WWII Archives - CONTACT magazine

A RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft from 10 Squadron conducts a flypast during the National Commemoration of the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Hobart Cenotaph, Tasmania. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O’Connor. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Air Force pauses to remember historic battle

27/09/202327/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 86 Views 0 Comments Air Force Cadets, AP-3C Orion, Battle of Britain, No. 10 Squadron, Roulettes, WWII

The roar of engines overhead from a 10 Squadron AP-3C (EW) Orion heralded the start of a sombre wreath-laying ceremony

Leading Aircraftwomen Erica Moy and Tahlia Kitchin, from 83 Squadron, and Lyall Ellers reflect on his Air Force service during his 100th birthday celebrations held at his home in Seacliff, Adelaide, SA. Photos by Sergeant Nicci Freeman.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

A milestone teaches and inspires young aviators

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 344 Views 0 Comments RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

Members of RAAF Base Edinburgh had the privilege of sharing in the 100th birthday celebrations for a World War 2

A wreath tribute at the Battle of Britain commemorative service at Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Battle of Britain Remembered

20/09/202320/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 541 Views 0 Comments Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

On September 16, RAAF Edinburgh aviators and the Air Force Association (South Australia) co-hosted the annual Battle of Britain commemorative

The sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News

Statue a tribute to all military nurses

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 871 Views 0 Comments AWM, Service Nurses, WWII

As the sun rose above the Australian War Memorial on August 2, its light touched the face of the first

Senior ADF Officer RAAF Base Amberley, Group Captain Dennis Tan (right), and Warrant Officer Glenn Lyons (left) with Air Force veteran John Shoesmith and his family to celebrate his 100th birthday. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People History

Spitfire pilot turns 100

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 259 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, Spitfire, WWII

World War II pilot Warrant Officer (retired) John Shoesmith celebrated his 100th birthday in Wynnum Queensland. CAPTION: Senior ADF Officer RAAF

Studio portrait of ex-Warrant Officer Alfred James Marquis who served during World War 2. Photo courtesy of Australian War Memorial, Accession Number AWM2017.520.1.5994. Story by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Personal stories

Honouring ‘Rusty’, the last Navy beach commando

27/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 391 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWII

Private Nicholas Marquis reflects on the colourful life of his grandfather and one of the first Warrant Officers of the

Squadron Leader Ted McConchie (retd) smiles in front of a CAC CA-18 Mustang at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Flying Officer Rosetta Gigliotti. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Paris Rigney.

ADF People History Veterans

WW2 air gunner celebrates 100th birthday

21/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1248 Views 0 Comments No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Squadron Leader Edward “Ted” McConchie (retd) celebrated his 100th birthday with fellow service members from 100 Squadron at RAAF Base

HMAS Canberra guides USS Canberra through Sydney Heads. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

News Royal Australian Navy USA Videos

Two ships called Canberra bond in Sydney

20/07/202320/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1312 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), US Navy, WWII

USS Canberra personnel welcomed the company of their sister ship, HMAS Canberra, on board for a tour while the ship

An Australian Army soldier from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment, assists in filling Hesco barriers for protective works during Operation Render Safe, Nauru. Story by Captain Karam Louli . Photo by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

Australian Army News Pacific Videos

Aussie EOD techs deal with UXO in Nauru

19/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1032 Views 0 Comments 6th Engineer Support Regiment, EOD, Operation Render Safe, UXO, WWII

A team of Australian Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists are working with authorities in Nauru to render safe an

Florence Violet McKenzie in her Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps uniform. Story by Private Nicholas Marquis.

ADF People History

Canberra park honours signals pioneer

11/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 431 Views 0 Comments WWII

Australia’s first female electrical engineer was so brilliant, she was pen pals with Albert Einstein. CAPTION: Florence Violet McKenzie in her

Lieutenant Aaron McCready with his sister, Flying Officer Nadine Muller, and their nephew, Madden Muller (wearing his great-grandfather Corporal Mervyn McCready's medals). Story by Captain Catherine Batch. Photo by Callum Smith.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Legacy beneficiary gives back

21/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 346 Views 0 Comments Legacy, WWII

In the aftermath of a long and devastating World War 2 campaign, the scars left on soldiers like Lieutenant Aaron

Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Angus Houston, Ron Houghton, President of the Bomber Command Association of Australia, Bert Adams, Max Barry and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Australian Bomber Command aviators remembered

14/06/202318/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1691 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

The service and sacrifice of RAAF personnel who served in Royal Air Force Bomber Command in WWII – as part

Director Recruiting – Army Colonel Kimberlea Juchniewicz congratulates veteran Signaller Norma Eggleston as she celebrated her 99th birthday at the Woden RSL club sub-branch, Canberra. Story by Major Anne-Maree Hunt. Photo by Lieutenant Colonel David Hankin.

ADF People History Veterans

99 signals big milestone

14/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 554 Views 0 Comments WWII

At 99, veteran Norma Eggleston is one of Australia’s oldest living female signallers. CAPTION: Director Recruiting – Army Colonel Kimberlea

Rear Admiral (retd) Guy Griffiths, right, presents the Royal Navy ensign to Commanding Officer HMS Prince of Wales Captain Richard Hewitt. Story by Lieutenant Charlie Marshall.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy UK Veterans

London service honours historic links

09/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1770 Views 1 Comment WWII

In a remarkable service in London, an Australian WW2 veteran presented a Royal Navy ensign to the captain of Britain’s

Senior Australian Defence Force Officer Amberley, Group Captain Dennis Tan, escorts Ms Jean Jackson around the Amberley History and Heritage Centre at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photo by Sergeant Peter Borys.

ADF People History Veterans

At 99, veteran presses rewind

08/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 671 Views 0 Comments RAAF Amberley, WWII

One of Ipswich’s oldest war veterans, 99-year-old Jean Jackson, recently returned to RAAF Base Amberley for the first time in

Able Seaman Musician Phillip Eden sounds the Last Post during a memorial service to mark the 81st anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul at Garden Island, New South Wales. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial service marks Sydney sub attack

08/06/202308/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 751 Views 0 Comments Heritage Centre, HMAS Kuttabul, Submarine, WWII

On the evening of May 31, 1942, a distant war was delivered to Sydney’s doorstep. CAPTION: Able Seaman Musician Phillip

Local indigenous cultural performers conduct a smoking ceremony during the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration at Hyde Park, Sydney. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Veterans

Memorial honours Indigenous service

02/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1198 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Reconciliation Week, WWII

In 1941, a German spy, disguised as an Australian, sent soldiers from the 2nd and 15th Battalion into a German

Warrant Officer Class One Benn Goulter, left, and Brigadier Greg Novak, right, with veteran Signalman James ‘Jim’ Easton at the St Heliers Grace Joel Retirement Village, New Zealand. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Maryvonne Gray.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Signalman a living legacy at age 106

02/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1331 Views 0 Comments WWII

At 106 years of age, veteran Signalman James ‘Jim’ Easton is thought to be Australia’s oldest living signaller. CAPTION: Warrant

Alf Najar in his MG TB Monoposto number nine lines up for a start in the 1948 Australian Grand Prix. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photo by Stanton Najar, sourced from Speedway and Road Race History website.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Remembering the 1948 Australian Grand Prix

05/04/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1509 Views 1 Comment No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

The excitement of a Formula 1 Grand Prix will never change – the roar of engines flashing past at mind-blowing

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, join Darwin morning radio host Dan Hilliard, raising funds and awareness for Soldier On in Darwin. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Major Dan Mazurek.

Australian Army History News

Radio host soldiers on for charity

29/03/202329/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 515 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Soldier On, WWII

Darwin’s Mix 104.9FM radio host Dan Hilliard recruited soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), to join him

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