AWM Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

Extraordinary tale behind extraordinary documents

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 713 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

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

Major Angela Uphill and her two children lay a wreath during the 2024 Legacy Week launch at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Recipient praises ‘amazing people’ at Legacy

04/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 992 Views 0 Comments AWM, Legacy Week

Three years ago, after her husband David’s death by suicide, Major Angela Uphill found support in Legacy. CAPTION: Major Angela Uphill

The Australian War Memorial's V2 rocket on a Meillerwagen launching trailer inside the memorial's storage hub in Mitchell, ACT. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Exciting piece of history on display

16/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1471 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWII

For the first time, the Australian War Memorial (AWM) will display a Nazi missile alongside a Lancaster bomber sent to

News Veterans

New appointees to Australian War Memorial Council

28/06/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1484 Views 0 Comments Australian War Memorial, AWM

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh today announced three new members have been appointed to the Australian War Memorial Council.

One of Australia's most decorated military nurses, Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, has been immortalised in bronze at the Australian War Memorial. Story by Melinda Hoare.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

‘Essential contribution’ of nurses recognised

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1298 Views 0 Comments AWM, International Nurses Day, Vivian Bullwinkel

In recognition of International Nurses Day (May 12), the Australian Defence Force’s senior health leaders have paid tribute to the

Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, visits the resting place of her distant cousin, Private Victor Westbrook, at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Sergeant Oliver Carter.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Cousins ‘unite’ in France a century later – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 803 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, AWM, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

As told by Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, to Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook,

Navy sailor Able Seaman Rachel Brandt at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family history motivates Defence service – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 431 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, AWM, WWI

A booby trap detonated and collapsed the Bapaume town hall in France on March 25, 1917, killing Lance Corporal Jules

Major Harry Smith in Saigon, Vietnam, August 1966. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photos courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Veterans

A true hero of Vietnam War farewelled

08/09/202308/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3131 Views 9 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, AWM, Harry Smith, Long Tan, Star of Gallantry, Vietnam

The man whose company held back a reinforced North Vietnamese regiment at Long Tan, before fighting for his soldiers to

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco 639 at at the AWM's Trealor storage facility in Mitchel, ACT. Photo by David Whittaker.

News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Vietnam Bronco newly restored at Australian War Memorial

18/08/202318/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2025 Views 0 Comments Australian War Memorial, AWM

The Australian War Memorial has unveiled a fully restored North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco, model 639, which played a key

Flight Lieutenant Garry Cooper (retd) during the Vietnam War in front of a US Air Force O-1 Bird Dog. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks.

ADF People History Veterans

A historic bird: flying with a Vietnam War pilot

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2354 Views 0 Comments AWM, Forward Air Controllers, US Army, Vietnam War

The South Vietnamese sky was a smoky orange as dusk approached in July of 1968. The buzz of a United

The sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News

Statue a tribute to all military nurses

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1556 Views 0 Comments AWM, Service Nurses, WWII

As the sun rose above the Australian War Memorial on August 2, its light touched the face of the first

A statue of Vivian Bullwinkelimplaced at The Australian War Memorial (left) and being craned into place. Photos supplied.

Australian News Veterans

Vivian Bullwinkel set in bronze at AWM

02/08/202303/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1768 Views 0 Comments Australian War Memorial, AWM, Vivian Bullwinkel

The Australian War Memorial has unveiled a sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, in the grounds

Studio portrait of ex-Warrant Officer Alfred James Marquis who served during World War 2. Photo courtesy of Australian War Memorial, Accession Number AWM2017.520.1.5994. Story by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Personal stories

Honouring ‘Rusty’, the last Navy beach commando

27/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1087 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWII

Private Nicholas Marquis reflects on the colourful life of his grandfather and one of the first Warrant Officers of the

Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Angus Houston, Ron Houghton, President of the Bomber Command Association of Australia, Bert Adams, Max Barry and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Australian Bomber Command aviators remembered

14/06/202318/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2385 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

The service and sacrifice of RAAF personnel who served in Royal Air Force Bomber Command in WWII – as part

The cranes at the Australian War Memorial will be wrangled onto much of the heavy lifting on the Memorial's $500million expansion over the next two years. AWM photo.

News Veterans

Australian War Memorial cranes named by local kids

11/04/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1655 Views 0 Comments Australian War Memorial, AWM

The Australian War Memorial’s two tower cranes have been named by Canberra school children, with “Duffy” and “Teddy” rising over

An Australian soldier inspects the barrel of the Amiens Gun located at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

Australian Army History News

Big gun with an even bigger story

03/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1927 Views 1 Comment AWM, WWI

Firing 300kg shells more than 25km, this astonishing piece of hardware is described as the finest trophy captured by any

Curator and AWM Navy Fellow Commander Andrew Schroder stands in front of one of HMAS Brisbane’s 5-inch gun mounts as depicted in the online exhibition. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

History News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Online exhibition tugs at the heartstrings

31/01/202331/01/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1669 Views 0 Comments AWM, HMAS Pirie

Never-before-seen footage of stranded asylum seekers being rescued amid storm-driven surf is just one of the items on display in

Captain Damien Freeman talks about captured enemy weapons during a display by the Australian Army History Unit at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story by Private Nicholas Marquis. Photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army History News

History unit puts ‘fear weapon’ on display

15/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1953 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, Australian Army History Unit (AAHU), AWM

Described as a terror weapon, the Soviet-made LPO-50 flamethrower had a range of 100m in good weather. CAPTION: Captain Damien

Commanding Officers of No. 460, 462 and 464 Squadrons, alongside World War Two veterans at the Bomber Command Commemorative Day Wreath Laying Ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Modern Air Force pays respect to its heritage

08/06/202213/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2303 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

Bomber Command was commemorated in ceremonies across the country where modern Royal Australian Air Force remembered the sacrifice made by

Former chief of Air Force, Air Marshal (retd) Gavin ‘Leo’ Davies, with Aircraftwoman Brooklynn Dowling after her graduation from recruit training, holding the challenge coin the former chief had given to her five years ago. Story by Squadron Leader Matthew Kelly. Photo from Cut Above Productions.

ADF People

Chief and recruit bond with promises, and a coin

31/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2253 Views 0 Comments 1RTU, AWM, No. 4 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Wagga Wagga

A special reunion took place at the latest graduation ceremony at Air Force’s No. 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) at

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