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He joined every conceivable Military based association
and club and when he ran out of these due to being
forced out because of his antics, he formed his own
branch of the NSW National Serviceman’s Association. He
was not a National Serviceman but this didn’t stop him.
He took in genuine former Nasho's and those
who never served in any branch of the Military, women
and generally anyone off the street. We could equate
this to having a club for Redheads and allowing
Brunettes and Blondes to join. The membership numbers
racket.
Why would he do this? Because in the end he got to be
the president of something, an association based vaguely
on Military service.
Read more about Williams and his attention grabbing
antics Sun
Times Brisbane 06/04/2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Williams spent some 20 years in the Army Reserve. We
have a video of him stating,
“Regimental Number 2245511. Squadron Sergeant Major
retired. I served with 30 Terminal Squadron and 10
Terminal Regiment”
Len served with 33 Terminal Squadron which was a sub
unit of 10 Terminal Regiment. 33 Terminal Squadron was
an Army Reserve Unit. Len did not serve with 30 Terminal
Squadron which was a Regular Army unit. It was at this
time that he picked up the nickname "Lying Lenny" He
was never in the Regular Army.
October Long Weekend 1993, a Viet Nam Veterans Muster was
held at Yamba.
Len Williams stepped in front of the President of the
Viet Nam Veterans Association and led the Viet Nam
Veterans March. Len Williams had been in the CMF for
nearly 20 years, he certainly knew the protocol involved
and still he deliberately stepped in front of the
President to lead the March. This was greeted with great
indignation by the real Viet Nam Veterans both at the
march and by the Viet Nam Veterans who watched the news
coverage at home.
A Channel 10 video shows Williams in an after parade
interview saying.
“More importantly for our fellow Australian Sailors,
Soldiers and Airmen who cannot and never will be able to
attend a Service like this because they were called upon
to make the Supreme sacrifice. “And WE are now
part of Australian Military History. And may I remind
you that nobody but nobody can take that honour away
from US collectively or as individuals”
Williams had a very good opportunity to serve his
country overseas during the Viet Nam War but chose not
too. He didn’t want to be with
US then and
he’s not going to be with
US now.
WE don’t want
him in our ranks.
May 1998...Len
Williams, who is neither a Viet Nam Veteran nor was he an
associate member of the Viet Nam Veterans Association at
the time, planted a tree and placed a huge rock in the
Viet Nam Veterans Park without permission. The Veterans
were furious.
Len Williams was the secretary/caretaker of the Coffs
Harbour Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association
NSW then. He claimed he was the President; he wasn’t.
The Coffs Harbour Council resolved to move the tree and
rock from Veterans’ Park and Len Williams was ordered to
write an apology to the Viet Nam Veterans, he didn’t
Len
Williams visited John Paul College. Len showed the
principal and two students his personal mementoes of the
Battle of Long Tan. Prior to the visit Len had invited
the Advocate Newspaper photographer to attend for a
photo opportunity and once again created the illusion of
being a war Veteran.
The
caption under the photograph reads. Students
“experience” Viet Nam War
“Students from John Paul College have had the benefit of
personal mementoes from the battle of Long Tan in
Viet Nam lent by Veteran Len Williams for a project the
students are doing. The mementoes included a shield with
the manning details from South Viet Nam, New Zealand and
Australia and a videotape of interviews with people
involved in the battle. Mr Williams second from left
showed the material to the school’s new principal and
students.” (The names of the Principal and students have
been removed from this caption)
The following is a statement from someone who assisted
in this investigation.
“What I really think though is that Len is trying to
make a mockery of the Viet Nam Veterans because he covets
the supposed glory that he perceives Viet Nam Veterans to
have.”
Run “Lying Lenny” run. You’ll start up with your rubbish
again somewhere and we’ll find you.
You will not be permitted a minute’s peace until you
apologise to the genuine, dedicated members of your
former community to whom you caused so much stress,
strain and for some, financial hardship.
Len, an apology to CPMH will not change a thing; you are
not the Veteran you wish to be and the story of your
posturing will remain here for the rest of your life.
Veterans are offered the chance to apologise and have
their names removed. You are not a Veteran.
Late info; Williams has transferred his
RSL membership to Yamba RSL and has redirected his mail
to his son's address. He has been seen at Mudgereeba
RSL and borrowing money.
He owes $63,000 in court costs, his and the people he
sued for telling the truth. Keep running Lenny, the
Australian Veteran community is small and you've got
nowhere to hide.
In all fairness to Louise, who appears to
have put a lot of passion into the email below, we have
reproduced it in total including the spelling mistakes.
After reading this and to help show our new discoveries
the email has been broken down into sections and the
answers for Louise are below her inquiries/questions.
Again Louise, on behalf of our investigative staff we
thank you for reading the pages and bringing these
important facts to us for clarification.
-----Original Message-----
From: Louise Croaker email
address removed as a courtesy to Louise.
Sent: Saturday, 11
October 2003 10:26 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: LEN WILLIAMS
AKA LYING LENNY
Although I agree your
website is doing a great job to weed out the wannabees
and have-nots from our
military........ I would like to make a statement
regarding Len
Williams. Although I served as a reservist in 33
terminal
squadron, I also
served with both 10 terminal squadron and 30 terminal
squadron on occasions,
as was part of our affiliation with these two
squadrons. First of
all, Coffs Harbour is not Len Williams "adopted town",
as he was born raised,
eduacated and worked in Coffs Harbour, and has a
large family history
in this town.
As your article says
"Len Williams stepped in front of the Vietnam Veterans
association and led
the Vietnam Veterans march". This statement has been
totally misconstrued.
It was actually alledged in court that Len stepped in
front of one of the
high dignatories in an Anzac day march in Coffs Harbour.
This was refuted by
the dignatory in question.
Lens joining of all
conceivable miltary clubs and associations was due to
his love of the
military system and at the request of the people
involved in
his one and only law
suit regarding anything military.
Len was never "forced
out" of any of these military associations, Len either
resigned or was voted
out due to the democratic way our society runs through
voting.
Len did not form his
own branch of the National Servicemans Association of
Australia, of which I
am a member, he was asked. I also am not a National
Serviceman. Len
refused the first invitation to start the Association,
but
upon frequent
requests, he agreed, but made it known from the very
beginning
that he was neither a
Vietnam Veteran or a National Serviceman. As regards
to your articles
comments about Len "taking anyone off the street to join
the sub-branch", All
members are either ex-National Servicemen or army
reservists (which are
associate members), and their wives, which is
allowable under
constitution of the National Servicemens Association of
NSW.
Len was voted in as
president of the Coffs Harbour Branch of the National
Servicemens
Association of NSW by the democratic way of voting,
which we are
all entitled to as
Australians.
Len Williams has never
claimed to be in the regualr army, However his unit
has worked in
conjunction with the 30 Terminal Squadron and 10
terminal
regiment as Sqadron
Sergeant Major. As you are probably well aware, once in
unform, it does not
matter wether you are regular army or reservists,
proptocol and ranking
structures well exist. As one example of being
involved with both
regular army units was the embarkation and deployment of
troops on an exercise
involving not only the above mentioned regular army
units but also the
HMAS Tobruk.
“More importantly for
our fellow Australian Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen who
cannot and never will
be able to attend a Service like this because they
were called upon to
make the Supreme sacrifice. “And WE are now part of
Australian Military
History. And may I remind you that nobody but nobody can
take that honour away
from US collectively or as individuals” The above
statment, made by Len, was directed to ALL military
personnel,
both regular army and
reservists alike. As anyone with any military history
know, World war one
was fought by volunteers, AKA reservists.
Although Len did not
serve in Vietnam, he did play an important role as a
reservist. During the
Vietnam War, as I am aware, there was a dock strike.
Len aided in the
loading of vital supplies of the Japarret ( spelling may
not be accurate) in
his capacity as a qualified freight handler.
The "rock and tree
planting" was performed with the full approval of the
Coffs Harbour council,
who owns the land. Although Len was not, at this
time, a member of the
Vietnam Veterans Association, to my knowledge, he was
asked AGAIN to be on
the board of the Vietnam Veterans Association. The
planting and the
placement of the rock was to be for all Vietnam Veterans
who died during this
conflict, of which his brother was one.
The placing of the
rock and the planting of the tree did NOT infuriate All
Vietnam Veterans, but
was accepted by the majority, but then again, a
minority of jealous
people, who did not think of it first, protested.
The "John Paul
College" article, which was printed incorrectly by the
reporter, was
retracted by Len Williams in the next issue. The young
girl in
the article was
summoned to court and did state that Len did not say he
was
a Long Tan Vet.
The momentos in
question from the battle fo "long Tan" were given to Len
by
a long standing
friend, who was in fact a Long Tan Vet, and still holds
Len
in the highest
regards, even following the allogations made about Len.
As a member of the RSL
myself, under the constitution of the RSL myself, you
are entitlted to wear
ties and badges. The nametag in question was worn by
Len when he was a
member of the RSL sub-branch board, this badge has not
been worn since. The
"business card identification" the articel talks about,
I have NOT seen worn
by any member of the board.
In regards for wearing
the "Bullion Badge", the person who submitted this
article to you, should
be fully aware (that is if they are fully military
complacement) that the
badge was in fact a WOII insignia. The fact that it
was worn on a beret
should be inconsequential as Len had been out of the
service for some time.
The wearing of the RACT badge over the top of the
WOII badge should not
be regarded as anything more than national pride.
On his "attendance of
military occasions", these have always been on written
request or invitation
only. Len will not and has not attended any occasion
without invitation.
Len Williams'court
case was executed on three people only, who suffer from
professional jealousy,
from Lens medals. It is well known that the 3 people
in question during the
court case are very jeolous of Len's 3 medals, in
which to my
understanding is the only combination of therse 3 medals
in
existance.
Len has never said he
was a Vietnam Veteran, he has always clained that he
was Citizens Military
Forces, which was changed to Army Reserves. The people
named in this court
case were also aware that Len was never a Vietnam
Veteran, and have
known this for a number of years, as Len has worked side
by side by one of the
people in a military fashion.
Len has not left or
run out of Coffs Harbour as depicted in your article,
nor has he used his
sons postal address, nor has he borrowed money.
"He is more than just
a poseur, he is a vindictive trouble-maker. He
attempted to disgrace
a genuine Veteran by publicly claiming that the
Veteran was wearing
un-awarded decorations. He also complained to a Member
of Parliament that the
publishers of the damning documents did not deserve
the TPI [Totally,
Permanently Incapacitated] compensation payments that
they
receive from the
Department of Veterans Affairs as compensation for war
caused disabilities.
These complaints were groundless and the MP told him
so."
In regards to this
statement, the Veteran who was wearing unawardede
decoarations was not
publicly declared by Len, but by a Vietnam Veteran who
not only ripped the
unawarded decorations from the Veteran in question but
assaulted him for
wearing unawarded decorations. The TPI in question was
also taken and cut
from a prominent member of the Coffs Harbour RSL as he
fradulently claimed
his pension, as he was not as incapacitated as he
claimed. This is
public knowledge and is available through the court
system.
Len is not runnig or
hiding from any of these people, as all of these
allogations made by
these people are false.
Although your site, as
I said at the bginning, will weed out the unjust and
the frauds, this is an
unjust statement towards Len Williams, who has at no
time said, alledged or
passed himself off as a Vietnam Veteran. I think your
site should
investigate such allogations more thouroughly before
such
slander is printed
against an individual.
I am entitled to wear
3 medals for my service in the army reserves. I wouild
be infuriated if
someone came and said that I was not entitled to wear
those
medals which I have
earned.
In summation, get
your facts straight before bad mouthing a great
Australian.
and so you see her
email reproduced in total. Now to break it down
and explain or answer the questions posed.
The following is from the email written
by Louise Croaker
Although I agree your website is doing a
great job to weed out the wannabees and have-nots from
our military........ I would like to make a statement
regarding Len Williams. Although I served as a reservist
in 33 terminal squadron, I also served with both 10
terminal squadron and 30 terminal squadron on occasions,
as was part of our affiliation with these two squadrons.
The following is from the website
“Regimental Number 2245511. Squadron
Sergeant Major retired. I served with 30 Terminal
Squadron and 10 Terminal Regiment”
Len served with 33 Terminal Squadron,
which was a sub unit of 10 Terminal Regiment. 33
Terminal Squadron was an Army Reserve Unit. Len did not
serve with 30 Terminal Squadron, which was a Regular
Army unit. It was at this time that he picked up the
nickname "Lying Lenny" He was
never in the Regular Army.
CPMH
comments
Len Williams had stated on video that he had
served with 30 terminal squadron.
This was a lie as 30 terminal squadron
was a regular army unit and Len Williams was never, ever in the
regular army. Len Williams finally admitted in court that he
didn’t serve with 30 Terminal Squadron which was a
regular army unit.
The following is from pages 42 , 43 and
44 of The Judgement brought down by Judge J C Gibson on
3rd April 2003.
d) 1991
Old Diggers and World War II Veterans Luncheon
Page 42
112.
Unlike the evidence of the plaintiffs
conduct and participation in marches, the plaintiff's
conduct on this occasion was direct evidence of an
attempt to portray himself as a Veteran. The plaintiff
was shown video of the annual luncheon for Veterans
hosted by the Coffs Harbour RSL Sub‑Branch. On the video
tape (Ex 9) of this function, the plaintiff is clearly
seen and heard describing himself as "regimental number
2245511" and "Squadron Sergeant Major Len Williams B.M.
retired".
Page 43
113. It was put to the plaintiff that
these statements clearly inferred he was retired from
the Army. He responded that he was retired from the
Australian Army Reserve, which he considered perfectly
appropriate (day 2, T‑57‑8).
114. However,
the _ plaintiff is also heard on the video saying "I
served with the Royal Australian Engineers from 1966 to
1976". It was put to the plaintiff he had never served
with RAE from 1966‑76 but the plaintiff claimed
(wrongly) it was in his service record (T‑58). The
plaintiff did not serve with the RAE from 1966 to 1976
as claimed, and his service record makes this clear.
115. The
plaintiff is also heard on the video tape saying he
served with the Royal Australian Corps of Transport from
1974 to 1985 and was "Squadron Sergeant Major of 30
Terminal Squadron" (T‑58). The plaintiff described this
second assertion as follows:
"That is true sir, that was a slip of the
tongue and I just kept going. It was an in‑house
function; we'd all had a nice dinner with a few wines
and I never thought ... that 10 or 15 hours [sic] down
the track that in‑house video would be used in a Court
case, I was never advised of that, but as soon as I said
30 Terminal Squadron sir, I just kept going, I just
glossed over it".(T-58)
116.
This is one of several occasions when the plaintiff said
that conduct of this kind by him arose out of a mistake,
although on other occasions (such as his 1999 visit to
John Paul College) he said the mistake was made by
others and not by him.
117.
The plaintiff agreed that 30 Terminal
Squadron was "regular army" and that it was "incorrect"
(T‑59, line 17) to say he was a member. He denied,
however, that he was indicating to those present that he
had performed overseas service (T‑59).
118.
The plaintiff's counsel in his written
submissions submits that even if I do not
accept that the plaintiff made "a slip of
the tongue" the evidence cannot establish that the
plaintiff attempted to pass himself off as a Vietnam
Veteran "or as a Veteran of any sort". I do not accept
the plaintiffs explanation of "a slip of the tongue" or
that he is not attempting to pass himself off as a
Veteran "of any sort". This video tape is evidence of
the plaintiff publicly intimating to other Veterans at a
Veterans' function that he is also a Veteran. His
continued practice of wearing the badges of these
squadrons is further evidence that he has continued to
hold himself out as a Veteran who belonged to regular
army units. I have set out further below (in the section
on the plaintiff's credit) my~ reasons for not accepting
the plaintiffs "slip of the tongue" on this and other
occasions.
119. It has to
be said that the plaintiff did not, on this occasion,
claim to be a Vietnam Veteran. However, viewed in
context when examining the plaintiff's conduct on other
occasions and in particular his association with Vietnam
commemorations, it is part of the plaintiff's ongoing
representation of himself not merely as an Army Veteran
but as a Veteran who served in Vietnam. The
circumstances of the plaintiff attempting to pass
himself off need to be viewed as a series of related
events, rather than 'splitting up occasions when the
plaintiff wore a particular badge, or marched in a
particular march. However, it must be stressed that
without the actual circumstances of later events where
the plaintiff actually did represent himself as a
Vietnam Veteran, these earlier occasions would not of
themselves be sufficient to establish the plaintiff
attempted to pass himself off as a Veteran who actually
served in Vietnam, as opposed to a person who served in
the armed services.
Comments from Louise Croaker
First of all, Coffs Harbour is not Len
Williams "adopted town",as he was born raised, eduacated
and worked in Coffs Harbour, and has a large family
history in this town.
CPMH
comments
Len was born and educated in
Coffs
Harbour and he returned to Coffs after he left the
railway.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
As your article says "Len Williams stepped in front of
the Vietnam Veterans association and led the Vietnam
Veterans march". This statement has been totally
misconstrued. It was actually alledged in court that Len
stepped in front of one of the high dignatories in an
Anzac day march in Coffs Harbour.
This was refuted by the dignatory in question.
CPMH
comments
This was a complete lie as Mr Erwin
Hodikin and Mr Trevor Blay testified in court that Len
Williams had stepped in front of Erwin who was the
President of the Coffs Harbour Association of Vietnam
Vets. News coverage of Len Williams leading the March was shown
on a Channel 10 news coverage, which was also shown in
court. We have included information from the website and
also we have included the page numbers of the Judgement
when the Judge handed down her decision.
The following is from the website
October Long Weekend 1993, a Viet Nam
Veterans Muster was held at Yamba.
Len Williams stepped in front of the
President of the Viet Nam Veterans Association and led
the Viet Nam Veterans March. Len Williams had been in
the CMF for nearly 20 years, he certainly knew the
protocol involved and still he deliberately stepped in
front of the President to lead the March. This was
greeted with great indignation by the real Viet Nam
Veterans both at the march and by the Viet Nam Veterans
who watched the news coverage at home.
CPMH comments
The President of the Coffs Harbour group
of the Vietnam Veterans, Erwin Hodikin testified in court
that Len had stepped in front of him to lead the March.
The writer of the letter was certainly not in court and
if she was referring to Erwin as a high dignitary, Erwin
certainly agreed that Len had stepped in front of him.
Mr Trevor Blay also testified in court as
to Len Williams leading the march.
The incident was also on the Channel 10
news coverage, which was shown in court.
Page 49 of the Judgement
137. I note Mr Blay in his evidence
(T‑302, 4/12/02) said he considered the plaintiff
deliberately led the march.
138. The
inquiry came about after complaints from Veterans after
the broadcast went to air. Mr Porter (the Veteran the
plaintiff denied calling an "old drunk") wrote a letter
of complaint to the Vietnam Veterans' Association
saying, inter alia: '`
"I believe his actions on this day were
an embarrassment not only to me but to the whole
Association in the yes of visiting members and
presidents of various Vietnam groups. His actions on
this occasion warrant an apology to our members and an
undertaking that he will not take it upon himself to
represent our Association in this manner" (Ex 1).
139. What Mr Porter was complaining
about was that the plaintiff was acting as though he was
a Vietnam War Veteran. That was his impression and,
having seen the broadcast, I consider it a reasonable
one, even if the plaintiff had said the additional words
the plaintiff claims he said.
140. The ordinary reasonable listener
to the Channel 10 broadcast and indeed any person seeing
the plaintiff lead the march could reasonably infer that
the plaintiff by his words and deeds was holding himself
out as a Vietnam Veteran. I am of the view that the
plaintiff did so deliberately and with intention to
deceive, knowing that his words and actions were likely
to be broadcast by Channel 10. I should add that I do
not accept he spoke the additional words he claims, by
reason of my general findings concerning the plaintiffs
lack of credit.
Page 46 of the Judgement
(h)
October Long Weekend 1993 ‑ Vietnam Veterans Muster at
Yamba
128. This was the occasion when the
plaintiff stepped in front of the president, Mr Irwin
Hodikin and led the Vietnam Veterans march to the
Cenotaph where a service was held. There was an inquiry
into this matter and at the time, showing the generosity
and compassion that
is a
hallmark of all of the conduct of the retired servicemen
who gave evidence in these proceedings on behalf of both
parties, the plaintiff's explanation was accepted and he
received a letter from Mr Hodikin saying he was excused
on the basis that the whole thing was an accident.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
Lens joining of all conceivable miltary
clubs and associations was due to his love of the
military system and at the request of the people
involved in his one and only law suit regarding anything
military.
Len was never "forced out" of any of these military
associations, Len either resigned or was voted out due
to the democratic way our society runs through voting.
CPMH comments
Len Williams had stepped in front of the President
of the Coffs Harbour Vietnam Veterans Association at Yamba
in 1993. Len Williams stepped up next to the Mayor of Coffs
Harbour, John Smith and the Deputy Mayor, Brigadier John Essex
Clarke [retired], in November 1994 to take the salute at a
Remembrance Day Parade. Len Williams was the Senior Vice
President of the Coffs Harbour RSL during 1993 and 1994.
People’s attitude towards Len Williams changed and he was not
even nominated for a position on the executive of Coffs
RSL in February 1995. Peter Millett was elected as
Senior Vice President.
The following is from Page 50 of the
Judgement
13 November 1994 ‑ Remembrance Day March
142. This was the occasion when the
plaintiff was listed on the program as the protocol
officer (day 2, T‑73) whose job was essentially to usher
official guests to their seats. The salute was to be
taken on the steps of the Civic Centre by the Mayor,
John Smith, and the Deputy Mayor; Brigadier John
Essex‑Clark (Retired). It was the evidence of Brigadier
Essex‑Clark and others that the plaintiff positioned
himself on the steps of the Civic Centre and then took
the official salute, along with the Mayor and Brigadier
Essex Clark.
143. The evidence was that Brigadier
Essex‑Clark stood to take the salute from the parade,
the plaintiff walked up and stood with him and the Mayor
to take the salute (day 4, T‑75; day 7, T‑314; day 3,
T‑206). Mrs Millett, the third defendant, showed in the
witness box the physical action she saw the plaintiff
make. There was considerable evidence of the outraged
reaction of the other persons attending the parade (day
3, T‑206; day 4, T‑76; day 7, T‑299, 314, 316, 361).
144. The plaintiff vigorously denied
attempting to take the salute and in written submissions
counsel for the plaintiff pointed to geographical
inconsistencies in the evidence of some witnesses as to
where the events actually occurred.
145.
Evidence was given by Brigadier
Essex‑Clark which impressed me by its objectivity and
honesty (day 7, T‑314‑6 ‑ the day in question and
T‑319‑320) He gave a very clear description of the
plaintiff's conduct. I accept Brigadier Essex‑Clark as a
witness of truth and prefer Brigadier Essex Clark's
evidence
Page 51
146. As this was a Remembrance Day
march, Veterans from all major conflicts were attending.
The ordinary reasonable person watching the plaintiff
take the salute would conclude he was not merely a
Veteran but a War Veteran and would also, by reason of
his age, assume him to be a Veteran of Vietnam.
The plaintiff s conduct on this day is
hard to comprehend other than as a wish to be seen as
one of the persons deserving respect on that day as a
war Veteran. As such, he must be seen as. having sought
to pass himself off as a War Veteran of the Vietnam era.
(k) February ‑ April 1995 ‑ Failure
to stand for election for Coffs Harbour RSL and
resignation from Vietnam Veterans Association
147. In February ,1995 the first
defendant was re‑elected president of the Coffs
Harbour RSL and the second defendant was
elected as senior vice president,
replacing the plaintiff. It was put to
the plaintiff that he stood unsuccessfully
as President in 1995 but was not elected
to any position (day 2, T‑76). The
plaintiff said he did not even nominate
for a position on the Executive of the
Coffs Harbour RSL. In addition, in April
1995 he resigned from the Vietnam
Veterans Association where he had been
protocol officer. Although the
plaintiff said this was a "personal
choice" (T‑76) it is clear ,that his ceasing to
hold office in the RSL and resignation
from the Vietnam Veterans Association
is linked to the reaction to his conduct,
in particular his conduct on 13
November 1994. The plaintiffs withdrawal
meant that he was no longer on
the Executive of the RSL and he was thus
no longer, a de:egate of the North
Coast District Council. This is of some
importance because it indicates that he
was essentially a rank and file RSL
member and not a person with any
executive status entitled to wear
executive lapel badges or to represent the
RSL. Nevertheless he continued to do so
(day 2, T‑80 line 40), including on
the day he visited the John Paul College.
Comments from Louise Croaker
Len did not form his own branch of the
National Servicemans Association of Australia, of which
I am a member, he was asked. I also am not a National
Serviceman. Len refused the first invitation to start
the Association, but upon frequent requests, he agreed,
but made it known from the very beginning that he was
neither a Vietnam Veteran nor a National Serviceman. As
regards to your articles comment about Len "taking
anyone off the street to join the sub-branch", All
members are either ex-National Servicemen or
armyreservists (which are associate members), and their
wives, which is
allowable under constitution of the National
Servicemen’s Association of NSW.
Len was voted in as president of the Coffs Harbour
Branch of the National Servicemens Association of NSW by
the democratic way of voting, which we are all entitled
to as Australians.
Len Williams has never claimed to be in the regualr
army,
CPMH comments
Len Williams certainly stated on video that he was
in the Regular Army (see previous evidence and comments)
Len Williams after being banned from the Coffs
Harbour National Servicemen’s Association formed his own
association, which is the Coffs Harbour Association of
National Servicemen (NSW Inc). This was because the real
National Servicemen had left the original association
and formed their own association.
Ron Brown who is the State President of
the National Servicemen’s Association NSW Inc. stated in
court that anyone with an interest could join the
association. As it is a National Servicemen’s
Association why are people who are not national
servicemen permitted to join? Why are women permitted to
join as it is a National Servicemen’s Association?
Comments from Louise Croaker
However his unit has worked in
conjunction with the 30 Terminal Squadron and 10
terminal regiment as Sqadron Sergeant Major.
As you are
probably well aware, once in unform, it does not matter
wether you are regular army or reservists, proptocol and
ranking structures well exist.
CPMH comments
It does certainly matter if you were
Regular Army or a Reservist. This comment is not here to
spark a conflict between Regulars and Reservists but clearly to
point out that for a Regular Soldier the Military is full time
employment and for the Reservist it is part time as they hold down
normal civilian employment. To claim to have been a
regular Soldier and to have done what Len Williams has done to
genuine Veterans is a crime that he still hasn't paid for in
monetary value. See the conclusion to this update.
Comments from Louise Croaker
As one example of being involved with
both regular army units was the embarkation and
deployment of troops on an exercise involving not only
the above mentioned regular army units but also the HMAS
Tobruk.
CPMH comments
This is irrelevant; Len Williams had stated that
he was in 30 terminal squadron, which was a Regular Army
Unit. Len Williams was never in the Regular Army!
Comments from Louise Croaker
“More importantly for our fellow
Australian Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen who cannot and
never will be able to attend a Service like this because
they were called upon to make the Supreme sacrifice.
“And WE are now part of Australian Military History. And
may I remind you that nobody but nobody can take that
honour away from US collectively or as individuals” The
above statment, made by Len Williams, was directed to ALL
military personnel, both regular army and reservists
alike. As anyone with any military history know, World
war one was fought by volunteers, AKA reservists.
CPMH comments
Len Williams was speaking at a dinner during the
October Long Weekend in 1993. It was also during that
weekend that Len Williams had stepped out in front of Erwin Hodikin the President of the Vietnam Veterans
Association from Coffs Harbour. Erwin Hodikin stated this in
court. Len Williams implied by saying “We are now part of
Australian Military History” that he was also a
Vietnam Veteran. This is on record.
As far as the statement being made by Len Williams
to all Military Personnel both Regular Army and
Reservists alike, it was not and the you were not present. The statement was
made to a group of Vietnam Veterans and from the words Len
Williams
spoke he was most certainly posing as one of them.
The statement by Louise about who fought
World War 1 is irrelevant.
Comments from Louise Croaker
Although Len Williams did not serve in Vietnam, he did play an
important role as a
reservist. During the Vietnam War, as I am aware, there
was a dock strike.
Len Williams aided in the loading of vital supplies of the Japarret ( spelling may
not be accurate) in his capacity as a qualified freight
handler.
CPMH comment
What has that got to do with the fact
that Len Williams had stated that he was in the regular army when
he wasn’t!
Comments from the Louise Croaker
The "rock and tree planting" was performed with the full
approval of the
Coffs Harbour council, who owns the land. Although Len Williams
was not, at this
time, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, to
my knowledge, he was asked AGAIN to be on the board of
the Vietnam Veterans Association. The planting and the
placement of the rock was to be for all Vietnam Veterans
who died during this conflict, of which his brother was
one.
The placing of the rock and the planting of the tree did
NOT infuriate All
Vietnam Veterans, but was accepted by the majority, but
then again, a
minority of jealous people, who did not think of it
first, protested.
CPMH comments
Len Williams had contacted the Coffs Harbour
Council who had assumed that Len Williams was going to place the
rock and plant the tree on behalf of the Vietnam
Veterans Association. At no time were the Council made
aware that Len Williams was not a member of the Vietnam Vets.
When the Vietnam Vets and other Veterans and ex-service
personnel saw the article and the photograph of Len Williams
planting the tree in the Advocate they were
certainly ALL infuriated.
The following is from Page 57 of the
Judgement
May 1998 ‑ Vietnam Veterans Park Tree
Planting
166. These disputes reached a climax
in May 1998 when the plaintiff, despite not
being a Vietnam Veteran or an Associate
Member of the Vietnam Veterans
Association, both planted a tree
(obtained for this purpose from the local
council) and placed a commemorative rock
in the Vietnam Veterans Park
without the permission of the Vietnam
Veterans Association. It was the
evidence of Brigadier Essex‑Clark (who
was also the Deputy Mayor and a
councillor at the time) that the Council
employees who gave the plaintiff both
the tree and permission to carry out this
task believed that the plaintiff was a
Vietnam Veteran (transcript). The
plaintiff had invited the Advocate to
photograph the planting of the tree.
167.
The plaintiff was subsequently requested
to appear before the Judiciary
Page 58
Committee of the Cof£s Harbour RSL Club
for conduct unbecoming a member. This hearing, on 14
July 1998, directly followed the tree planting incident.
168. On 28 July 1998 Brigadier
Essex‑Clark intervened in the Judiciary Committee
proceedings. He had been asked by the
Mayor to mediate the matter on
behalf of the Coffs Harbour City Council.
The Council had already resolved
to remove the tree and rock from the
Vietnam Veterans Park and the
mediation proceeded on that basis, with
the result that the plaintiff agreed to
write an apology to the Vietnam Veterans.
It is common ground that no such
apology was ever provided by the
plaintiff to the Vietnam Veterans
Association.
169. On Tuesday, 11 August 1998 the
plaintiff was requested to appear before the
Coffs Harbour RSL Club Judiciary
Committee for disregard of a directive by
senior management to quit premises after
the judiciary hearing on Tuesday, 14
July 1998. He was suspended of his
privileges as a member of the Coffs
. Harbour Ex Services Club for
six months. He appealed against this decision
on 15 September 1998 and this appeal was
dismissed. He was accordingly a
suspended member up until 14 January 1999
when his privileges were
reinstated.
Comments from Louise Croaker
The "John Paul College" article, which
was printed incorrectly by the
reporter, was retracted by Len Williams in the next
issue. The young girl in the article was summoned to
court and did state that Len did not say he was a Long
Tan Vet.
Page 5 of the Judgment
12. After the plaintiff joined the
newly formed Coffs Harbour branch of the National
Servicemen's Association in 1997 he sought to promote
this association and his role in it by publicity in the
Advocate newspaper over activities such as the planting
of a tree in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park. As I
have set out in my findings of fact below, his making
available souvenirs of Long Tan on or about the
anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August
1999 was another such opportunity for publicity for both
the plaintiff and the Association he sought to promote.
13. The plaintiff in his evidence
does not suggest that when he telephoned the headmaster
he said he was not a Veteran, or that the personal
mementoes he intended to bring were not his. He says he
told the headmaster this information after he arrived at
the school on 13 August 1999. It is clear from Mr
Walton's statement (Ex 10) that the information about
the plaintiff's status as a non‑Veteran, and the fact
that the mementoes were not his own, was not revealed to
Mr Walton until after he had invited the plaintiff and
indeed after the plaintiff arrived at the school, and it
is also clear from the plaintiff's own evidence that
neither the journalist, Jacqui Sheather nor the children
photographed with the plaintiff were present when these
statements by the plaintiff about his status were made.
14.
The events of 13 August 1999 were as
follows. The plaintiff went to the headmaster's office
(which is where he says he told the headmaster he was
not a Veteran) and thereafter was taken to the library.
Jacqui Sheather, a photographer from the Advocate, then
arrived and the headmaster brought two children in from
classes in the immediate vicinity to be included in the
photograph. The plaintiff spread out the memorabilia and
photographs were taken.
Page 76 of the Judgement
I accept the evidence of
Jessica Pinkerton on this issue; whereas the plaintiff
changed his evidence, Jessica's evidence was given in a
frank and straightforward fashion. She was frank in her
admissions about what she could and could not remember
and was clearly a witness of truth. The plaintiff, by
comparison, gave inconsistent evidence and answered
questions evasively. I am satisfied that there is
evidence that the plaintiff was seeking to deceive
school children and that he did in fact take advantage
of his presence in a school to make some form of speech
to Jessica and the other school student, not simply
about what the names were on the plaque but no doubt
other matters along the lines of statements, which are
set out above from his evidence.
CPMH comments
In court it was never stated that the reporter had
printed the story incorrectly. In fact the editor of neither the
newspaper nor the photographer were asked by Len Williams’
barrister to appear in court. The writer of the letter was not in
court and the young girl you are referring to, her name was Jessica
Pinkerton, certainly said she was under the impression
that Len Williams was a Veteran and posed the question about why
would he go to a school and show his personal mementoes
of the Battle of Long Tan when he was not there!
There was a small retraction printed the
next day, which said that Len Williams was not a
Veteran. It incorrectly stated that Len Williams was the
President of the National Servicemen’s Association. He
was the caretaker/secretary at the time. The retraction
made no mention of the facts about the personal mementoes
of the Battle of Long Tan.
Comments from Louise Croaker
The momentos in question from the battle fo "long Tan"
were given to Len by a long standing friend, who was in
fact a Long Tan Vet, and still holds Len in the highest
regards, even following the allogations made about Len.
CPMH Comments
The fact that Mr Ross McDonald gave Len
Williams the mementoes was certainly not disputed in
court.
When the newspaper article appeared in
the Advocate it showed a photograph of Len Williams with
"his personal mementoes of the Battle of Long Tan". No one
at that stage knew where they had originated.
Even Mr MacDonald admitted in court that
if he didn’t know Len Williams nor given him the mementoes he
would have been disappointed to see someone who wasn’t a
Vietnam Vet portrayed as a Vietnam Veteran in the
newspaper.
What had upset many members of the
Veteran and ex-service community was the fact that a
photograph of Len Williams and the mementoes stating
that they were his personal mementoes of the battle of
Long Tan had appeared in the Advocate on 19th
August 1999, the day after Vietnam Veteran’s Day.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
As a member of the RSL myself, under the
constitution of the RSL myself, you are entitlted to
wear ties and badges. The nametag in question was worn
by Len when he was a member of the RSL sub-branch board,
this badge has not been worn since. The "business card
identification" the articel talks about, I have NOT seen
worn by any member of the board.
CPMH comments
Len Williams had not been a member of the
executive of Coffs Harbour RSL since February 1995. Len Williams
went to John Paul College in August 1999 wearing a
nametag, which said
“Mr
Len Williams, BM, Coffs Harbour RSL Sub-Branch”
Len Williams had this nametag specially made.
On the website we certainly accurately pictorially depicted the
nametag which the members of Coffs RSL wore and that the Executive
of the RSL wear. The executive of Coffs RSL does not know the type
of nametag and you do not go to meetings so how would you know about the
correct nametags? You certainly sound confused
about
the nametags! The members wear nametags, which are
business cards, slipped into plastic holders. The
executive wear totally different nametags, which are depicted, on
the site.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
In
regards for wearing the "Bullion Badge", the person who
submitted this article to you, should be fully aware
(that is if they are fully military
complacement) that the badge was in fact a WOII
insignia. The fact that it
was worn on a beret should be inconsequential as Len Williams had
been out of the
service for some time. The wearing of the RACT badge
over the top of the
WOII badge should not be regarded as anything more than
national pride. On his "attendance of
military occasions", these have always been on written request or invitation
only. Len will not and has not attended any occasion without invitation.
CPMH comments
What does the writer mean by complacement?
The website gives the accurate pictorial and written
description of the fact that Len Williams was wearing a badge on
his beret which is of a type only worn by Colonels
and above. Len Williams admitted in court that he had
sewn the
badge on himself 10 years before attending John Paul
College. To more accurately describe this badge, it is a Warrant
Officer Class Two bullion badge, worn appropriately on the sleeve
of service blues, in accordance with the Army Dress Manual.
It is not a hat badge and irrespective of whether Len Williams
is now a civilian or not the placement of this badge on a beret is
not in line with the protocols of wearing Military accoutrements
on either Military or authorised civilian clothing. A
bullion badge on a beret infers that the wearer is of Staff
Officer Rank. Len Williams knowledge of the Military is
sufficient to know this fact and that the wearing of any form of
bullion badge on a beret depicts a Senior Officer to
subordinate ranks or discharged Military personnel. As
stated on the site, HE IS NOT MONTY!!
On his "attendance of Military occasions", these
have always been on written request or invitation only.
Len Williams will not and has not attended any occasion without
invitation.
Len Williams has most certainly attended Military
functions etc without invitation. One of the most recent
in 2002 was the Korean Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Vernon
Street in Coffs Harbour. Len Williams and his wife Carmen,
appeared and were not happy to see that Peter Millett, as
President of the RSL, was the Master of Ceremonies for
the occasion!
Comments from Louise Croaker
Len Williams'court case was executed on
three people only, who suffer from professional
jealousy, from Lens medals. It is well known that the 3
people in question during the court case are very
jeolous of Len's 3 medals, in which to my understanding
is the only combination of therse 3 medals in existance.
CPMH comments
David Doyle, Peter Millett nor other Veterans
have suffered from professional jealousy whatever that
is! David and Peter did 2 tours of Vietnam. They have certainly not shown any jealousy about
Len Williams’ medals and if you care to obtain a copy of and read
the entire Judgement you will notice that not one word was said by
the Veterans about his
medals. Len Williams has badmouthed these Veterans all over
town and has tried and apparently in the case of the yourself,
succeeded, in trying to shift the significance of the case to the
fact that it had something to do with his medals rather than the
fact that he was suing the Veterans because
David Doyle wrote a letter which was only published in
the RSL newsletter Locstat stating that Len Williams was not a
Veteran!
Comments from
Louise Croaker
Len has never said he was a Vietnam
Veteran, he has always clained that he was Citizens
Military Forces, which was changed to Army Reserves. The
people named in this court case were also aware that Len
was never a Vietnam Veteran, and have known this for a
number of years, as Len has worked side by side by one
of the people in a military fashion.
CPMH comments
Len Williams most certainly convinced many of the
people and in fact many Veterans and ex-Service-
personnel in Coffs Harbour that he was a Vietnam
Veteran.
Garry Nehl MP, who was the Federal Member
for Cowper and the Deputy Speaker of the House of
Representatives, believed Len Williams was a Veteran and
said so in court, see no 98 of Page 37 of the Judgement
which follows these comments
On Page 5 of the Judgement, which has
previously been included, It is mentioned that Len
Williams, prior to his visit to John Paul College had not
told the Principal he was not a Veteran, nor the fact the
mementoes were not his. Len Williams only mentioned this on his
arrival at the school and the judge said it was clear
from Len Williams’ own evidence that neither the
journalist/photographer Jacqui Sheather nor the children
photographed with Len Williams were present when the statements
were being made. The journalist photographer and the
children were all under the impression that Len Williams
was a Vietnam Veteran.
The following is from page 37 of the
Judgement
97. The plaintiff's evidence on
these issues was as follows. He denied he had ever
passed himself off as a Vietnam Veteran and gave
evidence that the matters complained of (and only the
matters complained of) had caused his reputation grave
damage (day 2, T‑34). He felt "ashamed to walk down the
street" and he shied away from meeting people (page 35)
or attending Ex‑Servicemen's functions whereas
previously he had been outgoing. He noticed a great
change in people's attitudes after publication (not
before) and said that members of parliament turned their
backs on him "and I understand it's from this letter
written by Mr David Doyle" (T‑35 lines 53‑54).
98. The plaintiff was
cross‑examined about his assertion in chief that members
of parliament avoided him and agreed that one of these
was Mr Nehl MP (day 2, T‑52). He said that this would be
proved by the contents of Mr Nehl's witness statement in
these proceedings. However, Mr Nehl gave no evidence,
orally or in his statement, that he had never read or
heard the matters complained of, or knew about their
publication until the plaintiff , commenced these
proceedings. Mr Nehl in his evidence explained his own
belief the plaintiff was a Veteran by reason of his
dress and conduct at Ex‑Service functions. He
Comments
from
Louise Croaker
Len has
not left or run out of Coffs Harbour as depicted in your
article,
nor has he used his son’s postal address, nor has he
borrowed money.
CPMH Comments
Len Williams sold his house and as far as we know
he is living in a caravan at a Caravan Park in Coffs
Harbour. Len Williams certainly went to Yamba but perhaps only
for a short time in his caravan.
Len Williams has most certainly used his son’s
postal address, we had this confirmed.
We have had reports of Len Williams borrowing
money, as he is crying poor and living in his caravan so he
doesn’t have to pay the Veterans the money owing to them as a
result of the court case.
Comments
from Louise Croaker
"He is more than just a poseur, he is a
vindictive trouble-maker. He
attempted to disgrace a genuine Veteran by publicly
claiming that the
Veteran was wearing un-awarded decorations. He also
complained to a Member of Parliament that the publishers
of the damning documents did not deserve the TPI
[Totally, Permanently Incapacitated] compensation
payments that they receive from the Department of
Veterans Affairs as compensation for war caused
disabilities. These complaints were groundless and the
MP told him so."
CPMH Comments
Len Williams first denied in court that he had
gone to Garry Nehl MP to try to have David Doyle’s and
Peter Millett’s TPI’s taken from them on the grounds
that both Peter and David were too fit to be given a TPI
pension. The Department of Veteran Affairs investigated
both David and Peter’s records and certainly found that
both men deserved their TPI’s. Neither Peter nor David
was aware that Len Williams had asked for an
investigation. This was pure malice and jealousy on Len
William’s part. How dare Len Williams insinuate that any
Veteran is not entitled to repatriation/compensation benefits for
their war Service. Is Len Williams a qualified Doctor that
has viewed the case histories of these or other Veterans?
The decision on repatriation benefits is with the Department of
Veterans Affairs, who we might add, have an extremely difficult
time assessing genuine claims because of the number of bogus
Veterans who attempt to infiltrate the system with lies and
deception.
Comments
from
Louise Croaker
In regards to this statement, the Veteran
who was wearing unawardede
decoarations was not publicly declared by Len Williams, but by a
Vietnam Veteran who not only ripped the unawarded
decorations from the Veteran in question but assaulted
him for wearing unawarded decorations. The TPI in
question was also taken and cut from a prominent member
of the Coffs Harbour RSL as he fradulently claimed his
pension, as he was not as incapacitated as he
claimed. This is public knowledge and is available
through the court system.
CPMH comments
This statement whatever it refers to
certainly does not relate to David Doyle nor Peter
Millett.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
Len is not runnig or hiding from any of these people, as
all of these
allogations made by these people are false.
CPMH comments
Which allegations are we supposed to have
made that are false? The Judge’s decision was final. Its now on
the public record. Len Williams
fired his own solicitors because they didn’t have the
grounds to appeal and couldn’t find any other solicitors
in Coffs Harbour to appeal the decision.
David Doyle said that Len Williams was neither a
Veteran nor a Vietnam Veteran. The court agreed that Len Williams
wasn’t any sort of a Veteran. Case cut and dry.....closed.
Comments
from Louise Croaker
Although your site, as I said at the
bginning, will weed out the unjust and
the frauds, this is an unjust statement towards Len
Williams, who has at no
time said, alledged or passed himself off as a Vietnam
Veteran. I think your
site should investigate such allogations more
thouroughly before such
slander is printed against an individual.
CPMH Comments
It was established in court that Len Williams had
certainly, for a number of years, tried to pass himself off as a
Vietnam Veteran. We most certainly researched the story and
have read the actual Judgment as you can see here. We have not printed slander!
We print facts. Look at any and all the cases on these
pages.
Comments
from
Louise Croaker
I am entitled to wear 3 medals for my service in the
army reserves. I wouild be infuriated if someone came
and said that I was not entitled to wear those medals
which I have earned.
CPMH Comments
To reiterate none of the defendants or anyone in
court other than Len Williams mentioned his medals. No one at any
stage mentioned that he was not entitled to wear his medals.
We have the entire 128
page Judgement. If, on the other hand, we do receive a
complaint about you or your service then we will indeed check it
all out, as we do with all reports sent to us.
Len Williams had sued the three defendants
for saying he wasn’t a Veteran or a Vietnam Veteran.
The Judge agreed with the defendants.
Comments from
Louise Croaker
In
summation, get your facts straight before bad mouthing a
great
Australian.
CPMH comments
In conclusion So there you have it
Ms Croaker.
You,
most certainly did NOT get your facts straight
before contacting us and as far as Len Williams being a great
Australian, neither the court, nor the defendants or
most members of Veteran and the ex-service community in
Coffs Harbour agree! What you have in effect done
is bring up some of the items we keep in storage for
such occasions as a challenge like yours. e.g. the full court
transcript. Having
now had the opportunity to peruse your email we would
like to thank you again for allowing us to upgrade this
page for Len Williams. All upgrades now go back to
the head of the queue. It makes it easier for the
readers to find those that have been updated.
We will give you one point that you failed to mention.
Len Williams, as a civilian, has been decorated for
bravery and was awarded the Bravery Medal.
We congratulate him on being awarded this medal and
would consider putting the citation for this award on
the site to show that we do not discriminate nor detract
from the fact that he has been awarded it, if you would
like to send us a copy. However, his
other efforts as shown above may make a mockery of it
and we do not wish to do this. Instead we will
amend his opening to these pages and put the BM he is
entitled to use as a post nominal after his name.
Finally when you report back to Len Williams please advise him
that he was ordered to pay $63,000 in costs to the court
and to the Veterans he attempted to sue. To
date no money has been forthcoming to the Veterans.
Shame on you Len Williams, shame. Again you abuse the
Veteran community.
|
WILLIAMS Leonard Richard
aka "Lying Lenny" [BM]
