History Archives - Page 24 of 25

At the Central Flying School. Lieutenant George Merz is seated (second row from front) second from left, Captain Henry Petre is seated third from left and Lieutenant Eric Harrison is seated fourth from left. Story by Wing Commander Mary Anne Whiting. Photo by Australian War Memorial.

History Royal Australian Air Force

Baptism of fire for fledgling air force

22/04/202122/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1473 Views 0 Comments

This year, Air Force marked its centenary, but the service was born in the Army and had a baptism of

Warrant Officer Andrew O'Shea shows off his beard at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper. Photo by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper.

History Royal Australian Navy

Uncovering a hairy history

19/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1843 Views 0 Comments

Beards have had a long association with sailors and in recent years there has been a growth in all things beard-related.

Leading Seaman Dion Cray on board HMAS Supply. Story by Lieutenant Jessica Craig. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

ADF People History

Following in his great-grandfather’s footsteps

13/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1992 Views 0 Comments

Apart from joining the Royal Australian Navy, Bulahdelah local Leading Seaman Dion Cray is sharing another milestone with his great-grandfather.

Australian 'Rats of Tobruk' dug in for the fight.

Australian History Middle East News

80th anniversary of the siege that spawned ‘The Rats of Tobruk’

10/04/202110/04/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2392 Views 0 Comments

On 10/11 April 2021, we commemorate 80 years since the start of a port siege in Libya – and the birth of ‘The Rats of Tobruk’.

A Lancaster bomber of 463 or 467 Squadron RAAF over England in 1945. File photo.

History Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft – 8: Avro Lancaster

08/04/202107/05/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 4165 Views 0 Comments

As the Royal Australian Air Force celebrated its Centenary on 31 March 2021, they have compiled their Top Ten most

Claire Withrington at her Royal Military College - Duntroon appointment ceremony in Brisbane.

ADF People History

Fourth generation to join the Army

08/04/202114/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1954 Views 0 Comments

Wynnum local Claire Withrington is following a well-worn path to lead others in the Australian Army. CAPTION: Claire Withrington at

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, left, his wife Louise Hupfeld, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Fiona Grasby, and Leading Aircraftwoman Victoria Farell lay wreaths at the Air Force memorial. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Jacqueline Forrester.

History Royal Australian Air Force

Family’s story of loss is one of many

06/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1904 Views 0 Comments

The last time Margaret Radford saw her brother, Flight Sergeant Elliot Burton, he was waving goodbye through a train window

Air Force personnel representing all specialisations and musterings form the number 100 with all in-service RAAF aircraft and ground assets at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Nicci Freeman.

History Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Awesome snapshot in time and history

06/04/202107/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2578 Views 0 Comments

As they stood in the shape of the number 100 under grey skies and light drizzle, the assembled Air Force members’

Uncle Harry Allie, left, and Aircraftman Steven Ahoy at the Australian War Memorial during the Welcome Ceremony for Air Force’s Centenary commemorations. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Shells, soil and sand from around Australia enshrined at AWM

06/04/202106/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1543 Views 0 Comments

In a symbolic gesture, shells, soil and sand collected from around the country were placed at the For Our Country

Les Tanna, left, Ashley Saltner, Glen Thomas, Flight Lieutenant David Williams holding soil from Wulgurukaba land, Virginia Wyles and Wing Commander Mathew Green at RAAF Base Townsville. Photo by Corporal Luke Garner.

History Royal Australian Air Force

Soils a feature of symbolic ceremony

06/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1863 Views 0 Comments

Known as the Guardian of the North, RAAF Base Townsville in North Queensland is strategically located as a forward operating

Senior Australian Defence Force Officer RAAF Base Amberley Group Captain Iain Carty presents Air Force veteran Mary Collins with an Air Force 2021 commemorative memento in celebration of her 100th birthday. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History

Blazing a trail to serve the country

01/04/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2199 Views 0 Comments

When Mary Collins (nee Ladlay) applied to join the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF), her father was furious she

2 Sqn Royal Flying Core S.E.5A's at the Western Front WW1. Video screen grab.

History Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft – 9: S.E.5A

28/03/202107/05/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2908 Views 0 Comments

As the Royal Australian Air Force celebrates its Centenary on 31 March 2021, they have compiled their Top Ten most

Caption: An Air Force F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from No. 77 Squadron taxis for the final time at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales.

History Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft – 10: F/A-18A/B Hornet

25/03/202107/05/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 4333 Views 0 Comments

As the Royal Australian Air Force celebrates its Centenary on 31 March 2021, they have compiled their Top Ten most

Wilma Ayles, centre, supported by her daughter Evelyn Schuetze, receives an Air Force 2021 memento from Senior ADF Officer Amberley Group Captain Iain Carty at Cooroy, Queensland. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

ADF People History

A determination to serve

23/03/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1647 Views 0 Comments

Eighty years ago, Wilma ‘Billie’ Ayles (nee Galloway) convinced her sister, Heather, to join her in applying to be a

HMAS Cerberus Museum Manager Commander John Goss with historic items from HMVS Cerberus in the HMAS Cerberus Museum in Westernport, Victoria. Photo by Leading Seaman Bonny Gassner.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Stamp marks arrival of Cerberus 150 years ago

18/03/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1928 Views 0 Comments

Australia Post will issue a stamp on March 22 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Victorian Ship (HMVS)

Gerry Shepherd with the scale model of HMAS Bataan he presented to the Navy History Section at the Sea Power Centre, Canberra. Photo by Sergeant Sebastian Beurich.

ADF People History

A homage to HMAS Bataan

17/03/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2355 Views 0 Comments

Gerry Shepherd was a bit miffed he had to wait 13 months to join the Navy while those from other

Australian History News Royal Australian Navy

30th anniversary Op Desert Storm

18/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2626 Views 0 Comments

AWM has marked the 30th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm, the military response to Iraq’s illegal occupation of Kuwait.

Last year was an unprecedented year with bushfires and a global pandemic, but the ADF was up to the challenge of supporting Australia, while continuing its core role. Photo by Leading Seaman Kieran Dempsey.

ADF Australian History News Operations Overseas

ADF up to the challenges of 2020

12/01/202112/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2934 Views 0 Comments

Last year was difficult and disruptive for our nation and was a defining year for Defence. FILE PHOTO: By Leading Seaman

Mascot of the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion Corporal Toby Tebiass. Photo by Sergeant Gayle Walkom.

ADF Australian Army History

Weighty issue for mascot

06/01/202123/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2416 Views 0 Comments

In the year of social distancing and working from home, 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion’s mascot Corporal Toby Tebiass faced

Major John Whipp, back right, supervises close combat drills with soldiers from the 7th Combat Brigade during his visit to the Gallipoli Barracks Combatives Centre, Brisbane. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History

Old-school moves make a comeback

06/01/202106/01/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2220 Views 0 Comments

Soldiers from 7th Combat Brigade training on the Army Combatives Program were shown how hand-to-hand combat was done in the