Lest We Forget – Page 5 – CONTACT magazine

Army officer Captain Alison Mountain, of the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit, tests some samples of soil in Canberra, ACT. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Archaeologist gets hands dirty in new Army role

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1743 Views 0 Comments Army Reserve, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army Unit

If asked to picture an archaeologist, some people might think of Indiana Jones running through dark, booby-trapped tunnels fighting off

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2252 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

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.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Extraordinary tale behind extraordinary documents

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1538 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

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

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1948 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

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 2272 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

Captain Brett Westcott and members of the catafalque party attend the anniversary memorial service for the sinking of HMAS Canberra 1. Story. by Lieutenant Angela Faulkner.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Battle of Savo Island service honours courage and sacrifice

30/08/202431/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2307 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra (I), Royal Navy, US Navy, WWII

On August 9, 1942, HMAS Canberra I was hit 24 times in less than two minutes, resulting in the loss

Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, right, presents Elizabeth Buchanan with a Medal for Gallantry, which was posthumously awarded to her father, the late Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan, for his actions on July 22, 1942. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran. Photos by Sergeant David Cotton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Heroic WW2 acts awarded 82 years on

30/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1239 Views 0 Comments Medal for Gallantry, WWII

Medals of Gallantry have been awarded to members of 32 Squadron who were killed in action during World War 2.

Australian military personnel gather for a dawn service at the Trincomalee Commonwealth War Cemetery in Sri Lanka. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Indo-Pacific partners share history of sacrifice

23/08/202423/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3094 Views 0 Comments Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Sri Lankan Defence Force, WWII

In the dim first light of day, a contingent of ADF personnel gathered for a dawn service on August 17

Madeleine King MP hands over Sergeant John Brislin’s WW2 medals to his son, Bruce Brislin, outside her office in Rockingham, WA. Story by Lieutenant Commander John . Photos Supplied.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

WW2 medals lost but not forgotten

21/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1363 Views 0 Comments WWII

“We will remember them” is more than a phrase. CAPTION: Madeleine King MP hands over Sergeant John Brislin’s WW2 medals to

Army soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth rotation 144 receive an historical briefing prior to conducting the Sandakan Death March in Sandakan, Malaysia. Story by Lieutenant Chloe Reay. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Diggers retrace Sandakan Death March to pay tribute

16/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1834 Views 0 Comments Malaya and Borneo, Rifle Company Butterworth, WWII

In 1942, under Japanese occupation, Australian prisoners of war were sent to Sandakan in Borneo, Malaysia, to build an airstrip.

Privates Bianca Nankervis and Nelson Fox from Rifle Company Butterworth rotation 144 visit the Kundasang War Memorial in Ranau, Malaysia. Story and photos by Lieutenant Chloe Reay.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Paying tribute to fallen family members

16/08/202424/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1863 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Malaya and Borneo, Rifle Company Butterworth, WWII

As part of their three-month deployment to Malaysia, soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation 144 were given the opportunity

Second Lieutenant Cecil Healy is the only Australian Olympian to have died in combat.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering Aussie Olympic Gold medalist killed in action

24/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1734 Views 0 Comments France, WWI

Olympians Kaarle McCulloch and Michelle Ford have honoured the memory of Cecil Healy, the only Australian Olympic gold medallist to die

From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton; Saskia Hobbs and Reverend Mark Perry take part in the lighting of the candle ceremony. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Lighting a candle for fallen aviators on London trip

19/07/202430/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2485 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, RAF, United Kingdom

Australia’s new Chief of Air Force has embarked on his first overseas trip, arriving in London for a series of

Warrant Officer Rodney Wallace and Squadron Leader Jamie Stirling (fourth and fifth from left) with the other 11 Squadron personnel at Owens Arch along the Kokoda Track. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Trekking for history and self

09/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1840 Views 0 Comments Kokoda Track, No. 11 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The Kokoda Track was always in the back of Squadron Leader Jamie Stirling’s mind during his more than 25 years

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie has been honoured at the Normandy Memorial Wall during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Story by By Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

D-Day commemorations: honouring those who served

14/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1399 Views 0 Comments D-Day, France, WWII

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie, who served in World War 2, has had his name added to the Normandy Memorial Wall during

Sapper Ian Moss and his explosive detection dog Flo Joe, carefully make their way across a field in search of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2012. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Sergeant Raymond Vance.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Videos

Remembering a four-legged warrior

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2345 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs

June 7 is National Military Working Dog Day, when Defence honours the loyalty and commitment of four-legged friends who’ve served

Flight Sergeant Gordan Hamilton's portrait on display during the memorial service of four WW2 RAAF servicemen at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Wing Commander Bruce Chalmers. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Farewelled eight decades later

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1930 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, RAAF Amberley, WWII

Brought down in action in September 1943, the crew of 100 Squadron’s Beaufort Bomber A9-186 were farewelled during a combined

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 2556 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

Victorian Governor Margaret Elaine Gardner, right, presents the daughter of Pilot Officer David Taylor, Margaret Ekberg, with his Medal for Gallantry for heroism in PNG during WW2. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering heroism 82 years on

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1177 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Their mission was as dangerous as any during World War 2, and more than 80 years after coming down in

First flight in A8-144 F111 for pilot WGCDR Errol McCormack. Story by Flying Officer Shan Galappatthy.

ADF People Lest We Forget

Farewell to a distinguished Air Force leader

08/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1628 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force

Air Force has honoured a former Chief of Air Force, retired Air Marshal Errol McCormack, who passed away in early