WWII – CONTACT magazine

Major Mike Fitzpatrick, left, and his late father Keith Fitzpatrick. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Three generations of military service

10/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 635 Views 0 Comments WWII

Of the nearly one million Australians who served in World War 2, Keith Fitzpatrick was believed to be among the

Phillip 'Monro' Preuss celebrates his century with his great-grandchildren and 1 Recruit Training Unit members, from left, Squadron Leader Shannon Monk, Wing Commander Jodie Mason, Sergeant Nick Harrison, Corporal Tahlia Stockley and Warrant Officer David Harding. Story and photos by Flying Officer Belinda Barker.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

WW2 veteran celebrates a century

08/10/202508/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 604 Views 0 Comments 1RTU, RAAF Wagga Wagga, WWII

Nearly 80 years after his discharge from the Royal Australian Air Force, Phillip ‘Monro’ Preuss remains a celebrated member of

Bomana War Cemetery, located near Port Moresby, is the final resting place of more than 3300 Australians. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

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

Bomana visit a moving moment for ADF members

25/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3180 Views 0 Comments HMAS Choules, Operation Wantaim, PNG, WWII

Two ADF members paid a special visit to their relatives’ graves at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea

ADF People History

Honouring the Air Force spirit

23/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3293 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, WWII

For Wing Commander Jenny Robertson (retd), the Battle of Britain is more than a pivotal moment in history. It’s a

Members of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Association, guests and representatives from Allied and Axis powers prepare for the wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Hobart. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

More than heroism: Battle of Britain tribute

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4186 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, WWII

Eighty-five years ago, a fierce aerial campaign changed the course of history. CAPTION: Members of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Association,

Defence APS member Grant Tebbutt with his late grandfather Tom Foster’s recently recovered World War 2 medals and a photo album belonging to his father, Ivan. Story by Lieutenant Fenlan Miller. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Archives History Lest We Forget

Defence APS member reunited with lost medals

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2780 Views 0 Comments WWII

Forty years after they vanished, a set of medals belonging to a Defence Australian Public Service member’s grandfather has been

Recipients of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award (JCGSA) approach the Sandakan Death March Memorial in Sabah, Malaysia, while retracing the historic route. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Overseas

A journey of remembrance and learning in Borneo

05/09/202516/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 5980 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, WWII

Recipients of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award (JCGSA) have retraced the route of the single worst atrocity inflicted on

Funeral Guard members, left to right, Leading Seaman Lindsey Young, Able Seaman Jake Clarke and Leading Seaman Bella Cummins, carry the coffin of Leading Stoker Des Jones, as Navy Chaplain David Hastie follows. Story by Lieutenant Commander Ben Robson. Photos by Lance Corporal Joseph Hess.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Last living link to tragedy of HMAS Canberra I

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4351 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), WWII

On a still and cloudy afternoon, Leading Stoker Des Jones was laid to rest, carried to his gravesite on the

The signing of the surrender document by Allied personnel and representatives of the Japanese forces aboard the United States battleship Missouri, September 2, 1945. Story by Rosalind Turner. Photos from Australian War Memorial.

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

Commemorating 80 years since Victory in the Pacific

15/08/202526/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3527 Views 0 Comments Victory in the Pacific, WWII

On the morning of August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan publicly announced that Japan would accept the Allies’ ultimatum

Centenarian and World War 2 Air Force veteran June Hunter cuts her birthday cake with help from Aircraftwoman Molly Blanch and Leading Aircraftwoman Nicole Webb. Photos by Group Captain Gregory Weller.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Celebrating the life of a WWII air force veteran

07/08/202518/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2679 Views 0 Comments WWII

The life of World War II veteran June Hunter (nee Hitch), who died in late July, was a story that

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.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Adelaide honours legacy of Bomber Command

27/06/202502/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1915 Views 0 Comments Bomber Command, WWII

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

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 4634 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

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 1913 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

Australian Army Private Kamarga Rogers, from 3rd Close Health Battalion, discusses medical techniques with Lieutenant Susami Shiori of the Japan Self-Defense Force during Operation Render Safe. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People Australian Army Overseas

Army medic relishes first deployment

17/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3131 Views 0 Comments 3rd Health Battalion, Japan Self-Defense Force, Operation Render Safe, PNG, unexploded ordnance, WWII

In the tropical terrain of East New Britain, Australian Defence Force personnel are working with international partners to help make

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 2053 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 1986 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

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 2734 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 1977 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

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 2911 Views 1 Comment VE Day, WWII

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

10 Squadron marches in a Victory in Europe Day parade on May 9, 1945, in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Story by Rosalind Turner.

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

80th anniversary of Victory in Europe

08/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2083 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

On Tuesday May 8, 1945, British prime minister Winston Churchill made an announcement: The war was over and the Allies

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