Lest We Forget Archives - CONTACT magazine

Private William Higgs’ newly installed headstone at Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story. by Aaron Pegram. Photo courtesy of CWGC.

Search goes on for the lost but not forgotten

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 553 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A), Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

On Remembrance Day, as Australians reflect on the sacrifice of those who have served, the Manager of Unrecovered War Casualties

Remembrance Day is a moment to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Story by Admiral David Johnston.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

The true cost of war is human

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 472 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

A Remembrance Day message from the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston. CAPTION: Remembrance Day is a moment to

Members of Air Combat Electronic Attack Systems Program Office clean the memorial site for the lost aircrew of a downed F-111C during a team-building activity at Bundjalung National Park, Queensland. Story by Pilot Officer Timothy Sullivan. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Campbell Latch.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force Videos

A hike to F-111 crash site

08/11/202413/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 863 Views 0 Comments F-111, No. 6 Squadron

Members of the Air Combat Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (ACEASPO) have continued a longstanding tradition among the unit’s personnel,

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipient Lieutenant Lachlan Maill meets local villagers in Rabaul, PNG, during a historical battle tour. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Aspiring to lead in the spirit of Kokoda’s heroes

08/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 876 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, Kokoda Track, PNG, WWII

When Lieutenant Lachlan Maill heard cries for help near a shopping centre escalator, he didn’t hesitate. CAPTION: Australian Army Jonathan

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipients follow Lark Force’s withdrawal route through the jungle between the villages of Dodul and Maranagi in East New Britain, PNG. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Walking in the footsteps of their forefathers

06/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 751 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, PNG, WWII

When the order “every man for himself” was given, Australian soldiers of Lark Force faced a grim choice – stay

From left, Pilot Officer Justin Mulligan and Warrant Officer William Kinloch with a DeHavilland Mosquito fighter bomber in 1944. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

WWII pilots awarded after 80 years

01/11/202402/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 759 Views 0 Comments No. 464 Squadron, WWII

Eighty years after their service in the skies of occupied Europe, two Royal Australian Air Force aviators have been posthumously

Able Seaman Brenton Manuel, back right, meets his grandparents for the first time as HMAS Sydney is berthed alongside Busan, Republic of Korea, during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

ADF People Lest We Forget Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Sydney a ship of firsts

01/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 388 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, HMAS Sydney III, Korean War, Republic of Korea

HMAS Sydney had a lot of firsts during its recent regional presence deployment, and one of them was the ship’s

The memorial wall listing the crew of HMAS Sydney II at Mount Scott Geraldton. The interior concave side of the Wall of Remembrance, situated at the front of memorial, details the names of all 645 men who lost their lives. The centre piece is a dome mounted by seven pillars. Representing the seven states and territories of Australia. The dome is constructed by a canopy of silver gulls. A Stele is made of Stainless Stell and represents the bow of the HMAS Sydney II. A bronze sculpture of a a woman closest to the ocean. She wears an anchor necklace and holds hat against the breeze from the sea. Her anxious expression and her fixed gaze to the horizon. She represents a waiting woman grieven for her lost love one.

Lest We Forget Letters to the Editor

Is the HMAS Sydney II crew MIA or KIA?

31/10/202431/10/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 261 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney II

A recent Letter to the Editor here at CONTACT piqued my interest – are the members of the crew of

Director Veterans' South Australia, Bianca Wheeler, pays her respects after laying a wreath at the ‘Keeping Place’ at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photo by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Veterans’ advisory visits RAAF Base

29/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 895 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh, South Australian Veterans Advisory Council (VAC)

The South Australian Veterans Advisory Council and members of Veterans South Australia visited RAAF Base Edinburgh on October 21 to

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Watson appreciates a painting of the 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in Vietnam with Veteran Dan Penman, right, at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Photo by Private Andrew Shaw.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Important picture of courage and sacrifice

24/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 710 Views 1 Comment 8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks, Vietnam War

Coinciding with its 50th anniversary, 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8/9RAR) has acquired the Bunker Assault painting, which marks

The family of the late Colin Dudley, a World War 2 Bomber Command veteran, receive the Henry Hering Art and Architecture Award on his behalf during a ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie veteran’s family accept US architecture award

24/10/202430/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 602 Views 0 Comments Bomber Command, RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

The daughter of World War II Bomber Command veteran Colin Dudley has received the prestigious Henry Hering Art and Architecture

Members of HMAS Brisbane's ship's company visit the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy USA

Aussie crew commemorate Pearl Harbor and 9/11

22/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 659 Views 0 Comments US Navy, WWII

During a port visit to Hawaii, crew from HMAS Brisbane paid their respects to the fallen at the USS Arizona

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell and Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton unveil the plaques commemorating the loss of 100 Squadron members who perished while serving on Beauforts A9-186 and A9-374 in 1943, at RAAF Base Point Cook. Story by Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell..

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Honouring devotion to duty

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1067 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, along with dignitaries and family members, attended the memorial service and plaque

Aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field for the Air Combat Group versus Air Mobility Group ‘SGT Michael Ball Memorial’ match. Story by Lieutenant Katrina Thomasson. Photos by Aircraftman Sanghyun Shin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Footy match for a fallen friend

11/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 862 Views 0 Comments Air Combat Group (ACG), Air Mobility Group (AMG), No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

It was a football game full of heart as aviators at RAAF Base Amberley took to the field to raise

Air Force aviators and an Australian Air Force Cadet stand as part of the catafalque party during the Battle of Britain commemorative service held at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, SA. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photos by Garry Petts.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

The few who enabled the many

04/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 719 Views 0 Comments Australian Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, commemorations, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

In a moving ceremony, those that became known as ‘the few’ were remembered during the Battle of Britain commemorative service

HMAS Perth's Leading Seaman Joshua Paynter, left, and Able Seaman Aidan Judd visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand during a regional presence deployment. Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Connected stories a powerful reminder

02/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 649 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, Regional Presence Deployment, Thailand, WWII

HMAS Perth recently reinforced its long-standing connection with Thailand during a meaningful port visit to Sattahip as part of a

Army officer Captain Alison Mountain, of the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit, tests some samples of soil in Canberra, ACT. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

ADF People Australian Army Lest We Forget

Archaeologist gets hands dirty in new Army role

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 772 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit

If asked to picture an archaeologist, some people might think of Indiana Jones running through dark, booby-trapped tunnels fighting off

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 738 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

Photos of Lieutenant McWilliam, foreground right, and Captain McWilliam, foreground left; his diary, back left, and his midshipman’s journal, back right. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Extraordinary tale behind extraordinary documents

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 654 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

The story of coincidence, persistence and happenstance – a set of historic documents uncovered at the Australian High Commission in

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 691 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

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