Vietnam veteran Keith Payne, Australia's oldest living Victoria Cross recipient, sold his historic slouch hat to raise money for Mackay rotary to help with their coronavirus response.
The slouch hat worn by Australia's oldest living Victoria Cross recipient, Keith Payne, has gone on public display in Mackay thanks to anonymous benefactors.He donated his slouch hat, worn while receiving his VC medal from Queen Elizabeth II, to raise funds for Mackay Rotarywhich was struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.Mr Payne said he got the idea when speaking with Rotary about the impact of the pandemic on their work helping people in need.
"I walked into my wardrobe, and there was my old slouch hat looking at me ,and I thought that might make a bob or two." he said.The hat VC recipient Keith Payne wore on the day he received the militaries highest honour for bravery.Mr Payne said he was hoping the hat would not end up in a private collection where the public could not see it.
"I didn't know where it was to go, but I am pleased to say two kind businessmen in the Mackay region bought the hat."Find more local news"It helps a number of people that need assistance out there during this pandemic," he said "It gives me a little bit of pleasure in giving back to Mackay what it has given me and my family — the pleasures of life."Warrant Officer Keith Payne was awarded the VC for rescuing 40 wounded soldiers while under heavy fire during the Battle of Ben Het in Vietnam in 1969.
Queen Elizabeth presents then-Warrant Officer Keith Payne with the Victoria Cross aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Brisbane in April 1970."I wore it in Vietnam on the day of the announcement of my award," he said.Mr Payne was wearing the hat in 1970 when he was presented with the military's highest honour by Queen Elizabeth II.
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