. He states that China had 90 days leave. RAN regulations would only have entitled him to 63 days for that length of time on a ship. So how did he manage to get an extra 27 days? Where was he, and when was this leave taken in relation to the ships movements? Your claim that an Able Seaman (ie China) would never have records classified "Secret" and be destroyed are also false. If you bothered to check the ANVVWA website there is a letter from the Department of Defence confirming that China's files namely, Postings/Transfers of Branch Files, Removals and Associated Allowances Files and Overseas Allowances Files were destroyed in 1990 and 1989 respectively. Why would an Able Seaman have these files destroyed? If there were nothing in these files that were not "Undicloseable," why were they destroyed? China's Service Rankings do not have any bearing on what he actually did or where he went at various times during his RAN career. This is what you people have not and cannot establish. You congratulate some Veterans for ensuring that China's OAM was rescinded. It is a pity that these small minded people didn't clean up their own backyards first. They live in glass houses, and shouldn't throw stones. China never asked for this award, and it was other Veterans who nominated him for it in the first place in appreciation for all he has done for the Veteran community, irrespective of which Service they served in.. He filled in the appropriate forms correctly and answered all questions asked of him honestly. It is only a few senile old fools in other Associations, jealous of China's standing in the community, who are trying to bring him down. This is known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome. If they really are that upset about his name and OAM post nominals appearing on the plaque, then let them replace it at their cost. The rest of us don't care. If it wasn't for China's efforts, the Monument to RAN Personnel who served and lost their lives in Vietnam would not even be there. He got off his arse and made it happen. China's mates will stand by him, and like him, we don't give a toss about you, or the rest of the backstabbers. You people have no right to set yourselves up as Judge, Jury and Executioners. If you believe you are correct in your assassination of China's character, then I challange all of you responsible for compiling and publishing these accusations to at least have the intestinal fortitude to put your names to the accusations. If you believe you have the proof, take it to the appropriate authorities for them to investigate properly. XXXXXX Ex RAN
Hammal has had his TPI Special Rate reinstated – this is a scandalous affair and a sad day for the veteran community
Chairman of the Australian Naval Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association (ANVVWA) Peter Denver has gleefully advised that China Hammal has had his TPI, Special Rate reinstated. Reinstatement has been verbally confirmed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and it is a sad day for truth, honesty and the integrity of Veterans everywhere. This is what Denver has written:
“Quite often I get asked how our Association founder is getting on these days. Those of you that know China Hammal are probably aware that there were people in the veteran community that did not like him, and complained to DVA that his status as a TPI was not based on service related conditions. These complaints resulted in DVA investigators coming to the conclusion that he was not entitled to his TPI pension, and subsequently took it off him. As a result of these malicious complaints from other veterans, he had no money, had been advised he had to repay over $230,000 to DVA, was unable to work, was reduced to handouts from charitable organizations, and was often on the very edge of giving up the will to live.
Those of us who knew the man, refused to accept the decision by the DVA investigators, and we stood along side him as mates. We supported and assisted him financially to survive, helped him to get his VRB Appeal together, and he finally had his day at the VRB in January 2008.
The VRB heard his appeal, and they accepted the evidence that China presented, that his claim was genuine. This was the same evidence, that China had advised the DVA investigators was available if they would look at it during their investigation. They did not do it. China won his appeal and his TPI status was restored. He received all the back pay that had been withheld. DVA have not lodged an appeal against the decision handed down by the VRB. What those people who call themselves veterans did to another veteran was unforgivable in my book. They are not worthy of the title veteran. The truth prevailed.
Peter Denver Chairman”
China Hammal was the founder of ANVVWA and was well known for his ability to “sell” pensions to his Pusser mates. “Just sign the blank application, tell China on which ships you served and he would conjure up all kinds of trauma stressors to get you the TPI Special Rate, and of course there was the donation to ANVVWA for services rendered.” There are many smiling ex Pussers in the Perth WA area who benefited greatly, but dishonestly from China’s legerdemain. After reading the original ANZMI reports on China you will understand that he was/is a thoroughly dishonest and unprincipled human being. Before China was re-instated an article in the ANVVWA Newsletter was included, begging for funds to “Bring China Back to Perth for ANZAC Day 2009”. Here is the article: HELPING A MATE Some of you may remember our Association founder China Hammal, and may be aware of the disgusting inquisition that he had to endure at the hands of DVA investigators in which he lost his TPI status as a result of complaints that were made against him by other veterans in the community, who for reasons best known to themselves decided that he was not entitled to his TPI. I am sure that those of you who know him are also aware that he won his case at the VRB, and his TPI was restored. Sadly there are still people out there who will not let it go, and they continue to hassle him about the medals he wears, which he believes he is entitled to wear, and which his detractors have never proved that he is not entitled to wear them. This has upset him so much that he no longer participates in Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, or ANZAC Day Services and the march in NSW where he now lives. A motion was put forward at our last Association meeting that we try and get China over here for ANZAC Day 2009. His financial situation is such that he cannot afford to pay his own way over here, as he is still trying to repay debts as a result of losing his TPI. It was agreed that we would try and raise the cost of his return airfare amongst ourselves. As such we have started a private fund raiser in the office called "China Hammal – ANZAC Day 2009." Please Note: No Association Funds will be used for this cause. Anyone who would like to help us get China over here for ANZAC Day 2009 so he can be with his mates on this important day in the veteran community, can send a donation to our office either by cheque or money order made out to Peter Denver our ANVVWA Chairman or Carole Matthews our ANVVWA Secretary. Please include a note saying it is for "China Hammal - ANZAC Day 2009", and not a donation to our Association. You will be issued with a receipt provided you include your return address, and the money will be kept in a private safe until we have sufficient to purchase his return airfare. Any money left over after purchasing his plane ticket, from the donations received will be given to China as a gift from his mates to help him out financially. In the event that this falls through, and he does not come over, you will be given a refund of your donation less any postage costs etc. Further details including amount raised, when and where you can catch up with him will be detailed in the March 2009 Newsletter. China helped a lot of people out there, and I'm sure that some of you would like to catch up with him again China Hammal and the ANVVWA must have a filing cabinet full of information about bogus DVA claims lodged from Hammal and his mates. It is guaranteed that there are many nervous Pussers from the area who would show great generosity and donate to China to keep him quiet. We urge honest veterans to express their dismay at the words and actions of Chairman Peter Denver and this ex RAN Welfare Association and also suggest to DVA, that during their idle time they recheck any DVA benefits claims handled by China Hammal and his mates. Once you know what to look for you may find many anomalies and make some smiles disappear from ANVVWA members. Like in the ANZMI case of Joe Brain (see here http://www.anzmi.net/brain/brain.html ) another crook walks away from DVA laughing. It is time the Australian Federal Police extended their bailiwick to include cases of DVA fraud. It is a simple fact that the current investigation section of DVA lack the expertise to bring to justice the clever major players involved in DVA fraud. We are reliably advised that a major ESO commanded from Western Australia was well aware of the nature of China’s operation of ANVVWA, however the potential for membership from the efforts of Hammal and his mob was obviously more important to them than honesty and ethics. Those who have knowledge about this issue are advised to come forward and advise either ANZMI at information@anzmi.net or DVA. DVA are urged to take action to appeal the Hammal VRB decision and again take away that which he has fraudulently gained. This is published in the public interest, particularly that of the Vietnam Veteran Community. All information presented here is fact and the truth. Reports from private citizens are supported by statements of fact and statutory declarations. |
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William John Watson McAULEY - Update Nov 19
**** William John Watson McAuley, was a commissioned officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 13th January 1976 until the 17th September 1976. Prior to that, he served part time, from April until October 1970 with the Army in the Citizens Military Forces. |
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He again joined the part time Army (then known as the Army Reserve) in 1982. Having served for eight months as a Navy Lieutenant, he transferred as an Army Reserve Captain into the Royal Australian Engineers and served almost his entire career with 6 Engineer Group and 22 Construction Regiment. Since enlistment in 1982 McAuley has never fully qualified for the rank of Captain. His service over 25 years was often broken and there are large periods of inactivity. In the early part of his career, he was in the Supplementary Reserve and only required to offer two weeks service each year. He was absent in some years and did not give continuous service. McAuley is conscious of his niche` in society and likes to flog his Navy and Military affiliations. Until recent times McAuley was a member of the prestigious Royal Society of Victoria where he had been registered as Capt. W.J.W. McAuley, BSc, MScp, KCT(Scot), KCSt.J, RFD, JP, FRGS, FAIE. As you will read, McAuley has no entitlement to the rank of Captain (retired) and no entitlement to the post nominals of RFD and JP. KCT(Scot) and KCSt.J are pseudo self endowed Knighthoods of dubious quality.
What is our “beef” with McAuley? McAuley insists on being addressed as "Captain", but does not put (Retired) after his name in correspondence. He talks about his naval career, thus giving people the impression he is a navy captain rather than an army captain. His lawyer recently sent a letter to the Royal Society of Victoria demanding that he be called Captain. As proof of his entitlement to be so addressed, the lawyer attached a letter which, according to the lawyer, came from the "Chief of Army, General Kim Isaacs". In fact it was from Ms Kim Isaacs, Chief of Staff of Warren Snowden, Minister for Defence. We believe that this was a deliberate attempt at fraud, rather than a silly mistake. Only Army Officers of the Rank of substantive Major and above are allowed to retain their rank as a title following the cessation of their commission. No Politician, Politicians Chief of Staff or Army General has the authority to change that regulation. It is also a fact that McAuley did not complete his qualifications for the Army rank of Captain and therefore his substantive rank was Lieutenant and in no way entitled to use the title of “Captain” after retirement. The Army finally got thoroughly sick of McAuley and terminated his commission. At the time of proceeding with his dismissal McAuley attempted to coerce his superior officers into promoting him to Major on the basis that if that happened “he would go quietly” Military authorities treated this demand with contempt. McAuley is an “Old boy” of Scotch College in Melbourne. In the Scotch College Newsletter of December 1997 McAuley’s service was listed as follows: “Lieutenant Bill McAuley joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1970. He was commissioned on the General List in Executive Branch and served in Her Majesty's Australian ships Vampire, Adroit and Supply. While with HMAS Supply, he took part in the Australian Bicentennial celebrations in the United States before his resignation in late 1978. He currently serves in the Australian Army Reserve as a captain in the Royal Australian Engineers. He installed the Royal Australian Navy Ensign he presented to Scotch.” This report can be read in full here: http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/Gscot/GSdec97/P16Rem.htm McAuley did not serve for eight years as reported he served for a less than auspicious, eight months, until he resigned his RAN commission. McAuley is also lying about serving as crew on the fighting ships HMAS Vampire and HMAS Adroit; in fact he was never listed as “crew” on any Navy ship at any time. Here is detail of his full Navy service The only “at sea” posting he had, was aboard HMAS Supply “Under Training” from 4 Jun 1976 to 9 Aug 1976. His other postings during his eight month career were, HMAS PENGUIN, HMAS WATSON AND HMAS CERBERUS these are all shore postings. Note that whilst he was on HMAS Supply he was listed as “Under Training”. Speaking of training McAuley failed the two courses relevant to his Navy employment. Here are his course results
Note that McAuley failed a Junior Officer’s Administration Course and an Instructor Officer Course. Considering his occupation at the time it is pleasing to note he passed “Swimming” and a couple of other “impossible to fail” courses. McAuley also “pulled” the Jordan manoeuvre (See Jordanhttp://www.anzmi.net/jordan/jordan.html) Read this extract from a report about McAuley: “During the ADF deployment to East Timor Bill got a lift to Dili through uncertain means and apparently appeared there in uniform. Bill tried to Redress the fact that he had not received his Active Service Medal and East Timor clasp. The record shows that Bill was never on the list of Deployed Members, he was at best a visitor for a period of about three days. The claim that he was there at the behest of the Commander Land Command Engineers (Colonel xxxxxx at that time) has never been supported. In Bill's claim I read the reports that were to justify his 'deployment'. The reports were high school geography coverage on the general terrain and water supply of the island. Any reasonable atlas of the area would I believe provide more detail and accuracy that I found in these reports." Even though McAuley “appeared” in East Timor pretending to have been sent there, he had the temerity to apply for a Defence Housing Loan on the basis of his three days East Timor unofficial service. When he was “knocked back” by Defence Housing he lodged a complaint through the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans’ Association, (APPVA) who included McAuley’s false claim to an Australian Government Senate Committee hearing: This is what was said about McAuley by the APPVA Submission to the Senate Hearing Committee of Australia’s Involvement in Peacekeeping Operations dated 20 March 2007. "Recordkeeping of personnel movements 23.19 The APPVA also identified a situation, which it considered as not isolated, where a specialist performing a specific task in an area classified as warlike service was not eligible for relevant benefits.18 It cited the case of Captain McAuley, who has been denied an ADF entitlement of a subsidised housing loan under the ADF Home Loan Scheme.19 He was an active reservist who conducted a risk assessment of a water supply for INTERFET troops and provided geological advice about a section of damaged road. The classification of his trip is central to the dispute between him and Defence. Defence understands that he was classified as a visitor and not ’force assigned, which means that he is not deemed eligible to access benefits to those recognised as providing operational service in East Timor’." Further reports from senior Army management describe McAuley as follows: “He is a bully when it comes to dealing with women and those he can fool with his airs of superiority. He craves attention and desperately wants to be a Major (the lowest rank he would be entitled to use followed by (rtd)), and any other post nominal he can confer upon himself. he was a JP in the state of Victoria, his address in Victoria was that of a friend as Defence records showed him living in southern NSW. The issue here is that Victorian JPs have to actually live in Victoria. I understand that Bill is no longer listed as a JP by the Attorney General's Department. As he is no longer a serving member he is not entitled to call himself Captain or CAPT (rtd) which would suggest CAPT RAN. He is not entitled to wear medal or claim the post nominal RFD, if he does he is a fraud and breaking the law”. The photograph below shows McAuley all done up as an Army Captain and being named Captain McAuley at a Royal Societies of Australia Dinner on the 2 February 2008. The caption with the photograph says Capt Bill McAuley RSV and President RSA. The term RSV refers to him being President of the Royal Society Victoria and RSA is the Royal Societies of Australia. McAuley is no longer a member of the RSV as he has been expelled following allegations of harassment and bringing the Society into disrepute.
It is of interest to note that McAuley set up and registered the Royal Societies of Australia (RSA), then just like an African General announced himself as President for life. The RSA is a doomed organization because of its undemocratic nature with Dictator “Captain” McAuley at the helm. The “RFD” referred to in the Senior Army Management Report is the Reserve Forces Decoration (RFD) that McAuley has used as a post nominal as late as 2008 It appears he conned his way into being issued that medal until he was found out. He was sent a letter from Honours and Awards demanding the return of the RFD for destruction in February 2004, he had not returned it as at April 2009. McAuley also “conned” from Honours and Awards an Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) with East Timor clasp. Following an audit by Honours and Awards he was found to be not eligible for the medal and it was cancelled on cancellation schedule 287/05, and he was ordered to return the medal - which he did on 10 Feb 2005. More McAuley information from military senior management “I have formed the opinion that Bill McAuley is either a borderline personality or a workplace psychopath. I know that Bill has a 'Walter Mitty' view that he is right and its only the rest of the world that is out of step. He is a bully when it comes to dealing with women and those he can fool with his airs of superiority. He craves attention and desperately wants to be a Major (the lowest rank he would be entitled to use followed by (rtd)), and any other post nominal he can confer upon himself”. McAuley uses the title Captain to indicate he is a retired Defence Force Officer. Only retired Navy Captains have the privilege of using that title. McAuley is well known for alluding to his Navy service when using the title “Captain”. McAuley failed as a Navy officer and resigned his commission after eight months of which six months was spent at shore bases and two months “Under Training” on board HMAS Supply. He held the rank of Lieutenant but was never qualified for the rank. His service as a part time Army Officer was also flawed and he never completed examinations for his rank. His Army commission was terminated by Army Management. According to all evidence to hand McAuley was a very poor example of an officer of the Australian Defence Force and because of his skills as a con man and a bully has avoided confrontation until now. For all of the reasons listed above we present William John Watson McAuley as a wannabe.
Updated 13th May 2010 Update - William John Watson McAuley of Woomboota, Southern New South Wales Further evidence that McAuley likes to “Dress up” and desperately wants to be seen as a returned serviceman is to hand. Here is a new photograph of McAuley with a St John’s “bauble” around his neck which – in his mind – makes him a Knight of some play group or other, in addition, he is wearing couple of miniature medals one is the International Year of the Volunteer Medal the other UK Voluntary Medical Service Medal. Both of these are just pretend medals worn by poseurs,
The next photo is of medal ribbons that McAuley had stuck to the back window of his car so that people may recognize him as a returned Veteran. Which he is not.
The medals are a mixed bag as follows; International Force East Timor: No entitlement A civilian self purchased St John’s Medal: Self purchased bauble Defence Long Service Medal: No entitlement Australian Defence Medal: No entitlement UK Voluntary Medical Service Medal: Self purchased bauble International Medal of the Volunteer Medal: Self purchased bauble A study of McAuley’s very short failed Navy career and his long and ineffectual Army Reserve career shows that McAuley always wanted to be seen as a military veteran in the higher strata of society, but he never understood that it takes a lot of work and dedication to earn real medals. Attending dinners and smoking cigars is simply not enough. Updated 31st Aug 2010 William John McAuley – Update – Society charmer. In recent times McAuley has been spotted at a Toorak, Melbourne soiree wearing seven medals and what looks like a ribbon with no medal. Before we cropped it, the photograph showed McAuley charming a group of Toorak belles with dulcet tones and his medals hanging out. We make no claims about the dulcet tones, even though he is reported as having a lot to say about his Navy and Army “career”, however we advise McAuley to stop wearing medals to which he has no entitlement and stop exaggerating his Navy and Military service.
McAuley has not earned the medals he wears and Melbourne society is well aware of his burning desire to be seen as a war Veteran and the recipient of numerous medals when in fact his Navy and Military Service were both less than auspicious and non medal producing. McAuley’s antics will be observed and reported, until he learns that he is not welcome in ex Service circles wearing fake medals. This is published in the public interest, particularly that of the Vietnam Veteran Community. All information presented here is fact and the truth. Reports from private citizens are supported by statements of fact and statutory declarations. |
Rysdale
Rysdale Update December, 2019.
Alex Rysdale from Picton New South Wales is a complete nutter and a fraud. Following his exposure on the ANZMI site years ago, as a complete military imposter, liar and false pretender, he now claims that he has suddenly found proof of his Australian military service. Well that certainly took some time. Usually, you just send an email to the Department of Defence and you receive an answer within days. The alternative is producing your Discharge Certificate when requested like all genuine servicemen and women do. No problems – Service proven.
But no, not our jungle fighting machine hero Rysdale. It took him years to discover his records. (Most imposters state that their records are hidden by the Government due to the dark secret missions they were ordered to carry out.) .
Anyway, below is a text dated 7 December, 2019, that he entered on the Picton Anzac Day Committee Face Book page.. Rysdale was a member of this committee until it was discovered that all his statements about his service with Special Air Service (SAS) in the deep steamy jungles of Vietnam were absolute rubbish and a figment of his imagination.
He must have impressed his family, friends and new fiancee, but certainly did not impress genuine Australian Defence Force veterans in Picton who reported him to ANZMI.
Alex Rysdale to Picton Anzac Day Committee
7 December 2019 at 16:49 ·
My name is Alex Rysdale and I bet you won't read this in the Wollondilly Advertiser. I have been vilified and disgraced, my family subjected to all sorts of torment and I have been refused job opportunities. This rag that is called a paper and one that should print the truth has allowed a young reporter, (Name deleted by ANZMI) to be sucked in by an organisation that is in itself based on lies and deceit. This so-called organisation is called ANZMI. They claim to be the guardian angels of the Australian Defence Force and name and shame military imposters by publishing details and in a lot of cases total lies about actual Veterans or strongly worded criticism for very minor infringements. They also claim never to have made a mistake, never caused a suicide or severe mental health in ACTUAL VETERANS. Well, I am here to tell everyone that these faceless nameless men are nothing but cowards and are too scared to publish themselves or their real names let alone the truth. How can anyone believe anything that comes from them if they themselves are too ashamed to stand up and be counted. They say they are all Veterans, if so then prove it as you have asked so many others to do!!!. The Wollondilly Advertiser printed a retraction of my story, believing instead the cowards of ANZMI.
After a long and arduous journey and thanks to a great DVA Advocate I now have THE PROOF OF MY SERVICE.
I am happy to show this to (Name deleted by ANZMI) at any time. I do however think it a real shame that a reporter would not investigate the allegations and the people who make them before destroying peoples lives.
Rysdale is responsible for his own demise. He has told so many lies to people that he has lost sight of reality. There is no record of Rysdale ever serving in the Australian Defence Force. None.
Rysdale has been invited to send all his new found service information to ANZMI. However he has declined to provide -;
1. His service number.
2. When he served.
3. What SAS Unit he served with.
4. Where he served.
5. His Date of Discharge.
6. His overseas active service postings.
We hope that this is the last that we hear of Rysdale. If you know Rysdale, ask to view his Discharge Certificate or Certificate of Australian Army Service. He will no doubt tell you it is all hush hush and he cannot further comment.
Please send his responses to enquiries@anzmi.net We look forward to your responses.
*****
It seems that a lot of military imposters exposed on the ANZMI website are pursuing their one moment of glory in their lifetime. Something to impress their immediate family, fiancées, close friends and the wider community in general.
Alex Rysdale, born about 1951 of Tahmoor (near Picton) NSW, is typical of this type of imposter.
Rysdale is a disgrace and an embarrassment to the veteran community. He should hang his head in shame. He is a low life individual who has stolen the valour of all those brave men, who fought and died in the Vietnam War. He insinuates that he was a member of Special Forces, "in a Squad of six."
He is an outright liar without honour or integrity.
Rysdale gave an in-depth interview to an unsuspecting Journalist from the Wollondilly Advertiser, about his heroic deeds as a Special Forces operative in the Australian Army, whilst he was fighting in the jungles of South Vietnam in 1969.
The below story was published on the 6 November, 2017 in that newspaper and also in the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser, shortly after.
Everything stated by Rysdale that appears in bold italics in this article is a lie. He has never served.
WOLLONDILLY
ADVERTISER
NOVEMBER 6 2017 - 11:06AM
Vietnam veteran faces horrors of war
• Ashleigh Tullis
Tahmoor's Alex Rysdale is a member of the Picton Anzac Day Committee but wants nothing to do with the government or RSLs because of the way veterans were treated after the Vietnam War. Picture: Chris Lane
I did become an animal.”
Tahmoor’s Alex Rysdale continues to live with the nightmares and horrors of fighting in the Vietnam War.
At 18 years old he enlisted in the Australian armed forces and was sent to Vietnam in 1969.
“I was a soldier,” he said. “I fought my way through the war both physically and mentally.”
Mr Rysdale still struggles with what war made him do.
“You change,” he said. “You become an animal. You do things that are worse than anything an animal can do.
“The hardest part is when I came back into the world and nobody cared.
“We didn’t have the camaraderie in the outside world.
“The hard part is remembering. I don’t want to remember and I keep away from the triggers.”
Mr Rysdale went into the army after completing his apprenticeship as a typewriter mechanic.
In 1969 he started his basic training and was named the cadet of the year. He trained in Western Australia and Queensland before being sent to Vietnam.
“Our squad went on patrols, looked for tunnel networks and cleared them out,” the veteran said.
“We were called to hunt down a sniper and take him out.
“We were to spot the enemy’s troop movements. Our squad of six would come up against 200 North Vietnamese Army troops and we would have to fight our way out.”
Mr Rysdale recalls one particular time when he thought he would die.
“We were asleep in a shallow grave and were covered in leaves to hide ourselves,” he said.
“There was a trail 10 metres to the left. I could hear them because the ground was vibrating.
“Three hundred North Vietnamese Army troops walked past us.
“Somehow we weren’t spotted.”
Alex Rysdale still lives with the scars from his service. Picture: Chris Lane
Mr Rysdale was evacuated from Vietnam in 1970.
“I was shot and blown up at the same time,” he said.
“I was hiding behind a tree when we were out on patrol looking for troop movements.
“Three in our squad were killed.”
Mr Rysdale was taken to Germany then to Sydney to the Concord Repatriation Hospital.
“After I got out of hospital I was walking through the city and there was a construction site,” he said.
“A worker was using a jackhammer and I hit the ground and started screaming like a lunatic.
“Someone kicked me and told me to go to a shelter because he thought I was drunk.
“People will never understand what we went through.”
Mr Rysdale suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and said he can “just snap” at times.
“I wake up screaming at night.” he said. “Doctors can put a name on it but I think the nightmares are my own shame about what I did over there.”
Mr Rysdale said he has never really talked about his time during the Vietnam War.
The way he was treated after the war was why he never wanted anything to do with Returned Service Leagues or the government.
“I remember how badly we were treated by people back home,” he said.
“One time I was on rest and recuperation and I was so excited to have a home cooked meal by mum and get hugs and kisses from my family.
“As soon as I got off the plane I had eggs and tomatoes thrown at me and I was called a baby killer.
“I turned straight around and flew back to Bangkok.
“To this day I have never heard one of the idiots put their hand up and say they were really sorry.
“Our government didn’t recognise Vietnam as a war and that meant the guys were not given the rights and recognition they deserved for a long time.”
A wreath laid at the centenary ceremony during Remembrance Day at Picton Memorial Park. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis
Mr Rysdale is the last member of his squad and was very close with his fellow soldiers.
“I loved those blokes,” he said.
“We didn’t see each other often but I still thought about them.
“During the war we had so much fun as a whole group because we were a tight knit unit of six guys.
“So when only three of us came back with scars from being mentally wounded and abused, it didn’t seem right to have fun because it wasn’t with everybody in the group.
“If we would catch up at a funeral then we would buy six beers. One beer each for guys who didn’t come back and one for us.
“I think that was a fitting way to remember them.”
Mr Rysdale said he did not go to Remembrance Day or Anzac Day ceremonies until last year when he was asked to lay a wreath.
He is a member of the Picton Anzac Day Committee and helps man fundraising stalls, sets up for the ceremonies and is a part of the committee’s discussions but otherwise does not want to attend the ceremonies.
Mr Rysdale does however have a lot of admiration for the committee and what they have created in the Picton Memorial Park.
“Personally I think (name deleted) should be knighted for his hard work, dedication and the time he has put into helping veterans and the committee,” he said. (End of Article)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rysdale is a grandstander. We wonder what he has told his immediate family and brand new fiancée. We know that he told the Committee of the Picton Anzac Day Committee (PADC) that he was a Vietnam Veteran. With that background, he was accepted immediately as a committee member. When asked why he never wore his Vietnam medals on Anzac Days, he replied to the Committee “that the originals were mounted in a frame on his wall at home and that he did not have a set of replica medals".
Rysdale’s name does not appear on the Department of Veteran’s Affairs - Vietnam Nominal Roll - It is accurate. His name also does not appear on the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) Association record of former members. His name also does not appear on any other documentation held at the National Archives of Australia for military service in any branch of the Australian Defence Force.
Rysdale is a pathetic individual who has placed himself out there in the public domain as a War Hero. He is nothing of the sort and should be shunned by the people in his home town of Tahmoor, New South Wales.
We sent Rysdale a request, giving him an opportunity to explain his extraordinary claims of heroic Vietnam War Army service, his enlistment and discharge dates, Army service number and his Unit.
He replied stating that - "I have spoken with the reporter at the advertiser and onformed (sic) her of my opinion on this. You dont know me and never will. You think that in this particular instance you are doing the right thing. I agree with what you do is great but not this time. I am not happy to continue this as per your demands and and have resigned from the Anzac committee. All this has done is cause me the utmost pain. Please talk with Ashley and she will be happy to discuss this with you".
Regards
Alex Rysdale
Any pain being suffered by Rysdale, is due the the fact that he knows that he has been well and truly caught out as a military imposter and valour thief..
Rysdale has committed an offence under the provisions of the Defence Act 1903 Part V11, Section 80A - Falsely representing himself to be a returned soldier.
DEFENCE ACT 1903 (EXTRACTS) The following extracts from the Defence Act 1903 apply to honours and awards:
80A Falsely representing to be returned soldier, sailor or airman
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person represents himself or herself to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman; and
(b) the representation is false.
Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
ANZMI have notified the local authorities.
The last we heard, the Wollondilly Advertiser is publishing an update of the original story shortly.
The update should read a little differently and will be factual.
Sardon aka INIESTA
UPDATE DECEMBER 2019: Matthew James SARDON
Our forever watchful friends, advise that SARDON has adopted a new name.
He is now Matthew James INIESTA.
SARDON aka INIESTA is a recidivist conman, who uses false military documents for fraudulent monetary and emotional gain.
Any person now checking the name INIESTA will be referred to SARDON, where all that we know of him is listed.
SARDON aka INIESTA has created his own predicament by falsely claiming to have served as a Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) corporal and used falsified documents to "prove" his claims.
We hope that SARDON aka INIESTA realizes the hurt he has caused, and ceases to be a fraud and a wannabe. Should he choose to do so, we will be happy to publish his apology.
In the meantime beware of SARDON aka INIESTA.
******
Matthew James SARDON - UPDATE JULY 2019
Matthew James Sardon is a recidivist liar and wannabe who has moved from Western Australia to now reside Edithvale, Melbourne Victoria.
Sardon still has the guile of a snake and the morals of an ally cat, he strikes wherever he can find a vulnerable target. He then extols his disgraceful lies about his less than auspicious military service as described in our original exposure.
A soldier's record is now referred to as his PMKeys file. Each soldier is allocated a unique PMKeys number that identifies him throughout his career. Sardon has created a false PMKeys military document falsely and unscrupulously reflecting exceptional accomplishments as an elite Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) Corporal.
Here are excerpts from the fake document:
Once again we offer a warning, that although Sardon is debonair, handsome and claims to be a war damaged veteran, he is nothing like that. In reality he is a failed soldier, a wannabe, valour thief and medals cheat, whose intentions are dishonest and immoral.
As long as Sardon spreads is vile false persona, we will record his movements and his actions.
****
Mathew Sardon enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on the 1 June, 2012. Following initial training, he was posted to 4 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery as an observer
Sardon is a classic military imposter. He is a wannabee, valour thief and medal cheat.
He is also a failed soldier who never deployed outside Australia during his 2 years and 8 months in the ARA. He subsequently transferred to the Australian Army part time Reserves, (ARes), where his services were terminated in June 2016.
Yet, to look at his impressive rack of medals, anyone would naturally conclude that he is/was a highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force, who has been deployed on dangerous war like service.
In the below photographs, Sardon wears the following medals -;
1. Australian Active Service Medal with two clasps - Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. Afghanistan Medal
3. Iraq Medal.
4. Australian Defence Medal.
5. NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Medal. Operation Slipper, Afghanistan.
Above his medals he is wearing the -;
6. Australian Infantry Combat Badge. (ICB)
7. The Australian Returned from Active Service Badge. (RASB)
Sardon is not entitled to wear any of the medals or the two badges mentioned above.
He has purchased the entire lot to fraudulently represent himself to others that he is the real deal, a returned veteran with an impressive Australian Defence Force career. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In the below exchange, Sardon infers that he is deployed on warlike service with United States Marines. It seems that this imposter will resort to any means available to maintain a façade to others about his false military service.
We have statements that Sardon did not complete one bush training exercise during his limited regular Army service, due to his unsuitability to Army life.
Not everyone is suited to the harsh realities of Australian Defence Force service, and ANZMI is not critical of Sardon’s inability to carry out his allotted field duties.
However, ANZMI is critical of Sardon’s poor decisions to embellish his service and create a false military history to gain benefits and undeserved recognition, by stealing the valour of others who have “done the hard yards”
Due to his dishonest and illegal behaviour, Mathew Sardon has now gained deserved recognition on this site.
Sardon has committed offences under the Defence Act 1903, Sections 80A and 80B.
(Falsely representing himself to be a returned soldier and improper use of service decorations.).
ANZMI will continue to ferret out these imposters for as long as they offend, and for as long as we have the support of the Australian and New Zealand veteran community and the general public.
Bettison
Luke Kevin Bettison is a current member of the New South Wales Police Force and is stationed in Sydney. He has recently been promoted to Sergeant from his former rank of Leading Senior Constable.
Bettison performs duty at NSW Police funerals and at other NSW Police ceremonial occasions as a Protocol Officer when required.
The above photographs depict Bettison performing the duty of a Protocol Officer at a Police funeral in 2018.
He wears the following medals.
1. Afghanistan Medal. Not entitled. Purchased.
2. Iraq Medal. Not entitled. Purchased.
3. Australian Defence Medal. Not entitled. Purchased.
You will notice that Bettison is not wearing the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) with two clasps. Iraq and ICAT (ICAT - International Coalition Against Terror) The AASM is a pre-requisite for the wearing of Australian Active Service campaign medals and ribands. If genuine, Bettison would be wearing the AASM as the first medal on his rack, followed by the three purchased medals he displays. An example of the AASM, with a clasp, appears below.
Bettison has claimed that he served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years on HMAS Tobruk and was awarded medals for Iraq and Afghanistan deployments.
Inquiries with relative Military Associations concluded that Bettison has never served in the Australia Defence Force, let alone having deployed on active service to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is not entitled to any of the three medals that he wears.
As a Protocol Officer in the NSW Police Force, he sets a very bad example by purchasing unearned medals from the internet or Medal Dealers, and fraudulently wearing them on his Police uniform at ceremonial occasions. He lacks credibility and integrity.
Bettison was contacted on two occasions, and offered an opportunity to explain his wearing of Australian Military Awards on his NSW Police uniform. He declined to respond on both occasions.
Bettison has committed offences under the Defence Act 1903, Section 80A -;
DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 80A
Falsely representing to be returned soldier, sailor or airman
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person represents himself or herself to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman; and
(b) the representation is false.
Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) returned soldier means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Military Force raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire, or as a member of the Military Forces of any Ally of Great Britain;
(b) returned sailor means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Naval Force raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire, or as a member of the Naval Forces of any Ally of Great Britain; and
(c) returned airman means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Air Force, air service or flying corps raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire or as a member of the air forces of any Ally of Great Britain.
and 80B -;
DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 80B
Improper use of service decorations
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person wears a service decoration; and
(b) the person is not the person on whom the decoration was conferred.
Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
However, we are aware that the NSW Police Force is reluctant to pursue these matters through the Courts for some reason. Other States take action where appropriate. Bettison’s recruitment application should be checked to ascertain if any other offences have been committed, prior to his acceptance for service in the NSW Police.
Bettison joins other NSW Police Force colleagues on this website, who have also fraudulently worn un-entitled Australian Military Awards on their Police uniforms..
See -;
anzmi.net/Darrin Hooper - http://www.anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/valour-thieves/741
anzmi.net/Darryl Kennedy - http://www.anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/medal-cheats/722-kennedy-1
Ashcroft
Cristine or Crissy Ashcroft was born on the 12 July, 1966. Ashcroft had three years Australian Army Reserve service from 1998 to 2001, when she then discharged. She again enlisted in the Australian Army Reserves in November, 2004, and was eventually posted to the RAAPC .
Ashcroft subsequently transferred to continuous full time duty with the Australian Army in the RAAPC in 2008, and subsequently to the Australian Regular Army in 2010.
In late 2009, Ashcroft was deployed to Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) Afghanistan, as a member of the Royal Australian Army Pay Corps, (RAAPC) attached to 1 Commando Regiment, Operation Slipper. Her position was Finance Clerk, Corporal RAAPC, a sedentary role. She was based at Camp Russell.
Ashcroft's duties consisted of financial and clerical administration. By all reports, her allotted duties in that role in Afghanistan were satisfactory. Her deployment was for six months and Ashcroft returned home in mid 2010.
During the entire time on Afghanistan deployment, Ashcroft left the Camp Russell SOTG base on one occasion and travelled by helicopter to a village with her Commanding Officer. They attended a Shura meeting with Afghanistan locals.
The village had previously been secured by members of 1 Commando Regiment and was considered safe.
During the three hours that Ashcroft and her Commanding Officer were absent from the base and attending the meeting, nothing of a controversial or war like nature occurred. The village was defended by armoured vehicles and at least 200 Afghanistan National Army Soldiers (ANA). Following the uneventful meeting, they returned by helicopter to the SOTG base.
Ashcroft's deployment to Afghanistan concluded in June, 2010 and she returned to Australia as a member of the RAAPC. She continued her Army service in the RAAPC until October 2016. Ashcroft sustained no physical injuries in Afghanistan.
In 2016, well after Ashcroft’s return to Australia, she medically discharged from the Australian Army, due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which related to a subsequent post Afghanistan personal family incident that occurred in Australia.
Her entire Afghanistan operational deployment was uneventful. During the deployment Ashcroft only left the SOTG base on the one occasion mentioned.
Since Ashcroft’s return to Australia, a number of events have occurred that have given rise to a public perception that Ashcroft was an operational soldier fighting with “Australian Commando Special Forces”. In addition, that Ashcroft was “the first Australian female soldier to fight outside the wire”.
From the 4th to 12th May, 2016, Ashcroft attended the Invictus Games, Orlando, USA, where she competed in swimming and weightlifting as an Australian “wounded warrior.”
On the 15 May, 2016, whilst still a serving soldier, Ashcroft appeared in Army uniform on Australian television in a program called “The Voice,” where she gave details about her Afghanistan service, stating to one of the judges that “I still see things that I can’t unsee and they will be with me forever. I want my war to be over.”
Excerpt from The Voice write up International Business Times – The Voice by Arlene Paredes. 16 May, 2016. (Source IBT)
Crissy Ashcroft, 49 (as of 2017), is a war veteran who served actively for 13 years. She suffered serious injuries in her last duty, rendering her unable to continue working in the military. She got emotional while looking back to her time in Afghanistan. Despite being diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), Crissy is looking forward with optimism. Her war is over, she said. And she’s on “The Voice” to inspire former military personnel to pursue other things in case their service has ended, too.
Excerpt from 2017 MTV Awards, titled “HAS THE VOICE FOUND THE AUSSIE SUSAN BOYLE? (Source MTV Awards publication.)
Nick Bond.
SUNDAY’S episode of The Voice delivered one of the most emotional moments of the season when 49-year-old war veteran and aspiring performer Crissy Ashcroft took to the stage.
For Ashcroft, who has spent 13 years in the army and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, the aftershocks of life in a war zone meant even making it to her audition was a battle.
“This morning, getting myself here to this stage has been a really hard road. So many times I said, ‘I can’t do this’,” she admitted. Fighting back tears, Ashcroft revealed that when she deployed to Afghanistan, she “saw things I can’t unsee, and they’ll be with me forever.”
Returning home, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I have triggers — If I see a car backfire, I’ll just hit the deck, which looks kind of strange in the middle of Sydney.”
Excerpt from the Daily Mail Australia 20 May, 2016, by Megan Pustetto.
War veteran Chrissy Ashcroft, who delivered a powerful rendition of Cold Chisel's When The War is Over on Sunday, has told more about her on-going fight with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
The rosy-cheeked singer, who developed the anxiety disorder after witnessing harrowing scenes while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, told WHO magazine: 'Every day for me to get out of the house is a battle.'
• The 49-year-old went on to explain that simple tasks like leaving the home and getting dressed every day she 'can't do any more.'
•
• What she witnessed during her time as a soldier, she says, left scarred and triggered the mental disorder typically involving disturbed sleep and constant vivid recall of an often traumatic experience.
She told the publication the crippling attacks were a 'bit like alcohol.' (Source Daily Mail Australia.)
Perhaps, one of the most compelling descriptions of her Afghanistan service was in a document titled – “WHEN THE WAR IS OVER.” -
the literary content attributed to a close friend, Ms. Kay Danes, whose name appears at the foot of the document. The article was posted on the Penrith (Sydney) Returned and Services League of Australia (R&SL) Website.
Ashcroft was also appointed an Ambassador for the Womens Veterans Network Australia (WVNA). Her personal profile appears below –
On her return from the 2016 Orlando Invictus Games, Ashcroft was also appointed the Australian Ambassador for the October, 2018 Invictus Games to be held in Sydney, Australia.
She also receives payment from Claxton Speakers International, who manage public speaking engagements for their listed personnel. Her profile appears below -
CLAXTON SPEAKERS INTERNATIONAL.
Cris Ashcroft is a former Australian Special Forces support soldier, and the first female frontline soldier to fight 'outside the wire' in Afghanistan. Her careers in international sports, and as an Australian Federal Police officer and most recently part of the Australian Invictus Games team and a performer on "The Voice" have brought her in touch with such a range of experiences and people, she can't easily be categorised.
Her defining career is as an, elite Special Forces support soldier, which took its toll with traumatic experiences leading to physical injuries and Chronic PTSD - which is the enemy she fights today. As an athlete, a singer a soldier and a survivor, Cris tells the story of a girl growing up who didn't fit in, but allowed her goals to drive her forward and obstacles out of the way.
She takes audiences to the terrifying frontline of enemy engagement in Afghanistan, with raw honesty and authenticity, and brings them home again to deal with the aftermath, in a positive and inspiring way. Cris's successful appearances on "The Voice" where she sang "When the War is Over", and her selection and participation at the Invictus Games, brought her to international recognition as a respected and decorated soldier with a voice that must be heard. Cris speaks with passion and integrity, and also with dry, irreverent Aussie sense of humour. She enlightens and inspires, bringing hope to everyone who faces challenges in their lives.
We contacted a Claxton Speakers International representative, who informed ANZMI that Ashcroft’s fee to speak at a public or private gathering on the nominated topic is $7,000 Australian dollars plus GST.
Following the above media publications and comments attributed to Ashcroft, ANZMI received numerous communications from former Australian Army personnel, who have stated that Ashcroft’s claims are lies and have been invented to promote her 2018 Invictus Games Ambassador profile, an upcoming vocalist recording contract, and as a prospective author of book offers.
We then requested and received sworn statutory declarations and statements from former Australian Army 1Commando Regiment personnel, and others, who know Ashcroft, and have refuted her claims of “being the first female Australian soldier to fight outside the wire.” and of being blown up in a Bushmaster vehicle.
The Statutory Declarations and statements from these former personnel, state that , inter alia-,
Witness 1. (Served on same deployment as Cristine Ashcroft in Afghanistan.)
* Christine Ashcroft was employed throughout the rotation as a pay clerk and never deployed with any of the commando field elements (FE) or Teams. She was never in the front line, never came under fire, never came face to face with the enemy, never was employed to question or search females in compounds and has no right to be making the false claims she is, in regards to her service in Afghanistan.
* Christine Ashcroft never suffered any injuries as a member of the Australian Defence Force, all of her recorded injuries are as a result of her participation in sport all of which occurred prior to her enlistment.
* Nothing untoward happened in the pay office or anywhere within Camp Russell where she was stationed.
* On one occasion Ashcroft and the Commanding Officer SOTG left Camp Russell and flew by helicopter to a meeting with locals in a 100% secure location. They remained at this meeting for approximately 3 hours and returned by helicopter to Camp Russell. During this entire time, there was no enemy action. The location of the meeting was secured by a commando company with armoured vehicles and up to 200 ANA soldiers. Once again, I reiterate, there was no enemy action, no shooting, no bombing, no fighting of any kind all very peaceful and quiet.
* Whilst in Afghanistan Ashcroft never made any comments or claims that she was injured, unwell or not coping with the deployment.
* Christine Ashcroft has and still is falsely representing Australia and The Invictus Games as a wounded warrior and is continuing to gain financially as a result of her false claims and deceitful lies regarding her service.
Witness 2.
She (Ashcroft) has stated the following to me-;
* She claimed to have delivered a teenage Afghan’s stillborn baby.
* She claimed to have conducted patrols with 1CDO “outside the wire” and was involved in gun fights. (She told me this on numerous occasions)
* She claimed that she was in a Bushmaster that was hit by an IED (Improvised explosive device), where she sustained hearing issues eye and shoulder issues.
* She claimed that she interrogated women over there.
* On her Face book Page, Crissy Ashcroft, she has photos of her in Afghanistan. One photo that she was in the hills of Afghanistan. *
* The photo was taken at the range.
Witness 3.
* At the 2017 World Championship Para Lifting she walked onto the stage with one crutch. She was asked why all of a sudden she needed crutches. She stated, “I need the crutches because I am extremely unbalanced because of my hearing. I was blown up by an IED in Afghanistan where a plate of the Bushmaster was blown off and hit me”. She then got on the weightlifting bench, did her minimal 60 kg lift then proceeded off stage with the crutch in her other arm. “This totally confused us, as she states clearly she has shoulder injuries. Now the Para Games for weightlifting was completely filmed and is on You Tube.”
* She later informed us that doing the show “The Voice”; it was a tough decision which judge to choose. She stated that she is getting a recording contract and has begun writing songs for her album.
Witnesses 4 and 5. (Both served on same deployment as Cristine Ashcroft in Afghanistan.)
* She never went on any field trips (in Afghanistan) like she claims.
* Crissy most definitely and I REITERATE STRONGLY, Crissy Ashcroft NEVER NEVER went anywhere near a front line, she NEVER EVER came under any enemy fire and CERTAINLY NEVER EVER come face to face with any enemy under fire.
* Crissy didn’t fight outside the wire so the claim she was the first female to fight outside the wire is incorrect and puts to shame the actual female that was.
* She was never ordered to question any female detainee.
* The photos of her holding a weapon are at the weapons firing range.
* Her injuries were sustained outside of the military within her sports of triathlons. She had a shoulder reconstruction prior to her joining up regular army.
* She was certainly not with any Commandos, and I have spoken to all of them, where anything that would have caused PTSD from being under threat or fire.
* No one has heard of any Bushmaster being blown up whilst she was present in it.
* Not one person I have spoken with believes or can confirm she delivered any baby.
Following receipt of the above statutory declarations and statements, and in fairness to Cristine Ashcroft, ANZMI sent Ashcroft an email detailing the allegations made against her by former experienced 1CDO Regiment members, who served in Afghanistan at the identical time, and invited Ashcroft to respond if she wished.
Her response was that all her claims are true and that all the allegations (made about her) are false in their entirety. She then indicated that she would “brief” the State and Federal Police “who will practice due diligence in ascertaining the true online identities of (ANZMI) and those who have also participated in this crime.”
“I further advise you that the allegations contained in your email are defamatory, and cause significant damage to my well-earned reputation.
You will be contacted by my legal team in relation to this in due course.”
Chris Ashcroft.
We invited Ashcroft to complete a statutory declaration refuting the allegations made by her former Army colleagues. Also if she would like to provide the names of witnesses who can verify her claims. We have not had a reply from Ashcroft.
Threats of legal action against ANZMI are a common defence mechanism relied upon by persons who have had their military service questioned. We are not concerned by those threats and only seek to have the truth exposed in the public arena regarding Ashcroft’s claims. They need to be clarified for all concerned.
The criterion for the Invictus Games is below -;
Competing in the 2017 Invictus Games
What are the requirements for competing in the Invictus Games?
To be eligible to compete in the Invictus Games, you must be an active service member or veteran from one of the participating nations, who has been wounded, ill or injured during, or as a direct result of, your service.
So someone didn't review Ashcroft's service before signing off on her eligbility to participate in the Invictus Games!
It is important for all genuine Australian Invictus Games competitors that selection and/or representation as an Ambassador for those games is a rigorous process, where all candidates meet the necessary requirements honestly and with integrity.
We have notified the Invictus Games officials, the WVNA, and Claxton Speakers International, regarding our research.
The Invictus Games, Sydney, are 17 months away and this matter needs close scrutiny. It is a significant event with anticipated world wide media coverage. There is a great deal of credibility at stake here for the Australian Invictus Games organisers, and importantly, Cristine Ashcroft.
There needs to be an investigation and they need to get it right.
An update will be provided on this site in the near future.