The real soldier behind the Redgum song, ‘Only Nineteen’

The real soldier behind the Redgum song, 'I was only Nineteen'

November 8, 2016

Redgum’s ‘I was only 19’ united the Vietnam veteran’s movement in Australia.

The song tells the true story of an Australian soldier’s experience fighting in the Vietnam jungle.

But before Redgum could create an anthem that changed the national conversation, songwriter John Schumann would need to find a veteran willing to share their story.

First broadcast on ABC’s The Real Thing on Remembrance Day, 2016.

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I acknowledge and respect the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which I work and live.