Lest We Forget – Page 3 – CONTACT magazine

Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston delivers the 2025 Anzac Day message at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

A time to reflect on service and support

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 724 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, AWM, Chief of Defence Force

A message from the Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston CAPTION: Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston

Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse is deployed on Operation Accordion at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Dawn service ashore a first for sailor

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1526 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region

Deployed on Anzac Day in the Middle East region, Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse will honour his grandfather’s resilience as a

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison at his computer while deployed on Operation Accordion at Headquarters Middle East in 2025. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Thoughts of home while serving overseas

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1242 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

This Anzac Day, project engineer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison will reflect on those who served before him and the role

Royal Australian Air Force musician Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones will sing the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day. Story by Warrant Officer Ben van den Akker. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Singing for her Anzac ancestors

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1487 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, ANZAC Day, Chief of Defence Force, Vietnam

Members of Air Force Band have travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to perform at Anzac Day services hosted by the Australian

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hamish Smith at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Solemn duty to remember and connect

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1426 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian War Memorial, Last Post

Corporal Hamish Smith never imagined he would one day stand at the pinnacle of solemn remembrance on such an important

Private Luke Morrison, of Australia's Federation Guard, will join the catafalque party at Gallipoli. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Service in homage to great-grandfather’s memory

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1025 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

Days before departing for Gallipoli to take part in Anzac Day commemorations, Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) member Private Luke Morrison

Leading Seaman Benjamin Woodlock, of Australia's Federation Guard, at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025, when he will command the catafalque party at the Gallipoli dawn service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honoured and humbled to serve

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 945 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

‘Woody’, to his mates is a Larrikin, but on April 25 he will be stepping into a very important role,

Air Force's Corporal Kevin Jeffries, of Australia's Federation Guard, reflects at the statue of Simpson and his Donkey at the Australian War Memorial before heading to Lone Pine for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Proud moment to lead at Lone Pine

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 741 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

This Anzac Day, Corporal Kevin Jeffries will be standing proud at Lone Pine in Turkiye as the Commander of Australia’s

Army soldier Sergeant Jonathan Apps, of Australia's Federation Guard, with his daughters and a picture of his great-grandfather at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, during preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story. y Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring commitment and sacrifice in France

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 740 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

As Anzac Day approaches, Army Sergeant Jonathan Apps is preparing for one of the most meaningful duties of his career

Able Seaman Rachel Brandt, of Australia's Federation Guard, places a poppy to mark her respects at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Continuing a family legacy of service

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 733 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

On Anzac Day this year, Able Seaman Rachel Brandt will have the perfect opportunity to pay respects to her great-great-uncle

Members of Overwatch Battle Group–West get ready to participate in an ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Talil, Iraq, 2008. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

Lest We Forget Letters to the Editor Veterans

Recognising Recent Sacrifices

21/04/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2562 Views 0 Comments

The NSW government has released the design and location for a new war memorial to honour the service and sacrifice

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.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2078 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 2695 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 2375 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 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1596 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 1520 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 2747 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 2039 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 2062 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 1679 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