A WAR veteran has been left scarred and his medals bloodstained after being viciously attacked during Anzac Day commemorations in what has been described as an "absolute disgrace".
Corporal Scott Brown, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in the Pacific, was left with a large gash across his right cheekbone after being either elbowed or glassed at the Hotel Delany, in Cooks Hill, on Saturday night.
Corporal Brown, 30, said he was enjoying a beer with fellow veterans when a discussion with a man claiming to be a commando turned violent and Mr Brown was blindsided as he returned from the toilet.
The Singleton army base instructor said he had offered his attacker a beer earlier in the night to quell a heated conversation after the unknown man's claims of touring war zones were questioned by other veterans.
"All seemed fine but when I came back from the toilet I have walked around a corner and he has blindsided me by what I assume was a glass," Corporal Brown said.
"It has just opened me straight up.
"I got to the hospital about 10pm and didn't leave until about 4am, sitting in a corner covered in blood.
"I'm really pissed off; no doubt it ruined my day.
"And seriously, I don't think a real commando would actually glass someone on the side of the head.’’
Corporal Brown, an 11-year army veteran, has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, Solomon Islands and Samoa.
He had spent the day at a service at Singleton before a few of his fellow veterans travelled to Newcastle for a catch-up and a few drinks.
The attack happened about 9.45pm.
Newcastle City police are investigating the attack, which occurred on an otherwise uneventful Anzac Day both at the popular Cooks Hill hotel and around the city.
But the attack has also riled up the RSL, with Newcastle District Council of RSL Sub-Branches president Doug Wallace calling it an attack on the values of Australia.
‘‘To do it on the 100-year anniversary is just a disgrace, when the person is charged they should throw away the key,’’ Mr Wallace said.
‘‘They have no respect for what people like this man has done in the name of our country.
‘‘This shows a complete disrespect to our country and its people.
‘‘The only way to fix these people possibly is to put them into service for a few years themselves.’’
Police are viewing closed circuit television footage of the incident.
