Stolen Valour

Some wannabes claim that their records are "Secret",  have been "Sanitised" or have been "Destroyed" in an attempt to further their standing in the Veteran community.   Some records are classified Secret when it becomes a matter of National security. An Able-Seaman would not fall into this category.   Sanitised is a new ‘buzz-word’ among wannabes with the implication that should you gain access to a persons file then you will not be able to see the complete file. Records are never Destroyed. Some wannabes claim this has happened and at times attempt to provide bogus proof of this.  In conjunction with this the 30 year secrecy act for Viet Nam is over.

Sadly for wannabes and Roque Charles Hammal, the truth always wins in the end.

Roque Charles "China’ Hammal was born in the British colony of Hong Kong on 23 August 1952, of mixed race parentage. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy [RAN] in Sydney on 18 Oct 1969, for a period of 9 years and was allocated Service Number R106976.   At that time he was 17 years and 2 months old and served continuously in the Navy for a period of 12 years and 17 days when he requested his own discharge, which was granted on 4 Nov 81, with the rank of Petty Officer.

Since that date Hammal has concocted many stories regaling his service. He carried out this litany of half truths and fabrications to such a level whereby people he has duped have come out in support of his nefarious and spurious service and stated that they had examined Hammal's service records and supposed letters from government departments, that actually support his stories. How wrong they were.  See below.

Below are a series of photo’s taken at various times at official functions and parades.



Now compare these photo’s with Hammal’s true entitlement shown here.

Hammal made application for and was issued his Service Medals in the following order:

1.      Returned From Active Service Badge in 1991,

2.      Viet Nam Logistics Service Medal in 1993,

3.      Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp: Viet Nam, in1997, and

4.      Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp FESR, in 1997.

These are all he is entitled to wear.

In addition to his real entitlement Hammal wears the following authorised medal without being lawfully issued it and the following "tin"/commemorative medals:

Vietnamese Campaign Medal  - Instituted by the Government of the Republic of Viet Nam and awarded to Australians with the Queen's permission, for 181 days continuous "Special Service" in Viet Nam or adjacent waters between 31 July 1962 and 27 January 1973. Service of a lesser period also qualified if brought to an end by death due to enemy action or by being wounded in action i.e. classified as a Battle Casualty. Lesser service terminated by "medical" evacuation to Australia (sickness etc.) did not qualify.  This medal is shown below.  The unlawful wearing of this medal now places him in the position of being charged under the new act and liable to a fine of $3300 and a maximum jail sentence of 6 months.

Navy Tin Medals such as the HMAS Sydney Medal -  A tin association medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition.   This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals

The Australian Logistic Support Forces Medal - A tin commemorative medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition.   This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals

Foreign Service Medal -  A tin  commemorative medal which is purchased by the wearer and has no official recognition.   This medal is shown below and is not to be worn on an authorised rack of medals

If worn at all, these tin medals should be worn on the right breast, inline with awarded medals which are worn by the recipient on the left breast.

You will see from evidence produced below that ‘China’ Hammal’s real Viet Nam Service consisted of approximately 12 hours in Vietnamese waters on the HMAS Swan, a ship that did not anchor. An extract of evidence from  an AAT hearing on the activities of HMAS Swan in Vietnamese waters is shown below.



     

                               

For this service he is entitled to wear the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) with Clasp Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Logistics Support Medal (VLSM)."   See the real entitlement to medals for China at the beginning of this page.

Some of Hammal's claims of Navy service:

Claim 1. Hammal has stated "Prior to my transfer from the Royal Hong Kong Navy in October 69 I had a short induction period in HMAS Penguin Diving School in February 69".  See below his own words.

Fact 1. Hammal has made the claim of transferring to the Royal Australian Navy from the Royal Hong Kong Navy in Oct 69. His records however show that he applied for enlistment in the RAN on 6 Aug 69 in Sydney, NSW and was enlisted on 18 Oct 69, where he declared on his enlistment papers, D.R.1, 89/69  that he had no prior Military service.
 

During his childhood ( 7 & 8 yrs old) he was billeted with his parents at HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island (1959-60) which was the Royal Navy shore base in Hong Kong. This is confirmed on his Dept of Navy Personal Particulars Form CDO 4664 dated 12 Aug 69 shown here.

This would be the only contact he had with the RN. Also, on form DR1 (Application Form For Males for Enlistment) at para 10, "State highest education standard attained and name of school", he has answered "Form 5, King George Fifth School, 1969, Hong Kong.". This form dated 6 Aug 69 is shown here.

Claim 2. Also in the statement below he claims, "When HMAS Perth had her major refits in Sydney, I served in HMAS Parramatta during the fall of Saigon".

Fact 2. From a search of posting records it is revealed that Hammal was posted to HMAS Parramatta on 17 Oct 73 until 5 May 74. The last time HMAS Parramatta was in Vung Tau harbour was on 22 May 71(for a period of 4 hrs 30mins). Saigon fell to North Viet Nam 4 years later on 30 Apr 75. This is another ridiculous and laughable claim.

Claim 3. Another from the same statement below by Hammal  is, "During my RAN service, my records show 3088 days at sea serving as a bubblie and stoker". (The term "bubblie" is RAN parlance for a Clearance Diver as opposed to a ships diver) 

Fact 3. Hammal’s records show that he commenced an ABCD (Able Seaman Clearance Diver) course at HMAS Penguin, a shore based facility at Pittwater in Sydney, on 3 Jan 71. He remained at HMAS Penguin until 1 March 71, a period of 8 weeks, then he was transferred to HMAS Cerberus, another shore based facility. The length of time required to successfully complete the ABCD course was 8 months for the 1971 course so one can see that Hammal failed the course and could never have served as a Clearance Diver (CD) in Viet Nam.

Claim 4. Further to the rest of Hammal's entertaining claims as shown below, comes the one where he states," After a short introduction to the RAN in HMAS Cerberus I had various duties and served in numerous ships including a period in HMS Danae during the Viet Nam campaign".

Fact 4. A search of HMS Danae’s (Royal Navy) crew listing (1967-71) does not show any person named Hammal. Another absurd claim easily disproved because the full crew listing may be found at [bookmark us first....this will take you away from the site] http://www.fullspeed.to/hmsdanaeand Hammal’s naval records do not show any posting or attachments to not only the RN but to HMS Danae from the RAN.

Claim 5. In Claim 3 above it can be seen that Hammal has stated that, "During my RAN service, my records show 3088 days at sea serving as a bubblie and stoker".

Fact 5.  Notice that Hammal has stated "3,088 days at sea" not in sea going ships but, days at sea. The claim of serving "3,088 days at sea" is simply another ludicrous claim. 3,088 days is 8 yrs and 5 mths out of a total of 12 yrs 17 days service.

This is a list of Hammal’s postings to sea going ships as copied from his official Navy records.

HMAS Anzac: 20 Apr 70 to 3 Jan 71 = 258 days.

HMAS Swan: 13 Aug 71 to 21 Jan 73 = 557 days.* #

HMAS Perth: 22 Jan 73 to 16 Oct 73 = 266 days.

HMAS Parramatta: 17 Oct 73 to 04 May 74 = 198 days.

HMAS Perth: 05 May 74 to 08 Feb 76 = 643 days.

HMAS Perth: 10 Jun 77 to 02 Dec 79 = 905 days.

Total = 2827 days on sea going ships.

* While posted to HMAS Swan, Hammal had, according to his leave record, a total of 90 days leave. Also during this period, according to the ships movements logs, the Swan spent 180 days in different ports. This means that out of 557 days on this sea going ship Hammal actually spent 287 days at sea.

# Also, it was in this period that Hammal did his one and only visit to Viet Nam.   HMAS Swan was allocated for service from 4 Oct 71 to 14 Oct 71 and accordingly departed Singapore on 4 Oct, met up with HMAS Sydney on 5 Oct, arrived and left Vung Tau on 6 Oct and arrived Manila on 14 Oct.

On both of HMAS Swan’s visits to Vung Tau, ships records indicate that the ship never anchored at any time thus making diving operations impossible. Evidence from an AAT hearing confirms this as shown below.

Claim 6. From Hammal’s local community newspaper, the Cockburn Gazette, dated  June 11 -  June 17, 2002 in an interview given, Hammal states, "China served in the Hong Kong Navy and the Australian Navy for more than 12 years which involved three years in the Viet Nam war."
 

Nowhere can it be found that Hammal refuted the above claims.

Fact 6. Claims of serving in Viet Nam for 3 years are simply ludicrous. The last RAN Escort ship in Vietnamese waters was the HMAS Vampire which departed the port of Vung Tau for Palau Tioman on 24 Nov 72.   Three years before this date ( 24 Nov 69) Hammal had just enlisted in the RAN.

Claim 7. From The West Australian newspaper dated 10 June 2002 in an article written by reporter Ben Ruse, Hammal made the statement that he, "trained as a diver in Hong Kong and went to Viet Nam with the Royal Australian Navy in 1969 at the age of 17."
 

Nowhere can it be found that Hammal has refuted this statement.

Fact 7. As can be seen in Fact 1 above, Hammal never enlisted in the RAN until 18 Oct 69. Taking into account the time required for him to complete his "rookies" course at HMAS Cerberusit is just farcical to claim he went to Viet Nam in 1969.

It is indeed a sad day when a sailor who has done so much for the Veteran community has to enhance his service far beyond what he infact did during service, as this now tarnishes everything he has done for that Veteran community and has also caused those within this community to rise against him and have the Order of Australia Medal that he was offered, quashed. Further to this Hammal had a sob story for the WA Sunday Times, dated 14th September 2003,  in which he continues to tell his lies in an endeavour to convince the public that he was worthy of the award.    See below,  you make the judgement.
 

To be a recipient of this medal, you must have a good standing in the community and a flawless record.   Non-disclosure of discrepancies can and does see the award rescinded.   This is unfortunate due to the outstanding work that Hammal has done within the community, but lies and deceit are not tolerated and the reward for this is removal of the medal as has been the case here.  Veterans were outraged at this award and took appropriate action to have it rescinded.   This is now going to create further expense for the Veteran community as this plaque below displaying OAM after Hammal’s name will have to be recast to reflect the truth. This is in Fremantle, Western Australia.

                                            

It has been alleged that  he didn’t fully understand the form and failed to disclose a matter of convictions from his past.  It is also alleged that because of his mixed race background he didn’t understand the wording of the applicable form for acceptance of the OAM.   This is refuted as he is a British subject who’s primary language is English and was at birth and has been the primary language used for approximately 34 years since arriving in Australia in 1969.

Over the past few years Veterans began to become aware of the tall stories that have emanated from Hammal and they began to check into his service record to obtain the truth.   Many Navy personnel approached CPMH for assistance here and we have worked quietly with the growing number of these Veterans who sought the truth.   It has taken a number of  years and with the assistance of all the Veterans involved we now have the truth as you see it here on these pages.

Hard copies of these records are now in our possession and these are what have been used to reflect the truth shown on these pages.

CPMH makes no apology for this entry on our pages and does not intend to pursue this into the depths of the welfare organisation that Hammal created in Western Australia, unless it is revealed that there are more untruths reported by Veterans that can do damage to the Veteran Community as a whole. This would then become a matter for other government departments and we would hand over any information that we uncovered and proved,  to the relevant authority for appropriate action.

China Hammal is a Veteran in his own right.  He has been awarded the medals as we stated above.  He has no entitlement to wear any other awards on his rack other than those we have indicated.  The Veteran Community of Western Australia should now make him aware of this and ensure that the “tin”and other illegal medals  that he wears are removed as they are an embarrassment to all genuine Veterans.   If Hammal is that gullible that he has to wear tin then they should be racked separately and worn on the right breast, well away from his awarded medals, so that the genuine people can have a quiet chuckle as he proudly displays them.

This applies to anyone who feels they have a need to wear tin.

If after being advised the protocol for wearing medals and awards he is still unsure then he should be directed to Ex Service Organisation sites where he can read the correct protocol for wearing medals after discharge………All people who wear tin would be well advised to do this as these “tin” medals are becoming an embarrassment to us all.

The Viet Nam Campaign Medal,  for 181 days "continuous Special Service" in Viet Nam or adjacent waters,  worn by Hammal has not been awarded to him.   The fines and punishments for fraudulently wearing decorations has just been amended in Parliament and penalties increased quite considerably.  Removal of this award is strongly recommended or appropriate action from the relevant authorities will be sought in the near future.
 

This photo is the latest taken -  30 Nov 2003

and so endeth the myth of the legendary service of this sailor. We can only hope that he wakes up to reality now, removes the un-awarded and tin medals he wears and continues his life as it should be, for it is these lies and his undeclared past, that has seen the awarding of the Order of Australia Medal rescinded.  A further conviction will be sought if the illegal medal is not removed.

Cheers China.........the beers are on us. 

There will no doubt be many comments passed on this site entry.  Please come back and visit again as we will post them all here for you to see......good and bad.  Your details will be recorded by CPMH but not displayed.  This section is to  allow you to  make your judgement on if we have been fair in exposing the truth.  This is the area where you can have your say......not our guest book.

THE CHINA HAMMAL COMMENTS SECTION
The comments below will only show which Military Service the person belonged to.

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
  Sent: Friday, 26 December 2003 6:43 AM
To:  file@cpmh.net
Subject: Re: China & PERTH launch
G'day CPMH,
An excellent article on CPMH.  I noted that you have concentrated on the facts and have not bought up any information which could be labelled as "putting the knife in"  -  well done.

Once again, well done on an article which should not draw too many "brickbats" for being demeaning.  It is pure fact and that should be quite obvious to readers.

Regards and Happy New Year,
Navy

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Friday, 26 December 2003 8:52 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: CHINA

fellas what can I say? After what seems years the XXX fool has been nailed to the wall.

 There is a God! You do realise that China will bleat his innocence to anyone that will listen.

 But he didn't reckon on the care factor. WE DON'T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

regards

Navy

 

PS I have taken the liberty to forward that article on to the number of ex-members of the RAN who had the misfortune to serve with the XXX lying XXXXX XXXX.

Can I ring a friend?
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Saturday, 27 December 2003 4:05 AM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: Re: CHINA

China should remember that there are people out there whose memory of events are far better than his. His OAM citation should read Order of All-round Manipulator.  China has to realize that he has over the years upset a lot of people and being awarded the OAM was the straw that broke the camels back. Bullxxxx as much as you like, but do it quietly, and to yourself. That way the person you are talking too can believe the stories.

 

regards
Navy

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Saturday, 27 December 2003 20:30 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: Re: CHINA

Well the lies have been around for a long time and now we finally have the truth.  There are a lot in the west who will have egg on their face once they read this entry.  Well done CPMH.  All us "real" veterans applaud you for your efforts.  Do government departments read your site?  If they do they should gather the facts, compare it to what they have on record and then conduct their own investigations as there is a lot more to this "bubblie" than you have shown here.   Congratulations on getting his OAM removed too.  He is not a worthy recipient of this award and if he had it, it would only belittle all those who have it or receive it in the future.  It is now up to the veterans in WA to replace the plaque that displays his name with OAM after it..........the bill should be sent to China for its replacement.

Navy

NB:  CPMH were not responsible for the removal of the OAM award.  This was taken up by concerned Veterans who, under their own steam ensured that the truth was known concerning this award.   CPMH congratulates them for their concerns and attention to this matter.

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Sunday, 28 December 2003 9:17 AM
To: CPMH (Wannabe's)
Subject: China
 

As the advert' says....."I don't know how he can live with himself"

Thankyou CPMH, you've done a sterling job, I can only hope someone takes the ***** to court.

Regards

Navy 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Sunday, 28 December 2003 10:45 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: Roque (china) Hammal

To the instigator of this website.

I am very concerned that your organisation has taken it upon itself to "expose" persons who you claim to be not entitled to wear the medals or have not served their country in the manner which appears to be supported by the official records of the military system and D.V.A.

I am also very well aquainted with China and can vouch for his support of the veteran community in general. I believe that I would be dead or very incapable of looking after myself or anyone else if I had not received some very genuine assistance from China.

I realise that there are many people who do pretend to be what they are not. These are usually detected very quickly and do not need the national publicity of your website to deter them from offending further once discovered.

In fact, I feel very sorry for those that feel they need to act out a role to which they probably could never have belonged.

Your insistence that China wears medals to which he is not entitled is one which should be referred to the Commonwealth Police if you have genuine information that this is the case. You do not have the authority to libel anyone, regardless of the "crime" you think they may have commited. That is exactly what you are doing and your website and its various connections are being investigated further to establish what charges may be brought against you personally and anyone else found to be linked to your site.

It would appear that this attempt to villify various individuals may be connected to your own shortcomings. Perhaps you would care to make personal contact with me through my e-mail address, I will be happy to let you "investigate" me, but I assure you, that I will be doing the same for you and anyone connected with you.

I will be seeking further information about you and will refer all found to the appropriate authorities.

Yours very sincerely,

Navy

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent: Wednesday, 7 January 2004 8:48 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Cc:
Subject: China Hammal

 Another error in your drivel is that HMS Tamar is not on Stonecutters island it is situated on Hong Kong Island . Please print only correct facts - this includes the facts regarding the wearing of commemorative medals and the length of navy diving courses.
Navy

NB:....when one quotes facts one should check facts first.  http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/11/hong.kong/

-----Original Message-----
From: Navy
Sent:Thursday, 8 January 2004 5:26 PM
To: file@cpmh.net
Subject: China Hammal

 To those of you at CPMH who have put China Hammal's name up in lights on your websight, and "exposed" him for not being entitled to wear the Vietnam Campaign Medal, you may want to start thinking about how you are going to pay the defamation suit that I hope he brings against you.   The fact that not one of you have the guts to publicly state who you are, will not help you in the end.   You will be exposed for the world to see and there are those of us who will ensure that your names are spread around, just as you have spread China's name.    The difference between you and us, is that despite your so called criteria, we will do our homework properly and get it right before we name you.   In your report on how investigations are done you claim that in the case of real veterans, they are always given the chance to cease and desist before publication.   Just when did you contact China and give him this option?   You didn't, and he would not have done so in any case.   He doesn't have to prove anything to you anonymous cowards.  Like the gutless wonders you are, you went ahead and published this litany of lies without even following your own guidelines and checking the facts.

The people who have compiled the data on China have very conveniently changed things around to suit their own twisted ideas of what really transpired during his service in the RAN.   Had they bothered to check the Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association (WA Inc) website, and clicked on to "Committee," they would have been able to read both his claims to wearing the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the OAM Story.    There is ample proof there that shows he has been investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Commonwealth Fraud Squad, and the Vietnam Veterans Association of  Australia WA Branch Inc, all of whom have verified his entiltlement to this medal.

You claim that the Vietnamese Campaign Medal was awarded with the Queen's permission for 181 days continuous "Special Service" in Vietnam or adjacent waters.   If you had done your homework, you would have known that no Australian navy ship served in adjacent waters off the coast of Vietnam for 181 continuous days during the Vietnam conflict.  The four destroyers HMAS Perth, Hobart, Brisbane and Vendetta were deployed for periods in excess of six months from their home port of Sydney on their tours of duty,  but they did not serve continuously on the Gunline for 181 days at any time.   There must have been some other criteria for the awarding of this medal to RAN sailors.   We know what it was, why don't you?

As far as his  commemorative medals are concerned, there is no law which says he cannot wear them wherever he likes once he becomes a civilian.   Some ex service Associations have made their own rules about the wearing of these medals.    The Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association  (WA), of which China is the Honourable Chairman does not have any such regulations.   If he chooses to wear them for whatever reason, that is his business, and neither you nor any other association has the right to say he cannot wear them.   As someone already explained to you, despite your sarcastic remark of "yeah....right on," those of us who served on the logistic support ships, ie HMAS Sydney and her escorts, and were not real heros like yourselves had to fight for many years for recognition which was why some chose to wear commemorative medals.   Had you bothered to do your checking on that fact, you would have known that to be true.

The writer points out that China's real service in Vietnam consisted of 12 hours in Vietnamese waters on HMAS Swan, and produces a letter to back this up.   Unfortunately this letter never mentions anything about the Swan being in Vietnamese waters during this "Operation Awkward," which by the way was a common operational name given to many exercises during my 20 years in the RAN.   The letter mentions Thailand and Hong Kong but not Vietnam and gives no dates when this particular "Operation Awkward" took place.

China has never claimed that he was a clearance diver in the RAN.  He wore a cuff rate (badge) on his uniform to indicate that he was a ship's diver.   Under no circumstances would he have been able to wear this badge and perform diving duties if he was not qualified to do so.   As one of his Petty Officers on HMAS Perth in 1973, I distinctly remember that China was often required to perform diving duties (Bubblie) as opposed to Engineering duties (Stoker), and for that reason whilst on the Engineering Watchbill, most of his duties allowed him to be freed up quickly for diving duties if required.

Your writer disputes  China's claim that he served on HMS Danae for a period of time during the Vietnam conflict, and provides a website that lists the ships crew from 1967-71.   A check of this website reveals that it primarily concerns HMS Danae's first commission from 1967-69, when it returned to the UK, and lists the crew for that period of time.  It does not show any deployment details past October 2, 1969, which was before China enlisted in the RAN.   China could very well have been posted to HMS Danae on  temporary duties during his service and it would not necessarily show up in his Service Records.  Since you guys are so clever and have access to everything, it should be a simple matter for you to cross reference  HMS Danae's later deployments and those of the RAN ships China was on and see if you can match up anything.  You might just be surprised.   Many of these types of posting were logged only by confirmation signals between ships and  c.c.'d  to relevant authorities in Navy Office.   During my time on HMAS Perth in 1981, I did temporary exchange duties with USS Charles F Adams for about five days in the Indian Ocean.   This is not listed on my Service Records.   My service records also do not indicate that whilst serving at sea, I was hospitalised at HMAS Penguin for a week on two occasions.   This is confirmed by my medical records.

In China's claim that he served at sea for a period of time, your writer is clutching at straws by stating that he served on "sea going ships" as opposed to being "at sea."     In the RAN a person is posted either to shore or to sea.  That the ship may not be underway, does not diminish the fact that a person is classified as being "at sea."  by Navy Office.    A special payment called Hard Laying Allowance was paid to all sailors serving on ships irrespective of whether the ship was actually underway or sitting in dry dock, and an extra two weeks leave per year was granted to these sailors to compensate for the fact that they were at sea and living in abnormal conditions compared to their counterparts on shore based  postings.

China's service record indicates that he spent an extraordinary amount of time at sea from April 1970 until December 1979.   This is completely out of proportion to the normal sea/shore ratio for engineering sailors of his rank during that time, which was approximately two and a half years at sea followed by 18 months in a shore posting.   It appears that his only shore time was taken to allow him to do the necessary courses required for further training and promotion.   Perhaps your writer can explain this anomoly.

It has already been shown that just because a person was posted to a ship,  doesn't necessarily mean that he was actually on the ship for the full period of time without going elsewhere.   China joined the RAN  in October 1969,  Saigon fell in 1975.   China has stated he served for 12 years in the RAN, which involved 3 years in the Vietnam War.  He has also stated he was sent to HMAS Parramatta during HMAS Perth's refit in Sydney and was on that ship during the fall of Saigon.  Whilst Saigondid not actually fall until 1975, the writing was on the wall long before that time and the Americans had started a massive pull out.   HMAS Parramatta was in Asian waters during that time when the Americans started to pull out of Vietnam.  That is the period of time China refers to during his HMAS Parramatta sea service.    Simply because a particular ship that he was on was not actually in Vietnamese waters has no bearing on where China might have been at any time during his service career.    His claim is for 207 days in Vietnam.    If you had bothered to check the movements of the ships he served on from 1970 until his return to HMAS Perth in May 1974, you might have realised that most of the times these ships were in Asian waters.

Your writer conveniently supplied me with China's leave record for his period of 18 months service on HMAS Swan.    He states that China had 90 days leave.   RAN regulations would only have entitled him to 63 days for that length of time on a ship.    So how did he manage to get an extra 27 days?    Where was he, and when was this leave taken in relation to the ships movements?

Your claim that an Able Seaman (ie China) would never have records classified "Secret" and be destroyed are also false.   If you bothered to check the ANVVWA website there is a letter from the Department of Defence confirming that China's files namely, Postings/Transfers of Branch Files, Removals and Associated Allowances Files and Overseas Allowances Files were destroyed in 1990 and 1989 respectively.   Why would an Able Seaman have these files destroyed?   If there were nothing in these files that were not "Undicloseable," why were they destroyed?   China's  Service Rankings do not have any bearing on what he actually did or where he went at various times during his RAN career.    This is what you people have not and cannot establish.

You congratulate some Veterans for ensuring that China's OAM was rescinded.    It is a pity that these small minded people didn't clean up their own backyards first.   They live in glass houses, and shouldn't  throw stones.    China never asked for this award, and it was other Veterans who nominated him for it in the first place in appreciation for all he has done for the Veteran community, irrespective of which Service they served in..    He filled in the appropriate forms correctly and answered all questions asked of him honestly.    It is only a few senile old fools in other Associations, jealous of China's standing in the community, who are trying to bring him down.   This is known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome.   If they really are that upset about his name and OAM post nominals appearing on the plaque, then let them replace it at their cost.    The rest of us don't care.   If it wasn't for China's efforts, the Monument to RAN Personnel who served and lost their lives in Vietnam would not even be there.   He got off his arse and made it happen.

China's mates will stand by him, and like him, we don't give a toss about you, or the rest of the backstabbers.    You people have no right to set yourselves up as Judge, Jury and Executioners.   If you believe you are correct in your assassination of China's character, then I challange all of you responsible for compiling and publishing these accusations to at least have the intestinal fortitude to put your names to the accusations.   If you believe you have the proof, take it to the appropriate authorities for them to investigate properly.

XXXXXX

Ex RAN

   7th March 2009

Hammal has had his TPI Special Rate reinstated – this is a scandalous affair and a sad day for the veteran community

 

Chairman of the Australian Naval Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association (ANVVWA) Peter Denver has gleefully advised that China Hammal has had his TPI, Special Rate reinstated. Reinstatement has been verbally confirmed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and it is a sad day for truth, honesty and the integrity of Veterans everywhere. This is what Denver has written:

 

“Quite often I get asked how our Association founder is getting on these days. Those of you that know China Hammal are probably aware that there were people in the veteran community that did not like him, and complained to DVA that his status as a TPI was not based on service related conditions. These complaints resulted in DVA investigators coming to the conclusion that he was not entitled to his TPI pension, and subsequently took it off him.   As a result of these malicious complaints from other veterans, he had no money, had been advised he had to repay over $230,000 to DVA, was unable to work, was reduced to handouts from charitable organizations, and was often on the very edge of giving up the will to live.  

 

Those of us who knew the man, refused to accept the decision by the DVA investigators, and we stood along side him as mates.    We supported and assisted him financially to survive, helped him to get his VRB Appeal together, and he finally had his day at the VRB in January 2008.   

 

The VRB heard his appeal, and they accepted the evidence that China presented, that his claim was genuine.  This was the same evidence, that China had advised the DVA investigators was available if they would look at it during their investigation.   They did not do it.  China won his appeal and his TPI status was restored.   He received all the back pay that had been withheld.  DVA have not lodged an appeal against the decision handed down by the VRB.   What those people who call themselves veterans did to another veteran was unforgivable in my book.   They are not worthy of the title veteran.     The truth prevailed.  

 

Peter Denver

Chairman”

 

China Hammal was the founder of ANVVWA and was well known for his ability to “sell” pensions to his Pusser mates.  “Just sign the blank application, tell China on which ships you served and he would conjure up all kinds of trauma stressors to get you the TPI Special Rate, and of course there was the donation to ANVVWA for services rendered.” There are many smiling ex Pussers in the Perth WA area who benefited greatly, but dishonestly from China’s legerdemain.

After reading the original ANZMI reports on China you will understand that he was/is a thoroughly dishonest and unprincipled human being.

Before China was re-instated an article in the ANVVWA Newsletter was included, begging for funds to “Bring China Back to Perth for ANZAC Day 2009”. Here is the article:

                                                                    HELPING A MATE

Some of you may remember our Association founder  China Hammal, and may be aware of the disgusting inquisition that he had to endure at the hands of DVA investigators in which he lost his TPI status as a result of complaints that were made against him by other veterans in the community, who for reasons best known to themselves decided that he was not entitled to his TPI.   I am sure that those of you who know him are also aware that he won his case at the VRB, and his TPI was restored.  

Sadly there are still people out there who will not let it go, and they continue to hassle him about the medals he wears, which he believes he is entitled to wear, and which his detractors have never proved that he is not entitled to wear them.    This has upset him so much that he no longer participates in Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, or ANZAC Day Services and the march in NSW where he now lives.

A motion was put forward at our last Association meeting that we try and get China over here for ANZAC Day 2009.   His financial situation is such that he cannot afford to pay his own way over here, as he is still trying to repay debts as a result of losing his TPI. It was agreed that we would try and raise the cost of his return airfare amongst ourselves.   As such we have started a private fund raiser in the office called "China Hammal – ANZAC Day 2009."    Please Note: No Association Funds will be used for this cause.

Anyone who would like to help us get China over here for ANZAC Day 2009 so he can be with his mates on this important day in the veteran community, can send a donation to our office either by cheque or money order made out to Peter Denver  our ANVVWA Chairman or Carole Matthews our ANVVWA Secretary.   Please include a note saying it is for "China Hammal - ANZAC Day 2009", and not a donation to our Association.  You will be issued with a receipt provided you include your return address, and the money will be kept in a private safe until we have sufficient to purchase his return airfare.   Any money left over after purchasing his plane ticket, from the donations received will be given to China as a gift from his mates to help him out financially.   In the event that this falls through, and he does not come over, you will be given a refund of your donation less any postage costs etc.   Further details in

Moore

Surname: Moore

Christian Names: Gary

Country: Australia

State or Province: Victoria

City or Town: Crib Point

Service: Nil

Case Notes:

 

UPDATE: Gary Moore Crib Point RSL

The scurrilous wannabe Gary Moore of Crib Point was exposed as a Vietnam wannabe and valour thief, in late 2020.

He has represented the Crib Point RSL by marching on commemorative occasions with the flag. It is also suspected that he is wearing two medals on his left breast in the photograph below:

 

Moore is still on the committee of the Crib Point RSL, works behind the bar, and is a welfare officer at the behest of his good mate, the President of the Crib Point RSL Mr John "Geordie" Ord and the management committee.

Moore has been completely forgiven for his valour theft, by "his mate", the President John Ord. Ord issued an ultimatum, that if the current committee gets rid of Moore, he will resign, and the lily livered committee allowed him to get away with it.

The problem with the ten members of the Crib Point RSL Board is that apart from Ord, only one other, has ever served in the Australian, or any other Defence Force.

Most on the committee are controlled by Ord. Ord has been President for 39 years, democracy does not reign, and the Board does as Ord directs.

Ord enlisted into the Army on 28 January 1964 for a three year period, and was discharged on 7 Feb 1967. After recruit training, he was allocated to Royal Australian Army Corps of Signals, (RA Sigs), however, he failed the Signals training, and was transferred to Australian Army Catering Corps (AACC), where he served as a private cook for the remaining twenty two months of his enlistment period. During his three years of service, he was officially charged and disciplined eight times. Here is an example:

 

Although the Vietnam war was in full force during his time of service, he was never deployed overseas. In summary, he spent three years in the Army, of which ten months involved training, and was charged eight times.

Ord still exhibits the same lack of regard for protocol and rules, as he did fifty four years ago when he was serving. Here is a photograph of Ord, wearing an RSL award on his left breast. National RSL constitution by laws, direct that the medal is worn on the right breast.

 

Here are the RSL National instructions on wearing that award.

Beside not having a clue on how to wear the medal. His right hand across his right breast indicates he is attempting the Veterans Salute to fallen comrades. In fact his right hand should be covering, his Australian Defence Medal, as per this tradition.

"The Veterans Salute to their “Fallen Comrades” originated in London on Armistice Day in 1920, during the ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall at the same time a funeral procession accompanying the remains of the “Unknown Soldier” halted at the Cenotaph during the ceremony before proceeding to Westminster Abbey for internment. Those present included the senior Soldier, sailor and many Victoria Cross winners. The ceremony concluded with a march past. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard Regiment conducting the ceremony, faced with a gathering of highly decorated and high ranking military men (including many Victoria Cross winners), all wearing rows of medals, decreed that all would salute the Cenotaph as they marched past by placing their hand over their medals, signifying that “No matter what honours we may have been awarded they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice”.

In addition Ord is the President, Secretary and Welfare Officer, whilst Moore is also a Wefare Officer and Barman. Moore does most of the Welfare work, however, neither Ord or Moore, have been trained, and neither are qualified for the task, and therefore must not be designated on the management board as Welfare officers. Under Ord's autocratic presidency, anything he says goes.

It is incongruous to have Moore, a liar, cheat and wannabe voting as a committee man at an RSL. It is obvious that President John Orr, is still as much an ill disciplined problem, as he was, when he served in the Army.

Moore has committed the ultimate insult against veterans, and a formal criminal offence, against the Defence Act 1903 Part VII Section 80A, by falsely representing to be returned soldier. For that criminal act, there is a maximum fine of $3,300 or six months imprisonment, or both. Victoria Police are involved, and Moore is being investigated.

RSL Sub branches on the Mornington Peninsula, and RSL sub branches everywhere. as well as all Veterans, ex Service men and woman, are urged to contact the Victoria RSL, and protest about the shameful handling of Moore and discordant management of the Crib Point Victoria RSL.

We assert that Moore must be expelled with ignominy and the entire committee removed.

****

Four years ago, Gary Moore, was accepted as an Associate member of the Crib Point RSL Sub Branch, on the basis of his father's seventy two days of WWII Army service in the Australia Army, in 1940. Since acceptance Moore has been elected as a member of the RSL management committee:

Immediately on arrival, he asserted to members that he is a damaged Vietnam veteran, and exhibited symptoms of PTSD to all and sundry.

Having been exposed as a fake, he admits his deceit and apologises. We are sure, he is sorry, because he was caught, and not because of his offence.

Moore is a classic bogus Vietnam Veteran. He even wrote a four page account of his Vietnam Service Titled "A walk in the light green". Here are the last two paragraphs of his four page essay.

"Bursts of machine-gun fire, rifle fire. Choppers frantically dropping the rest of our company off, then getting out as fast as they can before they collect their share of lead. I watch Frank and Dougie’s chopper come in, the pilot is not game enough to come in any lower than a few metres from the ground, so they decide to jump, a long way to the ground, as their chopper is hit by machine gun fire, killing the pilot and spiralling into the ground. I hear the cries and screams of the soldiers, but we cannot help.
Hand signals indicate to move out in arrowhead formation in quick time. Get out of this exposed position and into the edge of the Long Green".

We hold numerous Statutory Declarations, detailing what Moore has directly told others at the RSL. Here are examples:

"His PTSD is magnified by the fact that he shot and killed, a 15 year old Vietnamese boy".

"While sitting with head in hands, he stated it was a dark day, as one of my Vietnam veteran mates has just committed suicide".

"Stated he would not seek assistance for his war caused PTSD from a Government, who treated Vietnam Veterans so badly, on their return to Australia".

Veterans everywhere, particularly those who served in Vietnam, will not forgive Moore's antics, however, the President of the Crib Point RSL, Mr John R Ord, fully condones Moore's behaviour and states in an email:

"I have been the President for 37 years and on the executive over 40 years I run a very strict club and I believe every Member will agree that they don't want to be called in the office by myself, Gary has twice and received a very severe dressing down from me, he realises his errors and is I believe very embarrassed He did offer to resign from committee, which I refused to accept as I believe he is a great asset to the Sub Branch and does a lot of good work and has learned his lesson"..

Moore is a freewheeling "big noter" at the RSL, who is quick to do the President's bidding.

Despite the covering up, there are many people from the area who will not tolerate Moore's, and the President's behaviour.

Moore has extolled to many, at Crib Point, that he is a mentally harmed, Vietnam Veteran. He is a freewheeling, big noting Committee Member at the RSL, who has won the Presidents favour because he is quick to do the Presidents bidding.

Moore knows nothing about the reality of Veterans' actual suffering, as a result of the Vietnam war. He has no redeeming qualities, and is placed on this web site with ignominy, for Australia and the whole world to know of his disgraceful behaviour.

Brooke

Surname: Brooke

Christian Names: Terrence John

Country: Australia

State or Province: Queensland

City or Town: Brisbane

Service: RAN

Case Notes:

This sailor is a genuine veteran.     Then why is he here on CPMH you ask??       The sad reason Terry Brooke features on the pages of Australia's Military Imposters is that he is not satisfied with the service he gave during his career in the Royal Australian Navy and has resorted to concocting fairy tales amongst the veteran community that he had supported so well.     Terry has been the president of the Vietnam Veterans Association, North Brisbane for 10 years and during that time provided outstanding service to the veteran community within that organisation.

In recent years this service began to deteriorate. Stories of being a 17 year old sailor on HMAS Hobart when it was strafed by a US aircraft off the coast of Vietnam have surfaced.   Checks of the ships  nominal roll do not show Terry as having served on that ship. Why doesn't he appear on the roll?  Well his story is that because he was 17 (underage for service in an operational area) his name had to be kept off the roll to save embarrassment to the Australian government. One 17 year old sailor that was on the ship at the time of the strafing (name withheld to avoid pain to the family) was unfortunately killed by the US aircraft and this, according to Terry caused too much embarrassment for the Australian government, so his name was "removed" from the ships company.   Terry wears the Vietnam Medal as can be seen in the accompanying photographs.  This medal is issued to "Gun Line sailors" who indeed served on operational duties.  All other naval personnel who were not on the Gun Line received the Logistic Medal, but wait there's more, Terry also wears this medal as well; contrary to Military regulations. You are entitled to one or the other, in this case Terry Brook is entitled only to the Logistic Medal as he never served as a Gun Line sailor. His service "up top" was on HMAS Sydney, the navy's troop carrier (fondly nick-named the Vung Tau Ferry) that did many trips  from 27 May 1965 until 22 November 1971. During this time the HMAS Sydney sat off Vung Tau, in South Vietnam while unloading/loading troops and stores. Her main mission was to deliver troops and supplies to the Australian ground forces and return troops back to Australia at the completion of their tour of duty. At no time did the HMAS Sydney come under enemy fire.    This then makes a mockery of the story printed in the Northern Times, a Brisbane Northern Suburbs local newspaper.   The article on the next page was printed on Vietnam Veterans [Long Tan Day] 18 August 2000, when a very stressed and "battle weary" Terry Brooke stated that he could no longer march on Veterans Day as the memories are "too painful"  and "he wants to forget about it all".    Quite a strange statement from a man who has been photographed by the newspaper in front of his wall that is adorned with Naval plaques and memorabilia.    The other surprising statement is "of seeing his best mate decapitated by gunfire". This story is not supported by other members of the HMAS Sydney crew , in fact, those interviewed during the course of this investigation said they would be surprised if there was any sailor during the 10 years of the Vietnam conflict that died in this manner.    This matter will be further investigated by the CPMH team. There will be more on this story. This is published in the public interest, particularly that of the Vietnam Veteran Community. All information presented here is fact and the truth. Reports from private citizens are supported by statements of fact and statutory declarations.

 

MOSSMAN

Surname: MOSSMAN

Christian Names: Graeme

Country: Australia

State or Province: New South Wales

City or Town: Ingleburn

Service: Australian Regular Army

Branch: Royal Australian Engineers

Commencement of service: 07 Sep 1976

Completion of service: 07 Sep 1999

Case Notes:

 

Graeme Mossman is the Honorary Secretary of the Ingleburn Returned and Services League (RSL) which is a major sub branch that is in the area of the former and historic Australian Army Base Ingleburn, NSW,

 

Mossman wears three medals on his left breast, they are:

Australian Service Medal with first Clasp. (ASM) Entitled
Australian Defence Medal (ADM) Entitled
NSW Corrective Service Medal - NSW State medal. Not be be worn with Federal medals.

During his military service, he had some postings to the Pacific Islands, but was never deployed on overseas operational service.

He earned the first two medals, for his service, but has added the third, to increase his Federal awards by thirty three percent.

The NSW Corrective Service Award, is not approved by the Australian Governor General to be worn with Federal medals on the left breast. It is worn separately on the right breast.

When asked by a independent researcher about the medal, he was extremely aggressive and said that the RSL executive had approved his wearing of the medal. As he wears the medal on commemorative occasions at the RSL, that assertion could be true

We welcome Graeme Mossman aboard.

CALCAGNINI aka Michael Sforza Cesarini

Surname: CALCAGNINI

Christian Names: Nicola

Country: Australia

State or Province: Queensland

City or Town: Gladstone

Service: NONE

Case Notes:

 

Nicola Calcagnini, born 19 August 1953, is an enigma. He is a practicing Psychologist who blames his bizarre emotional behaviour on his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that was caused by his fifteen years of Special Forces operational service.

Here is Calcagnini "dressed up" on a commemorative day, to remember his good mate Josh.

 

 

 

Calcagnini fervently claims to have served for fifteen years, as a Commissioned Officer in the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). In fact, he has never served in the Australian Defence Force.  On ANZAC day 2020 Calcagnini, shed copious, PTSD induced tears of anguish relating to his "Afghanistan service"   

He has posted various photographs of "himself", and "his fellow combatants" in action: See below:

Here is what he has said about his devastatingly emotional Defence Service.

"He served in the Australian Army for 15 years, then after he was discharged (at the rank of Major) he continued to serve in the NATO Reserve forces.

He completed Officer training at Royal Military College Duntroon (RMC) and went straight to SASR training, where he completed six months of training. Due to his outstanding marksmanship skills he was selected to be an SASR Sniper.

Once he completed SASR training he was deployed immediately to the middle east.

He was on the top of a building watching a target, when he was attacked by two men. There was a long battle involving many punches to the head. He reached back and grabbed his knife, which was kept between his shoulder blades for easy access. He drove the knife into the enemy’s throat and described the sound the blade made, as it severed the spine, as he watched the life leave the man’s eyes.

He and his Australian SASR brother, Josh, were captured and tortured by the Taliban. They were put into the back of a vehicle and there was a severed head of a soldier sitting on a chair. The eyes of the dead soldier were open and he had the bluest eyes.

He explained how hardened the Taliban soldiers were and they stripped him and Josh, and put something under his foreskin that transmitted an electric shock.

The Americans accidentally stumbled across them and rescued them

While traveling through Basra, he and his SASR mates were ambushed and hit by a Rocket propelled grenade (RPG).

He believes that the RPG was meant for him, but because Josh was leaning across to grab his cigarettes Josh took the hit. Calcagnini sustained injuries to his abdomen, arm, his jaw was broken , and his head was partially scalped, due to the helmet rotating on his head. Josh died in his arms.

He can’t stand the smell of cooking bacon, because it reminds him of the smell of burning flesh, and he always preferred cold showers as hot showers reminded him, of the feeling of warm blood running over his body. To this day he still has shrapnel lodged in his spine that is unable to be removed..

He killed 260 targets in his role as an Australian SASR Sniper.

He suffers chronic PTSD, and horrific nightmares almost every night.. He said he often dreams of Josh being killed, and being in the desert.

On returning to Australia, they were unloading coffins at the airport, containing fallen soldiers when they were met by protestors.

He now does Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) work as a Psychologist/Psychiatrist.

Each year on the anniversary of Josh’s death he goes to the bush to undergo a ceremony in Josh's honour."

In addition.

He said, "the picture below, is of him and three of his SASR brothers. Josh (who was killed in an ambush). Frank (committed suicide earlier this year), and Kevin, (who does black ops missions in the middle east)"

Calcagini claims this to be him in action jumping through a hole in a wall, with his "mate" Josh who was killed soon after at Bas'ra.

In the extract below he makes heartrending, PTSD invoking, comments that are so false they would only be uttered by a Psychologist who needs the services of a Psychiatrist.

All of the "action" photographs above, have been stolen from other websites and used by Calcagnini to "prove" his Australian Army Service. None of his claims are true, which makes him a dishonest person who has created a false persona as a hardened SASR Commissioned Officer.

Veterans in need, in Central Queensland, beware of this practicing Psychologist.

Some years back, we exposed another practicing Psychologist, his name is Newlyn. See here: anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/valour-thieves/127-newlyn

TUFREY

Surname: Tufrey

Christian Names: Brian Kenneth

Country: Australia

State or Province: Queensland

City or Town: Yengarie

Service #: Nil

Service: Army

Branch: Claims SASR

Commencement of service: Nil

Completion of service: Nil

Case Notes:

 

Brian Tufrey was born in 1944.

We hold a Statutory Declaration detailing that Tufrey said, "he was a member of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and was involved in Black Ops, and he went on three man patrols, and they would climb Palm trees in wait for the enemy, then pop them off. He also said: " that he and his two comrades were lucky to survive what was a terrible ordeal" He added, " he should not be revealing any information as he may be recalled at anytime"

Brian Tufrey was contacted twice and spoken to by a researcher.

On the first occasion, he told the researcher that:

" in 1962 at the age of eighteen years, he served as a "Sniper" with SAS, in Australian Army, and because of the exceptional secret nature of his service, he was never posted to, or served at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne WA. His training was all done elsewhere and he could not, and would not divulge any information about it.".

Although the researcher, from experience, knew that Tufry was telling lies, due diligence proved that Tufry is a liar. Being an eighteen year old operational member of SAS and not serving at Swanbourne is ridiculous.

On the second occasion Tufry was contacted, it was put to him, that he was telling lies, and he vehemently denied that accusation and reasserted that:

"he served with SAS in 1962 and was deployed overseas on "Black Operations".

An eighteen year old serving with SASR, but not at Swanbourne, and being deployed of secret Black Ops? His story is very exciting and heroic, but simply put, he is a liar.

Here is the history of the SASR:

Australian Special Air Service Company was raised on 25 July 1957 at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Western Australia (WA). It was expanded to a Regiment, and renamed Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) on 4 September 1964.

The Regiment first saw operational service on the island of Borneo in February 1965, when an SAS Squadron deployed to Brunei during the Indonesian confrontation.

He also said that:

"there are no records of his SAS service, and that details of the "Black Operations", and all of his military records were top secret and would never be released.

People from Yengarie in the Maryborough area of Queensland, may believe, that Tufry is an ex SAS Black Ops elite soldier, but it is sad, because his wife joined the conversation with the researcher, and extolled her unconditional belief, that Brian Tufrey has done all he says that he has.

The truth is that he is a liar, and the reason that files can not be located, is because they do not, and never have existed.

ANZMI lodgers quarters contain many who falsely claim to have served with the elite SASR. As a now ensconced wannabe lodger, Tufrey can spin his yarns for eternity, whilst feeling at home, with the hundreds of other liars, cheats and Valour thiefs. It is a truism that if all who claimed to have served with SASR, actually did, it would be the largest veterans association that ever existed.