But, Neil FANCOURT proudly wears the following as you can see in his photograph:

US Presidential Unit Citation (PUC)
Infantry Combat Badge
AASM with Clasp Viet Nam
Korea Medal
United Nations Korea Medal
Viet Nam Medal
Australian Service Medal
Vietnamese Campaign Medal

The Profile as shown in the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, (WA) SITREP Magazine, profile here details Fancourt as having served in Korea, Malaya and Viet Nam in both Infantry and Engineers. The real fact is that Fancourt never served in Korea or Malaya and his service in Viet Nam was with Ordnance Corps and could not be classed as dangerous.

Fancourt claims to have been in the Battle of Kapyong (Korea)  on 24th - 25th April 1951 which meant that he would not have reached his 18th birthday. DOB here  The fact is that no soldier could serve in Korea less than 19 years of age. Fancourt's name does not appear on the Army Orders of the award of the US PUC (copy of Army Order on file) and Veteran's from the battle have never heard of him.   Fancourt has been at some events where Battle of Kapyong Veterans have gathered but he never stays around long enough to tell his so called war stories with these real Veterans.

To cover this anomaly, Fancourt has claimed he served in Korea under an assumed name.   Record checks show that a person of that name did serve in Korea in 1955/56 as a driver (not during the Battle of Kapyong period) but at the time of this person serving, Fancourt was already serving in the ARA under his real name. It is not possible to be in both places at the same time. This is a lack of research on Fancourt's part, as if he had done his homework correctly, he could have assumed the name of a real Kapyong Veteran.

There is no record of Fancourt ever having served in Malaya. Fancourt did Corps transfer from RAE to RAInf - 3 RAR in July 1955 but was transferred back to Engineers at his own request  here in 1956, as he had been downgraded medically due to foot problems. His duties while in Infantry were as a Motor Cycle Orderly. That is the sum of Infantry service for this so called War Veteran.

Fancourt enlisted in the CMF – in April 1952 but after a few months enlisted in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) for 6 years from August 1952.  He was allocated to the Corps of Engineers and was discharged with the rank of Sapper in August 1958. No overseas service and no promotion during this Regular Army service. Fancourt then enlisted in the CMF in 1959 as a Driver - Ordnance Corps, where he attained the rank of Sergeant.   He then volunteered for CMF (Full Time Duty) in November 1965 as a Driver - Corporal and subsequently was promoted again in 1966 to a Sergeant - Storeman Technical Ordnance. Apart from his tour of duty in Viet Nam 1969/70 with 2 AOD, Fancourt served the rest of his time in Australia. He was discharged in April 1970 at his own request.

His service was not distinguished and he had numerous visits to hospitals and many offence reports, one of which included negligently discharging an F1 Sub-Machine Gun in a storehouse at Vung Tau. report here   The views of his Commanding Officer also in fact, reflect the view that he may have been a malingerer of the highest order throughout his career.  report here

This self claimed hero has presented himself as a war hero who has been in battles, wearing rank which he never attained, and has at times had the audacity to castigate fellow Veterans for their lack of service.  Until recently, Fancourt held a Committee position on the Vietnam Veterans Australia Association of Western Australia, however, was removed from the position after details of his fraudulent wearing of decorations and medals was passed to the organisation. This did not deter Fancourt from leading the Vietnam Veterans March at Bruce Rock, Western Australia on 2nd November 2002 here but notice the hand movement to block his name tag.  here

Fancourt's biggest mistake was to show a profile that was not true and to mouth off to Veterans about his so-called exploits.  This is what resulted in questions being asked and what brought about his downfall.  As is, in so many cases of the 'wannabe', it is their own stupid mistakes that get them caught out.

"Details of Fancourt's fantasy stories and wearing of false awards and decorations were becoming common knowledge in the veteran community in Western Australia.  A statement here was made by a well respected veteran as to Fancourt's claim to have served in the AATTV [Australian Army Training Team Vietnam] as a WO1 in Engineers.  A total fabrication, and once again shows the lengths this wannabe is prepared to go to in an endeavour to embellish his so called war record."  The veteran who made the statement is quite prepared to be interviewed by the Department of Veterans Affairs Fraud squad should they wish to pursue this further.

Fancourt owes the Veteran community an apology for the years that he as masqueraded as a war hero.  Unfortunately, he will have lost the friendship of many of those who believed in his war stories.

Shame on you Wilfred Neil  FANCOURT for the lies you have spread over all these years and for the trust that you have broken with many Veterans. You have now attained the rank of  'WANNABE'.

12 April 2004
The Wilfred Neil Fancourt story above is exceptional due to the fact that he vilified, castigated, and belittled Korea War Veterans who didn’t see the service or danger that he experienced. He saw or experienced nothing in Korea but then joined an RSL stating service with 3RAR Korea as his membership right. Why wasn’t his supposed service checked by the RSL?

Late last year we were contacted by a person from this RSL who was acting as an advocate for Fancourt. This advocate, a well-meaning former Army Officer and Vietnam Veteran, told us that Fancourt had been made aware of his exposure as a wannabe on our site and wanted to know how his details could be removed. He said Fancourt was in tears as he told his story about finding a new partner and wanting to lead a normal life without the stigma of his exposure hanging over him.

The advocate had not read our site story on Fancourt so it was suggested that he do so before proceeding any further with the matter. He was also directed to our front page which clearly states the circumstances under which a wannabe’s details may be removed, he hadn’t read this either.

After a lot of e-mails on inconsequential matters were received and sent, Fancourt finally sent a blanket apology to all people whom he had offended during his posturing as a decorated war veteran, this was handwritten on a duly witnessed statutory declaration. We had insisted on a statutory declaration because of Fancourt’s track record as a liar and actor but we demurred on our earlier demand that the declaration be witnessed by a local Police Officer.

He was also told (asked) to hand over his unearned medals and awards to a responsible person. He relinquished the Korea medals to his RSL President and when doing so, said that he’d misplaced the PUC and the ICB. We sent him out to buy replacements, which he did, and he handed these over as well.

These medals were awarded to one, J. O’Keefe 24842, these details are on the rim of the medals.

It is not up to CPMH to accept apologies on anyone else’s behalf in a situation like this. Fancourt had claimed to be with the Australian Army in Korea, (3RAR), also with the AATTV and SAS in Vietnam so we sent his apology off to four Veteran’s organisations for their responses.

At this point in time we have received denials of apology acceptance from three of the four Veterans groups so in the interest of publishing this update now, we won’t wait for the fourth response which should reach us before the end of April.

It’s receipt will be noted below this update.

We offer our thanks to the Veterans organisations who responded so quickly and responsibly to our enquiries as to the acceptance or denial of Fancourt’s apology.

NB, We do not deal with advocates, we will receive submissions from the person who has been exposed on our website only.

The advocate mentioned above attempted to deflect the issue at hand to a “relatively minor” issue noted in the original exposure. He was informed that no further correspondence from him would be acknowledged and that only mail from Fancourt would receive replies.

His devotion to a friend/fellow RSL member, is noted but maybe he should have made himself more aware of the entire issue before becoming involved.

13th May 2010

 

A genuine Veteran who sullied his service by exaggerating his medals entitlement is at it again. This time in outback Queensland.  The Veterans of Winton were too sharp for Fancourt giving rise to the notion that wannabes receive will no succor anywhere, and particularly not in outback Australia.

 

Neil Fancourt was enroute from his home in Western Australia to Cairns in Far North Queensland when he arrived in Winton Western Queensland for ANZAC Day.

 

Fancourt again displayed Korea medals that he did not earn and told silly stories about his service to people he thought he could fool. The good Veterans of Winton were told by Fancourt that he had served two tours of Vietnam and had worked with both Wheatly VC and Payne VC and spent 12 months with the USA forces.

 

In fact Fancourt was a Group 1 Corporal, Temporary Sergeant, in the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and served with 2 Advanced Ordnance Corps Depot located on the “Back Beach” at Vung Tau where his service was less than satisfactory. Fancourt was previously exposed on our web site on 12 April 2004  and obviously he learned nothing from the experience.

 

The photo shown below was taken on the morning of the 25^th April 2010 at the Winton RSL in the period between the Dawn Service and before the daytime parade. Fancourt is photographed still wearing Korea Medals and an Australian Service Medal that he has no entitlement to wear.  

 

Winton Veterans were able to check our web site on ANZAC morning after the photo was taken. Fancourt was politely requested to wear only the medals he was entitled to wear. Soon after that request, Fancourt removed his medals but stayed on for the ANZAC activities