Alwyn Craig spent decades living on the streets, lost to his family and friends, and struggling with PTSD after the Vietnam War. Now, his sacrifices are being recognised.
Alwyn Craig receiving his medals at Newcastle City Hall on Thursday. Alwyn Craig has been presented with nine unclaimed medals and badges for his service in the Vietnam War .
When his army mates heard Mr Craig had been found, they jumped at the chance to involve him in their reunion held in the region this week.Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment which he served in, presented them to him today."Everyone who goes to war and gets shot at comes home a different person.
Mr Cross said he was "a bit of a renegade who got into a bit of strife, as well as doing a lot of good".Alwyn Craig lived on the streets of Newcastle for 30 years after suffering war-related PTSD.The 6RAR was called home, but Mr Craig returned to Vietnam 12 months later to find her only to hear she had been shot by the Viet Cong for fraternising with the enemy.Mr Craig joined the army for another three years and was sent to Singapore as a peacekeeper.
"There were a few people reported sightings of him but we could never find him … and never heard from him again."Mr Craig used to spend time near the building Mr Cross lived in on Hunter Street in Newcastle around 10 years ago. "Where he slept on the concrete in a little arcade in King Street, when he went back there of a night to sleep there'd be cigarettes … there'd be some food of different types beside where he slept," he said."Ten years ago there were young fellas peeing on him, he was getting a hard time, so the cops put cameras above where he slept," Mr Cross said."It's phenomenal and I've never seen anything like it in all my life," he said.
Alwyn Craig Veteran Medals Homeless Support Service Mental Health 6RAR 6Th Battalion PTSD
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