General News
11 July, 2023
Private Niblett to be honoured
A SERVICE will be held in memory of Cobden district’s Ralph Niblett at the Cobden Cemetery next month.
A SERVICE will be held in memory of Cobden district’s Ralph Niblett at the Cobden Cemetery next month.
The family of Ralph, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War, have extended an invitation to the wider community to attend the service.
The service in Cobden is part of a Veterans Initiative Commemorative service to mark 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army in South Vietnam.
Services will be held simultaneously at the graveside of each Australian soldier killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Attendees are asked to pay their respects on Thursday, August 3 at 10.30am for an 11am start.
Ralph was born to James and Gwen Niblett in Carlton, Victoria, on January 12, 1949.
His father James was wounded in the World War II having been shot in the leg by a Japanese soldier.
He subsequently lost his leg. Prior to being wounded he was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery during a battle with the Japanese.
Shortly after Ralph’s first birthday, the family relocated from Melbourne to South Purrumbete.
Ralph’s sister, Pamela Taylor, said it was here he grew up.
“It was here he was educated, milked the cows, played football, made many friends and was a much loved and respected young man,” she said.
“Over the years the family gained two more boys – Bruce and Trevor – both of whom idolised their big brother.
“Our father became involved in the RSL. We always attended Anzac March’s and had a healthy respect for war veterans.
“Our family went on to host legacy children who had lost their father in the war to our farm for school holidays. These children, mostly boys, became friends with Ralph for life.”
In 1969 Ralph’s birthdate number was drawn in the National Service birthday ballot.
Mrs Taylor said while “disappointed and a little apprehensive it was never considered that Ralph would object to this call to serve his country”.
On September 6 he was assessed by The Department of Labour and National Service where they noted “seems a good type of chap. Neat dress and presentation. Friendly manner”.
On September 25 Ralph was advised in writing he had been found to meet the standards required and his National Service would start on January 25, 1970 shortly after his 21st birthday.
He also became engaged to his girlfriend of four years – Judy Moorehouse.
In 1970 Ralph became Private Ralph James Niblett, service number 3798081 in the fourth battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment.
Ralph served in Vietnam from May 13, 1971 to September 21, 1971 when he was killed in action in the battle of Nui Le.
Four other young men were killed in this battle – being Private J Duff, Private B C Beilken, Private R J Sprigg and Private K M Kingston Powell.
Mrs Taylor said Ralph was killed just a week or two before he was due to come home where his family and fiancé were counting down the days to see him.
Sadly it did not happen like that.
“Mum and Dad were in the kitchen of their farmhouse reading the last letter from Ralph when they saw the black government car come down the drive,” Mrs Taylor said.
“They just knew. Dad went out to meet the two men. Mum locked herself in the bathroom and would not come out.
“I was in Melbourne working at ACTU and was advised of my brother’s death by Bob Hawke whom my uncle had contacted.
“Ralph’s two brothers…were on a bus excursion returning from Melbourne, so the bus was stopped halfway, and they were taken off and advised their brother was dead.
“Judy, his fiancé, was absolutely devastated.”
Mrs Taylor said the death of any family member, but especially your child, alters the dynamics of that family permanently “with each members life path altering from that point forward”.
“My parents to the day they died did not get over the loss of their son Ralph,” she said.
“Ralph was given a moving funeral in the tiny country town of Cobden, which to this day only has 1100 residents.
“One-thousand people attended Ralph’s funeral; shops closed and streets line with local mourners.”
In 1992 Ralph’s family attended the long-awaited Canberra Vietnam Memorial March.
Mrs Taylor said this was a turning point for her parents and “many of the guys who served in Vietnam especially the 4RAR and those involved in the September 1971 Battle of Nui Le”.
“It was not easy for those guys, however as time went by, they united with my parents and for the next 30 years have met regularly for an ongoing two-year reunion and shared happy and sad times,” she said.
“Australia’s eventual recognition of these brave young men certainly improved their lives and may well have saved some.”