Lest We Forget Archives - CONTACT magazine

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 767 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events

Photo of William Henry Belpitt in 1886. Source: USN Memorial Foundation

Lest We Forget Veterans

A BARE PATCH OF GROUND

17/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 625 Views 0 Comments

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were hundreds, if not thousands of carefree Australian larrikins craving adventure.

Veteran Terry Conner, of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, at the Meritorious Unit Citation parade for the units' service in Somalia, held at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

1RAR recognised for Somalia operation

16/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 838 Views 3 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Solace, Somalia

Stepping on to the streets of Baidoa, Somalia, was like stepping into a different world for newly promoted Corporal Terry

Lest We Forget

Cooktown Airfield 1942, Ops Base 27 and a Story Worth the Telling.

12/04/202517/04/2025 Geoff Clarke 990 Views 2 Comments

He left school in grade three to go to work with his father on the bullock wagons pulling huge logs

RAAF musician Corporal Robert Scott plays the bagpipes during the Anzac Day dawn service in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Flight Sergeant Vicki Shelley. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Pack your bagpipes, tour the world

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 806 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

In 2015 Corporal Rob Scott was studying at the Conservatoire de Versailles, only a few hundred metres as the crow

d guests attend the HMAS Perth I memorial foundation ceremony, commemorating the Battle of Saunda Strait, at Training Ship Perth in Fremantle, WA. Story by Petty Officer Keigan Gunther. Photos by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth I Memorial unveiled

07/03/202511/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1259 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, WWII

The HMAS Perth I memorial was inaugurated in East Fremantle recently by the Governor of Western Australia Chris Dawson and

Gunners from 102nd Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery participate in the re-enactment of the Bombing of Darwin. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

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

Darwin bombing a call to defend the north

04/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 808 Views 2 Comments 8th/12th Regiment RAA, RAAF Darwin, WWII

From RAAF Base Darwin, a young Brian Winspear saw Japanese bombs glinting in the sun like confetti above Darwin on

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks with guests at the Bombing of Darwin memorial unveiling at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes sacrifice in WWII attack

28/02/202514/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1002 Views 0 Comments Bombing of Darwin, Chief of Air Force, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, WWII

Two memorials honouring the sacrifice of aviators killed in a Japanese attack have been unveiled in Darwin. CAPTION: Chief of Air

Karen Curtis and her grandchildren with the World War 2 service medals of her great uncle Sergeant William O’Shea at the Timaru War Memorial in New Zealand, after the medals were returned by Chaplain Haydn Lea. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Medals land in safe hands

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 566 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, No. 25 Squadron, RNZAF, WWII

As New Zealander aviator Sergeant William O’Shea’s Wellington bomber barrelled through heavy flak over Germany, a cone of light tracked

Trooper Nigel Cox has a proud association with former Mt Alford State School leadership team Guy, Tilly and Klancie. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Mt Alford State School

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

WWI memorial links ‘Trooper Nigel’ with school

18/02/202503/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 912 Views 0 Comments WWI

Trooper Nigel Cox has developed a strong and continuous bond with Mt Alford State School over the past six years,

The crew of the A2-487 Iroquois, at a village near Garaina, PNG, seek witnesses to the crash of a RAAF Caribou in August 1972.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Air-rescue bravery rewarded 40 years after event

31/01/202502/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1417 Views 4 Comments No. 5 Squadron, PNG

Nine Royal Australian Air Force crew members who risked their lives on a rescue mission for one of the worst

Wing Commander Aarian Birch pilots his CAC Winjeel from 100 Squadron at Point Cook over the cliffs of Point Addis during the 80th commemoration of the ditched RAAF Mitchell Bomber in 1944. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Warrant Officer Don Kenny.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Sacrifices commemorated at 80 years on

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 873 Views 0 Comments RAAF Laverton, WWII

On December 11, 1944, a B-25D Mitchell bomber crashed off Point Addis, marking a tragic chapter in Australia’s wartime history.

Ambassador to the Republic of Palau Richelle Turner, left, with the Governor of Peleliu Emais Roberts and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, at an exhibition of the life of Damien Parer. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring the legacy of WW2 photographer

18/12/202418/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 818 Views 0 Comments Palau, US Marines, WWII

This year marks 80 years since legendary Australian war photographer Damien Parer was killed filming US Marines in action on

Nursing officers at the Bangka Island Massacre memorial service on board HMAS Adelaide hold photos of those who lost their lives in 1942. Story by Commander Steven Grosser. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial service to honour fallen nurses

13/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1737 Views 0 Comments Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Maritime Operational Health Unit, Singapore, Vivian Bullwinkel, WWII

On its return home from Singapore after Indo-Pacific Endeavour, HMAS Adelaide sailed to Bangka Island where personnel commemorated sacrifices made

Attendees of a memorial service for the late Wing Commander Peter Krieg with a static display of E-7A Wedgetail aircraft at 2 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Remembering the legacy of ‘Cowboy’ Kreig

06/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1550 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

On Friday November 8, about 300 family and friends travelled from around the globe to gather in the 2 Squadron

Royal Australian Artillery Head of Regiment Brigadier Damian Hill and Lieutenant Colonel Matt White, of the Defence Preparedness Branch, at the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery National Memorial on Mt Pleasant in Canberra. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Plan to extend gunners’ memorial

05/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 834 Views 0 Comments Canberra, Royal Australian Artillery

Two 64-pounder cannons stand silently atop Mount Pleasant in Canberra, flanked by stone walls reminiscent of a fortress the cannons

HMAS Canberra personnel conduct a freedom-of-entry parade through Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Canberra exercises Freedom of Entry in capital

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2438 Views 3 Comments Freedom of Entry, HMAS Canberra, WWII

Steady rainfall and gloomy skies did not dampen spirits as Navy personnel paraded through Canberra on 30 November in a

Adam Bourke, left, and Major Dan Nailer fix their position during a reconnaissance of the Kapyong battlefield in the Republic of Korea. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander Brendan Trembath.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget

Search continues for digger on Kapyong battlefield

27/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1317 Views 0 Comments 3rd Battalion RAR, Korean War, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army

An Australian Army soldier presumed to have been killed in the Korean War’s battle of Kapyong on April 24, 1951,

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.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Search goes on for the lost but not forgotten

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 965 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 731 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

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