History Archives - CONTACT magazine

World War Bomber Command veterans Howard Hendrick and Ray Merrill attend the 2025 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Adelaide. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

Adelaide honours legacy of Bomber Command

27/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 208 Views 0 Comments Bomber Command, WWII

Air Force personnel joined dignitaries, veterans and the broader community in Adelaide to honour Bomber Command aviators and reflect on

Soldiers of the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, on parade with Army reconnaisance helicopters from 1st Aviation Regiment during the Battle of Binh Ba commemoration service held in Darwin. Story by Captain Nicholas Marquis. Photo by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Battalion marks Battle of Binh Ba anniversary

25/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 628 Views 0 Comments 1st Aviation Regiment, 5/7 RAR, Robertson Barracks, Vietnam War

Soldiers and officers of 5/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR), commemorated the Battle of Binh Ba with a parade

From left, former crew members of Centurion 169041, Barry Hodges, Graham Munsell and Ray Arthur out the front of 1st Armoured Regiment at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Chris and Jan Fenton.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

The story of Australia’s ‘atomic tank’

25/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 634 Views 2 Comments 1st Armoured Regiment, Centurian tank, RAAF Edinburgh, Vietnam War

It’s believed a Centurion tank sitting in front of the 1st Armoured Regiment is the only tank in the world

Left to right, Corporal Lowana McDougall, Aircraftwoman Emily Harman, and Private Hope Hutchins from the Australian Defence Force Women's Rugby League team pay respects at the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Captain Jon Stewart. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Overseas

ADF players honour fallen heroes

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1959 Views 1 Comment ADF Sport, Kokoda Track, PNG, PNGDF, WWII

The Australian Defence Force Women’s Rugby League team visited the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby as part of an

Air Force aircraft technician Corporal Leigh Gammie discusses the F-35A Lightning II aircraft with veterans from the Merewether Hamilton Adamstown RSL sub-Branch at 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History News Royal Australian Air Force

RSL meets today’s RAAF

20/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 908 Views 0 Comments No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, RSL

Members of the Mereweather-Hamilton-Adamstown Returned and Services League (RSL) Sub-Branch attended RAAF Base Williamtown in May to experience today’s Royal

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, meets local man Erik Adriaensen at the graves of fallen aviators from 464 Squadron at Eindhoven, Netherlands. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan.

ADF People Europe History Lest We Forget

RAAF salutes dedication to WWII graves

20/06/202522/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 464 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, Netherlands, WWII

A Dutch family who tend to the graves of Australian aviators have received personal thanks from Chief of Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force personnel from Australia's Federation Guard and 100 Squadron carry the caskets of Warrant Officer Russell Grigg and Warrant Officer Clement Wiggins in Port Moresby, PNG. Story by Squadron Leader Karyn Markwell. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha Katz-White.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

World War II aviators laid to rest after eight decades

06/06/202517/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 777 Views 0 Comments Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The remains of two aviators from 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-186 were laid to rest in a moving committal service on

Private Arianna Yunkaporta and Private Irwin Yunkaporta, of 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, attend a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photos by Corporal Jarrod Moreels.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Emotional trip south for Indigenous soldiers

06/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 715 Views 0 Comments 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment, Army Reserve, AWM, WWII

Canberra did not put on its best to welcome Arianna and Irwin Yunkaporta – the two Army Reserve soldiers from

Aviators from 2 and 29 Squadrons form both an honour guard and bearer party for the late Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear in Mornington, Tasmania. Story by Flying Officer Matthew Dawson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF honours WWII veteran, community stalwart

04/06/202514/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 747 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Squadron, No. 29 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant (retd) Brian Winspear, who died aged 104, has been remembered for his distinguished wartime service, post-war contributions to

Veterans of 1 Commando Company surround a newly unveiled plinth commemorating the officers commanding of the unit. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Permanent commando memorial unveiled

04/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 813 Views 0 Comments 1st Commando Company, Chief of Army

A permanent memorial to the leaders of 1 Commando Company has been dedicated at the site of the unit’s original

Australian Army soldiers form a Bearer Party outside St George's Cathedral in Perth to carry Arthur Leggett's casket inside for his State Funeral. From left, WO1 Ian Hallt, WO1 Brad Foster and WO1 Bruce Williams. Story by Captain Alasdair Dolan. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

State Funeral honours veteran of WWII

30/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1491 Views 1 Comment 11th/28th Battalion, 13th Brigade, Chief of Army, WWII

The City of Perth stood still on the morning of Saturday May 10, to honour a fallen hero who, while

Deputy Surgeon General ADF and Head of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Brigadier Isaac Seidl, presents Sir ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s granddaughter, Diana, with a set of miniature medals. Story by Michael Hoare.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Family of war-time hero receives replica medals

30/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 791 Views 0 Comments Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, WWII

A new set of Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s war medals has been presented to his family after burglars stole

Extensions are planned for the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial to honour contemporary campaigns. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Extension for gunners’ national memorial

21/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1596 Views 1 Comment Royal Australian Artillery

Plans are under way to extend the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) National Memorial to recognise the service and sacrifice of

May 18 marks five years since the commissioning of HMAS Sydney V – Able Seaman Harley Orpin has a particular strong affinity to the ship, with an elaborate tattoo of it on his arm. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Five years at sea for HMAS Sydney V

21/05/202525/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1176 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney

May 18 marked five years since HMAS Sydney V was formally brought into service – the first Australian ship since

Wing Commander Robyne Green with Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Angus Houston, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and Air Marshal (retd) Leo Davies. Story by Squadron Leader Amanda Scott. Photos by Flight Sergeant Rodney Welch.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Federation Star crowns remarkable RAAF career

16/05/202531/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1388 Views 0 Comments Federation Star

Wing Commander Robyne Green has been awarded a Federation Star in recognition of her extraordinary 40 years of service to

Australian Defence Force members march with service personnel from other Commonwealth nations during the London parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photos from UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF commemorates VE Day in London

09/05/202510/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1783 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

More than 1000 service personnel, including members of the Australian Defence Force marched through London to commemorate the 80th anniversary

ADF People Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget

Anzac Day Kokoda trek raises $18,000

09/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1208 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian Space Command, Bravery Trust, Kokoda Trail

Squadron Leader Adon Lumley has returned from one of Australia’s most iconic military pilgrimage sites after completing the legendary Kokoda

Fighterworld general manager, Air Commodore (retd) Jack Fanderlinden, right, listens as Wing Commander (retd) Hugh Holt recalls flying Hercules aircraft with him in 37 Squadron during the Vietnam War. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

Fighter World recalls last RAAF boots on ground in Vietnam

08/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1127 Views 0 Comments Vietnam War

Only three RAAF aircraft were in Vietnam on Anzac Day 1975, just days before the Fall of Saigon. CAPTION: Fighterworld general

Anzac Day didgeridoo player, Australian Army Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Youll at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkiye. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Indigenous soldier’s tribute at Anzac Cove

07/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 683 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, Indigenous

Just before dawn on Anzac Day on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkiye, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Lachlan Youll played

Major Deta Kerschat receives his Federation Star from Major General Ash Collingburn. Story and photo by Captain Cody Tsaousis.

ADF People Australian Army History

Forty years of experience and memories

06/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 844 Views 0 Comments

Five uniforms, eight boots, four packs and five rifles – Major Deta Kerschat has seen a lot of change in

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